MINUTES of MEETING

Durham Township Board of Supervisors

Tuesday, December 08, 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 7:38 PM.  All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

 

Approval of Minutes from November 10, 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 November 30, 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 Final Review:

 

Chairman Bartley Millett noted that the 2010 draft budget had been reviewed at last months meeting.  The budget notice was properly advertised in the Intelligencer on Monday, November 13, 2009 and has been made available for public inspection, in the township office, for the past 23+ days. The Chairman opened the floor for any questions or comments.  Vice Chairman Richard Johnson commented that the 2010 Budget has been thoroughly reviewed; reducing expenses wherever possible and he then made a motion to approve the 2010 Budget as presented. 

 

Chairman Bartley Millett, temporarily tabling the motion, noted that we must first approve the 1.175 real estate tax millage increase included in the budget.  The Chairman then made a motion to approve Resolution 2009-4, increasing the 2010 Real Estate Tax Millage to two (2) mills total, of which 0.6 mills will be dedicated to the fire company, 0.4 mills to ambulance services and 0.175 mills to the General Fund. Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion approving Resolution 2009-4 and the Vice Chairman agreed.  Resolution 2009-4 approved.   

 

The Chairman then reopened the motion on the floor from the Vice Chairman to pass the 2010 Budget as presented.  Member Manfred Marschewski seconded that motion and the Chairman agreed.  Motion to approve the 2010 Budget passed.  There were no further comments or questions. 

 

Updates:  None

 

New Business:

 

Establish End-of-Year Board Meeting Date

 

The board unanimously agreed to meet on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 7:30 PM, in the township meeting room, to pay any unpaid bills for 2009 (Other business may be conducted).  Joe Kulick will properly advertise this date for a public meeting.  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 four (24) zoning permits have been issued in 2009 to date, 22 permits issued for the same period last year.  A permit has been issued to Sabella on Summit lane for an accessory building/garden shed; to Tascarella on Old Philadelphia Road for a hot tub/patio and to Gerrard on Hill Top Road for a residential accessory storage building.  Still pending are permits to Kressman on Island Road for an addition to an existing barn; 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 pending to Sally Tye on Mine Hill Road for a new mobile home to replace an existing one.                         

 

Joe Gartner began construction of a B-1 Single Family Dwelling on Route 212 this week.  Work continues on the Royack Cooks Creek foundation wall.  Also, the Wallace Frank property is preparing to establish a conservation easement in the next few months. The Upper Bucks Community Center Group has scheduled another meeting on December 14, 2009 in the township meeting room at 7:00 PM, to meet with representatives of 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.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

Road Master Report – Jim Laubach

Township Road Master Jim Laubach was present and advised the board he has been very busy readying the equipment for snow/ice removal. Member Manfred Marschewski thanked the road crew for a job well done.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

Park & Recreation Board Annual Report – George Mason

Park & Recreation Board Chairman George Mason was present and advised the board on the past years accomplishments; he commented on the townships most notable recreation facility, the ball field, is handled by the Durham AA; a survey conducted resulted in the township residents replying to “leave things as they are, no further recreation facilities needed”; a good Community Day was held, in spite of the rain. He suggested eliminating the Moon Bounce in future events; 3rd Annual Wreath Making Class was successful, producing $400 income; and plans for a possible flea market on the Village Greene in late April are being considered.  The Vice Chairman commented on the lack of use of the township property off-of Stouts Valley Road.  He suggested we consider a walking/bicycle path be installed at some future date.  Erin Goga advised the board that they will be expanding the wreath class to two sessions next year, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

Citizen of the Year Award 2009

 

The board presented George Mason with the Board of Supervisors 3rd Annual Durham Township Citizen of the Year Award for 2009.  A plaque was presented to Mr. Mason by the board for his past and present volunteerism to the township.

 

Public Service Announcements:  The Chairman announced:

 

The Community Fire Company #1 will be serving a holiday breakfast on Sunday, December 20, 2009 from 8:00AM to 12:30PM.  Santa Claus will be present.

 

Township Offices will be closed on Friday, December 25, 2009 and Friday, January 1, 2010 for the holidays. 

 

The Board of Supervisors will hold their Annual Reorganization Meeting on Monday, January 4, 2010 at 7:30 PM in the township meeting room.  The Board of Auditors & the Planning Commission will hold their Reorganization Meetings on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 7:30 PM in the township building.

 

Township Monthly Recycling Day will be held on 2nd Saturday, January 09, 2010 from 9 AM to 12 Noon.

 

Questions/Comments:  

 

Member Manfred Marschewski thanked everyone for re-electing him for another six (6) years as supervisor.

 

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 December 29, 2009 Meeting