WARWICK TOWNSHIP Board of Supervisors Public Meeting Minutes March 16, John W. Cox, Vice Chairman Edward P. Thompson, Member

Transcription

1 2015 Warwick Township Board of Supervisors Public Meeting Minutes 17 WARWICK TOWNSHIP Board of Supervisors Public Meeting Minutes Members Present: Others Present: Judith A. Algeo, Esq., Chair John W. Cox, Vice Chairman Edward P. Thompson, Member Gail V. Weniger, Township Manager Mary Eberle, Township Solicitor Bryan McAdam, P.E., Township Engineer Catherine Topley, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER: The Warwick Township Board of Supervisors public meeting, held at Warwick Township Administration Office, 1733 Township Greene, Jamison, PA., was called to order at 7:00 p.m., by Judith A. Algeo, Chair, who then led attendees in the pledge of allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Monday February 16, 2015 Board of Supervisor Meeting Minutes Motion by Mr. Cox to approve the February 16, 2015 Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes as submitted. Chair Algeo, invited comment or discussion. There being none, the vote was Motion passed with Chair Algeo abstaining as she was not present for the February 16, 2015 meeting. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board of Supervisors met in executive session prior to this evenings meeting to discuss matters of litigation and personnel. ANNOUNCEMENTS: CITIZEN COMMENT: MANAGER S REPORT: Resolution Support no transfer tax on open space purchase Ms. Weniger stated that this is a resolution authorizing the support of legislative action to exclude the imposition of a real estate transfer tax on the municipal purchase of conversation easements and that by approving this Resolution is states that Warwick Township fully supports the amendment of the Act of March 4, 1971 (P.L. 6, No. 2) to exclude the transfer of a conservation easement to a political subdivision from being subject to a real estate transfer tax assessment.

2 2015 Warwick Township Board of Supervisors Public Meeting Minutes 18 Motion by Mr. Cox to approve Resolution supporting no transfer tax on open space purchases Page 2of 7 Chair Algeo, invited comment or discussion. There being none, the vote was Motion passed U.C. Trust (PSATS) Ordinance For Adoption Ms. Weniger explained that this is an Ordinance authorizing the participation of Warwick Township in the PSATS Unemployment Compensation Group Trust pursuant to the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental cooperation law. PSATS started the Unemployment Compensation Group Trust in 1981 for members of PSATs who are Second Class Townships. Warwick joined in 1994 for the purpose of lower rates vs. the state UC Trust. From Time to time the PSATS trust amends its bylaws and asks for re-adoption of the members who participate. The adoption of this ordinance keeps Warwick Township participating in the UC trust. While both have minimum rates of 1%, and both issue annual rates based on prior three year experience, the state charges everyone a state surcharge, which PSATS doesn t, and PSATS rewards good experience with dividends. Our 2015 rate is 4% (we had three claims in the last three years). I went onto the Pa Dept. of Labor and Industry site, and I figured a rate for a new nonconstruction business with no history would be %; so we do have a lower rate than with the state. We also received a dividend last year of $1,672. Chair Algeo opened the public hearing for comments. There were no comments or questions. Hearing was closed. Motion by Mr. Cox to approve Ordinance , U.C Trust (PSATS) for adoption Chair Algeo, invited comment or discussion. There being none, the vote was Motion passed Bill Payments 3/2/15 and 3/16/15 Ms. Weniger requested approval to pay the bills for March 2, 2015 totaling $146, and for totaling $154, as listed in the Bill Payment register, subject to audit. Motion by Mr. Cox to approve the March 2, 2015 and Bill Payments, subject to audit.

3 2015 Warwick Township Board of Supervisors Public Meeting Minutes 19 Page 3 of 7 SOLICITOR S REPORT: Solicitation Ordinance Authorization to Adopt Ms. Eberle stated that the Board authorized advertisement of this ordinance at the last meeting. The changes that need to be made are due to new caselaw which holds that religious groups and charitable groups do not need to obtain a permit to go door to door. Businesses will still need to obtain a permit and will be given a Twp. ID badge to wear at all times while going door to door. Solicitors may not approach houses with No Solicitation signs posted in a conspicuous location. Chair Algeo opened the public hearing. A resident stated that during the last two snow storms, a man came to his house after 8pm trying to sell him windows with no identification. What can he do about this? Ms. Eberle explained that he can put a sign in his window stating no solicitation, in which case he would then be in violation of the ordinance. Ms. Weniger suggested if it happens again to ask for the gentleman s card to call him back at a later time and give it to the township so we can follow up for enforcement. With no other comments, Chair Algeo closed the hearing. Motion by Mr. Cox to approve the Solicitation Ordinance ORD for Adoption. Zoning Ordinance Amendment Ordinance Authorization to Adopt Ms. Eberle stated that as a result of the adoption of the new stand-alone floodplain ordinance, it is necessary to remove floodplain regulations from the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. Those ordinances were drafted and the Board of Supervisors, at the February 16, 2015 meeting, authorized advertisement of both ordinance. Mrs. Eberle further stated that both ordinances were advertised for a public hearing and consideration of adoption. Chair Algeo opened the public hearing on both ordinances. There were no comments, hearing was the closed.

4 2015 Warwick Township Board of Supervisors Public Meeting Minutes 20 Motion by Mr. Cox to approve the Zoning Amendment Ordinance and the SALDO Amendment Ordinance for adoption Page 4 of 7 Bank Loan Award and Ordinance for adoption Ms. Weniger stated that the Financial Advisory Committee met on 2/19/15 and voted to recommend accepting a loan bid from TD Bank for the refinancing of our bond. The rate is 2.07% and has a 10 year term. PFM presented the results of their RFP for bank loan rates as follows: Bank Rate All-In Borrowing Bank Fixed Rate TD Bank BB&T Callable on 5/15/20 on pmt date at par OR any pmt date at 101% of par PNC Bank Indicative rate; Subject to adjustment for credit rating change; default rate provision; make whole call Capital One Callable at year 9 1st Nat. Bank & Trust of Newtown First Savings Bank of Perkasie Fulton Bank National Penn Bank Must remain primary depository Fox Chase Bank Indicative rate Bryn Mawr Trust Company Deposit relationship; rates good until 4/5/15; max of 4.75% Bryn Mawr Trust Company Rates good through 4/5/15; Max of 4.75% The anticipated savings on the refinancing is $447, (savings of 9.06% of refunded principal) Ms. Eberle then explained that because we are awarding to TD Bank they are not requiring the Township to hire a bond lawyer, but we do have to go through the DCED approval process under the Local Government Unit Debt Act. Ms. Eberle notes that this ordinance reflects that you are paying electoral and non-electoral debt, includes the payment schedule for both types of debt, and allows you to sign the note at a 2.07% interest rate. Ms. Algeo opened the hearing for public comment. No comment was offered and hearing was then closed. Motion by Mr. Cox to approve the Bank Loan Award and Ordinance for adoption

5 2015 Warwick Township Board of Supervisors Public Meeting Minutes 21 UCC Ordinance Amendment Authorization to advertise Ms. Eberle explained that Toll Brothers, since taking over the Heritage Creek Community, complained about the requirement for the thickness of particleboard in our UCC adoption ordinance (referring to Chapter 62 of the Warwick Township Code of Ord.). Toll appealed the requirement to the Township UCC Appeals Board and argued that the type of particleboard required in our code was no longer available. The UCC Page 5 of 7 Appeals Board agreed and recommended that our ordinance be amended to remove this section. Mr. Seckinger, Assistant Manager & Zoning Officer and Mr. Imperial, the township Building Inspector have reviewed the rest of the code and feel this is the only item that needed to be deleted. Motion by Mr. Cox to approve the UCC Ordinance Amendment for Advertisement ENGINEER S REPORT: LD Warwick Business Campus Authorization to create a punch list Mr. McAdam stated that CKS is requesting the Boards approval to create a punch list for the Warwick Business Campus and two specific lots within the campus. Motion by Mr. Cox to authorize creation of a punch list for Warwick Business Campus LD Warwick Village Commons Escrow Release #2 Mr. McAdam stated that he is asking the Board for escrow release #2 in the amount of $129, Mr. Tom Verrichia, stated that he has an issue with the timing of this escrow release, as he states that it was given to CKS on February 20 th and they did not receive anything from CKS until the 13 th of March which did not give them time to respond and now they will have to wait another month for the rest of the escrow release request which will put him 60 days behind with the contractor. Mr. McAdam stated that as he had told Erika Gleason, Mr. Verrichia s employee, he would look into it. He is not sure why they did not receive it until the 13 th. Ms.

6 2015 Warwick Township Board of Supervisors Public Meeting Minutes 22 Weniger call to the attention of the Board that the escrow release request, while sent on February 20, gave specific instruction for the inspector to wait until February 27 th to inspect the work for completion.. Ms. Algeo the stated that Mr. Verrichia asked that the work not be inspected until February 27 th, then it snowed like crazy and CKS was not out until the 5 th, is this what the problem is? Mr. Verrichia stated he is still waiting to find out. Ms. Weniger asked Mr. Verrichia what he was actually asking for, is he asking that the Board approve escrow releases between meetings since there is only one per month? Page 6 of 7 Mr. Cox also commented that if he asked that CKS not go out until February 27 th and there are only 28 days in February and CKS was done by March 5 th, that seems pretty quick. Mr. Verrichia stated that he does not want to have to wait till next month for the remaining amount of the escrow release. He stated that Erika Gleason (his employee) was out on vacation as was someone at CKS. Ms. Algeo stated that she is willing give the Engineer and Manager the ability to approve the remainder of only this escrow release after CKS verifies all of the work has been done. Motion by Mr. Cox to approve the escrow release #2 in the amount of $129, and the balance (a one time release before the next meeting) once CKS has approved the work has been completed. Road Program 2015 Authorization to Advertise Bid Mr. McAdam stated that the Bid documents are complete proposing work on (Middle) Meeting House Road, Stout Dr. #1756 to #1956 and an add-alternate of Turkey Trot (Lower Mtg. House to Stoney Road) as discussed in January. Mr. Thompson feels that we should hold off on (Middle) Meetinghouse Road until the Wawa work is done. Mr. Cuoci explained the options and timing of the options. As conversation ensued it was realized that with the PennDOT closure of the intersection of Almshouse and York this summer that it would be better to do base repairs to (Middle) Meetinghouse Road as anything else may create more traffic problems. Mr. Cuoci recommends that if the Board of Supervisors is inclined to remove Meetinghouse road for this year, we replace it with the rest of Stout drive, which is 30+ years since construction. Discussion among the Board members supported this recommendation.

7 2015 Warwick Township Board of Supervisors Public Meeting Minutes 23 Ms. Weniger asked if the Board could make a motion to authorize the bid to be changed by CKS to substitute Meetinghouse Road with Stout drive work as discusses, so that the Bid could be advertised without having to wait until the next meeting. Ms. Weniger also thanked Mr. Cuoci for all of his hard work this winter. Motion by Mr. Cox to approve authorization of the Road Program Bid with the changes of (Middle) Meeting House being removed from the bid and the remainder of Stout Drive being added.. Page 7of 7 The Board recognized and thanked Public Works for all of its hard work keeping the roads in great condition this winter. OLD BUSINESS: Traffic Issues/Stony Road Analysis Report by Chief Goldberg Chief Goldberg stated that at the last meeting Ms. Cohen was here to talk about the traffic on Stoney Road between Meyer Way and Turkey Trot. We are receiving this calls a lot more through out the Township with the PennDOT construction. They can monitor to see how bad a problem is on a certain road. He did a study and feels that there is not an actual speeding problem. He feels that the data collected does not support putting in a stop sign on Mayfield and there are other PennDOT regulations that would have to be met as well. He is going to put more cars, marked and unmarked to watch and give tickets and warnings. At the last meeting Mr. Thompson mentioned looking into the possibility of a flashing speed sign like the ones found in Doylestown. Chief Goldberg looked into this further and has found that they are a lot more reasonably priced then they used to be and he can gets ones that clamp right onto the speed sign and once set with a certain speed threshold they will flash and tell the oncoming car their speed. Chief Goldberg also spoke with Chief Logan with Doylestown Police Dept., and he supports the use of the digital signs. Chief Goldberg recommends the purchase of two (2) of the units for just under $10,000. Chief Goldberg disclosed that the units run on battery packs which will require replacement annually. Motion by Mr. Cox to approve the purchase of two radar sign boards as presented.

8 2015 Warwick Township Board of Supervisors Public Meeting Minutes 24 NEW BUSINESS: PUBLIC COMMENT: ADJOURNMENT: The Warwick Township Board of Supervisors public meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, These minutes were approved at the Board of Supervisors meeting held: Gail V. Weniger Township Manager