MINUTES of MEETING

Durham Township Board of Supervisors

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Township Building Meeting Room

 

Present:  Supervisors:         Bartley E. Millett, Chairman

Richard M. Johnson, Vice Chairman

Manfred Marschewski, Member

 

Secretary:             Joseph M. Kulick

               Zoning Officer:  Peter W. Bent

                Road Master:        Jim Laubach

 

Absent:  Solicitor:              Peter N. Harrison

 

Meeting called to order by Chairman Bartley Millett at 7:36 PM.  All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. 

 

Approval of Minutes from May 12, 2009 Meeting

Member Manfred Marschewski made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson seconded the motion and Chairman Bartley Millett agreed. Motion passed, Minutes approved as submitted.

 

Approval of Financial Report Dated May 31, 2009

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

 

Updates: 

 

Re-Adoption of Existing Township Zoning Ordinance & Map

 

The Chairman announced that the Township Planning Commission has rescheduled a Public Hearing to Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 7:30 PM, prior to their regular scheduled meeting, to consider recommending re-adoption of our existing zoning ordinance and zoning map. 

 

New Business:

 

2009 Roadway Tar & Chip Project

 

Township Manager Joe Kulick requested the boards’ permission to legally advertise for the receiving of sealed bids to tar & chip some of the township roads.   The 2009 budget allows for $55,000 under the state fund road repair category.  The projected roads to be resurfaced include; Stouts Valley from Red Bridge to County Line Road, Spring Hill from Stouts Valley east to “top of hill”, Sunnyside Road and County Line from Sunnyside to bend, for a total of 1.70 miles.  Any sealed bids received would be opened at the July 14, 2009 public meeting.  The board unanimously agreed and approved the advertising for sealed bids.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

Open Records Policy on the Recording of Meetings

 

The Chairman announced the need to establish a policy on how the tape recorded minutes of township meetings would be handled.  These recordings are presently used by the secretary to assist in transcribing the official written minutes of the meeting.  The Chairman noted that the recordings are presently discarded after official approval by the board of the draft written minutes.  Resident Wallace Frank questioned the destroying of the tapes.  Vice Chairman Richard Johnson commented on the future need to record both the audio and video of the meetings.  Resident Kathy Clark commented on the possible need to maintain the recordings in the event of a lawsuit. 

 

The Chairman then made a motion to establish a township policy to maintain all recorded minutes of meetings for a period of 31 days after official approval of the written minutes, unless specially requested by the board of supervisors to maintain the recording for a longer period of time.  Vice Chairman Richard Johnson seconded the motion and Member Manfred Marschewski agreed.  Motion passed. There were no further comments or questions.

 

Summer Concert Series

 

Township Manager Joe Kulick requested the boards’ approval to conduct the second annual Durham Township Summer Concert Series at the Bandstand, on the Village Green, next to the grist mill.  Two (2) Wednesday night events are planned; July 22nd KHR & Friends, a contemporary jazz band and on August 19th Jordan White.  Both events are from 6:00PM to 8:00PM and will cost $450.00 for both.  First Savings Insurance will once again sponsor and pay for the music for both.  The board unanimously approved of the events.  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; Nine (9) zoning permits have been issued year-to-date; a public real estate auction was conducted on Old Philadelphia Road and sold for $185,000. Two (2) zoning permits have been issued since the last meeting; to Sheetz at 290 Red Bridge Road for a family room addition over his existing garage and one to Kaplan at 312 Red Bridge Road for a new deck. 

 

The zoning officer also reported; no further complaints have been received from the earlier “dog barking” complaint on Old Furnace Road; I have not been able to identify the source of “gray water” being introduced into Coon Hollow Run; the PA DEP has not made any changes to the “Open Burning Ban” for the Southeast Air Basin; the AP Creations forestry project will commence on June 11, 2009.  The required three (3) day notice has been given to the Bucks County Conservation District and the township. 

 

An Enforcement Notice was issued to Sabella at 535 Summit Lane in Durham Hill Farms for excessive trash accumulation and parking of commercial vehicles on the property.  Mr. Sabella responded promptly and will correct the situation.  Received a “noxious weed” complaint (bamboo) on Gibson property located 3712 Dogwood Lane.  Although very invasive, bamboo is not on the state noxious weed list.

 

Under Emergency Management; the May 26, 2009 Delaware River Task Force meeting was held.  A briefing from the DRBC suggested expanding the floodway up to 500 feet, it is now 100 feet.  The Task Force will discuss a response to that recommendation.  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; replaced the operating cable on the flail mower; serviced the automatic transmission on DT-1; welded stress cracks on the zero-steer mower deck; replaced the rusted rear brake lines on DT-2; continuous roadside mowing and cold patching potholes; mowed the detention basin on Countryside Drive; replaced the post & stop sign on Sunday Road at 611; installed new warning signs at the 90 degree bends on Mine Hill Road; removed a fallen tree on Fireline Road;  and recycling continues to grow larger and larger. 

 

Member Manfred Marschewski noted that he has received several compliments on how well the ball field is maintained. Resident Jackie Crocetti commented on the continuous theft of the Coon Hollow road signs. Lock-tite will be applied to all future road sign installations.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

Public Service Announcements:  The Chairman announced:

 

The Community Fire Company #1 will be serving breakfast on Fathers Day, Sunday, June 21, 2009 from 8:00AM to 12:00PM. 

 

Community Monthly Recycling Day will be on 2nd Saturday, July 11, 2009 from 9 AM to 12 Noon due to Independence Day holiday weekend

 

Durham Township Summer Concert Series, Sponsored by First Savings Insurance will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 & Wednesday, August 19, 2009 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Bandstand on the Village Greene. All are welcome to attend.

 

Questions/Comments:  

 

Resident Fran Chavar suggested serving hot dogs, sauerkraut and soda at the Summer Concert Series.  The Durham Church will be contacted and advised. 

 

Resident Pete Thomson suggested that all residents proudly fly the American Flag on Sunday, June 14th, Flag Day.

 

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 8:20 PM.

 

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

Minutes Approved at 07-14-2009 Meeting