Durham Township

MINUTES of MEETING

Durham Township Board of Supervisors

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Township Building Meeting Room

Present: Supervisors: Bartley E. Millett, Chairman

Richard M. Johnson, Vice Chairman

Manfred Marschewski, Member

Secretary: Joseph M. Kulick

Road Master: Jim Laubach

Solicitor: Peter N. Harrison

Zoning Officer: Peter W. Bent

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.

The Chairman requested that all citizens remember our veterans tomorrow on Veterans Day.

Approval of Minutes from October 13, 2009 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 October 31, 2009

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.

2010 Draft Budget First Review:

Chairman Bartley Millett read various points of interest for both the General & State Funds. He noted a projected drop in Earned Income Tax Revenue for 2009 of $19,000 and a projected drop of $15,600 in Real Estate Transfer Tax funds. This totals a $34,600 drop in available funds for 2009. To adjust for this deficit, the supervisors are reluctantly proposing a tax increase of 0.175 mills for the general operating fund and a 1.00 mill dedicated tax increase for fire (0.6 mills) and ambulance service (0.4 mills). With the current (2009) tax rate of 0.825 mills this would bring the general operating fund to 1.00 mills, along with the additional 1.00 mill for fire & ambulance, combined for a total of 2.00 mills in 2010. Beginning cash of $68,107 plus $260,122 in projected revenues will give us an available cash balance of $328,229 in 2010. Projected General Fund Expenditures for 2010 are $306,832, a decrease of $9,407 from 2009. No new equipment purchases or wage increases are included. Remaining total General Fund cash reserve at the end of 2010 is projected to be only $21,397, even with the proposed millage increase; this is a decrease of $40,005 from the 2009 budget. The Chairman noted any millage increase could be rescinded in the event of an improved economy.

Township Manager Joe Kulick noted that based on the townships average assessment of $35,000; the 1.175 millage increase amounts to $3.43 a month or $41.16 per year, this prior to any discounts that may be taken. Vice Chairman Richard Johnson commented on the need for maintaining township, fire and ambulance services and on the amount of time since the last increase.

The Chairman then reviewed the State Fund portion of the budget noting a starting cash balance of $96,694 with Total Revenues projected at $56,680 ($55,180 from Liquid Fuels Tax) for a total available cash balance of $153,374 for 2010. Projected State Fund Expenditures for 2010 is $84,725 ($12,725 for backhoe payment, $12,000 for equipment repairs and $60,000 to tar & chip Mine Hill & Cross Roads) this will leave a projected ending cash balance in the State Fund of $68,649 at the end of 2010 ($2,675 less than the 2009 Budget). He noted all of the budget figures will be available for public inspection commencing Monday, November 16, 2009 and up until the next supervisors meeting on December 8, 2009 when the 2010 Budget will once again be reviewed for adoption.

Resident Kathy Clark questioned the board if the modest increase is enough to provide desired services from the township. She advocated the need to increase taxes to maintain a high level of service without depending on grant money. The Chairman responded that another small increase may be in order next year if the economy does not improve; and that the board prefers a conservative approach rather than collecting a huge reserve. The Vice Chairman commented that he was not aware of any serious problems that are not being addressed and if they do exist to let us know. There were no further comments or questions.

Updates: None

New Business:

Pennsylvania State Police; Sgt. Vincent D’Angelo, Dublin Barracks Commander

Sgt. D’Angelo was present at the meeting and introduced himself as the new commander for the State Police at the Dublin barracks effective June of 2009. This is his sixth assignment with the state police. Vice Chairman Richard Johnson and the board welcomed him to the area and requested a break-down on police activity for the past year in our township. Sgt. D’Angelo will fax the recap. Manfred Marschewski advised him of the constant problem of motorists failing to stop at the intersection of Stouts Valley & Spring Hill. There were no further comments or questions.

Eastern Upper Bucks Senior Center; Kim Gaspar

The board welcomed Ms. Kim Gasper, Manager at the Ottsville center. Ms. Gaspar thanked the board for hosting them at Durham’s Annual Community Day and the exposure that was gained by their presence. Her main goal is to increase their services to area seniors and requested the township to allow them to post activities on the township website. Ms. Gaspar also thanked the board for their continued support via the yearly donation. There were no further comments or questions.

Community Fire Company #1

Chief Todd Myers was present at the meeting and advised the board of 83 fire calls year-to-date. This is lower than the amount last year for the same period. He thanked the board for their continued generous financial support. The company should be debt free by the end of the year. Several grants have been attained to accomplish this goal. The long term plan calls to replace out-dated fire trucks (pumper and rescue truck). New radios are on order for all fire fighters ($52,000 grant) although; these new radios may be out-dated shortly after being placed in service. The company has purchased a new 4 wheel drive brush truck, replacing a 1964 Chevrolet truck, via the state Costars program. He thanked the fire companies Auxiliary for their continued enormous support. There were no further comments or questions.

Old Business: None Presented

Zoning Officer Report

Zoning Officer Peter Bent was present at the meeting and advised the board: a total of twenty one (21) zoning permits have been issued in 2009 to date, the same number for the same period last year. A permit has been issued to Kressman on Island Road for an addition to an existing barn. Two (2) new zoning permits are pending: to Sally Tye on Mine Hill Road for a new mobile home to replace an existing one; also pending to Sabella on Summit lane for an accessory building/garden shed. Joe Gartner will begin construction of a B-1 Single Family Dwelling on Route 212 this week. A possible application from AT&T for a Conditional Use Hearing to construct a cellular tower in the vicinity of Route 212 & Mine Hill Road may be forthcoming shortly. Also, Peter Cole on Coon Hollow Road may be installing a new roof and new dormers. The Upper Bucks Community Center Group has scheduled a meeting on November 23, 2009 in the township meeting room at 7:00 PM, to meet with Shaun O’Neil the owner of the old paper mill property at Routes 212 & 611, to discuss the possibility of establishing a youth sports community center at that location. Also, the Wallace Frank property is preparing to establish a conservation easement in the next few months. 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; repaired lighting wiring to storage building (chicken coupe); cleaned the rain gutters; repaired lights, broken bolts on mower and a flat tire on 584 tractor; oil and filter changed on the backhoe; washed trucks; scraped & painted DT-2’s plow; roadside mowing still in progress; repaired pot holes on Coon Hollow Road; continued to install Gabion baskets on Stouts Valley Road, this will be an on-going repair process as the stone to fill the baskets is becoming hard to find. The Vice Chairman commented on an on-going lawsuit in New Jersey regarding fallen trees. There were no further comments or questions.

Public Service Announcements: The Chairman announced:

The Community Fire Company #1 will be serving breakfast on Sunday, November 15, 2009 from 8:00AM to 12:30PM.

Riegelsville Public Library will hold a used book sale on Friday, November 20, 2009 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM & Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Township Offices will be closed on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27, 2009 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Township Monthly Recycling Day will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 9 AM to 12 Noon.

Durham’s 3^rd Annual Wreath Making Class, sponsored by the Park & Recreation Board, will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 11:00 AM in the mill.

The township’s annual holiday coffee & cake party will be held directly after the December 8, 2009 Board of Supervisors Meeting. All are invited to attend.

Questions/Comments:

Member Manfred Marschewski provided a recap of tax history and community spirit in Durham Township.

Pay Bills / Close Meeting:

The Chairman made a motion to pay the bills as presented and to then close the Meeting; seconded Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Vice Chairman. Motion passed. Meeting closed.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.

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

Minutes APPROVED at December 08, 2009