PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING
A regular meeting of the Palmer
Township Board of Supervisors was held on
2.
APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS –
INFORMATION
The reports will be provided at the meeting.
On motion
by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve
the
3.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES –
On motion by Rickert, seconded by Lammi, and agreed
by all, the Board voted to approve the minutes of
On motion by Rickert, seconded by
Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the minutes of
4.
RECOMMENDATION OF URDC AS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
CONSULTANT
Bob Lammi, Ron Grandinetti, Ted Sales and Bob Anckaitis interviewed three consultant companies and analyzed proposals. It is their unanimous recommendation that the Board contract with Urban Research Development Corporation. The board needs to approve/disapprove hiring URDC to update the Comprehensive Plan.
DISCUSSION
Lammi stated that the committee sent out requests to
three firms asking for proposals to assist with updating the township
Comprehensive Plan. The committee
interviewed each firm and unanimously agreed to recommend the township contract
with URDC. He noted the cost is $26,900,
which was the lowest bid, however, was not the reason that they chose
URDC. Lammi stated that URDC has a lot
of experience and has worked in
Rickert asked what is the anticipated timeframe. Lammi responded that the process would begin
in May and URDC requires a forty-five day period for them to send information
to surrounding municipalities and the school district, which would take us into
the early part of July. Lammi added that
they would be coordinating a focus group who would brainstorm a variety of
issues and that the group would include 25 to 30 residents. The committee already sent letters to
residents asking for a response by
On motion by Lammi, seconded by Rickert, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the contract with URDC as noted above.
5.
PRESENTATION OF SECOR ASSOCIATES - RE: FUNDRAISING
Please refer to the enclosed draft contract agreement from Secor Associates.
Ed Newcomb from Secor Associates made a presentation
to the Board on how his organization can assist the township with fundraising
for the proposed community center. He
noted his company has been in the
Colver asked why a report gets submitted to the PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations. Newcomb responded the organization provides services to the public by being able to justify charitable organizations. His report would include what the project is, how much is projected to be donated, and the duration of the project. Colver asked how long this process takes. Newcomb stated the turn around time to be approximately one week. Colver also inquired what the standard monthly fees would run the township for administrative services that aren’t covered in Secor’s $48,000 fee. Newcomb responded, approximately $100 a month until we get to the point of large mailings, which could run up to $6,000 for that month. Newcomb projected total costs for administrative tasks and his fees should be approximately $60,000.
Colver then mentioned his concern for what happens after Secor has completed their services. Newcomb stated that a typical campaign runs three to five years and said that Secor will work with the township to insure that proper computer software is installed so proper tracking and follow-up can continue. Colver asked what is the average return of pledges. Newcomb stated 95% or greater is what they typically see.
Lammi then asked if the agreement would be cancelled, is the township only liable for work up to that point in time. Newcomb mentioned that he also clarified this for the Solicitor and said if the agreement is cancelled the financial liability also ends. Lammi asked how long would it take Secor to update the feasibility study and Newcomb stated he would anticipate it being completed before the end of June. Lammi confirmed that would be if the project started March 18 as stated in the proposed contract and Newcomb stated that was correct.
Bruno will review Secor’s responses
to his inquiries and this item will be added to the
6.
ACCEPTANCE OF DEBBIE MCINTYRE’S
RESIGNATION FROM THE RECREATION BOARD
Rickert stated that Debbie was active for a long time and did a fine job. On motion by Rickert, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board voted to accept Debbie McIntyre’s resignation with regret from the Recreation Board.
7.
ACCEPTANCE OF BOB LAMMI RESIGNATION
FROM PLANNING COMMISSION
Colver asked Lammi to acknowledge his resignation and Lammi stated that he had agreed to stay on the Planning Commission until a replacement was located to provide a smooth transition. He noted that his resignation will give another resident an opportunity to serve on the commission and said he would remain active in his role as a Supervisor. Bruno stated that he understands why Lammi is leaving the commission and said Lammi had a good grasp of issues and ran smooth meetings, which he hopes the new Chairman has learned by Lammi’s good example. Rickert stated that she would accept Lammi’s resignation with regret and is indebted to him for his service on the commission.
On motion by Rickert, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board voted to accept Lammi’s resignation from the Planning Commission.
8.
APPOINTMENT TO PLANNING COMMISSION
Please refer to Ron Grandinetti and Bob Anckaitis’ recommendation letter enclosed. The board needs to approve/disapprove the appointment of Bob Smith.
On motion by Lammi, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to accept the appointment of Robert Smith to the Planning Commission.
9.
RECOMMENDATION FROM PTMSA – RE: SELLING OF
SEWER CAPACITY
INFORMATION
Recommendation is made by The Palmer Township Municipal Sewer Authority (PTMSA) not to sell any of their present capacity to a non-EAJSA member party or any member of the EAJSA. The board needs to approve/disapprove the recommendation of PTMSA.
DISCUSSION
Rickert stated that our excess capacity is dwindling
and she suggested the Board agree not to sell excess. Lammi stated that Kevin Shannon and Paul
Hosking told him that our current usage is 1.5 million gallons with an excess
of 1 million and their recommendation is not to sell one gallon of the
excess. Shannon and Hosking also
mentioned to Lammi that they might want to consider buying more in the future. Per Lammi,
On motion by Rickert, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board voted not to sell excess capacity to a non-EAJSA member party or any member of the EAJSA.
10.
The board needs to approve/disapprove the
maintenance agreement and pass the resolution for acceptance of
Bruno stated that there are two parts to address,
one is to pass resolution to accept
On motion by Rickert, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board voted to enter into a maintenance agreement with Victoria Place Inc. for an 18-month period.
11.
Attorney DeEsch sent a letter to the Solicitor requesting to appear before the Board to address issues in the approval letter.
Bruno opened by stating that the developer has the
right to agree to conditions discussed at a prior meeting. The developer granted an extension until
Bruno stated regarding #4 that the township is
requiring the developer to pursue Act 2 relief based upon the Department of
Environmental Protection’s recommendation and stated that this should be done
before the permits are acquired. DeEsch
stated that this created a timing issue and that Fidler’s letter dated
In reference to #5, Bruno stated that he asked for the $1,000 traffic contribution per unit be paid in full in the amount of $28,000 prior to the recording of plans, per the township ordinance. DeEsch stated that the developer always paid per unit in the past. Colver stated that up until two years ago the township accepted these fees per unit, however, the ordinance was changed to be paid in full upon recording of the plans. Colver stated he didn’t have a problem with the developer paying per unit, four units each time. The Board agreed.
Regarding #6, the storm water management plan and the necessity for basin regrading, DeEsch stated that this was discussed with the Planning Committee and when the developer turned over the pond to the township they understood that was the end. Bruno stated that the completion of the recess basin regrading would be confirmed by the township engineer.
In reference to #7, proposed parking area, DeEsch stated that he misread this paragraph. Don Frederickson stated that the conditional use request would be noted on the plan.
Regarding #8, rezoning to CR, Bruno noted this is currently in the appeal period and will be fine if rezoned to CR, however, if it isn’t rezoned to CR the developer must comply.
Bruno then noted that #9, appropriate building setback lines, ties into #8.
In reference to #10, location map, DeEsch noted that the township didn’t want that large a map and they agreed that it wasn’t necessary.
Reference #17, existing and proposed grading, DeEsch stated that the engineer has the information and was okay with it. Bruno stated this was taken care of.
Regarding #12, lighting plan for parking area, Bruno stated the township engineer wants to approve the plan. DeEsch stated this was approved at the planning meeting and the developer was told where to put the light. Colver stated there was no need to submit a plan for one light.
Reference #14, architectural renderings of facade, DeEsch stated this one should be removed from questioning.
In reference to #20, deed restrictions noted on plans, Bruno stated he would check to see that they are recorded.
Reference #22, plan shall receive satisfactory review by lighting consultant, Bruno stated he believed the lights needed approval and asked the Board if they required approval. Sales stated that they are currently working on an ordinance regarding streetlights. Lammi stated they only needed a lighting plan for parking areas not streetlights and the Board agreed that they didn’t require this. Bruno stated he would remove it.
Bruno then noted that he would send DeEsch a revised
letter and DeEsch acknowledged an extension until
12. T & S DEVELOPMENT
Request is made by Amato and Margle, P.C. on behalf of
Stephen Selvaggio to rezone property located at
Bruno stated that this request was to entertain
rezoning of property located at
13. PUBLIC
COMMENT
None
14. REPORTS
SOLICITOR
§
Palmer Hotel L.L.C. agreements are close to
expiring and they have requested an extension until
§
Nick Zawarski & Sons has submitted a
resolution to accept roadways in
§ One personnel and two litigation items for executive session.
MANAGER
None
PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR
None
SUPERVISORS
§ Rickert asked Sales if Young’s Medical had requested for expansion of use. Sales noted that he was aware of a request for additional parking. Rickert asked if they have enough room and Sales replied he didn’t think so. Colver asked Sales to get clarification from zoning and asked if they are only adding ten to fifteen parking spaces if it needs to go through planning.
§ Rickert asked the Solicitor if Palmer Nursery leases their land to Keystone Savings Bank would they be allowed to raise a building on the land. Bruno responded that the court allowed the Nursery to use the land is for nonconforming use. If the land is used for any similar or less intense purpose it should be allowed.
§
Panella distributed a chart showing township
demographics in response to a question raised at the
On motion by Rickert,
seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Virginia Rickert, Supervisor