A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Sadsbury Township was conducted on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 commencing at 7:00 p.m. Chairman, Mr. Reynolds called the meeting to order. Present was Supervisor John Moore, and Earl Taylor by telephone. Township Solicitor, Mr. O’Keefe, Township Engineer Mr. McCombie, and members of the community.
A moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance was observed.
Mr. Reynolds announced the Board met in Executive Session before the meeting to discuss legal issues and real estate acquisition.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, 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. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, 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 that for the month of March, 2019, the police patrolled 4,295 miles and answered 300 dispatched incidents. Pennsylvania State Police answered 40 incidents during the overnight for a total of 240 incidents within the Township for: vehicle crash with injuries 3, accident other type 1, property damage crash 10, alarm fire 1, alarm police 5, animal complaint 4, assist to other police 10, business check 117, civil dispute 2, child custody dispute 1, death investigation 1, disabled vehicle 4, disturbance 1, domestic disturbance 4, emotional disorder 2, erratic driver 4, extra patrol request 1, field or brush fire 1, for police information 9, harassment 1, house/vacation check 15, Officer injured on duty 1, keys locked (vehicle or house, etc.) 1, medical emergency 21, miscellaneous police nature 2, Township Park check 10, parking violation 2, repossession 1, police report 17, shots heard or shooting (no injuries) 1, suspicious condition 3, suspicious person 1, suspicious vehicle 3, theft 2, theft gun 2, traffic general hazards 8, trespasser 2, traffic stop 20, warrant hit or service 3, and well-being checks 3. Criminal arrests are as follows: 3 defiant trespass, 1 Bench Warrant out of Lancaster County. These arrests do not include any current investigations that may result in an arrest.
Chief Ranck asked the Board for permission for Officer Al Haldeman to attend a class held in Coatesville for Effective Leadership. This class is at a cost of $190.00 and a one day class held 8am to 4pm. Chief Ranck will be retiring at the end of this year and Officer Haldeman may be moving up in rank.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to approve Officer Haldeman to attend a class in Coatesville for Effective Leadership at a cost of $190.00. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Public Works Report: For the month of March, the Public Works Department prepared and responded to two separate winter events in which plowing operations were deployed and the treatment of roads with de-icing agents were used. Before a winter event all snow and ice removal equipment goes through a vigorous maintenance check. During the March 1st. winter event an unusual number of mailboxes were damaged. Each mailbox complaint was investigated. The Township Ordinance only covers mailboxes that meet certain requirements. Most of the mailboxes that were damaged occurred due to heavy wet snow or not meeting other requirements stated in the Ordinance. Mailboxes that did meet the requirements and the plow made contact with, were corrected or received reimbursement for damages. Several private properties that were damaged by plows have been restored by filling with soil, raking and seeding. During the month, several street signs were replaced or repaired, several pot holes and sink holes were filled and the storm drains system was cleared of debris. Bert Reel Park is being cleaned up of trash, sticks, and leaves and is being prepared for the mowing season. The equipment hours was 8.4 and the vehicle miles were 864.
Emergency Management Coordinator Report: Mr. Taylor reported he has received information about a new website from the County for training.
Keystone Valley Fire Company Report: For the month of March, 2019, The Keystone Fire Company responded to 25 calls for: fire 8, rescue/medical assist 11, false 2, service 1, hazard 3. The response by municipality is a follows: West Sadsbury Township 10, Highland Township 1, Parkesburg Borough 6, Sadsbury OOD 2, and Out of District 6. The average response by personnel per call was 8 with a total of 206 personnel for combined response hours of 99.08 hours. The average response time to dispatch to on scene was 8:41 minutes. The Keystone Valley EMS Division responded to 108 calls for: treated/transported BLS 25, treated/transported ALS 40, no service required 19, patient refusal 17, unfounded 2, standby 1, and recall 4. The municipal breakdown is as follows: Parkesburg Borough 36, Sadsbury Township 34, West Sadsbury Township 27, Highland Township 5, and OOD 6.
Sadsburyville Fire Company Report: Sadsbury Fire Company responded to 24 fire/rescue calls in March, 2019 for: motor vehicle accidents 13, house fire 2, brush fire 2, trash fire 1, automobile fire 1, investigation 1, relocate 1, automatic fire alarm 1, assist EMS 1, and heater malfunction 1. The municipal breakdown is as follows: Sadsbury Township 14, West Caln Township 3, Coatesville City 2, Valley Township 2, Parkesburg Borough 1, West Sadsbury Township 1, and West Fallowfield Township 1. There were 167 firefighters responding, with an average of 7 firefighters per call. There was 161 miles traveled for an average of 6.7 miles per call. Time in service was 25 hours and 30 minutes with an average of 63.75 minutes per call. One fire police officer suffered minor injuries while operation at the scene of an auto accident.
Township Engineer Report: Mr. MacCombie reported he has an Engineering Escrow release of funds for the CTDI Building Expansion in the amount of $13,077.50 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to approve an Engineering Escrow release of funds for the CTDI Building Expansion in the amount of $13,077.50 per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion pass unanimously.
Mr. MacCombie met with Jim Kelly and Gerald DeBalko of Pennsylvania American Water Company to understand the future of lateral inspections in the Township since the sewer system was sold. The Township will be responsible to inspect the laterals in Sadsbury Park until Phase 3A is finished. Then Pennsylvania American will be responsible.
On April 1, 2019, Mr. MacCombie met with the attorney for the Sadsburyville Fire Company for their building expansion.
Pictures were given to the Board requesting no parking on Belvedere Avenue. Chief Ranck stated he cannot tow or ticket cars parked off the traveled portion of the road. This resident states he cannot get into his driveway because of his neighbor parking on the street. Mr. O’Keefe stated this has led to a lot of neighbor disputes, but as long as there are no safety hazards, there is nothing the police can do.
Dave Simmons is requesting to have a road inspection for 2019 with Herb MacCombie.
Dave Reynolds asked Mr. MacCombie if he would be willing to take back the Zoning for the Township and Mr. MacCombie said he would, if that is what the Board desires.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to appoint MacCombie Engineering as the Zoning Officer for Sadsbury Township. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Taylor asked if anything was going on with Mrs. Seller’s complaint on North Street. Mr. MacCombie stated the funds were available, don’t know if they are now since Mrs. Sellers did not sign the document that Herb MacCombie and Bryan Walters tried several times to contact her. Mr. MacCombie met with her attorney, Allan Jarvis at the property when it was raining and saw nothing. He has heard no more.
Township Solicitor Report: Mr. O’Keefe stated he will skip forward on the agenda and allow Mr. Edward Theurkauf report on his proposed revisions to the Landscape Ordinance. Mr. Theurkauf reported that he has been in front of the Planning Commission several times and with all the comments and suggestions from the Planning Commission, he is presenting to the Board all the amendments in ordinance form. The ordinance as it is now, is unable to be complied with. He has worked with Mr. MacCombie and Max O’Keefe to come up with solutions to some of the problems. Mr. Theurkauf has tried not to make the ordinance too technical as he wants it to be easily understood. Questions were taken from the public about the revisions, a few questions covered were tree size number, and how residents would be buffered from commercial buildings. The Board will review the proposed Zoning and Sub Division Ordinances and it will be on the agenda for next month.
Mr. O’Keefe skipped the agenda over to Old Business to allow Randy White, Sadsbury Associates LP to submit Land Development for Sadsbury Square that was dropped off at the Township Office in February. Mr. White is here to formally submit the Land Development plans to the Board of Supervisors dated February 26, 2019.
Mr. O’Keefe has drafted an ordinance covering snow emergency parking in the Township and he is asking the Board for authorization to advertise the ordinance for adoption. If the Board of Supervisors or Township Manager declares a snow emergency, the public roads must be cleared of vehicles in no less than an hour. There shall be no dumping snow on roads from private property, and the police are authorized to tow vehicles if they are not removed.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to allow Mr. O’Keefe to advertise an ordinance of snow emergency parking within the Township. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. O’Keefe stated that last meeting there was a discussion about cars parking on Chestnut Street, between Middle Street and Spruce Street. He would like the Board to consider authorizing him to advertise a Chestnut Street Parking Ordinance.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to authorize Mr. O’Keefe to advertise an Ordinance to address the Chestnut Street Parking. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye” the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. O’Keefe stated he has reviewed all the Developers Agreements for Phase 3A of Sadsbury Arcadia for Sadsbury Park Subdivision. He is asking the Board to conditionally approve these agreements.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore to conditionally approve the Developer Agreements for Phase 3A of Sadsbury Arcadia per Mr. OKeefe’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. O’Keefe stated that Sadsbury Commons needs a temporary construction easement over property owned by Tractor Supply. This would not be a permanent easement, it is so the developer could enter the property to construct road improvements, then would vacate the property. Tractor Supply has refused to give them an easement. Mr. O’Keefe has for adoption by the Board Resolution 2019-09, allowing acquisition of a temporary construction easement for the purpose of allowing completion of improvements to Route 10.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to adopt Resolution 2019-09, allowing acquisition of a temporary construction easement for the purpose of allowing completion of improvements to Route 10. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. O’Keefe stated now that the sewer system has been sold to Pennsylvania American, the Township needs to approve the assignment of Amtrak License Agreements to PAWC.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to approve the assignment of Amtrak License Agreements to Pennsylvania American. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Township Planning Commission: Mr. Moore reported the Planning commission met on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Mr. Theurkauf brought the proposed amendments to the Township Zoning and SALDO Ordinance. A motion was made and seconded to move forward with the amendments and send them to the Board of Supervisors for their approval. The meeting was adjourned.
Chester County Airport Update: Mr. Roberts reported the Authority met today. They are still looking for someone to take over the restaurant. The control tower is moving in a positive direction.
Payment of Invoices:
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to pay the March 2019 General Fund invoices in the amount of $184,896.08. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to pay the March 2019 Sanitary Sewer invoices in the amount of $71,576.15. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
New Business:
The Township received an invitation to participate in the 2020 census new construction program with an opportunity to update the Census Bureau’s residential address list with living quarters for which construction is in progress during or after March 1, 2019 and completion expected by Census Day, April 1, 2020.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to participate in the 2020 Census New Construction Program. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Old Business:
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to appoint Simon Jessey to the Planning Commission and assume the role of recording secretary. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to appoint Judith Klingman to the Planning Commission. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to appoint Anthony Clark, Sr. to the Zoning Hearing Board as the Alternate. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Public Comment:
Mr. Reynolds stated there is interest in building a Public Works garage at the Township owned property Sadsbury Park. Because this property is in preservation, the building cannot be built. Sadsbury Square is donating a similar amount of land with their new development. Mr. O’Keefe will look into the possibility of a land exchange.
Mike Klingman asked what was the meeting with Sadsbury Fire Company for? Mr. MacCombie replied they are filling for Land Development Plan and he had a meeting with their attorney.
Susan Bankart asked what is being done to improve the traffic calming islands. Mr. Reynolds explained the Township received at $50,000 grant to put plantings, mulch, and a new sign.
Mr. MacCombie stated the Township bought sanitary sewer meters and Pennsylvania American would like to purchase them. Mr. O’Keefe stated to put something on paper to purchase them.
Vicky Horan asked if there was any new information about the vicious dog. Mr. Reynolds stated he has heard nothing new on the subject.
With there being no further business, Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, 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