MINUTES of MEETING
Durham Township Board of Supervisors
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
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: Not Present
Meeting called to order by Chairman Bartley E. Millett at 7:34 PM. All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Approval of Minutes from September 12, 2006 Meeting
Resident Donald Ratushny requested the Board to amend the submitted Minutes to include comments made at the prior meeting regarding his deceased mother, Grace Ratushny. The comments involved a complaint made by his mother in past years regarding trimming of roadside bushes on Stouts Valley Road. Vice Chairman Richard Johnson felt the submitted Minutes addressed the discussion adequately. Member Manfred Marschewski agreed and further explained his comments from the previous months Board Meeting. Vice Chair Richard Johnson then made a motion to amend the Minutes to include a brief paragraph outlining the Boards discussion on Grace Ratushny prior year’s complaints on roadside brush clearing. Chairman Bartley Millett agreed but Don Ratushny did not and requested the insertion of his entire paragraph as read earlier. Chairman Bartley Millett requested Richard Johnson to amend his motion to include the entire (Ratushny) paragraph but he would not stating it was unnecessary and could set a precedent for whenever someone took comments (minutes) out of context and wanted to include a lengthy personal statement in the minutes. He (Johnson) also felt including an apology from the Board was not necessary since no one was insulted in the first place. The Vice Chairman’s original motion to include a brief paragraph noting Grace Ratushny 25 year on-going complaint regarding roadside brush trimming was then seconded by Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by Chairman Bartley Millett. Minutes as amended approved.
Approval of Financial Report Dated September 30, 2006
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:
Upper Bucks Regional EMS (UBREMS) Presentation:
Mr. Gary Pearson, Acting President addressed the Board and meeting attendees. He advised the Board on his recent appointment to replace previous UBREMS President Hal Lauble who resigned last summer. The organization is financially in trouble and needs to receive increased donations from all townships that are serviced by the squad. Durham Township is responsible for five (5%) percent of all UBREMS calls for service. He requested Durham Township supply a board member to the UBREMS Board of Directors as all other townships have done. He also requested an updated township resident mailing list.
Accountant Jim Litzenberger, newly appointed UBREMS board member and Nockamixon Township Supervisor provided an accounting overview of the organization stating all appears to be in order (several audits conducted) although additional funding is critical for continued operation of the organization. Tinicum, Nockamixon, and Springfield Townships have committed an additional $20,000 each to keep UBREMS alive until the end of the year.
Vice Chairman/Treasurer Richard Johnson noted; at present Durham Township donates seven (7%) percent of our annual budget for donations to UBREMS. He noted to increase UBREMS donation we may need to reduce other donations. Member Manfred Marschewski questioned the rate of pay to the paramedics. Gary Pierson stated that UBREMS is the lowest paid service (EMT payroll) in Bucks County. He (Marschewski) also felt the cost to transport a patient ($850) was excessive and questioned what cost cutting measures have UBREMS put into place. Jim Litzenberger responded; UBREMS has reduced service time (payroll) by thirty-three (33%) percent.
The Board requested additional information to justify an increase in our annual donation to UBREMS. The Board praised the newly appointed President and Board Members for their efforts to maintain the organization in an operational status. Jim Litzenberger to put a financial package together and present it to the Board at a later date.
There were no further comments and/or questions.
PA State Police Presentation – Sgt. Ed Murphy:
Sgt Edward Murphy, PSP Station Commander Troop M Dublin attended the meeting to update the community on past activities in the township. He noted the Dublin Barracks is currently providing service to thirteen (13) area municipalities and seven (7) area bridges in conjunction with the NJSP. He commended UBREMS for their past performance.
Sgt. Murphy noted their increased attention to security at the Palisades School District, making increased inspections at all area schools. Also, “Critical Infrastructure Areas” have been identified in Durham Township (PPL Elevated Power Line; Cooks Creek Watershed; Gas / Oil Pipe Lines) regular checks of these items are conducted every shift. Centralized dispatching will be in effect shortly. Five (5) regional dispatch centers will be established. Cars may be dispatched to calls in Durham from out-of-area barracks.
To date PSP have responded to ninety-eight (98) calls in Durham Township (1.4% of total area calls): seven (7) thefts; seventeen (17) auto accidents (one fatal); two (2) simple assaults; two (2) burglaries; five (5) criminal mischief’s; one (1) drug offense; two (2) DUI; eight (8) alarms; and fifty-four (54) “other”. Additional statistics available at www.psp.state.pa.us or www.ucr.state.pa.us directly.
The Board thanked Sgt. Murphy and his Troopers for providing excellent service to Durham Township.
Township Roadway Right-of-Way – Resident Don Ratushny:
Resident Don Ratushny requested to be put on the Agenda to discuss publicly, comments made previously regarding his deceased mother (Grace Ratushny), and roadside brush trimming along Stouts Valley Road in front of their home. Mr. Ratushny felt a Board Member may have degraded his mother at a previous board meeting and requested an official apology be issued. Vice Chairman Richard Johnson, present at the alleged meeting, vehemently responded that an apology was not required since nothing had been said (or implied) to degrade or criticize his mother. Member Manfred Marschewski stressed the comments included only the facts involved in the brush trimming complaint. Mr. Ratushny felt a common ground should be established and followed by the township when trimming back bushes along the roadside. The Board agreed and noted the legal requirement to maintain visibility along the roads and the possible liability if not maintained. Chairman Bartley Millett stressed the feelings of the Board and earlier comments made by Richard Johnson regarding Grace Ratushny.
Resident Fran Chavar made mention of PennDOTs’ need to trim state roads located in the township; particularly Gallows Hill Road south of Route 212. It was noted that cutting is presently underway in that section of the roadway. There were no further comments and/or questions.
Park & Recreation Board Nominees:
The Board reviewed nominations for the above board from residents; Mike Cavallaro (present in audience) & George Mason. Vice Chairman Richard Johnson made a motion to accept both individuals, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by Chairman Bartley Millett. Mike Cavallaro & George Mason appointed to the Park & Recreation Board, term to be determined at Reorganization Meeting in January. Appointment letters to be sent to all recent nominees and existing member Frido Buschmann by Township Secretary.
Halloween Trick or Treat Hours:
The Board established the official township “Trick or Treat” time as Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. All residents should be mindful of children out and about at that time.
Old Business: (None Presented)
Zoning Officer Report – Peter Bent
Township Zoning Officer Peter Bent advised the Board of the issuance of a four (4) permits since last meeting; to Patrick O’Keefe, 4500 Route 212, for an addition to his house; to Jerry Fritz, Gallows Run, for two (2) accessory buildings (sheds); to Bill & Peggy Henderson, 4555 Route 212, addition to detached garage; and to Bill Nyce, NE Industrial Sales Route 212, Non-Conforming Use Permit. No further comments or questions.
Road Master Report – Jim Laubach
Road Master Jim Laubach informed the Board of the following activity during the past month:
DT-2 State Inspection needs work; repairs to tractor power steering; ran buried electric service to bandstand; hung CD banner over Route 212; had trees trimmed around mill and post office; still mowing roadsides with boom mower; and assisted PennDOT cleaning pipe under 212 in front of Cap Kleins’ house.
Supervisors Road Inspection scheduled for Thursday, 10-26-06 at 8:30 AM. No further comments or questions.
Public Service Announcements:
The Townships’ Annual Community Day will be held this Saturday October 14, 2006 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
The Community Fire Company #1 will be having Sunday Breakfast on Sunday, October 15, 2006 from 8:00AM to 12:30PM.
The Chairman noted that Community Recycling Day will be on Saturday, November 04, 2006 from 9 AM to 12 Noon.
Election Day will be Tuesday, November 07, 2006 at Township Building. Get out and vote for the candidate of your choice. Sample voting machine will be at Community Day to practice voting on new digital voting machines.
Questions/Comments: (None Presented)
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 9:31 PM.
Minutes Submitted by: Township Secretary Joseph M. Kulick