MINUTES of MEETING
Durham Township Board of Supervisors
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Township Building Meeting Room
Present: Supervisors: Bartley E. Millett, Chairman
Richard M. Johnson, Vice Chairman
Manfred Marschewski, Member
Secretary: Joseph M. Kulick
Solicitor: Peter N. Harrison
Road Master: James Laubach
Absent: Zoning Officer: Peter W. Bent
Meeting called to order by Chairman Bartley E. Millett at 7:30 PM. All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Approval of Minutes from January 24, 2006 Special Meeting
Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented.
Chairman Bartley E. Millett seconded the motion. Member Manfred Marschewski abstained (was not present).
Approval of Minutes from February 14, 2006 Meeting
Member Manfred Marschewski made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson seconded the motion. The Chairman abstained (was not present).
Approval of Financial Report Dated February 28, 2006
Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Financial Report as presented.
Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion, and Chairman Bartley E. Millett agreed.
Updates:
The Chairman noted that Draft #2 of the Comprehensive Plan was received from George Spotts, our Plan consultant. He also noted the Planning Commission has scheduled a series of meetings to discuss the Plan; April 4th (Regular Meeting), April 5th, and April 18th. All Meetings will begin at 7:00 PM in lieu of the normal 7:30 PM start time. The public is invited to attend.
Old Business:
The Vice Chairman updated the Board on the Klein / Coon Hollow Road brush clearing project. Jim Laubach met with Mr. Klein and agreed upon the trees to be trimmed / removed. A legal question arose on the legal right-of-way of Coon Hollow Road. The Vice Chairman suggested that perhaps Township Engineer Scott Mease and Solicitor Peter Harrison should review the situation. Joe Kulick will follow-up with Scott Mease.
New Business:
Viegas / Dungan Lot Line Change:
Steve Jensen of Hendricks P.L.C. was present to represent Mr. Viegas. He presented the Board with Plan Revision # 3 for their review. Joe Kulick presented Mr. Jensen with a copy of Township Engineer Scott Mease’s Letter dated March 13, 2006 to the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Jensen advised the Board that Item # 1 on the Mease letter has been satisfied due to a previously recorded deed restriction on the Limantour Property Easement. Item #2: Waiver of listing all manmade features on the plan granted by the Board. Item #3: Waiver of listing all natural resources on the plan granted by the Board. Item # 4: Roadway Easements dedicated to Durham Township, agreed to by Viegas. Item #5: Waiver requested for street improvements in exchange for Mary Dungan installing two (2) off street parking spaces, waiver granted w/condition by the Board. Item #6: Installing all concrete monuments with waiver requested for installing four (4) steel pins in lieu of concrete monuments around existing Dungan house, the Board approved the waiver (without the steel pins) based on the Planning Commission recommendation. Also, Final Plan to include specific measurements indicating boundary where markers have been waived. Don Ratushny noted the northern most part of the parking area must not protrude past the existing dwelling and the right-of-way line. Item #7: Recording a deed of consolidation at time of recording the subdivision plan, all agreed. Item #8: Utility pole now noted on revised plan #3.
Since there were no further comments and/or questions, the Board unanimously approved the Lot Line Change with all conditions as previously noted.
Zoning Officer Report
Due to the absence of Peter Bent Township Zoning Officer, Township Secretary Joe Kulick read a written report:
One permit issued during month of February to Frank & Sharon Blunder for an uncovered deck.
Shaun O’Neil owner of Furnace Mill, LLC (former International Paper Mill at 611 & 212) has commenced a large tree removal operation on the site without a permit. Peter Bent spoke with Mr. O’Neil and advised him no further work until he obtains a permit. Mr. O’Neil reportedly told Mr. Bent he was cutting the trees to reduce his liability due to dead trees overhanging building and Route 611. He assured Mr. Bent the work would cease. The Board directed Joe Kulick to follow-up with a letter to Mr. O’Neil regarding his work at the site and also advising him of possible Indian artifacts the site may contain. The Board advised Joe Kulick to compile a formal follow-up letter to Mr. O’Neil advising him to cease & desist from any further activity without proper permits. Also, the possibility of Indian artifacts on the property was discussed.
Building Inspection Services: Mr. Tim Wittemann of M&M Inspection Agency was present at the meeting and reiterated his interest in supplying inspection services to the township. He offered to make himself available to township residents for building code questions on a regular preset schedule. Joe Kulick asked him for a copy of his contract and a list of references for township review. The Vice Chairman requested the Board to make a final decision on the appointment of a building inspection agency at the April Board Meeting. The Board agreed.
Road Master Report – Jim Laubach
Several equipment repairs have been performed since last meeting: Replaced radiator & alternator on DT-1; replaced the wear edge on DT-3 plow; replaced windshield wiper motor on DT-2. Several ice & snow storms created the need to purchase two (2) 24 ton loads of road salt. Commenced project installing red reflectors on township stop sign posts. Also, a general road sign clean-up throughout township. We conducted tree & bush trimming along several township roadways, including Coon Hollow Road.
The possibility of contracting for street sweeping to recoup the gravel used for ice control, along with a general clean-up of township roadways was discussed. This could be a joint venture with Riegelsville Borough who presently performs the task on a yearly basis. The cost of sweeping is offset by the reuse of the gravel collected. The Board approved of the idea. There were no further questions / comments of the Road Master.
Public Service Announcements:
The chairman announced Saturday April 29, 2006 as the townships annual clean-up day from 9 AM to 12 Noon. Large, non-hazardous waste, items can be brought to the township yard for disposal.
The Chairman noted that Community Recycling Day will be on Saturday, April 1, 2006 from 9 AM to Noon.
Also, the Community Fire Company #1 Sunday Breakfast will be held this Sunday, January 15, 2006.
The Cooks Creek Watershed Assn. will conduct its annual clean-up day on Saturday April 1, 2006 from 9AM to 4PM. Review the posted flyer for additional information.
Community Fire Company # 1 will conduct its monthly breakfast on Sunday March 19th from 8AM to 12:30PM. There will not be a breakfast in the month of April due to Easter Sunday.
Questions/Comments:
Resident Don Ratushny called the Boards attention to a possibly dangerous intersection at State Route 212 & Red Bridge Road. Recently two (2) accidents occurred in the immediate area. It is frequently the scene of “black ice” due to poor drainage. Road Master Jim Laubach commented on the two (2) large trees immediately west of the intersection creating a very poor line of sight when exiting Red Bridge onto Route 212. The Board instructed Joe Kulick to compose and send a certified letter to PennDot regarding the above concerns. Resident Bennie Boyer, who lives at the intersection, confirmed the poor drainage and mentioned it may be due to some recent driveway changes in the area.
Resident Mike Negri advised the Board that someone unknown, on two (2) different occasions, removed the road delineator in front of his house and used it to “harpoon” his mailbox.
The Chairman made a motion to pay the bills as presented and to close the Meeting, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski, and agreed to by the Vice Chairman.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.
_______________________ ______________________ ______________________
CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN MEMBER
Minutes Submitted by: Township Secretary Joseph M. Kulick