A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors was conducted on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 following the re-organizational meeting. Chairman, Mr. Reynolds called the meeting to order. Present were Supervisors Mr. Moore and Mr. Taylor via telephone. Also present was Township Solicitor, Mr. O’Keefe, Township Engineer, Mr. MacCombie, Township Manager, Mr. Walters, and members of the community.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to waive the reading of he minutes of he 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. Taylor, to adopt the minutes of the previous meeting. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Doug Howell, representing the John Rock Development orally is giving permission to grant an extension for the Preliminary/Final until March 31, 2018 and will follow-up with a letter to the Township.
Township Police Report: Chief Ranck reported the police patrolled 3,484 miles and handled 250 incidents during the month of December 2017, 57 of these incidents were handled by the Pennsylvania State Police during Township police’s off-duty hours for: 911 hang-up 1, vehicle crash with injuries 1, property damage crash 8, alarm fire 1, alarm police 11, animal complaint 4, assist to other police dept 3, business check 62, civil dispute 2, disabled vehicle 1, disturbance 1, public intoxication (alcohol/drugs) 1, for police department information 2, house/vacation check 22, identity theft 1, key locked (vehicle, house, etc.) 1, lost property 1, medical emergency 15, missing person 2, Township Park check 8, parking violation 1, police report (not in progress) 21, shots heard or shooting (no injuries) 1, suspicious condition 2, suspicious vehicle 1, theft 1, traffic general hazards 9, traffic stop 4, unauthorized use of motor vehicle 1, warrant hit or service 1, and 3 well-being checks. Criminal arrests in December are as follows: theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, public intoxication. These arrests do not include any active criminal investigations which may result in an arrest. During the November 15th budget meeting, the Board of Supervisors made a motion to hire Officer Alan Haldeman from part-time status effective January 1, 2018. Officer Haldeman has been with the department since December 2011 and brings over 20 years of experience to the department. Officer Haldeman has expressed interest along with his actions to be a dedicated member of the Township. This moves the department to 3 full-time officers including Chief Ranck and Sergeant Imhoff. Also during the November 15th budget meeting, the Board of Supervisors made a motion to h8ire Officer Michael Hawley as a part-time police officer. Officer Hawley is a retired Haverford Police officer with over 20 years of experience and is also a police academy instructor at the Delaware County Community College. Officer Hawley holds many instructor certifications including: Patrol rife instructor and Taser instructor. Officer Hawley will assist in maintaining the departments yearly qualifications in both the yearly Patrol rifle qualifications and Taser recertifications. Officer Hawley will mainly be working the weekend shifts Friday through Sunday.
Mr. Taylor stated he heard Officer Hawley is a grant writer and he is looking forward to meeting him.
Chief Ranck also stated that if it is snowing, keep your cars off the road and let the road department do their job. Cars will be ticketed.
Public Works Report: Public Works Foreman, Mr. Simmons reported that for the month of December the Public Works Department prepared and responded to four separate winter weather events in which plowing operations were deployed and the treatment of roads with de-icing agents were used. After a winter weather event trucks are unloaded of unused material which is placed back into the stock pile. All equipment is washed with goal to remove any salt residue. Equipment maintenance checks are performed once again, as well as inspection for worn or damaged parts. This helps us to prepare for the next winter event to come or in the event of an emergency. It helps prevent break downs or down time of our equ9pment during plowing and treating operations or in an emergency situation when time can be vital, and it ensures safe operation for the Public Works Department Employees as well as the public who uses our roadways. The Department would respectfully request the Board of Supervisors approval of the hiring of the following part-time as needed winter help applicants for the year 2018 as follows: Rob Hertzog, Chris Loesh, Jared Dalmas, Dexter Pascoe, Dave Crum, Joe McGinley, and Justin Luton. The best way and most efficient way to report a pot hole, tree down, icy road or any type of hazardous road condition is to e-mail the department at Sadsburypublicworks@comcast.net or phone the department at 610-857-3733. If the road issue or condition is life threatening or a serious safety concern, please dial 911. The equipment hours were 12.5 and there were 1,437 vehicle miles traveled.
Mr. Taylor made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to hire Rob Hertzog, Chris Loesh, Jared Dalmas, Dexter Pascoe, Dave Crum, Joe McGinley, and Justin Luton as part-time, as needed winter help for the year 2018. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Emergency Management Report: No Report
Keystone Valley Fire Department Report: Chief Cazillo reported that for the month of December, the Keystone Valley Fire Department responded to 11 calls for: fire 2, rescue/medical assist 5, good intent 2, and fire police 2. The response by municipality was as follows: Sadsbury Township 0, West Sadsbury Township 2, Highland Township 1, Parkesburg Borough 4, and out of district 4. The average response by personnel per call was 6 with a total of 65 personnel for combined response hours of 32.4 hours. The average response time to dispatch on on-scene was 10.30 minutes. For the month of December 2017, the Keystone Valley EMS Division responded to 91 calls for: treated/transported BLS 33, treated/transported ALS 29, no services required 7, patient refusal 11, recall on-route 4, recalled on-scene 5, and public service 2. The Municipal break-down is as follows: Parkesburg Borough 45, Sadsbury Township 23, West Sadsbury Township 6, Highland Township 2, and Out of District 15.
The Keystone Valley Fire Report for the year 2017 has a total of 237 calls for the year, and the EMS Division had a total of 1,137 calls for the year 2017.
Sadsburyville Fire Company Report: For the month of December 2017, the Sadsburyville Fire Company responded to 12 calls for: 3 AFA, 4 Cardiac Arrests (A.E.D. used x 1), 1 relocate, 1 brush, 1 Chief notification, 2 house. There were 60 volunteer fire fighters responding with an average of 5 firefighters responding per call. There were 42 miles traveled with an average of 5 miles per call. The time in service was 5 hours and 52 minutes with an average of 32 minutes per call. The responses per municipality is as follows: Sadsbury Township North 6, Sadsbury Township South 0, Valley Township 1, West Caln Township 2, West Fallowfield Township 1, Coatesville 1, and Parkesburg Borough 1. There were 60 combined firefighter training hours and 92 hours of combined personnel fundraising hours.
Township Engineer Report: Mr. MacCombie stated he has a certificate of Completion Letter of Credit reduction for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates, LP for Sadsbury Park Phase 4A in the amount of $122,528.45 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to approve a certificate of Completion Letter of Credit reduction for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates, LP for Sadsbury Park Phase 4A in the amount of $122,528.45 per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation.
With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. MacCombie reported he has a Engineering Escrow release of funds for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates, LP for Sadsbury Park Phase 4A in the amount of $1,251.24 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, LP for Sadsbury Park Phase 4A in the amount of $1,251.24 per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. MacCombie stated that CTDI has filed for a Land Development for a 17,600 square foot expansion. As part of the process, they would have to do Storm Water and grading. The grading application has been filed to only move dirt and an existing sediment basin will be filled as part of a future expansion. They are moving through the process to get approval for the building. They will address Storm Water Management to meet MS4 regulations. The Board is agreeable to allowing CTDI to be granted a grading permit for prep work and moving dirt.
Mr. Reynolds asked Mr. MacCombie about the Octorara Bridge. Mr. MacCombie said the bridge is repaired temporarily for now. He estimates the cost to rebuild the bridge to be $500,000 to 1 million dollars to do it right. It should be done within the next 5 years.
Township Solicitor Report: Mr. O’Keefe stated that the Township received a request form PSATS asking the Township to adopt a resolution opposing HB 160 which would amend the Wireless Broadband Collocation Act to provide a statewide preemption of local zoning for wireless facilities. Mr. O’Keefe stated that this act would not have any affect on Sadsbury Township, however; if PSATS asks for the adoption, the Township should comply.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to adopt Resolution 2018-06, a resolution opposing HB 1620 to amend the Wireless Broadband Collocation Act to provide a statewide preemption of local zoning for wireless facilities. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. O’Keefe stated the Township has received a letter from the County in reference to the positions of Auditor for 6 year term, Auditor for un-expired 4 year term and Tax Collector. This is something the Board should think about to fill these positions.
Mr. O’Keefe states the Board has received a draft letter that will be sent to the State Ethics Commission. Mr. O’Keefe asked if there were any additions or corrections. Mr. Taylor stated he is okay with the wording. Mr. Reynolds asked if they will contact Mr. O’Keefe if they need more clarification? Mr. O’Keefe stated they should respond within 21 days. Mr. Reynolds is okay with it. Mr. Moore would like to read it more.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve Mr. O’Keefe sending the letter to the Ethics Commission on the condition Mr. Moore reads it through and is okay with the wording in the letter. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Taylor asked Mr. MacCombie if he heard about a letter going out to all Townships that they should go to all LED lighting? Mr. MacCombie stated that he would like to have a copy of the letter and he will give it to Dennis O’Neil in his office.
Mr. Reynolds asked how many street lights does Sadsbury Township have?
Mr. Walters thinks there are 6.
Zoning Report: Mr. Walters read the Zoning report in which 104 permits were issued in 2017. Forty-three inspections were performed and sixty inquiries have been received. Four permits were issued in December for two single family alteration and one pool.
Chester County Airport Update: No Report.
New Business:
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to adopt Resolution 2018-04 appointing Maulo and Company as the Township’s auditors for the year 2018, to replace the elected auditors. This has been duly advertised for 30 days. 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 adopt Resolution 2018-05 the Township fee schedule for the year 2018. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
The Board of Supervisors has set the dates of January 12th and January 19th, for the Christmas tree pick-up by the Township Road Department weather permitting.
Public Comment
Tony Clark congratulated the Board. Jim Dickey is the Code Enforcer. Has the Board looked into hiring a full-time employee to do building and zoning?
Mr. Reynolds stated that construction in the Township will get worse with the 10&30 construction. Tom Lowry drove around the Township doing his job.
John Lymberis asked if the Township was hiring Code Inspections or Jim Dickey directly. Mr. Taylor stated Jim Dickey works for Code Inspections.
John Lymberis stated the last time Jim Dickey worked here, MacCombie Engineering was the Zoning Officer. Mr. Taylor stated he would like Jim Dickey to do both.
John Lymberis asked if there was anything to prevent him from doing both? Mr. MacCombie stated that at that time, Mr. Dickey was not available to do both and the Township asked his office to do zoning.
Mr. Walters will follow-up with Jim Dickey to get his pay information.
Stephanie Silvernail welcomed John Moore to the Board.
Christine Moore asked why Linda Shank had to be reappointed Secretary at the Reorganizational meeting and Mr. Walters did not have to be appointed Manager. Mr. O’Keefe stated the positions are different in the Second Class Township Code.
Clark Faggioli asked what are the qualifications for the zoning officer. Mr. MacCombie stated there are no qualifications, just knowledge of zoning.
Chief Ranck stated that Bert Reel Park will need some serous field work for the baseball season.
Dave Reynolds asked Mr. MacCombie to submit proposal for Zoning Officer.
Dave Reynolds stated that not having Tom Lowry in the Township is doing the Township a great disservice. John Moore and Earl Taylor should really think about their decision. Tom knows what he is doing concerning Code enforcement. This is a terrible mistake.
John Lymberis asked if the personnel at the Township were asked about their opinion?
Mr. Taylor stated that what he has gone through to get a wheel chair ramp at his home was horrendous. Tom was abrasive to some of the residents in the Township.
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