FORKS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Northampton County, Pennsylvania WORK SESSION September 7, 2017

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1 FORKS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Northampton County, Pennsylvania WORK SESSION September, 0 MEETING GENERALITIES: The Forks Township met in a work session at the Municipal Building, 0 Sullivan Trail, Easton, Pennsylvania on this date with the Pledge of Allegiance. Board Members present were: John O Neil, Chairman Erik Chuss, Vice Chairman Ed Moore, Supervisor Others present were: John V. Cornell, Township Manager Steve Kramer, Public Works Director Barb Bartek, Human Resource Manager Rachel Sulzbach, Parks & Recreation Director Wendy Nicolosi, Solicitor Sean Policelli, Township Engineer Greg Dorney, Police Chief Tim Weis, Building & Zoning Official Absent Were: Robert Egolf, Secretary /Treasurer Dan Martyak, Supervisor James Farley, Finance Director Bill Carver, Asst. Fire Chief Public Comments: Chairman O Neil called for Public Comments, there were none. Supervisor Comments: Comments from the were as follows: Chairman John O Neil commented on behalf of the Board he wanted to publicly thank Public Works Director, Steve Kramer and the members of his staff for going above and beyond their call of duty. There were some issues with the trash and the hauler the members of the Public Works team were out in the township collecting recyclables. Vice Chairman, Erik Chuss, thanked the Fire Department for being present at the Movies at the Airport event. They were called last minute and came just in case there was any traffic that needed to be directed or if any issues arose. Also, Erik Chuss, mentioned there is a Wings and Wheels event this weekend. There is a fly in, a Band (Johnny s Juke Box), Antique Cars, and vendors. am-pm with breakfast and lunch being served.

2 DISCUSSION ITEMS. Forks Area Arts Society Lease Renewal Discussion At the end of September, the -year cottage lease is due to expire. The Arts Society desires to renew. Vice Chairman, Erik Chuss, recused himself from this discussion. Township manager, John Cornell leaded off: Purpose of this Discussion: To Determine whether if there are any changes that need to be made to the lease. Primary Topics a. Discuss the renewal of the lease/should we renew the lease/what term should we renew? i. Possibly a -year renewal b. Grounds Maint/Grass Cutting/Leaf Removal/Snow Plowing i. Currently Forks Township plows the snow. The grass cutting and leaf removal currently performed by the Society. It was requested by the Arts Society that they maintain within 0 feet of the building and the Township would take on the grass cutting and the leaf removal. Rachel Sulzbach, Parks & Recreation Director and John Cornell, Township Manager discussed cost in preparation for this discussion. In 0, it costs about $00 per year or $00 per month to mow and maintain, this includes leaf removal in the fall. John O Neil noted the current lease for the cottage for $. Forks Township would have to pick up the $00 per year to maintain the grounds. Ed Moore stated that other facilities that are rented to other organizations are rented on a fee basis. Secretary of the Forks Area Arts Society, Edie DiProfio presented during this discussion. Edie stated if the determination to renew the lease is based upon them taking on the Grounds Maintenance, it would need to be discussed with the Forks Area Arts Society Board. They would like to maintain the 0 feet around the cottage as well as the interior maintenance of the cottage itself. John O Neil asked Edie DiProfio to speak with the Forks Area Arts Society board and come back with a counter proposal for the Board Meeting on September, 0.. Cat Control Funding Discussion Approximately years ago the Township set a budget subsidy limit of $,000 for cat control. $ remains in the 0 budget. There has been a dramatic increase of the cat population, especially in the park. Entities that help Control the population of the Cats: A Resident of the Township A Non-Profit Regional Facility known as NNN where residents can bring the cat in to be spayed/neutered and get the necessary shots. John Cornell, Township manager stated there has been consideration on whether or not to increase the $,000 budget. Currently there is $ remaining in the 0 budget. Erik Chuss, stated we should open this up to others in the township as well. He also states we should post this on the Forks Township website in the case that a resident loses their cat. It was agreed to revisit this issue during the budget process. 0

3 Self-Curative Amendment- Use B0 Apartments Draft Ordinance Discussion In May, Resolution established a 0-day self-curative amendment to address a deficiency regard use B0 Apartment Use. Solicitor, Wendy Nicolosi stated there are two locations recommended by the planning commission. Wendy requested to make one modification to the map. She requested the small jog in Newlins Road will be included so there is no bisecting of property. Section 00-A. EC - Employment Center/Apartment District will be added: The provisions of the EC- District shall be identical to the provisions of the EC District, except for the following provisions: A: Use Regulations. In addition to the uses listed as permitted by right in the EC District in 00-, the following shall also be permitted right in the EC- District. - B-0 Apartment B: Performance Regulations. The requirements for the EC District shall apply within the EC- District except that only the following shall apply to a B-0 use: Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio per site =.0 Wendy Nicolosi Proposed minor changes to the language on the ordinance: -. Restrict the Density to Units Per Acre -. Stories, Height of Feet She also suggested to make sure all the set backs are consistently Feet. This being Minimum Yards: Front/Each Side/Rear: //. Wendy would requested authorization to advertise so she can send this to Lehigh Valley Planning Commission to be acted upon on October, 0. Supervisor Ed Moore, made a motion to approve Wendy Nicolosi to advertise this amendment to restrict the density to units per acre and also to amend stories, height of ft, to be acted upon for the October, 0. Seconded by Vice Chairman, Erik Chuss. Discussion ensued on whether or not stories or ½ stories was favorable proceeded in terms of Section of the curative amendment. In Section of the curative amendment, it states: Maximum building height: A maximum of ½ Stories or a maximum height of feet, whichever is more restrictive. Following discussion Wendy Nicolosi, Solicitor, recommended keeping to ½ stories, maximum of feet. Wendy again requested authorization to advertise, with one change to add the density requirement, no more than units per acre. Supervisor Ed Moore, rescinds his motion made to motion to approve Wendy Nicolosi to advertise stories, height of feet. Vice Chairman, Erik Chuss, also rescinds his motion. Supervisor Ed Moore, made a motion to Authorize Wendy Nicolosi to advertise the amendment as it s written and to add the density requirement restricting the density to units per acre, along with the //. Seconded by Vice Chairman, Erik Chuss. Being no public comment the motion carried vote - 0.

4 Riverview West Phase IV Final Land Development Informal Overview Riverview West Phase IV received preliminary approval in 00. The plan received a recommendation of final approval from the Township Planning this year. Building and Zoning Official, Tim Weis, outlined the plan to the board. The project proposes the development of Phase of the Riverview Estates West Subdivision. Phase consists of the construction of single-family lots. Infrastructure and utility improvements associated with the phase will be constructed along Newlins Road East, and the newly constructed Falk Street and extensions of Rinaldi Lane and Lenape Way. This has already had preliminary approval; no changes made. No formal action was taken.. PennDot Winter Maintenance Agreement Amendment John Cornell, Township Manager begins discussion. The Township has been under a -year winter maintenance agreement with PennDot since 0, a proposed amendment will add a portion of Richmond and Zucksville Road. For additional compensation to the Township in the amount of $,.00 per year. There is a Proposed Resolution Agreement No formal action was taken.. MS- Pollution Reduction Plan (PRP) Discussion On August, 0, the state mandated Pollution Reduction Plan was formally presented. The Plan is currently in the public comment period. No Public Comments were received so the application and payment will be made to PA Commonwealth. No formal action taken.. Department Heads Round table The department heads will provide updates on various projects with in their respective departments. Solicitor, Wendy Nicolosi: o Needs a signature for a conditional use decision Township Manager, John Cornell: o Preparing to receive grant money, spent just under $0,000. John contacted county for StreetScape Grant. o For Signature, John has the revised police contract, which was retyped after arbitration. o Garbage Cans were changed over as of September, 0. Human Resources Manager, Barb Bartek: None Finance Manager, James Farley: None Vice Chairman, Erik Chuss: o Northampton County Convention, Erik questioned attending the NACTO. Must register by the September th at the Green Pond Country Club. The meeting is October th. Public Works Department, Steve Kramer: None Building & Zoning, Tim Weis: o Bakerly Bakery passed should be having some baked products soon. o EcoPacks is planning an expansion. o Tim beginning fall training required training for inspections. o George Calontoney began on Forks Village, apartments were approved. $,000 permit for building. There will be others.

5 0 0 Supervisor, Ed Moore o Spoke about the train trestle on Frutchey Hill Road. He received an in regards to the safety or if there were plans to turn it into a walkway. Steve comments the trestle is unsafe. o Rededication for the fountain will be in the Spring. Parks & Recreation Director, Rachel Sulzbach: o Community Days is September th September th. Police Department, Greg Dorney: None Engineer, Sean Poliselli: None Fire Department, Bill Carver: None Adjournment: There being nothing further to discuss the meeting was adjourned at :0 PM Executive Session - Personnel Minutes transcribed by Recording Christiana Bell