A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Sadsbury Township was conducted on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 commencing at 7:00 p.m. Chairman, Mr. Reynolds called the meeting to order. Present was Mr. Taylor via telephone, Township Solicitor, Mr. O’Keefe, Township Engineer and Zoning Officer, Mr. MacCombie, and members of the community. Supervisor, Mr. Moore was absent this evening.
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 unanimously.
Township Police Report: Chief Ranck reported that for the month of May, 2019, the police patrolled 3,894 miles and answered 346 dispatched incidents. Pennsylvania State Police answered 24 incidents during the overnight for a total of 370 incidents as follows: hit & run crash 1, accident other type 1, property damage crash 3, accident serious 1, alarm fire 2, alarm police 8, animal complaint 2, assault with injuries 1, assist to other police department 10, DOA actual or possible 1, burglary 1, business check 128, civil dispute 2, criminal mischief/vandalism 1, disabled vehicle 2, disturbance 2, illegal dumping 1, erratic driver 8, extra patrol request 1, for police department information 12, fraud (actual or attempted) 1, house/vacation check 13, keys locked (vehicle, house, etc.) 2, medical emergency 28, miscellaneous police nature 4, Township park check 7, parking violation 3, repossession 1, police department 14, robbery 1, search warrant 2, storm wires pole transformer 2, suspicious condition 4, suspicious vehicle 3, theft 2, traffic general hazards 7, trespasser 1, traffic stop 34, residential vacation check 1, and well-being checks 6. Criminal arrests are as followed: 1 felony burglary, 1 felony criminal trespass, 2 criminal mischief, 2 receiving stolen property, 2 thefts, 1 disorderly conduct, 1 bench warrant arrest out of Lancaster County. These arrests do not include any current investigations that may result in an arrest.
Chief Ranck asked the Board of Supervisors permission to hire Officer Matt Diemedio as a part time officer to cover nights that have no coverage and week-ends.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to hire Matt Diemedio as a part-time officer. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Public Works Report: For the month of May, 2019, the Public Works Department maintained all Township owned properties and right-a-ways by mowing and weed control. Several sink holes have been repaired and many road signs have been repaired or replaced. Regular maintenance and inspection checks have been performed on all vehicles and equipment and some basic electrical, mechanical work completed. Various road edges in areas have been filled with different rock material and all storm drains have been inspected and cleared if warranted. Possession was taken of the new Bandit wood chipper and 2019 Freightliner Dump truck. A significant amount of time was spent going over both pieces of equipment to ensure the specs are correct. On May 20, 2019, the department was ordered to board up a condemned house located at 7 Middle Street. This order was completed by day’s end. The equipment hours are 8.5 and the vehicle miles traveled were 880.
A quote was received by Modern Equipment to do maintenance on the Generator at the Township Building for $950.00.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to enter into a contract with Modern Equipment to do maintenance on the Generator at the Township Building for $950.00. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Mr. Reynolds stated the new wood chipper has been registered, so if it is stolen, the vin number will pop up.
Mr. Reynolds stated the old storage shed at the old Township Building will be demolished, but to do so will require an environmental study.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to accept the quote from AET (Accredited Environmental Technologies, Inc.) to do asbestos testing at the old storage shed located at 6 Ramsey Alley for $1,450.00. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Reynolds reported that on the road inspection, it was found that the loop keeps getting broken at the traffic light at Route 30 and Old Wilmington Road. Some quotes were received by the Public Works for installation of a radar detection system at this intersection. Mr. MacCombie stated PennDOT will need to be contacted for permits.
The Board authorized Mr. MacCombie to contact PennDOT to get the permitting needed to have the light loop at Route 30 and Old Wilmington Road changed to the radar detection system.
Mr. Reynolds stated the road repair in the Township will have to wait until he receives a total amount of Liquid Fuels money received by the Township. Mr. Taylor stated the Board has an idea what they want to do, but need to know the amount received from Liquid Fuels.
Emergency Management Coordinator Report: No Report.
Keystone Valley Fire Department: For the month of May, 2019, the Keystone Valley Fire Department responded to 20 calls for: fire 6, rescue/medical assist 3, false 5, service 1, hazard 4, and severe weather 1. The response by municipality is as follows: West Sadsbury Township 5, Highland Township 0, Parkesburg Borough 5, Sadsbury Township 2, and out of district 8. The average response by personnel per call is 6, with a total of 124 personnel for combined response hours of 35.57 hours. The average time dispatched to on scene was 13.36 minutes. The fire units traveled 991 miles using 150.7 gallons of fuel. The ambulance(s) traveled 2,691 miles and used 302.6 gallons of fuel. Maintenance hours on all apparatus was 41 hours with a total of $4,165.65 in maintenance. The Keystone Valley EMS Division responded to 101 calls for: treated/transported BLS 30, treated/transported ALS 42, no service required 12, patient refusal 8, unfound 2, treated and released 5, public service 1, and dead at scene 1. The municipal break-down is a follows: Parkesburg Borough 43, Sadsbury Township 28, West Sadsbury Township 22, Highland Township 5, and out of district 3.
Sadsburyville Fire Company Report: For the month of May, 2019, the Sadsburyville Fire Company responded to 14 calls for: motor vehicle accidents 5, public service 2, automatic fire alarm 2, house fire 1, assist EMS 1, relocate 1, and wires fire 1. The break-down by municipality is as follows: Sadsbury Township 8, Valley Township 1, South Coatesville Borough 1, Caernarvon Township 1, East Fallowfield Township 1, Londonderry Township 1, and Caln Township 1. There were 80 firefighters responding with an average of 6 firefighters per call. The miles traveled were 127 with an average of 901 miles per call. The time in service was 15 hours and 39 minutes with an average of 67.1 minutes per call.
Township Engineer Report: Mr. MacCombie reported he has an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates for Sadsbury Park Phase 3B 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 for Sadsbury Park Phase per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Mr. MacCombie reported he has an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Parsons Coatesville, LLC for the CTDI Building Expansion Land Development in the amount of $1,406.25 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 for the CTDI Building Expansion Land Development in the amount of $1,406.25 per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Mr. MacCombie reported he has an Escrow Account Reduction Certificate of Completion for the Aerzen USA Parking Expansion Project in the amount of $171,640.20 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve an Escrow Account Reduction Certificate of Completion for the Aerzen USA Parking Expansion Project in the amount of $171,640.20 per Mr. MacCombie’s recommendation. With there being no questions from the pubic, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Mr. MacCombie reported the Octorara Bridge bog turtle study will be done soon. If any are found, they will have to have a Bog Turtle Environmental Analyst there to watch and give clearance.
Mr. MacCombie stated he has received a grading permit application from Jacob Riehl who wants to build a new house on his property and live in the old house while he builds the new house. The house is on a well and septic which will be filled in when the new house is built. Mr. O’Keefe wants money put into an escrow account as security that if the house is not taken down, the Township can have it taken down. Mr. O’Keefe will look into the security issue.
Mr. MacCombie received an e-mail from Chuck DiLabbio from Sikorsky. They pay a yearly license fee for the crossing at Washington Lane. They want to terminate the license agreement on July 31, 2019 to maintain the crosswalk and conduit under Washington Lane. Mr. O’Keefe is sure Vince Pompo has the agreement.
Mr. MacCombie stated he heard from Mr. Theurkauf about the modified changes he made to the Riparian Buffer, and the replacement trees. Mr. O’Keefe asked if the Board would be willing to send the Ordinances to the Chester County Planning Commission contingent he and Mr. MacCombie review the draft. The worst case scenario would be adoption by September.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to send the two ordinances to the Chester County Planning Commission contingent on approval by Mr. O’Keefe and Mr. MacCombie. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Township Solicitor Report: Mr. O’Keefe stated that Eric Carlson from Arcadia Land would like to address the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Carlson told the Board he appreciates the vote last month to delay the recording of the Sadsbury Park plans due to the death of his collogue. He is so appreciative of their understanding. Closing was this afternoon and the plans are recorded. Mr. Reynolds stated that Arcadia has been in the Township for 14 years and are not going anywhere. Mr. Carlson stated that Jason Duckworth and some collogues would like to donate some plants or something for the mediums. He would appreciate some feed-back. The Board will keep this in mind, since the $50,000 grant will not cover everything.
Mr. O’Keefe stated he had a phone conversation with Kelly Sweeney of the Chester County Health Department regarding her letter about the Lincoln Crest Mobile Home Park sewage facilities. He explained to her that the trial between the Township and Lincoln Crest did not get the result the Township desired. The Township sold the sewer system to Pennsylvania American. She will discuss this with her supervisor and get back to Mr. O’Keefe.
Mr. O’Keefe stated that regarding 7 Middle Street, there was an Administrative search warrant served. Pictures were taken and the house boarded up. Will use the photographs to go to the judge to hopefully have the residents out and able to be arrested. The Sheriff Sale of the property is a long procedure and could take several months. Karen Griffith said they are back in the property. A ladder was put up to the roof and went into the building and another car was brought in.
Mr. O’Keefe stated that unfortunately, the Township does not have a property maintenance code. Mr. Reynolds asked what can be done about a property maintenance code. Mr. O’Keefe replied the Township can adopt the Property Maintenance Code, but there is some push-back because it gives the Township too much authority to govern properties. The alternative is for the Township to write its own Ordinance to maintain properties and not use the International Property Maintenance Code. Mr. O’Keefe will give the Board a copy of the International Property Maintenance Code to see if they want it, or they would like to write their own.
Karen Griffith told the Board the middle house has been abandoned and she would like to know the name of the bank that took the house over. No one knows who that is, so Mr. O’Keefe will try to find out what bank owns the house. Chief Ranck stated that the resident of that house has abandoned it and no one seems to know where she is. She abandoned the house a year and half ago.
Mr. O’Keefe state he contacted the County on the swap out for one deed restricted property for another soon to be donated property for the construction of the Township garage. He asked if his was possible and received a polite nod (no). The consensus of the Board, is that the property at Quarry and Greenbelt donated to the Township by Penguin Industries, might be a good area for the Road Department. Mr. O’Keefe will talk to Vince Pompo as he would have the deed and restrictions.
Planning Commission Report: Mr. Jessey reported the Planning Commission met on Wednesday, May 15, 2019. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Mr. Gill, Mr. Silvers and Mr. Kos were seeking approval for the Final Land Development of Sadsbury Commons Phase 2, and Preliminary Land Development for Sadsbury Commons Phase 3. A motion was made and seconded to recommend to the Board of Supervisors to grant Sadsbury Commons Final Land Development approval for Phase 2, and Preliminary Land Development approval for Phase 3, subject to the review letter submitted by the Township consultants. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Township Zoning Report: Mr. MacCombie reported he contacted Mr. Wayne Grafton and he is more than willing to complete the Zoning Ordinance. Some fence permits were approved, and there is a request for selling fireworks at Route 10 & 30.
Chester County Airport Update: No Report.
Payment of Invoices;
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to pay the May 2019 General Fund invoices in the amount of $248,318.56. 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 pay the May 2019 Sanitary Sewer invoices in the amount of $68.95. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
New Business:
Michael Gill has come before the Board of Supervisors to ask for Final Land Development for Phase 2 of the Sadsbury Commons Project, with requested waivers, and for Preliminary Land Development approval for Phase 3, with waivers, as applicable. Mr. Gill stated a highway occupancy permit would be issued in the near future, and the Township would have to sign off on the storm water facilities within the highway right of way. Mr. Gill stated Phase 1 was Lancaster General Hospital, Phase 2 is the fully constructed connector Road, and sewer to Parkesburg. Phase 3 is down the road depending on the market.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to grant Final Land Development for Phase 2, and Preliminary Land Development to Phase 3, contingent on the MacCombie review letter dated May 20, 2019 and the other Township consultants review letters. 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 waivers on topography, pole standards and plan date requirements that were requested by Mr. Gill in 2018. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Public Comment:
Mr. Reynolds congratulated Mr. Taylor on his Primary Election win by a landslide.
Mr. Simon Jessey asked if someone was hunting as some residents of Sadsbury Park has heard shooting in southwest of the development.
Craig Hannum stated he was turkey hunting on private property and his back was to the neighborhood.
Simon Jessey stated that on Lincoln Highway, there should be plantings to offset the new trailer park near the Pottery Barn and bushes are hanging down on the road. The secretary will tell the Public Works Foreman to call PennDOT.
Michelle Buffington stated she received a 2017 trash bill from the Township. Mr. Reynolds stated that due to a glitch in the system, 110 people did not receive the 2017 trash bill. Ms. Buffington said there was no due date to pay the bill, only a “reminder” stamp on the invoice. Mr. Reynolds stated the bill is due December 31st and if not paid by that time, it is subject to municipal lien.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to give the $10.00 discount on the 2017 trash bill and payment must be made by December 31, 2019. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Craig Hannum wrote the Board a letter with permission to submit plans to be looked at by the Board or the Planning Commission. Mr. O’Keefe stated it is not uncommon for the Board to look at plans before they go to the Zoning Hearing Board. Mr. Reynolds told Mr. Hannum, the Board will take a look at this plans.
Mr. Reynolds reminded everyone that the Route 30 Bypass Reconstruction Meeting will be held at the Coatesville Moose Lodge on June 20, 2019 at 6:30 pm.
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 motion pass.
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda Shank
Secretary