MINUTES of MEETING

Durham Township Board of Supervisors

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

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

 

Absent:Road Master:       Jim Laubach

 

Meeting called to order by Chairman Bartley Millett at 7:37 PM.  All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

 

Approval of Minutes from 02-09-2010 Meeting

Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion and all agreed. Motion passed, Minutes approved as submitted.

 

Approval of Financial Report Dated February 28, 2010

Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Financial Report as presented. Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion. All agreed.  Motion passed.  

 

Updates: 

 

Glazier/Collioud Subdivision Final Plan Extension:

Township Solicitor Peter Harrison advised the board on his discussions with Mr. Harris, attorney for Mr. Collioud.  They have agreed to the three (3) year extension; payment of all costs; and replenishment of the required escrows.  Financial Security, as determined by the township engineer at that time, will be posted prior to the recording of the plans. A signed Acceptance Letter has been signed and placed in their township file.

 

New Business:

 

Patterson Minor Subdivision Preliminary/Final Plan; First Review:

Ted Koven, Jr., P.E. from Springtown Consulting, LLC, representing Arnold (present at meeting) & Sheryl Patterson, applicants, presented a review of the proposed two (2) lot minor subdivision on Mine Hill Road. The project was recommended for approval by the Planning Commission.

 

Project: Existing Parcel No. 11-005-050-004 consisting of approximately 20 acres would be divided into two (2) building lots; one would be approximately 12 acres and the other 8 acres. Two (2) single family detached dwellings, one on each lot, would be erected and sold by the Patterson’s. The larger lot would remain in Act 319 assessment.  On lot wells and septic systems would be employed.  A shared common driveway would be constructed for access to the two properties.  Sight distances for the new driveway access to Mine Hill Road were calculated at a speed limit of 35 MPH (current speed limit is un-posted at 55 MPH). 

 

Mr. Koven noted that the displayed map contains an alternative relocation of the existing power lines dissecting the tract; this as a result of a conversation with an abutting property owner, Jim Pavlica.  Mr. Pavlica was concerned that the power line relocation may impact his sale of a lot behind the Patterson property.  The relocation is not exactly what Mr. Pavlica requested; due to steep slopes and adjusted resource protection site calculations that could not be met.  The Chairman asked if the power lines could be relocated to the eastern side of the property.  Mr. Koven noted that the same problems would exist at that location.  He (Koven) stated that the plan presented tonight is the best plan that Mr. Patterson could provide due also to high costs from MetEd to relocate the lines. Although an improvement from the original plan; Mr. Pavlica was not entirely satisfied with the proposed relocation. Township Manager Joe Kulick noted that the revised plan would have to be reviewed by Township Engineer Scott Mease as it is not the one originally reviewed by the Planning Commission. 

 

Township Solicitor Peter Harrison advised the board not to take any action until all of the requirements are satisfied; the applicant investigates the possibility of moving the power line to the suggested location, the township engineer reviews the revised plan, and then return to this board next month for disposition.  The board agreed. 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: a total of one (1) zoning permit was issued since last meeting to Sally Tye, Mine Hill Road, for a modular residential accessory building as approved by a recent Zoning Hearing Board.  An application from AT&T for a Conditional Use Hearing & Land Development to construct a cellular tower on the Hissim property on Route 212; the hearing has been scheduled for April 8, 2010 before the board.

 

Mr. Bent advised the board on his participation in a newly organized group entitled: PA Association of Zoning Officials, Bucks County Chapter.  Also, the Delaware River Task Force meeting will be held on March 18th.   There were no further comments or questions.

 

Road Master Report: – None

 

Library Board Report:

 

Durham Library Board Member Kathy Clark reported an increase in card holders in 2009.  The library received a grant of $35,000 from the Payne Foundation to maintain the children’s section for several years. More than two-thirds of the present cardholders are from Durham Township.  The opening of the new Historical Room is scheduled for June 5, 2010.  The library board thanks the supervisors for their continued support.  There were no further comments or questions. 

 

Public Service Announcements:  The Chairman announced:

 

State Representative Marguerite Quinn’s agent will be present to hear any citizen concerns and answer questions, tomorrow Wednesday, March 10, 2010, and every 2nd Wednesday of the month, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM in the Durham Township Building Meeting Room. 

 

Community Fire Company #1 Monthly Breakfast will be held on Sunday, March 21, 2010: 8:00AM to12:30 PM. 

 

Community Fire Company #1 Fish Fry continues to be held every Friday night through Friday March 26th    4:00PM till 7:00PM or until sold out!  (Fish, Fries, Cole Slaw, & Dessert)

 

Township Monthly Recycling Day will be held on 2nd Saturday, April 10, 2010 9:00A to12N due to Easter Sunday Holiday Weekend on the first Saturday April 3rd.

 

Park & Rec Board Flea Market will be held on Saturday April 17, 2010 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on the Village Green.  Your Table: $5.00 space...Our Table: $10.00 space.  Call township office to reserve a space.  First come first served.  Proceeds benefit mill restoration. 

 

Spring Large Item Clean-Up Day is coming on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the township yard from 8AM to 12 Noon sharp. 

 

Questions/Comments:  

 

Erin Goga advised the board that Wallace Franks dogs have been adopted.  Fran Chavar noted the fire company Easter flower sale on April 1st, 2nd, and 3rd at Antique Haven on Easton Road in our township.

 

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 9:05 PM.

 

 

Minutes Submitted by: Township Secretary/Manager Joseph M. Kulick

Minutes APPROVED 04-13-2010 Meeting