MINUTES of MEETING
Durham Township Board of Supervisors
Tuesday, May 11, 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 7:30 PM. All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Approval of Minutes from 04-13-2010 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 April 30, 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 Zoning Hearing Board:
The Chairman advised the attendee’s that the Zoning Hearing Board originally scheduled for May 12, 2010 has been rescheduled for Wednesday, May 25, 2010 at 7:30 PM here in the township meeting room.
Patterson Minor Subdivision:
Township Solicitor Peter Harrison provided an update for the board, noting that he supplied a Conditions of Approval Letter to Mr. Patterson. A correction to the letter allowing iron pins in lieu of concrete monuments at certain points along the easements was provided. Concrete monuments will still be installed at all corner locations as required. Signed copies of the letter, along with any required financial security (required within ninety (90) days), easement descriptions and donations, have not been received to date. The solicitor will prepare a Developers Agreement upon receipt of the previous items. The board agreed and there were no further comments or questions.
Old Business: None Presented
New Business:
Preserve America Designation Application; Resolution 2010-1:
Township Manager Joe Kulick explained the Preserve America Program. If designated a Preserve America Community certain grant application opportunities may be made accessible. In order to apply, a detailed application form must be completed, along with a resolution from the governing body supporting historic preservation and authorizing the application. Presently, only Newtown Borough is a Preserve America Community in Bucks County. Chairman Bartley Millett made a motion to authorize Resolution 2010-1, supporting historic preservation in Durham and authorizing the submittal of the application. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Richard Johnson and all agreed. Motion & Resolution 2010-1 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 three (3) zoning permit were issued since last meeting; to Brynes on Gallows Hill Road for a new porch roof; to Tom Harbin on Summit Lane for a new 2 car detached garage; and to Herring on Valley View Road for installation of a new hot tub. All the zoning permits are pending issuance of a building permit. Seven (7) zoning permits issued year-to-date same as last year. Work has apparently ceased on Gartner Building Groups new house erection on Route 212, maybe due to issuance of a violation from the Bucks County Conservation District for run-off violations.
An “Enforcement Notice” has been issued on 05-10-2010 to Quier on Kintner Road to clean-up trash and other debris on their property. They have ninety (90) days to comply or NLT August 10, 2010.
The township has received the above document from the BCCD with a request to execute and return it. The document basically outlines the existing county and townships responsibilities with regard to land excavation and other conservation practices. Since the responsibilities outlined are already in use, the board unanimously agreed to authorize the document.
The zoning officer advised the board on an encroachment that currently exists on the Goga property on Fireline Road whereas the Wallace Frank driveway, off of Kintner Road, encroaches a few feet, for a few feet, on the east side of the Goga property. He (Bent) felt that it needs to be resolved prior to any sale, or conservation of the property. Township Engineer Scott Mease is investigating the requirements to move the driveway off of the Goga property. Also, Sabre Fenske has previously erected a fence on the Frank property, with permission from Wallace Frank, which will need to be addressed. Vice Chairman Richard Johnson did not see the need for any involvement by the township in these legal matters.
With regards to the AT&T Mobility Zoning Hearing Board; the zoning officer polled the board if the township would like to enter any official appearance at the hearing. Solicitor Peter Harrison did not see a need and the board unanimously agreed. There were no further comments or questions regarding the zoning report.
Road Master Report:
Jim Laubach, Road Master, was present and advised the board: continued mowing of ball field & township grass areas; mowed the outside area of large retention basin on Countryside Road; Spring “Large Item” Cleanup Day conducted successfully; trimmed trees above township roads to clear for school buses; cleaned-up Kintner Road after a car fire melted surface; commenced roadside mowing with the 584 tractor and repaired the safety lights; brakes repaired on DT-1; and continued repairs to collapsing shoulder along Stouts Valley Road. We are presently advertising for the assistant road master position. Seasonal helper Donavan Finn started work for the summer. There were no further comments or questions.
Public Service Announcements: The Chairman announced:
A representative from State Representative Quinn’s office will be present to hear any citizen concerns and answer questions, tomorrow, Wednesday, May 12, 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, May 16, 2010: 8:00AM to12:30 PM.
Community Fire Company #1 Spaghetti Dinner will be held on Saturday, June 05, 2010: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Riegelsville Library Fair & Book Sale will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2010, 10:00AM to 4:00PM at the Riegelsville Borough Hall & Grounds.
Township Monthly Recycling Day will be held on Saturday, June 05, 2010 9:00A to12N
Election Day: General Primary, Tuesday, May 18, 2010. Polls open at 7:00 AM in Township Building.
Questions/Comments:
Resident Donald Ratushny started to address the board and then stopped. The Chairman asked him to continue with his comment or question several times (5) without success. Mr. Ratushny thanked the Chairman and voluntarily withdrew his floor time without further comment.
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 8:16 PM.
Minutes Submitted by: Township Secretary/Manager Joseph M. Kulick
Minutes APPROVED at 06-08-2010 Meeting