A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors was conducted on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 commencing at 7:00 p.m. Chairman, Mr. Reynolds called the meeting to order. Present were Supervisors Mr. Moore and Mr. Taylor, Township Solicitor Mr. Pompo, Township Engineer, Mr. MacCombie, and members of the community.
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 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.
Township Police Report: Chief Ranck reported that during the month of October, the police patrolled 3,867 miles and answered 333 dispatched incidents. Pennsylvania State Police answered 28 incidents during the overnight for a total of 361 incidents within the Township for: 911 hang-up 2, assault with injuries 1, property damage crash 8, alarm police 9, animal complaint 8, overdose 1, assault with injuries 1, assist to other police departments 15, business check 78, civil dispute 2, crime prevention activities 1, criminal mischief/vandalism 1, disturbance 2, domestic dispute 3, DUI related crash 1, erratic driver 1, escort person or money 2, fight 1, for police information 4, house fire 1, house/vacation check 14, keys locked (vehicle or house) 4, lost property 1, medical emergency 22, misc police nature 13, Township Park check 14, parking violation 3, public service 6, public service call 1, repossession 1, police report 16, shots heard or shooting 1, stabbing (with injuries) 1, suspicious condition 4, suspicious person 4, suspicious vehicle 2, theft 5, traffic general hazards 6, traffic stop 32, and 1 walk-in report. Along with the police report is the Department of Emergency Service monthly and year to date number of incidents that occurred in Sadsbury Township. The October 2018 Criminal arrests are as follows: burglary, criminal trespass, theft, and receiving stolen property, simple assault, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, driving under the influence of controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, and harassment.
Public Works Report: For the month of October, the Public Works Department has maintained all Township owned properties, has periodically inspected and cleared, if needed our storm drain system, inspected and repaired many road signs. We also inspected and repaired emergency equipment, such as generators and we have filled several pot holes. We have also periodically inspected and repaired several sink holes along sewer and road right-a-ways. The Public Works Department also, this month recorded sewer meter readings for the third quarter. The Department also temporarily repaired a section of Washington Lane at the location that was sinking with-in the sewer line. The permanent repair of this section of Washington Lane will take place hopefully next year when the yearly road resurfacing projects take place. The Public Works Department spent most of its time during the month of October preparing and inspecting all winter equipment, in an effort to be prepared to handle any winter weather event by mid-November. The equipment hours are 5.3 and the vehicle miles are 519.6. Mr. Taylor reported the 2009 Ford truck is on its last legs and the 2006 Ford truck was rear-ended turning into First Avenue and it will be repaired.
Emergency Management Report: Mr.Taylor stated an update to the position of Emergency Management is that Mr. Taylor will be the Emergency Coordinator and Scott Krueger will be the secondary.
Keystone Valley Fire Company Report: For the month of October, the Keystone Fire Department responded to 22 calls for: fire 10, rescue/medical assist 5, good intent 5, false 1, and fire police 1. The response by municipality is as follows: West Sadsbury Township 8, Highland Township 3, Parkesburg Borough 7, Sadsbury OOD 0, and Out of District 4. The average response per call is 8 personnel with a total of 175 personnel for combined response hours 115.88 hours. The average response time from dispatch to on-scene was 9.49 minutes. There were 4 in-house trainings with 61 members attending for 122 hours combined training hours. The Keystone Valley EMS Division responded to a total of 116 calls for: treated/transported BLS 37, treated/transported ALS 35, No services required 17, patient refusal 17, recalled on route 3, Dead on arrival 3, treat and release 2, and public assist 2. The municipal break-down is as follows: Parkesburg Borough 36, Sadsbury Township 32, West Sadsbury Township 26, Highland Township 10, and out of district 12.
Sadsburyville Fire Company Report: For the month of October, Sadsburyville Fire Company responded to 14 calls for: building fire 1, auto accidents 2, automatic fire alarm 1, public services 3, carbon monoxide 1, house fires 3, electrical fire inside 1, and 2 assists EMS. There were 93 volunteer firefighters responding for an average number of firefighters responding 6.6 per call. Ninety miles were traveled, with an average of 6.4 miles per call. The time in service was 10 hours and 53 minutes, with an average time in service of 46.6 minutes per call. The average response time dispatched to en-route was 4.5 minutes and the average response time dispatched to on-scene was 7.1 minute. The response by municipality is as follows: Sadsbury Township 6, Valley Township 3, Parkesburg Borough 1, West Caln Township 2, West Sadsbury Township 1, Honey Brook Township 1. The combined firefighter training hours was 225.
Township Engineer Report: Mr. MacCombie reported he has a Letter of Credit Certificate of Completion release of funds for CTDI in the amount of $157,632.17 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to approve a Letter of Credit Certificate of Completion release of funds for CTDI in the amount of $157,632.17 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 Letter of Credit Certificate of Completion release of funds for Rock Holdings, LC in the amount of $269,725.23 for the Board’s approval.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to approve a Letter of Credit Certificate of Completion of funds for Rock Holdings, LLC in the amount of $269,725.23 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 the CTDI building expansion in the amount of $6,820.00 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 $6,820.00 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 Rock Holdings LLC for office/assembly & manufacturing facility in the amount of $7,365.62 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 LLC for office/assembly & Manufacturing facility in the amount of $7,365.62 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 $736.87 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, LP. For Sadsbury Park Phase 3B in the amount of $736.87 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 looked at the drains on Skiles Road and found that on the up- stream side it was half filled and on the down side stream side it was 100% filled in. Mr. Taylor will pass it on to the Road Department to see if they can open some of it. The water is coming in from West Caln.
Mr. MacCombie stated he has started to survey the bridge on Octorara Road.
Tony Clark stated that on Old Mill Road, tri-axle trucks are coming from Route 30. The road can’t take the weight and the bridge will need a weight limit. Mr. MacCombie will do a study for a weight limit.
Doug Howe needs someone from the fire department to put a key in the knox box when the box is installed at the John Rock project. Mr. Reynolds will take care of it.
Township Solicitor Report: Mr. Pompo stated that the Board approved the model home in Sadsbury Park to be constructed and have a pump and haul system until sewer is extended to the area of the model home. Mr. Pompo stated an agreement has been drafted for the pump and haul and decommission of the tank. The tank removal for collapse will be inspected by Mr. MacCombie’ office. Mr. Pompo stated he has 2 checks, one check for $1,500 for escrow of pump and haul and $4,500 to decommission of the tank when connected to public sewer.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve the Pump and Haul agreement of Lot 52 of Phase 2B. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Pompo stated the sewer sale to Pennsylvania American Water Company should be closing around the first quarter 2019. Gerald DeBalko of Pennsylvania American came before the Board of Supervisors discuss the Act 537 Sewage Plan for the sewer sale. This plan is specifically targeted to the acquisition of the system and the plan shows only the existing service area. He would like to advertise this Friday to start the 30- day clock with the Township. The County Health Department and Chester County Planning Commission needs to review the plan, at that point the plan could be adopted. DEP has seen copies of the resolution, and they should be able to act on it within 30 to 45 days. Mr. DeBalko is on the Township Planning Commission agenda for their November 14th meeting. The Planning Commission can only recommend to the Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Pompo stated the 2019 Emergency Services Resolution requested by the Department of Emergency Services should denote who is providing emergency services in the Township. You can have 1 provider or change to have more than 1 provider or can use the ADL services. Fire protection provider would get monetary compensation. Mr. Pompo suggested that perhaps Mr. Moore make a motion to open a discussion. Then the other two Supervisors with potential conflicts with each organization can join in the discussion.
Mr. Moore made a motion to discuss who will provide fire protection for the Township. Mr. Reynolds has a comflict as Assistant Fire Chief with Sadsburyville Fire Company and Mr. Taylor as 2nd EMS Lieutenant with Keystone Valley Fire Department.
Mr. Pompo stated that since there was disclosure, the discussion can begin.
Mr. Moore would like to see individual audits of each fire company. Mr. Reynolds stated that Sadsburyville Fire Company did not have enough funds to have an audit, they had a financial review. Mr. Reynolds stated that Sadsburyville Fire Company is the only chartered fire company in Sadsbury Township. Mr. Moore feels that each fire company is entitled to some money. Mr. Reynolds stated there has been 10 calls in Pomeroy, all handled by Sadsburyville Fire Company. No one has complained about a lack of service. Sadsbury Township is our only focus. Mr. Taylor stated he is there for both fire companies. Every fire company is struggling. Sadsburyville is really struggling. Mr. Reynolds stated that Keystone Fire Company gets funding from all the Townships they provide services to. He is willing to give up the Assistant Chief position if it takes him out of a conflict of interest; he is tired of begging for funds.
Christine Moore asked what the last resolution was for. Mr. Reynolds stated the last resolution was for Sadsburyville Fire Company to provide sole fire protection for the entire Township. Ms. Moore asked why Sadsburyville Fire Company is not interested in consolidation. Mr. Reynolds stated it is not a good fit for Sadsburyville.
Tony Clark stated this is getting personal. There is bad blood over history. Pomeroy Fire Company is not coming back, Sadsburyville Fire Company might go away. Let Sadsburyville do their job.
Mr. Pompo asked is it the pleasure of the Board to table it or have more discussion. Mr. Pompo agrees the Fireman’s Relief funds to cover 2018 should go to the Sadsburyville Fire Company per the 2018 Emergency Resolution.
Mr. Reynolds handed his resignation as Assistant Fire Chief to Adam Grossman.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion to make Sadsburyville Fire Company the sole provider in Sadsbury Township. There was no second.
Mr. Moore and Mr. Taylor want financial information from both fire companies. Mr. Taylor feels the two companies should hash it out and have more discussion at the next meeting.
Mr. Reynolds feels this should be put to rest.
Mr. Moore made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to designate the 2018 Fireman’s Relief funds in the amount of $21,000 to Sadsburyville Fire Company. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Reynolds stated he is withdrawing his motion and table it until next month.
Mr. Pompo reported the Township approved resolution 2018-11, approving a cooperative agreement between Sadsbury Township and the PA Dept of Transport for the installation of intelligent transportation systems along state route 30 in June. Penn-DOT now wants a designated Township official to sign on behalf of Sadsbury Township. A new resolution has to be approved by the Board.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr Moore, to approve Resolution 2018-17, A resolution approving a cooperative agreement between Sadsbury Township and Penn-DOTT for the installation of intelligent transportation system along State Route 30, naming David Reynolds, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors as signer on behalf of the Township. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Township Planning Commission Report – There was no October meeting.
Chester County Airport Update – No report
Payment of invoices:
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to pay the October 2018 General Fund Invoices in the amount of $229,229.87. 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 pay the October 2018 Sanitary Sewer invoices in the amount of $80,728.92. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Public Comment:
A resident of North Harner Boulevard stated that traffic is coming the wrong way on a one-way street. The Chief will send an officer to sit there.
Simon Jessey stated the snow fence on Washington Lane is being worked on by Valley Township. Thank Sadsburyville Fire Company for coming out on Halloween.
Christine Moore stated it is good to see Mr. Taylor.
Adam Grossman thinks the discussion on the fire department is beating a dead horse. Rumors on the street are hurtful.
Ellen Rice asked if the road at Old Wilmington Road at CTDI is going to be opened. Mr. Taylor stated that is a PennDOT questions. They are requesting certain things from the Township to start a study.
Karen Griffin stated that 7 Middle Street has a hole in the roof all the way to the kitchen. She is afraid of a fire starting and there are no fire walls.
Mr. Reynolds stated the people will be removed from the property. Jerry, Rich Imhoff, and Andy Kirk were there on Tuesday. The ceilings are caving in. Ms. Griffin also stated there is mold. Mr. Reynolds stated that once it is condemned, the Township has to board it up. Mr. Pompo said it can be referred to the Solicitor.
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