MINUTES of MEETING
Durham Township Board of Supervisors
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
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 7:33 PM. All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Approval of Minutes from March 08, 2011 Meeting
Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion. All agreed. Motion passed, Minutes approved as submitted.
Approval of Financial Report Dated March 31, 2011
Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Financial Report as presented. Chairman Bartley E. Millett seconded the motion. All agreed. Motion passed. The Vice Chairman noted that he still intends to develop a letter to First Savings authorizing electronic banking limited access.
Updates: None
New Business:
Review & Final Approval of Township Open Space Plan Update– Resolution 2011-2:
The Chairman noted that the township’s Open Space Plan - 2010 Update has been approved by the Bucks County Open Space board and made available for public review in the township office for the past three (3) months, is now ready for township adoption. Sue Myerov, Heritage Conservancy gave a brief overview of the process to update the plan. She noted that both the township’s Open Space Committee and Planning Commission, along with Bucks County, has reviewed and approved the plan. The Chairman opened the floor for any discussion. There was none.
The Chairman then made a motion to approve Resolution 2011-2 and the 2010 Update of the Durham Township Open Space Plan as presented. Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion and the Vice Chairman agreed. Motion passed. There were no further comments or questions.
Review of the Purchase of a Conservation Easement (44.95 acres) on the Hoffman Properties:
Laura Baird, Heritage Conservancy, was present and requested the board’s approval for the purchase of an Open Space conservation easement of 44.95 acres on the three (3) parcels presently owned by Doctor & Mrs. Hoffman on Dogwood Lane . She noted that the property was selected in the just approved Township Open Space Plan as the number two (2) property for preservation. The number one (1) property (Keating) is currently up for Agricultural Preservation by the county. Requested funding to purchase the easement would come out of the townships $329,607 Bucks County Open Space Fund allocated to the township. Total price to purchase the easement would be $382,270 or $8,600 per acre. The township would provide 75% ($286,703) of the funding with PA DCNR/Heritage providing the remaining 25% ($95,567) via a state grant. After a brief discussion, the board thanked Ms. Baird for her continuing interest in maintaining the beauty of Durham Township and unanimously approved the going forward with the purchase of the easement. There were no further comments or questions.
Bid Award – ADA Bathroom, Counter & Doorway Remodel – Project #D2011-01:
Township Manager Joe Kulick presented to the board for approval the lowest qualified bid for the construction of an ADA approved restroom and other ADA improvements to the township building. Request for sealed bids were legally advertised in the Intelligencer on March 10th & March 15th. A mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting was held on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 with seven (7) contractors and the county attending. Three (3) sealed bids were received prior to the deadline of 11:00AM on Friday, April 8, 2011 at which time they were opened by Township Engineer Scott Mease and
Township Manager Joe Kulick. Results of the bidding were: Happ Construction...$29,875; Ivyland Builders...$26,600; and A.T. King Jr. Inc. of Perkasie...$23,500. All bid packages contained the requested documentation and bonds. Both the township engineer and county checked the provided references on King with excellent results. A.T. King has completed other CDBG county projects successfully also. The required $30,428 ($6,000 for engineering/plans) has been obtained via a Bucks County Community Block Development Grant (CBDG). The award to A.T. King Jr. was approved by the CDBG earlier today.
The Vice Chairman then a motion to approve the award of the contract to A.T. King Jr. in the amount of $23,500 and Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion. The Chairman agreed. Motion passed. The board then signed the construction contract as provided by Bucks County. There were no further comments or questions.
Township Auditors Report for 2010:
All three township auditors were present at the meeting and the Chairman; Lou Bucci gave a brief recap of the audit. No deficiencies were discovered and noted excellent bookkeeping by Elaine Gawronski and Joe Kulick. The Audit Report was properly advertised in the Intelligencer on March 10, 2011 as required by law and filed electronically with PA DCED prior to April 1st as required. The board thanked the auditors for their continued diligence in safeguarding the township finance’s. 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 of two (2) new zoning permits: to Tye/Kramer on Mine Hill Road for already constructed uncovered decks (2); and one to Glennon on Hilltop Road to construct a three (3) detached garage and install solar panels on its roof.
Mr. Bent attended a second meeting today to review the Bucks County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The next meeting will be a public meeting on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at the Bucks County Library in Doylestown. There were no further comments or questions regarding the zoning report.
Road Master Report: Jim Laubach
Road Master Jim Laubach was present and advised the board: installed a new light in the post office; cleaned-up the area around the township building; reinstalled the snow removal equipment and removed two days later; replaced a hydraulic hose on a snowplow; patched potholes; graded parts of Sunday & Coon Hollow Road; repaired guide rail in Durham Hill Farms; and replaced the stolen Rattlesnake Road street sign at Stouts Valley Road. There were no further comments or questions.
Public Service Announcements: The Chairman announced:
State Senator Mensch Satellite Office will be open Wednesday, April 13, 2011 (tomorrow) in the township building meeting room from 11:30AM to 1:00PM to hear citizen concerns
Community Fire Company #1 Fish Fry is being held every Friday during Lent, now until April 22, 2011 5PM to 7PM (or until sold out)
Community Fire Company #1 Monthly Breakfast will be held on Sunday, April 17, 2011: 8:00AM to 12:30 PM.
Community Fire Company #1 Easter Flower Sale will be held on Thursday, Friday & Saturday, April 21st, 22nd, 23rd from 9:00AM to 4:00PM at the Antique Haven on Easton Road
Townships’ Spring Large Item Clean-up Day will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 8AM to 12 Noon sharp. Accepting all items excluding hazardous waste. There will be a $20.00 charge for items that do/did contain FREON. Payable to DelGuerico’s.
Township Monthly Recycling Day will be held on Saturday, May 07, 2011 9:00A to12 Noon
Questions/Comments:
Member Manfred Marschewski commented that he visited Joe Chavar in the hospital and that he was looking better. Also, former resident Lynn Oliver Herrmann sends her best regards to everyone in Durham.
Kathy Clark asked the board what they thought about the eleven (11) vacant homes (13%) in Durham as reported by the 2010 Census results. Township Manager Joe Kulick noted the definition of a “vacant home” was a home not occupied year round, thus people living in NY and coming down for the weekend were “vacant” houses.
Ari Manesis questioned the legality of “open burning” in Durham Township. Zoning Officer Peter Bent noted that Article 5, Section 509 of our Zoning Ordinance prohibits creating smoke that interferes with your neighbor and Section 510 that prohibits creating dust, fumes and vaporous gases that create a nuisance. He (Bent) recommended enforcement if Mr. Manesis continues to burn, due to a possibly disabled person next door that the burning irritates. Also, the PA DEP continues to be very vague and non-committal on the open burning issue.
Pay Bills / Close Meeting:
The Chairman made a motion to pay the bills as presented and to then close the Meeting; seconded by the Vice Chairman. All agreed. Motion passed. Meeting closed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 PM.
Minutes Submitted by: Township Secretary/Manager Joseph M. Kulick
Minutes APPROVED at 05-10-2011 Meeting