MINUTES of MEETING

Durham Township Board of Supervisors

Tuesday, September 11, 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

               

Absent: Bldg Inspector:  Tim Wittemann      

               

Meeting called to order by Chairman Bartley E. Millett at 7:44 PM.  All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.  A “Moment of Silence” was also conducted for the victims of the September 11th WTC tragedy.  The Chairman also thanked all who attended the pre-meeting ceremonies at the monument.

 

Public Hearing: Ordinance 2007-4; Municipal Waste Management

 

Chairman Bartley Millett provided a recap of the proposed ordinance; to regulate waste haulers in Durham Township.  Bucks County updated their waste ordinance and municipalities are required to follow suite.  The Chairman noted that the ordinance has been properly advertised as required.  Township Solicitor Peter Harrison briefly explained the purpose and intent; to require waste haulers in the township to identify them and to provide the township with a copy of their PA DEP permit.  He noted the earlier requirement to obtain a township permit for a fee has been abolished by the state.

 

The Chairman opened the floor for public questions and/or comments; there were none.  The Chairman then made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2007-4; Municipal Waste Management Regulations.  The motion was seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by Vice Chairman Richard Johnson.  A vote was taken with three (3) yes and zero (0) no’s.  Ordinance 2007-4 Passed. 

 

Open Regular Meeting

 

Approval of Minutes from August14, 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 Millett agreed. Motion passed, Minutes approved as submitted.

 

Approval of Financial Report Dated August 30, 2007

 

Resident Wallace Frank questioned why the State Fund Revenue amount was so high.  Bookkeeper Elaine Gawronski replied noting that State Fund road repair money has not been spent and may be carried over to next year.  Joe Kulick added that we are presently awaiting the arrival of some large road equipment repair bills to be paid from that fund.  Vice Chairman Richard M. Johnson then made a motion to approve the Financial Report as presented and Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion.  All agreed.  Motion passed.

 

Updates:

 

Grist Mill Roof Replacement: 

Township Manager Joe Kulick advised the board of the receipt of a letter from Spotts Bros. Roofing, the contractor selected at a previous meeting to replace the mill roof, of their intent to withdraw their bid and to not provide the service.  Mr. Kulick has turned the matter over to the Township Solicitor for any further action.  Paul Hartley, P.E. of Mease Engineering was present and aware of the letter.  Township Solicitor Peter Harrison advised the board on several further actions.  He noted the possibility of penalizing the contractor for withdrawing his bid after the specified period (three days) and the boards’ option to reject all other bids since they were all well above budget.  Resident Wallace Frank questioned the status of the already received grants if the project is delayed.  Joe Kulick will be investigating the matter and inform at a later date.

 

The Vice Chairman questioned the need to reject all other bids at this meeting.  Solicitor Peter Harrison did not feel it was mandatory but did not see a reason to procrastinate as long as we reserve any legal rights on the bid withdrawal by Spotts Bros. Roofing.  The Chairman then made a motion to reject all other bids received for the mill roof, reserving any legal rights on the Spotts Bros. Roofing bid.  The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Richard Johnson and agreed to by Member Manfred Marschewski.  Motion passed unanimously. There were no further comments or questions.

 

Old Business:

 

Island Road Reconstruction Project Sealed Bid Review/Approval:

Paul Hartley P.E. of Mease Engineering advised the board of the receipt of four (4) sealed bids for the reconstruction of Island Road, devastated after the flood of June 2006.  The bids were opened at a public meeting and ranged from a low by Milford Builders, Inc. of Spinnerstown, PA of $79,955 to a high of $141,000.  He (Hartley) noted that Mease Engineering had previously contracted with Milford Builders and they are very experienced in building roads to township standards and recommended the board award the contract to them. 

 

Mr. Hartley also recommended the board have another agency/person inspect the job along with Mease Engineering due to their prior contracts with Milford Builders.  The Chairman questioned Mr. Hartley if the contractors thoroughly understood the specifications and terms of the contract.  He replied yes they do.  Vice Chairman Richard Johnson questioned the need for an outside inspector.  Paul Hartley suggested having the township road master Jim Laubach visit the site.  Peter Harrison commented the board can waive the conflict of interest question if they so desired.  Paul Hartley felt the board should not do so and noted that Mease Engineering will assist the township road master if he requested.  Scott Gold, P.E. will inspect the structural concrete portion of the project.  A motion was then made by the Vice Chairman to select Milford Builders, Inc. for the reconstruction of Island Road at the amount of $79,955.  The motion was seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Chairman.  Motion passed unanimously.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

New Business:

 

Transfer of Workers Compensation Insurance Account:

Chairman Bartley Millett noted the township wants to transfer the existing Workers Compensation Insurance broker of record to First Savings Insurance, our current broker for all other lines of insurance.  The board agreed unanimously.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

Zoning Officer Report – Peter Bent

 

Township Zoning Officer Peter Bent reported the issuance of a zoning permit to Jerry & Amy Fritz of 115 Gallows Run for the installation of an inground pool and to Bill & Debra Bright of 450 Hilltop Rd. for a wrap around porch and other renovations/additions.  A zoning application has been received from CMP Masonry Supply at 1400 Easton Road to operate a retail business at that location.  The status of the apartment above this location is also still being looked into for legality.  Excessive trash around this property will be cleaned-up.  The old paper mill site located at Routes 611 & 212 has been cited by the Bucks County Conservation District to repair the silt fence and to re-grade & reseed the previously excavated area.  Mr. Bent advised the board that he will be away on vacation from 09-14-2007 to 10-01-2007. 

 

The Delaware River Flood Task Force will meet on Tuesday, 09-25-07; Mr. Bent will be unable to attend.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

Road Master Report – Jim Laubach

 

Township Road Master Jim Laubach was present and reported repairing garage doors, dump body on DT-2, a hydraulic hose on 584 tractor and painted winter equipment. The crew also weeded flower beds, mowed grass, cut brush and trimmed along the roadsides, cold-patched roadways and worked the monthly recycling day.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

Public Service Announcements:  The Chairman announced:

 

The Community Fire Company #1 will be serving breakfast on Sunday, September 16, 2007 from 8:00AM to 12:00PM.

 

The Fall “Large Item” Clean-up Day will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2007 from 8:00 AM to 12 Noon at the township yard.

 

Community Monthly Recycling Day will be on Saturday, October 06, 2007 from 9 AM to 12 Noon.

 

Durham’s Community Day will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2007 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

 

Questions/Comments:

 

Vice Chairman Richard Johnson commended the Kressman Family for their involvement in the “Tube Float” held on the Delaware River to raise funds for brain tumor research.  $110,000 was raised. No further comments/questions. 

 

Pay Bills / Close Meeting:

 

The Chairman made a motion to pay the bills as presented and to close the Meeting, seconded by Vice Chairman Richard Johnson and agreed to by all.  Motion passed.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.

 

                                                                                                                                                                               

Minutes Submitted by: Township Secretary/Manager Joseph M. Kulick