Minutes from

February 5, 2008

Board of Supervisors Meeting

Police Chief’s Report:  Chief White indicated that in the spring a tabletop emergency management training exercise would be conducted that would involve the staff, board, public and maybe Doylestown Borough.

Township Engineer:   No report.

Township Manager:  No report

Supervisors:  

Appointment to Summit on Aging – On motion of Mr. Scarborough seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt the Board unanimously appointed Alice Vernon and Marianne Nettina to the Summit on Aging.

Appointment to Oktoberfest – On motion of Mr. Bennett seconded by Ms. Philo the Board unanimously appointed Mike McCreery to chairman of Oktoberfest.

Electronic Voting Machines – Ms. Eisenhardt had requested this item to be on the agenda under Supervisors.  As this was the next item on the Agenda under Unfinished Business Ms. Lyons asked Ms. Eisenhardt to hold her comments.  

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:  

Electronic Voting Machines - The Board considered the resolution prepared by Mr. Garton after some suggested corrections to the resolution by Ms. Eisenhardt and Ms. Lyons, regarding paper verified ballots on motion of Ms. Eisenhardt seconded by Ms. Philo the Board unanimously approved Resolution #1392 supporting the usage of voter marked paper ballots for election purposes in Bucks County. The motion carried unanimously.

Delaware Valley College Bike/Hike Easement – On motion by Mr. Scarborough seconded by Mr. Bennett the Board unanimously approved the easement agreement with Delaware Valley College for the extension of the Bike/Hike Path through the College’s campus.

Refinancing 1998 & 2002 Bond Issue -   Mike Wolf of Boenning Scattergood was present to again discuss the possibility of refinancing the 1998 and 2002 Township Bond Issues. He presented the Board with material which is attached. Mr. Wolf indicated that the Board still had time to decide but that a parameter should be set. After some discussion the Board agreed that 4% was a good target and that using the Delaware Valley Regional Financing Authority was preferable.

Mr. Bennett suggested to the Board that they consider other proposals as well. Ms. Eisenhardt agreed that it was good to look at others.

The consensus of the Board was to look at others as well as Mr. Wolf using the Delaware Valley Regional Financing Authority with a 4% target.

NEW BUSINESS:

Extension of the One year Abandonment Period for Non-Conforming Use – TMP #9-9-45 Henning – On motion of Ms. Philo seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt the Board granted the one year extension of the abandonment period for the non-conforming use on TMP #9-9-45 the Bessie Henning property. The motion carried unanimously.

Doylestown Hospital Authority Bond Issue 2008 – This matter was tabled.

Exonerate Tax Collector – On motion of Mr. Bennett seconded by Ms. Philo, the Board exonerated the Tax Collector for the uncollected 2007 taxes in the amount of $23,114.30 because the obligation to effectuate to collector has been transferred to the County of Bucks to be included in the County’s Tax Claims Bureau’s lien able taxes. The motion passed with a vote of 4 to 0 with Mr. Scarborough abstaining.

Ms. Philo asked that the Board be provided a copy of the lien able properties.

Equipment Rental Bid – On motion of Ms. Philo seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt approved the equipment rental bid to P.K. Moyer & Sons, Inc. at their hourly rates for the year commencing March 5, 2008 and ending March 5, 2009. The motion carried unanimously.

Police Contracts for Chief White and Lt. Logan – On motion of Mr. Scarborough seconded by Ms. Philo the employment contract with Stephen J. White, Chief of Police for the years 2008 – 2010 was approved. The motion carried unanimously.

On motion of Ms. Philo seconded by Mr. Scarborough the employment contract with Dean A. Logan, Police Lieutenant for the years 2008 – 2010 was approved. The motion carried unanimously.

Discussion – Non-Uniform Health Plan – After discussion on motion of Ms. Philo seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt the Board approved the changes to the non-uniform health plan. The motion carried unanimously.

PRESENTATIONS FROM BOARDS/COMMISSIONS:

1. Bike & Hike Committee – Andy Hamilton a member of the Committee was present to update the Board on the activities of the Committee. The Committee completed the Shady Retreat Path in October. He thanked the Board for approving the easement with the College and the Committee is working to make sure that Doylestown Destination II is completed as well. Also the Committee is working on expanding the trail system toward Peace Valley Park and Old Dublin Pike improvements as well with bike lanes.

2. Doylestown Community Performing Arts Council – Vicki Barrella, Chairman of the Committee was present and advised the Board about the exciting schedule of performances planned for summer 2008. She also indicated that the Committee needs some additional members from the Borough and Township. She also indicated that they received a grant for $7,500 from the PA Council on the Arts. She said that they would like to hold Fireworks at the July 2 concert and charge $5 per car. They are looking for a sponsor. After some discussion the consensus of the Board was that if a sponsor was acquired that they should return to the Board for further discussion on the additional staff assistance that will be needed.

3. Environmental Advisory Council – Jennifer Wollenberg Redko of the Committee was present to review the Council’s activities. She indicated that the EAC reviewed twelve sets of plan this past year, applied for two grants one from PECO for a wetland trail and one from DEP on a rain barrel workshop. They assisted with storm water management public education, held a Bux Mont Environmental Summit. Things that they are working on include leaf collection program, gypsy moth, greenhouse gas issues and alternative energy and what to do in 2009 when TV sets all change to digital.

4. HARB – No Report

5. Memorial Committee – Harrison Woodruff, Chairman of the Committee was present to review the Committee’s activities. He indicated that the major funding has been completed and things are being ordered for the May 17, 2008 dedication. The sculpture is done and waiting delivery along with the granite slab it will sit on. The area will be adorned with flagpoles, brick pavers and benches and will be a special place for the community.

6. Municipal Authority – Richard E. John, Executive Director was present to review the Authority’s activities. He indicated that the Authority has operated in a positive position this past year. They have 2500 water customers in the township and another 1500 outside of the township in Plumstead Township, Warrington Township, New Britain Township and Buckingham Township. In addition the Authority has interconnections with North Penn and North Wales Water Authorities. They have an active leak detection program. Water lines have been extended to the Shell Station on the north side of Rt. 611. The Pole Barn constructed last year is being renovated with office and storage space. Discussions are ongoing to service the property at Rt. 313 & Rogers Road as well as the Eastburn Tract and an area in Fountainville.

7. Open Space – Dr. Joshua Feldstein, Chairman of the Committee was present to review the Committee’s activities. Dr. Feldstein indicated that the township has preserved 739.8984 acres of open space within the 16.5 square mile township. This is 7% of the township’s total acreage. He indicated that county has recently passed another bond issue for open space and we already have a resident interested in participating. He said that the Committee is hopeful to have the county’s parameters by early summer. Under the last county program the township preserved 45.8232 acres and used up the $500,000 allocated to the township. 

8.  Park & Recreation Board – Kathy Brown, Vice Chairman of the Board was present to review their activities. Mrs. Brown indicated that they’re waiting for the Board of Supervisors to adopt the Joint Park Recreation and Open Space Plan. She mentioned that the Park and Recreation Program Guide recently won second place in the PSATS Communication Contest. She expressed the Park and Recreation Board’s disappointment in the cuts made to the 2008 Budget related to Park and Recreation. She said that the certain fees have been increased 20% to aid with the cuts. She said they hoped it would not impact in a negative way.

9. Planning Commission – Rick Colello, Chairman of the Commission was present to review their activities. Mr. Colello indicated that the Planning Commission works to see that the subdivision/land development plans meet the ordinances. Currently they’re reviewing the Sunrise Assisted Living amendment as well as Hancock’s proposed amendment. They appreciate the support of the Board of Supervisors with the ordinance changes to noise and signage last year. In 2008 they plan to further their effort in the Village of Edison working with residents and businesses. Also large projects will be Doylestown Hospital and its signage, the YMCA and Thompson.

10. Public Water and Sewer Advisory Committee – David Blois a member of the Committee was present to review their activities. Mr. Blois indicated that the Committee has recently been expanded and now has 11 members. He presented a proposal for them to seek RFP’s to conduct a field observation. See attached memo. It was suggested they look at information collected from a mail out survey in 1997. After further discussion on motion of Mr. Scarborough seconded by Mr. Bennett the Board authorized them to seek RFP’s to conduct a field observation as had been done 1998 but no funding was approved at this time. The motion carried 3 to 2 with Ms. Eisenhardt and Ms. Philo voting against.

11. TAB – Kurt Kraus, Chairman was present to review their activities. Mr. Kraus indicated that in 2007 cable competition was brought to the township through Verizon FIOS. The franchise agreement provides 5% to the township along with a PEG channel. This does exclude internet. The Verizon system came on in late December of 2007. A month earlier then expected. Also added was TelVue and with that the ability to do emergency broadcasts if necessary. In 2008 their objective is to broadcast meetings. Ms. Eisenhardt asked if they’d use the free equipment from Wrightstown. Mr. Kraus indicated that they will have a detailed proposal for the Board in the near future but that the Wrightstown equipment is old and broken. Their also going to work with CBSD on TV Production of topics like recycling. Also they’re preparing for the change in 2009 for TV’s to change from analog to digital. They’d also like Stuart Simon to be recognized for his ten year’s of service. Mr. Simon recently moved from the area.

12. Summit on Aging – Richard Gaver was present to review their activities. See attached report.

13. Traffic Advisory Committee – Cynthia Philo, Board Liaison was present to review their activities. Ms. Philo indicated that the Committee was busy working on the road hierarchy classification to meet Penn Dot classifications. They are also reviewing land development plans and addressing areas with traffic problems.

14. Zoning Hearing Board – No Report.

15. Ways and Means Committee – Mark Glassman was present to review their activities. Mr. Glassman said that they were only formed in 2007 so they spent most of last year getting their feet wet and working on the 2008 Budget. Their goal is to develop a multi year budget and capital improvement plan update. Also they’ve provided review on the proposed refinancing of the township bonds.

Mrs. Lyons thanked all the committee representatives for their reports and their time and all of their hard work. She also reminded the Board of the vacancies on some of the boards and commissions and indicated that they needed to work to fill those vacancies.

Announcements: The next meeting of the Board of Supervisors is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19, 2008.

The township administrative offices will be closed on February 18, 2008 due to President’s Day.

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned at 9:21 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by
Stephanie J. Mason