A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors was conducted on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 commencing at 7:00 p.m. Chairman, Mr. Hensel called the meeting to order. Present was Supervisor, Mr. Taylor, via telephone connection to Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital accompanied by Todd Bowers of the Public Works Department, and Supervisor, Mr. Reynolds. Also present was Township Solicitor, Mr Pompo, Township Engineer, Mr. MacCombie, and members of the community.
A moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance was observed.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Reynolds, to waive the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Reynolds, to adopt the minutes of the previous meeting. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting, “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Township Police Report: Chief Ranck reported the police patrolled 3,110 miles during the month of September and handled 193 incidents during the month of September of which 37 were handled by the State Police during off hours as follows: 911 hang-up 3, hit & run crash 1, vehicle crash with injuries 2, accident other type 1, property damage crash 2, alarm fire 1, alarm police 3, animal complaint 1, assist fire department 1, assist to other police department 11, business check 38, civil dispute 2, disturbance 2, domestic disturbance 4, emotional disorder 2, erratic driver 3, escort person or money 1, for police information 4, fraud, actual or attempted 2, harassing phone calls 1, house/vacation checks 17, identity theft 1, keys locked (vehicle, house, etc.) 1, medical emergency 15, “Megan’s Law” incident 1, noise complaint 1, Township park check 4, parking violation 1, repossession 2, police report (not in progress) 13, suspicious condition 1, suspicious vehicle 1, theft 1, traffic general hazards 1, trespasser 1, traffic stop 5, and 5 well-being checks. The September criminal arrests are as follows: Disorderly Conduct, scattering rubbish; these do not include any arrest resulting from any criminal investigations. Sergeant Imhoff and Officer Haldeman completed their 32-hour State mandated BAC Data master breath test operator training. Both are awaiting their certifications from the Department of Health and ILEE.
Township Public Works Report: For the month of September, the Public Works Department maintained Township owned properties mostly by mowing and weed trimming. The Department was also responsible for maintaining our storm water drain system, replacing or repairing several road signs and basic maintenance of our vehicles and other equipment. This month the Public Works Department completely overhauled two of our snow plows by first doing an inspection and then by replacing multiple worn hydraulic hoses and fittings; and new cutting edges were mounted. After the inspection/maintenance, all rust was removed from the plows and they were painted. The Department assisted the Park Committee with Sadsbury Township’s Tricentennial Day by transporting tables and chairs, organization of trash and recycle totes, portable toilets and had washing stations, and by picking up 22 bales of straw and delivering to the site of the event. We were also involved in the set-up of the Generator that was provided by Greg Vietri, owner of Vietri Electric. Our Department was also involved in the set-up of an audio system which allows Supervisor Earl Taylor to participate in Township meetings from a remote location. The equipment hours were 1.5 and the vehicle miles were 346 for the month of September.
Emergency Management Report: Mr. Taylor reported that in November, Sadsbury Township along with West Caln, Valley, and West Sadsbury will receive radios from the County Radio Program. These will have only emergency frequency.
Keystone Valley Fire Company Report: Mr. Cazillo reported that for the month of September, 2017, The Keystone Valley Fire Department responded to 15 calls for: fire 4, rescue/medical assist 6, and good intent 5. The response by municipality is as follows: Sadsbury Township 2, West Sadsbury Township 8, Highland Township 0, Parkesburg Borough 3, and out of district 2. The average response by personnel per call was 8 with a total of 120 personnel for combined response hours of 83.3 hours.
The average time dispatched to on scene was 8.32 minutes. There were 5 in house trainings with 32 members attending for 187 hours combined training hours. The Keystone Valley EMS Division answered a total of 100 calls for: treated/transported BLS 28, treated/transported ALS 27, no services required 17, patient refusal 14, recalled on route 6, recalled on scene 1, lift assist-public assist 3, and dead on arrival 1. The municipality break-down is as follows: Parkesburg Borough 32, Sadsbury Township 27, West Sadsbury Township 20, Highland Township 9, And 12 out of district.
Sadsbury Fire Company Report: no report
Sadsbury Township Park Committee Report: Due to the absence of Mr. Jesey, Township Manager, Mr. Walters gave the Park report. The Park Committee met on September 25, 2017 at 7:00. Mr. Jessey and Matt Hensel reported that all the cleaning up for the Tricentennial Day had been completed. Mrs. Jessey reported on the final income and outgoing for the Tricentennial, although the numbers need to be verified by the Township. The Committee discussed how the Tricentennial event went, and how it can act as a blueprint for Community Day going forward. The Gateway Church was a great location, with plenty of space for activities and plenty of parking for everyone. It was agreed that we would need to make future banners and signs more generic, so that they could be used annually. Mr. Matt Hensel agreed to remove all the yard signs for the Tricentennial. Mr. Hensel agreed to clean up and close the Snack Shack. Mr. Jessey will mail out the t-shirts on September 26, then order the framed print for the Photography Competition winning entry in October. Shelly Miller was the winner of the Photography Competition with her photo of the Buckrun. The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 pm.
Township Engineer Report: Mr. MacCombie reported that he has an item for a resolution to enter into a master casting agreement with PennDOT or its contractors to repair or replace manhole frame and covers during projects on State Highways. Mr. MacCombie stated this would eliminate the need to have a Project Letter of Agreement signed and executed for every project. The Project Initiation Form will still need to be signed by each party but it will eliminate the need for a new resolution and execution.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Reynolds, to adopt Resolution 2017-12, a resolution to enter into a Master Casting Agreement with PennDOT or its contractors to repair or replace manhole frame and covers during projects in State Highways. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. MacCombie stated he has a Letter of Credit Certificate of Completion Construction release for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates L.P. for Sadsbury Park, Phase 2A in the amount of $41,860.26 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve a Letter of Credit Certificate of Completion Construction release for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates L.P. for Sadsbury Park, Phase 2A in the amount of $41,860.26 per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. MacCombie stated he has a Bank Reserve Account Reduction Certificate of Completion release for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates L.P. for Sadsbury Park, Phase 4A in the amount of $220,774.04 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve a Bank Reserve Account Reduction Certificate of Completion release for Sadsbury Arcadia L.P. for Sadsbury Park, Phase 4A in the amount of $220,774.04 per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. MacCombie stated he has an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates, L.P. for Sadsbury Park. Phase 4A in the amount of $2,231.24 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates, L.P. for Sadsbury Park Phase 4A in the amount of $2,231.24 per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. MacCombie stated he has an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Aerzen USA Corporation for the Aerzen USA Expansion in the amount of $100.00 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Aerzen USA Corporation for the Aerzen USA Expansion in the amount of $100.00 per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation. With there being no question from the public, the Board voting “aye, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. MacCombie stated he has a Construction Resurfacing Payment from the Township for the 2017 Resurfacing & Street Improvements to DiRocco Brothers in the amount of $167,302.79 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to make a Construction Resurfacing Payment from the Township for the 2017 Resurfacing & Street Improvements to DiRocco Brothers in the amount of $167,302.79 per Mr. MaCombie’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. MacCombie stated that in addition to the proposal for the bid for road repairs in the Township, DiRocco Brothers will reprofile Stove Pipe Hill Road for $18,000. This includes milling and overlay. Mr.MacCombie stated the contract did come in $28,000 below the contract price. Mr. Taylor stated that Mrs. Sellers is a long-time resident and a friend. She pays a lot of taxes with the amount of property she has. Mr. Taylor wants to satisfy the resident and would like to do the project. Mr. MacCombie is willing to do the project as long as she lets them do the work. It would take some kind of driveway adjustment. The last time they tried to fix her problem, she parked her car over the driveway and would not let the contractor put up a small berm over her driveway. Mr. Pompo suggested to contact Mr. Jarvis, if he is still her attorney; and state if she wants it to be done once and for all, she would agree for the Township to enter her property if necessary for the work to be done. Once the work is done, release the Township from any liability. Mr. MacCombie stated the window is short and the contractor must get it done. Paving period ends November 15th. John Lymberis asked If the original contractor has any liability to fix the road. Mr. MacCombie doesn’t thing there is anything wrong. Mr. MacCombie and Mrs. Sellers both think the water is going in different directions. The water goes to her driveway and her garage is right on the road. We wanted to put a concrete curb around it, and she said no. She said that before the Sanitary Sewer was put in, she never had a problem. Mr. Taylor would like to give her the benefit of the doubt. Mr. Reynolds stated that he does not have a problem fixing the road as long as Mrs. Sellers will let them do it; would a non-public meeting serve the purpose, Mr. MacCombie would give the cost and Mr. Pompo would give legal advice. Mr. Taylor agrees, and can’t see why that won’t work. Heide Androwick asked why not just sent a letter and say this is what the Township will do one time – sign if you agree. Mr. Reynolds said to send it certified. Mr. Taylor stated that at least the Township is trying to fix her problem.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to send a certified letter to Mrs. Sellers to have her agree to the repair one time to Stove Pipe Hill Road in the amount of $18,000. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. MacCombie stated that there are drainage issues on Old Mill Road at the property of Melinda Williams. The garage is lower than the road and is used for storage of materials that are valuable, as a car cannot get into it. It does have a concrete curb that the water runs along. Mr. MacCombie thinks the Board should have a look at it; as a slight crown in the road would keep the water on the opposite side of the road. Mr. Reynolds stated we have not had a substantial rain storm to see how it works.
Mr. MacCombie thinks the trench repair on Old Wilmington Road for a sinkhole at the area of Sadsbury Park is not the sewer. He does not think it is eligible for Liquid Fuels and will have to come out of the sewer fund for the repairs. The cost to repair the sinkhole would be $8,700.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Hensel, to repair the sinkhole on Old Wilmington Road in the area of the Sadsbury Park Development in the amount of $8,700 per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. MacCombie stated the contractor for the Sadsbury Village Enhancement Project wants to have a walk through on October 12th with Mr. MacCombie and Dave Porter from Mr. MacCombie’s office. Mr. MacCombie feels the project is not finished and the contractor should not get the final payment until the crosswalks are done properly and the damaged signs are not the responsibility of the Township. The Township never took the project over as being completed. He feels the contractor has full responsibility. PennDOT feels the contractor should be paid. Mr. MacCombie will report to the Board after the walk through.
Mr. MacCombie stated that PennDOT is not interested in the relocation of Compass Road concerning the Sadsbury Commons project. PennDOT directed McMahon and Kent Silvers to change one lane straight to the bypass to allow a left safe lane to get on Business 30.
Mr. MacCombie stated that last month, Pennsylvania American Water asked the Board for acquison of easements on Quarry and Greenbelt to install an emergency generator.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to enter into a simple easement agreement with Pennsylvania American Water to install an emergency generator at Greenbelt and Quarry Road. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Taylor stated he feels it is very dangerous for the Road Department to mow grass on the inlets on Route 30. Mr. MacCombie stated that originally it was going to have plantings and trees in the inlets, but was taken out of the contract for the cost involved.
Township Solicitor Report: Mr. Pompo stated he had nothing to report.
Township Planning Commission Report: Mr. Hensel reported that the Planning Commission meeting was held on Wednesday, September 13, 2017. Vice Chairman, John Lymberis called the meeting to order. The July meeting minutes were approved. Eric Carlson, of Arcadia Land Company came before the Planning Commission to review an amendment to the Township Zoning Ordinance for Ranch Style Dwellings in the Sadsbury Park Development. The Planning Commission reviewed the amendments to be made, including location, lot area, and alleys. A motion was made and seconded to recommend to the Board of Supervisors to adopt the proposed Zoning Ordinance for Ranch Style family dwellings with the condition of a set-back of 23 feet from the right-a-a-way to the garage door. The draft Zoning Ordinance was handed out to the Planning Commission members for review and comment at the next meeting.
Zoning Report: There were 33 inspections performed for the month of September. There were 59 inquiries received. Thirteen permits were issued in September; six single family dwellings, three decks, two solar arrays and two alterations.
Township Manager Report: Mr. Walters reported that he attended a meeting with PennDOT with Mr. MacCombie, met with San Garrity of the Gilbertson Group concerning cameras for the Park. He checked the signs at Bert Reel Park, met with the Township auditors, and road around the Township checking out the newly resurfaced roads. He attended a meeting with the Chester County Planning Commission concerning an extended trail through Sadsbury Township all the way to Route 41.
Chester County Airport Update: No report.
Christine Moore asked what is the plan for an ambulance in the Township when Keystone Valley is gone.
Mr. Reynolds stated they will use the ADL system, dispatching the closest available ambulance. Keystone has stated they will not respond and will refuse to dispatch. Mr. Reynolds also stated that no one has told Keystone they can’t come to Sadsbury, but they will not enter into an ambulance only contract.
Charlene Pluck stated she does not want Westwood on her property.
Mr. Reynolds stated that if Keystone will accept ADL, we don’t need to contract anyone else. We have offered Keystone a year to year contract, which was refused.
Ed Haus from Keystone Valley stated there has been no conversations with the Fire District with Sadsbury Township for the entire length of the contract except for Mr. Walters.
Mr. Taylor stated he was the only one attending meetings until Mr. Schuibbeo was designated to attend. Mr. Schuibbeo and the Township should have been more proactive.
Mr. Reynolds will attend the Fire District meeting on Tuesday, October 17th and try to pursue a year to year contract for the ambulance.
Mr. Reynolds asked if this was a conflict of interest. Mr. Reynolds stated that both he and Earl Taylor have the best interest of the Township in common. They both want the job done. Mr. Reynolds thinks the Keystone Valley crew is great. When the red lights are on, they get along and work together well.
Payment of Invoices
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to pay the September 2017 General Fund invoices in the amount of $136,298.55. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Hensel, made a motion, seconded by Mr. Reynolds, to pay the September 2017 Sanitary Sewer invoices in the amount of $112,310.40. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
New Businesss
Mr. Hensel announced the next budget meeting will be scheduled for October 25, 2017 at 9:00 a.m.
Mr. Hensel announced Trick or Treat will be October 31st for children 12 and under from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Revised final subdivision plans for Phases 3B & 4B for Sadsbury Park were accepted by the Township. The Township Engineer will review the plans and this will be forwarded to the Planning Commission at their next scheduled meeting.
Mr. Pompo stated that the Sadsbury Park Ordinance for Ranch Style homes will be ready for the November 8th Board of Supervisors meeting.
Melinda Williams has handed in a resume to the Board of Supervisors to be appointed to the Zoning Hearing Board as an Alternate.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Reynolds, to appoint Melinda Williams to the Zoning Hearing Board as an Alternate. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Public Comment
Mr. Taylor wants to thank everyone who turned out at the benefit for him.
Mr. Lymberis asked that the purchase agreement with PAWC, there are some who have pre-paid connections. What is the agreement to pay for non-paid connections?
Mr. Pompo stated they went to great pains to identify EDUs that have essentially been paid for. Sadsbury Park has x number of EDUs, if they build out, they would still have to purchase EDUs. Once the closing takes place and PAWC owns the system, they will have to pay PAWC probably $4,000. Whatever agreement Sadsbury Township had in place with EDUs assigned to each parcel will still be in agreement.
Heidi Androwick stated her neighbor at 1925 Valley Road left a pile of debris along the side of the road. Mr. Hensel will send Mr. Lowry to look at it.
Heidi Androwick stated that there was supposed to be a reduction in the flat fee for sewer according to the budget meeting minutes in 2016 for 2017. It was supposed to be set at $280.00 a year. The Board then made the fee $300.00 per year. When the sewer mistake was made and the business were not being billed for the total of their EDUs, the Township collected all the back payments from the mistake. What happened to all that money?
Mr. Pompo stated once the system is sold, the current rate will remain in place until the next rate increase. Mr. Pompo can assure you the rates will not go down. The predictions are that without the sale, you will be paying more.
Mr. MacCombie stated the Township never said the rates would drop. PAWC filed for rate increases 2 years in a row. The rates would go up every year. The Township must pay sewer bills and there is a lot of money owed to the Township from residents not paying their bills.
A Township resident complimented the Township on the road work that was done. Why was Longabaugh Road not resurfaced? Mr. Hensel stated Longabaugh Road is a private Road and not owned by the Township.
Charlene Pluck asked if the issue with Todd Bowers ever resolved to pay for his CDL license? Mr. Walters stated he has looked all the way back in the accounts to 2008, and there is no line item that Dave Simmons was ever paid for his CDL. Mr. Reynolds stated it has to do with the union contract and no action was taken.
Clark Faggioli reported the November 11th National Guard Armory project is going smoothly. There is a veteran from the 82nd Airborne from Lebanon, PA will receive a chair. Each chair is $16,000. The goal is to raise $50,000 and the proceeds will go to DAV of Coatesville.
With there being no further business, Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Reynolds, to adjourn the meeting. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda Shank
Secretary