TOWNSHIP OF SPRING BERKS COUNTY, PA 2850 WINDMILL RD. READING, PA 19608 Tel. (610) 678-5393 Fax. (610) 678-4571 Website: springtwpberks.org MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 14, 2015 OPENING OF MEETING: The regular bi-weekly meeting of the was called to order by Chairman Kreider, at 7:00 p.m., on Monday, December 14, 2015, in the Public Meeting Room of the Township of Spring Administration Building, located at 2850 Windmill Road, Spring Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. The meeting opened with the Pledge to the Flag. Upon roll call, Supervisors Kreider, Oswald, Smith and Ulrich were present. Supervisor Hummel did not attend. Also present were: Daniel Becker, Esquire, Jay Vaughan, Pat Brandenburg, Chief Ross, Jim Moll, Judy Houck, John Groller, Sheryl Rowan, Sgt. Marchut, Ginny Marchut, Bob Myer, Barry Rohrbach, Trish Wertz, Chris Lechleitner, John Stengetz, Demetri Kulerss, Jeff Blankenbiller, Brent Sharp, Alex Gruber, Ali Bechtel, WFMZ, and Steve DeLucas, of the Reading Eagle. OPEN TO THE FLOOR: There were no comments or questions from the floor. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AWARDS: Over 1,600 people attended the 2015 National Night Out. Sgt. Marchut recognized community businesses supporting NNO for many years. Engraved plaques were awarded to Mr. Softee, DJ Jeff Blankenbiller, Mama s Pizza and the Lincoln Park Swimming Association. Proceeds from the raffle were distributed as follows: Crime Alert Berks County A check in the amount of $1,100.00 was accepted, with appreciation, by Mr. Rohrbach. Scott Wertz Memorial Scholarship Fund Tricia Wertz accepted, with appreciation, a check in the amount of $1,100.00 for the Scott Wertz Memorial Scholarship Fund. Mr. Oswald expressed his pride in the Township for the success of this event. MINUTES: A motion was made by Mr. Oswald, second by Mr. Ulrich, approving Minutes dated November 23, 2015. Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively with the exception of Ms. Smith, who abstained. TOWNSHIP MANAGER: Business Office: Bills for Approval: A motion was made by Mr. Oswald, second by Ms. Smith, approving payment of bills, as listed by the Township Treasurer:
General Fund - $239,758.16 Fire Hydrant Tax Fund - $6,735.41 Refuse Tax Fund - $38,803.33 Sewer District #2 Fund - $3,438.03 Sewer District #3 Fund - $38,673.83 Fire Protection Fund - $18,306.55 Capital Fund Account - $42,090.18 State Liquid Fuel Fund - $124,520.99 Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively. Financial Reports: Supervisors received copies of the current financial reports for review. There were no questions. Approval of 2016 Meeting Dates: A motion was made by Mr. Oswald, second by Ms. Smith, approving the 2016 meeting dates as listed by the Township Secretary. Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively. Meeting dates will be advertised as approved. Recognition of Service, David B. Rentschler Resolution #2015-18: A motion was made by Mr. Ulrich, second by Ms. Smith, adopting Resolution #2015-18, which recognizes retiree, David B. Rentschler (Doc), for his 33 years of service to the Township at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively. Approval of 2016 Budget & Tax Structure Resolution #2015-19: As recommended by the Director of Financial Services, a motion was made by Mr. Oswald, second by Mr. Ulrich, to adopt Resolution #2015-19 approving the 2016 Budget, in the amount of $24,940,335.00, and Tax Structure. Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively. The general purpose real estate tax millage will remain at 2.25 mills. Mr. Oswald thanked the directors for keeping the budget in line with no increase in taxes. Adoption of the 2016 tax structure Resolution #2015-19: Real Estate - 2.25 mills (.00225) Real Estate Transfer Tax - ½ of 1% of the valuation of the taxable real estate transfers Street Lighting - $.60/front foot improved $.30/front foot unimproved Fire Hydrant Tax -.06 mills (.00006) Earned Income Tax - ½ of 1% of all taxable earned income Business Privilege Tax - at rates set forth in Resolution #83-16 Adopted May 23, 1983 Mercantile Tax - at rates set forth in Resolution #83-15 Adopted May 23, 1983 Local Services Tax - $47.00 Ordinance #348 adopted November 13, 2007 Trash Collection Tax - $75 per household with single occupancy 2
$145 per household with double occupancy $210 per household with 3 or more occupants Only those households within the trash collection districts of the Township of Spring Recycling Tax - $40.00 per dwelling unit per year Fire Protection Tax - 1.00 mills (.0010) WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE: A motion was made by Mr. Oswald, second by Ms. Smith, authorizing the appropriate Township official to execute the Workers Compensation Insurance renewal. Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively. The annual premium is $223,473.00, which is $4,500.00 less than last year. ZONING/BUILDING CODES DEPARTMENT: Monthly Report: The November, 2015 report indicates there were 67 permits issued (over 100 more permits issued than last year). Construction value added to the Township is $631,491.76. No new home permits were issued. There were 20 property transfer inspections and 81 water shutoff postings. The Township Safety Committee received its annual accreditation for this year. PARKS, RECREATION AND PUBLIC WORKS: Parks and Recreation: Red Caboose Restroom Renovation Payment Application #2 (Final) and Change Order #1: As recommended by Great Valley Consultants, a motion was made by Ms. Smith, second by Mr. Ulrich, approving the second and final Payment Application to Balton Construction, Inc., in the amount of $26,223.18, for the Red Caboose Park Restroom Renovation Project, including Change Order #1, in the amount of $492.18. Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively. General Frank s Field Lease Agreement: As recommended by the Parks and Recreation Board, a motion was made by Mr. Ulrich, second by Ms. Smith, to enter into a five (5) year lease agreement with Liberty- Wilson Youth Baseball and Softball for use of General Frank s Field, as well as authorization to work with the Solicitor to update the language in the agreement. Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively. Wilson Junior Soccer Club: As requested by the Parks and Recreation Board, a motion was made by Ms. Smith, second by Mr. Ulrich, authorizing Mrs. Houck to work with the Solicitor to address issues relating to the Wilson Junior Soccer Club. Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively. Administration Building Exterior Illumination Project Plan: A motion was made by Ms. Smith, second by Mr. Ulrich, approving the illumination plan, submitted by Great Valley Consultants, for exterior lighting of the Administration Building and parking lot, and to proceed with the project. Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively. Public Works: 2015 Road Improvement Project Final Payment Request: As recommended by the Infrastructure Committee, a motion was made by Mr. Oswald, second by Ms. Smith, approving Payment Application #3 for the 2015 Road Improvement Project, to New Enterprise Stone and Lime Company, d/b/a Burkholder Paving, in the amount of $220,362.37. Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively. Total amount of the contract is $746,510.44. The original contract amount was $855,330.93. 3
ENGINEERING/PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Martzall Annexation - Revised Final Plan: As recommended by the Planning Commission, a motion was made by Mr. Oswald, second by Mr. Ulrich, approving the Martzall revised Final Annexation Plan, with the condition that all outstanding Township invoices are paid by the applicant. Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively. The revised plan shows the property on the opposite side of Lancaster Pike is not owned by the applicant but had previously been conveyed to PennDOT for the Rt. 222 Project. Amanda Moyer Minor Subdivision Plan Extension of Time #2: As recommended by the Planning Commission, a motion was made by Mr. Oswald, second by Ms. Smith, accepting an extension of time for the Amanda Moyer Minor Subdivision Plan until February 15, 2016. Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively. Tyler and Olivia Shaffer Stormwater Management Agreement: In accordance with the Township Stormwater Management Ordinance, a motion was made by Mr. Oswald, second by Ms. Smith, authorizing the appropriate Township official to execute a Stormwater Management Agreement, for property owned by Tyler and Olivia Shaffer, located along the south side of Gelsinger Road, between Gring s Hill Road and Miller Road (Sycamore Valley Farms subdivision). Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively. PUBLIC SAFETY: Police Department: Handicapped Parking Permits: A motion was made by Mr. Oswald, second by Ms. Smith, approving two (2) Handicapped Parking applications for 2129 Noble Street and 2313 Lincoln Avenue. Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively. Township of Spring Fire Rescue Service: Monthly Report: During the month of November, 2015, there were 137 incidents, with $35,000.00 in property damage. Code enforcement continues with regard to fire alarm systems. The most active day of the week was Friday. The average turnout for incidents has increased to seven (7). A public outreach report has been added to the Monthly Report. Commissioner Brandenburg recognized Mr. George Alberti, of Pyramid Petroleum Terminals for providing training on November 16, 2015. SOLICITOR: Community First National Bank - Leasing of Police Vehicle Resolution #2015-20: A motion was made by Mr. Ulrich, second by Mr. Oswald, approving Resolution #2015-20, authorizing the lease of one (1) Dodge Ram 1500 police pick-up truck from Community First National Bank, and execution of the supporting documents. Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively. NEW BUSINESS: County of Berks Municipal Tax Sheet: As recommended by the Township Manager, a motion was made by Ms. Smith, second by Mr. Ulrich, authorizing the appropriate Township official to complete the information requested on the Municipal Tax Sheet, sign and return the form to the County. Upon roll call, all Supervisors present voted affirmatively. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Executive Session: An Executive Session was held prior to the meeting for matters of real estate. Drexelwood Holiday Party: Mr. Vaughan announced on Saturday, December 19, 2015, residents of Drexelwood will be holding their neighborhood holiday party. The Police Department is aware of the route for the horse-drawn carriage rides. No Township streets will be closed. 4
There being no further business, Chairman Kreider adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sheryl Rowan, Township Secretary 5