LOWER OXFORD TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Meeting
June 14, 2006
There was no public comment concerning items on the agenda.
Recognition of those asking to appear on the agenda:
Jack Wuerstle and Sean McCauley, representing Brandolini’s Hickory Hill Subdivision, addressed the board. Wuerstle requested that a declaration of responsibilities for storm water management for basin #7 of the Hickory Hill Subdivision be approved. There was some discussion regarding the size of the basin and how it will work. Also as to how the Home Owner’s Association will be held accountable for maintaining the basin. Kepler moved and Hershey seconded that the declaration be approved as long as the Township Engineer approves the declaration; Brandolini pays the $5,000 fee; and East Nottingham handles all other engineering for the subdivision. MOTION CARRIED.
Peter Gilman representing Wyncote Farms, L.P., requested
that a new builder, Woodstone Homes, be able to post bond and a letter of
credit in their name as a substitution for Wyncote Farms. Wyncote Farms is selling a few lots to
Woodstone for them to build on.
Everything else is to remain the same.
Kepler moved and Hershey seconded that subject to the establishment of
the new financial security amounts by the Township Engineer, subject to the
establishment of an amount which may be deducted from and released from
Gilman’s current financial security and subject to the approval of the Township
Solicitor of the documents establishing the financial security, the Board
authorizes its Chairman and/or members to execute financial security documents
and releases for continuation of financial security on the Wyncote development. MOTION
CARRIED.
Kepler moved and Astle seconded to approve the minutes of
the Regular Meeting held May 10th as presented. MOTION
CARRIED.
Kepler moved and Hershey seconded to approve the minutes of
the Hearing and Special Meeting held May 24th as presented. MOTION
CARRIED.
The
Secretary/Treasurer presented the bills totaling $28,610.13 for the State Fund,
$2,252.38 for the Open Space Fund, and $69,612.88 for the General Fund. A copy
is attached to the minutes. Kepler moved and Hershey seconded that the listing of bills be approved for
payment. MOTION CARRIED.
Budget Transfers:
The Secretary/Treasurer presented budget transfer requests for the General
Fund. Kepler moved and Hershey seconded
that Resolution 2006-21 authorizing budget transfers in the amount of $25,000
for the General Fund be adopted. MOTION CARRIED.
Fiduciary
Transfers: The Secretary/Treasurer presented a refund request and a transfer
request for reimbursement of expenses in the General Fund by developers. Hershey moved and Kepler seconded to authorize
a refund of $603.40 and a transfer of $1,229.60 from the Escrow Fund to the
General Fund. MOTION CARRIED.
The
following correspondence was noted:
Letter from Department of Emergency Services asking
residents to report any controlled burning to the fire company and the 9-1-1
center. Thank you letters from Oxford
Area Senior Center and the Oxford Public Library for our donations. Letter from PENNDOT to Lincoln University
stating that they need to contact township regarding their traffic concerns. Letter from Verizon asking for support of
the “Cable Customer Choice and Competition Act” introduced by Senator Dominic
Pileggi. PSATS News Bulletin article
states they are opposed to any statewide cable bill. Received paperwork regarding a possible request for increased contributions
to Union Fire Co. May reports from Union
Fire Company and State Police.
Discussion:
Kepler moved and Hershey seconded that the secretary write a letter to the
appropriate politicians stating the Board opposes the Cable Customer Choice and
Competition Act and favors the increase in turnback money for the roads. MOTION CARRIED.
Reports:
John Jackson presented his May report that showed fifteen inspections. Included were three plan reviews and two failed
inspections. Kepler moved and Hershey seconded
that the Building Inspector’s report be accepted. MOTION CARRIED.
Code Enforcement Officer’s report: Deborah Kinney presented her May report that showed nine permits was issued with a construction value of $156,200 resulting in permit fees of $1388.00. She reported no Certificates of Occupancy or sign permits were issued.
Violation
report: Mrs. Kinney reported she sent
three letters regarding vehicle code violations. A previously addressed weed ordinance violation has not been
satisfied; she will send another letter.
Previous farm animal (chickens) violation was satisfied as well as the
removal of a temporary residence.
Subdivision
Report: Mrs. Kinney requested a motion to be made that both the Biedekapp Subdivision
and Lincoln University Science Building land development plans be deemed null and
void if an extension is not received by 6/18/06. Kepler so moved and Hershey seconded. MOTION CARRIED.
Mrs.
Kinney reported that the Dougherty 2 lot subdivision is waiting on DEP’s
approval. Brendan Dougherty still needs
to sign the MOU. Kepler moved and
Hershey seconded that Resolution 2006-20 be approved to extend Resolution
2006-15 for ninety days. MOTION CARRIED. Hershey asked about weed violations. Mrs. Kinney reported that one letter had
been sent.
Kepler
moved and Astle seconded that the Code Enforcement Officer’s report be
accepted. MOTION CARRIED.
The Board read the May report of activities from the
Township Engineer. Hershey moved and Kepler seconded that the engineer’s report
be accepted. MOTION CARRIED.
The Township Engineer recommended that the
Letter of Credit for Elk Ridge Subdivision be reduced by $53,101.00. Kepler moved and Hershey seconded that the
release from letter of credit be approved.
MOTION CARRIED.
Regional Act 537 Plan: Bob Yeatman reported that he thinks
they will have the draft ready to be distributed to all municipalities by the
first week of July. Then they will
schedule a meeting to discuss the draft.
Once approved by the municipalities, it will be presented to the public
(probably sometime in September). Details
are still being worked out for the lagoon with possible construction starting
within the next thirty days. Kepler
moved and Hershey seconded that Mr. Yeatman’s report be approved. MOTION
CARRIED.
Roadmaster: Steve Price read the May Roadmaster report,
which is on file. Kepler moved and Hershey seconded that the Roadmaster’s report
be accepted. MOTION CARRIED.
Regional Recreational Authority: No report
Old Business: Bernard Park: No report
Kepler moved and Hershey seconded that Delores Ralph be
appointed to fill the vacant auditor’s position. MOTION CARRIED.
Supervisor’s
read the draft of the Ordinance for fire hydrants which was provided by the
Township Solicitor. Kepler said the
draft states that anyone living within 780 feet of the fire hydrant must be
taxed. An assessment will need to be
made and the tax collector will send bills.
John Jackson questioned if that included farmers. Astle would like specific wording for Home
Owner’s Associations. The Township
Solicitor will be asked to address the questions and supply an additional draft
with appropriate changes made.
New
business: The Township received a
request for speed reduction and traffic light from Lincoln University’s
President, Ivory V. Nelson, Ph.D.
Kepler moved and Astle seconded that the secretary send a letter to
PENNDOT requesting a traffic study.
Once a response is received from PENNDOT, we will inform Lincoln
University of their decision and perhaps suggest a change in the traffic
patterns at the University. MOTION CARRIED.
Other
Business: Park & Ride: Kepler
reported that he spoke with PENNDOT and they are willing to share the cost of
expanding the current Park & Ride at Route 1 and 472. Astle moved and Hershey seconded that we
share the costs with PENNDOT and expand the Park & Ride. MOTION CARRIED.
Open
Space: Kepler moved and Hershey
seconded while Astle abstained to agree that the appraised price of the agricultural
easement for the Astle property is reasonable and that upon the Township’s
taking the steps necessary to comply with the requirements of the Open Space
Earned Income Tax Ordinance that the Township may notify the County of Chester
and the landowner of their intention to enter into an agreement for the
purchase of an agriculture security easement on the property, subject to the
above action. MOTION CARRIED.
Astle
questioned the Fire Company’s warning that an increase in fees will be taking
effect for 2007. He stated that when
budget time comes, we will need to discuss how to cover the increase; whether
we will need to raise taxes or not.
Under Public comments:
Jane Downs thanked the Supervisors for having Tee Time turn the lights off when they close at night.
Chris Ketterly asked that the “Ordinance Task Force” appear on the monthly BOS agenda. She also asked if the Planning Commission could start meeting bi-monthly so that the “Task Force” could have more time to “get into the ordinances.” She asked Mr. Kepler if Wyncote Dr. is dedicated. And she stated that she found a report on the internet regarding crime at Wal-Mart.
JoJo Campbell questioned why there was a deadline to appear on the agenda if you can just come to the meeting and ask to be put on it. She told the Supervisors: “don’t let those developers push you around.”
Teri Dignazio questioned if the Supervisors had a chance to read about the proposed AES pipeline. She wondered if they had any environmental concerns.
With no further comments, Hershey moved and Kepler seconded that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sara B. Laganelli
Secretary/Treasurer