MINUTES of MEETING
Durham Township Board of Supervisors
Tuesday, July 14, 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
Solicitor: Peter N. Harrison
Meeting called to order by Chairman Bartley Millett at 7:35 PM. All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Approval of Minutes from June 09, 2009 Meeting
Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion and Chairman Bartley Millett agreed. Motion passed, Minutes approved as submitted.
Approval of Financial Report Dated June 30, 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:
State Liquid Fuels Audit
The Chairman announced that the 2007/2008 Liquid Fuels Use Audit was conducted successfully by the PA Department of the Auditor General without any discrepancies being noted. The board thanked bookkeeper Elaine Gawronski for her excellent record keeping.
New Business:
2009 Roadway Tar & Chip Project Sealed Bid Opening:
Township Manager Joe Kulick advised the board on the receipt of one (1) sealed bid for this season’s tar & chip project. The request for bids was properly advertised as required by law in the Intelligencer on June 24, 2009 and again on July 01, 2009. A “Public Notice” was also placed on the township bulletin board outside the township office and on the township website for 30+ days.
The Chairman requested the township manager to go ahead and open the one sealed bid from AMS (Asphalt Maintenance Systems, LLC of Center Valley, PA. Their quoted amount was as follows: double coat: $2.64 per square yard for 11,922 square yards; single coat: $1.32 per square yard for 4,036 square yards; for a total bid of $36,801.60 for the 1.70 miles. The bid package contained the required bonds and was properly signed and sealed. The board unanimously agreed that AMS has performed very well during the last three (3) yearly seal coat projects.
Since it was the only bid received, it is below our budgeted amount and the contractor has an excellent performance record; the Vice Chairman made a motion to accept the bid and award AMS the contract. Member Manfred Marschewski agreed and seconded the motion and the Chairman also agreed. The board unanimously approved the award of the 2009 Tar & Chip Project #2009-2, for the bid amount of $36,801.60, to AMS and the motion passed. The board then signed the contract and related documents. There were no further comments or questions.
EAC Appointment:
The Chairman announced the receipt of a written letter of application from Nina Gardner of Old Furnace Road requesting her appointment to the townships’ Environmental Advisory Council. Ms. Gardner is a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina and has returned home to Durham. The Vice Chairman made a motion to appoint Ms. Gardner to the EAC, to fill the unexpired term of Scott Douglas, who does not reside in the township, expiring 12-31-2012. Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion and the Chairman agreed. Motion passed.
Old Business: None Presented
Zoning Officer Report – Peter Bent
Zoning Officer Peter Bent was present at the meeting and advised the board; six (6) new zoning permits have been issued since last meeting: Tascarella on Old Phila Road for an enclosed porch; Brynes on Gallows Hill Road for a bay window and roof; Hissim Woodworking on Route 212 for Use & Occupancy permit; David Funk on Old Furnace Road for an accessory shed; Jepson on County Line Road East to install solar panels on his roof and to Jim Miller on Lehnenberg Road for a 2400 square foot addition to his existing residence. A total of fifteen (15) zoning permits have been issued year-to-date. A prior issued “enforcement Notice to Sabella on Summit Lane for excessive debris on the property has been cleaned-up and the commercial vehicles parked on the property will be taken care of shortly. The forestry project, presently underway on the AP Creations parcel, should be completed within a week. The Gartner Building house construction project on Route 212 zoning permit is about to expire and will have to be renewed when work begins.
Under Emergency Management; the June 23, 2009 Delaware River Task Force meeting was held. The response on the recommendation has not yet been finalized until the river model is reviewed. The requested 500’ floodway change is under scrutiny. Next meeting will not be held until October. Peter Bent advised the board that he attended the Bucks County Emergency Management Quarterly training session on June 16, 2009, which presented an overview of eligibility for flood area aid. 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; welding repair on the 584 tractor mower; repaired weed-whacker; sharpened the blades on the zero-steer; installed a new flag at the post office; replaced bulbs at the post office; erected the new “bat cave” sign alongside the mill; continued roadside mowing; replaced the stop sign at Funks Mill & Dogwood; conducted a driveway inspection for Mignatti on Spring Hill Road; repaired the pipe at Stouts Valley & Spring Hill and on Mine hill Road; removed a down tree on Spring Hill that had fallen on Jim Beerer’s barn blocking the roadway; and assisted at the scene on County Line Road in Williams Township where a truck pulled down some wires.
PennDOT has commenced work on the twin bridges at Lehnenberg & Mine Hill Roads. They are cleaning out the sediment under the bridges and placing large boulders along the creek side to prevent any future erosion. There were no further comments or questions.
Public Service Announcements: The Chairman announced:
The Community Fire Company #1 will be serving breakfast on Sunday, July 19, 2009 from 8:00AM to 12:00PM.
The Community Fire Company #1 will conduct a “Blue Grass Festival” to be held on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at the Silver Creek Athletic Association in Springtown.
Township Monthly Recycling Day will be on Saturday, August 01, 2009 from 9 AM to 12 Noon.
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.
The Vice Chairman announced the Annual JAG Fund Tubing Event will be held on Saturday, August 01, 2009 at 10AM to benefit brain tumor research.
Questions/Comments:
Resident Wallace Frank questioned if any progress has been made on the removal of the old chicken coupe (storage building) behind the township building. None reported.
Resident Kathy Clark presented a library board update: walk-ins are up 57% to end of May; circulation up 17%; and a general increase in children’s programs and activities.
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 8:18 PM.
Minutes Submitted by: Township Secretary/Manager Joseph M. Kulick
Minutes Approved at August 11, 2009 Meeting