LOWER SALFORD TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES. May 5, 2010

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1 LOWER SALFORD TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES May 5, 2010 Chairman Douglas Gifford called the Lower Salford Township Board of Supervisors meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Supervisors Doug Johnson, Phil Heilman and Jeff Parkhouse. Supervisor Keith Bergman arrived at 7:50 p.m. Also present were Township Manager, J. Delton Plank, Assistant Township Manager, Mary West, Director of Building and Zoning, Robert Reilley, James Garrity, Township Solicitor and Township Engineer, Robin Youmans. Chairman Gifford asked all present to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Discussion Period Joe Sykes, 125 Lori Lane, was recognized. Mr. Sykes urged all residents to vote in the upcoming Primary Election on Tuesday, May 18, Chairman Gifford recognized Art Coddington, 390 Barclay Circle. Mr. Coddington had prepared a letter dated May 5, 2010 about his concern that had been given to the Supervisors for this evening s meeting. Mr. Coddington s concerns were dogs barking and loud music in his neighborhood (Cheswyck). He said he has contacted the Police Department with his concerns, but the problem persists. He asked the Board of Supervisors if it is the responding officer s judgment call to qualify the noise as disturbing the peace. Mr. Coddington suggested the Township consider an excessive noise ordinance. He had presented excerpts in his letter from two other municipalities ordinances concerning noise. Also recognized was Joseph Bauza, 453 School Lane. Mr. Bauza s concern was parking along School Lane. He said that the cars currently parking on the street cause a tight squeeze of daily traffic flow, not to mention the concern for emergency vehicles. He said he has tire marks in his front lawn from cars that have been forced off the pavement to avoid oncoming traffic going around the parked cars. Chairman Gifford said that this concern is currently being evaluated by the Police Department. Chairman Gifford noted that tonight s agenda includes the recognition of Barbara Hewlett. Mrs. Hewlett was present along with a number of friends, work colleagues and Lower Salford Township Police Officers. The Chairman opted to skip to item A under New Business at this time. Adoption of a Proclamation congratulating Barbara Hewlett on her accomplishments with the Project D.A.R.E. Program Chairman Gifford recognized Barb Hewlett for her accomplishments with Project D.A.R.E. He said that she is a 4 th grade teacher who also works with DART, the Just Say No Program as well as the Character Counts! organization. Mr. Gifford then read the text of the Proclamation. A motion was made by Supervisor Douglas Johnson to adopt the Proclamation. Mr. Parkhouse seconded the motion and the Proclamation was adopted by a unanimous vote. Chairman Gifford then presented Mrs. Hewlett with a plaque recognizing her contributions. 1

2 Presentation of a Recycling Performance Grant check by Richard Prescott, Township Representative to the Northern Montgomery County Recycling Commission Recycling Commission member Dick Prescott presented the Performance Grant check to Chairman Douglas Gifford. Mr. Prescott said that the 2007 Grant Funds totaled $454,058. Lower Salford Township is one of eleven municipalities who participate in the Commission. Of these total funds, Lower Salford Township received $35, Population determines the distribution. Minutes April 7, 2010 Regular Meeting and the April 19, 2010 Special Meeting Minutes as Posted Supervisor Johnson made a motion to approve the April 7 Regular Meeting minutes and the April 19 Special Meeting minutes. Supervisor Parkhouse seconded the motion. The motion was then approved by a unanimous vote. Payment of Invoices Supervisor Johnson made a motion to approve payment of the regular monthly bills as presented by the Treasurer. Supervisor Heilman seconded the motion. The motion was then approved by a unanimous vote. Treasurer's Report Supervisor Johnson made a motion to approve the April 2010 Treasurer's Report as posted. Supervisor Parkhouse seconded the motion, and it was approved by a unanimous vote. COMMITTEE REPORTS Police Committee Township Manager Plank said the next Police Committee Meeting would be held May 13, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. Zoning Hearing Board Robert Reilley Director of Building and Zoning reported that there was one application received. Isabelle s Kitchen is requesting several variances related to land development improvements proposed at its Mainland property. The hearing is scheduled for May 13, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. Park Board Mary West reported that Harleysville Insurance has donated $2, for tree plantings at Alderfer Park. She said that the May 25 th meeting has been cancelled and the next regular meeting will be June 22, Fire Marshal Fire Marshal Tony Riccardi had previously submitted a report showing 10 investigations in April. Fire Chief Fire Chief Todd Burns had submitted the April Fire Report. There were 16 calls, with 12 of those calls being in Lower Salford Township. HAEMS Battalion Chief Dan Ireland was present to review the April 2010 Report prepared by Deputy Chief Don Lynch. There were a total of 112 calls, with 73 of those being in Lower Salford Township. There were a total of 198 volunteer hours. Golf Committee Chairman Gifford reported that number of rounds played in March surpassed the goal 2

3 by 430 rounds. He said the NOI surpassed the budget by $20, This good month brought the NOI from the first quarter of 2010 to $13,731 above the budget target. He reported that the outlook for April is good. Comments made at recent public meetings are being evaluated by the Golf Committee and reviewed with the course staff. Leddy s Pub is now serving breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A) Ordinance No An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance by establishing revised dimensional standards for Corporate Office Uses in the Mixed Use Zoning District (Public Hearing and Consideration to Enact) Township Solicitor Jim Garrity opened the hearing. Mr. Garrity said this Ordinance would revise dimensional standards for the Corporate Office use in the Mixed Use District. He said that building height and length would be decreased by this Ordinance as well as adjustments being made for front, rear and side setbacks. Mr. Garrity asked if there were any comments from the audience. David Bowe, 371 Morris Road was recognized. Mr. Bowe asked about the change in height. Mr. Plank stated that the previous maximum height allowed by the Ordinance was 65 feet. The revised Ordinance allows for 35 feet with an option up to 50 feet maximum with an increased front yard setback. Mr. Plank also informed the Board of Supervisors that the Montgomery County Planning Commission had endorsed the revisions in a letter dated April 23, 2010 and the Township Planning Commission had likewise given its endorsement at the April 28, 2010 Regular Meeting. Hearing no additional comments, Solicitor Garrity closed the hearing. Chairman Gifford then made a motion to adopt the Ordinance. Supervisor Johnson seconded the motion and it passed by a unanimous vote. B) Resolution No A Resolution accepting Deeds of Dedication for Harvest Glenn Drive and the Ultimate Rights of Way on the Yoder Road and Maple Avenue frontages of the Harvest Glenn Subdivision Chairman Gifford made a motion to adopt the resolution. Supervisor Johnson seconded the motion and it passed by a unanimous vote. C) Motion Authorizing the execution of a Maintenance Agreement for the Harvest Glenn Subdivision, Yoder Road and Maple Avenue Chairman Gifford made a motion to authorize the execution of the above noted Agreement. Supervisor Johnson seconded the motion and it passed by a unanimous vote. NEW BUSINESS: 3

4 The Board proceeded to New Business, Item B since Item A, the Barbara Hewlett recognition had been duly noted earlier in the meeting. B) Adoption of a Proclamation designating May 26 through May 29, 2010 as the 43 rd Annual Harleysville Country Fair Days Chairman Gifford read the proclamation and invited all members of the community to support this event. He then made a motion to issue the Proclamation, which was seconded by Supervisor Johnson. The Board adopted the Proclamation by a unanimous vote. Highlights of the event include Fireworks on Friday evening, a Saturday morning parade and Saturday afternoon matinee hours when there is one fee for all rides. C) Resolution No A Resolution Approving the Amended Articles of Agreement for the Montgomery County Consortium of Communities Township Manager Plank said the revisions include the ability for any Montgomery County municipality to join. Previously a municipality needed to be contiguous to a member municipality. Officer descriptions have been revised as well as some procedures clarified for bringing business before the Consortium. Chairman Gifford then made a motion to adopt the resolution. Supervisor Johnson seconded the motion and it passed by a unanimous vote. A) Motion Authorizing the execution of Cooperation and Indemnification Agreements between ALMAC and Lower Salford Township as part of the Administration of the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program Grant Program of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Chairman Gifford explained that although Lower Salford Township Authority is the local Administrator of Grant Funds for the ALMAC project, a state official noted that the guarantor of any funded expenses would need to be the taxing authority, which is Lower Salford Township. The companion Agreement states that ALMAC will indemnify the Township and reimburse for any funded expenses deemed improper. Chairman Gifford then made a motion to authorize the execution of the Agreements. Supervisor Johnson seconded the motion and it passed by a unanimous vote. Correspondence: Township Manager Plank reported that three pieces of correspondence were received. One was a letter from the US Census Bureau reemphasizing the importance of an accurate 2010 Census count. The second was a Thank You note from Harleysville Boy Scout Troop 91 for the campsite use at Camp Wawa Park. The third was a letter from Art Coddington, 390 Barclay Circle, dated May 5, Mr. Coddington had spoken earlier in the meeting at the first Public Discussion. In his letter, he suggests the Township consider an ordinance against disruptive noise in the community. 4

5 Discussion Period Chairman Gifford recognized Charles Crabb, 327 Stormfield Drive. Mr. Crabb asked about the proposed Oak Drive extension project. He was told that the Township is having the engineering work done and is in the process of obtaining the last right of way parcel along Sumneytown Pike (Main Street). Preliminary design of the Oak Drive/Sumneytown Pike intersection is also being studied as part of the engineering work. Motion for Adjournment There being no further business, James Garrity, Esquire, Township Solicitor, moved to adjourn the meeting and it was so ordered at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, J. Delton Plank Secretary 5