Board of Supervisors Minutes 9/16/09
Minutes of the Pequea Township Board of Supervisors meeting held September 16, 2009 at 7:00 pm at the Pequea Township Building, 1028 Millwood Road, Willow Street, PA.
Present at the meeting were: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Virginia K. Brady, Chairman
Bruce G. Groff, Vice-Chairman
Joseph P. Terry, Supervisor
Others present: Sign-In Sheet Attached
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
· An initial Tax Collection Committee meeting is scheduled for October 29 at 7 pm in the Planning Commission Conference Room 150 N. Queen Street
· The Lancaster Farmland Trust annual picnic will be held September 24, 2009 at the Strasburg Rail Road, Rt. 741 with a special ride on the train promptly at 4:30 pm arriving at Cherry Crest Farm’s picnic area around 5 pm. Cost is $10 per person.
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: Copies of the August 19, 2009 minutes are on the table. Virginia Brady moved to approve the August 19, 2009 minutes as printed. Bruce Groff seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
SECRETARY TREASURER REPORT: A copy of the bill list with financial report is on the table. Virginia Brady moved to approve the General Fund Checks #6483 through 6538, Recreation Fund checks #1967 through 1978, Street Light Fund check #620, Traffic Signal Fund check #1103-1104, Park Donation Fund check #64, and State Highway Aid Fund check #332-333. Joseph Terry seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
GUEST SPEAKER: Jeanette Eddos, Lancaster Library, gave an annual report on Pequea Township’s use of the library services. There are 1,165 cardholders with 35,616 items circulated in 2008. As the result of the state’s funding crisis, the library has begun reducing staff hours and eliminating positions. Important services and programs are in jeopardy. The present township donation of $1500 is appreciated. Any funding for 2010 would be deeply appreciated.
Old Business:
- Virginia Brady moved to change the office hours to 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday. Bruce Groff seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
- Virginia Brady moved to add the computer/internet/cell phone policies to the Non-Uniform Personnel Policy. Joseph Terry seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
- Virginia Brady moved to authorize the solicitor to proceed with advertising to consider amending Pequea Township Zoning Ordinance to revise provisions governing the expiration of special exceptions and conditional use approvals at the October 21, 2009 meeting. Bruce Groff seconded the motion. When the vote was taken, Virginia Brady and Bruce Groff voted yes. Joseph Terry voted no, opposed.
- Virginia Brady moved that the Board of Supervisors ratify and confirm the execution by Virginia K. Brady in her capacity as Chair of the Board of Supervisors of the Letter Agreement dated September 15, 2009, between AREVA NP Inc. and the Township relating to the delivery of steam generators to Three Mile Island in the form and content presented at this meeting. Bruce Groff seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
New Business:
- Virginia Brady moved to approve the renewal of the Winter Traffic Service Agreement with PaDot. Bruce Groff seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
- A request has been made by property owner, Joe Perry for his property located at 40 Whipporwill Dr. for a waiver of the 100 foot minimum well isolation distance from the proposed absorption area to the well, to repair the existing malfunctioning system. He will obtain 60 feet from his well. All neighboring wells are greater than 100 feet away. Amos Miller, SEO, has reviewed the request, made an on-site inspection, and has recommended approval of the waiver as the best possible method of correction. Virginia Brady moved to approve a waiver for Joe Perry for property located at 40 Whipporwill Dr. for the 100 feet requirement distance from the well for replacement of an on-lot sewage system as the best possible method of correction. Bruce Groff seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
- No Parking Newswanger Road – Bruce Groff discussed the possibility of posting No Parking signs on Newswanger Road. He felt that when vehicles are parked on both sides of the street, there is not sufficient width for emergency vehicle access to the residents living there. Plowing snow is difficult. A resident living there was present and objected to posting No Parking signs. Supervisors tabled this business until looking at the road and will hold further discussion at the October meeting.
- Virginia Brady moved to adopt Resolution 325-2009 to execute and provide all information necessary to the PA Dept of Transportation by an Electronic Access Licensing Agreement. Joseph Terry seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
- Jacob King and Stephen King were present to request removal of the old pony truss bridge on Bylerland Church Road. They reported children climbing the span and it is not in a safe condition to be left over the Pequea Creek. The King’s offered to take the old bridge and restore it for their private use. The Supervisors agreed to consider their proposal after receiving cost details from the King’s and speaking with DEP. A decision will be made at the October meeting if the information is received.
- It is necessary to set UCC Board of Appeal fees. Costs for advertising a legal notice, mailing, an appearance fee for a stenographer and original transcript needs to be considered when setting fees for an appeal. LIMC has requested other municipality fees as a guide. The Supervisors decided to table this until more information is obtained.
- Discussed was a request by residents at 606 Woodhall Dr. to transfer their taxing rights from Pequea Township to West Lampeter Township so that their children can attend Lampeter Strasburg School District. The Neumann’s stated they were not aware of their right to choose at the time of purchase of their home approximately seven years ago but since the boundary line runs through their property they wished to exercise that right at this time. Virginia Brady moved to deny the request of Beth & Ken Neumann 606 Woodhall Dr. to transfer their taxing rights to W. Lampeter Twp. Joseph Terry seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed. The Neumann’s asked if they had any recourse to the decision. The Supervisors advised the Neumann’s to speak with an attorney.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Roadcrew - Work report on file.
Legal Liaison – Virginia Brady reported speaking with Mr. Crosswell on AREVA.
Zoning/Code Officer – Work report on file. Wes Bruckno added that he felt the Supervisors needed to look at the Stormwater Management Ordinance for areas that could be improved as required by DEP. A recent incident involving an owner emptying their swimming pool in Millwood Village resulted in several gallons of water running down the township right-of-way and onto the property of Jackie Johns at 10 Pine Lane. The Stormwater Management Ordinance could be amended to define the emptying of swimming pools as a specific violation. Neither the Stormwater Management Ordinance or the Zoning Ordinance clearly defines this as a violation. Joseph Terry moved to allow Wes Bruckno to investigate improvements to the Stormwater Management Ordinance as required by DEP. Bruce Groff seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
Southern Regional Police Dept. – Work reports and Police Commission meeting minutes are available on the table. Bruce Groff added that Manheim Township Police Department will receive the contract to cover Lancaster Township starting January 2010.
ADVISORY BOARD REPORTS: Minutes of the advisory board’s are on the table.
Pequea Township Planning Commission – Meeting held Sept. 3, 2009.
Pequea Township Park & Recreation Board – Meeting held Sept. 9, 2009. Harry Lehman, Chairman, gave a report on recent activities at the park. He requested that $1300.00 of the Park Donation Fund be approved for use to pave the radiuses on the Hike and Bike Trail. Virginia Brady moved to approve this request. Joseph Terry seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed. Jackie Johns requested that the trees planted on the Memorial Trail be maintained with spraying herbicides, fertilizing, etc. Some of the trees are dying. Is Pequea Township going to replace those trees that died? Harry Lehman, Chairman suggested that a policy be developed on this issue. The Park Board will work on a policy to present to the Supervisors. Mr. Lehman presented a Pavilion Rental Policy to the Supervisors for review. The Supervisors will make a decision on this policy at the October meeting.
Lancaster Inter-Municipal Committee – Virginia Brady reported that LIMC met at Pequea Township this month.
Lancaster County Planning Commission – Virginia Brady nothing discussed for Pequea Township.
Environmental Advisory Council – Chair, MaryAnn Robins, read an apology for her absence at the last two EAC meetings. Due to changes in her work schedule she was not able to attend.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
- John Hickey reported a resident cutting and selling firewood along Route 272 and piling it very close to the roadway. Wes Bruckno will address this.
- James Haines questioned the possibility of opening Newswanger Road to New Danville Pike. Bruce Groff replied that was not a consideration, just the no parking. Supervisor, Joe Terry suggested No Parking During Snow Removal rather than just No Parking. This suggestion will also be considered.
- Thelma Hodson and a few of her neighbors were present to question the resurfacing of their street with oil and chip. She and her neighbors would prefer macadam on the development streets. They said they did not receive a notice before the work was done. It seems to her that the oil and stone mix is not correct; it’s not bonding. She feels the Roadmaster is not doing a proper job. Was this project bid and was there more than one to choose from. The contractor left without finishing the street. Bruce Groff, Roadmaster assured Ms. Hodson that the proper mix of oil and chip was being applied to her street; the contractor will be back to complete when the weather is appropriate; proper procedure was followed for bidding and awarding of the contract for this project. The seal coat is applied to preserve the macadam road surface and costs much less than macadam per mile. Even though Mr. Groff requested notices be prepared and intended to deliver notices there was not time before the contractor called to start. Mrs. Hodson also felt that Mr. Groff holding the position of Roadmaster while being an elected supervisor is a conflict of interest. Mrs. Brady said this is allowed under the 2nd Class Township Code.
- Jackie Johns asked where the proposed “Burn Ordinance” is that was reviewed by the EAC. John Hickey stated that he will prepare a letter regarding their review comments.
- A resident asked if there is any ordinance to regulate soliciting in the Township. Wes Bruckno stated there is no ordinance. If any problems you need to contact the police.
- Thelma Hodson thanked the Township for making the owner of 343 Sprecher Road clean up the property. It looks much better.
Having no further business the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patsy L. Davis, Secretary
