MINUTES of MEETING
Durham Township Board of Supervisors
Tuesday, April 10, 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 7:36 PM. All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Approval of Minutes from March 13, 2007 Meeting
Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion and Chairman Bartley E. Millett agreed. Motion passed.
Approval of Financial Report Dated March 31, 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:
Lehnenberg Road Closure: The Chairman advised the meeting attendees that Lehnenberg Road will be closed by PennDOT from Monday, 04-30-2007 through @ 11-15-2007 for bridge reconstruction
New Business:
Heritage Conservancy Presentation
Laura Baird of the Heritage Conservancy advised the Board of a planned conservation easement application for 18 acres in Durham Township and requested the townships participation in the DCNR grant application. The application would also include 84 acres in Nockamixon Township. Durham would be the applicant for and hold a joint easement with Heritage Conservancy on the 18 acre parcel. A small contribution of $500 would be requested from the township. The Board did not see any downside to the proposition. The Vice Chairman made a motion to join Heritage Conservancy in the grant application for the conservation easement of the 18 acres located in Durham Township. The Chairman seconded the motion and Member Manfred Marschewski agreed. The motion and Resolution 2007-5 passed unanimously. There were no further comments and/or questions.
Appointment to PA State Flood Taskforce
The task force, headed by Congressman Patrick Murphy, requested the township to designate a representative to attend scheduled meetings. The Chairman noted that since other municipalities have designated their township manager, Durham should also follow suit. The Vice Chairman advised the Board that a Resolution (2007-3) would be required to first join the Feasibility Study and to then appoint a representative. He also felt that any township money spent toward conducting a study may not be money well spent. Joe Kulick advised the Vice Chairman that previously held task force meetings, per Todd Myers, have already identified the fact that local municipalities do not have the money to fund such a study and the task force is now turning toward the county for assistance.
The Chairman made a motion to adopt Resolution 2007-3 allowing Durham Township to participate in the Delaware River Comprehensive Feasibility Study and appoint Township Manager Joe Kulick to represent Durham Township. The motion was seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Vice Chairman. The motion and Resolution 2007-3 passed unanimously. There were no further comments or questions.
Appointment to Bucks County Flood Task Force
The Chairman noted the Bucks County Board of Commissioners has established a task force study of the flooding of the Delaware River and has requested a representative to be assigned to attend meetings. The Chairman made a motion to adopt Resolution 2007-4 joining the Bucks County Flood Task Force and appointing township Zoning Officer Peter Bent to be the townships designated representative. Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion and the Vice Chairman agreed. The motion and Resolution 2007-4 passed unanimously. There were no further comments or questions.
Rohs Developers Agreement
Township Solicitor Peter Harrison advised the Board that he has prepared the agreement but it has not been reviewed by Township Engineer Scott Mease. He felt it important for this review and the Board agreed. Item tabled until May, 2007 meeting. There were no further comments or questions.
Old Business:
Zoning Amendments (2) Review
The Chairman tabled any further discussion until the May, 2007 meeting; this due to the recent receipt of the Bucks County Planning Commission review. The Board would like additional time for them and Township Engineer Scott Mease to review the documents.
Proposed Ordinance for Farm Preservation Tax Freeze
The Chairman once again 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. Township Solicitor Peter Harrison has prepared a draft ordinance for the Boards review listing all affected parcels. The Vice Chairman noted that the school board may okay the tax freeze and stated that he is in favor of the ordinance. Member Manfred Marschewski commented that it is an excellent incentive for preserving new properties in the county but he will abstain from any voting due to his properties presence on the list.
Resident Wallace Frank suggested not including a list of properties but only a general class of properties since it may be discriminatory. Solicitor Peter Harrison responded noting it was a requirement by the state legislature and Bucks County to list the properties and not the township. The Board directed Peter Harrison to advertise the draft ordinance (2007-1) to be considered for adoption at the May, 2007 meeting. There were no further comments or questions.
Zoning Officer Report – Peter Bent
Township Zoning Officer Peter Bent noted that two (2) zoning permits were issued this month. One was for Holbrook on Kintner Road for a permit for a 64 sq.ft. shed; Farese at 465 Hilltop Road for a 153 sq.ft. storage shed. He reiterated that the gas station on Easton Road is changing to Valero gas from Mobil and changing the signage, etc.
A revised plan for the construction of a single-family dwelling was received from the Gartner Building Group for the property located on Route 212; the revision corrects most of the zoning violations contained in the original plan but includes a violation by building of the dwelling in the front yard set-back. A modified storm water management plan and a revised septic plan will be required. Solicitor Peter Harrison noted that the deed registration for that property was recorded by the township & county because holding-up that process is not a legal action. There were no further comments or questions.
Road Master Report – Jim Laubach
Township Road Master Jim Laubach reported the existing fence along the first base line at the ball field has been replaced along with the completion of the painting of the outfield fence. The support beams under the township office required some additional support work to pass the building inspectors scrutiny. Road maintenance included the cold patching of several potholes throughout the township as a result of a harsh winter. The re-grading of both Sunday & Coon Hollow Road was accomplished. Equipment repair included the installation of new brakes & rotors on DT-1 (by Village Automotive). The hiring of Donovan Finn, Old Furnace Road, for summer help was accomplished. The Chairman set the date for a “Road Inspection” by the supervisors for Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 8:30AM. There were no further comments or questions.
Public Service Announcements:
The Community Fire Company #1 will be having Sunday Breakfast on Sunday, April 15, 2007 from 8:00AM to 12:30PM.
The Community Fire Company No. 1 Roast Beef Dinner will be held on Saturday, May 05, 2007 at the firehouse from 4:00PM to 7:00PM.
The Chairman noted that Community Recycling Day will be on Saturday, May 05, 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 Fran Chavar publicly thanked the “Antique Haven” for their support for a successful fire company “Easter Flower Sale”.
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 8:35PM.
Minutes Submitted by: Township Secretary/Manager Joseph M. Kulick