The Schuylkill Township Board of Supervisors held their regular meeting on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was held at the Township building. Members of the Board present were Mr. Vutz, Mrs. Cohen, Mr. Ledbetter, Mr. Morrisson and Mrs. Williams. Mr. Vutz chaired the meeting. Also present at the meeting was Mr. Robert J. Sugarman, the Township Solicitor.
Public Participation: Mr. John Viducich of 414 Greene Lane questioned the Board about the recent Township real estate tax increase from 2 mils to 2.7 mils. He questioned if there were any plans for a tax reduction for senior citizens. Mr. Vutz stated that the cost of services has gone up and the Township is faced with either cutting services or coping with the expenses. Mrs. Cohen stated that there are many things beyond the Township control that govern costs. Mr. Vutz stated that when the Township was not raising taxes it had been living off the real estate transfer fees generated by the sale of new homes.
Mr. William Paul of 413 Greene Lane stated that there has been an 800% increase in three years in real estate taxes and the Earned Income Tax is now 1.25%. Mr. Vutz advised that the .25% was approved by the residents of the Township when the Open Space Referendum was passed in the spring of 2007. He stated that the law restricts the Township in how much it can raise the EIT. Mr. Shaughnessy, the Township Recycling Chairman, stated that the State Governor’s plan to shift the tax burden from property tax to EIT was defeated by residents within the PASD. Mrs. Williams stated that she is a fiscal conservative who advocates that a citizen volunteer group start in May 2008 to look at the invoices paid by the Township and figure out how to save taxpayers’ money.
Mr. Doug White, a member of the Historical Commission, questioned if there was anything that could be done regarding the PASD taxes. Mr. Vutz stated that residents elect school board members. Mrs. Williams stated that school districts are faced with state and federal unfunded mandates. Mrs. Momyer stated that the PASD holds budget workshops and they are poorly attended by residents within the school district. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the Township holds 5 – 6 budget workshops that are also virtually unattended by residents even though they are advertised in the newspaper and on the Township website. Mr. Ledbetter reminded the Board that three of his colleagues voted for an unbudgeted $1,600 expense this year to join the GVFTMA.
Mr. Joe DeLuca questioned if anyone has looked at how many years the .25% EIT tax would be in place and when it could be rolled back since there is a finite amount of land that could be considered for open space. Discussion ensued. Mr. Morrisson stated that the Township can also purchase conservation easements and development rights from property owners, and this could be a less expensive way to preserve properties.
The minutes of March 5, 2008 were reviewed and approved on motion by Mr. Ledbetter, seconded by Mrs. Cohen and passed. The minutes of the March 12, 2008 joint board meeting with Charlestown Township were approved on motion by Mrs. Cohen, seconded by Mr. Morrisson, and passed with Mr. Ledbetter abstaining.
The Treasurer’s Report was read. On motion by Mr. Ledbetter, seconded by Mrs. Cohen and passed, the Board approved the Treasurer’s report for March 31, 2008. There is a total of $1,476,543.17 in the various accounts of the Township. The Board of Auditors presented their report for 2007. A motion was made by Mr. Ledbetter, and seconded by Mrs. Williams that a letter be drafted to the tax collector that references the 2007 Audit report specifically under the Findings and Recommendations, Real Estate Tax Collection Process – Recommendations - A, B, and C that by June 30, 2008 there should be a six month reconciliation of the taxes and then a reconciliation every month thereafter. Mr. Vutz stated that with regard to recommendation A, the amount to be collected is a moving target and the tax collector should start with what is budgeted.
Bills were presented and reviewed. On motion by Mr. Ledbetter, seconded by Mrs. Cohen, and passed, the Board approved payment of bills.
Reports:
Township Manager – posted.
Police – posted. Valley Forge Woods Stop Signs – Mrs. Stacey Brobst, a resident of the development, stated that a traffic study was done in the development in 2004. She stated that the residents of the development are asking for additional stop signs at Brighton Way & Springview Lane; Shelbourne Lane & Sheffield Court; and Shelbourne Lane & Pinehurst Court. She advised that all are hilly areas. Mrs. Brobst stated that residents are not asking for police presence but are concerned about the safety of their children. Another resident of Valley Forge Woods stated that residents cannot walk on Brighton Way due to trucks, landscapers’ vehicles and even their own residents. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the difficulty with the study is that it showed that the area did not warrant stop signs. He stated that the Township can put up the stop signs but they are of little impact since drivers go right through them. Mr. Fetterman, the Township Chief of Police, advised that Brighton Way is a cut-through road. He also advised that drivers have a tendency to speed up between stop signs. Mr. Morrisson stated that the request for stop signs will percolate to other developments. A motion was made by Mr. Ledbetter and seconded by Mrs. Williams to approve advertising an ordinance to install stop signs at the following intersections: 1) 3-way stop at Springview & Brighton Way; 2) 3-way stop at Pinehurst Court & Shelbourne Lane; and 3) 3-way stop at Sheffield Court & Shelborune Lane. The motion was amended on motion by Mr. Ledbetter and seconded by Mrs. Williams to delete the 3-way at Sheffield & Shelborune and add a 3-way at Delancy & Shelbourne. The motion and amended motion were passed 4 – 1 with Mr. Vutz dissenting. The intersection of Brighton Way & Country Club Road will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Roadmaster for line painting that may narrow the intersection.
On motion by Mr. Ledbetter, seconded by Mr. Vutz, and passed with Mrs. Cohen and Mrs. Williams dissenting, the Board approved the purchase of a Crown Victoria to replace an older model in the fleet as was budgeted for this year. On motion by Mr. Ledbetter, seconded by Mr. Vutz, and passed the 2002 Explorer will be advertised for sale.
Roads – posted. On motion by Mr. Ledbetter, seconded by Mr. Vutz, and passed, the Bids for the 2008 Road Paving Project will be advertised. Mrs. Bowser thanked the road crew for helping with the tree planting project. Mrs. Williams thanked the road department for their timely snow removal service.
Fire – posted. The Fire Fighter of the Month is Jackie Gruber.
Recycling – Mr. Shaughnessy, Recycling Chairman, stated that the next County Household Hazardous Waste Event will be on April 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the CAT Pickering Campus on Charlestown Road. Yard Clean Up Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. On that date the Township will accept leaves and brush at its recycling center located at the VFSA.
Township Administration – GAI Proposal – The Township has received a proposal from GAI Consultants to review and offer its expertise regarding traffic to help the Township in its defense at the Zoning Hearing Board hearing for the Reeves property. Mrs. Williams questioned why the Township does not ask Pohlig builders to redo its study. Mr. Morrisson advised that Pohlig has stated that they will not redo the study that they have already submitted. Mrs. Cohen stated that bringing on GAI will give the Township a greater degree of credibility along with the Township’s other consultants in the Township’s defense. Mrs. Williams stated that the Township is not in litigation. Mr. Morrisson stated that the hearing at the Zoning Hearing Board level is quasi-litigation. Mr. Sugarman stated that GAI is needed to rebut the testimony given by Pohlig’s consultants and their contention that the Township’s ordinances are unreasonable. Mrs. Williams questioned why the Township does not try to discredit the witness through effective questioning. On motion by Mr. Ledbetter, seconded by Mrs. Cohen, and passed, with Mrs. Williams dissenting, the Board approved a not to exceed amount of $3,000 for GAI to provide traffic consultation for the Reeves property Zoning Hearing Board hearings.
Zoning Administration – posted.
Code Enforcement – posted.
Historical Commission – Mrs. Momyer attended the Chester County Historic Preservation network conference. She advised that the topic of discussion was teardowns. The preservation network recently honored the Schuylkill Township Historical Commission for their efforts in preservation. Mrs. Momyer thanked the Board of Supervisors for their support. Mr. Ledbetter stated that it was easy with a high quality commission. Mrs. Momyer recommended that Mr. John C. Gregory, Jr. be named to the Historical Commission. The appointment was approved by the Board of Supervisors. Ticket Booth (Pavilion) – Mrs. Momyer stated that the commission has been working diligently on the project. Mrs. Momyer stated that approximately $10,000 is needed for major masonry and carpentry and a new roof. Mrs. Williams requested that Schuylkill Township funds not be used. She advised that the Commission is looking to use donated materials and to try to utilize volunteers in a structured way under strict guidance with a contractor. Mr. Vutz stated that the property owner has notified the Township that the easement given to the Township to work on the property has expired. Mr. Galloway Morris stated that if the Township is not allowed to fix the ticket booth, it could be considered demolition by neglect. Tour of Tenant Home, Reeves property – Mrs. Momyer stated that the walk through of the tenant house and carriage house on the Reeves property will be discussed at the April Historical Commission meeting. Mrs. Gregory, chairman of the EAC, stated that there is a Heritage White Oak in front of the tenant home that should be preserved. Mr. Sugarman advised Mrs. Momyer that she should request that Pohlig Builders clarify what their current request of the commission is a week before the commission meeting.
EAC – Mrs. Gregory stated that the tree walk on the Reeves property will be Friday, April 11 at 5:00 p.m. with Pohlig Builders. She advised that she is asking the developer to delineate areas before the walk. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the EAC and the Historical Commission have lists that need closure by the developer. Mrs. Gregory advised that the initial paperwork to PaDEP from the developer for the General Permit did not really explain the site. She advised that the EAC has asked PaDEP to go back and look at the wetland areas on the site to see if they are Exceptional Value wetlands. Mrs. Gregory recommended that the following residents be named to the EAC: Mr. Jerry O’Dell, Mr. Ian Plant and Mr. Steven Frasch. Mrs. Gregory thanked Mr. Amerine, Ms. Prestia and Mrs. Bowser for their service to the EAC. Mrs. Bowser will continue with the EAC as a member of an environmental sub-committee. The appointment of the three new members was approved by the Board of Supervisors. TreeVitalize – Mrs. Bowser stated that she has not received the go-ahead from the Levins to plant trees along the Pickering Glen trail easement that is on their property. A motion was made by Mrs. Williams and seconded by Mrs. Cohen that the EAC be allowed to plant trees within the Pickering Glen Homeowners Association property. The motion was amended by Mr. Ledbetter and seconded by Mrs. Cohen to extend the tree planting along the entire length of the trail along Pothouse Road. Both the motion and the amended motion were passed. On motion by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Cohen and passed the Township will allow Yeagers to dig the holes for the rest of the tree planting at a not to exceed cost of $150.
Open Space Commission (OSC) – Mr. Cooney, Chairman of the Open Space Commission, presented the Board with an Appraisal Procedure Guideline. Mr. Sugarman stated that the Township needs an independent appraisal of a property. Mr. Morrisson stated that the OSC is trying to give the landowner some control in the process. Mr. Vutz stated that the Township needs control as well. On motion by Mr. Ledbetter, seconded by Mrs. Cohen, and passed, the Board approved the revised Appraisal Procedure Guideline pending the Township Solicitor’s review of the wording regarding a landowner selecting an appraiser from a list given to them by the OSC and an added statement to point #4 that states “subject to Township approval of the appraiser’s fee”. On motion by Mr. Ledbetter, seconded by Mr. Vutz, and passed, the Open Space meeting will be the last Monday of the month beginning the month of June. The May meeting of the OSC will be May 12 as advertised. Mrs. Gregory advised that she has learned that public lands may not really be protected lands and advised that the Township should review the deed for township owned property.
Deer Management – Mrs. Bowser stated that there is a dilapidated tree stand in the Pickering Preserve. Mr. Morrisson stated that it is the Whitetail Associates responsibility and he will contact them.
Planning Commission – posted.
Emergency Management – nothing to report.
VFSA – nothing to report.
Joint Board – nothing to report.
Regional Planning/Traffic – Regional Planning – Implementation Agreement – The Board opened the hearing for Ordinance #2008-04 that authorizes the execution of the Phoenixville Region Intergovernmental Cooperative Implementation Agreement. There being no discussion, the hearing was closed. On motion by Mr. Ledbetter, seconded by Mrs. Cohen, and passed, the Board adopted Ordinance #2008-04 authorizing the execution of the Phoenixville Region Intergovernmental Cooperative Implementation Agreement.
Solicitor – Potters Pond – pending; Fire Suppression – pending; Royal Bank – pending; Levin Property – pending; Horseshoe Pointe – pending. Pickering Glen – Mr. Mercuri, Chairman of the HOA, questioned why the litigation process was so slow. He stated that it is a frustrating process. Mr. Sugarman advised that the matter is in the discovery phase and trial should be in late summer. Mr. Ledbetter stated that maybe there should be another meeting to work out the matter. Mr. Mercuri stated that the HOA will write Pulte a letter attaching the Township’s appeal in an attempt to seek an expedited out-of-court resolution.
Subdivisions:
Reeves Property – on motion by Mr. Ledbetter, seconded by Mr. Morrisson, and passed, the Board approved a letter of extension for review of the preliminary subdivision plan for the Reeves property on Valley Forge Road to May 9, 2008.
Old Business:
Historic Schuylkill School – Mrs. Cohen announced that the PASD voted 6 – 2 in favor of the term sheet. The Carnevale proposal to review and update the 2004 cost estimate and prepare a full color exterior rendering of the adaptive reuse of the building was tabled.
New Business:
Heritage Grant – on motion by Mr. Vutz, seconded by Mr. Ledbetter, and passed, the Board approved Resolution #2008-05 supporting the grant application to the Schuylkill River Greenway Association for $30,000 for the Toonerville Trolley Trail Special Purpose Study.
At this point in the meeting the Board went into executive session. upon their return Mr. Vutz stated the following were approved by the Board:
There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 1:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary R. Bird
Township Manager