PLUMSTEAD TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS February 9, 2016 Meeting Minutes

Transcription

1 PLUMSTEAD TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Meeting Minutes The public meeting of the Plumstead Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, February at 7:30 p.m. at the Plumstead Township Municipal Building, 5186 Stump Road, Plumsteadville, PA Present: Dan Hilferty Stacey Mulholland Nick Lykon Brian Trymbiski Jonathan J. Reiss, Esq. Timothy Fulmer, P.E. Carolyn McCreary Absent: Frank Froio Chair Vice Chair Secretary Treasurer Township Solicitor Township Engineer Township Manager Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Chairman Hilferty called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. followed by a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. CALENDAR AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Planning Commission meets on February 18. The Veterans Ad Hoc Committee meets on February 24. The Board of Supervisors Worksession scheduled for February 25 is cancelled. PUBLIC COMMENT: None PRESENTATION: Shawn Overturf, a member of the Central Bucks Disc Golf Club presented information to the Board concerning a proposed disc golf course at the Township-owned property on Silo Hill Road (formerly the Doyle Tract). He stated that the sport is gaining in popularity among all ages, and that there are not a lot of courses in the area. He noted that 20 of the property s 40 acres would need to be utilized. He described the course and the maintenance needs, and advised that the proposal included a ten-space parking lot. He stated that with Board approval the construction could start in June and the course available for play by late fall. The Board asked questions about the cost, the use of Public Works staff to mow this area, the proposed materials that would be used for the tee boxes, the maintenance plan, where the parking lot would be located and whether the one at Owls Nest Park could be utilized to integrate the two parcels, and the location of the course to wetlands on the property, citing environmental issues and stormwater management requirements. Mr. Lykon stated that this information had been presented to members of the Township Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee, who endorsed the concept and this proposal. Mr. Reiss suggested that the Township Manager send a letter to the County with the PowerPoint presentation seeking consent to construct the course since the land was acquired using a County open space grant and they have a conservation easement on the parcel. ENGINEER S REPORT: Timothy Fulmer, P.E. 1. Lantern Ridge Proposed Sanitary Sewer Easement: Mr. Fulmer discussed Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority s desire to obtain an easement from a property owner adjacent to the proposed

2 Page 2 of 6 Lantern Ridge development, and allow that property owner access to the road network into Lantern Ridge. He stated that representatives of the Authority had met with Mr. Hilferty, Mr. Reiss and Ms. McCreary to determine if the Township would have an issue with an access easement, assuming the developer would allow it. Subsequent to that meeting Mr. Fulmer stated he was contacted by the Township and asked to review the request. Mr. Lykon asked if the Township could limit the access to just the house in the rear of the property, and not the business located at the front of the property with access to Route 611. Board consensus was to send a note to the Authority regarding the easement and the Township s condition that access only be provided for the house. 2. Gardenville Fields Preliminary Plans: Mr. Fulmer was asked to be present for the ongoing discussion about planned improvements to Gardenville Fields, located within the Plumstead Chase residential development in case questions arose about the site itself and the improvements that are part of the record plan. Mr. Lykon informed the Board that the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee had met the prior evening and a number of residents from Plumstead Chase and Durham Ridge were in attendance. He stated that based on the feedback provided the Committee had decided to put some of the proposed trails into phase 2 of the planned improvements, but stated that the Committee is still in favor of the interconnection with Durham Ridge. Ms. Mulholland expressed concern about placing a trail near the water tower and near properties where there was never a trail before. She stated that stormwater management is affected by trails and asked if anyone had calculated how the additional impervious surface will affect stormwater runoff and thought to include stormwater management in the project budget. She stated she would like to see the Board authorize the Township Engineer to investigate the planned improvements and provide a review on how they could impact the stormwater in the area, particularly the trails. Mr. Lykon stated that the total impervious coverage is about 1.5% of the parcel and the transition of some of the areas to low-mow will reduce runoff. Johannes Bisschops, 4515 Scenic View Circle referred to Ms. Mulholland s question about a trail being placed near the water tank, and stated he attended the Park & Recreation meeting and it appears there is unanimous consensus among the residents that walking paths are not necessary. He asked why some of the proposed paths were being delayed until phase 2 and may not happen at all, but the path to Durham Ridge is still being considered. He noted the path would be within 50 feet of his kitchen window and the Board needs to find a different solution. Elisabeth Bisschops, 4515 Scenic View Circle stated she and her husband chose to purchase their home because of its location which afforded them privacy. She stated she understands that things change and knows what was agreed to as part of the settlement agreement with Toll Bros. as it relates to Plumstead Chase. She asked who changed what the plan was, and why weren t residents given input. Mike Esposito, 4502 Scenic View Circle stated he understands the issue with a trail from the parking lot being ADA compliant, but wanted to know if anyone outside of the Park & Recreation and Trails Committees had been polled about the desirability of a trail connector. He stated that he believes public safety is a bigger issue along with insurance and litigation concerns. Cathy Veneziale, 5401 Grandview Lane noted the proposed trail would be 10 feet wide, and asked if there is an ordinance about how close it can be to adjacent private properties. She also expressed concern about stormwater runoff with the installation of trails. Joseph Schwarz, 4509 Scenic View Circle stated he has not heard any ideas about how the Township will curb traffic flow within the cul-de-sac, pointing to the number of drivers who will use it as a drop-off point for their children to access the sportsfields. He reiterated Ms. Mulholland s concerns about the security of the water tank if the 2

3 Page 3 of 6 trail takes people right by it. Mary Jane Sheridan, 5429 Grandview Lane asked Mr. Fulmer if he was asked to do any specific evaluation of the proposed trails and how it can impact the problems some neighbors are already experiencing with stormwater runoff. She noted that she thinks water is not properly going into the basin within Plumstead Chase, and said there are so many issues that have to be addressed still as part of the approved plan. She stated that Gardenville Fields is not a park that needs a trail to the fields from Durham Ridge. Mr. Trymbiski spoke about what he heard from the residents, the he had received about the plan and expressed concern about what a resident said earlier about Board members votes being lready being decided as being for or against the trails before it was even discussed at tonight s meeting. Board consensus was for Mr. Fulmer to look at the stormwater calculations before the Board would consider approving the proposed plan with the trails in it as phase 1 or phase Doner Major Subdivision: Mr. Fulmer informed the Board that the plans for phase 2 of the subdivision are available for their signature at the end of the public meeting. SOLICITOR S REPORT: Jonathan J. Reiss, Esq. 1. Flood Mitigation Grant Program: Mr. Reiss advised the Board that the property owners had signed the necessary agreements and provided the required escrow, which would allow the Township to move on to identifying the firm or individual to oversee the project on behalf of the Township before a bid is advertised for the elevation of the house. Ms. McCreary asked the Board to also approve her request to sign any documents on behalf of the Township after they have been reviewed by the Solicitor in an effort to meet PEMA and FEMA deadlines. Motion by Ms. Mulholland, seconded by Mr. Trymbiski to approve the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program Grant Agreement, and the Acknowledgement of Conditions for Mitigation of Property in a Special Hazard with FEMA Grant Funds, and further to authorize the Township Manager to execute all agreements necessary with FEMA or PEMA subject to review by the Township Solicitor. With no additional comment, all voted in favor Custom Particle Reduction Site Remediation Plan: Mr. Reiss informed the Board that the Township had received notice of the intent to remediate the site at 5189 Stump Road and had 30 days to comment on the plan. He stated that Ms. McCreary had authorized his office to contact Penn Environmental & Remediation to review the plan and provide information to the Board for the next public meeting, which will still be within the 30-day comment period. Mr. Lykon inquired about the cost of their involvement and Mr. Reiss responded that it would not be known until Penn Environmental had a chance to review the documents and determine if their services would be needed by the Township. Ms. McCreary stated that the cost to review these documents would be between $500 and $1000, which is why she approved it. 3. Police Chief - Employment Agreement: Mr. Hilferty noted that the agreement before the Board memorializes what the Police Chief has been receiving in wages and benefits. Mr. Reiss stated that the Chief has never had an employment agreement before this was drafted. Motion by Mr. Lykon, seconded by Mr. Trymbiski to approve the employment agreement for Chief Duane Hasenauer. With no additional comment, all voted in favor Zoning Hearing Board Application 5467 Richie Court: Mr. Reiss advised the Board that the applicant is seeking a variance to increase the allowable impervious coverage for the construction on an in-ground swimming pool. Board consensus was to have the Zoning Hearing Board hear the case and make a decision based on the information presented with no Township input. 3

4 Page 4 of 6 5. Zoning Hearing Board Application 6000 Twin Silo Road: Mr. Reiss advised the Board that this is the former Magill property, which was preserved several years ago. The owner is seeking to construct a 2000 SF addition and is appealing the denial of the Zoning Officer or a variance to allow the addition to be constructed within the riparian buffer. It was noted that this is a 27 acre lot that was subdivided. Board consensus was to have the Zoning Hearing Board hear the case and make a decision based on the information presented with no Township input. 6. Tollgate Farms Sewage Maintenance Agreement: Mr. Reiss informed the Board that he had received the executed On-Lot Sewage Maintenance Agreement for phase 1 involving lots 14 and 15, which can now be approved by the Township. Motion by Ms. Mulholland, seconded by Mr. Trymbiski to approve and sign the agreement. With no additional comment, all voted in favor 4-0. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT, Carolyn McCreary, Township Manager 1. Professional Services Agreement 5727 Twin Silo Road: Ms. McCreary presented a professional services agreement for a review of the submitted sketch plan. Motion by Mr. Trymbiski, seconded by Ms. Mulholland to approve the professional services agreement. With no additional comment, all voted in favor County Planning Services Agreement: Ms. McCreary presented the agreement allowing the County Planning Commission staff to work on the DCNR grant application for the Gardenville Fields improvement project. She stated that she was seeking Board approval, as the County staff were already working on preliminary parts of the grant application, and this would memorialize the amount the County is to be paid. Ms. Mulholland expressed concern about Attachment A, which described the project, noting that the Board had not made a formal decision about the proposed trail into Durham Ridge. Ms. McCreary stated that the motion could be conditioned on the scope of the work to be determined by the Board, which would still allow the County and Township staff to proceed with obtaining costs for the other components of the project Motion by Mr. Lykon, seconded by Mr. Hilferty to approve the Planning Services Agreement, subject to further direction by the Board concerning any proposed trails. With no additional comment, the vote was 3-1 with Ms. Mulholland dissenting. 3. Police Collective Bargaining Agreement: Ms. McCreary presented the collective bargaining agreement for the years , stating that it contained reopener language for all benefits relating to healthcare because of the delay in the implementation of the Cadillac Tax. She noted that the agreement had been presented to the members of the bargaining unit by their negotiating team and had been ratified and signed. Motion by Mr. Lykon, seconded by Mr. Trymbiski to approve the collective bargaining agreement. With no additional comment, all voted in favor 4-0. Officer Robert Lawn, a member of the negotiating team was present and thanked the Board for their continued support. 4. Part-Time Employee Benefits: Ms. McCreary sought Board approval for limited benefits to nonseasonal part-time employees. The benefits would include five (5) paid sick days that would not be cumulative, a week s paid vacation and the same bereavement leave offered to full-time employees. She stated that this would currently affect one employee, but as the Township grows and may desire to hire more part-time employees, benefits like this would help recruit and retain them. Motion by Ms. Mulholland, seconded by Mr. Trymbiski to approve the recommendation. With no additional comment, all voted in favor

5 Page 5 of 6 5. Township Website Update: Ms. McCreary reviewed details of the Township s most recent update to its website, noting that it was done by NA Studios and included in the 2016 budget as a goal and capital initiative. She stated that among the improvements are a site that is responsive to whatever device is being used and modifying the page size to fit it, quick access to social media links, a new contact form that will allow residents to the Township with a question or concern, and one-click dialing for users viewing the website on their phones. Ms. McCreary stated that there is a need for an Executive Session to discuss potential litigation. PAYMENT OF BILLS: Motion by Mr. Trymbiski, seconded by Ms. Mulholland to approve the bills list dated 02/09/16 and an addendum dated 02/09/16 subject to audit. With no additional comment, all voted in favor 4-0. The amounts reported on the bills list are as follows: General Fund - $63, and an addendum of $575.00, Water Fund - $25,857.37, Emergency Services Fund - $10,694.22, State Liquid Fuels Fund - $8,717.56, Police Explorers Post - $1,384.00, Developers Escrow Fund - $2,691.58, Construction Escrow Fund - $14, APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Ms. Mulholland, seconded by Mr. Trymbiski to approve the minutes of the 01/26/15 meeting. With no additional comment, all voted in favor 4-0. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Nanni Tract Farm Lease: Ms. McCreary noted that at the last public meeting the Board voted to table the discussion of continuing the lease until this meeting, after they determined that the proposed disc golf course would not interfere with the current farming activity on this Townshipowned property. Board consensus was to allow the land to continue to be farmed by Brian Bahnck. 2. AT&T Cell Tower Lease Renewal: Ms. McCreary informed the Board that she had received a call and follow up from AT&T, notifying her that AT&T Management is rescinding their revised offer dated 01/29/16 but remain interested in extending the lease and guaranteeing the November 2016 renewal should the Board be amenable to adjusting the escalator clause in the current lease. Mr. Trymbiski stated he would like to see the Township renegotiate the lease because the revenue stream is important. 3. Gilmore & Associates Proposed Fees: Ms. McCreary shared the details of a letter she received from Russ Dunlevy of Gilmore & Associates in response to concerns about the proposed rates for She stated that in her conversation with Mr. Dunlevy he emphasized the firm s desire to utilize the most appropriate staff for each project, so as not to necessarily involve principals of the firm with higher hourly rates. Motion by Ms. Mulholland, seconded by Mr. Lykon to accept the 2016 fee schedule for Gilmore & Associates. With no additional comment, all voted in favor 4-0. NEW BUSINESS: Supervisors Committee Reports Mr. Hilferty advised that a draft of a resolution establishing an Emergency Services Advisory Committee to replace the Fire Services Advisory Committee would be on the next meeting agenda. Mr. Lykon stated he had been contacted by a member of the Fire Services Advisory Committee concerning the recommendation in the VFIS report concerning physicals for active members of the fire companies. The Board agreed this could be discussed by the new committee once it is formed. Ms. McCreary stated she would circulate information to the Board provided by DVIT about a program for firefighters. 5

6 Page 6 of 6 PUBLIC COMMENT: None ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Ms. Mulholland, seconded by Mr. Trymbiski to adjourn into Executive Session at 10:25 p.m. With no additional comment, all voted in favor 4-0. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn McCreary, Township Manager Date Approved 6