Monthly Business Meeting

Ken Hoover motioned to accept the May 10, 2010 minutes as presented. Carol Eppley seconded and the motion carried 5:0.

Gary Shultz motioned to approve the paid interim bills as presented. Ken Hoover seconded and the motion carried 5:0.

Ken Hoover motioned to approve the unpaid bills as presented. Carol Eppley seconded. Chairman Bechtel noted the payment to the Dauphin County Tax Collection Committee is the Township's portion of start-up money needed by the Committee. The motion carried 5:0.

The June 2010 Planning Commission meeting was canceled due to no business to conduct; the next meeting is scheduled for July 7, 2010. Chairman Bechtel and Planning Commission Vice Chairman Bob Artman attended the Valleys Regional Comprehensive Plan meeting, where selective character areas were discussed. Melinda Warfel noted one additional VRCP public meeting remains, with the next scheduled for July 13, 2010 in Halifax Borough.

Solicitor Warshawsky reported that a meeting was scheduled for June 21 at 1:30 PM at the Municipal Building with Mr. Tobias and his counsel, to be attended by Warshawsky, Tom Wilson, and insurance counsel Anthony Sherr. He advised against a quorum of supervisors attending due to Sunshine Law concerns. Chairman Bechtel and Ken Hoover volunteered to attend.

Solicitor Warshawsky reported that all vehicles on the Harn property were confirmed to be properly licensed and operable, meaning they do not fall under the nuisance ordinance's definition of abandoned or junk vehicles. The overgrown vegetation issue had also been adequately addressed. No enforcement action was deemed necessary at this time.

Solicitor Warshawsky reported no activity on the Scheidler nuisance for six months since the December 15, 2009 notice, and clean-up efforts appeared to have stalled. Gary Shultz motioned to send a second violation notice with a date certain for compliance; Carol Eppley seconded. The board directed Secretary Ferguson to generate the notice with photographs of the property's current condition. The motion carried 5:0.

Solicitor Warshawsky confirmed that Secretary Ferguson accepted the offer to serve as Township Treasurer under the terms provided at the May 10, 2010 meeting. The appointment runs through the end of the calendar year.

Solicitor Warshawsky reported that Ms. Kauffman granted Mr. Heim permission to use Fuhrman Road, but expressed concern about overlooking subdivision plan contingencies requiring installation of a road to serve Mr. Heim's property. Dale Shoop noted Mr. Heim planned to apply for a PennDOT driveway permit and, if denied, seek a Township waiver. The board decided not to intervene and allow Mr. Heim to pursue the matter with PennDOT.

Tom Wilson reported that after reviewing the site on June 8, 2010 with Dale Shoop, it remained his position that the private pipe and drainage inlet are Mr. Baer's responsibility as they are on private property. Solicitor Warshawsky clarified that prior Township pipe replacement on private property in the subdivision was warranted by different circumstances involving rusted pipe within the Township's right-of-way. The board directed Secretary Ferguson to send Mr. Baer a summary letter of their position.

Dale Shoop reported the cost of spring clean-up was $5,522.50, compared to $5,534.60 last year. The Township recovered $1,558 in scrap metal, which the board determined would be deposited into the general fund. He thanked Ken Hoover, Hal Stopfel, and Shanemarie Ferguson for volunteering.

Dale Shoop and Liquid Fuels Representative Scott Lehman recommended paving the south end of Hoffman Road, Ridge Road from Hershey Road to the Township line, Kieffer Road from Dunkle School Road to Baddorf Road, and Baddorf Road from Kieffer Road to the Township line. The estimated cost is $145,000–$156,000 with approximately $183,000 available in liquid fuel monies. Carol Eppley motioned to advertise the project; Linda Stopfel seconded and the motion carried 5:0.

Dale Shoop presented a proposal for a Sharp MX-C311 copier at $4,050 to replace the failing office copier. The board discussed lease versus purchase options and directed Dale Shoop and Secretary Ferguson to acquire additional proposals with both options for consideration at next month's meeting.

Chairman Bechtel clarified that although Comcast Franchise Fees were discussed at the prior meeting as a potential funding source for the backhoe purchase, the motion that carried was to use general fund monies.

Chairman Bechtel noted the Township signed a 2-year contract with Patriot Energy for an electric generation rate of $0.0822/kWh. Carol Eppley motioned to ratify the contract; Gary Shultz seconded and the motion carried 5:0.

Secretary Ferguson reported that JP Harris agreed to collect outstanding solicitor and engineering fees for 25% of amounts collected. Carol Eppley motioned to turn over four accounts totaling $582.45 (Linda Danner/Arlene Kerstetter $18.45, Charles Paulvir $338.37, Katharina Shoop $58.32, Corin & Jennifer Teeters $167.31). Gary Shultz seconded and the motion carried 5:0.

Secretary Ferguson reported the Mannings still owe $1,769.49 in arrears after vacating the rental house at the Park. The board agreed to pursue payment through a monthly plan of $250 starting end of June, with the balance to be paid in full by end of December 2010. Solicitor Warshawsky was directed to draft the correspondence.

Chairman Bechtel reported an invitation from Jim Eppley for supervisors to attend the Master Site Plan Committee meeting but raised Sunshine Law concerns about full board attendance. Solicitor Warshawsky suggested advertising the meeting or setting ground rules for passive participation. The board decided Linda Stopfel (committee member) and Gary Shultz would attend as board representation.

Gary Shultz presented photographs of the park barn showing deteriorated supporting beams, a collapsed second floor, and a crumbling foundation. He noted Alice Trowbridge of Larson Design indicated the lower level cannot be used due to floodplain location. Restoration cost estimates ranged from $125,000 (most conservative) to $200,000–$350,000 (Center Point Engineering). Linda Stopfel requested that Carl Dickson, who believed the barn was worth restoring, be given the opportunity to present to the board.

Donna Rode presented the citizens committee's research supporting a formal written waiver request to DCNR to continue farming the park, arguing the Township was pressured to purchase the property and misled about land use restrictions. Linda Stopfel expressed concern that additional attempts could harm future grant funding. Solicitor Warshawsky indicated the request could be drafted without harming grant prospects. Ken Hoover motioned to have Solicitor Warshawsky draft the letter; Gary Shultz seconded and the motion carried 3:0 (Carol Eppley and Linda Stopfel having departed).

Ken Hoover motioned to adjourn at 9:50 PM. Gary Shultz seconded and the motion carried 3:0.