BoS Meeting Notes - 7/2/09

Regular Meeting (agenda)

This pre-July Fourth meeting was attended by Chairman Howell, Supervisor Miller, and Supervisor Chuss - just enough Supervisors to form a quorum and conduct the business of the Board.  Supervisors Egolf and Nicholas were absent. 

Please note that detailed notes of the meetings are being replaced for the summer vacation season with more general notes highlighting only the most important issues discussed and actions taken.  In some instances, guest note writers are providing the text.

Public Comments (non-agenda) 

• Stan Price, President of the Forks Township Historical Society, along with Margaret Karpin of the Society, briefed the Supervisors of a photo art project the society is undertaking for the purpose of capturing township moments in time. They presented a number of sample-framed photographs for illustration with the request that the finished works be placed on display. The Board encouraged them to proceed with the project and work with Township Manager Schnaedter.

Treasurer's Report - Miller detailed the debits (cash paid out) since the last Supervisors' meeting.  The debits and transfers were approved with a 3:0 vote.  The Township's current outstanding debt is $8,290,292. 

Standing Committee Reports (meetings are open to the public - see the official Township calendar for dates and times)

• Public Safety - Supervisor Howell - said that there were no matters to report since the last meeting.  The next meeting is scheduled for 7/21/09 at 8:00 AM.
• Public Works - Supervisor Chuss - had no new matters to report. Bids are currently being taken for qualifications of Architect/Engineers for the construction of a new public works garage.  The next meeting is 7/14/09 at 7:30 AM.
• Parks & Recreation - Supervisor Egolf - absent – no report.  Schnaedter did point out that the Penn’s Ridge Neighborhood Park at Silo and Penn’s Ridge Boulevard is now open to the public.  Additional picnic tables will be added shortly and landscaping will be installed this fall. The next meeting is 7/13/09 at 6:00 PM.
• Community Relations - Supervisor Miller - reported that the redesign of the Township website is on line and he invites public comment as this is a work-in-progress. The next meeting is 7/13/09 at 5:00 PM.
• Finance and Administration - Supervisor Nicholas - absent – no report.  The next meeting is 7/8/09 at 5:00 PM. 

Township Manager's Report - Schnaedter - reported the Meco traffic light permit process is ongoing and that a meeting with PennDot is upcoming with a property owner regarding the placement of the stop line on Meco east side.  Schnaedter also reported that he received a written request from the Palmer Board of Supervisors for a letter of support for the Rte. 33 interchange. The Board approved the request (3-0).

Engineer's Report - Hay - no report.

Solicitor's Report - Kline - reported that he has completed the drafting of Solar Energy ordinance amendment to the township zoning ordinance and the subdivision and land development ordinance (SALDO).  He will submit the drafts to the Planning Commission for their review and comment.

Kline also reported that an agreement has been reached with J.G. Petrucci regarding Petrucci's responsibility to maintain an emergency road (from Braden to Kesslersville) for the benefit of the Township within the Fort James III Industrial Park.  The Board approved the agreement (3-0).

Kline said, too, that Colosi Company, LLC has requested another hearing for an inter-municipal transfer of a liquor license to Forks Township. The new owner (Colosi) of the former Gypsy Rose along North Delaware Dr. (Rte. 611) advised Mr. Kline that the previous license transfer approved by the township was not consummated.  As a result, Colosi wishes to purchase a liquor license currently located in Wilson Borough. The Board agreed (3-0) to set the Hearing on this proposed transfer on Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 7:00 PM. Mr. Kline will advise the parties and provide legal publication of notice.  

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Approval of bids for Used Vehicles & Equipment (Mark Roberts, DPW Director) - The Board approved (3-0) twelve (12) high bids for various used vehicles and equipment items totally $14,106.50.

Approval of Bids for 2009 Paving & Overlay (Mark Roberts, DPW Director) - The Board approved (3-0) the low bid of Bracalente Construction Co. in the amount of  $168,644.60 for paving and overlay roadwork in the township.

Approval of Bids to Construct Bituminous Seal Coat (Mark Roberts, DPW Director) - The Board approved (3-0) the sole bid of Highway Maintenance Solutions in the amount of $28,028.17 to construct a bituminous seal coat (double application) on portions of Short Road and Newlins Road.

Lorraine Frick (1240 Lieb Road) Lot line adjustment (Fred Hay, Township Engineer) - The Board granted (3-0) final minor subdivision approval to Lorraine Frick of 1240 Lieb Road regarding a lot line adjustment.  Louis A. Ferrone, Consulting Engineer, represented the applicant.

Edith Stem (1302 Lieb Road) (Fred Hay, Township Engineer) - The Board granted (3-0) final minor subdivision approval to Edith Stem of 1302 Lieb Road regarding a lot line adjustment.  Louis A. Ferrone, Consulting Engineer, represented applicant.

Stop Sign warrants (Fred Hay, Township Engineer) - The Board denied (3-0) the issuance of stop sign warrants for three intersections:  (1) Winchester Drive & Lower Way, (2) Winchester Drive & Knollwood Way and (3) Meco Road & Jamie Court & Thomas Drive. The township conducted traffic count surveys at all of these intersections.

These intersections have existing stop signs in place on the minor intersecting streets at Winchester and Meco. Keystone Engineering finds that the existing traffic control devices meet the appropriate requirements.  In addition, placing stop signs on Winchester and Meco are not warranted under State rules as these control devises cannot be solely used for speed reduction.

The requests for stop signs came from neighbors in the immediate area.  In denying the warrants, the Board asked that Public Safety and Public Works review the intersections and consider other traffic calming methods such as painted stop lines and cross walks.

Executive Session - There was no executive session and the meeting was adjourned.

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