Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes

7:30 p.m., March 24, 2008

 

Present: Georgia F. Brutscher, Lauressa J. McNemar

 

1. Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Brutscher.

 

2. Pledge of Allegiance

 

3. Announcements: In her capacity as Chair of the Kennett Area Regional Planning Commission, Brutscher announced that during the March meeting the group continued discussions regarding health service benefits for employees of the five surrounding municipalities.

 

Brutscher and McNemar attended Representative Barrar’s Town Hall Meeting on March 13th. Topics discussed at the Town Hall Meeting included status of wastewater treatment facilities county-wide as well as legal status of comprehensive plan.  

 

4. Public Comment: none.

 

5. Recommendations of Planning Commission: Brutscher read the two (2) motions approved by the Planning Commission and submitted to the Board:

Motion #1(Burnett): McNemar moved to recommend the Board of Supervisors grant final approval to the Final Minor Subdivision Plan Application dated June 18, 2007, last revised January 17, 2008 on the Burnett Minor Subdivision Plan conditioned upon meeting the requirements of the letter submitted by John Fenn dated March 12, 2008 with exception of the following items:  (a) the Planning Commission recommends the Board of Supervisors grant a waiver of item #20 allowing the cross section of shared driveway construction as shown on the plan to be adequate; (b) the Planning Commission recommends the Board of Supervisors grant a waiver from the fracture trace analysis requirement (item #31) provided that the deeds for lots 1, 2, and 3 include easements for the installation of replacement septic or sewage facilities and stormwater management infiltration systems to each of the owners of lots 1, 2, and 3. Johnson seconded; unanimously carried.

 

Discussion: Mr. James Burnett acknowledged that the motion accurately conveys his understanding of the review process to date. Referencing the March 12, 2008 review letter, Brutscher asked if Burnett has established fee in lieu of open space and if he has submitted the deed restrictions and perc test report. She indicated that these points must be cleared up before the Board can proceed with the final approval process. Burnett indicated he will be meeting with his attorney to address unresolved issues. The Board agreed to table the waiver and final approval to the April 14, 2008 Board meeting.

 

Motion #2 (Dwyer): Summers moved to recommend the Board of Supervisors grant a waiver of the 20' septic setback from the property line per the Subdivision and Land Ordinance Section 190-36(B) for the Nick Dwyer property. Alternatively, the Planning Commission recommends the Board of Supervisors consider allowing this change to be approved at the administrative level through issuance of the building permit for this property. McNemar seconded; unanimously carried.

 

Discussion: Brutscher believes the matter should be dealt with at the issuance of the building permit as the installation meets all County requirements and Dwyer has received the County permit to install.

 

6. Sewer Ordinance Hearing

Motion: At 8:15 p.m., Brutscher moved to close the public meeting and open the hearing on an amendment to Article II to create a new Sewer Ordinance; McNemar seconded.

Brutscher reviewed the particulars for Ordinance No. 2008-1 of the Pocopson Township Code by amending Article II to create a new section 170-20 providing for the submission and contents of a wastewater treatment and feasibility report; further, the Ordinance provides for renumbering old Sections 170-20, 170-21, 170-22, 170-23, 170-24, 170-25, 170-26. Section 9 of the Ordinance creates new Article III, Sanitary Sewage System. She acknowledged a nonsubstantive change in Section 170-20.A(4)(a)[10] in which the subsection should refer to projected uses rather than project uses. As provided in the Ordinance, the Sewer Service Area provides service for users as follows:  Toll/Sheeder Property, Route 52 Commercial, Hardware Store, Lenape Forge, Simon Pearce.

 

Motion: Brutscher moved to adopt Pocopson Township Ordinance No. 2008-1 amending Chapter 170, Sewers, pursuant to the authority granted in the Second Class Township Code; McNemar seconded. Approved by all in attendance. Township Secretary presented proof of legal advertising completed on March 16, 2008. 

Resolution #2 of 2008: Brutscher moved, McNemar seconded to accept Resolution #2 of 2008  pursuant to the Second Class Township Code and Sections 170-35, 170-28, and 170-34 of the Pocopson Township Code, to provide for daily sewage flows for establishments serviced by the Sanitary Sewage System; Motion carried unanimously.

Resolution #3 of 2008: Brutscher moved, McNemar seconded to accept Resolution #3 of 2008 pursuant to the Second Class Township Code and Sections 170-35 and 170-28 of the Pocopson Township Code, to provide for sewer rental/user fees required by Pocopson Township for use of the Sanitary Sewage System.

Resolution #4 of 2008: Brutscher moved, McNemar seconded to accept Resolution #4 of 2008 pursuant to the Second Class Township Code and Section 170-32 of the Pocopson Township Code, to adopt a Sewer Service Area Map 2, as amended, to identify users required to connect to the Sanitary Sewage System.

Motion: Brutscher moved to close the ordinance hearing at 8:45 p.m. and reopen the public meeting; McNemar seconded; approved by all in attendance. Public meeting was reopened at 8:45 p.m.

7. Project Manager Update: Sellers provided updates as follows –

a) Routes 52 and 926:  waiting for DEP approval.

 

b) Denton Hollow Road: Sellers reported road work will begin next week on the Denton Hollow and Route 52 intersection area across from the Toll entrance for the period March 31, 2008 through April 4, 2008. The road work will require closing the road to traffic for the duration of the construction. The Board agreed, in the interest of public safety, that the intersection of Denton Hollow Road and Route 52 be closed and a designated detour route posted. Brutscher noted that residents living on Denton Hollow should receive individual notices. Harwood will notify residents as well as emergency service providers and the school. Township Secretary will post a notice on the bulletin board, post office, and hardware store. 

 

c) County Minor Subdivision: an unresolved issue is the maintenance of the stormwater management facilities. County would offer an endowment for the Township to maintain. Sellers would like County to commit to maintenance for the first year then Township could derive a maintenance cost based on first-year actual costs.

 

d) Trails: Sellers and McNemar met with Regester to review construction projections including adjustment proposed on the County/Pocopson Home property. Other problematic areas are within the cost parameters for materials with the County grant which has been extended. Public Works personnel will do the work which will proceed upon receipt of the NPDES permit.

 

e) Route 52 Roundabout and Bridge: Sellers has requested Gannett Fleming to provide information regarding federal funding for the projects as well as an accurate cost estimate for the project. Brutscher acknowledged that the bridge was precast design; however, it would be beneficial for the Board to see a rendering or sketch.  

 

8. Public Works: Harwood reported the completion of street numbering for park and schoolhouse. Park fields are utilized six (6) or seven (7) days per week. Fields are scheduled for aeration and application of fertilizer. He continues to observe evidence of turfing and divots which indicate that horseback riders are riding through the fields. Curbside chipping scheduled for this week.

 

Regarding MS-4 tasks, he reported that the department is photographing stormwater management (SWM) facilities but the camera needs repair. SWM pipes have been found, mapped, and dug out as needed. Harwood noted that access to AutoCAD software would be an efficient means to complete mapping. The software would supplement the current service provided by County GIS.

 

Harwood reported the pavilion will be installed in the next three (3) weeks or so weather permitting the pouring of the concrete slab. Harwood asked the Board to contact the PennDOT District Traffic Engineer for a speed survey for the section of Pocopson Road between Routes 52 and 926. The Board agreed to the request and directed the Township Secretary to send the letter. Harwood has contacted an electrician and an HVAC technician to perform inspections, maintenance, and repair as needed of the electric panel and HVAC systems for the Township Office. 

 

9. Old Business:

a) Office and Garage Facilities Energy Assessment: Bill Haaf reviewed the findings of the energy audit completed in February 2008. He outlined the major recommendations for reducing energy costs emphasizing that they will provide pay back on investment. The Board very much appreciated the details of the report. McNemar recognized that the Township would solicit bids from contractors prior to implementing the scope of work. The Board agreed that they would have to balance the cost against any plans for future usage of the Office facility. Haaf suggested that the Township consider adopting an energy policy in order to more effectively manage energy use and to set conservation goals. Brutscher agreed that such a policy is beneficial and warrants future consideration. 

 

b) Community Cleanup – Earth Day 2008 – Saturday, April 19th: Lawrie Bolger presented a proposal for a “Pick it Up, Pocopson” Township roadside clean-up event to coincide with the Great PA Cleanup and the celebration of Earth Day 2008. She used the guidelines from the Great PA Cleanway program as a model. Harwood offered that safety vests and trash bags are available through his department. Bolger requested and the Board approved an expenditure of $50.00 for color copies. The Board requested that Bolger confirm insurance coverage for volunteers as well as insurance coverage for bus transportation offered by Northbrook Canoe.

 

10. New Business: Brutscher reviewed text for an amendment to Section 250-51(F) regarding the area, height, and number of signs advising that a property is subject to a conservation easement. Harwood suggested the Board reconsider the text of the amendment so that the ordinance may provide for posting for the Great PA Cleanup participation signs which may not comply with the dimensions in the drafted text. The Board agreed to table the discussion for a future meeting.

 

11. Treasurer’s Warrants: Approved as submitted.

 

12. Correspondence: none submitted.

 

13. Review of Minutes: Meeting of March 10, 2008.

Motion: Brutscher moved to approve minutes as revised; McNemar seconded; motion was approved unanimously.

 

14. Adjournment: At 10:30 p.m., Brutscher moved to adjourn the meeting; McNemar seconded.

 

___________________________                           _____________________________

Susan E. Simone, Township Secretary                                                                                 Georgia F. Brutscher, Vice Chair