Minutes from

July 15, 2008

Board of Supervisors Meeting

She also indicated that under the second class township code, the township can allocate a special tax up to ½ mill. She believes it is more appropriate to have the voters participate. Putting it on the ballot allows them the opportunity to do that.

Ms. Eisenhardt then made a MOTION to add a ¼ mill tax in the November referendum to be provided to the CBA&RU. Mr. Scarborough seconded the MOTION.

Mr. Scarborough indicated that the township needs the ambulance. He indicated that he’s not sure what Buckingham or others might be doing but it behooves the township to let the residents make the decision. It would also help the Chalfont and Warrington rescue units that also serve a portion of our community, but knowing that CBA&RU provides the largest coverage they would get the larger share. He indicated that he appreciates the Ways and Means input into the matter but believes that the ambulance is needed and he is in favor of putting the tax request on the ballot.

Ms. Philo questioned if the Board of Supervisors had to make a decision now to put it on the ballot. They indicated that they would.

Mr. Bennett commented that the ambulance does receive payments for transports threw health/auto insurance and subscriptions and believes it’s a wonderful service that they provide, but feels its different from the fire service. Mr. Bennett indicated that he gain insight into the topic, once the ¼ mill steps are approved it would benefit the ambulance but making that commitment, not knowing what the other municipalities are doing. He wants to make sure we are not paying more than our fair share. He had a concern regarding a recent article in the paper where Warwick and Buckingham are considering forming their own ambulance service. He wonders how that will impact the township. He supports the $50,000 that is currently allocated from the budge from the LST through the general fund and believes the township should continue to operate that way.

Mark Glassman, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, was present. He indicated that the committee may come back to the Board of Supervisors with a ½ mill or the ¼ mill allocation but felt that the committee needed more time to review the information. The allocation should be provided through the budget process but not placed on the ballot at the present time.

Mr. Pressler, Chief of the CBA&SU, commented that Warrington Township has provided service to Doylestown without any benefit of any funding and would appreciate receiving some in the future.

Ms. Philo commented that volunteer services for fire and ambulance are necessary and that we rely on them. The decision should be public to increase what is provided to them. The public may say no and ask us to leave it alone. However, dedication and funding this service is going to be necessary for more likely for ambulance then fire in the future.

Ms. Eisenhardt commented that the LST 25% has to go to emergency services.

Ms. Mason confirmed that the Township is allocating 25% LST to the Emergency Services.

Mr. Bennett again indicated that he supports the $50,000 that is budgeted.

Mr. Glassman provided the board with insight into the Ways and Means Committee’s position on why they recommended the ¼ mill not be placed on the ballot, but that the allocation should continue from the general fund and that further study of the allocation should continue.

Mrs. Eisenhardt questioned Mr. Glassman’s approach to the Ways and Means Committee’s views on the ¼ mill and the need for it to go on the ballot.

Mr. Paternostro, Houck Road, indicated that he was disturbed by speakers being allowed to be interrupted during the meetings. He would have liked to hear more of Mr. Glassman’s thoughts on the topic, since the Board went to the trouble of forming a Ways and Means Committee.

Ty Compton, Eagle Lane, indicated that he received a request from the CBA&RU and Warrington Ambulance. He is not sure who is coming to his house. When he lived in NJ he had only one ambulance service that provided service to him.

Doris Clegg, resident and EAC Committee chairman, indicated that presenters should be allowed to present without being interrupted and preempted.

Mr. Glassman indicated that the Ways and Means Committee reviewed this at the direction of the Board of Supervisors and has no complaint with the service being provided. It’s a good service. It’s a public service and allowing a vote on the ¼ mill is legitimate, but maybe is should be or could be a ½ mill. What is good financially for the rescue unit and for the township? Asking good questions, learning more about it is what the Ways and Means Committee wanted to do. ¼ mill increase is great but there is other consideration, especially with the LST bringing in $650,000 in revenue, which is providing rescue and police services. Putting it to a vote could be a risk. It’s a great tax to ask the residents at this time, but perhaps it should be a ½ mill. Doylestown’s contribution may not be sufficient. It doesn’t make it wrong.  Also certain information on capital was not provided by the CBA&RU because one of the presenters was not able to attend the meeting. Again, making sure that Doylestown’s share of 25% is correct.

Ms. Schlager indicated that it has been a long four year process and the CBA&RU has been providing yearly audits and monthly reports and they don’t want to keep coming back asking for additional funding.

Mr. Glassman indicated that it would be best to put aside the funds in the budget and make a commitment for 2-3 years.

Ms. Schlager indicated that the township has to have ambulance service.

Ms. Eisenhardt indicated that with a referendum the CBA&RU has to work to get it approved. If it does plan allocating the $50,000 through the LST and is done now should continue.

Mr. Bennett indicated that Doylestown Borough is using their LST’s and not asking the public to vote.

Mrs. Lyons indicated that we have more control over participation then a separate allocated tax.

Mrs. Lyons indicated that the dedicated LST of $50,000 to the ambulance was more appropriate.

Mr. Glassman indicated that the Ways and Means wanted to do what is best fiscally for the township. $50,000 LST means less for police with the tax increase issue you put through would be separate.

Ms. Philo if you increase the tax rate it would be a separate dedicated tax you need to increase taxes generates reallocation of the LST should be put to a referendum.

Mr. Paternostro indicated that the Ways and Means Committee has done a tremendous job and they should be given the time to study the issue and the referendum.

Ms. Eisenhardt indicated that the CBA&RS has done a credible job. They have met all the demands and the audit same as the fire service. We cannot do without ambulance and we don’t have money in the budget.

Mr. Scarborough indicated that they looked at the ¼ mill indicating that PSATS and BCATO have looked at it because patients don’t necessarily pay the ambulance when they get their money from insurance and so ambulance companies have been hurt and had to close.

Ms. Clegg indicated that the cost of steel and manufacturing is going up and she agrees with Mr. Bennett that you don’t want more taxes, what is the Township to do to prepare, if it doesn’t pass by the public.

Ms. Eisenhardt’s comment on the LST goes to the ambulance.

MOTION was ADOPTED 3-0-2. Ms. Lyons and Mr. Bennett opposed.

INN ON BLUEBERRY HILL – Rob Gundlach

Mr. Gundlach is an attorney representing the Inn on Blueberry Hill, indicated that he would be brief. He asked the Board of Supervisors since the last time they have been before them that they have met with the residents of the Greens. They are to go back to the Zoning Hearing Board on June 21^st. Their meeting with the Greens was productive. The Board has a letter from the Greens supporting the application of the Day Care Center at the Inn on Blueberry Hill. Also a memo from Mr. Deignan to the Zoning Hearing Board incorporating the items that he agreed to provide to the Greens Homeowners Association is attached for easy reference.

Ms. Eisenhardt indicated that she went over to the open house and reviewed the literature. Mr. Deignan has done an excellent job. It is clear that the day care should be a permitted use in E-14 shopping center and she made a MOTION not to send the solicitor to oppose the application before the Zoning Hearing Board. The MOTION was seconded by Ms. Philo.

Ms. Lyons asked if the entire building was going to be used for the day care. Mr. Gundlach indicated that it would with 197 children.

Mr. Scarborough indicated that it is the gateway to the township and we don’t want  a blight and he has no problem with day care.

Mr. Bennett raised concerns about the day care specifically traffic, safety, and the additional use variance for the play yard.

Mr. Gundlach addressed how they came about having gone to a previous hearing for another applicant that that relief was needed.

Ms. Lyons restated that she still believes the use is inappropriate place for day care because of the traffic nightmare, a busy intersection, additional uses may go in as well and that the items that Mr. Deignan has offered to the residents in agreeing such as buffering and lighting should be provided regardless.

Mr. Compton, Eagle Lane, indicated that his unit doesn’t look out but he is excited and has followed the project and knows that the township has made a number of concessions, but he lived in New Jersey and his town gave out historical awards and he’d give one to the Inn on Blueberry Hill project. He believes that the day care is a better use and although there is not a guarantee that other uses wouldn’t come in the future this is more preferred because there are no weekend hours.

Margaret Gerard views the back of the property and the lack of trees and believes a beautiful buffer and because the children will be playing in the side yard would be a wonderful addition to the property. She believes the day care is a least impact and doesn’t find it offensive.

The MOTION was ADOPTED 3 -2. Ms. Lyons and Mr. Bennett opposed.

VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Richard Kroll, Turkey Lane, complimented the road department for some repairs on Turkey Lane regarding drainage.

Mr. Everett asked when the Public Water & Sewer Advisory Committee would meeting and plan to make their presentation.

Ms. Mason indicated that they did not meet in July would be meeting in August. They are hoping to have the information on the Pebble Ridge area sometime in September.

Mr. Bob Pearson, Pine Run Community, indicated that he is a life member of the Transportation Engineers Association and he is concerned about the traffic on Ferry Road, specifically the speeding volume of the vehicles. He hopes that Doylestown Township and New Britain Township could study with PennDOT the situation.

Mr. Scarborough indicated that the township is working with Sen. McIlhinney try to address some poor drainage areas.

Ms. Philo indicated that the police department could schedule their speed timing device as well.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Next meeting is August 5, 2007

MINUTES APPROVAL:

Board of Supervisors’ Meeting – June 17, 2008:

Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt to approve the minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting of June 17, 2008 as submitted.

MOTION was ADOPTED 4-0. Ms. Philo abstained.

REPORTS:

Solicitor: No report.

Police Chief: No report.

Township Engineer: No report.

Manager: No report.

Supervisors:

Mr. Bennett indicated that the Ways and Means Committee has developed a new reporting system on the financials and that the Board has received a copy. He wanted to thank Ed Ebenbach for his assistance with the Ways and Means Committee working with the staff to create this new format that provides actuals, budget and projections for the department heads and what they anticipate by year end.

Mr. Ebenbach indicated that it was able to be flexible and can be expanded and collapsed and provide forecasts and should be helpful.

Ms. Eisenhardt indicated that she would like to recognize the recent passing of Robert Sugarman, longtime attorney. She asked that his family be kept in everyone’s prayers. He will be missed.

Ms. Eisenhardt wanted to talk about the township policy for employees and vehicle usage.

Ms. Philo made a MOTION that the Board of Supervisors review and discuss the existing policy and look at revising the policy.

The MOTION was seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt.

Ms. Eisenhardt then presented a chart and provided a handout that had been prepared by the township manager provided for the Executive Session regarding vehicle usage.

Some of the board members indicated that they objected to the information being passed out as it was intended to be used for Executive Session earlier in the evening.

Ms. Eisenhardt indicated that she felt that the information was public information and that she thinks its important to compare what we do to other municipalities and that we look at our policy and make changes and that we need to stay on top of things.

Mr. Bennett questioned what the board was expected to do and consider independently the policy over how it impacts individual employees.

Ms. Eisenhardt indicated that the information was clear and that there are more vehicles on the road then other municipalities. We have nine compared to 3.2 average of the others.

Mr. Bennett indicated that it is dangerous to throw out information in that format especially when two of the vehicles are owned and maintained by the DTMA. He indicated that he has done a calculation based on the price of gas that the township uses and the to – from distance and its less than $6,500 or less than a dollar per property per year for allowing department heads to have the vehicles to drive to and from home. He believes that discussing new policy is one thing but the personnel and the aspect of providing service to the community is another aspect that needs to be considered as part of how we want to do business in Doylestown Township. He supports the MOTION.

He indicated that our employee relationship is unique and needs to be further reviewed.

Joe Paternostro wanted to know the emergency response vehicles and whether people had experience with CPR and blood borne pathogens.

Ms. Philo called the question on a vote.

The MOTION passed 5 – 0.

Mr. Scarborough indicated that the TAB Board had installed the cameras and microphones. They hope to be able to work with the Township in being up and running soon.

Ms. Eisenhardt indicated that with the price of gas letter from PSATS July 1^st the IRS reimbursement rate went up to 58.5 cents per mile. She made a MOTION for the Board to  increase our current rate. The MOTION failed for lack of a second.

Ms. Philo indicated that the open space and traffic committee had been meeting and that the Traffic Advisory Committee is doing some speed studies on Steeplechase and looking at Hidden Lane in terms of access and traffic issues. The Open Space Committee indicated that the open space information from the county plan has been sent to the county and that under the new program we will be able to start to expand new properties as well.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.

NEW BUSINESS:

LAND DEVELOPMENT:

Eastburn Tract – Preliminary Major Subdivision – Review Extension to 9/11/08:

On MOTION of Ms. Philo, seconded by Mr. Scarborough.

MOTION was adopted 5-0.

Zoning Hearing Board Application – Janet King – 945 Pebble Hill Road – Appeals from a determination of the Zoning Officer:

The Board agreed to leave this matter to the ZHB.

2008 Pavement Marking Bid:

On MOTION of Ms Philo, seconded by Mr. Bennett the 2008 Pavement Marking bid was awarded to A-1 Traffic Control Products, L.L.C. in the amount of $26,917.64.

MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.

Bill’s List – July 15, 2008:

Ms. Eisenhardt made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Scarborough to approve the Bills List of July 15, 2008 in the amount of $525,125.89.

MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.

Treasurer’s List – July 15, 2008:

Ms. Eisenhardt made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Bennett to approve the Treasurer’s

MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Ms. Lyons announced that the next meeting of the Board of Supervisors is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5, 2008.

ADJOURNMENT:               8:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by
Stephanie J. Mason