MINUTES of MEETING
Durham Township Board of Supervisors
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
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: Jim Laubach
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.
Approval of Minutes from March 11, 2008 Meeting
Member Manfred Marschewski made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson seconded the motion. Chairman Bartley Millett agreed and the Motion passed, Minutes approved as submitted.
Approval of Financial Report Dated March 31, 2008
Member Manfred Marschewski made a motion to approve the Financial Report as presented and Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson seconded the motion. All agreed. Motion passed.
Updates: The Chairman announced:
Draft School Bus Ordinance: The Chairman read aloud a letter from the township Planning Commission dated 04-02-2008 stating that they have reviewed the draft ordinance and have met with Palisades School District Transportation Director, Meri Riddick and have unanimously voted to recommend to the Board of Supervisors; to amend the SALDO to require widening future developments access roads to a minimum paved width of 28 feet to allow ample space for parking on both sides of the roadway and to amend the street light requirements, changing the existing language to “where required” in lieu of “where appropriate”. The Chairman did not feel the need to install sidewalks and a street light at every entrance thus destroying the rural nature of the township. Planning Commission Chairman, Don Ratushny, present in the audience, provided the board with additional information. The board unanimously agreed with the recommendations and instructed the Solicitor, Peter Harrison to contact the township engineer and develop some standards to be included in a revised draft ordinance to be presented for board review at next months meeting. There were no further comments or questions.
Old Business:
Mill Roof: Bids for replacement of the mill roof have been properly advertised in the Delaware Valley News on Thursday, March 6th & 13th, 2008. The sealed bids were opened at 11 AM on Thursday, April 03, 2008 in the township meeting room. Township Manager Joe Kulick read aloud the results of the bid opening with GEN II Contracting Company, Inc. of Clarksburg, NJ submitting the low base bid of $70,800. Add alternates of painting trim and installing copper gutters and leaders would bring the total estimated job cost to $78,700. Grants received to date total $95,000. Presently, engineering costs total over $14,000. The installation of OSB sheathing is an option at the cost of $11,250 and may not be necessary. Paul Hartley from Mease Engineering is recommending the installation of the OSB sheathing over the existing planking to improve the nailing surface. However, the manufacturer is not requiring it for the warranty and the money saved could then be applied toward the engineering costs already paid. After discussion, the board decided to not accept the OSB sheathing option.
A reference and background check of the contractor by Mease Engineering and the County of Bucks resulted favorably for the contractor. Several large municipal and commercial contracts have been completed successfully. Mease Engineering and the Township Manager having recommended the award of the contract to GEN II; Manfred Marschewski made a motion to award the contract to GEN II, seconded by the Vice Chairman. Chairman Bartley Millett amended the motion to include not installing the OSB sheathing and all agreed. Motion passed to award the Mill Roof Renovation Project 2008-1 to GEN II Contracting, Inc. of Clarksburg, NJ. Contracts will be signed, a Pre-Construction Meeting held, and work started ASAP.
Ferguson Right-of-Way Deed of Dedication
Township Solicitor Peter Harrison requested the board to table this item until next months meeting to allow him the time to prepare the necessary documents. The board agreed.
Ferguson and Siegfried Applications to the Agricultural Security Area:
The applications have been properly posted and advertised as required and the Township and the Bucks County Planning Commission has recommended approval of the properties into the Agriculture Security Area. The Township Solicitor requested the board’s approval to advertise for a public hearing for the May meeting. The board agreed. There were no further comments or questions.
Auditors Corrected 2007 Report:
The Auditors and Auditor Chairman Lee Fleischmann were present and advised the board of the need to amend its’ previously presented and advertised 2007 Auditors Report. The Auditors neglected to include a lease payment and long term liability for the lease/purchase of the new John Deere back hoe in 2007. The amended report will need to be re-advertised in the newspaper. The board agreed. There were no further comments or questions.
New Business:
Heritage Conservancy / Wallace Frank Land Preservation
Laura Baird of the Heritage Conservancy was present and advised the board of the application of Wallace Frank to conserve 72 of his 90 acres located in the township. Ms. Baird requested approval of the board to apply for a grant from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to assist in the acquisition of the property. Heritage would complete the necessary application paperwork with the township as the applicant. There would be no cost to the township. The board and Wallace Frank unanimously approved of the action. There were no further comments or questions.
Nockamixon / Durham Township Road Consortium:
Township Manager Joe Kulick advised the board that Nockamixon Township has approached the township requesting that we jointly bid this summers tar & chip road projects in order to obtain volume and a reduced per square yard cost. Nockamixon would be the lead township; advertising, receiving, opening, and awarding the bids. We would control the actual maintenance project and separate bonds and invoices would be received by Durham Township. Part-time bookkeeper Elaine Gawronski then suggested that perhaps we should obtain PennDOTs written approval on the use of state funds for the joint project before proceeding. The board agreed and made the approval subject to receiving written approval from PennDOT. The Chairman made a motion to approve the joint venture pending written approval from PennDOT and the Vice Chairman seconded the motion. All agreed and the motion passed. There were no further comments and questions.
Zoning Officer Report – Peter Bent
Zoning Officer Peter Bent was present at the meeting and advised the board that seven (7) zoning permits were issued during the first quarter compared to three (3) during the same period in 2007. A permit was issued in March to Charles & Sandy Barone at 285 Valley View Road for an inground pool. In other business, a new application for construction of a single family dwelling on Route 212 (TMP 11-005-031) by Gartner Building Group has been received and is under review by the township engineer. A septic overflow at the Janice Mann residence on Old Furnace Road was handled swiftly. Tascarella on Old Philadelphia Road was issued a permit for an underground propane fuel tank. The trees surrounding the Sprint cell tower behind the First Savings Bank on Easton Rd are being re-examined by Township Engineer Scott Mease and will be corrected/replaced shortly in order for Sprint to obtain a Use & Occupancy Permit from the township. Other pending items include; the possible sale of the Keegan 5 acre property on Kintner Road; Ehrich at 3772 Dogwood Lane for a 2-story addition; Wagenvoord at 291 County Line Road for a possible minor subdivision; Topel at 312 Red Bridge Road has been issued a “Cease & Desist” order while attempting to reconstruct a storage shed along the creek without a permit; Shuck at 225 Red Bridge Road for a possible addition to their flood plain dwelling; and Sinclair on Old Philadelphia Road for a detached deck.
Mr. Bent is still awaiting further details on the possible installation of a tree nursery at the old Trading Post (Borgeson/Hamilton) on Easton Road. Glenn Neebe’s newly constructed home on Spring Hill Road is now up for sale to the general public. He also received an application from Wilson at 889 Shearers Hill Road for a kitchen renovation. The ZHB Order for Hissim at 4771 Route 212 has been signed and issued.
Mr. Bent provided an Emergency Management update on the Delaware River Flood Task Force and the status of the upstate Delaware River reservoirs. There were no further comments or questions.
Road Master Report
Township Road Master Jim Laubach was present and advised the board on the following: all salt spreaders have been removed from the trucks; performed maintenance on the chain saws; repaired the turn signals on DT-1; flat tire repaired on the “zero turn” mower; cold patching and the cleaning of roadside gutters continued; removed a fallen tree on Spring Hill with the aid of Williams Townships’ bucket truck; storm drain on Sunday Road rebuilt; assisted the Durham AA by delivering sand for the ball field; continued working on Kintner Road repairing the shoulders for tar & chipping this summer; and worked recycling. The Supervisors semi-annual road inspection was scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 9:00 AM. Manfred Marschewski commended the road crew for their excellent work. There were no further comments or questions.
Public Service Announcements: The Chairman announced:
The Community Fire Company #1 will be serving breakfast on Sunday, April 20, 2008 from 8:00AM to 12:30PM
Community Monthly Recycling Day will be on Saturday, May 03, 2008 from 9 AM to 12 Noon.
The Townships “Large Item Clean-Up Day” will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2008, 8AM to 12 Noon at the township garage.
Questions/Comments:
Vice Chairman Richard Johnson commented on the need to obtain a “legal burning day” approval from the PA DEP. He noted that confusion still exists throughout Bucks County on whether to burn or not, as some townships are advising their residents that open burning is permitted. The Chairman noted that Fire Chief Todd Myers is investigating the possibility of amending the state regulation through Representative Marguerite Quinn. Member Manfred Marschewski noted the need for the local farmers to burn their winter clean-up yard waste and tree damage, but not to burn trash and other disposable items. There were no further comments or questions.
Pay Bills / Close Meeting:
The Chairman made a motion to pay the bills as presented and to close the Meeting, seconded by the Vice Chairman and agreed to by all. Motion passed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 PM.
Minutes Submitted by: Township Secretary/Manager Joseph M. Kulick