RICHLAND TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BUSINESS MEETING

APRIL 14, 2008

 

Chairman, Craig Staats, called the Richland Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting to order. Members present: Richard Orloff and Michael Zowniriw.  Also present:  Stephen Sechriest, Township Manager; Kevin Kochanski, Township Planner, Boucher & James; Dick Wieland, Township Engineer, Carroll Engineering; Amy Kaminski, Township Traffic Engineer, Carroll Engineering; B. Lincoln Treadwell, Township Solicitor, and Chief Lawrence Cerami, Township Police Department.

 

I.          OPENING

A.                  The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

B.                  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

C.                  Mr. Orloff gave the Invocation.   

D.                  The Roll Call was taken.

 

Note:  This meeting was held out-of-order of the published agenda.

 

II.         PUBLIC HEARINGS

            A.         Public Hearing concerning the proposal of 472 California Road Partners to rezone a portion of TMP #36-5-119-2, located at the southern end of O'Neill Drive from Planned Industrial to Planned Commercial

This proposed zoning map amendment has been reviewed by the Planning Commissions.

Present to discuss this issue with the BOS was:  John Gross, Solicitor; Scott McMackin, Cowan Associates; Kevin Kroiz, 472 California Road Partners; and Kenneth Amey, Land Planner.

                        There was no public coments on this issue.

                        For more details, see the stenographer's notes.

 

MOTION           Mr. Staats made a motion to open the hearing for the proposal of 472 California Road Partners.  Mr. Orloff seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

MOTION           Mr. Staats made a motion to send this issue back to staff for review and recommendations and to continue the public hearing to the May 5, 2008 Board of Supervisors Business Meeting.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion.  Vote: All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

                       

            B.         Conditional Use Hearing for Wachovia Bank to construct a bank at the corner of Tollgate Road and Rt. 309

The Applicant proposes to construct a 4,025 sq. ft. Use E4 Financial Establishment with 4 drive-in teller windows and 1 ATM lane.

Present to discuss this issue with the BOS was:  Mr. Mark Cappuccio, Solicitor; Gary Lippert, Principal; Russell             McFall, from Kenderian, Zilinski Assoc.; and Joseph Fiaco, Traffic Engineer.

                        For further details, see the stenographer's notes.

                        Public comment was from Mr. William Huber, Huntington Road, who expressed traffic concerns.

           

MOTION           Mr. Staats made a motion to open the Conditional Use Hearing for Wachovia Bank.  Mr. Orloff seconded         the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

MOTION           Mr. Staats made a motion to send this issue back to staff for review and recommendations and to continue the public hearing to May 5, 2008 Board of Supervisors Business Meeting.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion.  Vote: All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            C.         Conditional Use Hearing for Cricket Communications to collocate equipment on an existing tower and install related ground equipment at 699 N. West End Blvd. (Rt. 309)

This item was removed from the agenda and moved to the May 5, 2008 Business Meeting.

 

MOTION           Mr. Staats made a motion to continue the hearing for Cricket Communications to the May 5, 2008 Richland Township Buisness Meeting.  Mr. Orloff seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

III.        PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. William Huber, Huntington Road, stated that he could not hear the discussions properly.  Mr. Huber also commented on the need for additional police officers for the township police department and asked if the BOS had considered merging the Township Police Department with the Quakertown Police Department.

 

IV.        PRESENTATIONS

            A.         Recognition of William Mayer's Eagle Scout Project

William Mayer acquired and installed a number of trees in Veterans Park as part of his Eagle Scout Project, which enabled the Township to complete the installation of a number of planned park trees sooner than anticipated at a substantial savings to the Township.         The BOS awarded Mr. Mayer a placque stating their thanks and appreciation for his service to the Township.

 

            B.         Presentation by St. Luke's Emergency & Transport Services of a report on emergency medical services in Richland Township.  Mr. Kermit Gorr from St. Luke's Emergency & Transport Services gave his annual report on emergency medical services for 2007.  Chief Cerami thanked Mr. Gorr for the excellent service that St. Luke's Emergency & Transport Services provides the Township. 

 

V.         BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS

Stephen Sechriest, Township Manager, had several items to report on. The first report concerned the state grant reimbursements were available for the officer in the police academy.  The second was to announce that the next meeting was being held a week earlier than normal due to the PSATS Convention.  The next was to announce that the Upper Bucks Aging Forum will be held on May 2, 2008 at Benner Hall from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.  The next item was to report that the Township Safety Committee was recertified.  The fifth item was to report that the Township has been notified that the $20,000 DCED grant for the trails connection project has been approved.  The next item was that the draft of the Act 537 plan has been completed by Carroll Engineering and has been forwarded to various agencies at this time (the draft will be available for public inspection in June). The last item Mr. Sechriest reported on concerned an updated Township street map that would be available later in the year for distribution. 

 

Richard Orloff, Township Supervisor, stated that he had approached the School Distict and offered to give a seminar on joint initiatives to save money.  The School District has declined at this time. Mr. Orloff requested that the BOS direct Mr. Sechriest to look into scheduling a forum to discuss the issues of joint sharing of resourses and costs.  The final item from      Mr. Orloff was to request that Mr. Staats consider being a member of the Agricultural Safety District Committee as he was previously on the Preservation Board.

 

            Craig Staats, Township Supervisor, had no reports at this time.

 

Michael Zowniriw, Township Supervisor, stated that he has been following the proceedings against Emilio Socci's burned out building located along Rt. 309 and requested an update on the progress from staff.

 

            Amy Kaminski, Township Traffic Engineer, had no reports at this time.

 

            Dick Wieland, Township Engineer, had no reports at this time.

 

            Kevin Kochanski, Township Planner, had no reports at this time.

 

B. Lincoln Treadwell, Township Solicitor, stated that the paperwork was filed with the PUC on the PPL issue and that the Township is now entered as a party to the proceedings.  Mr. Treadwell also stated that at the last meeting Mr. Zowniriw requested a summary of the Agriculturical Safeity Zone issues and that he is now ready to discuss this with him.

 

Chief Lawrence Cerami, Township Police Department, had several items to report. The first issue was to inform the BOS that the background checks on one police candidate were being done. The next issue was that a second candidate            could be ready for hire by July and then be ready to enter into the police academy.  The third issue was that the department has hired a new receptionist at this time.  The next issue was to inform the BOS that there has been traffic reduction speed limit changes in two areas of the township. Next was to announce that Officer Matthew Lawhead was recognized for his diligence with the Smooth Operator Grant operations.  The last issue was that a tobacco compliance check was         conducted the past weekend in the businesses located in the township and no violations were reported.

 

VI.        DEVELOPERS' ISSUES

            A.         Consideration of Final Plan approval for Richland Elementary School addition project located at Fairview Ave. and Ronald Reagan Drive.  The School District is seeking final plan approval for this project.

Present to discuss this issue with the BOS were: Sylvial Lentz, School District Representative; and Paul Susazak.

 

MOTION           Mr. Staats made a motion to grant Final Plan Approval for Richland Elementary School addition project located at Fairview Avenue and Ronald Reagan Drive subject to the following: Compliance with the Boucher & James, Inc. letter dated March 3, 2008; compliance with the Carroll Engineering Corp. letter dated March 11, 2008; receipt of all permits and approvals from any agencies having jurisdiction over the project; the applicant complies with all applicable provisions of the Township Zoning Ordinance and the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance; this approval shall expire and be deemed revoked unless a written extension is granted by the Governing Body.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion. Vote:  Mr. Staats and Mr. Zowniriw voted yea. Mr. Orloff opposed. Motion carried.

 

            B.         Naugle Funeral Home Waiver Request

The Applicant is seeking a waiver of the township's requirement for a fire supression system.  The Township Fire Marshal has outlined his recommendations in a memo dated April 9, 2008.

 

MOTION           Mr. Orloff made a motion to grant a waiver of the township's requirement for an automative sprinkler system to Jeffrey Naugle for his proposed funeral home project as recommended and outlined in Mr. Fred Guenst, Township FireMarshal's, memo dated April 9, 2008.  Mr. Staats seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

            C.         Request by Developer to Review the Walking Trail Bridge Requirement for the Pumping Station Road, LP Development.  The township staff has been working with the developer to construct a portion of the planned trail along E. Pumping Station Road to Veterans Park, including the pedestrian bridge over the Tohickon Creek.

Present to discuss this issue with the BOS was: Mr. Mike Clement, Solicitor, and Mr. John Reibow, Engineer.

                        Also present was Mr. Jim Sauger, Trails Committee member.

The BOS requested that Mr. Treadwell and Mr. Sechriest meet with the developer to work out the details.

 

            D.         Time Extension Request for Greenway Development's Front Gate Community, a proposed age-qualified             development to be located behind the Quakertown Farmers' Market on Station Road.  The developer has requested a 61-day extension of the review period.

 

MOTION           Mr. Orloff made a motion to approve Resolution #08-15, which grants a 61-day extension of the review period to Greenway Development for its Front Gate Community Project.  The extension will expire on June 30, 2008.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion. Vote: All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

            E.         Escrow Releases

                        1.         Trainer's Corner, Release Request No. 7

The developer has requested a release of escrow funds. Mr. Mark Eisold, Boucher & James, has reviewed            the request and outlined his recommendations in a letter dated April 7, 2008.

 

MOTION           Mr. Staats made a motion to deny release of escrow funds to Highland Management Corp. for its Trainers Corner project as recommended by Mr. Eisold, Boucher & James and outlined in his letter dated April 7, 2008.  Mr. Orloff seconded the motion. Vote:  All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

                        2.         Richland Marketplace, Release Request No. 2

The developer has requested a release of escrow funds. Mr. Mark Eisold, Boucher & James has reviewed the request and outlined his recommendations in a letter dated April 9, 2008.

 

MOTION           Mr. Staats made a motion to grant a release of escrow funds (Release Request No. 2) to Langan Engineering & Environmental Servives for its Richland Marketplace project in the amount of $1,399,779.48 as recommended by Mr. Mark Eisold and outlined in his letter dated April 9, 2008, subject to deductions of any outstanding fees due to the Township.  Mr. Orloff seconded the motion. Vote:  All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

            F.         Zoning Hearing Scheduled for May 1, 2008

                        1.         Michael Prestory, 1112 Doylestown Pike

The Applicant is seeking a special exception and two variances in order to construct a two car garage addition and enlarge his existing driveway.

                                    The BOS decided to not to take a position on this issue.

 

VII.       TOWNSHIP BUSINESS ITEMS (OLD AND NEW)

            A.         Approve Minutes from March 10, 2008 Meeting

Mr. Zowniriw questioned Mr. Orloff and Mr. Treadwell concerning the letter Mr. Orloff requested be attached to the end of the minutes.

 

MOTION           Mr. Staats made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 10, 2008 Richland Township Board of             Supervisors Business Meeting as edited.  Mr. Orloff    seconded the motion. Vote: All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

            B.         Approve Payment of Bills

 

MOTION           Mr. Orloff made a motion to approve the payment of bills as presented.  Mr. Staats seconded the motion.            Vote: All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

            C.         Invitation by Heritage Conservancy to Particpate in a Grant

The Heritage Conservancy is preparing a grant application to seek funds to remove invasive plants from land they own in the Quakertown Swamp and they have invited that the BOS include approval for the removal of the invasive plants on the township-owned parcel also.

Ms. Megan D'Arcy, Conservation Biologist, Heritage Conservancy, was present to discuss this issue with the BOS.

 

MOTION           Mr. Orloff made a motion to approve the Township's participation with Heritage Conservancy in the             submission of a Growing Greener Grant Application for the removal of invasive plants from the Quakertown Swamp as requested by the Heritage Conservancy in a letter dated March 28, 2008.  Mr. Staats seconded the motion.  Vote: All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. 

                       

            D.         Award of Bids for Road Work, Road Materials and Related Items

Bids were opened on April 3, 2008 for this year's road work, road materials and related items. Mr. Sechiest outlined his recommedations in a memo dated April 10, 2008.

 

MOTION           Mr. Orloff made a motion to award the contract for road work, road materials and related items as recommended and outlined in a memo from Mr. Sechriest dated April 10, 2008.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion. Vote: All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

            E.         Award of Bid to Complete Required Improvements at Acres on Scholl School Road Development.  The Township has obtained the remaining escrow funds for this project and have received bids to have the work completed.  Mr. Mark Eisold, Boucher & James, has reviewed the bids and outlined his recommedations in a letter dated April 9, 2008.

 

MOTION           Mr. Orloff made a motion to award the contract to complete the required improvements at Acres on Scholl School Road Development as recommeded by Mr. Mark Eisold, Boucher & James, and outlined in         his letter dated April 9, 2008.  Mr. Staats seconded the motion. Vote: All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

            F.         Police Department Proposal to Establish a Youth Aid Panel

The Richland Township Police Department in conjunction with the Quakertown Police Department wish to establish a Youth Aid Panel as an alternative to the Juvenile Court System for dealing with first time juvenile offenders for summary and misdemeanor offences.

 

MOTION           Mr. Staats made a motion to adopt Resolution #08-16, which authorizes the establishment of a Youth Aid         Panel with the Quakertown Police Department as an alternative to the Juvenile Court System for dealing with first time juvenile offenders for summary and misdemeanor offences.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion. Vote:  All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

            G.         Request for Door Prizes for Upper Bucks Forum on Aging

The Upper Bucks Forum on aging is scheduled for May 2, 2008.  Ms. Josephine Ahlum has requested that the Township donate items for door prizes again this year.

 

MOTION           Mr. Zowniriw made a motion to authorize the donation of a $50.00 gift card to Redner's Market.  Mr. Orloff seconded the motion. Vote:  All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

            H.         Distribution of Draft of Proposed Comprehensive Plan Update

The Township Comprehensive Plan Update Committee and Boucher & James submitted a draft plan to the BOS.  They are requesting authorizition to distribute the draft plan to the planning agencies and neighboring municipalities for recommendaions before a public hearing and consideration of adoption is done.

 

MOTION           Mr. Staats made a motion to authorize the distribution of the draft of the Comprhensive Plan Update as requested. Mr. Orloff seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

VIII.      PUBLIC COMMENT

                        There was no public comment at this time in the meeting.

 

IX.        ADJOURNMENT

 

MOTION           Mr. Zowniriw made a motion to adjourn the Richland Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting at 10:06 p.m.  Mr. Staats seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine Woods

Recording Secretary

 

Note: The next business meeting of the Richland Township Board of Supervisors will be held on Monday, May 5, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.