WEST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

                                                      Minutes of February 1, 2011

 

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held at the Township Municipal Office, 3401 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, February 1,

2011.  Chairman David Dumeyer and Board members Frank Burkhart, Edward Fisher, Anthony Crocamo and Kent Gardner were present.  Also in attendance were: Ron Youtz, Township Manager; Edward Hinkle, Zoning Officer; Mark Pugliese, Chief of Police; 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 January 3, 2011 as presented; seconded by Kent Gardner.  Carried 5-0.

 

III. Communications

 

A.  Board of Supervisors

 

Kent Gardner advised that the Lancaster Inter-Municipal Committee has finally moved their office to 150 N. Queen Street at a cost savings of $400/month.  He also noted that John Ahlfeld has submitted a letter of resignation effective March 31, 2011 and that a search will be conducted to fill that position.

 

Frank Burkhart thanked the police for their handling of traffic during the funeral services for Benny Stoltzfus.

 

Anthony Crocamo remarked about a recent conversation he had with Commissioner Scott Martin complimenting Chief Pugliese and the level of professionalism that he has brought to the Police Department.

 

B.  Township Manager

 

 Ron Youtz requested permission to add an item of business to the agenda under New Business: Request by Hempfield Area Recreation Commission regarding upcoming events.

 

C.  Residents

 

Mr. Dumeyer recognized and extended a welcome to Ryan Aument, who represents the 41^st Legislative

District.  Representative Aument stated that he looks forward to working with the Township and advised

that his local office is at 2938 Columbia Avenue.

 

Barry Carter, Chief of West Hempfield Fire and Rescue, distributed his monthly report for January

2010 Year End Report and noted that the department responded to a total of 1,171 calls in 2010.  Mr.

Carter reported that the number of calls has risen significantly and fire fighters continue working to keep

their training standards high.  Mr. Dumeyer questioned whether manpower needs are adequate and Mr.

Carter responded that incidents occurring during day time hours are the most difficult to staff.

 

IV.  Subdivisions, Land Developments and Planning Modules

 

A.    Liberty Tower, LLC / Amos & Ruth Conley – 570 Prospect Road – Conditional Use Application Withdrawn

 

Ron Youtz reported that the conditional use application for Liberty Tower has been withdrawn by their legal counsel.

 

B.  Ray Kreider – 652 Charelle Drive – Request for Continuance of Hearing until the March 1, 2011 Meeting

 

Ron Youtz advised of the request for a continuance of the Ray Kreider hearing until the March meeting of the Board.

 

Motion:  Frank Burkhart moved, seconded by Kent Gardner, for a continuance of the Ray Kreider hearing until the March 1, 2011 meeting of the Board.  Carried 5-0.

 

C.  Warren W. Diffenderfer Family Trust – South Side of Marietta Avenue and Summit Drive – Final Subdivision Plan

 

Bill Sell, Light-Heigel & Associates, Inc. presented the applicant’s proposed plan to subdivide the existing 89 acre tract along the south side of Marietta Avenue and Summit Drive into seven lots, five in the Traditional Village District and two in the Rural Agricultural District.  He noted that the Zoning Hearing Board had previously granted variances to allow the creation of Lot 1 to be less than the required 25 acres in the Rural Ag Zone and use Summit Drive as a dividing line between the two agricultural lots; to allow the creation of Lot 5 without public water with the condition that it be connected if the lot is sold to a new owner or the well is deemed unfit; and to allow the creation of Lot 5 with more than one principal building.  Mr. Sell reviewed the rationale for the requested waivers, the DEP planning waiver and non-building declaration, and asked for conditional approval of the subdivision plan. 

 

Discussion ensued regarding the drainage for the proposed fire company project and whether the storm water for that project would also drain across this site.  Mr. Sell stated that it would travel across Lot 6 to a swale. Mr. Burkhart questioned whether there was a pipe under the railway and Mr. Sell answered, yes. 

 

Edward Hinkle explained that the Planning Commission had discussed the issue of Lot 5 and Lot 7 fronting on Marietta Pike with a shared driveway and the existing second driveway located on Lot 5 on the western side.  He reported that the Planning Commission had recommended the elimination of the current western driveway for Lot 5 and that the improvements for Lot 5 and Lot 7 are done together and stipulated in the access and maintenance agreement for the common driveway between them.

 

Motion: Frank Burkhart moved, seconded by Kent Gardner, to approve a waiver of Section 305- Preliminary Plan Processing; Section 404.A.1 – Plan Scale; Section 404.C.3 – Features within 200’ of the Site; Section 404.D.12 and 404.d.14 – Stormwater Management & Grading Design; Section 402 – Sewer and Water Facilities Feasibility Study;  Section 602.K.1, 602.F, and 602.K.6 – Improvements of Existing Streets, including curbing and sidewalk based upon the justification provided.  Tony Crocamo

amended the motion to include that the approval is granted solely for the purpose of creating these lots and would require future land development approval.  Edward Hinkle recommended adding a condition that with the improvements of streets, curbs and sidewalks that improvements on Lot 5 are deferred and that a note be placed on the plan stating that when Lot 7 is improved, the required improvements of Lot 7 and Lot 5 are done at the same time and stipulated in the access and maintenance agreement for the common driveway. Frank Burkhart seconded the amended motion and it carried 4-0, with Edward Fisher abstaining due to his employment at Light-Heigel.

 

Motion:  Frank Burkhart moved, seconded by Kent Gardner, to approve the Warren W. Diffenderfer Family Trust Preliminary/Final Subdivision Plan with the condition that any land development on Lot 5 would provide the elimination of the current western driveway for Lot 5 and that the applicant satisfies all outstanding comments and requirements to the satisfaction of the Township.  Carried 4-0, with Edward Fisher abstaining.

 

Motion:  Anthony Crocamo moved, seconded by Kent Gardner, to approve the DEP planning waiver and non-building declaration.  Carried 4-0, with Edward Fisher abstaining.

 

D.  Harold & Tracey Dubensky – 1014 Prospect Road – Request to Create Flag Lot

 

Tracey Dubensky outlined this proposal to create a one acre flag lot to the rear of 3936 Concordia Road by subdividing the one acre from 1014 Prospect Road with the access on Concordia Road to be widened.  Ron Youtz advised that action was required for the creation of the flag lot, but not the subdivision.  Ed Hinkle explained that the Board may approve a flag lot if it is created to serve one site in the back of an existing tract of land where there is no potential of street access to the proposed lot. 

 

Edward Fisher expressed concern regarding maintenance issues with future owners due to the odd configuration of the lot.  Ed Hinkle noted that he expects multiple proposals with various alternatives at the time of the subdivision.  

 

Motion:  Edward Fisher moved, seconded by Kent Gardner, to grant approval for creation of a flag lot at 1014 Prospect Road to create access onto Concordia Road. Carried 5-0.

 

E.  St. Anne’s – Columbia Avenue – Request to Release Letter of Credit

 

Edward Hinkle explained that the duplex cottage unit at St. Anne’s has been completed and that the Township Engineer has recommended reducing their letter of credit by $86,697, leaving a balance of $1,000 for ground cover.

 

Motion:  Edward Fisher moved, seconded by Kent Gardner, to approve a reduction of the letter of credit for St. Anne’s duplex cottage units by $86,697, leaving a balance of $1,000.  Carried 5-0.

 

F.  Creasy Tract – Ironville Pike & Cassanna Drive – Request Release of Letter of Credit

 

Edward Hinkle advised that the Township Engineer has reviewed this request and has recommended a reduction in their letter of credit of $8,564, leaving a balance of $9,803.

 

Motion:  Edward Fisher moved, seconded by Kent Gardner, to approve a reduction of the letter of credit for the Creasy tract by $8,564, leaving a balance of $9,803.  Carried 5-0.

 

V.  New Business

 

A.  Authorization for Township Solicitor to Represent Township in Appeal of Zoning Hearing Board Decision for Property at 3662 Keen Avenue

 

Motion:  Kent Gardner moved, seconded by Frank Burkhart, to authorize the Township Solicitor to represent the Township in the Zoning Hearing Board decision at 3662 Keen Avenue.  Carried 5-0.

 

B.  Request Authorization to Bid Highway Materials, Paving Project and Precast Manholes

 

Ron Youtz stated that, upon the Boards’ authorization, he and Dale Getz will prepare the bids and advertisements for highway materials, paving project and precast manholes.

 

Motion:  Frank Burkhart moved, seconded by Kent Gardner, to authorize preparation and advertising by Township staff for the bidding of highway materials. Carried 5-0.

 

C.  Authorization to Pursue Address Changes per Request from County 911

 

Edward Hinkle reported that Emergency Management has prepared a list of addresses in the Township that do not follow a numerical order and would make it difficult for an emergency responder.  Frank Burkhart asked what the resident’s responsibility would be with a change of address.  Mr. Hinkle stated that he would contact the assessment office and the post office would notify the residents of the change, allowing a period of one year for their mail to be forwarded using the old address.  He also advised that the Township would provide a letter of shortcuts to assist residents with this change.

 

Ron Youtz expressed his concern over the County’s desire to change the spelling of Chickies Hill Road, noting that it would be a problem for the Township because all our maps, street signs and records are listed that way.

 

Edward Fisher stated that he did not take the address change issue lightly, but that it was necessary for emergency response.

 

Motion:  Edward Fisher moved, seconded by Tony Crocamo, to authorize staff to work with the post office to make the appropriate address changes as recommended by County 911.  Mr. Crocamo asked whether there would be any costs associated with deeds.  Mr. Hinkle replied that there would be no expense and that the assessment office would work with 911 to make all necessary changes.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

D.  Hempfield Area Recreation Commission – Annual Triathlon and Bike Ride

 

Ron Youtz stated that HARC is asking for permission to use Township roads for their annual triathlon and bike ride this spring.  Chief Pugliese noted that in the past they have paid for two police officers and made a donation to the Fire Company.

 

Motion:  Edward Fisher moved, seconded by Kent Gardner, to authorize police and fire police to assist with the HARC annual triathlon and bike ride events.  Carried 5-0.   

 

VI.  Ordinances and Resolutions

 

None

 

VII.     Approval of Payables

 

Motion:  Kent Gardner moved, seconded by Frank Burkhart, for the payment of all bills coming due and payable in February and any residuals from January.  Carried 5-0.

 

Payroll/Taxes…………………….. $163,703.40      Electronic Payment

General Fund……………………..  124,388.95       Checks 20684-20784

Street Light……………………….    4,119.31         Check 326

Fire Hydrant……………………...   21,851.50        Check 179

State Fund………………………..   31,149.06        Checks 2616-2624

Sewer Fund………………………     11,836.15      Checks 3517-3521

Refuse Fund………………………   72,959.96        Checks 1928-1935

VIII.    Adjournment to Executive Session to Discuss Police Personnel Issue

 

Motion:  There being no further business to come before the Board, Kent Gardner moved, seconded by Tony Crocamo, to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:35 p.m. to discuss a police personnel issue.  Carried 5-0.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Ron L. Youtz

Secretary