MINUTES of MEETING
Durham Township Board of Supervisors
Tuesday, January 10, 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
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 December 13, 2005 Meeting
Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented.
Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Approval of Minutes from December 29, 2005 End of Year Meeting
Member Manfred Marschewski made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Approval of Minutes from January 03, 2006 Reorganization Meeting
Chairman Bartley E. Millett requested an amendment to the above Minutes: Change General Labor Rate after One (1) Year/Season of Employment from $13.00 to $13.50 per hour, and after Two (2) Years/Seasons from $13.50 to $14.00 per hour. Chairman Bartley E. Millett made a motion to approve the above changes, the Vice Chairman seconded the motion, and Member Manfred Marschewski agreed.
He also noted that additional research on the Bonding Insurance Company has been conducted. The Townships’ original bonding company, H.A. Thomson should be appointed to provide the required bonds for the Treasurer and Secretary. The Board concurred. Chairman Bartley E. Millett made a motion to approve the above appointment and Minutes as amended. The Vice Chairman seconded the motion. And Member Manfred Marschewski agreed.
Approval of Financial Report Dated December 31, 2005
Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Financial Report as presented.
Chairman Bartley E. Millett seconded the motion, and Member Manfred Marschewski agreed.
Approval of Survey of Financial Condition PA DCED Annual Report for 2005
The Chairman noted that Durham Townships’ Financial Condition was Satisfactory and approved the above report.
Approval of PA State Fund Actual Use Report
The Vice Chairman asked Bookkeeper Elaine Gawronski if the Report was accurate, to which she replied yes. The Board will sign the requested four (4) copies at the end of the meeting.
Updates:
The Chairman commented there were no further updates on the Comprehensive Plan. The February 07, 2006 meeting of the Planning Commission will discuss the proposed Comprehensive Plan and the public is invited to attend.
Old Business: NONE
New Business: NONE
Zoning Officer Report – Peter W. Bent
1. Keystone Municipal Services, Inc. Review:
Township Zoning Officer Peter Bent introduced Mr. Richard O’Brien from Keystone Municipal Services, Inc. His company is being considered by the Board to provide building inspections for township residents. Mr. O’Brien provided to the Board a presentation of his company’s abilities and experience. Keystone presently is under contract with Tinicum & Bedminster Township as their building inspector, zoning officer, and township engineer, in Nockamixon, Haycock, Bridgeton Townships and Dublin Borough as their building inspector, and building inspector and zoning officer in Riegelsville Borough. Keystone provides building inspection services to Montgomery Township in Montgomery County for a total of 32 municipalities throughout the region. He has been in business since 2001. They are also licensed to provide certified UL Service for electrical underwriting. Keystone could supply a complete one stop package from A to Z for Durham Township. Keystone supplies a simple checklist for all zoning permit requests.
Township Solicitor Peter Harrison reviewed Keystone’s Contract with Mr. O’Brien. He (Harrison) questioned Keystones’ hourly rates versus a fixed fee schedule. He was very concerned over the township being billed in excess of the fee schedule. Mr. O’Brien related to the Board the calculations involved in computing his hourly rates. He also noted that the inspector that would be assigned to the contract resides in Durham Township and also services Bridgeton, Nockamixon, Haycock Townships and Riegelsville Borough. Mr. O’Brien promised that any appointment scheduled by the township would have an inspector on site within 24 hours and within 15 minutes either side of the scheduled time. The Chairman requested Mr. O’Brien to review a copy of our 2005 Fee Schedule and develop a proposed revised 2006 Fee Schedule utilizing Keystones’ Rates. Mr. O’Brien agreed stating it would be similar to surrounding municipalities and approximately a $1000.00 total fee for inspecting a “standard” 2000 sq. ft. single family detached dwelling. The Vice Chairman agreed with the request noting that state law prohibits the township from making a profit on permits. Resident Wallace Frank felt that the cost Keystone charges should be a fixed amount per type of inspection. Member Manfred Marschewski felt that the cost should not start until the inspector arrives on location. Mr. O’Brien agreed contractually and stated that is how it will be calculated.
The Township Solicitor questioned whether the township could legally indemnify Keystone as stated in their contract. Mr. O’Brien responded that his firm is covered under the Municipal Immunity Act since they are appointed at a public meeting. They also carry a full line of insurance. The Solicitor also questioned the need for a two (2) week notice of termination clause. The Board decided to investigate the supplied references and table any further discussion until next meeting.
2. General Zoning Comments:
Peter Bent Township Zoning Officer noted that for the year 2005 zoning permits were noticeably down. A typical year would yield about 30+ permits, 2005 produced twenty (20) permits, down about one-third (1/3). He attributed the decline to a lack of new housing developments during the year. Only one (1) permit is pending for January, an addition to the Aversa home located on Lehnenberg Road. Mr. Bent also noted that Bucks County Health Dept. had approved the installation of a 2000 gallon holding tank at the site of the old paper mill at Routes 212 & 611, now owned by Furnace Mill, LLC. They may also be requesting in the future a Conditional Use Permit for a helipad.
The Planning Commissions’ proposed Open Burning Ordinance was updated by the Zoning Officer. He advised the Board on the most recent discussions of the Planning Commission. Vice Chairman Richard Johnson asked Mr. Bent why the proposed ordinance was even being discussed. He felt that the present restrictions were adequate. Member Manfred Marschewski commented that open burning is critical to farm operations and should not be restricted for agricultural purposes. The Chairman requested Mr. Bent to obtain further information and report back to the Board at the next meeting. There were no further questions/comments for the Zoning Officer.
Road Master Report – Jim Laubach
Tires approved at last Board Meeting were purchased and installed on the Ford (DT-2) dump. Several snow/ice storms since last meeting. The road crew has been cold patching various potholes throughout the township. He requested the Boards approval to purchase a welding machine for the shop. It would be used for emergency repairs to the township equipment. He also requested permission to obtain a cellular telephone for emergency use while “on the road” and vehicle breaks down or becomes disabled. The present radio system is useless if no one is in the Township office. Chairman Bartley E. Millett did not object to the purchase of either item and felt that they were essential for road operations. Member Manfred Marschewski reviewed the proposed welder specifications and approved of the welder selected and the purchase. The Board approved both purchases. There were no further questions/comments for the Road Master.
Public Service Announcements:
The Chairman noted that Community Recycling Day will be on Saturday, February 4, 2006 from 9 AM to Noon.
Also, the Community Fire Company #1 Sunday Breakfast will be held this Sunday, January 15, 2006.
Questions/Comments:
Residents Tom & Beatrice Gahman thanked the Board and the Zoning Officer for all of their help in dealing with Lehigh Valley Inspection Service while attempting to complete a home addition. It remains a work in progress.
Resident Wallace Frank questioned the Board on the status of the Zoning Hearing Board. The Chairman noted that present Member Ken Hager will step down until he resigns from township employment on March 31, 2006. Rudolph vonWalzdorf, the appointed alternate, will fill-in, if required, until that time.
A resident asked if the Board was ever going to consider imposing the Emergency Municipal Services Tax for personnel employed in the Township up to $1.00 per week. Some of the area municipalities have enacted such a tax. The Board would take the request under consideration but did not feel the amount generated would be significant.
Resident Lynn Gaun asked if the Board planned on reading the letter received from Dr. Riegel regarding his recently donated mill artifacts. Chairman Bartley E. Millett replied that it was not on tonight’s Agenda and requested that it be reviewed during a Public Meeting between the Board and the Historical Society. It was scheduled and will be advertised for Tuesday, January 24, 2006 at 12:30 PM in the Township Meeting Room. The public will be invited to attend.
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 9:20 PM.
_______________________ ______________________ ______________________
CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN MEMBER