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Regular Meeting
The regular meeting of the Doylestown Township Board of
Supervisors was held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17, 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
Chief, Mario L. Canales, Township Engineer and Stephanie Mason,
Township Manager. Absent: Barbara Eisenhardt
Pledge to the Flag: The meeting opened with a
pledge to the flag.
Presentation – Community Service and Veterans Memorial:
Harrison Woodruff addressed the Board and gave a brief history
of the project. He explained that the Committee has worked very
hard to raise sufficient monies to complete the memorial as well
as some funds for maintenance and is now in a position to build
the memorial which will honor the volunteers of Doylestown
Township. He assured the Board that there is still time for
people to purchase bricks and pavers prior to the memorial being
completed. He thanked his committee members for all their
efforts and requested that the Board of Supervisors release the
funds for the project. On motion of Ms. Eisenhardt, seconded by
Ms. Philo, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved
releasing the funds for the erection of the Community Service
and Veterans Memorial. This motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.
PUBLIC HEARING
Township Sewering Project – Proposed Ordinance Amendments:
Ms. Lyons explained that this was an open meeting wherein
questions would be taken and forwarded to the Sewer Advisory
Committee and answered at a future meeting.
Residents requested a change in location for this meeting due to
the extremely large turnout and the fact that many residents
could not get into the meeting room.
Mr.
Scarborough made a motion to table this meeting and move it to a
larger facility on another date. This motion failed for the
lack of a second.
Criticisms were made concerning the lack of letter notification
sent to residents, not placing an advertisement in the local
newspaper, and not having an announcement on Channel 22 or the
website. Several options were offered to accommodate the
request and allow the meeting to proceed
After further discussion, on motion of Mr. Berry, seconded by
Mr. Scarborough, the Board of Supervisors voted to table the
public meeting on the Township Sewering Project – Proposed
Ordinance Amendment until Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
at a location to be determined and to place a block
advertisement in the newspaper as well as a legal notice, a
notice on Channel 22 and the web site and send a letter to every
resident affected by this project in the Township. In addition
Doylestown Township Public Water and Sewer Advisory Committee, a
representative from Carroll Engineering and representatives of
BCW&SA will be in attendance to answer questions. This motion
passed by a vote of 4 to 1 with Ms. Philo voting against.
Ms.
Philo apologized to the residents for the fact that this
discussion was tabled and that they took their time to
participate in a process that did not take place.
Ms.
Eisenhardt apologized to the residents that the Board of
Supervisors did not do their job in giving the residents
sufficient notice of the meeting.
Ms.
Lyons explained that the goal of the Township is to have safe
water and sewers for the Township residents.
The
Board encouraged all residents to e-mail questions to the
Township’s e-mail address at
info@doylestownpa.org and at the next meeting all questions
will the answered (if there are answers) in a printed handout.
At this point in the meeting Ms. Lyons announced a five minute
recess.
Visitors/Public Comment: A resident asked for an
overview of the procedure involving an ordinance. Mr. Garton
explained that a zoning ordinance must be advertised in a local
newspaper three times. Other ordinances must be advertised in a
local newspaper only once. Then the Board of Supervisors holds
a public meeting for comments. The Board must take action on
the ordinance sixty days after the public meeting or if no
action is taken then the ordinance must be re-advertised.
Ms. Godown addressed the issue discussed at the last meeting
concerning naming a park and the time table of a waiting period
of one year after the death of an individual. Mr. Garton
explained that there is a provision allowing the Board of
Supervisors to waive the waiting period.
Announcements:
The next meeting of the Board of Supervisors will be held on
Tuesday, August 7, 2007 and will deal with only the Township
Sewering Project – Proposed Ordinance Amendment. The location
for this meeting will be determined and advertised
appropriately.
2nd Annual Zaveta Construction Circuit Race will be
held on Sunday, August 5, 2007 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in
Central Park, Doylestown.
Minutes Approval:
Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting– June 19, 2007.
On motion of Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Mr. Berry, the Board
of Supervisors approved the minutes of the Board of Supervisors
regular meeting held June 19, 2007. This motion passed by a
vote of 4 to 0, with Ms. Eisenhardt abstaining as she was absent
from the meeting.
Road Inspection – June 19, 2007. On motion of Mr.
Scarborough, seconded by Mr. Berry, the Board of Supervisors
approved the minutes of the Road Inspection meeting held June
19, 2007. This motion passed by a vote of 3 to 0, with Ms.
Eisenhardt and Ms. Philo abstaining as they were absent from the
meeting.
Resolutions and Commendations: None.
Correspondence:
DTMA Board Vacancy: Ms. Mason referred the Board
to a letter from Ron May requesting that Richard A. Bach be
appointed to the vacancy on the DMTA Board. Ms. Philo commented
that there were 2 vacancies on this Board and there were three
candidates remaining after one of the vacancies was filled. She
questioned why the DMTA chose to appoint Mr. Bach without any
input from the Board of Supervisors which is the customary
course of action.
Mr. Martin Gillan told the Board that he applied for a position
on the DMTA Board in September, 2006 and heard nothing until
March, 2007 when he was interviewed and never heard anything
following that interview. He explained that in the past he
applied for a position and has never heard from the Township
regarding his application.
Ms. Eisenhardt said that she would like a policy instituted
wherein all applicants are sent a letter within thirty days of
their applications.
After discussion, on motion of Ms. Lyons, seconded by Mr. Berry,
the Board of Supervisors agreed to table this matter by a vote
of 5 to 0.
REPORTS:
Solicitor: No report.
Police Report: Kid’s Castle. Chief
White explained that on July 6, 2007 there was an incident of
vandalism to the restored Kids Castle by someone taking a marker
and writing crude messages and drawings throughout Kids Castle.
He asked the Board to consider using capital funds approved for
2007 and future funding in 2008 that could be used to improve
the surveillance camera system to include Kids Castle. There
has been no identification of the individual or individuals
responsible for the vandalism.
Ms. Philo explained that she is posting a $1,000 reward for the
arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for
this vandalism and hopefully a tip will come from this award.
Any person with information can call the tip line anonymously at
215-456-TIPS. (215-456-8477).
Township Engineer: Ferry Road Proposed
Drainage Improvements. Mr. Canales referred the Board
to a letter dated July 11, 2007 outlining an estimation of the
costs of repairing the drainage situation along Ferry Road
without engineering the project. He said that it could cost as
little as $1,000,000 or as much as several millions depending on
the scope of the project. He said that preliminary engineering
costs would be between $95,000.00 and $125, 00.00. A drainage
analysis would cost between $65,000.00 and $75,000.00.
Ms. Eisenhardt said that it is an important project in that
serious flooding occurs along Ferry Road. She said that New
Britain Township must be a part of the project before she would
vote to have Doylestown Township expend any funds. She said
that The Shrine at Czestochawa bears responsibility for the
correcting this problem because the deed to the Shine contains a
provision that they are responsible to improve the drainage in
that area.
Mr. Scarborough explained that he, Dick John, and Stephanie
Mason met with New Britain Township, representatives from
PennDOT and Senator McIllhenny recently. Senator McIllhenny
recently reported to Mr. Scarborough that there is money in the
State budget that can be used for materials for this project.
Additionally Mr. Scarborough suggested that the Township submit
a State grant to assist with the project. He explained further
that when all the information is available from New Britain
Township and Doylestown Township a meeting will be scheduled to
meet Senator McIllhenny.
Mr. Gillen asked how much was in the State budget for this
project but the exact figure is unknown at this time.
Ms. Godown said that when the Pine Run Community was constructed
PennDOT condemned property along Ferry Road but the houses were
never torn down and are being rented. The property was to be
used for road improvements by the State that were never
completed. She said the State should pay for these
improvements.
Ms. Philo asked that the Township Manager follow up with New
Britain Township to ascertain when their report/proposal will be
available.
Township Manager: No report.
Supervisors:
Recommendation for Event Parking Fee Charge. Ms.
Eisenhardt explained that she believes for events such as the 4th
of July concert and fire works where approximately 5,000 people
attend that it would be good to charge a $5.00 fee for parking.
The fee could be used to off set the additional costs of staff
that have to work at such events.
Mr.
Scarborough suggested that this topic be referred to the
Performing Arts Committee for review and recommendation.
A
resident objected to the fee since the money for events is in
the budget and the residents pay for such events through their
taxes.
Mr.
Steve Downs suggested a donation jar which has been done for
events that he has been involved with and believes the Township
might collect more than $5.00 per car.
Mr.
Gillen suggested that a fee or donation be requested only for
events where it is projected that attendance will be over 2,500
persons.
Mr.
Garton explained that charging a fee implies security for your
car whereas a donation does not.
After discussion the consensus of the Board was to refer this
matter to the Performing Arts Committee and Park and Recreation
Board for review and recommendation.
Mr.
Scarborough explained that a meeting was held with Doylestown
Borough regarding the Central Bucks Ambulance funding. He
announced that a meeting will be held on July 19, 2007 at 8:00
a.m. at the Central Bucks Ambulance facility regarding future
funding and the public is invited.
Mr.
Scarborough explained that the Telecommunications Board is
hopeful of being able to televise the Township meetings by the
end of 2007.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
Land Development Extensions
Gross Tract Final Subdivision (Location: Dublin Pike):
On motion of Mr. Berry, seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt, the Board of
Supervisors approved the Gross Tract Final Subdivision land
development plan review extension to August 31, 2007. This
motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.
Touhill (Landis) Preliminary Major Subdivision Plan
(Location: Sandy Ridge Road):
On motion of Mr. Berry, seconded by Mr. Scarborough, the Board
of Supervisors approved the Touhill (Landis) Preliminary Major
Subdivision land development plan review to October 31, 2007.
This motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.
Proposed Zoning Change – Sunrise Senior Living Center (Location:
Route 611): After
discussion, On motion of Ms. Philo, seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt,
the Board of Supervisors requested that this request be
forwarded to the Planning Commission for its review and
recommendation.
Zoning Hearing Board Application:
Jason Sanders and Brian McKenzie Request for Special
Exception and Variance:
Ms. Mason explained that Jason Sanders and Brian McKenzie, 17
Philean Avenue, have requested a special exception and
variance. After discussion, the consensus of the Board was to
send no representation from the Board of Supervisors with
respect to this application.
John and Dona Lynn Kreischer Request for a Variance:
Ms. Mason explained that John and Dona Lynn Kreischer, 1225
Pebble Hill Road, have requested a variance. After discussion,
the consensus of the Board was to send no representation from
the Board of Supervisors with respect to this application.
Treasurers Report: On motion of Mr. Scarborough,
seconded by Mr. Berry, the Board of Supervisors approved the
July 17, 2007 Treasurer’s Reports. This motion passed by a vote
of 5 to 0.
Bills List: On motion of Mr. Scarborough,
seconded by Ms. Philo, the Board of Supervisors approved the
July 17, 2007 Bills List in the amount of $1,308,564.58. This
motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.
Announcements:
The next meeting of the Board of Supervisors will be held on
Tuesday, August 7, 2007 and will deal only with the Township
Sewering Project – Proposed Ordinance Amendment. The location
for this meeting will be determined and advertised
appropriately.
2nd Annual Zaveta Construction Circuit Race will be
held on Sunday, August 5, 2007 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in
Central Park, Doylestown.
Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the regular
meeting, the Board of Supervisors meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
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Authored by Development Solutions