MINUTES of MEETING

Durham Township Board of Supervisors

Tuesday, May 12, 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 7:34 PM.  All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. 

 

Public Hearing: Ordinance 2009-1

 

Chairman Bartley Millett opened the Public Hearing to review for possible adoption Ordinance 2009-1; An Ordinance Amending the Subdivision and Land Development Regulations to Modify the Cartway Dimensional Standards and Widths in Residential Subdivisions.

 

Township Solicitor Peter Harrison explained in great detail the reasoning behind the creation of the ordinance, noting that the primary purpose of the ordinance is to protect the health & safety of school students boarding and exiting the school bus.  The Solicitor noted that the public hearing was properly advertised in the Intelligencer on April 22nd & 29th as required by the MPC.  He (Harrison) also noted that both the Township and the Bucks County Planning Commissions had reviewed the draft ordinance and recommended approval to the board of supervisors.  A copy was also sent to the Bucks County law Library.  Township Manager Joe Kulick advised the board that the public hearing notice was also posted on the township bulletin board outside the township office for at least thirty (30) days prior to tonight.

 

The Chairman then opened the floor for any comments and/or questions.  Resident Wallace Frank commented on the solicitors earlier comment of “the supervisors may wish to adopt” when they can actually adopt the ordinance.  Mr. Frank also questioned if the ordinance would pertain to all future subdivisions and not just a particular (school) bus route or road.  The solicitor replied; yes, subject to any request for waivers that the board may grant.  He (Frank) also questioned what if an existing subdivision expands. 

 

Since there were no further comments and/or questions; the Chairman made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2009-1 as described above. The motion was seconded by the Vice Chairman.  A vote was then taken with the Chairman and the Vice Chairman voting yes.  Member Manfred Marschewski abstained from voting.  Motion passed 2-0-1.  Ordinance 2009-1 approved effective in five (5) days.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

Public Hearing closed at 7:55 PM.

 

The Chairman then opened the regular meeting:

 

Approval of Minutes from April 14, 2009 Meeting

Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Chairman Bartley Millett seconded the motion and Manfred Marschewski abstained since he was not present at the meeting. The motion passed 2-0-1.  Minutes approved as submitted.

 

Approval of Financial Report Dated April 30, 2009

Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Financial Report as presented and Chairman Bartley Millett seconded the motion.  Member Manfred Marschewski abstained.  Motion passed 2-0-1.  

 

Updates: 

 

Re-Adoption of Existing Township Zoning Ordinance & Map

 

The Chairman announced that the Township Planning Commission has rescheduled a Public Hearing to Tuesday, June 02, 2009 at 7:30 PM, prior to their regular scheduled meeting, to consider recommending re-adoption of our existing zoning ordinance and zoning map.  The solicitor stressed the importance of properly advertising this action.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

New Business:  None Presented

 

Old Business:  None Presented

 

Zoning Officer Report – Peter Bent

 

Zoning Officer Peter Bent was present at the meeting and advised the board; Mr. Ron Mansley of 85 Traugers Crossing Road in Nockamixon was granted 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.  Mr. Bent advised the board that he checked with the USPS and placement of numbers on the mailbox is permitted.  Also, nothing further to report on Ben Allen’s request to establish a food concession at routes 611 & 212; on the Gartner Building Group’s construction of a single family dwelling on Route 212; and the forestry project on the AP Creations parcels is still pending a start-up date.  

 

One (1) zoning permit renewal has been issued since last meeting to John Hadley of County Line Road for construction of a detached garage; and one (1) permit to Shirley Jenkins of 969 Durham Road for demolition of a collapsed porch.  The open burning issue has resurfaced.  Mr. Bent is checking with the DEP for any changes. So far there appears to be no changes to their ban on open burning in the SE Air Basin.  Letters have been sent by the zoning officer to involved township residents.  Mr. Bent is currently investigating several barking dog complaints on Old Furnace Road.  He will continue to follow-up on this matter.  Also, gray water issues continue to be investigated along Coon Hollow Run and along Cooks Creek.  A real estate auction will be conducted this Saturday, May 16th on Old Philadelphia Road at 12 noon. 

 

Under Emergency Management; the May 05, 2009 Delaware River Task Force meeting has been postponed until later in May, 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. 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; serviced all of the chain saws; repaired trailer hitch on DT-2; removed the last salt spreader; installed the roadside flair mower on the 584 tractor; repaired the shut-off valve and serviced the mower deck on the small tractor; cleaned out the back room behind the meeting room; mowed the ball field and other spots 5x; successfully conducted the Large Item Spring Clean-Up Day; continued cold patching of township road potholes; repaired several washouts on Sunday Road. There were no further comments or questions.

 

Public Service Announcements:  The Chairman announced:

 

The Riegelsville Public Library will be holding their annual fair on Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the library grounds.

 

The Community Fire Company #1 will be serving breakfast on Sunday, May 17, 2009 from 8:00AM to 12:30PM. 

 

The Community Fire Company #1 will be serving a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, June 06, 2009 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, or until sold out.

 

Community Monthly Recycling Day will be on Saturday, June 06, 2009 from 9 AM to 12 Noon

 

Questions/Comments:  

 

Resident Fran Chavar suggested the township consider installing a fire alarm system in the mill in lieu of a heating system as proposed in the stimulus package wish list.  She also reiterated her request to install a center line on some of the township roadways.  The Chairman once again reminded Ms. Chavar to submit of list of roads that she felt were a priority.  The Vice Chairman agreed with the possible need for road linage on our “major collector” roads but also stated that the associated costs are not presently available since our EIT revenue is down 25%.

 

Resident Wallace Frank requested an update on the possible sale and removal of the “chicken coup” building.  Township Manager Joe Kulick noted the project is on hold for now.

 

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 8:42 PM.

 

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

Minutes Approved at 06-09-2009 Meeting