Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes

December 22, 2008, 7:30 p.m.

 

Present: Stephen R. Conary, Georgia F. Brutscher; Absent:  Lauressa J. McNemar, P.E.

 

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

 

2. Pledge of Allegiance.

 

3. Announcements: Conary announced four candidates interviewed for Code Enforcement Official. Township Administrative personnel will close at 12:00 noon on Christmas Eve, December 24^th. Township Closed in Observance of Christmas on December 25^th. Annual Organization Meeting will be held on Monday, January 5, 2009. The Auditors meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 6, 2009 as required by 2^nd Class Township Code. Brutscher clarified that the first regular meeting of the Board will be January 12, 2009. 

 

4. Public Comment: none.

 

5. Corinne Village Update: Fronefield Crawford, Esquire, James Brandolini (Applicant), and Tom Kessler of Toll Brothers, Inc., appeared before the Board as a follow-up to the update provided December 8, 2008. Crawford asked the Board to table the Resolution for final approval to allow Kessler to participate in discussions regarding house renderings and façades. Board asked Toll to clarify the square footage of model homes and the location of the garages. Conary remarked that Toll should consider aesthetics regarding several lots on the eastern side of the site. With walk-out basements, these homes could have the appearance from Locust Grove Road of a wall of houses. The installation of dormers would give the appearance of four-story dwellings. The Board appreciated receiving color images of the house renderings during the December 8, 2008 meeting; however, questions remain as to exteriors and elevations. Kessler responded that it is Toll’s policy to provide sufficient exterior selections to avoid having, for instance, four identical homes next to each other. Generally, six model types are available with two to three elevations. Brutscher noted that the Village Model in Riverside is the same exterior with little variation in siding color. Kessler acknowledged the Village Product/Model does not include a variety of cultured stone or brick front elevations. Kessler is not sure if the Village Product/Model will be offered at Corinne Village. Crawford and Kessler noted that the house footprints as shown on the final plan will not change, but house designs offered by Toll will be dependent on market conditions and where the housing market leads in 2009. Brutscher asked for and Kessler provided an approximate square footage for the Village Product/Model as 2800 or 2900 and a base house without options at 3100 square feet. Crawford noted that the Applicant had to rethink the models offered for the community given current market conditions. Finally, Crawford commented that the Applicant was contacted by Aqua regarding water main calculations in order to confirm adequate water pressure for the project. There may be interest on the part of the County in adjusting the location of the water lines. Jim Hatfield, Township Engineer, has not been contacted regarding water mains or issues regarding water pressure.

 

Conary reminded Kessler that several open issues remain regarding Riverside. Kessler agreed that a meeting should be scheduled with Toll officials and the Township to review progress on those issues.

 

6. Township Engineer Report:  James Hatfield, P.E., reported that he is working with Bill Harwood to resolve the following issues:

a) West Creek Road – Hatfield is waiting for a response from railroad representatives regarding proposed repairs to the road. Depending on weather, work can proceed as soon as Township receives railroad approvals. 

 

b) Red Bridge Farms bridge and Haines Mill Road bridge – The Township received an inspection report received for Red Bridge guide rail transitions. Hatfield and Harwood confirmed that while the inspection letter from McCormick Taylor (MT) indicates a six-month completion deadline, the liquid fuel allocation is not subject to or jeopardized by the deadline. Hatfield noted McCormick Taylor issued the report and he has contacted them for clarification regarding replacement specifications and impact criteria. Harwood will work with Red Bridge HOA to keep them informed of the replacement designs. Harwood commented that the Red Bridge HOA asked if the Township will redo the stone façade. Supervisors agreed that replacement of the stone is a project for the HOA. Hatfield suggested that for future bridge inspections the Township has to option to contact Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and request VanDemark & Lynch (VD&L) as bridge inspectors rather than MT. The change would not represent a significant savings in terms of cost but would allow the Township an opportunity to expedite the review process. Secretary is directed to ask the Treasurer to review inspection costs and process required to assign bridge inspections to VD&L.

 

Hatfield reported that the same Department of Environmental (DEP) GP-11 Permit for a stormwater management issue at Red Bridge can be used for the Haines Mill Road Bridge. The Permit allows sandbagging of the stream in order to have a dry work area. He offered that the application can be completed by VD&L. The wetland delineation was included with the Osborne Subdivision; however, that data is at least ten years old and may not meet DEP validation. The Board granted a verbal authorization for Hatfield to proceed with acquiring the wetlands data and the permit applications at a cost of approximately $400.00 and $3,400.00 respectively. Conary commented that construction costs for the Haines Mill Road bridge should be under $10,000.00.

 

c) Bragg Hill Road – Hatfield noted his understanding that signatures are requested on two agreements in order to proceed with vacating the road. He believes that additional right-of-way issues should be addressed, and he is not sure about installation of fill for the creek side. The best plan for installation of the turnaround is to include it with the house driveway construction. Hatfield is reviewing the plans Regester completed for the BHO subdivision in order to determine the best approach. Brutscher noted that the homeowner is aware of the requirement to construct the turnaround and suggested that rough design with flags will help convey the design. PennDOT criteria is not based on traffic volume but on the radius required for a turnaround of emergency service vehicles and snow plows.

 

d) Paperwork – Hatfield noted that VD&L maintains a file of all site inspection work. To reduce paperwork, inspection reports will be provided to the Township upon request. Additionally, professional service authorizations will be forthcoming. 

 

7. Project Manager Update:  Sellers submitted a report outlining open issues. He noted the Board’s awareness of outstanding issues with Riverside particularly the Pocopson Road and Route 52 intersection. He suggested that the Park, Recreation and Trails Committee provide guidance as to maintaining or abandoning the Brandyridge trail. He also asked the Township to verify the construction escrow fund for the Overlook Circle trail. Sellers encouraged the Board to seek funding for the roundabout project through a smart growth initiative. He met with all third-party users for the Riverside Wastewater Treatment Plant. Toll has not submitted updated construction costs for the sewage connections.

 

8. Public Works: Harwood submitted project reports covering the past two weeks.  Inclement weather prohibited completion of some work. Tree near the trail behind the barn on the County Transfer land is coming down tomorrow because it split in half. Harwood is paying particular attention to salt prices and suggested the Township needs to increase the allotment for winter maintenance. Secretary is directed to draft a letter to local legislators. Harwood reported reflective sheeting is being applied to all road signage in accordance with state requirements. Conary noted that Park, Recreation and Trails Committee members should report maintenance or repair issues to the Administrative Secretary. Issues will be logged and referred to Public Works for response. Harwood requested and the Board approved the carryover of Harwood’s unused vacation time in accordance with the Personnel Manual. Harwood requested and the Board approved the use of the Public Works garage by residents for one Sunday in January for an after-school project. Harwood will supervise the use of the facility.

 

9. Resolutions:

a) Resolution No. 2008-17 Establishing the Tax Rates for Fiscal Year 2009 – Board reviewed the Resolution establishing General Township Purposes Tax at 1.2 mills and Open Space Tax at 1.0 mills. Motion: Brutscher moved to adopt Resolution No. 2008-17; seconded by Conary, so moved.

 

b) Resolution No. 2008-18 Adopting the 2009 Budget – Board reviewed the Resolution and 2009 Budget (Exhibit A) for the expenditures and expenses of the fiscal year 2009. Motion: Brutscher moved to adopt Resolution 2008-18; seconded by Conary, so moved. 

 

10. Old Business: Brutscher reminded the Board that a Township Representative is needed to serve on the Scenic Byways Commission. Secretary suggested posting the notice on the web site.   

 

11. New Business: none.

 

12. Escrow Releases:

a) White Farm – Board reviewed Escrow Release No. 6 for $60,295.00 in connection with improvements at the White Farm project, BHO Investors. Township Engineer has reviewed the request and recommends granting the request with a construction review sum of $1,274.00 payable to the Township.

Motion: Conary moved that the Board approve Escrow Release No. 6 for $60,295.00 as reviewed and approved by the Township Engineer; seconded by Brutscher; so moved.   

 

b) Brandyridge – Board reviewed a previous request from S & S Development Company, Inc., Escrow Release #10 for the Brandyridge Subdivision in the amount of $12,968.50 with a construction review sum in the amount of $3,592.18 payable to the Township. Secretary noted that following further research, no open issues remain regarding installation of trails.

Motion: Conary moved that the Board approve Escrow Release No. 10 as reviewed and approved by the Township Engineer; Brutscher seconded; so moved.

 

13. Treasurers’ Warrants:  Warrants were reviewed and approved as submitted.   

 

14. Correspondence: Board reviewed letter from Gannett Fleming, Inc., for environmental services for the roundabout and bridge project on SR52. The additional scope of work will be at a cost not to exceed $7,000.00 for approximately fifty (50) hours of work.

Motion: Conary moved to approve the letter of acceptance from Gannett Fleming dated December 18, 2008 for additional scope of work; Brutscher seconded; so moved. 

 

15. Review of Minutes: Meeting of December 8, 2008.

Motion: Conary moved to approve minutes as revised and submitted; Brutscher seconded; motion carried.

 

16. Adjournment: At 9:20 p.m., Conary moved to adjourn the meeting; Brutscher seconded.

 

 

_______________________________                    _____________________________

Susan E. Simone, Administrative Secretary                    Stephen R. Conary, Chair