WEST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

                                                          Minutes of April 5, 2011

 

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held at the Township Municipal Office, 3401 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, April 5,

2011.  Chairman David Dumeyer and Board members Frank Burkhart, Edward Fisher, and Anthony Crocamo were present.  Also in attendance were: Ron Youtz, Township Manager; Edward Hinkle, Zoning Officer; Sergeant Timothy Coyle; Dale Getz, Public Works Director; and Sandra Mullin, Recording Secretary.

 

I.    Call to Order

 

Chairman David Dumeyer called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance

 

II. Approval of Minutes

 

Motion: Edward Fisher moved to approve the minutes of March 1, 2011 as presented; seconded by Anthony Crocamo.  Carried 4-0.

 

III. Communications

 

A.  Board of Supervisors

 

The board had no information to report.

 

B.  Township Manager

 

Ron Youtz advised that Chief Pugliese was attending a conference in Pittsburgh and Sergeant Coyle would

be his representative for this meeting.

 

Ron Youtz noted that the Lancaster Inter-Municipal Committee dinner would be held at the Barn at

Overlook on Wednesday, April 13, and the PSATS Conference in Hershey was scheduled for April 17–

20, 2011.           

 

Ron Youtz notified board members that work has began on the Garfield bridge and bids will be awarded

for the Eby Chiques Road bridge in the near future.

 

Ron Youtz requested an Executive Session following adjournment of the regular meeting for an update on

two outstanding zoning matters that are currently in litigation.

 

C.  Residents

 

There were no comments or inquiries by residents.

 

IV. Subdivisions, Land Developments and Planning Modules

           

A.  Farmdale Elementary School – 695 Prospect Road – Final Land Development Plan Briefing

 

Edward Hinkle briefed the board on this plan to add 30,000 square feet to the existing facility for classrooms, a gymnasium and cafeteria, improve the parking lot and relocate and enlarge the existing storm water basins.

 

Edward Fisher expressed his concern regarding the proposed left turn lane onto Marietta Avenue and the safety issue that would occur with drivers trying to turn left onto a state road with heavy traffic.  He questioned whether a traffic study had been conducted and Mr. Hinkle said that one had been completed.  David Dumeyer suggested that it would be safer to enter the property off of Marietta Avenue and exit off of Prospect Road.

 

B.  Hempfield Gardens – 1014 Prospect Road – Final Land Development Plan Briefing

 

Edward Hinkle referenced the 2006 land development plan for Hempfield Gardens that combined residential and commercial uses, noting that the desire now is to keep the uses separate. He explained that the applicant is subdividing a 1.142 acre lot off the existing 6.409 acre lot at 1014 Prospect Road and including lot line changes to property at 3926 Concordia Road.  Mr. Hinkle advised that numerous waivers will be presented at next month’s meeting.

 

C.  Meadow View K Farm – 612 Eby Chiques Road – Storm Water Management Plan Briefing

 

Edward Hinkle explained that a storm water management plan is required for the proposed construction of a new heifer barn due to the size of the impervious surface.

 

V.  New Business.

 

A.  Stony Battery Road Improvement Project Progress Report

 

Chris May, Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, provided an update of the engineering design for the Stony Battery Road improvement project and stated that tonight’s discussion will serve as the public involvement portion of the document as required by PennDOT.  He noted that work south of Route 30 was an addition to the project and will be limited to an overlay of that portion of Stony Battery Road.  It was determined that a right lane would be incorporated into the Route 30 westbound off ramp.  Earlier it had been determined that a southbound right turn lane for the westbound on ramp to Route 30 was not

warranted.  The new design proposes three lanes at Stony Battery and Highland Drive.

 

In addition, the intersection of Highland Drive and Stony Battery will include the installation of a new traffic signal along with curbing and handicap ramps although sidewalks are not a part of this project.  The property owner on the east side of Stony Battery has agreed to a driveway relocation to align their driveway with Highland Drive. It was clarified that Highland Drive will have a total of three lanes, one for westbound traffic and two to the east that will also serve as turning lanes. 

 

Mr. May further explained that work between Highland and Meadow View Lane will remain at two lanes and no curbing, as currently exists.  Widening of this area would necessitate disturbing the existing steep slopes. Work north of Meadow View to Donnerville Road will be consistent with the previous phases of the Stony Battery Road corridor.  He also advised that PennDOT has determined that the grave sites at the historic cemetery on the east side of Stony Battery Road will not be affected by the work. 

 

Discussion ensued regarding the backup of traffic on the Route 30 eastbound ramps during the Field of Screams event each October.  Mr. May stated that this is not part of the original project and there are no changes proposed.

 

B.  Approval of Memorandum of Understanding for Police Officer Examinations

 

Ron Youtz advised that re-authorization of the original Memorandum of Understanding was necessary for police officer preliminary eligibility examinations with the testing to be conducted at no cost to the Township.

 

Motion:  Edward Fisher moved, seconded by Frank Burkhart, to authorize the Chairman to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for police officer examinations. Carried 4-0.

 

C.  Authorize Solicitor to Enter Complaints on Outstanding OLDS Compliance Properties

 

Ron Youtz referenced the updated list of eight property owners who have not complied with the required pumping of their septic systems despite repeated notifications and requested authorization for the Solicitor to become involved.    

 

Motion:  Frank Burkhart moved, seconded by Anthony Crocamo, to authorize the Solicitor to enter complaints on outstanding OLDS compliance properties.  Carried 4-0.

 

D.  Authorize Solicitor to Enter Complaints on Properties that Failed to Connect to the New Public Sewer System

 

Ron Youtz reported that two property owners from Phase II of the Ironville sewer project have failed to make the required connection within 90 days.  He explained that the owners were first notified September, 2010 and other attempts have been made to contact them.  Mr. Youtz advised that this was the first time that property owners have failed to connect to the sewer and that the Township has worked with residents in the past to establish a payment plan if necessary. 

 

Tony Crocamo said he thought that residents were actually notified three years ago about this sewer project.  Ron Youtz confirmed that a public meeting was held in 2008 regarding the Ironville project and future obligations for the residents.  Edward Fisher complimented the Township’s road crew for performing the sewer installation and saving our residents thousands of dollars.  He also thanked Ron Youtz for his efforts in communicating with residents.  Dave Dumeyer inquired as to the average savings to residents as a result of our highway employees doing the sewer installation.  Mr. Youtz advised that projects vary, but in some areas residents are paying two to three times more than our residents.  

 

Motion:  Anthony Crocamo moved, seconded by Frank Burkhart, to authorize the Solicitor to enter complaints on properties that failed to connect to the new public sewer system.  Carried 4-0.

 

E.  Request Authorization to Distribute “Request for Proposals” to Conduct Feasibility Study for Township Administrative and Police Facilities

 

Ron Youtz stated that the 2011 budget had included the cost of a Feasibility Study to assess the Township’s future options for an expanded or new Municipal/Police facility.  Mr. Youtz noted that the police officers are working in tight quarters and the existing building is in need of a new roof and HVAC system.  He then requested authorization to distribute Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) for a Feasibility Study.

 

Motion:  Edward Fisher moved, seconded by Frank Burkhart, to authorize staff to distribute Requests for Proposals to conduct a feasibility study for Township administrative and police facilities.  Carried 4-0.

 

F.  Establish Date and Time to Conduct the Spring Road Tour     

 

The Spring Road Tour was established for Thursday, April 28, at 8:00 a.m.

 

VI.     Ordinances and Resolutions

 

None

 

VII.     Approval of Payables

 

Motion:  Anthony Crocamo moved, seconded by Frank Burkhart, for the payment of all bills coming due and payable in April and any residuals from March.  Carried 4-0.

 

Payroll/Taxes…………………….. $157,336.42        Electronic Payment

General Fund……………………..   157,548.09        Checks 20910-20999

Street Light……………………….       4,060.32        Check 328

State Fund………………………..       7,982.95        Checks 2634-2641

Sewer Fund………………………     10,699.03        Checks 3525-3528

Refuse Fund………………………     25,497.01        Checks 1940-1941

 

VIII.    Adjournment to Executive Session to Discuss Zoning Ordinance Litigation Items

 

Motion:  There being no further business to come before the Board, Edward Fisher moved, seconded by Frank Burkhart, to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:20 p.m. to discuss zoning ordinance litigation items.  Carried 4-0.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 Ron L. Youtz

Secretary