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The Regular Meeting of the Doylestown Township
Board of Supervisors was held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7,
2009 at the Doylestown Township Municipal Building, 425 Wells
Road, Doylestown, PA. Members of the Board of Supervisors is
attendance included Barbara N. Lyons, Chairman; E. Thomas
Scarborough, Jr., Vice Chairman; Jeffrey Bennett; Cynthia Philo;
and Barbara Eisenhardt. Others in attendance included Jeffrey
Garton, Township Solicitor; Stephen White, Chief of Police;
Mario Canales, Township Engineer and Stephanie Mason, Township
Manager.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Ms. Lyons announced that the Board held an
Executive Session at 6:30 p.m. this evening to discuss matters
of litigation and personnel.
PRESENTATION:
ReadyNotifyPA:
Susanne Dudek, Bucks County Emergency Management
Specialist, reported that Mrs. Eisenhardt asked her to come and
speak about our new alerting system ReadyNotifyPA. We had CAN
(Community Alert Network) for 10 years, which utilized landline
telephones to send messages to residents in the County, which
CAN could only obtain listed numbers so we would have to solicit
for unlisted numbers. We got a grant from the Southeast
Pennsylvania Task Force from Homeland Security and that allowed
us to purchase the new system, which utilizes landline phones,
text messaging and email. It offers weather alerts, AMBER alerts
and traffic alerts throughout the region. We trained Chief White
and Lt. Logan and we ask your residents to sign up.
Ms. Eisenhardt added that this is a system to
notify residents of an emergency in the Township such as an
AMBER alert, prison break, etc. Residents can sign up for a
telephone call and/or email and/or text message and there is no
fee for it.
Ms. Dudek noted this is an additional tool as we
still use the news and radio, and we are linked to five counties
in the region; Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia. Our
website is
www.readnotifypa.org .
VISITOR/PUBLIC COMMENTS:
James Bingler, resident, asked about the DEP
packet.
Ms. Mason replied that will be discussed later in
the meeting.
Joe Paternostro, Houk Road, noted that he has
done research on the Sewer Committee and, several meetings ago,
the Supervisors chose two new members of the committee. A resume
was needed to be considered and yet one of the two new
appointees did not submit a resume; just a single-page letter.
How did the Board make their decision? Three of the members
appear to be on other Boards or Commissions and why not appoint
three citizens who have no other relationships other than to
serve on that committee. The residents of Furlong need the sewer
system and why are we not getting a piece of the pie to help our
neighbors. We should not only be trying to install the system;
we should help those make the connection to the system at little
or no personal cost. He suggested replacing the original seven
members and its new liaison with people who will actually do
some work and not sit at a meeting once every three months and
talk.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Ms. Lyons announced that the next meeting of the
Board of Supervisors is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2009
and 4 of the 5 Supervisors will be at PSATS Convention, and she
recommended that we cancel this meeting.
Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Ms.
Eisenhardt to cancel the Board of Supervisors Meeting of April
21, 2009.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
Ms. Lyons announced that the Annual Egg Hunt in
Central Park will be on April 8, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. The
Doylestown Township Administration Offices will be closed on
Good Friday, April 10, 2009. “No Child Left Inside” will be held
at Central Park on April 11, 2009 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Doylestown Township Board of Supervisors Special Meeting
regarding a police matter will held at the Township
Administration Building, April 14, 2009 at 10 a.m. The
Doylestown Township Annual Golf Outing will be held on June 8,
2009 at the Doylestown County Club.
MINUTES APPROVAL – March 17, 2009:
Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Mr.
Bennett to approve the minutes of March 17, 2009 as submitted.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Flooding Issues – Ferry Road
Ms. Mason noted she wrote to the Bucks County
Conservation District seeking their help in terms of funding.
There is Growing Greener grant money that may be available to
assist us. We had Mr. Canales look at the situation to see what
it would cost to make improvements to the storm drainage along
there. She asked for approval to revise the grant application.
Ms. Philo asked is litigation ongoing with
regards to the Shrine and Pine Run and the flooding issue?
Ms. Mason replied that she believes the
litigation has been settled with Pine Run and the Shrine.
Ms. Philo asked with regards to the grant
application; would we be partnering with Pine Run and the
Shrine?
Ms. Mason replied we can ask them to partner with
us on this project.
The consensus of the Board was to agree to revise
the grant application to be submitted to the Bucks County
Conservation District.
REPORTS:
Solicitor: No report.
Township Engineer: No
report.
Police Chief:
Byrne JAG Grant
Chief White noted that the Police Department was
awarded the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in
the amount of $13,406. Out of 42 police departments; 14 were
awarded money from the Department of Justice. He asked for the
Board’s approval to purchase a new Radar Recorder Traffic
Counter System through JAMAR Technologies, Inc. in the amount of
$3,995.00.
The County of Bucks will complete an upgrade of
the IT infrastructure for the purpose of coordinating
information data shared between Bucks County and state entities.
The County recommends the acquisition of Cisco ASA 5500 series
Adaptive Security Appliance in the amount of $3,112.00 and
$243.00 for support.
He also recommended that remaining funds of
$6,056.00 be used to upgrade Records Management System and
laptops.
Ms. Philo made a MOTION, seconded by Ms.
Eisenhardt to approve grant award of $13,406 and for that money
to be utilized for the above mentioned items by Chief White.
Ms. Philo asked will they be handheld laptops or
laptops for the vehicles.
Chief White replied the laptops are mounted in
the police cars and we want to upgrade them and have one for
each police car.
Ms. Philo asked Chief White to look into handheld
laptops, which could be utilized in other departments of the
Township as well as the Police Department.
Chief White replied we will probably be awarded
money next year and we can look at that for the future.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
Township Manager:
Training Requests
Ms. Mason asked for Board approval for training
that includes overnight stays for Administration/Parks &
Recreation and also for the Police Department’s Bargaining Unit
Contract training provisions for backup.
Mr. Bennett made a MOTION, seconded by Mr.
Scarborough to approve overnight stay training for the
Administration/Parks & Recreation personnel and for Police
personnel training for backup that is included in the Police
Department’s Bargaining Unit Contract.
Ms. Philo asked about fees for training.
Ms. Mason replied it will be announced this
summer as these are late fall conferences.
Ms. Philo suggested waiting on those and only
approve training that includes costs.
Mr. Bennett commented he does not have a problem
approving them as long as it does not exceed the amount that was
allocated in the budget.
Ms. Mason replied each training conference was
listed in the budget with a total amount.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
Fleet Manager
Ms. Mason noted that we have a recommendation to
send three former police cars to auction on May 30, 2009. These
cars have been replaced by new vehicles and are no longer
needed.
Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Ms.
Eisenhardt to send the following three former police cars to
auction on May 30, 2009:
1.
2006 Ford Crown Victoria,
#2FAFP71WO6X118616, Twp. #2901
2.
2006 Ford Crown Victoria,
#2FAFP71W96X118615, Twp. #2906
3.
2006 Ford Crown Victoria,
#2FAFP71W46X118621, Twp. #2908
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
Supervisors:
Ms. Eisenhardt commented that appointments to
Boards & Commissions should be done in a public meeting as the
appointments have always been done in Executive Session. She
agrees with Mr. Paternostro that there are a lot of the same
people being reappointed to committees. The people that
volunteer for these positions are not Township employees;
therefore, it should not fall under the jurisdiction of
Executive Session. Final discussion of who will be appointed
should be done at a public meeting and, if it is not done that
way, it is violation of the Sunshine Law.
Solicitor Garton replied interviews are done in
private, but appointments are made in public.
Ms. Eisenhardt commented that it is an
announcement. The decision of who will be appointed is made in
an Executive Session. At the last meeting, where the Boards &
Commissions people were appointed, we had an Executive Session
first where all candidates’ resumes were reviewed and the list
was announced into the record at the public meeting.
Mr. Bennett commented it was not just an
announcement it was moved and seconded and voted 5-0.
Ms. Eisenhardt said, but not everyone agreed. The
questions are the same for every candidate and should not be
done in an Executive Session. It should be done at a public
meeting. Ms. Lyons read the list and we voted to approve it, but
we only approved the list that was predetermined.
Ms. Lyons commented that we don’t want to discuss
the merits of individuals which are inappropriate at a public
meeting.
Ms. Eisenhardt commented that other
municipalities do their interviews and appointments at public
meetings.
Mr. Scarborough announced that he attended a
workshop on April 1, 2009 in Warrington Township on compressed
natural gas, which was presented by the County. Natural gas is
under a $1.00 a gallon, burns 90% cleaner than gasoline and we
can convert our vehicles to it and run them for a third of the
cost for what we are paying for gasoline and/or diesel. In July,
the County will have a refilling station in Doylestown Township
on Almshouse Road and Rt. 611. As vehicles are replaced, we
should consider converting new ones to natural gas. Another
advantage is that the oil does not need to be changed except for
once every 10,000 miles because it burns clean with no grit and
the availability of having a car that runs clean and does not
pollute the air is a win-win for the Township.
Mr. Paternostro clarified that he is not arguing
for or against private or public meetings. He does not like to
see someone on the Sewer Authority Committee having more than
one position.
Ms. Lyons replied the Sewer Committee was set up
to have representatives from other commissions on that board by
resolution years ago.
Mr. Paternostro replied things can be changed.
Ms. Philo commented that we should look at making
sure that we are spreading the volunteer-ability around to all
of our residents. She reminded everyone that May 19, 2009 is the
28th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day that is
being held by the Citizens Crime Commission of the Delaware
Valley in Philadelphia honoring the efforts not only of our law
enforcement community, but honoring those who have fallen in
line of duty and also recognizing citizens who assist in
fighting crime.
Mr. Bennett announced that April is Autism
Awareness Month and the fight against autism is one of his
passions in life, and he is on the Board of Directors for the
Bucks County Autism Support Coalition. The Coalition is
sponsoring a 5K race at Bridge Valley Elementary School on April
25, 2009 from 8 a.m. -12 p.m. To sign up for the race or to
volunteer go to
www.bvraceforautism.com.
Ms. Lyons announced that Doylestown Township has
been recognized as Tree City USA for 2008, which is our 10th
year in a row, and we will commemorate on Arbor Day.
Mr. Scarborough noted that on Arbor Day, we will
be planting trees in the Township so we will continue to be Tree
City USA for 2009, and we will be working in Turk Park 2 & 3.
NEW BUSINESS:
Plan Review Extensions
Thompson Organization – Preliminary Land
Development:
Ms. Eisenhardt asked when we get notice on the
agenda about plans that are due to expire with a new expiration
date and timeframe; she would like to know how many extensions
have been previously approved.
Ms. Eisenhardt made a MOTION, seconded by Mr.
Bennett to grant extension for the Thompson Organization –
Preliminary Land Development until May 31, 2009.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
Schiefer Lot Line Change – Minor Subdivision:
Ms. Eisenhardt made a MOTION, seconded by Mr.
Bennett to grant extension for the Schiefer Lot Line Change –
Minor Subdivision until July 25, 2009.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
Kelso/Upton Lot Line Change – Final Minor
Subdivision:
Solicitor Garton noted the applicant proposes a
lot line change such that the portion of tax parcel 9-7-14 will
be conveyed to tax parcel 9-7-13. Both properties are already
improved by single family dwellings and no additional
improvements are proposed. The plans prepared by Castle Valley
Consultants, dated, January 28, 2009 and revised, March 10,
2009. The Planning Commission recommends approval and he
reviewed all reports. If the Board approves this application; it
would be subject to following conditions and issues:
Compliance with Pickering, Corts, Summerson, Inc.
review letter, dated, March 20, 2009.
The applicant requests certain waivers as
follows:
Applicant requests a partial waiver from Section
153-20.D.2. so that the building setback lines, floodplains and
wetlands will be shown on the plan; a waiver from requirement of
widening Almshouse Road; a waiver from adding sidewalks and
bike/hike paths; a waiver from requirement to install curbs; a
waiver from requirement for landscaping for subdivisions as it
is only a lot line; a waiver for the requirement for lighting of
residential subdivision; a waiver from requirement of recreation
fee in-lieu of because no new building lots are being created; a
waiver from requirement to stormwater as there are no
improvements; a wavier for requiring a permanent easement along
water courses along the boundary being subdivided.
Also, the Township needs to decide whether to
accept additional right-of-way between existing right-of-way and
ultimate right-of-way along Almshouse Road.
The consensus of the Board was to accept it and
accept the deed of dedication.
A deed of consolidation shall be prepared and
recorded with the final plans so a new lot is created.
Compliance with Boucher & James report, but it is noted there
are existing nonconformities, and granting of waivers previously
mentioned. Compliance with the Bucks County Planning Commission
report; receipt of all permits and improvements of agencies
having jurisdiction over such matters and the applicant will pay
all expenses incurred by Township as part of this application
including engineering and attorneys fees.
Mr. Kelso agreed to those conditions and
presented the plan to the Board.
Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Ms.
Eisenhardt to approve the Kelso/Upton Lot Line Change – Final
Minor Subdivision subject to conditions set forth by Township
Solicitor.
Ms. Philo asked about landscaping requirements
being waived.
Solicitor Garton replied there would have been
landscaping for street trees.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
BC Consortium Fuel Bid – 5/1/09 – 4/20/10:
Ms. Philo made a MOTION, seconded by Mr.
Scarborough to award bid to the lowest bidder, Sunoco Inc., 4041
Market Street, Aston, PA., at $1.5565 for unleaded regular
gasoline and $1.5335 for ultra low sulfur diesel.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
Guard Rail Replacement Bid – Rogers Road 2009:
Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Ms.
Eisenhardt to award bid to the lowest bidder, Collinson, Inc.
P.O. Box 397, Uwchland, PA., in the amount of $11,330.00 for the
replacement of guide rail on Rogers Road in the Township.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
Water Projects Update:
Carriage Hill Subdivision, Plumstead Township:
Mr. John explained that this project revolves
around Plumstead Township request for DTMA to provide the source
of water for the Carriage Hill subdivision located on Route
313 in Fountainville for approximately 113,000
gallons for the 463 homes to be constructed there.
The Authority currently provides source water to
the Patriot Ridge area under a 1993 water service agreement
between the Authority and Plumstead Township and they have asked
for this to be an amendment to that agreement. We have been
pre-approved by DRBC (Delaware River Basin Commission) to be the
source of supply for that development, and it helps defray costs
to our own users.
Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Mr.
Bennett to approve DTMA supplying potable water to Plumstead
Township by amendment to the Authority/Plumstead July 15, 1993
agreement and to approve the Authority entering into an
agreement with the developer/Plumstead Township in order to
memorialize the conditions by which the DTMA system will be
improve to provide an interconnection with Plumstead Township
and by which tap in fees will be paid by DTMA.
Ms. Eisenhardt said a Plumstead Township resident
said to her if we do not supply the water to them; Plumstead
does not have enough water to provide to that development and
they would not be able to have so many homes. If Doylestown
Township does not supply the water; what would happen to this
development?
Mr. John replied we were asked if we can supply
source water to them and we can. The Patriot Ridge development
had a well site on it and, at that time, Plumstead did not have
a water department. They struck a deal with DTMA to provide
water to Patriot Ridge so based on that they do have water for
that area.
Ms. Lyons asked does this project satisfy the
contamination problem in Cross Keys?
Mr. John replied no.
Ms. Philo asked will a hardship be created for
other projects in Doylestown Township if we supply water to
Plumstead?
Mr. John replied no. The amount of water we can
pump is over 4 million gallons a day.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
Furlong Ground Water Contamination Mitigation by
Public Water:
Mr. John noted this project addresses the Furlong
groundwater contamination and proposed mitigation by use of
public water system within that area. We met in 2008 with DEP
who is interested in mitigating this problem in Furlong, and
they had a public hearing in January to consider four options
for potential mitigation.
Options were no action; delivery of bottled
water; installation and maintenance of whole house carbon
filtration systems; and installation of a municipal water supply
waterline.
As a result of the hearing, their decision was to
continue trying to institute option four which is installation
of public water. They offered the DTMA approximately $890,000
from the hazardous sites cleanup fund to construct a system from
Edison Furlong Road from Turkey Lane to York Road to Rogers
Road. The plume of contamination drifts from Doylestown Township
to Buckingham Township so the distribution system would serve
both sides of those roads of approximately 38 parcels in the
plume area. Buckingham is in favor of it and they asked DTMA to
take over and service their customers and agreed to an interim
supply of water. He is asking for approval now because the money
from the HASCA will only last until 2010. If this comes to
fruition, we need to prepare the plans; get the bid out and get
the project constructed. DEP wants to cure the 30 year old
problem of people having to live with TCE and PCE in their
water. He asked for approval by the Board.
Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Mr.
Bennett to approve entering into an Inter-Municipal Agreement
between the Township, Authority and Buckingham Township. Upon
execution of that agreement, the Township as lead agency can
begin to draft an agreement with DEP for funding of the project.
Ms. Eisenhardt said DEP indicated they would
contribute $890,000 and the cost of delivering water to that
area will far exceed that amount. She expressed concerns about
residents in that area who do not need public water and who will
be forced to hookup to public water whether they need it or not
to offset the cost.
Mr. John replied in terms of connections; it is a
requirement of DEP to get as many people connected. Those who
are, most have contamination of health standards and the homes
may not be affected, but will get the connection for free if
they hookup now. If they do not sign up now it will be at their
cost in the future should their well become contaminated. The
actual construction and connection and abandonment of the wells
is all on DEP. There is no cost to any resident for that
connection right now. The only cost will be user fees.
Ms. Eisenhardt expressed concern about those
people who are located in that vicinity and who are not
contaminated and are not on the “free” list by DEP.
Solicitor Garton explained that Doylestown
Township does not have an ordinance to compel people to connect
to public water so they cannot be forced to.
Mr. John continued that DEP’s rules are that
those who have contaminated wells must sign on for us to get the
$890,000, which is the cost to build the system. It can be done
by a mandatory connection ordinance that this Board would enact
or by agreement with the residents. In the past, we made
agreements.
Ms. Philo asked how many wells are contaminated?
Mr. John replied there are 38 in the
neighborhood; 7-9 have carbon filters on them.
Mr. Bingler commented the resolution is that DTMA
wants to apply for a grant for $5,550,000.00 and DEP will give
$890,000.00.
Mr. John explained that is two different
projects.
Ms. Philo asked can only those who have
contamination be able to hookup for free?
Mr. John replied all 38 residents can hookup for
free whether they have contamination or not.
Ms. Philo said we should have an agreement first.
Mr. Bennett asked if we do not get an agreement
with the residents; will we have an opportunity to revisit this
issue?
Mr. John replied no. There are two ways we get an
agreement; one is voluntarily or a mandatory connection. This
contamination gets absorbed through skin and this is an
opportunity to help these people who have lived with
contamination for a long time.
Ms. Philo asked by putting this new system in;
how will it affect the existing system?
Mr. John replied some wells are fine in that
area, but when we shutdown the contaminated wells; will
contaminates in the groundwater migrate to another well? That is
the concern of DEP and that is why they want everyone to hookup
in that area.
Mr. Bingler commented that he feels there should
be time to study where the flow is going and there are vacant
lots in this area.
Mr. John replied the vacant lots are included in
that 38 count. We will not stop development in that area as they
will be pumping contaminated water and running a system to
sanitize it. The public water system should be used.
Ms. Eisenhardt expressed concern that we don’t
have a guarantee that this will be resolved and we do not know
what will happen to the plume. Once they put public water in
where the contamination currently exists that plume will get
bigger because it is not being extrapolated out of the ground
and we will have a bigger area of contamination.
Mr. John explained that the plume itself probably
will not grow larger and the plume needs to be cleaned up, but
he does not see that happening for a long time with the
condition of our budget.
Ms. Eisenhardt asked does the Township have a way
to negotiate the deal with DEP for a three or five year
evaluation period to see what the plume does.
Solicitor Garton replied we can ask.
Ms. Eisenhardt expressed concern that once the
plume is restricted from the wells it will have no where to go
and it will spread and the question is how far and how big. We
need to protect our residents by asking DEP to evaluate the
wells around the plume for an extended period of time to give us
the opportunity to add public water to other homes that could be
negatively impacted by the public water that we are putting in
now.
Ms. Philo asked for the time constraints for DEP
funding.
Mr. John replied this particular system needs to
be installed this year; by the end of 2009.
Mr. Bennett agreed we should ask for added
protection, but he does not want to compromise the 38 parcels
that have this problem right now.
Mr. Strawn asked about the plume extending down
Rogers Road.
Mr. John replied it has not extended down Rogers
Road, but it has crossed the proposed Temple property.
Mr. Strawn asked is any amount, low
contamination?
Mr. John replied if it shows contaminates then it
is contaminated.
Solicitor Garton asked about the bidding schedule
and the design of the project.
Mr. John replied there is no design at the moment
because we cannot spend any DEP money until they approve it.
Solicitor Garton clarified there is no interest
on the part of the Board to delay design but they would like to
raise the question with DEP about what happens in the future if
contaminates move beyond its current levels.
Mr. John explained the funding will not come
until DEP receives an inter-municipal agreement.
Ms. Eisenhardt suggested explaining to
representatives of the Temple that DEP will provide them with
public water so the money they are planning to use for their own
system be put into an escrow account so when construction begins
and, if they contaminate other properties around the Temple,
they would have money set aside for any possible future
contamination that is a result of their construction. They
already have
the money to put their own water system in and we
will relieve them of the mandate to do that and give them public
water for free. Can that be an alternative?
Mr. John replied it can be with an agreement with
the Temple.
Solicitor Garton commented that the escrow might
not be enough to cover the potential cost of the proliferation
of this plume beyond where it is now.
Mr. Bingler commented at the DEP meeting, they
indicated the plume has split and is moving.
Ms. Lyons said the question before the Board is
whether we will seek that $890,000 for a problem area we know
exists now and we all agree to pursue future monitoring by DEP
and remediation should the plume extend beyond this 38-parcel
area.
Solicitor Garton asked for the timeframe on
getting an answer from DEP with respect to this issue.
Mr. John replied he feels they would respond
quickly.
Mr. Bingler said all of those 38 parcels don’t
actually have TCE. Is that correct?
Mr. John replied yes.
Ms. Lyons added that 38 parcels are located in a
problem area and some of them have exhibited contamination and
some have not. They are all in the geographic area that is why
this area has been identified.
Mr. John continued that DEP has defined the area
as Edison Furlong Road, York Road and Rogers Road and everyone
abutting that water main can connect to it right now at no
charge.
Mr. O’Malley asked why wasn’t this done 10 years
ago?
Mrs. Bingler commented DEP’s response to Mr.
Bingler was that, “The department continues to investigate the
groundwater contamination at the site.” Is the water coming from
Buckingham?
Mr. John replied yes.
Mrs. Bingler expressed concern about water not
going in her backyard.
The consensus of the Board was to invite DEP to a
Board of Supervisors meeting as soon as possible to discuss
their plans to mitigate contaminates in groundwater for the
Furlong area
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Mr.
Bennett to approve DTMA to enter into agreement with Buckingham
Township allowing DTMA to accept the right to own and operate a
public water system within certain areas of Buckingham Township.
Ms. Philo asked will this water be produced in
Buckingham or Doylestown?
Mr. John replied the initial connection was to be
in Buckingham Township, but there may be some technical
difficulties, which would lead to the next project on the list.
It is proposed that DTMA be the supplier of water for that
neighborhood.
Ms. Philo asked would this cause a problem for
Doylestown Township residents for future potential projects?
Mr. John replied he would not ask for approval if
there was any possibility that this would be a problem in the
future.
Solicitor Garton asked for the amount of lots
proposed to be served.
Mr. John replied 14.
Mrs. Bingler commented we have a decision from
DEP and, according to Resolution No. 3-2009, that says, “Be it
resolved that the Doylestown Township Municipal Authority hereby
requests an H20 PA Grant of $3,366,000.00, two thirds of the
estimated total project cost of $5,050,000 from the Commonwealth
Financing Authority to be used for the extension of public water
supply main at Pools corner and Furlong area in Doylestown
Township. Be it further resolved that the applicant hereby
designate Richard E. John Executive Director as the official to
execute all documents and agreements between the DTMA and the
Commonwealth Financing Authority.” Based on that information it
doesn’t seem like water is coming from Buckingham. Is that
correct?
Mr. John replied if certain things do not fall
into place, the entire project become mute.
Solicitor Garton asked for a guarantee that we
would only provide water in Buckingham for no more than 20 lots
so the volume is limited to 20 lots.
Mr. John agreed.
Ms. Philo expressed concern about supplying water
to Buckingham when we are not supplying water to some of our
homes here.
Ms. Eisenhardt expressed concern about DTMA
borrowing money to bring public water to Pools Corner and
Furlong. DEP is paying for all of it or we were subsidizing part
of it, otherwise, why do we need to borrow $5 million dollars.
Mr. John indicated that we will set this matter
aside and move on to the next project.
Water Main Extension from Edison Area to Furlong
Area – Source Water
Mr. John explained that Buckingham has technical
difficulties to resolve before providing source water to service
Furlong. The proposal is to extend public water from Edison out
Turk Road down Cherry Road down East Road to Houk to Pools
Corner back down Windover Lane to Rogers Road to Furlong. Under
PA H20 PA grant funding, which is available now, we felt we
could get several million dollars to put our water into that
area where we do not want to drill a well. We applied to H20 PA
and our application is under review right now. It would cost the
Authority $1.685 million dollars plus the H20 money of $3.365
million dollars to get that line from Edison to Furlong area. If
that is done, we would expose a lot of neighborhoods in that
area of the Township to a public water system, but they do not
need to connect.
Solicitor Garton asked for the deadline on this
recommendation.
Mr. John replied the H20 money needs to be a
shovel-ready project.
Ms. Eisenhardt asked isn’t this a lot of money to
spend when we do not know if there is an interest for having
public water.
Mr. John replied we will not spend any money
unless we have the customers. He is asking for approval for the
taking of those grant funds if we get it.
Mrs. Streznewski asked the Board to show maps and
information to those who could be affected by this project.
Ms. Philo commented she would like more
information on this matter.
Ms. Lyons suggested a presentation on costs and
recommendations for this project.
Mr. John explained the cost on that water line,
if it is built with grant money, would be $1,826.00 and a tap-in
fee plus onsite water connection for a total amount of $3,000.
Ms. Philo said the Township needs to pay $1.685
for the project; how does that translate into cost for the
residents of Doylestown Township?
Mr. John replied it will not change the cost for
residents. It is not user money.
Mr. Bennett asked will rates be increased in
order to fund this project?
Mr. John replied no.
The consensus of the Board was to table the
matter until May 5, 2009 to obtain more information.
Ms. Streznewski asked for research to be done on
other communities who had to finance this kind of project.
Mr. Bingler commented in July 2008, the State
Legislature passed legislation that Supervisors can pass an
ordinance to force residents to hookup if they live within 150
feet of a water line. Would this Board force residents to
hookup?
The consensus of the Board was they would not
support that.
Mr. Strawn asked would both developments at the
end of Rogers Road benefit from this water main?
Mr. John replied the original plan for the
shopping center would have public water and sewer at the
developer’s expense.
Cross Keys Ground Water Mitigation by Public
Water
Mr. John explained this area has been identified
as properties that have contamination of TCE and DEP proposed
they would like to mitigate that with a public water system. He
asked for approval to create an Inter-Municipal agreement
between Plumstead, Buckingham, Doylestown Township and DTMA
because there are 42 properties in Doylestown Township that are
within that contaminated area; 33 properties in Buckingham
Township; and 42 in Plumstead.
The area in Doylestown encompasses Old Dublin
Pike, Park Drive, Campbell, Catherine Way and Dorothy out to
Swamp Road; Swamp Road, Easton Road and Old Easton Road in
Buckingham Township; and Sawmill Road, Easton Road, Cross Keys
Drive, and Airport Boulevard in Plumstead Township.
DEP proposed to consider granting $2 million dollars for this
project and their contention is that the commercial properties
should provide some of the funding for it. They need an
inter-municipal agreement between the three
Townships so they can proceed with setting a hearing date to
arrive at a decision for awarding a grant.
Ms. Eisenhardt made a MOTION, seconded by Mr.
Scarborough to grant approval for Mr. John to draft an
Inter-Municipal Agreement between the Township as lead agency,
Buckingham Township and Plumstead Township; subject to final
approval by the Board. Upon execution of that agreement, DEP
will schedule a hearing.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
Scouting Proclamations:
Eagle Scout
Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Ms.
Eisenhardt to approve Proclamations of Timothy William Dischert,
member of Boy Scout Troop 71 to be awarded the rank of Eagle
Scout on May 9, 2009; and Ted Denton, member of Boy Scout Troop
71 to be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout on May 9, 2009.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
Girl Scout Gold Award
Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Ms.
Philo to approve Proclamation of Bridget M. Murphy, member of
Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania to be awarded the Girl Scout
Gold Award.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Ms. Lyons announced that the Board of Supervisors
meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2009 has been canceled.
The Annual Egg Hunt in Central Park will be held on April 8,
2009 at 4:00 p.m. The Doylestown Township Administration Offices
will be closed on Good Friday, April 10, 2009. “No Child Left
Inside” will be held at Central Park on April 11, 2009 from 11
a.m. – 2 p.m. Doylestown Township Board of Supervisors Special
Meeting regarding a police matter will held at the Township
Administration Building, April 14, 2009 at 10 a.m. The
Doylestown Township Annual Golf Outing will be held on June 8,
2009 at the Doylestown County Club.
Ms. Streznewski announced that April is National
Poetry Month and, on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 6: 30 p.m., at
the Michener Museum there will be a reading and awarding of the
Central Bucks High School’s poets’ prizes.
ADJOURNMENT:
9:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephanie Mason, Township Manager
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Authored by Development Solutions