BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
BUSINESS MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8, 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.
I. OPENING
A. The
meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
B. The
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
C. Mr.
Staats gave the Invocation.
D. The
Roll Call was taken.
II. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A.
Conditional
Use Hearing of 680 S. West End Blvd Associates, LLC to operate a Somerset Tire
Service Store.
The applicant is seeking to construct a
building across Rte 309 from the
Present to give testimony were: Mr. Peter Harrison, Solicitor; and Mr. Kerry Good,
from Barry Isett & Assoc.
There was no public
comment on this issue.
For further details, see
the stenographer’s transcription.
MOTION: Mr. Staats made a motion to continue the
Conditional Use Hearing of
B.
Public
Hearing on the use of CDBG Funding
The Bucks County Department of Community
& Business Development has announced the opening of a new three year CDBG
program.
Mr. Robert Leight, Secretary of the
Richland Historical Society submitted a letter regarding this issue.
There was no public
comment.
The minutes of this
hearing are attached to the end of these minutes.
MOTION: Mr. Orloff made a motion to open the
hearing on the use of CDBG Funding. Mr.
Staats seconded the motion. Vote:
All in favor. Motion carried
unanimously.
MOTION: Mr. Staats made a motion to close the
hearing on the use of CDBG Funding. Mr.
Orloff seconded the motion. Vote: All in
favor. Motion carried unanimously.
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
There
was no public comment at this time in the meeting.
IV. PRESENTATIONS
A.
Presentation
by Craig Gillahan of Audits of Financial Statements and Purchasing Procedures. Mr. Craig Gillahan gave a brief report of his
audit.
Recommendations discussed are as
follows: Record items listed in budget using
the net figures rather than the gross figures; more delineation for special
projects fund; create a template to log all information onto one paper for
purchasing bids; minutes to be more specific regarding purchasing bids; and
improve documentation.
V. BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS
Stephen Sechriest, Township Manager, gave
details for the upcoming Township Golf Outing.
Craig Staats, Township Supervisor, stated
that he was contacted by Senator Wonderling’s office regarding a $10,000 DCED
grant available to the township.
Mr.
Sechriest suggested a pedestrian crossing along
Mr.
Zowniriw suggested reseeding at
MOTION: Mr. Staats made a motion to authorize the
application for the DCED Community Revitalization Grant and to use the funds to
reseed
Richard Orloff, Township Supervisor, inquired
about a letter received from Jay Saddington regarding Heller Road & East
Pumping Station Road. Mr. Sechriest
discussed this issue with the BOS. Mr.
Orloff then commented about the upcoming Township Golf Outing and stated that Ms.
Laura Held and Mr.
Michael Zowniriw, Township Supervisor, stated
that he has been researching the issue of the Socci property located along Rte.
309. Mr. Zowniriw stated that he felt it
would be in the best interest of the township to have the building removed at
the township’s expense and then place a lien on the property for
reimbursement. Mr. Treadwell stated that
he would contact Mr. Brittingham and Mr. Erkert to discover the details.
Kevin
Kochanski, Township Planner, had no reports at this time.
Andrew
Brown, Township, Traffic Engineer, had no reports at this time.
Dick
Wieland, Township Engineer, had no reports at this time.
B
Chief
Cerami, Township Police Department, had no reports at this time.
VI. DEVELOPERS’
ISSUES
A.
Consideration
of Preliminary/Final Plan Approval for the Keller Major Subdivision, a five-lot
subdivision located along
The applicant is seeking Preliminary/Final
plan approval for this project.
Present to discuss this issue with the
BOS were: Mr. Scott Mease, Mr. Joshua Hutt,
and Mr. Allen Keller.
MOTION: Mr. Orloff made a motion to grant the
following waivers for this project referring to the Mease Engineering, PC
letter dated January 15, 2008: Section
22-506 regarding roadway widening, provided a note be placed on the plan
requiring the owner to widen the road at their own expense if required by the
Township in the future; Section 22-515 regarding curbing, provided a note be placed
on the plan requiring the owner to install curbing at their own expense if
required by the Township in the future; Section 22-518 regarding sidewalk
installation, provided a note be placed on the plan requiring the owner to
install sidewalks at their own expense if required by the Township in the future;
Section 22-517.4 regarding access to drive location; Section 22-607 regarding
installation of street lights; Section 22-702.C.2 regarding location of
existing features within 400 feet of the site; Section 25-304.K regarding
riparian corridor preservation requirements; and Section 25-305.C regarding
cover calculations with respect to stormwater management. Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion. Vote:
All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: Mr. Staats made a motion to grant
Conditional Preliminary/Final Plan Approval for the Keller Major Subdivision
subject to the following: Compliance
with the Boucher & James letter dated August 12, 2008; compliance with the
Carroll Engineering Corp. letter dated August 1, 2008; receipts of all permits
and approvals from any agencies having jurisdiction over such matters; project
receives approvals from all municipal and governmental agencies having
jurisdiction over the project; the Applicant complies with all applicable
provisions of the Township Zoning Ordinance and SALDO; subject to the applicant
submitting final plan fees; compliance with the Police memo dated April
11,2008; and in the event the required Financial Security Agreement is not
executed within 90 days of this approval, this approval shall expire and be
deemed revoked unless a written extension is granted by the Governing
Body. Mr. Zowniriw seconded the
motion. Vote: All in favor.
Motion carried unanimously.
B.
Consideration
of the Sewage Facilities Planning Module for the Keller Major Subdivision
This project is located outside of the
public sewer service area of the township and will use on-lot sewage
facilities. The BOS needs to approve forwarding
the Planning Module to DEP for review.
MOTION: Mr. Orloff made a motion to approve
forwarding the Planning Module to the DEP for an on-lot sewage facility for the
Keller Subdivision as outlined in Carroll Engineering’s letter dated July 24,
2008. Mr. Zowniriw seconded the
motion. Vote: All in favor.
Motion carried unanimously.
C. Consideration
of Preliminary/Final Plan Approval for Marvic Supply, a land development
proposed for one of the lots being created by the
The Applicant is seeking
Preliminary/Final Plan Approval for this project, which will result in the
relocation of their building supply business from their Richlandtown Pike location
to this new industrial park on
Mr. John Riebow, Gorski Engineering, was
present to discuss this issue with the BOS.
MOTION: Mr. Staats made a motion to grant the
following waivers as outlined in Gorski Engineering’s letter dated July 22,
2008: Section 22-506 regarding roadway
widening of East Pumping Station Road; Section 22-515.2 regarding curbing along
existing streets; Section 22-516.5.B regarding parking setback from buildings;
Section 22-518.1 regarding sidewalk installation along existing streets;
Section 22-519 regarding street trees; Section 22-702.C.2 & 22-703.C.3
regarding documenting existing features within 400 feet of the property;
Section 22-703.E.1 regarding the scale of the improvement construction plan;
Section 22-607 regarding street light installation; Section 25-307.8 regarding
fencing of detention basins; Section 25-307.13 regarding fountain aerators for
detention/retention basins; Section 25-307.15.B regarding detention basin
seeding specifications; and Section 25-314.3.B regarding minimum culvert size. Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion. Vote:
All in favor. Motion carried
unanimously.
MOTION: Mr. Orloff made a motion to approve
Conditional Preliminary/Final Plan approval letter dated August 12, 2008; compliance with
the Carroll Engineering Corp. letter dated August 14, 2008; prior to recording
these land development plans, the Pumping Station Road, LP Subdivision and Land
Development Plans shall be recorded to create the lot of record; receipt of all
permits and approvals from any agencies having jurisdiction over such matters;
project receives approvals from all municipal and governmental agencies having
jurisdiction over the project; the Applicant complies with all applicable
provisions of the Township Zoning Ordinance and SALDO; subject to the applicant
submitting final plan fees; compliance with any conditions imposed upon the
project by the Zoning Hearing Board in the granting of any relief; compliance
with the Fire Marshal Memo dated August 8, 2008; and in the event the required
Financial Security Agreement is not executed within 90 days of this approval,
this approval shall expire and be deemed revoked unless a written extension is
granted by the Governing Body. Mr.
Zowniriw seconded the motion. Vote: All in favor.
Motion carried unanimously.
C.
Consideration
of the Amended Final Plan for Naugle Funeral Home for a proposed funeral home
to be located at 135 W. Pumping Station Road
The
Applicant is seeking to amend the previously approved final plan for this project
to utilize an on-lot well for water in order to eliminate the need for a water
line extension.
MOTION: Mr. Orloff made a motion to grant
Conditional Amended Final Plan Approval to Naugle Funeral Home project subject
to the following: Compliance with the
Boucher & James letter dated August 25, 2008; compliance with the Carroll
Engineering Corp. letter dated August 28, 2008; receipt of all permits and
approvals from any agencies having jurisdiction over such matters; project
receives approvals from all municipal and governmental agencies having
jurisdiction over the project; the Applicant complies with all applicable
provisions of the Township Zoning Ordinance and the SALDO; compliance with any
conditions imposed upon the project as part of the Preliminary and Final Plan
Approval Process; and compliance with any conditions imposed upon the project
as part of the Conditional Use Approval Process. Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion. Vote: All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.
D.
Arborview
Development, LLC Sketch Plan for the Roh Tract located on the west side of Rt.
309 south of the intersection of
The Applicant has submitted a sketch plan
for two commercial buildings on this site and has requested input from the BOS.
Present to discuss this issue with the
BOS was: Mr. John Koopman, Mr. Jason
Smeland, and Mr. Mike Amoroso.
E.
Request
from Avery Dennison Corporation for a waiver of Land Development for an
expansion being proposed for their facility located at
The Applicant is seeking to construct a
concrete pad with a roof structure to the rear of their building and has
requested a waiver of land development.
Present to discuss this issue with the
BOS was: Mr. Jeremy Letterman and Mr.
Matthew Hochmiller, from Avery; and Mr. Kevin Strunk, Crossroads
MOTION: Mr. Staats made a motion to grant a waiver
of Land Development to Avery Dennison Corp. subject to the applicant dedicating
the ultimate right-of-way of
F.
Time
Extension Request for Marc Fehr Subdivision, a residential subdivision proposed
along
The Applicant has requested a 90-day
extension of the review period for this project.
MOTION: Mr. Orloff made a motion to approve
Resolution #08-31, which grants a 90-day extension of the review period to Marc
Fehr Subdivision. The extension will
expire on January 7, 2009. Mr. Zowniriw
seconded the motion. Vote: All in favor.
Motion carried unanimously.
G.
Time
Extension Request for the QPSR Partners, LP project called Pavilion at
The Applicant has requested a 90-day
extension of the review period for this project.
MOTION: Mr. Staats made a motion to approve
Resolution #08-32, which grants a 90-day extension of the review period to QPSR
Partners, LP project. The extension will
expire on January 9, 2009. Mr. Orloff
seconded the motion. Vote: All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.
H.
Escrow
Releases
1.
Shelly
Enterprises, Release No. 5
The developer has requested a release of
escrow funds for this project. Mr.
MOTION: Mr. Orloff made a motion to grant the
release of escrow funds for Shelly
$2,450.00 as recommended by Mr.
I.
Zoning
Hearing Scheduled for September 18, 2008
1.
The
Applicant is seeking a variance in order to extend the use of a temporary
trailer beyond the 21 month limit.
The BOS decided to not to take a position on this issue.
VII. TOWNSHIP BUSINESS ITEMS (OLD AND NEW)
A.
Approval of Minutes from August 11, 2008
Meeting
The minutes were amended at Section IV.B
in the motion to substitute “
MOTION: Mr. Staats made a motion to approve the Minutes
from the August 11, 2008
B.
Financial
Business –Approve payment of bills summarized below. For details see the financial reports:
General Fund Total: $80,716.62
Open Space Fund
Total: $44,612.48
Fire Fund Total: $1,932.07
Police Fund Total: $45,321.28
Volunteer Board Fund
Total: $4,387.55
Highway Aid Fund
Total: $3,497.97
Recreation Fund
Total: $27,519.09
Developer Escrow Fund
Total: $55,001.90
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.
Letter
of Intent for Fire Study
The Township requested the DCED to
conduct a fire study. The request was
made several years ago and had not been done.
DCED has contacted the Township requiring that a new letter of intent be
sent at this time.
MOTION: Mr. Orloff made a motion to authorize the
submission of an updated letter of intent to have a fire study conducted by the
DCED. Mr. Staats seconded the
motion. Vote: All in favor.
Motion carried unanimously.
D.
CDBG Program Application
Earlier in the meeting a public hearing
was held concerning the CDBG Program. A Resolution
was prepared authorizing the submission of an application.
MOTION: Mr. Orloff made a motion to adopt
Resolution #08-33, which authorizes the submission of an application to the
2009 Bucks
E.
Minimum
Municipal Obligation (MMO) Pension Commitments–Police and Non-Uniformed
Employees. The Township is required
under Act 205 to annually acknowledge its responsibility for funding the
Uniformed and Non-Uniformed pension plans.
Mrs. Martin prepared the calculations, which show a MMO for the
Non-Uniformed pension plan of $95,060.00 and a MMO for the police pension plan
of $119,593.00. The BOS directed that
these amounts be used in preparing the Township’s budgets for 2009.
F.
Ordinance
approving Cable TV Franchise Agreement with Verizon Pennsylvania, Inc. Verizon
has been working to install their new fiber lines in the Township. They are now ready to begin offering cable TV
service in competition with Comcast in some areas of the Township.
MOTION: Mr. Staats made a motion to adopt
Ordinance No. 239, which permits the entering into of a cable franchise
agreement granting a nonexclusive franchise to Verizon Pennsylvania, Inc. to
construct, install, maintain, extend, and operate a cable communications system
in Richland Township. Mr. Zowniriw
seconded the motion. Vote: All in favor.
Motion carried unanimously.
G.
Request of Richlandtown Borough to
purchase Diesel Fuel from Township
The facility where Richlandtown Borough
purchases diesel fuel for their equipment and the Richlandtown Fire Company
trucks is closing this month. They have
requested to purchase diesel fuel from the Township.
MOTION: Mr. Staats made a motion to grant the
request from Richlandtown Borough (Mr. Stan Weikel outlined the request in a
letter dated September 4, 2008) to purchase Diesel Fuel from the Township.
Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion.
Vote: All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.
VIII. PUBLIC
COMMENT
Mr. Mark Backer, Arbours at Morgan Creek
HOA representative, requested that the Recreation fee given to the Township
from the developer be given back to the HOA to be used for equipment for their
clubhouse.
The
BOS informed Mr. Backer that this was not possible.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Mr. Zowniriw made a motion to adjourn the
Respectfully
submitted,
Catherine Woods
Recording
Secretary
Note: The next business meeting of the Richland
Township Board of Supervisors will be held on Monday, October 13, 2008 at 7:00
p.m.