In order to comply with the Stay at Home Order issued by Governor Wolf, minimizing public exposure to COVID-19 and maintain social distancing, the Sadsbury Township Board of Supervisors is conducting the November meeting remotely via ZOOM. Chairman Dave Reynolds called the meeting to order. Present was Supervisor John Moore and Supervisor Earl Taylor. Township Solicitor Max O’Keefe was unavailable and Solicitor Bill Christman filled in. Also attending was Township Engineer/Zoning Officer, Mr. MacCombie, Police Chief, Mike Hawley, and there were several members of the public attending.
Mr. Christman announced the Board met in Executive Session prior to the meeting tonight.
The moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance was waived.
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 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.
Police Report: Chief Hawley reported that the trend is downward on the State Police calls in the Township. There were 25 State Police calls, which half were self-initiated; such as suspicious vehicle checks and motor carrier safety checks. Sergeant Imhoff and Corporal Sipple make sure staffing is adequate to go over and above to have an officer presence in and around the community. Our officers know the what the problem areas are and what the community is concerned about, but most of all, our officers know the people. In October there were 378 calls for service, up 25 calls from September. Contributing factors are Halloween, transitioning back to school, mild October, and traffic more than usual. Bulk of the calls were business checks and patrol checks, (parks). The busiest hours of the day are 9am to 11am. The busiest day in October was Friday. Saturday was the least- busiest day. Chief Hawley stated that neighboring Townships assist us as we assist them. Sergeant Imhoff was alerted to a County grant funded by the county to have a temperature scanner at the front door or at the police door. Chief Hawley stated he wrote a letter to the Board about the body camera situation and some budgetary items. The report is available at the Township Building for anyone who wants to see them. Chief Hawley reported he has one solid candidate for part-time officer and will hold more interviews for the second one. Detailed background checks are being done as we want the best officers we can get. The Township is growing, and maybe somewhere in the future, we will need another full-time officer. The property at 7 Middle Street was posted by the Codes Department for condemnation and the posting was removed. The premises is advertised for tax sale.
Chief Hawley stated that parking in Sadsbury Village has become a problem with Halloween events and sports events. The Township has been lenient with the parking which is mostly on Broad Meadow and Blackberry close to the corner. Written warnings will be placed on cars, then it will be taken to the next level. Emergency vehicles must be able to get through these streets.
Mr. Reynolds complemented Sergeant Imhoff and Officer Demedio for their handling of the fatal crash on Monday night. Chief Hawley stated there is a disturbing trend of serious and fatal accidents with motorcycles, ATVs, trucks, sports cars, sedans, and SUVs. Small Townships have seen fatal accidents increase this year. There is more traffic and crazy driving is some of the causes.
Public Works: The Public Works Department will have a detailed report at the December meeting.
Emergency Management Report: Mr. Taylor is concerned about the lack of social distancing and masks that he saw on the television happening in Philadelphia. COVID-19 is on the increase and he is concerned about next year and COVID. Mr. Reynolds stated that he thought the Township could open up in January, but the Board might have to rethink that.
Keystone Valley Fire Department: For the month of October, 2020, the Keystone Valley Fire Department responded to 14 calls for: fire 6, rescue/medical assist 6, false 2. The response by municipality was: West Sadsbury Township 2, Highland Township 1, Parkesburg Borough 4, Sadsbury (OOD) 2, and 5 out of district. The average personnel per call was 8 with a total of 99 personal for combined response hours of 65.30 hours. The average time from dispatch to on the scene was 10.57 minutes. The EMS Division responded to 113 calls for: treated/transported BLS 37, treated/transported ALS 31, no service required 14, patient refusal 20, public service 1, dead at scene 1, recalled 8, transferred/other EMS 1. The response by municipality: Parkesburg Borough 34, West Sadsbury Township 17, Highland Township 12, Sadsbury Township 40, Atglen Borough 2, Christiana Borough, Lancaster County 5, Sadsbury Township, Lancaster County 1, Salisbury Township, Lancaster County 1, Lower Oxford Township 1.
Sadsburyville Fire Company Report: For the month of October, 2020, The Sadsburyville Fire Company answered 16 calls for: motor vehicle accident 8, automatic fire alarm 3, building fire 2, combine fire 1, house fire 1, and investigation 1. The breakdown by municipality: Sadsbury Township 10, Valley Township 1, East Fallowfield Township 1, East Brandywine Township 1, West Caln Township 3. There was an average of 8 firefighters per call. There were 133 miles traveled with an average of 8.3 miles per call. Time in service was 9 hours and 47 minutes with an average of 36.6 minutes per call.
Township Planning Commission Report: Mr. Jessey reported that the Planning Commission met on October 14, 2020. Eric Carlson from Arcadia Land met with the Commission with changes he would like to make to two remaining phases at Sadsbury Park. Mr. Todd Wilson presented a sketch plan of the proposed subdivision of his property into three lots. The property is behind the Winery. There are a few issues concerning the sewer lines and the location of a gas transmission line. The terms of service were clarified for each of the new members. The minutes of the Planning Commission are now being uploaded to the Township web page.
Engineer Report: Mr. MacCombie stated he has a final release for the 2020 Resurfacing and Street Improvements for Advanced Pavement Group Corporation in the amount of $28,610.04 for the Boards approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve a final release for the 2020 Resurfacing and Street Improvements for Advanced Pavement Group Corporation in the amount of $28,610.04 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 a release for the Sadsburyville Village Lighting Enhancement for Lenni Electric Corporation in the amount of $11,972.60 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve a release for Sadsburyville Village Lighting Enhancement for Lenni Electric Corporation in the amount of $11,972.60 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 Commons L.P. for the Sadsbury Commons Connector Road Site Work in the amount of $6,765.00 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to approve an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Sadsbury Commons L.P. for the Sadsbury Commons Connector Road Site Work in the amount of $6,765.00 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 3B in the amount of $1,798.12 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 $1,798.12 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 Lafayette Square Partners L.P. for Lafayette Square Phase II and III in the amount of $10,459.37 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to approve an Engineering Escrow release of funds for Lafayette Square Partners L.P. for Lafayette Square Phase II and III in the amount of $10,459.37 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 Letter of Credit Reduction Certificate of Completion for Lafayette Square Partners, L.P. for Lafayette Square Phase II and III in the amount of $99,841.90 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to approve a Letter of Credit Reduction Certificate of Completion for Lafayette Square Partners L.P. for Lafayette Square Phase II and III in the amount of $99,841.90 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 3A in the amount of $5,761.87 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 $5,761.87 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 Letter of Credit Reduction Certificate of Completion for Sadsbury Arcadia Associates, L.P. for Sadsbury Park Phase 3A in the amount of $141,219.65 for the Board’s 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 $141,219.65 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 will have a review letter shortly for Rock Holdings. He saw that Mr. Stubbe and Carol Menke sent in their reviews. There are no drainage calculations for Rock Holdings, but they will get them to his office soon.
Mr. MacCombie’s son was notified by someone in the Township that a speed hump was constructed on 1st. Avenue at the Sadsburyville Fire Company. There are issues that need to be addressed as this hump needs to be in compliance with state regulations. A crosswalk was approved, but not a speed hump. Mr. Taylor stated the speed hump needs to be made legal, the rest of the Board agreed. Mr. Moore stated that people in Quarry Ridge and Compass Road wanted speed humps, and they were denied.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to allow Jamie MacCombie to inspect and make changes to make the speed hump at Sadsburyville Fire Company compliant with state regulations. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Simon Jessey reported the Planning Commission was not aware of a speed hump being placed at Sadsburyville Fire Company.
Solicitors Report: Mr. Christman would like the Board allow advertisement of an Ordinance authorizing the police tow/impound vehicles.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to allow Mr. Christman or Mr. O’Keefe advertise an Ordinance authorizing the police to tow/impound vehicles. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Christman stated there are three Storm Water Managements to be authorized for in-ground pools. Stephanie A Jones, Lamont Thomas, Bruno & Lisa Iozzo. All three could be executed with one motion.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to authorize the Storm Water Management for Stephanie A. Jones, Lamont Thomas and Bruno & Lisa Iozzo for in-ground pools. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Christman stated the Board met in Executive Session before the meeting this evening to discuss purchase of a property in the Township.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor to look into the purchase in the Township based on the discussion in the Executive Session. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Township Zoning Report: Mr. MacCombie stated he received a complaint from a resident on Lincoln Highway about 3007 Lincoln Highway. The owner owns apartments in various communities and as he takes possessions of their belongings for rent, he stores the material at 3007 Lincoln Highway. Mr. MacCombie believes this has been resolved.
Chester County Airport Update: Mr. Roberts stated the meeting has been changed to November 10th and has nothing else to report.
Payment of Invoices:
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to pay the October 2020 General Fund invoices in the amount of $142,834.56. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
New Business:
Don Roberts stated there was a Jake Brake sign at the east end side of Lincoln Highway but it is no longer there. Mr. Taylor said the signs discourage the use of them but they are not enforceable. Mr. Christman stated there is a process required with PennDOT if you put up Jake Brake signs. Mr. MacCombie thinks there is a Jake Brake Ordinance adopted in 1999 or 2000, but unless it is grandfathered in; he doesn’t think it would hold today. Mr. Christman will look up the Ordinances.
Public Comment:
Vicky Horan stated the meeting for tonight was not on the web-page. The Secretary e-mailed it to me along with an agenda. When the Township opens up for meeting, will they still have Zoom available for people who cannot attend. Mr. Reynolds stated that ZOOM has become the norm. Mr. Taylor feels it will help him attend meetings.
Simon Jessey would like to see Ordinances placed on the Web page. Mr. Christman said this process of codification takes time and expense. It is not a cheap process. Chief Hawley stated in another Township he knows the base program is in excess of $20,000 in Delaware County. There is no grant money out there. Mr. Christman stated the Township is not legally binding to put the Ordinances on the web page.
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 unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda Shank
Secretary