MINUTES of MEETING

Durham Township Board of Supervisors

Tuesday, April 13, 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

Road Master:     Jim Laubach

 

Absent:  None

 

Meeting called to order by Chairman Bartley Millett at 7:39 PM.  All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.  Also, a Moment of Silence was conducted in memory of former long-time Road Master George Fox who passed away.

 

Approval of Minutes from 03-09-2010 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 March 31, 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: 

 

AT&T Mobility Conditional Use Hearing:

The Chairman advised the attendee’s that the Conditional Use Hearing scheduled for April 8, 2010 was opened and continued until a Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) can be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 7:30 PM here in the township meeting room.  Zoning Officer Peter Bent commented that the ZHB is required to address AT&T’s request for required zoning variances. 

 

Old Business: 

 

Patterson Minor Subdivision Preliminary/Final Plan; Second Review:

Ted Koven, Jr., P.E. from Springtown Consulting, LLC, representing Arnold (present at meeting) & Sheryl Patterson, applicants, presented a 2nd 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 their receipt of the township solicitors’ letter of March 10, 2010 and the township engineers’ letter of April 8, 2010.  He (Koven) felt all of the outstanding issues have now been addressed.  Mr. Koven reviewed the proposed relocation of the power line, as requested by the supervisors at last months meeting; and have decided to stay with the original (as presented last month) location.  Mr. Patterson, addressing the board, noted that the additional cost to relocate the lines once again ($5400) was prohibitive. He (Patterson) spoke with Jim Pavlica and provided him the option for him to pay the additional cost if he so desired.    Township Solicitor Peter Harrison commented that Mr. Patterson was under no obligation to once again relocate the lines and the board agreed.  The Vice Chairman noted if Mr. Pavlica was overly concerned then he would have provided the funds. 

 

The township solicitor questioned the existence of a common driveway easement and other required legal descriptions.  Mr. Koven will supply all of the required legal documents to the township.  Also, the speed limit along that section of Mine Hill Road will have to be set at 35 MPH to meet the driveway sight distance requirements.  Mr. Patterson will supply the required traffic study and reimburse the township for all other expenses incurred in the posting. 

 

The applicant has requested the following waivers; from providing curbs along Mine Hill Road; from performing roadway improvements/Cartway widening along Mine Hill Road; to allow the driveway to have a grade in excess of four (4) percent for the first twenty (20) feet; to allow the proposed driveway to be less than 15 feet from the proposed property line of Lots 1 and 2; and from providing sidewalks within the site and/or along Mine Hill Road.  In consideration of granting the above waivers Mr. Patterson has offered to donate the total sum of $4,000 ($2,000 per lot) to the townships EMS and Fire Company prior to the recording of the plan.  The Chairman asked if anyone present had any further comments and/or questions.  There were none.

 

A motion was then made by Vice Chairman Richard Johnson to grant the above requested waivers and to grant Preliminary/Final approval of the submitted plan upon; compliance with all term of the Engineer’s Review Letter of 12-30-09, submittal of shared driveway easements and other required legal documents, reduction of the speed limit on Mine Hill Road to 35 MPH, donation of $2,000 to UBREMS and $2,000 to Community Fire Co. #1, and compliance with all other Federal, State, and Local requirements.  The motion was seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Chairman Bartley Millett.  All agreed and the motion passed unanimously.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

New Business:

 

 

Auditors Report for 2009:

All three of the township auditors were present and Lou Bucci, Chairman, advised the board that all was found to be in order for the completed 2009 year audit.  They presented the board with three suggestions to improve township finances.  Chairman Bartley Millett thanked the auditors and told them the board will review the recommendations presented and act accordingly.  Copies of the 2009 Auditors Report were made available to all attendees. There were no further comments or questions.

 

Township Building Facade Approval:

Township Manager Joe Kulick requested approval from the board to install three (3) porch roofs over the three (3) township building front entrances.  The work would be performed by resident George Mason for the cost of materials only.  He (Kulick) commented that if approved the work would be completed prior to the scheduled installation of new vinyl siding, as part of the $35,000 Bucks County CDBG grant.  The board okayed the installation unanimously.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

D&L Scenic Byway Vote:

The board had previously tabled a vote at their January meeting and prior to voting listened to a presentation from Karen Williamson, Heritage Conservancy, on the benefits and requirements of supporting the proposed Scenic Byway.  She requested the board to support the designation of the Scenic Byway as 12 of 18 other municipalities along the route have already voted.   Both the Durham Township Planning Commission and the Parks & Recreation Board have recommended approval.  Chairman Bartley Millett asked Ms. Williamson to provide a report on the status of the six (6) remaining municipalities.  To her knowledge, with the exception of Nockamixon Township who has voted not to support at the present time, all are in various stages of supporting the byway. 

 

Vice Chairman Richard Johnson expressed his concern over increased traffic on Route 611; Member Manfred Marschewski did not want to subject our residents along Route 611 to the state controlled signage restrictions and the needless expenditure of tax money to designate a roadway already there and enjoyed; and Chairman Bartley Millett did not see any benefit to Durham other than the small possibility of some federal funding, he also felt that not enough solid information has been made available for review.  All three supervisors individually voted not to support the Scenic Byway Designation at this time. 

 

Resident and Planning Commission Member Lois Oleksa asked the board why they will not support the byway if both the planning commission and the park & recreation board voted unanimously to (recommend) support it.   She (Oleksa) requested the board to keep the decision open-ended for the good of the township.  The Chairman requested a detailed letter from the planning commission outlining the reasons for recommending approval. 

 

Resident Kathy Clark felt that the Scenic Byway could be a wonderful asset to the township and would also benefit the local businesses along the route.  Resident Laura Helfrich just wants the 611 roadway repaired.  Park & Recreation Board Member Erin Goga will also send a letter requesting approval to the board.  Resident Fran Chavar felt a survey of the 611 residents should be taken.  Resident Don Ratushny suggested the board make a decision not based on the possibility of obtaining grant money.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

Park & Recreation Board Appointment:

The township is in receipt of a letter from township resident Christen Fackler of Fire Line Road requesting appointment to the townships’ Park & Rec Board.  An opening currently exists to replace the Mike Cavallaro term ending 12-31-2012.  Member Manfred Marschewski made a motion to appoint Ms. Fackler to the Park & Rec Board term ending 12-31-2012.  The Vice Chairman seconded the motion and the Chairman agreed.  Motion passed.  There were no further comments or questions.     

 

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 Peter & Tracy Cole, 520 Coon Hollow Road, to install dormers on an existing dwelling pending building permit approval.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

Road Master Report:

Jim Laubach, Road Master, was present and advised the board:  mowers serviced; mowing has commenced of ball field & township grass areas; plows & salt-spreaders removed from the vehicles; cold patching potholes, filling holes on Coon Hollow & Sunday Roads; and continued repairs to collapsing shoulder along Stouts Valley Road.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

Public Service Announcements:  The Chairman announced:

 

A representative from State Senator Robert Mensch’s office will be present to hear any citizen concerns and answer questions, tomorrow, Wednesday, April 14, 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, April 18, 2010: 8:00AM to12:30 PM. 

 

Community Fire Company #1 Ham Dinner will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2010: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

 

Township Monthly Recycling Day will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2010 9:00A to12N

 

Park & Rec Board Flea Market will be held this 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:  

 

Resident Erin Goga advised the board that the sale of space at the yard sale only will benefit the mill not the sale of items.

Resident Fran Chavar thanked the township for e-mailing the fire company activities to the residents.  She (Chavar) also asked what the status of the Durham Historical Society is.  Manfred Marschewski commented that is presently in limbo.  Stephen Wiley remains as President and could answer any questions. 

Elaine Gawronski noted that Census Forms are available at the township building. (Until April 19th)

Resident Don Ratushny stated that the (PA) DEP does not deal with residential burning anymore and it is now the responsibility of the township to handle.  The Chairman advised Mr. Ratushny to visit the State Senator Mensch’s Rep tomorrow here at the township building.  The township will also investigate further.

 

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 9:25 PM.

 

 

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

Minutes APPROVED at 05-11-2010 Meeting