FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
December 16, 2004
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Ed Balsavage called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. The meeting was held at the Franklin Township Municipal Building located at 150 Century Lane, Dillsburg, PA.
ROLL CALL
Present were Supervisors Ed Balsavage, Naomi Decker, Larry Lambert, Don Lerew, John Shambaugh, Engineer Tim Knoebel, Solicitor Edward Schorpp, Secretary Linda Hansen. Visitors included: Brian Fahey, Robert Watts, Brian Linsenbach, Rodney Decker, Mr. & Mrs. Stanley McGee, Lewis Albert, Don Gunden, Roger Watson, Rex Bickley, Bob Eichelberger, Peggie Williams, Joe Warner, Doug Truax, Eric Johnston, Sandee Bitner, Cynthia Jones, Rick Hoffman, Lynn Potts, Bob Shelly, Dave Lenox.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PRAYER
Ed Balsavage led the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the opening prayer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 16, 2004 Zoning Workshop – Naomi Decker made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to approved the minutes. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
November 18, 2004 Hearing – Naomi Decker had the following changes: under order of business, 4th paragraph, “substantial” should be added before changes. Under Supervisor Decker’s comments, 3rd paragraph, “is” should be added before discussion. Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to adopt the minutes with the stated changes. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
November 18, 2004 Meeting – On the 4th page under playground equipment, an infant seat should be added to playground equipment items to be purchased. On Page 5, second line, Mountain Top Road should be followed by “aka Brittany Lane”. Under budget, the word should be “tired” not tied. Under Naomi Decker’s Statement, manor should be “manner”. Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to adopt the minutes with the stated changes. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
November 30, 2004 Special Meeting – Mountain Top Road should be followed by “aka Brittany Lane”. John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to adopt the minutes with the stated change. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
AGENDA AMENDMENTS
Bethel Church Road complaint should be added to building permit officer. Dept to Width Ratio will be added to New Business. Perc and Probe reports will be added to Engineer/SEO report.
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
Police –Larry Lambert stated the police meeting is next week.
Franklintown Fire Company – Fire Chief Dick Blough brought a written report earlier in the day along with fire company mugs for the township supervisors and employees. There were a total of 23 calls for the month of November with 8 in Franklin Township.
Citizen’s Hose – No one was present.
Dillsburg EMS – Bob Watts was present. There were a total of 104 calls for November with 10 in Franklin Township. Chairman Balsavage made a motion seconded by Don Lerew making attendance optional every month. At least two meetings a year should be attended. Thanks were expressed to all emergency service personnel. Motion carried by unanimous vote. The agenda will always include the emergency service reports.
Dillsburg Authority – Lewis Albert was present and gave a written report to the chairman. There were 58 new water connections and 85 new sewer connections for 2004. Apple Blossom Estates applied for water and sewer connections.
Emergency Management – No report.
Planning & Zoning Committee – Bob Eichelberger wanted to know when the next zoning workshop will be held. No date was set at this time.
INSURANCE
Doug Truax from Brillhart Insurance was present. He is the township’s current insurance agent. He explained that the township’s current policy expires on August 1, 2005. Canceling January 1, 2005 would cost approximately $1,296.00, canceling February 1, 2005 would cost approximately $1,131.00. With the policy the township is considering, there is a possible loss on claims made for E&O for the supervisors and officials. Does the new policy include a retro date. Dividends may be lost. Brillhart’s policy includes terrorism and the new proposed policy does not. Mr. Truax stated the insurance the township will be purchasing from the HDH Group is a pooled trust and the township could be assessed for the losses of others. Mr. Truax wanted the supervisors to know the other insurance company is a new company and is buying business by offering low premiums to get customers.
SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT
Apple Blossom Estates – Eric Johnston was present. He stated they are working on the comments prepared by the township engineer. An extension was granted until March 31, 2005. Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to accept the extension. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Chestnut Hill Estates - The meeting was turned over to Larry Lambert. Roger Watson was present. A request for a 90 day extension was received. Larry Lambert made a motion seconded by John Shambaugh to accept the extension until March 23, 2005. Naomi Decker stated this plan has been with the township over 2 years and the township still does not have a planning module. Mr. Watson stated that 2 nitrate studies have been done. DEP wanted new well testing to be done. The module will be sent to the engineer very soon. Vote: Lambert, Lerew, Shambaugh –Aye; Decker- Opposed; Balsavage – Abstained. Motion carried.
Range End Commerce Center – An extension was granted until April 30, 2005. Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to accept the extension. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Greenfield – An extension was granted until March 31, 2005. The module has been submitted to DEP. Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to accept the extension. Vote: Balsavage, Lambert, Lerew, Shambaugh – Aye; Decker – Abstained.
Stoney Run Townhouses – Engineer Knoebel stated a follow up report has been received from the York County Conservation District. The developer has sent a request for release of bonding. If the supervisors authorize the engineer to review the site, they will incorporate the stormwater comments into the review and recommend retaining adequate bonding until the work is completed. Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by John Shambaugh to have the engineer review the Stoney Run Townhouse project so to advise of the bond reduction. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
REPORTS
Engineer
Act 537 Plan – A letter was received from DEP approving the Clear Springs Area Study. The pumping schedule of that area will have to be set up. The district must be set up by ordinance or an amendment to the current ordinance. The solicitor will look into this. Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to have the engineer prepare documentation for reimbursement for the Act 537 Special Study. Motion carried by unanimous vote. John Shambaugh requested that two copies of the plan be made by the secretary.
MS4 – The MS4 NPDES permit has been received. The permit is good for 5 years. An annual report is due in June of each year. Mike Begis prepared a memo on this.
Percs & Probes – The secretary talked to the SEO. Naomi Decker said she would like to have all the reports by next meeting.
Solicitor
Collection of Unpaid Bills – The solicitor stated he received a call from the township treasurer regarding an outstanding bill for Rick Hoffman. It will be discussed under Roadmaster report.
Building Permit Officer
Brian Fahey was present.
Katchur Letter – A letter was received from Margot Katchur regarding the built up trash at 122 Twin Hills. There is no ordinance that regulates this and the board can not do anything. Supervisor Lambert stated the township needs to look into this early in 2005. Don Lerew made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to have the secretary send a letter of concern to this property.
Cupko Property – This property needs to be inspected again.
Young Trailer Park – The new owner wanted to put three new driveways in. Mr. Fahey told him he could not do this.
92 Bethel Church Road – There is not a butcher shop at this location as had been reported to the township.
Rowbottom Property – This property is now in compliance.
Roadmaster
Gary Ocker prepared a written road report.
Rick Hoffman – Mr. Hoffman was present and stated he did a land development plan back in the 1980s. There is ice in his driveway and on the road. John Shambaugh stated he instructed the Roadmaster to create a better swale. Supervisor Shambaugh said he will talk to Gary about installing pipe. Corrugated pipe will crush from the heavy weight of the truck. Mr. Hoffman was given permission to use 6” and 8” well casing pipe. When he has the pipe he will call the township. Mr. Hoffman gave the supervisors a check for his outstanding engineering fees.
Park & Recreation
Ponderosa Park – Naomi Decker reported the treatment system will be installed at the Park if the board approves payment. The cost is $1,765.00. Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to approve payment of the water treatment system. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Diamond-Tex – Bob Ingram asked if the township would pay for half of the diamond-tex at the Century Lane Park. The township’s cost will be $480.00. Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to pay for half of the diametex. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Infant Seat – Naomi Decker asked for permission to purchase a second infant seat. Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to purchase another infant seat. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Bridge at Park – Rick Hoffman asked if the bridge at the park has been repaired. Supervisor Decker will check into this.
OLD BUSINESS
Budget – Larry Lambert asked about 310.22 EIT Prior Taxes. He also questioned the reimbursement for the Penn Dot Winter Agreement. John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to adopt the budget after clarification is given on the above mentioned items. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Dillsburg Authority Positions – A letter was received from DAA asking the supervisors to re-appoint Lewis Albert to the Authority. Mr. Albert was present and previously contacted the office to confirm his desire to serve another term. Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to appoint Lewis Albert to another 5 year term on the Dillsburg Area Authority Board. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to appoint Lynn Potts to a 5 year term beginning on the first Monday of 2005 to the Dillsburg Area Authority. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Planning Commission Positions – Dave Lenox was present and also sent a letter stating his interest in the planning commission. The appointments to the planning commission were tabled until the re-organization meeting. Letters of interest will be accepted until December 27, 2004.
NEW BUSINESS
Depth to Width Ratio – Naomi Decker expressed concern that the subdivision and land development ordinance is in conflict regarding the depth to width ratio. Solicitor Schorpp explained the ordinance states the width minimum is 200 feet and the board has the ability to grant a waiver for depth to width ratio. Brian Linesbach was present with Joe Warner. Mr. Warner wanted to know if he could get a waiver on a sketch plan for the depth to width ratio. He attended the planning commission meeting for December. Solicitor Schorpp emphasized there is no requirement in the ordinance that the width must be 200 feet. For a 4 acre lot the width would have to be larger. Mr. Warner said the ordinance needs to be addressed. Ed Balsavage stated granting waivers on sketch plans would be circumventing the entire subdivision and land development process. Supervisor Balsavage said the first step to request a waiver for a sketch plan would be with the planning commission. Mr. Warner said he already did that. The Board will await a recommendation from the planning commission.
Dusk to Dawn Light – Cynthia Jones was present and asked if a letter could be written to the State requesting them to erect a dusk to dawn light at the intersection of Route 15 and Franklin Church Road. Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to have the secretary write a letter to Penn Dot asking them to erect a dusk to dawn light at their expense at the intersection of Route 15 and Franklin Church Road.
CORRESPONDENCE
There was no correspondence that required board action.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Larry Lambert made a motion seconded by Ed Balsavage to approve the treasurer’s report. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
APPROVAL & PAYMENT OF BILLS
John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Ed Balsavage to pay the bills. John Shambaugh questioned the three electric bills. Naomi Decker said one was for the light rental at the Ponderosa. Supervisors Shambaugh and Lambert said the recreation board should look into purchasing a dusk to dawn light. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Larry Lambert made a motion seconded by John Shambaugh to purchase $40.00 gift certificates for the road crew, secretary and treasurer. The employees can decided which restaurant they want to purchase the certificates from. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Larry Lambert made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to adjourn. Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Linda J. Hansen
Secretary