MINUTES of MEETING
Durham Township Board of Supervisors
Tuesday, March 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 7:40 PM. All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Approval of Minutes from February 10, 2009 Meeting
Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Chairman Bartley Millett seconded the motion and Member Manfred Marschewski agreed and the motion passed. Minutes approved as submitted.
Approval of Financial Report Dated February 28, 2009
Member Manfred Marschewski made a motion to approve the Financial Report as presented and Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson seconded the motion. All agreed. Motion passed.
Updates:
Cartway Widening Draft Ordinance
Chairman Bartley Millett 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. Township Solicitor Peter Harrison commended the board on their action in developing such a unique ordinance to protect the townships school students while loading and unloading from the school bus. Both the township and the Bucks County Planning Commissions recommended approval of the draft ordinance.
A motion was then made by the Chairman to conduct a Public Hearing at the April board meeting and it was seconded by the Vice Chairman. Member Manfred Marschewski agreed and the motion passed. The solicitor will properly advertise the public hearing. There were no further comments or questions.
DCED Emergency/Management Vehicle Grant
Township Manager Joe Kulick advised the board on the receipt of the contract to obtain a $5000 state grant for the township to purchase and equip a used vehicle for the townships general use. The contract was approved by the board and signed by the Chairman. There were no further comments or questions.
New Business:
Bucks County Special Needs Registry
Emergency Management Coordinator Peter Bent explained the purpose of the registry. To assist township residents that may require special evacuation during an emergency. It is a free, voluntary, and strictly confidential regional county program. The board agreed with the endeavor and suggested that the township should also maintain a confidential copy of the list for local emergency use. The program will be advertised in the township newsletter and on its website. Resident Wallace Frank felt that the designated relief agency should conduct a site survey to properly identify both the individual and the locations layout. The board concurred and instructed Peter Bent to forward that recommendation to the county officials. There were no further comments or questions.
Township Stimulus Package Grant Request
Township Manager Joe Kulick advised the board of a request from Bucks County to submit a list of possible “shovel ready” projects that the township could not fund. These projects could possibly be funded via federal stimulus money made available to the state. He (Kulick) read aloud the list submitted totaling $695,000:
Siding for Township Building....$20,000.00 Repair/Replace Grist Mill Windows....$15,000.00
Update Zoning & SALDO Ordinances...$20,000.00 Repair Grist Mill Structural Defects...$50,000.00
Install Roof over Salt Bins...$15,000.00 Heating System for Grist Mill...$25,000.00
Rebuild/Tar & Chip Nine (9) Miles Twp Roads...$500,000.00 New Truck w/Plow & Salt Spreader...$50,000.00
The list will be forwarded to the state for possible consideration. Vice Chairman Richard Johnson noted that although he did not necessarily agree with the federal governments spending of taxpayers’ money; it was sensible that the local township citizens receive some benefit from the package. Member Manfred Marschewski commented that renewing the grist mills electrical system should have been included on the list. There were no further comments or questions.
Park & Recreation Board Appointment
The Chairman announced the receipt of a written request from Deborah Harbin of 580 Summit Lane in Durham Hill Farms to be considered for appointment to the townships Park & Recreation Board. An opening exists due to the resignation of John Perkins, who resigned to become Chairman of the EAC. Ms. Harbin has been very active volunteering for numerous tasks including tending the township flower beds, Community Day and the Wreath Making Class held yearly in the grist mill.
The Vice Chairman then made a motion to appoint Ms. Harbin to the Park & Recreation Board to fill the unexpired term of John Perkins ending 12-31-2011. Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion and the Chairman agreed thanking Ms. Harbin for her service to the township. Motion passed. 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; four (4) zoning permits have been issued this year to date versus six (6) last year during the same period. New permits have been issued to William Charles of County Line Road for a two-story 2000 sq. ft. addition to his existing residence; forestry permit to AP Creations pending PennDOT approval for roadway access; Jepson on County Line Road for two (2) small accessory storage sheds; a re-issued permit to Sprint Nextel to install six (6) additional antenna to the existing Crouse silo on Durham Road. Pending permits include Anton on Sunday Road for a new single-family residence; and Glenn Hissim on Route 212 to operate a woodworking business, pending final building inspector approval.
Under Emergency Management; the Delaware River Task Force met on February 24th, we are still awaiting the preliminary results of an Army Corp of Engineers flood analysis study before making final recommendations to the Delaware River Basin Commission. Each municipality will then have an opportunity to review and evaluate their results. Mr. Bent advised the board of a small problem with addresses in the township. He (Bent) noted that he is working with the various post offices to correct this situation. Also, alarm companies operating in the township need to advise the county dispatch in what municipality the residence is located not the town. 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 salt spreader pump and tire on DT-2; new plow shoes installed on DT-3 along with state inspection ; zero steer lawnmower serviced and readied for grass cutting season; repaired the door on storage shed; spackled and painted the meeting room; repairs made to stop sign at Stouts Valley & County Line Road; Coon Hollow street signs replaced once again; six (6) snow plow/salting events; patched several potholes; and repaired township bridge (caulked small crack) on Spring Mill Road. There were no further comments or questions.
Public Service Announcements: The Chairman announced:
The Community Fire Company #1 will be serving breakfast on Sunday, March 15, 2009 from 8:00AM to 12:30PM.
Community Monthly Recycling Day will be on Saturday, April 04, 2009 from 9 AM to 12 Noon
The townships semi-annual “Large Item” Clean-Up Day will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 8AM to 12 Noon at the township yard.
Questions/Comments:
Vice Chairman Richard Johnson commented on the drastic drop in general business volume in the last few months.
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 8:37 PM.
Minutes Submitted by: Township Secretary/Manager Joseph M. Kulick
Minutes Approved at April 14, 2009 Board Meeting