MINUTES of MEETING
Durham Township Board of Supervisors
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Township Building Meeting Room
Present: Supervisors: Bartley E. Millett, Chairman
Richard M. Johnson, Vice Chairman
Manfred Marschewski, Member
Secretary: Joseph M. Kulick
Solicitor: Peter N. Harrison
Zoning Officer: Peter W. Bent
Road Master: Jim Laubach
Absent: None
Meeting called to order by Chairman Bartley Millett at 7:36 PM. All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Approval of Minutes from January 13, 2009 Meeting
Member Manfred Marschewski made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson seconded the motion and Chairman Bartley Millett agreed and the Motion passed, Minutes approved as submitted.
Approval of Financial Report Dated January 31, 2009
Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Financial Report as presented and Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion. All agreed. Motion passed.
Updates:
Cartway Widening Draft Ordinance
Township Solicitor Peter Harrison briefly updated the board on the pending draft SALDO amendment ordinance (increasing the width of all new development entrance roads). The new ordinance would basically require 4’ paved shoulders on each side of all development entrance roads for a distance of 15’ per each buildable lot in the development. The board approved a final review by the Township & Bucks County Planning Commission. Resident Wallace Frank questioned if the township would also need to erect proper signage prohibiting extended parking in this area. The board agreed that proper signage would need to be installed. There were no further comments or questions.
New Business:
2009 Fee Schedule: Resolution 2009-2
Township Manager Joe Kulick presented the board with a draft fee schedule for 2009 and reviewed the increased costs in the schedule. He noted that he had gathered information from several sources including the zoning officer, township engineer and building inspector. He also reviewed several surrounding municipalities for uniformity of fees. Several items have been updated; deed registration with the township prior to the county is no longer allowed; the yearly fee of $100.00 per business for Commercial/Industrial Use & Occupancy Permit had been replaced by a one time $200.00 fee. Vice Chairman Richard Johnson noted that some of our required refundable escrows have been coming up short and required several replenishments to meet the billing, thus justifying increasing the required escrow amounts. Zoning Officer Peter Bent agreed with the requested adjustments. The board agreed to continue to monitor the costs for further adjustment. Chairman Bartley Millett then made a motion to approve Resolution 2009-2; The 2009 Durham Township Fee Schedule and the Vice Chairman seconded the motion. Member Manfred Marschewski agreed and the motion unanimously passed. There were no further comments or questions.
Status of Storage Building (Rear of Township Building)
Township Manager Joe Kulick requested the board to consider the status of the large wooden “storage building” located directly behind the township building. The building was at one time used as a “chicken coupe” by the Riegel family as part of the grist mill operation. The roof is quickly deteriorating and would require replacement some time in the immediate future at a cost of @ $10,000.00+. The township presently has no use or purpose for the building other than as acting as a roof over the salt storage bins. Mr. Kulick also noted at this time the storage building is over-insured at $207,108. He requested the board approve transferring the insurance coverage as follows:
Township Building (office) will increase from $249,872 to $430,000
Garage (Public Works) will increase from $50,952 to $78,000 and add $22,000 business pers. property
Storage Building will delete all property @ $207,018 and contents @ $21,917 and delete rental value coverage
All other coverage amounts will remain the same thus creating no additional insurance premium costs.
Future use of the building was also discussed; the cost to demolish the building and remove the debris would be cost prohibitive. The idea of selling the building, where a contractor would pay the township for the “post & beam” wooden structure and remove all remaining debris at no cost to the township was discussed. Resident Wallace Frank suggested advertising that the township is “entertaining offers” for the removal of the building. The board unanimously approved the transfer of insurance coverage’s as requested by the township manager and to further investigate the “removal” of the wooden structure. There were no further comments or questions.
Old Business: None Presented
Zoning Officer Report – Peter Bent
Zoning Officer Peter Bent was present at the meeting and advised the board; Gartner Building Group has removed the abandoned trailer on Route 212; resident John Hadley on County Line Road, who was previously issued a permit for an accessory garage, has brought in several loads of un-permitted fill dirt, creating a complaint from local residents, which I addressed by issuing a “Cease & Desist” order and notifying the Bucks County Conservation District; Anton, who is in the process of erecting a B-1 single family dwelling on Sunday Road, has received approval from Township Engineer Scott Mease on their storm water management plan; Sprint Nextel has reapplied to renew their expired permits to add six (6) additional antennae on the Crouse silo on Durham Road; zoning & building permit applications have been received from Glenn Hissim for his proposed woodworking business on Route 212. Al Harlow continues to rent a portion of the buildings until at least April. A new zoning permit has issued to Charles on County Line Road for a new 2 story addition to his residence, building permits are pending.
Under Emergency Management; the Delaware River Task Force met on January 27th, we are awaiting the results of an Army Corp of Engineers flood analysis study before making final recommendations to the Delaware River Basin Commission. Congressman Patrick Murphy is assisting the county in adding flood recovery items to the Federal Stimulus Plan. There were no further comments or questions.
Road Master Report – Jim Laubach
Township Road Master Jim Laubach was present and advised the board on the following: repairs made to power take-off cable on DT-2; replaced the battery on the 584 tractor; repaired small hydraulic leak on DT-1; replaced plow edge once again on DT-3; roads have been salted & plowed eight (8) times this winter; commenced cold patching pot holes in various locations. Vice Chairman Richard Johnson noted the deteriorating surface condition on Stouts Valley Road between the bridge and Shearers Hill Road. Member Manfred Marschewski once again commended the road department on their excellent performance. There were no further comments or questions.
Public Service Announcements: The Chairman announced:
The Community Fire Company #1 will be serving breakfast on Sunday, February 15, 2009 from 8:00AM to 12:30PM.
The Community Fire Company #1 will be serving fresh home-made Fasnachts on February 24, 2009 at the fire house. Additional information will follow.
The Community Fire Company #1 will be serving a Fish Fry Dinner on February 27, 2009 from 4PM to 7PM
Community Monthly Recycling Day will be on Saturday, March 07, 2009 from 9 AM to 12 Noon
Questions/Comments:
Resident Wallace Frank requested the Solicitor to define “Owner” under the townships Kerl Conservation purchase agreement on Kintner Road. The Solicitor and the Board responded noting that the township, along with the county and Heritage Conservancy, maintain the “non-development rights” for perpetuity but cannot alter the physical property.
Resident/Member Manfred Marschewski requested the Road Master to check a small crack on the township bridge near his property on Spring Hill Road.
Pay Bills / Close Meeting:
The Chairman made a motion to pay the bills as presented and to then close the Meeting; seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Vice Chairman. Motion passed. Meeting closed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 PM.
Minutes Submitted by: Township Secretary/Manager Joseph M. Kulick
Approved at 03-10-2009 Board Meeting