2013-08-26, Board of Supervisors Meeting

2013-08-26

 

 

FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MINUTES
August 26, 2013 – 7:00 p.m.

I. CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Brown, at 7:02 p.m.

II. ROLL CALL:

PRESENT: William C. Brown, Chairman
Mario D. Pirritano, Vice-Chairman
John C. Minito, Supervisor
Christopher L. Allen, Supervisor
Robert P. Stanley, Jr., Supervisor
Stephen F. Smith, Manager
Donald F. Martin, Assistant Manager
Stephen M. Waller, Codes Administration Director
David A. Jones, Stock & Leader, Solicitor
Lt. Jason Loper, Police Department
Donna L. Nissel, Secretary

III. ANNOUNCEMENT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Mr. Brown advised that an Executive Session was held prior to this meeting to discuss legal issues, personnel matters and contract negotiations.

IV. RECOGNITION OF PUBLIC:

1. Cory Greene, Fishing Creek Road, said he just purchased the property and discovered that the pool is installed over the property line. Mr. Waller said that the permits are issued based on information provided by the owner. We do not require property surveys. Mr. Greene feels that the pool permit was issued in error. He will have the property surveyed but is asking the Board to pay for the legal costs involved in remedying the situation. The Board denied his request. Mr. Greene urged the Board to require property surveys to prevent this from reoccurring.

2. Melva Smith, Vista Drive, asked why the minutes from the last meeting were not posted on the website. She was advised that minutes are not released or posted until they are approved at the next meeting. She also asked why not all homes on Crescent and Vista are being hooked up to the sewer and was told that not all homes are accessible to the proposed sewer lines.

3. Vicki Wickwire, Old Quaker Road, said that since they built their home in 1987 traffic has steadily increased and there is a lot of speeding in the area, which is posted at 35 mph. They have a problem pulling out of their driveway and asked to have “Hidden Driveway” signs erected. Mr. Bitner will check the area.

V. AGENDA ITEMS:

1. Act 537 Study – Implementation of Tapping Fees:

Kevin Fox, GHD, explained how the study was done. The last time tapping fees were calculated by area. This time a township-wide uniform tapping fee is proposed. The maximum allowable is $11,000. The exact amount is up to the Board of Supervisors.

2. Resolution No. 2013-15 – Imposing Tapping Fees:

Mr. Pirritano made a motion, seconded by Mr. Minito to adopt Resolution No 2013-15, imposing tapping fees of $9,000.00, connection fees of $350.00, inspection fees of $115.00 and legal fees of $150.00, if applicable.
Vote on the motion: All yes. The resolution was adopted.

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3. Resolution No. 2013-16 – Amend Schedule of Fees:

Mr. Stanley made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pirritano to adopt Resolution No. 2013-16, amending the Schedule of Fees to include tapping fees of $9,000.00, connection fees of $350.00, inspection fees of $115.00 and legal fees of $150.00, if applicable.
Vote on the motion: All yes. The Resolution was adopted.

4. Resolution No. 2013-17 – Deferred Financing, Timber Ridge Area Sewer Extension:

Mr. Pirritano made a motion, seconded by Mr. Allen to adopt Resolution No. 2013-17 providing for the deferred payment of tapping fees over a period of 10 years for the Timber Ridge Area sewer extension.
Vote on the motion: All yes. The Resolution was adopted.

5. Bond Documents and Filings:

Mr. Bill Carlin, financial advisor, said that the Township has a AA rating from Standard and Poor. He briefly discussed the debt service.
Mr. Jens Damgaard, Rhoads & Sinon, reviewed the ordinance incurring debt and briefly explained the bonds.

6. Ordinance No. 2013-5, Incurring Debt by General Obligation Bonds in the Amount of $9,990,000 and Authorizing All Related Actions and Documents, for the Purpose of Financing Construction of Sanitary Sewer Facilities:

Mr. Stanley made a motion, seconded by Mr. Minito to adopt Ordinance No. 2013-5, incurring debt by general obligation bonds in the amount of $9,990,000 and authorizing all related actions and documents.
Roll Call vote: Mr. Brown, yes; Mr. Pirritano, yes; Mr. Minito, yes; Mr. Allen, yes; Mr. Stanley, yes. The Ordinance was adopted.

7. Award of Bonds:
Mr. Damgaard advised that all requirements have been met.

8. Other Actions Necessary to Complete the Borrowing Process:

There are no other actions necessary at this time.
Mr. Smith did advise that the user fees are projected to increase by $22/quarter next year.

9. Award Contracts – Act 537 Sewer Projects:

Mr. Stanley made a motion, seconded by Mr. Minito to award the contracts for the Act 537 Sewer Projects as follows:
1. General Contract: JAO Construction – $2,345,934.00
2. Pump Stations: Greenland, Inc. – $882,000.00
3. Electrical: JB Electric – $113,000.00
Vote on the motion: All yes. The motion carried.

10. Discussion – Financial Policies:

Mr. Smith advised that Standard & Poor wants to see written financial policies to include pensions, post-retirement employee benefits, fund balances and capital improvements.

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11. Building, Zoning, Codes:

A. Modification Requests – Pioneer Ridge, Pinetown Road:

303 – Preliminary Plan
402.1.C – Driveway Profile
402.1.O – Existing Features
602.2.C – Cartway Improvements

Mr. Pirritano made a motion, seconded by Mr. Stanley to approve the modification requests from 303, preliminary plan; 402.1.C, Driveway Profile; 402.1.O, Existing Features; and 602.2.C, Cartway Improvements
Vote on the motion: All yes. The motion carried.

12. Execute Agreements of Sale – PA Turnpike Commission:

Mr. Stanley made a motion, seconded by Mr. Allen to authorize the execution of two (2) agreements of sale and one (1) temporary construction easement between Fairview Township and the PA Turnpike Commission for easements and rights-of-way, and authorize the chairman to sign same.
Vote on the motion: All yes. The motion carried.

13. Feasibility Study – Regional Police Department, Lower Allen and Fairview::

Mr. Brown advised that there have been two informal meetings with Lower Allen. They have approved a feasibility study. He said Fairview should defer action as the police contract has not yet been finalized. Mr. Minito said he is not in favor of any merger until the contract is settled and a Police Chief and two officers are hired. There was some discussion of the possibility of a merger with Newberry Township.
The Board tabled this matter.

14. Award Bid – Sidewalks and Curbs:

Mr. Stanley made a motion, seconded by Mr. Minito to award the bid for repair of sidewalks and curbs to EK Services in the amount of $32,600.00.
Vote on the motion: All yes. The motion carried.

15. Draft 2014 MMO (Minimum Municipal Obligation):

Mr. Martin advised that the required contribution to the Police Pension plan is $279,909 and to the Non-Uniform Pension Plan is $343,824. This will be on the September agenda for Board approval.

16. Discussion – Hiring a Lobbyist:

Mr. Pirritano said that it appears that other municipalities are able to get state and federal funding. Mr. Smith said that our representative and senator have been contacted many time on this issue. Mr. Minito asked what the cost would be. Mr. Smith advised that they usually charge a percentage of funds received. The Board asked Mr. Smith to prepare an RFP.

17. Feral Cats:

Sherrie Shatzer again addressed the problem and discussed the Trap-Neuter-Return program. Mr. Brown asked her to provide information for the newsletter.

VI. OLD BUSINESS:

1. “Jake Brake” ordinance: Discussion on this matter was tabled.

2. Resolution No. 2013-18 – Authorize a Declaration of Taking of a Tract of Land Adjacent to the North Sewer Plant:

Mr. Stanley made a motion, seconded by Mr. Allen, to adopt Resolution No. 2013-18, authorizing the acquisition of a tract of land known as 57 Fairview Road by Declaration of Taking in the amount of $105,000.
Vote on the motion: All yes. The Resolution was adopted.
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August 26, 2013
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VII. NEW BUSINESS:

Mr. Brown advised that Trick or Treat Night is scheduled for Thursday, October 31st from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

VIII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Mr. Pirritano made a motion, seconded by Mr. Allen to approve the minutes of the July 29, 2013 and August 12, 2013 meetings of the Board of Supervisors.
Vote on the motion: All yes. The motion carried.

IX. RATIFICATION OF BILLS PAYABLE:

1. Mr. Pirritano made a motion, seconded by Mr. Allen to ratify payment to CET Engineering Services/GHB as presented.
Vote on the motion: Mr. Stanley abstained as he is an employee of the company; all others, yes. The motion carried.

2. Mr. Stanley made a motion, seconded by Mr. Minito to ratify payment of all other Bills Payable as presented.
Vote on the motion: All yes. The motion carried.

X. ANNOUNCE EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Mr. Brown advised that there will be an Executive Session following this meeting.

XI. ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting was adjourned at 9:06 p.m.