A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Sadsbury Township was conducted on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 commencing at 7:00 p.m. Chairman, Dave Reynolds called the meeting to order. Present was Supervisor Earl Taylor, Township Solicitor, Mr. O’Keefe, Township Engineer/Zoning Officer, Dennis O’Neil, and members of the community. Supervisor, Mr. Moore was absent.
Mr. Reynolds stated the Board met in Executive Session on September 24, 2019 for police interviews.
A moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance was observed.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, 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.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to adopt the minutes of the previous meeting. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Mr. Reynolds turned the meeting over to Mr. O’Keefe to open a Public Hearing on Ordinances 2019-04 and 2019-05 amending the landscaping provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. A court reported took the minutes of the hearing and will deliver them to the Township. Mr. O’Keefe closed the hearing.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to adopt Ordinances 2019-04 and 2019-05, amending the landscaping provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Larry Maulo, of Maulo & Company, Ltd. came before the Board to give the results of the financial audit for the Township for the year ended December 31, 2018. The audit resulted in a clean opinion. The General Fund balance at December 31, 2018 is $1,355,857, an increase of $188,477 from December31, 2017. Revenues were $174,139 less than budgeted and expenditures were $290,495 less than budgeted. The results for the Sewer Fund for 2018 show the revenue to be $1,339,814. Operating expenses were $968,338, and interest expenses was $93,814. The result is that net position increased by $229,505. All the financial activities stayed within the parameters of the budget. Mr. Maulo thanked the administration for working with him.
Township Police Report: Chief Ranck reported that for the month of September, the police patrolled 3,762 miles and handled 336 dispatched incidents for: 911 hang-up 2, hit & run crash 2, property damage 8, alarm fire 2, alarm police 5, assist to other police department 14, shrubbery fire 1, business check 112, civil dispute 2, criminal mischief/vandalism 1, child custody dispute 1, disabled vehicle 1, domestic disturbance 2, driving under the influence 1, erratic driver 4, escort person or money 1, extra patrol request 1, field or brush fire 1, for police information 12, fraud (actual or attempted) 1, harassment 2, house/vacation check 16, keys locked (vehicle, house etc) 1, medical emergency 32, Miscellaneous Police nature 3, missing person 1, noise complaint 4, Township Park check 6, pedestrian stop 1, PFA violation 2, police report 4, stolen vehicle 1, suspicious condition 8, suspicious vehicle 1, theft 5, traffic general hazards 3, trespasser 1, traffic stop 30, walk-in report 1, and well-being checks 4. There were 6 criminal arrests during the month of September. Some of these arrests include theft, bad checks, tampering with evidence, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief and a DUI.
Chief Ranck reported that on September 19, 2019 at approximately 7:30 p.m., Officer Al Haldeman and Officer Matt DiMedio responded to 104 Independence Way for the well-being check of an elderly male subject who entered into Witmer Public Safety store appearing dazed and confused. Upon their arrival, both officers spent nearly 4 hours utilizing their resources ultimately locating a family member in Philadelphia. Both officers reported that while speaking with the family member, they learned that the elderly gentleman was a veteran of the United States armed forces and had been suffering from severe dementia. The family had recently filed a missing person’s report with the Philadelphia Police Department. At approximately 11:30 p.m., the family arrived at the Sadsbury Township Police Department and transported the elderly male back home in Philadelphia. Sergeant Imhoff received a phone call the following day from a beloved family member expressing their sincere gratitude for the care and compassion provided by the Sadsbury Township Police Department and for going over and beyond the call of duty. Sergeant Imhoff issued both officers with a letter of commendation.
Mr. Reynolds stated the police officers also bought the gentleman some dinner. He followed by stating, “that’s how good our police are”.
Public Works Report: For the month of September, the Public Works department maintained Township owned property, equipment, vehicles, roadways, signs, traffic lights and the storm drain system. The Department has already started preparing for winter road maintenance by inspecting trucks and making minor repairs if needed. The Department has also inspected emergency equipment to ensure it is ready in the event of a true emergency. The Department has continued to inspect signs and repair, straighten and reface if needed along with clearing vegetation around sign for better observation for motorists. The Department has inspected and attempted to replace the wooden structure of the copula on the roof of the Main Township Building, but during the process found that the frame of the copula was rotted. Lastly, the Department has painted all curbing yellow in the location of fire hydrants, and will continue painting fire hydrants sometime in October. Equipment hours were 3.5 and vehicle miles were 661.4.
Mr. Reynolds reported the Township received an estimate for $5,000 for removal of the copula and fixing the roof. He thinks this is cost is high and will try to see if it can be lowered.
Emergency Management Report: Mr. Taylor reported he received an e-mail from the County for a NIMMS survey and he will work on that.
Keystone Valley Fire Department Report: For the month of September, the Keystone Valley Fire Department responded to 23 calls for: fire 5, rescue/medical assist 5, service 1, hazard 3, good intent 4. The response by municipality is as follows: West Sadsbury Township 7, Highland Township 1, Parkesburg Borough 10, Sadsbury (OOD) 2, Out of District 3. The average personnel per call was 7 for a total of 154 personnel for combined response hours of 54.05 hours. The average time from dispatch to scene was 7.5 minutes. The fire units traveled 602 miles and used 206.3 gallons of fuel. The ambulance(s) traveled 2,886 miles and used 308.5 gallons of fuel. The maintenance hours were 46 total hours and the total maintenance cost was $10,161.59. The EMS Division responded to 117 calls for: treated/transported BLS 34, treated/transported ALS 32, no service required 21, patient refusal/treat-no transport 16, public service 4,
Dead at scene 2, recalled 8. The break-down by municipality is as follows: Parkesburg Borough 25, Sadsbury Township 46, West Sadsbury Township 24, Highland Township 15, Atglen Borough 1, Sadsbury Township, Lancaster County 1, West Fallowfield Township 2, Christiana Borough 1, Londonderry Township 1, and Lower Oxford Township 1.
Sadsburyville Fire Company Report: For the month of September, The Sadsburyville Fire Company responded to 10 calls for: truck fire 2, motor vehicle accident 2, assist EMS 1, automatic fire alarm 2, industrial rescue 1, relocate 1, and trash fire 1. The breakdown by municipality is as follows: Sadsbury Township 7, West Sadsbury Township 1, Valley Township 1, East Brandywine Township 1. There were 65 firefighters responding with an average of 6.5 per call. There were 78 miles traveled with an average of 7.8 per call. The time in service was 4 hours and 17 minutes, with an average of 35.7 minutes per call. $2,800 was made on the steak dinner fund raiser.
Township Engineer Report: Mr. O’Neil stated the landscape plans for CTDI expansion used the Landscape Amendment that was just adopted and the landscape review by Carol Menke recommends adoption. It is nearing the end of the building activities and a good time of the year to plant. The plan is to plant deciduous, evergreens, and shrubs. CTI has brought on 200 or more employees.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, for CTDI to utilize the amended landscape plan for their project. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Mr. O’Neil stated that Parsons Coatesville, LLC established a fee in lieu of for landscaping for CTDI in the amount of $75,900.00 that is no longer needed. Mr. O’Neil is seeking the Board’s approval to release these funds back to Parsons.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to release Letter of Credit Reduction Certificate of Completion for the CTDI Warehouse/Office Expansion Final release in the amount of $75,900.00 per Mr. O’Neils recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. O’Neil reported he has a Letter of Credit Reduction Certificate of Completion for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates, L.P. for Sadsbury Park, Phase 3A in the amount of $132,615.88 for the Board approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve a Letter of Credit Reduction Certificate of Completion for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates, L.P. for Sadsbury Park, Phase 3A in the amount of $132,615.88 per Mr. O’Neil’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye” the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. O’Neil reported he has an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates, L.P. for Sadsbury Park Phase 3A in the amount of $5,095.00 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds 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 3A in the amount of $5,095.00 per Mr. O’Neil’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Mr. O’Neil reported he has an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates, L.P. for Sadsbury Park Phase 3B in the amount of $195.62 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds 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 3B in the amount of $195.62 per Mr. O’Neil’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. O’Neil reported he has an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Rock Holdings, PA, LLC for Office/assembly & manufacturing facility in the amount of $224.37 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Rock Holdings, PA, LLC for Office/assembly & manufacturing facility in the amount of $224.37 per Mr. O’Neil’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. O’Neil reported he has an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Parsons, Coatesville, LLC, CTDI building expansion in the amount of $764.37 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Parsons, Coatesville, LLC, CTDI building expansion in the amount of $764.37 per Mr. O’Neil’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. O’Neil reported the Sadsbury Village Enhancement will be advertised and bids will be due to the Township by November 6, 2019. This pertains to the $50,000 grant.
Mr. O’Neil also reported that the MS4 report was submitted to DPA on Friday for review and comment.
Mr. O’Neil stated the Township received a request from Susan Amway for wheelchair access when her husband’s lift is broken. When the Sadsbury Village Enhancement was being worked on, the slope going down First Avenue was not handicap assessable because the slope was too steep. Paving will be done next year and if the Board approves, the curb can be cut to allow access to their front porch. It could cost between $7,500 to $10,000. The cost could be in the bid package and Liquid Fuels could be used instead of the General Fund. Mr. Reynolds wants to be sure that this is on the Township right-of –way and not personal property improvements. Mr. O’Neil stated that is correct. Mr. Reynolds said the Road Crew could move the stop sign to allow better access until paved.
Mr. O’Neil stated the Route 10 and Route 30 by-pass improvement meeting will be tomorrow at the Gateway Church beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Township Solicitor Report: Mr. O’Keefe reported that Sadsbury Commons has received one million dollars in grant money for the connector road and it will expire if construction does not begin by November. Sadsbury Commons is requesting to enter into a site improvement and Storm water security escrow agreement of one million dollars to start the connector road in November and if it is not finished, the money will be in escrow. Mr. McClintock, representing Sadsbury Commons, stated the road should be started in 45 to 60 days and have the plans ready. Mr. Reynolds wants to be assured the Township will be legally protected.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve the site and storm water financial security agreement with Sadsbury Commons putting $1,000,000.00 in escrow with the Township Solicitor’s and Township engineer’s approval. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Mr. O’Keefe stated that Route 10 and the internal access road will have a signal and the municipality will need to approve the traffic signal. There will be a total of 5 traffic lights for Sadsbury Commons.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve the application for a Highway Occupancy Permit for Sadsbury Commons. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve and authorize 5 traffic signals at the Sadsbury Commons location. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Mr. O’Keefe stated he would like authorization from the Board to advertise a Storm Water Amendment, as requested by the County by adding an exemption for certain high tunnels and the definition.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to authorize advertisement of the Storm Water Ordinance amendment as requested by the County. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. O’Keefe stated the County Tax Claim Bureau is asking to sell a double wide mobile home for $3,000.00 placed in the “repository for unsold properties”. Mr. O’Keefe is asking the Board to accept this sale.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to accept the offer of $3,000 to purchase a double wide mobile home from the Tax Claim Bureau. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Mr. Thomas Tran from Commonwealth Engineers presented to the Board a Land Development Plan for Sadsburyville Fire Company with some waiver requests. Mr. Tran explained the Fire Company is proposing to construct a new 4,288 square foot building, used for storage and office space. One of the waiver requests is to not have the landscape plan not to be required to be prepared by a registered landscape architect. Mr. MacCombie’s office will do the Landscape review.
Mr. O’Keefe stated the Fireman’s relief allocation in the amount of $24,583.13 is ready to be distributed. What is needed is a decision on what fire company will receive these funds. Mr. Reynolds should abstain from voting. Mr. Taylor can make a motion. Mr. Taylor asked if it is appropriate to make a motion by himself or should he wait for Mr. Moore to be present.
Mr. Taylor made a motion to allocate the Fireman’s Relief of $24,587.13 to go to the Sadsburyville Fire Company.
Mr. Reynolds is abstaining as a member of the Sadsburyville Fire Company as depicted in the Conflict of Interest Abstention Memorandum. Mr. O’Keefe said the membership is required to be a quorum or majority, and legally Mr. Reynolds can second the motion.
The motion by Mr. Taylor was seconded by Mr. Reynolds.
Mr. O’Keefe stated looking further into the deed on the Penguin Property on Quarry Road, there are deed restrictions. The township cannot put a Township garage. There can be no new improvements or construction on the property. Mr. Reynolds stated the area behind the Township building is not big enough to house a Township garage.
Eric Carlson of Arcadia Land Company asked the Board to allow the transfer of funds for the Township garage to be transferred to Township at the November meeting.
Township Planning Commission Report: The Planning Commission meeting was held on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. Discussions were held on Sadsbury Square by Mr. Randy White and Mr. John Jaros, Esq. Mr. White is seeking a recommendation for Preliminary/Final Land Development approval. Mr. Jaros made a case for treating the proposed development as a single tract that would allow contiguous open space of active and passive areas, rather than broken open spaces. A motion was made and seconded to recommend to the Board that the development be treated as a single tract for the purpose of calculating open space, provided an active recreational component was created in the open space which would be maintained by the Developer’s association. A motion was made and seconded to recommend to the Board of Supervisors approve the Preliminary Plan with waivers.
Mr. Jessey also would like to report on the Zoning Review Committee. They were expecting John Moore to be in attendance but he did not attend. A Supervisors is needed on the committee. They will be meeting on Wednesdays at 2 P.M. Mr. Taylor is willing to do a phone meeting with the committee.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor to appoint Anthony Clark to the Zoning Review Committee. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Chester County Airport Update: Mr. Roberts reported that the Airport Authority met today. Sikorsky Helicopter is out of all spaces at the airport. Their future is quite uncertain.
Zoning Report: Mr. O’Neil reported there were many zoning questions from some residents but no issues.
Payment of Invoices:
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to pay the September 2019 General Fund invoices in the amount of $204,698.69. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
New Business:
The Board set the date of October 31, 2019 for Trick or Treat for ages 12 and under, for the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Mr. O’Keefe stated the County would like all municipalities to adopt a resolution endorsing Landscapes3, the County’s new Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to adopt Resolution 2019-11, endorsing Landscapes3, the county’s new Comprehensive Plan. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve the Storm Water Agreement for Colby & Jillian Shesko, 30 N. Limestone Road, Lot 2. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve the Storm Water Agreement for Harold Greer at 30 N. Limestone Road. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Public Comment
Erik Brecht asked about the camera situation at the Bert Reel Park. Mr. Reynolds stated it is in the budget.
Anthony Clark said there is a Congressman from Delaware County that wants Harrisburg to approve the sale of Marijuana in Pennsylvania. He hopes everyone would not be in agreement. Mr. Reynolds said he cannot speak for the residents of the Township as a whole. Mr. O’Keefe replied correspondence could certainly be sent to elected officials.
Mr. Reynolds would like to have a survey on the web page about legalizing Marijuana.
Mr. Taylor thanked the secretary, Linda Shank, for a job well-done.
With there being no further business, Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to adjourn the meeting. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Respectfully Submitted
Linda Shank
Secretary