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The Regular Meeting of the Doylestown
Township Board of Supervisors was held at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday,
August 5, 2008 at the Doylestown Township Municipal Building,
425 Wells Road, Doylestown, PA., Members of the Board of
Supervisors in attendance included Barbara N. Lyons, Chairman;
E. Thomas Scarborough, Jr., Vice Chairman; Cynthia Philo and
Jeffrey Bennett. Others in attendance included Jeffrey Garton,
Township Solicitor; Stephen White, Chief of Police; Mario
Canales, Township Engineer; and Stephanie Mason, Township
Manager. Absent: Supervisor Barbara Eisenhardt.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Ms.
Lyons announced that prior to this meeting, the Board of
Supervisors met in Executive Session regarding a personnel
matter. Ms. Vile, our Recording Secretary is recording this
meeting. Also, this is meeting is being tested for future
televised meetings.
PRESENTATIONS:
Doylestown Township Park & Recreation Board:
Mr.
Bray, Chairman of the Doylestown Township Park & Recreation
Board, noted that the Park Board is now at its full complement
of seven members of our community. The memo provided to the
Board lists our mission statement and projects we would like to
implement. He asked for the Board to review the memo and he will
come back next month to discuss it. We are planning a park tour
to familiarize the Board members with our parks on August 11th
at 5:30 P.M.
Ms.
Lyons commented that if there are any important projects that
the Parks & Recreation Board would like to begin, they should
inform the Board of Supervisors and include projected costs and
any funding sources for it. She asked for the memo to be
attached to the minutes.
Doylestown Township Telecommunications Advisory Board -
Broadcasting
Kurt Krause, Chairman of the Telecommunications Advisory Board,
noted that tonight, we are doing a test recording of the
meeting, and the first broadcast will begin in September. The
installation and configuration has been completed and came under
budget. The meetings are to be broadcast live, no editing
possible and replayed twice a day. Recordings will be saved
digitally for one year. There are three cameras, two for
supervisors and one for the audience. The microphones
automatically switch to the person who is speaking. We have a
stand and wireless microphone for the audience and presenters.
Board of Supervisors Meeting
August 5, 2008
Mr.
Bennett asked is there any problem with a live broadcast in the
event something inappropriate happens during a meeting? Is there
any liability and could there be a delay built into it?
Mr.
Krause replied we do not have a delay. It is cable TV so it does
not fall under the broadcast regulations, and there is an
override function, which enables the chairman to give priority
to the microphone.
Mr.
Scarborough commented that it is amazing the talent that we have
in this Township and he thanked the Telecommunications Advisory
Board.
VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mardi Harrison, Edison-Furlong Road, asked for a schedule of
when the meetings will be televised.
Mr.
Krause replied they will be televised twice a day, once during
the day and once in the evening.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Ms.
Lyons announced that the next meeting of the Board of
Supervisors is scheduled for Tuesday, August 19, 2008.
MINUTES APPROVAL - July 15, 2008:
Mr.
Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Bennett to approve
the minutes of the July 15, 2008 Board of Supervisors Meeting.
Corrections:
Ms.
Philo noted that on Page 3, Paragraph 4, there is a misspelling
of Mr. Paternostro’s name, and on Page 6, she abstained
from voting on the Board of Supervisors meeting minutes of June
17, 2008.
Mr.
Bennett referred to Page 2, Paragraph 5 and clarified that we
should gain more insight into the topic to be sure that we are
not paying more than our fair share. Page 2, Paragraph 9, - his
recollection is that Ms. Mason confirmed that we presently spend
the LST as required by the law and that should be added to the
minutes. Page 3, Paragraph 1, - second sentence should be
deleted. Page 5, Paragraph 5 – the sentence should read as
follows: Mr. Bennett raised concerns about the daycare facility
specifically traffic, safety and the additional use variance for
the play yard.
MOTION to approve the minutes as amended PASSED 4-0.
Board of Supervisors
Meeting August
5, 2008
CORRESPONDENCE: None.
REPORTS:
Solicitor: No report.
Township Engineer: No report.
Police Chief: No report.
Township Manager: No report.
Supervisors:
Ms.
Philo announced that we had an interview for the open position
in District 7 on the Traffic Advisory Committee, and the
candidate who was interviewed is willing to serve for this
position. She made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Scarborough to
appoint Dennis J. McFadden to the District 7 – Traffic Advisory
Committee.
MOTION was ADOPTED 4-0.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Pavilion at Doylestown (a.k.a. Hancock) – Request to
Reschedule Hearing
Solicitor Garton noted that several months ago, a public hearing
was scheduled before the Board based upon the request of the
property owner of a property located at Swamp Road and Rt. 263
to be rezoned in part to accommodate the applicant’s request to
be able to develop a shopping center. The parcels in question
were 9-22-139 to rezone from that LI –Industrial to C-2
Commercial and as to parcels 9-28-3; 9-28-2; 9-28-4-1 and
9-28-4, the applicant requests that those parcels be rezoned
from C-1 Commercial to C-2 Commercial.
During the hearing, the Board tabled further consideration of
this matter due to concerns related to the condition of the
application and conditions in Buckingham Township. Tonight, the
applicant intends to make a request of the Board with respect to
rescheduling another hearing on their application.
Board of Supervisors
Meetings
August 5, 2008
David Shafkowitz, Attorney representing the Hancock Group, asked
for a continuance of the hearing. We addressed some of the
issues with regards to Buckingham Township and with the fiscal
impact declaration. He understands there are issues pending
about another development that may occur in this area. The
applicant is willing to participate in this process.
Solicitor Garton said the Board needs to make a motion to
re-advertise a public hearing, and the Board has to provide
notice to the Bucks Planning Commission and Doylestown Planning
Commission.
Ms.
Lyons asked about a date-certain for the hearing.
Solicitor Garton replied it has to be a date certain because
notice has to be given to the public.
Ms.
Lyons explained that there are plans being proposed now by
Temple Judea, Malvern School and this shopping center and she
suggested that the representatives from the proposed Hancock
Group/Joe Grasso shopping center attend the Doylestown Planning
Commission meetings and include representatives from Buckingham
Township to participate.
Mr.
Shafkowitz replied the request is that if the Board would
consider allowing Solicitor Garton to re-advertise for a hearing
to be held in 45 days and that date can always be continued.
Solicitor Garton added that if the Board advertises for a
date-certain, we can continue proceedings for a period of 60
days. The critical issue is giving the two planning commissions
time to comment as per their rights according to the MPC. The
Board needs to choose a date in early October or November.
Ms.
Philo commented that she would rather see the date be in
October.
Ms.
Lyons asked for any public comments.
James Bingler, resident, commented that a petition will be
circulated and signed. He asked for public meetings with the
Planning Commission be held in evening Board meeting and not at
their work session.
Ms.
Philo made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Scarborough to authorize
Solicitor Garton to re-advertise a public hearing to be held at
the second Board of Supervisors meeting in October.
MOTION was ADOPTED 4-0.
Board of Supervisors
Meeting August
5, 2008
SEPTA Reimbursement Agreement (Destination Doylestown)
Solicitor Garton noted that the Township, SEPTA, PennDOT and
Delaware Valley College are involved in a project of extending a
bike path from the college to Central Park. One of elements is
the replacement of the SEPTA overpass bridge on the College
campus as a result of a federal grant. During the bidding
process, the bids came in higher than the grant and more than
the Township is willing to contribute. SEPTA agreed to bare the
additional cost to make the project happen. In order to
memorialize the understanding between SEPTA and the Township,
SEPTA prepared a reimbursement agreement and the amount that
they agreed to commit to is $250,000. Staff recommends approval
of the reimbursement agreement.
Mr.
Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Philo to approve the
reimbursement agreement for the Doylestown Branch Bridge
Replacement Project between Doylestown Township and SEPTA.
Ms.
Philo clarified that it is not-to-exceed $250,000.
Solicitor Garton replied that is correct.
MOTION was ADOPTED 4-0.
2008 Oktoberfest –Performer Contracts:
Mr.
Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Bennett to approve
the 2008 Oktoberfest Performer Contracts.
MOTION was ADOPTED 4-0.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Ms.
Lyons announced that the next meeting of the Board of
Supervisors is scheduled for Tuesday, August 19, 2008.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:26 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephanie Mason, Township Manager
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Authored by Development Solutions