March 2009 Sups Minute
Minutes of the Pequea Township Board of Supervisors meeting held March 18, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pequea Township Building, 1028 Millwood Road, Willow Street, Pa.
Present at the meeting were:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Virginia K. Brady, Chairperson
Bruce G. Groff, Vice-Chairman
Joseph P. Terry
Secretary-Treasurer, Patsy L. Davis
Zoning/Code Officer, Wes Bruckno
Others present: Sign In Sheet Attached
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Virginia Brady welcomed new Supervisor, Joseph P. Terry to the Board.
- In April there will be a special presentation by Chris Haefner, who was involved at the Silver Mines Park. He has author of a book titled “The Silver Mines”!
- Bruce Groff apologized for the appearance of the meeting room. The roadcrew are painting, installing new ceiling tiles and lights, and new insulation.
- Bruce Groff also welcomed Joseph Terry to the Board.
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: Copies of the February 18, 2009 minutes are on the table. Virginia Brady moved to approve the February 18, 2009 minutes as printed. Bruce Groff seconded the motion. The vote was taken and Virginia Brady and Bruce Groff voted yes. Joe Terry abstained from voting.
SECRETARY TREASURER REPORT: A copy of the bill list and financial report is on the table. Virginia Brady moved to approve checks #6177 through #6225 of the General Fund, checks #1913 through #1919 of the Recreation Fund, check #613 of the Street Light Fund, and check #1098 of the Traffic Signal Fund. Joseph Terry seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Pequea Township EAC – Virginia Brady moved to appoint MaryAnn Robins to the Environmental Advisory Council(EAC). Bruce Groff seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed. Virginia Brady moved to appoint MaryAnn Robins as Chairperson of the EAC. Bruce Groff seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
- 537 Plan Update – Virginia Brady moved to appoint Joseph Terry as Supervisor member for the 537 Plan Committee. Joseph Terry seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed. Bruce Groff moved to appoint Joseph Terry to act as Chairman of the 537 Plan Committee. Virginia Brady seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed. Questions and comments were taken from the residents present on the 537 Plan update which includes a proposed OLDS ordinance for mandatory maintenance of on-lot systems. Most residents were not in favor of proceeding with mandatory maintenance. Requested were documents from the study that was done showing proof of a health issue in Pequea Township to show that a mandatory maintenance program is needed. Virginia Brady stated that a public hearing is needed and that information will be provided then. Mrs. Brady felt that enough facts have been gathered since 2007 and that as soon as Mr. Terry is brought up to date a hearing should be set. Virginia Brady moved to set a date for a public hearing. Her motion died for lack of a second. Supervisors, Joseph Terry and Bruce Groff felt that more study time from the Committee, now Chaired by Joseph Terry, is needed to provide answers to the many questions that have been raised by the residents. Virginia Brady attempted a second motion to proceed with advertising a public hearing. This motion died for lack of a second. Bruce Groff requested that the new Chairperson of the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), MaryAnn Robins, review the proposed 537 Plan update and that the EAC make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Heatherfield Development
- The18 Month Maintenance Guarantee for Improvements, D004639 in the amount of $43,350.00 will expire 4/17/09 on the dedicated streets in Heatherfield. A site inspection was done and noted were deficiencies in the stormwater boxes. A letter was sent notifying the developer of the need to correct those problems before April 17, 2009.
- Requested was release of the Letter of Credit in the amount of $14,399.00 for a 4-lot subdivision within Heatherfield Development. The 4 lots have been sold and the owners have completed their homes and all improvements by letter from Shauna Groff dated 3/11/09, project coordinator for Keystone Custom Homes, Lancaster Home Builders. Virginia Brady moved to release the Letter of Credit D002887. Bruce Groff seconded the motion. The vote was taken and Virginia Brady and Bruce Groff voted yes. Joseph Terry abstained from voting.
- Virginia Brady moved to accept the resignation of Joseph P. Terry from the Pequea Township Planning Commission, term to expire January 2010. Joseph Terry seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed. Virginia Brady moved to appoint Fred T. Witmer to that post. He submitted a resume for the office of Supervisor. Joseph Terry commented that he did not receive the second resume from Robert Porterfield. He would like to see both before deciding. Her motion died for lack of a second. Following debate from the floor the Supervisors decided to advertise the open position in Lancaster Newspapers. Virginia Brady moved to advertise. Joseph Terry seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
- Virginia Brady moved to acknowledge the petition submitted from Clifford L. & Nancy J. Charles to add 101.8 acres located at 2227 New Danville Pike to Pequea Township’s Ag Security Area and to forward the petition to Pequea Township Planning Commission and the Ag Security Committee for review. Bruce Groff seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
- Discussed was use of the township hallway on election day. Tables are placed there by persons handing out political information causing a disruption for employees and others wanting to use facilities. Joseph Terry called the election board for an answer. They indicated an answer will be provided from their solicitor. Wheelchair accessibility is impaired. Reasonable restrictions may be imposed by the Pequea Township Supervisors. Mr. Terry suggested waiting for all the information before making a decision on this issue.
- Discussed was moving the voting location to one of the fire companies providing more parking and a larger facility. On a Presidential election year the township building lacks enough parking. Also discussed was splitting the voting district into more than one location in Pequea Township.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Roadcrew - Work report on file.
Zoning/Code Officer – Work report on file. Mr. Bruckno added that a mandatory DEP Township-wide stormwater management program is required. Mr. Bruckno will try to prepare this plan himself without engineering costs.
Legal Liaison – Virginia Brady already discussed under business items.
Southern Regional Police Dept. – Work report and Police Commission meeting minutes are available on the table.
ADVISORY BOARD REPORTS:
Minutes of the advisory board’s are available on the table.
Pequea Township Planning Commission – Meeting March 5, 2009.
Pequea Township EAC – No Meeting March 10, 2009.
Pequea Township Park & Recreation Board – Meeting held March 11, 2009. Harry Lehman added some business items.
Virginia Brady moved to approve Gabe Eshleman, Troop 146 to put up a split rail fence by the creek to prevent bikers and young children from falling into the creek as his Eagle Scout Project. Bruce Groff seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed. This is the area before Box Elder Meadow.
The handicapped pier will be started soon and be finished by Community Days.
Approximately 50 trees were transplanted yesterday. West Willow Fire Company will water the trees.
Virginia Brady moved to approve Tomlinson Bomberger who chose Silver Mine Park for their Earth Day Project. They will be doing the planting on the ledge of the big hill by the large parking lot. Joseph Terry seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
Virginia Brady approved the Native American Committee to move forward on researching two possible grants from DCNR. Joseph Terry seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
Virginia Brady commented that there is a USDA grant available for floodplain conservation. Mrs. Brady will provide a copy to the Township.
Lancaster Inter-Municipal Committee – Virginia Brady reported they are still working on a tattoo parlor ordinance.
Lancaster County Planning Commission – Virginia Brady reported that the Model Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance was given to PTPC for review. LCPC will be forwarding a Historic Overlay for Townships.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
- Bob Dano thanked the roadcrew for the past snow removal job. He reported that a resident, Ressy Wright, cleared snow on Chrissy Lane back over the hill. He suggested she be thanked in the next Pequea Pulse.
- Ken Adams requested that the Supervisors look at citizens request for variances be granted by the zoning officer rather than requiring them to go to a hearing. Wes Bruckno stated that the law does not allow that. It will need to go to the State Legislature.
MEETING ADJOURNED: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30
Respectfully submitted,
Patsy L. Davis, Secretary
