MINUTES of MEETING

Durham Township Board of Supervisors

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Township Building Meeting Room

 

Present:  Supervisors:         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

 

Absent:  Supervisor            Bartley E. Millett, Chairman               

               

 

In the absence of the Chairman the meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Richard Johnson at 7:34 PM.  All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. 

 

Approval of Minutes from July 14, 2009 Meeting

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

 

Approval of Financial Report Dated July 31, 2009

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

 

Updates: 

 

Tar & Chip Project Completed:

The Vice Chairman announced that the 2009 Tar & Chip Project was completed for a total cost of $36,276.24.  This is a cost savings of $525.36 under the sealed bid amount, due to reduced square yardage required to complete the coverage.

 

Existing Zoning Ordinance Re-Adoption: 

Solicitor Peter Harrison presented an update on the proposed process.  He (Harrison) noted he has been working on producing an ad that will meet the required legal advertising criteria.  The size of the ad at present is very large and would be very costly to publish in the newspaper.  The Solicitor is attempting to condense the size while remaining legally permissible.   The Vice Chairman questioned if we could delay the process until next years budget.  The Solicitor reminded the Vice Chairman that time may be critical if the existing ordinance is challenged. 

 

Resident Wallace Frank noted that some ordinances may be grandfathered and not challenged.  He also questioned what the worst case legal cost to advertise may be.  The Solicitor noted that recent cases have challenged long-time ordinances and the cost of the ad could easily exceed $2,000.  Mr. Frank felt that saving money now may cost us much more later.  The Vice Chairman reiterated that no one has challenged the ordinance so far and only a few months delay may not matter.   The Solicitor noted that he serves at the pleasure of the board, as directed. 

 

New Business:

 

Act 32 Countywide Earned Income Tax Collections:

 

Township Manager Joe Kulick advised the board on the need to appoint by September 15, 2009, a representative to the newly enacted county-wide Tax Collection District (TCD), Tax Collection Committee (TCC).  A representative from every municipality in Bucks County will constitute the TCC.  This committee will formulate the rules & regulations, hire the required personnel and all other steps necessary to operate a single county-wide EIT collection office.  At the present time only one volunteer, Patty Salva, has come forward.   The board will appoint our representative at next months meeting.  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; two (2) new zoning permits have been issued since last meeting: Erin Goga on Fireline Road for an addition to a single family dwelling and to Springer on Lehnenberg Road for a deck, after issuing an enforcement notice.  A total of seventeen (17) zoning permits have been issued year-to-date.  Spoke with Tascarella on Old Philadelphia Road regarding the installation of a new fence, no permit required.  Russell Quier Jr. on Kintner Road continues to make progress, although slow, on cleaning-up his property.  No progress on the Gartner Building house construction project on Route 212.  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 oil & filter on Ford Explorer 232; assisted setting-up summer concert; pressure washed the inside of the recycling building; continued roadside mowing; cold patched Stouts Valley, County Line & Sunnyside preparing for the tar & chip covering which was completed satisfactorily; emergency removal of two (2) fallen trees on Lehnenberg Road; removed four (4) truck loads of debris from storm pipes along Durham Road by bridge.  Also, Joe Kulick reported the area in front of the Killcoyne residence on Old Furnace Road flooded once again.  The pipe was clear & flowing but could not handle the volume of water coming down the hill under Route 212. Grant money will need to be obtained to pay for a solution.

 

The Vice Chairman questioned the progress on the removal of the former railroad pier in the creek by Stouts Valley & Rattlesnake Roads.  This as a part of the bridge retainer wall rebuild project.  Joe Kulick noted progress on the bid package is slow but sure and award of the contract should take place at the October board meeting.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

Public Service Announcements:  The Chairman announced:

 

The Community Fire Company #1 will be serving breakfast on Sunday, August 16, 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 2nd Saturday, September 12, 2009 from 9 AM to 12 Noon.

 

Durham Townships 2nd Summer Concert, Sponsored by First Savings Insurance will be held on 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 townships Fall “Large Item” Clean-Up Day will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 8AM to 12 PM

 

Questions/Comments:  

 

Resident Kathy Clark requested additional information on the 2002 Ford Explorer and its use in the township.

 

Pay Bills / Close Meeting:

 

Member Manfred Marschewski 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 8:36 PM.

 

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

Minutes Approved at 09-08-2009 Meeting