Minutes from

December 18th, 2007

Board of Supervisors Meeting

The regular meeting of the Doylestown Township Board of Supervisors was held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 18, 2007, at the Doylestown Township Municipal Building, 425 Wells Road, Doylestown, PA.  Members of the Board of Supervisors in attendance included Barbara Lyons, Chairperson, E. Thomas Scarborough, Jr., Vice Chairman, Walter C. Berry, Barbara E. Eisenhardt and Cynthia Philo.  Others in attendance included Jeffrey Garton, Township Solicitor, Chief Stephen White, Police Department, Mario L. Canales, Township Engineer and Stephanie Mason, Township Manager. 

Pledge to the Flag:   The meeting opened with a pledge to the flag.

Taping of the Meeting:  Ms. Lyons explained that Ms. Eisenhardt will be taping the meeting.

Announcement:  Mr. Garton explained that the Board of Supervisors met in Executive Session for approximately 30 minutes prior to the meeting to discuss personnel matters and negotiations of the Police Contract and no action concerning this will be taken at this meeting.

Ms. Eisenhardt announced that Barney Jarin passed away at 90 years of age.  She said he was active in the Township and will be missed.

The next meeting of the Board of Supervisors (reorganization) is scheduled for Monday, January 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

The Township Building will be closed on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 due to Christmas and Tuesday, January 1, 2008 due to New Years.

The Board of Auditors Reorganization Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

Public Comment:  Susan Proud explained her dissatisfaction with a discussion with Ms. Mason, and Mr. Lanetti regarding her desire to obtain a permit.  The issue surrounds front yard setbacks, the building foot print dimensions, a prior existing condition and what Ms. Proud perceives as unfair treatment by the staff.  Ms. Eisenhardt, prior owner of the property, supplied the Board with pictures of the property prior to the removal of a brick raised flower box.  After a discussion, it was decided that a meeting will be held with Ms. Proud, Ms. Mason, Ms. Eisenhardt and Ms. Lyons to resolve this issue.

Minutes Approval – November 27, 2007: 

On motion of Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Mr. Berry, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the November 27, 2007 meeting with corrections.  This motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.

Resolutions and Commendations:  None.

Correspondence:  Resignation Letter.  After discussion, the resignation of Jean Deckert as minute taker was received with regret.

REPORTS: 

Solicitor:  No report.

Police Report: No report.

Township Engineer:   No report.

Township Manager.  No report.

Supervisors:   No report.

PUBLIC HEARING. 

Proposed Municipal Waste Collection and Transportation Ordinance:  On motion of Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Mr. Berry, the Board of Supervisors approved Ordinance No. 339, Municipal Waste Collection and Transportation of Doylestown Township.  This motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.

Proposed Local Service Tax Ordinance:  On motion of Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt, the Board of Supervisors approved Ordinance No.  340 imposing the amount of $52 per year per employed individuals within Doylestown Township.  This motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 

Public Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Appointments:   Ms. Lyons explained that there were 26 applicants for 6 positions on this committee and all the applicants were well/over qualified for a position.  However, while only 6 people would be selected for the committee any applicant or resident of the Township could participate and give their input to the committee at the open committee meetings.

A motion was made by Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Mr. Berry, that the Board of Supervisors appoint the following persons, who are all well qualified,  to serve on the PW&SAC commencing in January 7, 2008.

Arnold Feldman

Lynne McMullin

Gary Munkelt

Wallace Pattyson

Genevieve Querin

Donald Richardson

A lengthy discussion followed.  Ms. Eisenhardt suggested that applicants from each voting district be appointed to this committee.  Ms. Lyons explained that applications from each voting district were not received and therefore her request was not possible.

Ms. Eisenhardt explained that the majority of Mr. Scarborough's candidates are from the same area and while they are very qualified she believes representation should be spread throughout the Township.  She reiterated that one person from each voting area should be appointed to the Committee.  Additionally she said she believes that representatives from other Township Boards and Commissions do not need to be on this Committee.

Ms. Eisenhardt explained that she listed the following candidates for the PW&SAC:

Mark Eischorn

Lynne McMullin

Ernest Szoke

John Everett

Tom Fountain

Dave Williams

James McGouh

Marty Gillen

Ms. Lyons said that her list agrees with Mr. Scarborough's list of candidates and while she has one candidate that she listed that was not on Mr. Scarborough's list she can live with his list. 

Ms. Philo said that Area 8 is one of the areas that might receive sewers and no one on either Ms. Lyon's list or Mr. Scarborough's list lives in that area and she believes that the Township needs representatives from all areas of the Township.

Ms. Lyons explained that when the candidates were interviewed the area of the Township in which they lived was not asked nor was it a consideration for appointment.  The Committee is charged with the responsibility to do what is best for the entire Township regardless of where they live.

Mr. Gillen asked how the Board determined from the interview process who had or had no agenda.  Ms. Lyons responded that the interview process was conversational and the Board got a sense of the individuals when they responded to various questions.

Mr. Gillen responded that the private interviews must have been different from those conducted at the public meeting because he was only asked 3 questions and there was no sense of conversation.  Additionally he explained that he did not have an agenda, hidden or otherwise.

Ms. Lyons reiterated that everyone was asked the same 3 questions.

Joe Patenostro said he was interviewed and does not believe the Board had a hidden agenda but is concerned that all the districts in the Township may not have representation on this Committee.

Mr. Brian Snow commented that before any discussion Mr. Scarborough made a motion listing his choices for this committee and said he was skeptical of that since this is a public meeting and deliberations should be made prior to making a motion appointing people to a committee.  He requested suggestions of possible committee members from the other Board members.  He said members should come from all the districts in the Township.  He discussed prior meetings on the sewer issue and said that the tenor of those meetings was not one of "if" but one of "when"; an absoluteness to the meeting.  He said that he was impressed by the lack of preparedness and was embarrassed for them.  He said there is a lack of respect between the Board members.  He said that he believes there are a few trouble spots in the Township but not a Township wide problem.

Ms. Mardi Harrison said there are two factions on the Board and a total lack of any spirit of cooperation.  She asked the Board to start working together.

Mr. Scarborough commented that Ms. Lyons, Mr. Berry and he were the only Board members that interviewed all the candidates and that Ms. Philo missed one interview meeting and Ms. Eisenhardt missed more than one interview meeting.

Mr. Krumenacker said that since the entire Board did not participate in the entire interview process the final candidates from all lists should be re-interviewed to determine the best 6 individuals for the committee.  You all need to be in agreement concerning the candidates for this Committee.

Ms. Lyons explained that the Board as well as the candidates have spent a lot of time in this process and we do not re-interview candidates for any other committee.

Ms. Proud said that this is like a first grade classroom.  She told the Board members that they have no respect for one another.

Mr. Joe Patenostro said he believes it was stupid of Mr. Scarborough to start with a motion to appoint people to a committee prior to any discussion with the other Board members.

Mr. Snow said that this is what he has come to expect from this Board and suggested the Board get together and appoint people from across the Township so as to represent the entire Township regarding project.  He said he is getting a bad feeling similar to that when an Ordinance was almost passed in July, 2007 without public knowledge and without good facts and figures to justify the passing of the proposed sewer ordinance. 

Since the Board has not deliberated as a group concerning the applications it was suggested that they do so and arrive at a conclusion.  Ms. Eisenhardt asked that deliberations be done in public.

Mr. Bingler said that he has been at the meetings concerning two former sewer projects and believes that in the past BCW&SA has refused to grant low cost loans and BCW&SA is the only entity that can install sewers in the Township.  He asked if the Board has a plan for the residents should BCW&SA refuse to grant low cost loans for this project.

A resident said the behavior of the Board is an embarrassment and he believes this Board is unable to agree to disagree and each one has an agenda.  The residents rely on the Board to represent them.

Ms. Clegg suggested that the Board needs to make a rule as to how to proceed with this project.

After further discussion, on motion of Ms. Philo, seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt the Board voted to table this matter to a future date.

Ms. Eisenhardt made a motion, seconded by Ms. Philo, that the lists that each Board member compiled for the PW&SAC be read into the record and called to schedule a second interview.  This motion failed by a vote of 2 to 3, with Mr. Berry, Ms. Lyons and Mr. Scarborough voting against.

Ms. Lyons noted that the appointment of the PW&SCA must be accomplished prior to reorganization.

NEW BUSINESS:

Land Development Extensions

Touhill/Landis Tract Subdivision:  (Location: Sandy Ridge Road):  On motion of Ms. Eisenhardt, seconded by Mr. Scarborough, the Board of Supervisors granted an extension of plan review to March 31, 2008.

Eagle Scout Proclamations:

Parker McWilliams Rushworth – Scout Troop 6.   On motion of Ms. Eisenhardt, seconded by Mr. Scarborough, the Board of Supervisors approved the proclamation for Parker McWilliams Rushworth achieving Eagle Scout.

William W. Finney, III – Scout Troop 7.   On motion of Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt, the Board of Supervisors approved the proclamation for William W. Finney, III achieving Eagle Scout.

2008 Final Budget:  Ms. Lyons suggested that the final budget be revised to include one Park and Rec employee who would commence his/her employment in June, 2008 and the position be reviewed December 31, 2008 to make a determination concerning future employment.  This issue was discussed at length including projected income vs expenses.  The current real estate market will impact the amount of transfer taxes received, among other uncertainties in the Township.  Mr. Scarborough explained that he does not want to cut into the capital reserves and the Township must live within its means the same as each resident must. 

Mr. Berry made a motion, seconded by Ms. Lyons that the amended budget presented be passed.  This motion failed by a vote of 2 to 3, with Ms. Philo, Ms. Eisenhardt and Mr. Scarborough voting against.

A discussion was held concerning the items that Mr. Scarborough would like removed from the list which he was not prepared to share at this meeting.  Ms. Eisenhardt said she would not vote for an amended budget prior to seeing the list of items Mr. Scarborough believes should be removed.

Ms. Philo said that the Board must be unanimous in passing a budget.

Joe Patenostro suggested that Mr. Scarborough should present a list of items that could be removed.  He asked that the Board work as a team.

Ms. Doris Clegg commented that she is concerned about charging fees to people outside the Township to use the park system.  Could that lead to charging a person for driving through the Township?

Mr. Scarborough said he believes the budget can be reduced by 20%.  He said that he believes the taxpayers should not be the only ones to support the parks in the Township.

Ms. Eisenhardt explained that the order of priorities for the Township should be Police, Roads and Park and Rec whereas it is Police, Parks and Rec and Roads.

Ms. Lyons explained that busses coming into the Township to use the parks do pay a fee.

Ms. Lyons made a suggestion that the Board could eliminate $189,000 from the Park & Recreation Operations budget.

After further discussion, on motion of Ms. Eisenhardt, seconded by Mr. Scarborough, the Board passed the current revised budget as presented with $189,000 cut from the Parks and Rec portion of the budget and therefore no reserves will be used for funding operating expenses.  This motion passed by a vote of 3 to 2 with Ms. Philo and Ms. Lyons voting against.

Resolution Fixing the Tax Rate for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2008:  On motion of Ms. Eisenhardt, seconded by Mr. Scarborough, the Board of Supervisors passed Resolution #1384 fixing the tax rate for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008.  This motion passed by a vote of 4 to 1, with Ms. Philo voting against.

Resolution – Eliminating the Police Contributions to the Pension Plan for 2008:  On motion of Ms. Philo, seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt, the Board of Supervisors approved Resolution #1385 eliminating the police contributions to the Pension Plan for 2008.  This motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.

Treasurers Report:  .On motion of Ms. Eisenhardt, seconded by Mr. Scarborough, the Board of Supervisors approved the December 18, 2007 Treasurer’s Report.  This motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.

Bills List:  On motion of Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt, the Board of Supervisors approved the December 18, 2007 Bills List in the amount of $547,035.81.  This motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.

Resolution No.1380  Recognizing 14 Years of Service – Walter C. Berry  Ms. Lyons read Resolution No. 1380, commendations from Senator McIlhenny and Representative Quinn commending Mr. Berry for 14 years of dedicated service to the Township.  Mr. Bingler presented Mr. Berry with a framed old map of the Township of Doylestown.  Mr. Kelso presented Mr. Berry with a plaque from the Bike and Hike Path recognizing Mr. Berry's service to the Township.

On motion of Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt, the Board unanimously approved Resolution No. 1380 recognizing Walter C. Berry for his 14 years of service to Doylestown Township.

Mr. Berry thanked the Board and the residents for their kind words and told them that he stumbled into this when Joe Conti left the Township to go to Harrisburg and now it is time for him to step down and pursue other interests.

Refreshments were served honoring Mr. Berry.

The next meeting of the Board of Supervisors (reorganization) is scheduled for Monday, January 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

The Township Building will be closed on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 due to Christmas and Tuesday, January 1, 2008 due to New Years.

The Board of Auditors Reorganization Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

Adjournment:

There being no further business to come before the regular meeting the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by
Stephanie J. Mason