Board of Supervisors

Minutes from

The Regular Meeting of the Doylestown Township Board of Supervisors was held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at the Doylestown Township Municipal Building, 425 Wells Road, Doylestown, PA.   Members of the Board of Supervisors in attendance included Chairman: Barbara N. Lyons, Vice Chairman: E. Thomas Scarborough, Jr., Supervisors: Barbara Eisenhardt, Cynthia Philo and Jeffrey Bennett.  Others in attendance included Township Engineer: Mario Canales, Township Solicitor; Jeffery P. Garton; Director of Operations:  Richard E. John; Township Manager: Stephanie J. Mason

Absent:  Chief of Police: Stephen J. White; in his absence Lt. Dean Logan. 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

The Board met in Executive Session to discuss matters of personnel and litigation. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS: 

Central Bucks High School West student; Tristan Kowalski addressed the Board to request their consideration and input for his proposed project idea for the Township’s Christmas tree recycling program in regards to his senior project.  Tristan’s plan is to coordinate with volunteers to pick up Christmas trees and bring them to the township recycling center.  Tristan also spoke with a local garden center, landscape and tree companies, which were interested in assisting with the collection of the trees.  This plan will enhance the drop off center and raise the amount of recycled trees, so the township can become greener. 

Mr. David Shafkowitz, Esq. for the Grasso Property and Mr. Joe O’Malley informed the Board that several residents along Rodgers Road are in continuous discussions to provide their input and opinions for traffic calming solution.  Within a week to ten days these residents will address the Board to provide a joint proposal for their consideration. 

Resident; Mrs. Mary Lou Streznewski asked the Board if her email regarding a company which provides traffic calming equipment was received.  Ms. Mason stated she was in receipt of the email and forwarded to the Police Chief and Township Traffic Engineer.  Ms. Mason further informed Ms. Streznewski, Police Chief White contacted the company via email to receive additional information. 

PRESENTATION:

Ms. Judy Stern Goldstein along with the Parks and Recreation Department and Committee developed a revised, Master Plan for Central Park for the Board’s approval. Since the acquirement of Central Park in 1991, the park has rapidly grown and is in need of re-development in order to utilize the park to its full potential.  Upon a feasibility and site analysis, the Parks and Recreation Committee created a new design of the park, with features such as;

1)      Environmental Education Grove expansion with additional trails plantings and group learning and educational trails.

2)      Delaware Valley College Lease area will retain its lease to be used for growing crops.  The master plan includes additional parking, athletic fields, trails, pavilion and a golf link along the same area.

3)      Joint use Playing Fields will include construction of two multi-use intercollegiate level turf playing fields between Doylestown Township and Delaware Valley College. 

4)      Kid’s Castle will be replaced and maintained with a new play area and additional restrooms adjacent to fitness station.

5)      Amphitheater will be redesigned to accommodate 200 to 250 seating, changing rooms, restrooms and concession stands generating revenues for renting opportunities.

6)      Game Grove will provide quiet outdoor recreations in the shade to play table games, reading and conversation areas.

7)      Proposed Trails will be paved and in compliance with ADA standards.  Mutt mitt stations, bicycle racks, water fountains, waste facilities and benches will be added along the trails.

8)      Route 202 Trail Connections will be constructed by Penn Dot with multi-use trails and trailhead.

9)      Life Trails are proposed to be used by older adults with limited mobility to exercise around the park. 

10)  New Britain Parking Area will add 124 parking spaces adjacent to the multi-purpose sports field.

Ms. Philo made a motion to approve the Master Plan for the reconstruction of Central Park “as is”, seconded by Mr. Bennett. 

Ms. Philo asked once the master plan is adopted can changes be made.  Ms. Stern Goldstein answered by stating any items on the plan can be implemented or amended. Mr. Scarborough asked once funding is offered will plans be presented to the Board for a final approval at a later date.  Ms. Stern Goldstein stated any and all plans for improvement will be presented to the Board several times prior to final approval.  It was the concern of the Board that no improvement would be made without the appropriate funding in hand.

MOTION was ADOPTED 5 to 0. 

Resident; Mr. John Everett asked if a dog park will be included in the master plan of Central Park.  Ms. Brown of the Park and Recreation Board stated the dog park may be included in Turk Park 3, located on Almshouse Road. 

ANNOUCEMENTS:

The next Board of Supervisors meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 7:00pm.

The Doylestown Township Administrative Offices will be closed on Thursday, November 26, 2009 and Friday, November 27, 2009 for the Thanksgiving holiday.  

MINUTES APPROVAL:

Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION to approve the October 22, 2009 Budget Work Session minutes, seconded by Ms. Philo with the following correction. 

*Add a note that Mr. Bennett was absent at the meeting.

MOTION was ADOPTED 4-0-1, with Mr. Bennett abstaining due to his absence at the meeting.

Mrs. Scarborough made a MOTION to approve the October 27, 2009 Budget Work Session minutes, seconded by Mr. Bennett.

MOTION was ADOPTED 3-0-2, with Ms. Philo and Mrs. Eisenhardt abstaining due to their absence at the meeting. 

The Board agreed to table the approval of minutes of the November 4, 2009 Budget Work Session minutes until the next Board of Supervisors meeting on December 1, 2009.

Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION to approve the minutes of the November 10, 2009 Budge Work Session, seconded by Ms. Philo with the following corrections.

*Page 2 – Paragraph 3; change to Mr. Wightman will check into the cost of living percentage for Ms. Philo. 

MOTION was ADOPTED 4-0-1, with Mrs. Eisenhardt abstaining due to her absence at the meeting.

Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION to approve the minutes of the October 20, 2009 Board of Supervisors meeting, seconded by Ms. Philo with the following corrections. 

*Page 2 – Paragraph 1; change to due to Mrs. Lyons and Mr. Scarborough only attending the October 6, 2009 Road Inspection, the minutes will be approved for informational purposes only. 

*Page 8 –Paragraph 2; change to Mr. Bennett stating the commercial properties located in Plumstead and Buckingham Townships will pay the access costs. 

MOTION was ADOPTED 5 to 0. 

TOWNSHIP SOLICITOR:    No Report

POLICE CHIEF:                    No Report

TOWNSHIP ENGINEER:     No Report

TOWNSHIP MANAGER:     No Report

SUPERVISORS:

Ms. Philo

Ms. Philo indicated that the Traffic Committee met and reviewed the traffic survey results received by residents of Sauerman Road.  The committee will visit the site and meet to discuss the next step towards traffic calming measures. 

Ms. Philo and Mrs. Lyons presented awards to high school music bands at Central Bucks South, Battle of the Bands.  She was amazed and impressed to participle in this event. 

Ms. Philo attended a meeting for the Pennsylvania State Association Township of Supervisors with populations over ten thousand to discuss reduce funding and budget cuts issues affecting governments and what can be done within the next year.  

Mrs. Eisenhardt

As per a letter received by State Senator, Chuck McIlhinney regarding changes in deer hunting laws. Ms. Eisenhardt requested that deer hunting posting be increased along Central Park and the Board of Supervisors receive notice so they may announce deer hunting activities at public meetings. 

Mrs. Lyons

Ms. Lyons received a called from Executive Director of Bucks County Council on Drug and Alcohol; Beverly Haverly.  Ms. Haverly proposed combining Pumkinfest and Oktoberfest with the organization CB Cares to be held at Fonthill.  Mrs. Lyons offered to provide contact information to Parks and Recreation’s Director, Karen Sweeney so they may collaborate on uniting these events.

Mrs. Lyons, Mr. Scarborough, Ms. Mason and Ms. Zadell attended the WREN Judging at Delaware Valley College.  There, they viewed six presentations from college students proposing rain gardens on campus.  Mrs. Lyons and Mr. Scarborough assisted in judging the presentations and a decision will be made in a few weeks. 

PUBLIC HEARING:

Wind Energy Ordinance

Ms. Stern Goldstein informed the Board that the Bucks County Planning Commission has reviewed the October 7, 2009 Wind Energy Ordinance as per the request of Mr. Garton on October 28, 2009.  The Bucks County Planning Commission requests the subsection H14(b), which indicates “unless the “house” located on the parcel is located closer to the front yard and street line at which time the wind energy system shall be no closer than the front yard building setback of the “existing residence” be amended with advertisement to add nonresidential properties as noted on the November 2, 2009 memo to the Township Manager. 

The original amendment to the Wind Energy system ordinance raises concerns that setbacks only pertain to residential properties.  With the new amendment, it will give the same opportunities to non residential properties to be held to the 300 foot setback from a street line.  

Ms. Philo made a MOTION to amend the Wind Energy System Ordinance to extend the same setback option as stated in subsection H14(b) to non residential properties and re-authorize advertisement, seconded by Mrs. Eisenhardt.

Ms. Stern Goldstein noted other recommendations from the Bucks County Planning Commission such as noise level, wind energy system terminology, submission requirements and editorial comments.

MOTION was ADOPTED 5 to 0.

NEW BUSINESS:

Budget Presentation

Township Finance Officer; Mr. Bill Wightman presented the Board with the 2009 revised Township Budget and the 2010 Preliminary Budget.  The 2009 Budget will end the year with a $45,000.00 operating surplus, $9.1million in revenues, $969,000.00 in capital expenditures and $3 million in fund balance.  The 2010 budget will have $54,000.00 operating surplus, $8.8 million in revenues, $1.5 million in capital expenditures; $410,000.00 will be financed with bank loans and $2 million in fund balance.  Between both the two years a surplus in the amount of $1 million will be utilized in reserves to balance both budgets.

Mr. Wightman noted other items included in the 2010 Township Budget are;

1.      Training costs for police is $29,000.00.  Non uniforms training cost $18,000.00

2.      Health Insurance rebate of $335,000.00. Workers Compensation rebate of $57,000.00

3.      Penn Dot sales of land for $174,500.00

4.      $78,000.00 is built in for Debt Services from the finance with bank loans

Mr. Scarborough requested clarification on Debt Service.  Mr. Wightman explained the Debt Service Fund was originally for bond debt of the township.  Two years ago the township refinanced the bond debt with a loan the process resulted in less debt service funded by tax dollars.  Funds earned are only allowed to be for debt service payments.

Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION to post the 2009 /2010 budget for 20 days for public view, seconded by Mr. Bennett.

Mrs. Eisenhardt commented that agreeing to post the budget does not mean that the budget is approved.

MOTION was ADOPTED 5 to 0.

Authorization to Advertise Ordinance Amendment – Police Pension Act 51, Killed in Service

Mr. Garton requested the Board approve the preparation of an amendment to the Police Pension Act 51, which indicate “police pension plans will no longer be obligated to fund for the killed is service benefit nor have the need to purchase killed in service insurance”.

Ms. Philo made a MOTION to approve a draft amendment to Police Pension Act 51, seconded by Mr. Scarborough. 

MOTION was ADOPTED 5 to 0.

Snow Removal Bids

Mrs. Eisenhardt made a MOTION to approve snow removal bids from Visual Technology Service, Inc., Puppy Dog Landscape Corporation and Hartman Landscape Nursery, Inc. upon providing certificate of insurance, seconded by Ms. Philo. 

MOTION was ADOPTED 5 to 0.

Eagle Scout Proclamation

Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION to approve the proclamation for Boy Scout Troop 6 members Adam Robert Hinde and James Robert Brunetto be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout on December 5, 2009, seconded by Mrs. Eisenhardt. 

MOTION was ADOPTED 5 to 0.

Zoning Hearing Board Application

The Board agreed to forward Dr. Helen Eves’ of 150 Pine Run Road request for a variance to the Zoning Hearing Board. 

MOTION CARRIED 5 to 0.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION to approve the Treasurer’s Report of November 17, 2009, seconded by Mr. Bennett. 

MOTION was ADOPTED 5 to 0.

BILL’S LIST:

Mr. Scarborough made a MOTION to approve the Bill’s List of November 17, 2009, in the amount of $111,677.19.

MOTION was ADOPTED 5 to 0.

ANNOUCEMENTS:

The next Board of Supervisors meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 7:00pm.

The Doylestown Township Administrative Offices will be closed on Thursday, November 26, 2009 and Friday, November 27, 2009 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

ADJOURNMENT:     7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by,

Stephanie J. Mason, Secretary