MINUTES of MEETING
Durham Township Board of Supervisors
Tuesday, July 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
Zoning Officer: Peter W. Bent
Road Master: Jim Laubach
Absent: None
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.
The Chairman announced the recent hospitalization of township worker/resident Joe Chavar and hoped for his speedy recovery.
Approval of Minutes from June 10, 2008 Meeting
Member Manfred Marschewski made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented. Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson seconded the motion and Chairman Bartley Millett agreed and the Motion passed, Minutes approved as submitted.
Approval of Financial Report Dated June 30, 2008
Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson made a motion to approve the Financial Report as presented and Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion. All agreed. Motion passed.
Updates:
Mill Roof Replacement:
Township Manager Joe Kulick announced that work will be completed within the next week on replacing the Grist Mill roof. Presently about 99% of the work has been completed. A balance of @ $15,000 remains to be paid upon satisfactory completion of the work. A final inspection will be conducted by Mease Engineering, the manufacturer, Jim Laubach, and me prior to final payment. Resident Wallace Frank questioned if any further bills will be forthcoming from Mease Engineering for the final inspection. Yes. There were no further comments or questions.
Old Business:
Draft School Bus Waiting Area Ordinance:
The Chairman recapped previous discussions and Township Solicitor Peter Harrison presented the board with an amended draft ordinance, amending our present Subdivision & Land Development Ordinance (SALDO); to require a wider 28 feet entrance road for the first 150 feet with curbs, streetlights, and sidewalks for all future new subdivisions. This would provide safe and ample parking space for parents and students awaiting the school bus.
The Vice Chairman felt the option to widen any roadway (not just the first 150’) should be incorporated, as this would possibly allow the school bus to enter the subdivision. The Chairman felt that the entrance road requirement (150’) should remain a minimum requirement. He (Chairman) also did not feel the need for sidewalks or streetlights for our rural township. He suggested a “standing area” of an impervious surface where students may stand in lieu of concrete sidewalks. Resident Wallace Frank suggested the incorporation of a shelter at the bus stop. The question of daily maintenance and liability for the shelter was raised and the idea was discarded. The solicitor will re-draft the document for review at the next supervisors meeting. There were no further comments or questions.
New Business:
2008 Tar & Chip Sealed Bids Opening:
Township Manager Joe Kulick advised the board of the receipt of one (1) sealed bid for the resurfacing of Kintner Road and Chestnut Lane. The “Request for Sealed Bids” was properly advertised as required in the Delaware Valley News on Thursday, June 12th and Thursday, June 19, 2008. It was also posted on the township web page and on the township bulletin board for the required length of time. The deadline for submittals was 5PM this date.
The sole sealed bid was received from Asphalt Maintenance Systems, LLC (AMS) of Center Valley, PA. The Chairman directed Mr. Kulick to open the sealed bid envelope. Mr. Kulick read aloud the bid: AMS submitted an amount of $3.06 per square yard (double coat) for a total of $43,638.66 and $1.53 per square yard (single coat) for a total of $12,643.92; grand total for the entire project of $56,282.58. The envelope also contained all of the requested/required documents/bonds. As a “Seal Coating” operation it does not require prevailing wages. Joe Kulick advised the board that the amount is within the established 2008 township budget and recommended the board approve the bid and award the contract to AMS, noting that they have previously performed this task in our township satisfactorily.
Vice Chairman Richard Johnson made a motion to approve and award the above bid and amounts to AMS; Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion and the Chairman agreed. Motion passed unanimously. The board members then signed the contract with AMS. There were no further comments or questions.
Zoning Officer Report – Peter Bent
Zoning Officer Peter Bent was present at the meeting and advised the board; only one (1) new zoning permit was issued to Vivian Young at 180 Mine Hill Road for an uncovered 12’X 18’ wooden deck. A total of fourteen (14) zoning permits have been issued year-to-date versus eleven (11) during the same period last year. Still pending are zoning applications for Anita Wagenvoord on County Line Rd.; Shuck on Red Bridge Road; Hissim on Route 212; and Gartner Building Group on Route 212. The Zoning Officer advised the board that he contacted Pat Cook the owner of the abandoned vegetable stand next to the bank on Easton Road. She is considering restoring the stand and will advise Mr. Bent of her decision shortly. Ms. Cook also questioned Mr. Bent on the status of the abandoned paper mill building on the corner of 611 & 212, asking when it will be improved. Peter Bent will investigate.
The Zoning Officer reported to the board of several “public nuisance” properties in the township that he has been investigating. They include the Quier properties at Kintner and Gallows Hill Road and the Mitchell property at 131 Kintner Road where several junk vehicles and other junk items are stored. Resident Charlie Herrmann was present and expressed his concern over the aforementioned properties. Mr. Herrmann felt that the condition of the properties is devaluing real estate values not to mention being an eyesore. Mr. Bent noted that some progress on cleaning-up the properties has occurred and will follow-up on the matter. The Chairman advised Mr. Bent to continue his monitoring of the properties in question.
Mr. Bent provided an Emergency Management update; noting that he and Joe Kulick attended the Delaware River Flood Task Force meeting last week. The Community Alert System (CAN) will be changed to Rapid Notifier by Bucks County Emergency Management. “Table-top exercises” will be conducted locally in the immediate future to simulate possible disasters. Declaring a “limited state of emergency” can help in times of minor disasters. Also, a web-based knowledge center is presently being established by the county. The Vice Chairman suggested placing emergency data on the township website when a disaster occurs. There were no further comments or questions.
Road Master Report
Township Road Master Jim Laubach was present and advised the board on the following: serviced & repaired 584 tractor transmission; repaired rust on DT-2; replaced the blades on the flail mower; mowed grass; monthly recycling day; removed former electrical service from front of mill; mowed roadsides; continued to prepare Kintner Road for top coating; cleaned-up a fallen tree on Funks Mill Road; weed whacking guard rails and sign posts in township. There were no further comments or questions.
Public Service Announcements: The Chairman announced:
The Community Fire Company #1 will be serving breakfast on Sunday, July 20, 2008 from 8:00AM to 12:00PM
The Community Fire Company #1 “Blue Grass Festival” will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at the Silver Creek Athletic Association in Springtown.
Community Monthly Recycling Day will be on Saturday, July 12, 2008 from 9 AM to 12 Noon and again on Saturday, August 02, 2008.
Questions/Comments:
Resident Ike Blair commented that the Quier family, mentioned earlier in the meeting, are very good people and neighbors and are always available to help people. Mr. Blair also noted that the hill on Kintner Road, adjacent to his property, presents a very dangerous situation in that motorists speed over the middle of the hill. This could result in a serious “head-on” collision someday. Road Master Jim Laubach and the supervisors will investigate the situation at the next road inspection.
Supervisor Manfred Marschewski commented on the proposal to regionalize the local EIT collection process. If passed, this would establish a county-wide system in lieu of the present school district collection system. He felt it was another attempt to establish a regional government to replace local control and was not in favor of the proposal.
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. Meeting closed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Minutes Submitted by: Township Secretary/Manager Joseph M. Kulick