BoS Meeting 2/15/07 - Highlights Only

Due to technical difficulties, the detailed meeting notes from this very important meeting will be delayed until at least mid-week. We are sorry for the inconvenience. The following are the highlights as posted on the F.A.C. website.

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The February 15th Board of Supervisors meeting had a small agenda, with BIG items! The Kings Farm time extension offer, the Weis Market Conditional Use Vote, and the Weis preliminary land development plan presentation were all there. These are the projects that are giving Forks so much press lately. For more on the Kings Farm decision, read Courtney Lomax (Express Times) and Joe Nixon (Morning Call). For more on the Weis Market vote, read (second articles) by Nixon and Lomax.

Meeting highlights include:

• Chief Dorney presented the Police Department 5 Year Plan in a workshop at 6:30 PM.
• A meeting was held on Tuesday with Stockertown Borough Council to discuss continuing Forks Fire Department coverage there beyond the March 16 deadline. Another meeting will be held soon.
• Forks EMS was asked during a Public Safety Committee meeting to return again with a budget and additional figures.
• The FTYSO youth dances will begin again on Friday, February 23rd in the Community Center.
• There were no - as in zero - vehicle accidents in Forks during the past week's winter storm!
• The plan for Kings Farm - the nearly 190 homes on two acre lots covering approximately 450 acres in the FP district was rejected with a unanimous vote. The plan was called incomplete because the planning module, soil tests, and traffic study were not submitted. Later, Kings Farm attorney, John VanLuvanee told reporters that the developers will appeal the decision.
• The Weis Market conditional use was approved in a 3:2 vote with Nicholas and Ackerman voting nay. The Weis preliminary land development plan was also approved, 3:2. Ackerman apologized to the developers saying that he really likes the plan and only voted against it because he does not like the "right-out" on Sullivan Trail. He has no issue with the right-in.
• Solicitor Kline was asked by the Board to write a letter to the SPCA and ask them to stop referring Forks residents to the Forks Police Department to pick up stray cats. The PD is authorized under State statute to collect stray/problem dogs and not other domestic animals.
• Developer Robert Ciccone was allowed by former Township Manager Kichline to post a bond instead of an irrevocable letter of credit for the Briarwood development. Kline said that documentation to that effect was found in the Ciccone file. It verified that Ms. Kichline returned Ciccone's letter of credit. Neither the Board nor Kline were involved in that decision. The Board decided to let it stand since the development is in its "maintenance" phase. Kline explained the difference between the 2 vehicles: With a letter of credit, if there's a problem, the Township can go to the bank and get its money within 5 days and with a bond, it's like buying a "lawsuit." Bond providers are like insurance companies that accept premium payments but are reluctant to pay out for claims.

Our objective is to relate what is experienced at Forks Township meetings for those who cannot attend. We are attempting to be as factual as we can. If we make a mistake, tell us via email or COMMENT here in the blog, and we will do our best to correct it. We are not perfect. We want to get it right.