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The Regular Meeting of the
Doylestown Township Board of Supervisors was held at 7:00 p.m.
on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 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:
Cynthia M. Philo and Richard F. Colello. Others in attendance
included Township Manager; Stephanie J. Mason, Director of
Operations; Richard E. John, Township Solicitor; Jeffery P.
Garton, Chief of Police; Stephen J. White and Township Engineer;
Mario Canales
Absent: Supervisor: Barbara
Eisenhardt
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Ms. Lyons announced the
Board met in Execution Session, prior to the meeting, to discuss
matters of litigation and contract.
PRESENTATIONS:
W. Andrew McPherson Brick
Dedication
Vice Chairman and Solicitor
of the Zoning Hearing Board; Mr. William Lahr III and William J.
Bolla presented Chairman; Mr. W. Andrew McPherson with a brick
that will be placed in Triangle Park, commemorating his long
standing services with the Fire Police and Zoning Hearing Board.
Mr. Bolla read a letter from District Attorney; David W.
Heckler, in which he thanked Mr. McPherson for his knowledge,
judgment and leadership. Mr. Lahr then read a letter from ZHB
Secretary; Mr. William Hodgkiss, congratulating Mr. McPherson on
his 25 years of service with the Zoning Hearing Board and 10
years with the Fire Police.
Upon introducing his family,
Mr. McPherson thanked the Zoning Hearing Board and Board of
Supervisors for their recognition.
PECO Green Region- Ted
Dorand
PECO representative; Ted
Dorand and
Diane C. Rosencrance, RLA
of Nature Lands Trust presented the
Board of Supervisors with a Green Region Grant in the amount of
$7,500.00 for the township’s work with open space preservation.
The grant will go towards the trail segment to enhance the
Environmental Activity Center in central park for educational
programs.
On behalf of PECO Energy,
Mr. Dorand congratulated and thanked Mr. McPherson on his
service.
VISITORS / PUBLIC
COMMENTS:
Resident; Mrs. Andrea Marino
of 30 Radcliffe Drive questioned when the Route 202 Parkway road
construction will actually begin. Currently construction has
not begun and pedestrians can walk and bike across Wells Road,
but no vehicular. Ms. Marino voiced her dismay with the detours
that are very cumbersome and inconvenient, the traffic light at
Lower State and New Britain Road causes more traffic due to the
newly installed traffic light preventing drivers from making a
right hand turn, and construction trucks parked behind her home
during the weekend.
Chief White indicated the
Route 202 Parkway project is overseen by PennDot, which
indicated that Wells Road will be closed for 13 months, but
although it’s an inconvenience, the detour is required for the
safety of motoring public. Ms. Philo added a request has been
placed to PennDot to remove the No Right Hand Turn on Red
signage and are currently working on changing the timing of the
traffic light to alleviate traffic. Finally, Chief White
reassured Mrs. Marino that he will personally contact the
foreman of the construction crew to see if equipment can be
stored elsewhere during non-working hours.
ANNOUCEMENTS:
The Board of Supervisors
will NOT hold a meeting on Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The next Board of
Supervisors meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at
7:00 p.m.
Sounds of Summer Concerts
Series continue with The Bronx Wonderers on July 21, 2010 at
7:00 p.m., Central Park and the Christopher Dean Band on July 28
at 7:00 p.m., Chapman Park. Details on
www.doylestownpa.org.
The Pennsylvania State
Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) is conducting a
youth award contest; deadline is September 15, 2010. All
interested parties, such as Key Clubs, CB Cares, and Boy and
Girls Scouts groups should contact the township for an
application or at
http://www.psats.org/programs_awards_youth.html
MINUTES APPROVAL:
Mr. Scarborough made a
MOTION to accept the June 15, 2010, Board of Supervisors meeting
minutes, seconded by Ms. Philo with corrections.
Page 3, under Doylestown Dog
Park Title; Change sentence to read – In May, 2010 the Bucks
County Commissioners gave permission for a dog park, upon
a letter from the Board of Supervisors indicating approval of
Turk Park III as the proposed field for a dog park.
MOTION was ADOPTED 3 to 0,
Ms. Philo abstained.
CORRESPONDENCE:
None
REPORTS:
SOLICITOR: No Report
CHIEF OF POLICE:
No Report
TOWNSHIP ENGINEER: No
Report
TOWNSHIP MANAGER:
Resignation of Ms. Martha
Gasparian
Mr. Scarborough made a
MOTION to accept Ms. Martha Gasparian’s resignation from the
Performing Arts Committee with regrets, seconded by Ms. Philo.
MOTION was ADOPTED 4 to 0.
Mrs. Lyons requested the
Performing Arts Council position be added to the Board and
Commission vacancies and advertised in September of 2010.
Mr. Colello made a MOTION to
nominate Ms. Judy Hendrickson to the UCC Board of Appeals due to
her application being recently accepted, seconded by Ms. Philo.
MOTION was ADOPTED 4 to 0.
SUPERVISORS:
Mr. Scarborough with sadness
announced the passing of Walter Berry, Chairman of the Vacancy
Board and member of the Municipal Authority. He then requested
these vacancies be added to the September advertisement of the
Board and Commissions vacancies.
Mr. Scarborough then
requested Board consider establishing recognition for Mr.
Berry’s years of support and participation with the township, in
the form of possibly a park bench or brick.
Mrs. Colello informed the
public of several pending items to include…
1)
The Ways and Means
Committee is currently working on the township’s proposed 2011
budget. Mr. Colello commended the group of residents who are
working very hard to establish a very difficult budget.
2)
The Environmental Advisory
Council (EAC) is currently reviewing the solar ordinance to
provide their comments.
3)
On July 27, 2010, at 7:00
p.m., in the Doylestown Administrative Offices, the EAC will be
conducting an energy seminar. Mr. Colello encourages any
resident who is interested in attending to please arrive early
for the seminar and often. The seminar will feature home energy
audit, innovative installation technology and solar voltaic and
water technology.
4)
The TAB is also reviewing
many of the information that will be shown on Doylestown
Television (DTV), Channels 22 and 31.
5)
The Planning Commission
submitted the final draft of the Ground Water ordinance to
Township Engineer; Mario Canales to be presented to the Board of
Supervisors by September.
6)
At the last Doylestown Boro
meeting a proposed cell tower will be affect several township
residents along Shady Retreat Road.
7)
The Bike and Hike Committee
recently met with residents regarding Destination Peace Valley
with positive results.
8)
TAB Board is currently
improving broadcasts on Doylestown Television.
9)
Traffic Advisory has been
working on traffic light issues between Lower State and New
Britain Roads by monitoring the detours traffic, with no
speeding to report. The committee is also looking into traffic
issues along Pebble Hill Road and Edison Furlong. A signage
change is in place to address little no room to turn and a one
lane bridge.
Ms. Philo added the Traffic
Advisory Committee is going forward in performing a traffic
calming study along Saurman Road. Currently the committee is
searching for funding to support the project. Ms. Philo then
thanked the police department for their assistance with traffic
control on Steeplechase Road.
Mrs. Lyons informed the
Board of an ongoing management issue with Colonial Heritage Park
community. Colonial Heritage is privately owned by GSP
Management who are not responsive to tenant concerns, such as
oil leaks, bad meters and insufficient electricity. Since the
tenants have no recourse, Mrs. Lyons proposes a meeting with
representatives of GSP Management and their attorney; Peter
Harrison to meet with residents at Colonial Heritage, Township
Police and Code Enforcement, PECO Energy, Department of
Environmental Protection, and Bucks County Health Department in
order to address all concerns. Mrs. Lyons stated this meeting
is necessary due to several attempts by herself, the township
Code Enforcement and Police departments to have GSP Management
acknowledge numerous code and safety violations around the
community.
Colonial Heritage Park
resident; Dave addressed the Board with his experiences by
indicating the rent is raised $25.00 each year with no proof the
increase is being applied to improvements. There have been oil
leaks for over three years and a malfunctioning oil meter was
installed to his unit, which provided incorrect readings. He
confronted the maintenance department, who indicated the meter
was malfunctioning, but the management company continues to bill
customers incorrect oil readings and threatens to evict them if
payment is not made.
Ms. Philo questioned if the
tenants have submitted a class action suit against the
management company. Dave answered that only Consumer Protection
has been notified with no response.
Dave concluded by informing
the Board of the electrical system provided to the community is
obsolete and in serious need of replacement and residences in
need of oxygen are left without electricity for days.
NEW BUSINESS
Request Authorization to
Advertise Proposed Ordinance – Solar Energy
Mr. Garton advised the Board
of a memorandum from the Environmental Advisory Council with
recommendations to the Solar Energy ordinance, which may have
not been reviewed by the Planning Commission. Ms. Mason
indicated the commission is scheduled to review the
recommendations at their next meeting of July 26, 2010.
The Board agreed by
consensus to table advertisement for the Solar Energy Proposed
Ordinance until the next Board of Supervisor meeting on August,
17, 2010.
Mrs. Lyons questioned
Township Planning Consultant; Judy Stern Goldstein of any
ordinance recorded preventing the disposal of prescription
medications into the water systems. Ms. Stern Goldstein
indicated there is no record listed on Zoning, Subdivision Land
Development ordinances or Township’s Code Enforcement.
Mrs. Lyons requested the
Township look into creating an ordinance to prevent the disposal
of prescription medications into the water system to prevent a
health hazard. Mr. Scarborough informed Mrs. Lyons the
Environmental Advisory Council has been working on an ordinance
for Board’s review in the future.
Chief White added the Drug
Enforcement Administration has been searching for funding to
have most communities enact a procedure, due to current actions
being a violation with the Clean Water Act.
Emergency Hook-Up – 83
Buck Road
Mr. Scarborough made a
MOTION to approve an emergency hook-up provided to Mr & Mrs.
Michael Moore of 83 Buck Road, due to the failing septic system,
seconded by Ms. Philo.
MOTION was ADOPTED 4 to 0.
Resolution-Opposition to
Forced Local Government Mergers and Consolidation
Mr. Scarborough made a
MOTION to have Doylestown Township take a strong position and
opposition to the state trying to mandate joining with other
municipalities to become a larger municipality whereby the
County of Bucks or other larger municipality would run the local
government as drafted, seconded by Mr. Colello.
Mr. Scarborough believes
it’s a great idea to function as a local municipality in order
for residences to express themselves.
Mrs. Lyons informed the
public the resolution does not prevent municipalities from
voluntarily merging, however the local municipalities will be
making the decision that is not mandated by the state in order
to make sensible decision in the most efficient and effective
way.
Ms. Philo agreed that local
government is very important, however is not sure what the cost
savings potential could be to the residences, because it’s
making less government. Also Ms. Philo informed the public of a
hearing on Capitol Hill on August 17, 2010 regarding Senate Bill
1357 and House Bill 2431 has been referred to the Local
Government Committee since April, so nothing will be happening
soon, but the township should keep an eye on the progress.
MOTION was ADOPTED 4 to 0.
Zoning Hearing Board –
Special Exception and Variance for 110 Tedwill Road
The Board agreed by
consensus to forward a request for special exception and
variance at 110 Tedwill Road to the Zoning Hearing Board.
BILL’S LIST
Mr. Scarborough made a
MOTION to approve both the June 25, 2010 Bill’s List in the
amount of $800,786.00 and the July 20, 2010 Bill’s List in the
amount of $447,716.51, seconded by Mr. Colello.
MOTION was ADOPTED 4 to 0.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Mr. Scarborough made a
MOTION to approve the July 16, 2010 Treasurer’s Report, seconded
by Mr. Colello.
MOTION was ADOPTED 4 to 0.
ANNOUCEMENTS:
The Board of Supervisors
will NOT hold a meeting on Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The next Board of
Supervisors meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at
7:00 p.m.
Sounds of Summer Concerts
Series continue with The Bronx Wonderers on July 21, 2010 at
7:00 p.m., Central Park and the Christopher Dean Band on July 28
at 7:00 p.m., Chapman Park. Details on
www.doylestownpa.org.
The Pennsylvania Association
of Township Supervisors (PSATS) is conducting a youth award
contest; deadline is September 15, 2010. All interested
parties, such as Key Clubs, CB Cares, and Boy and Girls Scouts
groups should contact the township for an application or
http://www.psats.org/programs_awards_youth.html
ADJOURNMENT:
7:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by;
Stephanie J. Mason,
Secretary
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Authored by Development Solutions