MINUTES of MEETING
Durham Township Board of Supervisors
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
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
Bldg Inspector: Tim Wittemann (Not Present)
Meeting called to order by Chairman Bartley E. Millett at 7:32 PM. All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Approval of Minutes from February 13, 2007 Meeting
Member Manfred Marschewski made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented.
Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson seconded the motion and Chairman Bartley E. Millett agreed. Motion passed.
Approval of Financial Report Dated February 28, 2007
Vice Chairman Richard Johnson made a motion to approve the Financial Report as presented. Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion. All agreed and the motion passed.
Updates: None
New Business:
Auditors Report for 2006
Lee Fleischmann, Chairman of the Durham Township Board of Auditors, provided a report to the Board on their findings of the 2006 Audit conducted in February and March of this year. He provided a “clean bill of health” on the townships financial condition. He complimented Dick Johnson and Elaine Gawronski for their fine work in maintaining the townships books. Some minor issues with account classifications were adjusted. He also suggested that the township consider changing personal and vacation day record keeping from anniversary year to calendar year. Auditors Fran Chavar and Laura Kressman were also present at the meeting. The Chairman thanked the auditors for performing their services.
Resident Wallace Frank questioned the value of the townships Certificate of Deposits. Elaine Gawronski noted the increase of interest received in 2006, this due to the transfer of funds from the general fund into an interest bearing money market throughout the year. Member Manfred Marschewski noted that Auditor Fran Chavar may be retiring after this year and thanked her for her many years of faithful service. He also requested that anyone interested in becoming an Auditor should contact the township office. There were no further comments and/or questions.
Waits Letter of Credit
Township Solicitor Peter Harrison advised the Board that we have received a request from Megan & Brian Waits to replace the cash deposit ($14,660.90) held as financial security by the township for construction improvements on lot # 11-003-006-001 with a letter of credit. The Solicitor advised Megan Waits (present at meeting) that the letter of credit would remain in affect until the required improvements are completed. A sample letter was given to Ms. Waits. The Board agreed unanimously to approve a letter of credit in lieu of the cash deposit. There were no further comments or questions.
Zoning Amendments
Township Solicitor Peter Harrison presented two (2) zoning ordinance amendments to the Board for review. An amendment to define single family detached residential use; and an ordinance amending the subdivision and land development regulations, providing a new subsection on restrictions against further subdivision and/or land development. The township Planning Commission has reviewed and recommended board approval of both ordinances. The Solicitor will forward copies to the Bucks County Planning Commission for review and comment and then advertise the ordinances as required by law. A public hearing will be scheduled during the May board meeting. The Board approved of the above actions unanimously. There were no further comments or questions.
Proposed Ordinance for Farm Preservation Tax Freeze
The Chairman noted a recent movement in the county to approve a tax freeze on agriculturally preserved properties. The Bucks County Commissioners have passed such an ordinance, along with Springfield & Nockamixon Townships. The Palisades School District would also have to pass the tax freeze for it to become enacted. A copy of the Springfield Township ordinance was provided to the Solicitor for review. Member Manfred Marschewski commented that it is an excellent incentive for preserving new properties in the county. The Vice Chairman agreed. The Township Solicitor was directed by the Board to develop a draft ordinance to be reviewed at a future meeting. There were no further comments or questions.
EAC Nomination (John Perkins)
Township resident John Paul Perkins has submitted a written request to the Board to be considered for appointment to the township’s Environmental Advisory Council. The Board unanimously agreed to the appointment and felt that John would be an excellent choice to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Pam Milo. The Vice Chairman made a motion to appoint John, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Chairman. (His term will be for four (4) years and end on 12-31-2010) There were no further comments or questions.
US Army Corp of Engineers Flood Mitigation Study (Non agenda item presented at end of meeting by the Vice Chairman)
Vice Chairman Richard Johnson advised the Board of his receipt of a fax from Congressman Patrick Murphy’s office regarding a meeting to be held Friday, March 16, 2007 to discuss possible flood mitigation projects. Due to the short notice no one from the township will be attending. Mayor/Fire Chief Todd Myers of Riegelsville will be attending and report back to the township.
Old Business:
2007 Fee Schedule Review & Approval
The newly revised Fee Schedule was presented at last months meeting for the Boards review. The Chairman made a motion to adopt Resolution 2007-2; Durham Township Fee Schedule for 2007, the motion was seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Vice Chairman. Motion passed.
Zoning Officer Report – Peter Bent
Township Zoning Officer Peter Bent noted that no zoning permits were issued this month. Other activity included Ombalski on Mine Hill Road for a permit for a shed; realtor inquiries regarding the Graham property at the corner of Route 212 & Durham Road (1.922 acres); interest in a land-locked lot on Kintner Road regarding an easement for access to the property; Peter Jordan representing Valero Petroleum contacted me regarding supplying fuel to the gas station on Easton Road (611) and changing the signage, etc.; both the Harding and Lester families at 583 & 585 Kintner Road contacted me regarding the use of their common driveway and I supplied them with a copy of the maintenance agreement from their driveway permit; Dave Antoni contacted me regarding constructing a single-family dwelling on parcel 11-005-088 on Sunday Road; contact with Ari Manesis regarding construction of an addition to their house on Stouts Valley Road; also JP Russell at 892 Durham Road (Old School House) contacted me regarding the construction of an addition to the building designated as a D-3 Professional Studio; and finally the “Top Dog” event (metal detecting) scheduled later this month (March 24th)will not be using our ball field facility at all. There were no further comments or questions.
Road Master Report – Jim Laubach
Township Road Master Jim Laubach reported the garage heater has been replaced by Cress Gas Company; the structural wooden beams (3) under the township office have been reinforced with steel u-channels. Road maintenance included several ice & snow storm salting & plowing; cleaned roadside gutters of leaves & debris. Tree removal on Lehnenberg Road by PennDOT contractor has begun. Equipment repair included replacing the steel edge on the plows. There were no further comments or questions.
Park & Recreation Board Report
The Park & Recreation Board Chairman John Perkins was not present at meeting so Joe Kulick filled-in and requested the Boards’ permission to send a letter to the PA Scenic Byways coordinator regarding the designation of township roads as scenic byways. Our township was included erroneously on Springfield Townships request prior to our approval and the Park & Rec Board would like to have some questions answered prior to that approval. The Board approved the sending of the letter. There were no further comments or questions.
Public Service Announcements:
The Community Fire Company #1 will be having Sunday Breakfast on Sunday, March 18, 2007 from 8:00AM to 12:30PM.
The Community Fire Company No. 1 annual Easter Flower Sale will be held on Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, April 5th, 6th, & 7th from 9 AM to 4 PM at the Antique Haven on Easton Road.
The Chairman noted that Community Recycling Day will be on Saturday, April 07, 2007 from 9 AM to 12 noon.
The townships now Semi-Annual “large Item” Clean-Up Day will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at the township yard from 8AM to 12 Noon.
Questions/Comments:
Resident Lee Fleischmann advised the meeting that Verizon is presently installing their DSL Internet Service in the township and service should be available to the south side shortly. The north side should be available sometime in June. The Chairman congratulated Lee for his efforts to obtain DSL for township residents who may desire it.
Pay Bills / Close Meeting:
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 all. Motion passed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 PM.
Minutes Submitted by: Township Secretary Joseph M. Kulick