Monthly Business Meeting

The paid interim bills and unpaid current bills were presented. Supervisor Shultz motioned to approve the bills as presented, seconded by Supervisor Eppley; the motion carried unanimously.

Chairman Shearer addressed Ken Bechtel's concern about the unanimous vote declaration on the Ferguson employment offer, citing PSATS legal advisor Tom Wenger's guidance that the vote result is the Chairman's call unless challenged by a board member. Supervisor Stopfel motioned to approve the minutes with a correction to the Solicitor's name spelling, seconded by Supervisor Eppley; carried unanimously.

The Planning Commission recommended accepting B2 Partners, Inc. offer #3 of $9,665.00 as payment of fees in lieu of land dedication per Section 514 of the SALDO. Supervisor Stopfel motioned to accept, seconded by Supervisor Eppley; carried unanimously. A 90-day extension was also granted to the applicant, motioned by Supervisor Stopfel and seconded by Supervisor Shultz; carried unanimously.

The Board approved multiple waivers and modifications recommended by the Planning Commission: waiver of the Preliminary Plan procedure, waiver of wetlands delineation, and modifications to curbing and sidewalk requirements (deferred with plan notations for future compliance). The plan was conditionally approved pending corrections to the wooded area legend, Planning Module approval, PennDOT HOP indemnification note, and UPI number inclusion. Dave Hoover was authorized to execute the plan upon completion of conditions. All motions carried unanimously.

The Board approved several waivers and modifications recommended by the Planning Commission: waiver of the Preliminary Plan procedure, waiver of wetlands delineation, and modifications to minimum building setback, lot area, and lot width requirements as shown on the plan. All motions carried unanimously.

Jim and Carol Eppley reported that Act 24 compliance will require the Township to establish a zoning ordinance preserving land along the Appalachian Trail by August 2010. They volunteered to research requirements and report back. Regarding the billboard ordinance, Chairman Shearer indicated the Act 24 ordinance should take priority given the legal deadline; no further action on the billboard ordinance was taken.

Dale Shoop reported that PennDOT traffic engineer Chuck Tripp said a plan submission would be needed for a left-turning arrow at Route 147 and Parmer Drive, estimating $7,500 total ($2,500 for the light, $5,000 for K&W Engineers' plan and traffic study). Engineer Tom Wilson volunteered to discuss cost-sharing with Cedar Shopping Centers (the Commons developer). Separately, Dale noted the need for a new Emergency Management Coordinator; Chairman Shearer said the Board had begun discussions on finding a replacement.

Chairman Shearer requested approval to renew the Municipal Planning Advisory Service Agreement for 2010, a $1,250 grant designated for the Township's Comprehensive Plan development. Supervisor Stopfel motioned to approve, seconded by Supervisor Eppley; carried unanimously. Shearer announced her resignation from the Committee at month's end, with Supervisor Shultz moving from alternate to full member, and suggested appointing a new alternate at the Reorganization meeting.

Chairman Shearer reviewed cost estimates for the ordinance review: $2,160 from the Solicitor and $1,080 from the Engineer, which she found consistent with prior ordinance review fees. Supervisor Eppley motioned to assign the review to the Solicitor and Engineer, seconded by Supervisor Stopfel. Bob Artman clarified that his research findings were already incorporated into the current draft. The motion carried unanimously.

Todd Etzweiler raised concerns about the lack of capital improvement funding for equipment, the $10,000 Recreation Fees line item (which Shearer explained related to River Ridge MHP fees in lieu of land dedication), and the $1,500 Secretary/Treasurer bonding cost. Ken Bechtel felt earned income tax was understated and also questioned personnel costs for the Solicitor, Engineer, Secretary, and Treasurer. Supervisor Shultz explained the need for a 30% Street Lighting Tax increase to offset rising electricity costs. Supervisor Stopfel motioned to approve the 2010 budget, seconded by Supervisor Eppley; Chairman Shearer abstained, and the motion carried unanimously.

Mark and Jennifer Loudin requested the Board classify lighting at Armstrong Valley Fitness Center as a nuisance, stating that since 2007 the parking lot lights cast a spotlight on their deck. Chairman Shearer confirmed she visited the location and found the lighting offensive. Supervisor Stopfel motioned to have the Solicitor generate a nuisance letter requesting corrective action, seconded by Supervisor Eppley; carried unanimously.

Supervisor Stopfel reported on a PSATS finance committee meeting in Hershey on November 12, 2009 regarding state budget cutbacks and their impact on local municipalities. She distributed a related handout and noted the Governor's movement toward combining municipalities, stressing the need to preserve local municipalities to maintain a voice in local issues.

Chairman Shearer proposed posting the park's rules and regulations at the park, obtaining a quote of $31.50 per 12"x18" sign from PA Correctional Industries. Brad Bruner volunteered to provide a cost estimate for appropriately sized signs using his professional judgment, and the Board granted him the opportunity to do so.

Rudi Erb of Twin Valley Conservation returned a $1,000 check to the Township, reimbursing a prior donation for dump clean-up after Supervisor Stopfel obtained a grant covering those costs. Separately, Supervisor Stopfel motioned to donate $200 to Twin Valley Conservation in memory of Mike Decker, the Township's former Emergency Management Coordinator, seconded by Supervisor Eppley; carried unanimously.

Supervisor Eppley requested that a link to the Appalachian Trail Act information (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/pa_apptrail_act) be posted on the Township's website. Chairman Shearer asked Shanemarie Ferguson to contact the webmaster to make it available.

Supervisor Stopfel motioned to adjourn at 9:05 PM, seconded by Supervisor Eppley; the motion carried unanimously.