MINUTES of MEETING
Durham Township Board of Supervisors
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Township Building Meeting Room
Present: Supervisors: Bartley E. Millett, Chairman
Richard M. Johnson, Vice Chairman
Secretary: Joseph M. Kulick
Solicitor: Peter N. Harrison
Zoning Officer: Peter W. Bent
Road Master: Jim Laubach
Absent: Supervisor: Manfred Marschewski, Member
Meeting called to order by Chairman Bartley Millett at 7:38 PM. All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Approval of Minutes from March 10, 2009 Meeting
Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Chairman Bartley Millett seconded the motion and all agreed and the motion passed. Minutes approved as submitted.
Approval of Financial Report Dated March 31, 2009
Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Financial Report as presented and Chairman Bartley Millett 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 Public Hearing originally scheduled for tonight has been rescheduled for June 09, 2009 at 7:30 PM here in the township meeting room. Everyone is encouraged to attend. There were no further comments or questions.
Re-Adoption of Existing Township Zoning Ordinance & Map
The Chairman announced that the township Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 7:30 PM, prior to their regular scheduled meeting, to consider recommending re-adoption of our existing zoning ordinance and zoning map. There were no further comments or questions.
Township EAC Roadside Clean-Up
The Chairman announced that the townships’ EAC participated in an area roadside clean-up as part of the “Green Day” activities on Saturday, April 04, 2009. They (EAC) cleaned-up the entire length of Route 611 in our township. The Chairman thanked the EAC and others who participated in cleaning-up the area roadways. There were no further comments or questions.
New Business:
Upper Bucks Senior Activities Center
The Chairman introduced Ms. Rose O’Brien, Manager of the center in Milford, PA. Ms. O’Brien advised the board that last year there were 147 members and that number has now grown to 742 members. The center is open Monday thru Friday and serves a hot lunch everyday for 35 to 48 seniors for only $2.00 each. Also, bingo, exercise groups, dances, holiday parties and bus trips to various parts of the country are sponsored by the center. Ms. O’Brien requested the board consider adding her organization to the list of township donations when preparing the budget. Resident Wallace Frank congratulated Ms. O’Brien and questioned her relationship to the Eastern Upper Bucks Senior Center in Ottsville. Ms. O’Brien responded noting they are all in the same group but separate operations with individual budgets. Resident Kathy Clark then questioned if donating to the Milford Center would reduce the townships support to the Ottsville Center. The Chairman thanked Ms. O’Brien for her presentation and her dedication to the area seniors. There were no further comments or questions.
Auditors Report for 2008
The Chairman noted the absence of the three (3) auditors at the meeting but proceeded to read aloud their report as submitted to the township. The report stated the township records were audited according to the audit guidelines of the state and all was found to be in order and the townships financial condition remains sound. The auditors commended the manager and bookkeeper for maintaining accurate records and managing the finances. The Board agreed with the statements and noted that public copies of the report are available in the rear of the meeting room. There were no further comments or questions.
EAC Board Appointment
The Chairman announced the receipt of a written request from township resident Christopher Zelov to be considered for appointment to the townships Environmental Advisory Committee. An opening exists due to the resignation of Liz Cruickshank. Mr. Zelov is a ten (10) year resident of Durham and a graduate of the Wharton School of Business. He is very active in environmental issues and has produced many films on this topic.
The Chairman then made a motion to appoint Mr. Zelov to the EAC Board to fill the unexpired term of Liz Cruickshank ending 12-31-2012. The Vice Chairman seconded the motion and all agreed. 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; one (1) zoning permit has been issued since last meeting to the Mignatti Corporation property on Spring Hill Road for demolition of an abandoned two (2) car garage. Also of note, while demolishing the garage, a large dead dog was found shot in the head and dumped behind the garage. PA State Police were called and handled the situation. Pending permits include; Hadley on County Line Road for a garage and Hissim on Route 212 to operate a wood working business pending county septic review. Enforcement Notices were issued to Porter and Gibson on Stouts Valley Road for possible illegal grey water discharge. The Bucks County Health Department will investigate further and have the violation corrected. The County will also remind Mr. Porter of his illegal septic system on township property and assist him in the relocation process.
A Mr. Ron Mansley of 85 Traugers Crossing Road in Nockamixon has requested permission to solicit door-to-door for sales of the reflective address signs. The cost will be $20 per sign installed. His cost is $7.50 per sign. Vice Chairman Richard Johnson agreed as-long-as he does not represent himself as an official representative of the township or fire company. Resident Wallace Frank questioned what regulation the township has to control address numbers. Mr. Bent responded, noting provisions of Township Ordinance 1991-1. Mr. Bent will check with the USPS regarding regulations on posting signage on mailboxes.
In other business; resident Ben Allen is exploring the possibility of establishing a mobile kitchen/food trailer business at the corner of Routes 611 & 212; construction of a single family residence by Anton on Sunday Road still pending; the Glazier/Collioud tract on Lehnenberg Road is approaching the five (5) year approval expiration point; construction of a single family residence on Route 212 by Gartner Building Group may commence in the next few weeks; and the forestry project on the AP Creations parcels is still pending a start-up date.
Under Emergency Management; the Delaware River Task Force met in March, 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. Next meeting is May 05, 2009. Mr. Bent will attend a FEMA flood seminar to be held at the New Hope Fire Company on Saturday, April 18, 2009. The Vice Chairman commented on the need to revise the Repetitive Flood Loss Program. 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; removed 2 of 3 salt spreaders; repaired a defective brake switch and flat tire on the backhoe; general spring clean-up of township complex; mowed grass once including the ball field; graded Sunday Road and cleaned-up illegal dumping along the road; patched numerous potholes on various roads caused by a severe winter; also cleaned the drains and gutters along the roads; called out for an emergency to cut-up fallen trees on Kintner Road; and repaired a washout on Fireline Road.
The theft of township road signs is continuing; newly erected signs on both ends of Coon Hollow Road lasted only seven (7) days and the signs at Funks Mill & Dogwood were also stolen. All incidents have been reported to the PA State Police. Theft proof screws were installed on both locations without success. The cost for replacing stolen signs year-to-date is $670.00. The Vice Chairman questioned if it is a continuing act of vandalism or the wish of residents not wanting to identify the roadway thus keeping it a secluded private lane. The Chairman suggested using less appealing Legislative Route numbers in lieu of the road name.
Resident Ike Blair of Kintner Road, present at the meeting, advised the Road Master of needed repairs to the collapsing roadway in front of his house. Repairs will be made shortly. There were no further comments or questions.
Public Service Announcements: The Chairman announced:
The Community Fire Company #1 will be serving breakfast on Sunday, April 19, 2009 from 8:00AM to 12:30PM.
The Community Fire Company #1 will be serving a roast beef dinner on Saturday, May 02, 2009 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, or until sold out.
Community Monthly Recycling Day will be on Saturday, May 02, 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:
Library Board Member Kathy Clark updated the board on the libraries’ progress; items circulated up 30%; walk-ins up 61%; items borrowed up 15%; and internet usage up 58% from February to March 2009.
Resident Edith Hanzlik of Coon Hollow Road commented on keeping the road a country road. She appreciated the townships effort to remove snow and garbage along the roadway. She also commented on the absence of a shoulder along the road making it very unsafe to walk or drive. However, she also did not agree with the township road crew digging drainage ditches (gutters), undermining roadside trees and destroying the now non-existent roadside raspberry bushes. She took objection to the earlier comments about local residents wanting to live on a lonely road. Vice Chairman Richard Johnson responded noting that the townships major concern has to be the safety of the traveling public. Ms. Hanzlik thanked the board for allowing her to express her opinion and once asked that the township be mindful of the roads (attributes). Resident Kathy Clark suggested the board consider making Coon Hollow a one-way road if it only has a one lane roadway.
Resident Ike Blair once again commented on the unsafe conditions of Kintner Road. He noted the hump on the bend and the speeding motorists in the area of his home.
Resident Fran Chavar suggested the township buy an inexpensive camera to surveil stolen street signs.
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. Motion passed. Meeting closed.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 PM.
Minutes Submitted by: Township Secretary/Manager Joseph M. Kulick
Minutes Approved 05-12-2009 Meeting