FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

January 20, 2005

 

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: Bob Ruth, Peggie Williams, Rodney Decker, Ernie Kauffman, Brian Linsenbach, Wayne Kober, Rex Bickley, Lynn Potts, Joe Warner, Art Bert, Patrick Hephner, Sandee Bittner, Geoff Twig.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PRAYER

 Ed Balsavage led the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the opening prayer.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

December 16, 2004 – Naomi Decker said the spelling of Diamond Tex needs to be corrected on page 4 and the addition of Park after Century Lane. Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to approve the minutes with the above changes.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

January 3, 2005 -  On page one, second last sentence, loop needs to be added before cul-de-sac.  On page 2, first paragraph, the sketch plan for this tract “was” for 182 townhouses.  On page 3, second paragraph, active should be added before developer.  John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to approve the minutes with the above changes.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

 

AGENDA AMENDMENTS

John Shambaugh added 2 items to the Roadmaster report.  Naomi Decker added PSATS Round Table to New Business. 

 

ORGANIZATION  REPORTS

Police –Larry Lambert was not in attendance at the time.  He brought the report when he arrived.

Franklintown Fire Company – No one was present.

Citizen’s Hose – No one was present.

Dillsburg EMS – No one was present.

Dillsburg Authority – Lynn Potts reported he attended his first meeting and thanked the supervisors for appointing him as the township representative.  He stated he will do his best.    

Emergency Management – No report.

Planning & Zoning Committee   The planning commission would prefer February 15th  in the evening for the next zoning workshop.  The Park and Recreation meeting will need to be changed.  Don Lerew made a motion seconded by Naomi Decker to have the zoning workshop on February 15, 2005 at 7 p.m.  Tim Knoebel asked for the Board’s authorization to write a letter to Cheri Fogarty and Sally Holbert  to get the digital mapping from the comprehensive plan.  Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by John Shambaugh to have Tim write a letter requesting the digital mapping.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

 

SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT

Harbold Tract – Joe Warner and his attorney Brian Linsenbach were present. The planning commission would recommend that the Board of Supervisors waive the depth to width ratio.  Brian Linsenbach stated he realizes the supervisors can not take formal action on the sketch plan but other municipalities sometimes will give an informal indication of what they will do.  Ed Balsavage said he will not commit to a waiver without submission of a formal plan.  The supervisors have never done that before.  Mr. Linsenbach asked for some type of direction, specifically if the Board would definitely not grant a waiver.  Mr. Warner asked Attorney Schorpp what the word “generally” means in the subdivision and land development ordinance.  The solicitor stated generally means unless there is a good reason not to.

Stoney Run Townhouses -  The township received a letter from the developer, Kevin Anderson, for release of financial surety.  Engineer Knoebel does not recommend releasing financial surety until the items listed in his letter of January 13, 2005 are addressed.  John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to deny Mr. Anderson’ request based on Engineer Knoebel’s letter dated January 13, 2005.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

 

REPORTS

Engineer

White Tail Crossing – A letter was received from Adams County National Bank stating the letter of credit will expire on February 11, 2005.  Engineer Knoebel reported from his records 4 detention basins need to be completed. Mr. Warner said that only one lot remains that has not been built.  This lot was bought as a buffer zone.  Three detention ponds have been installed and can be inspected by the engineer. Solicitor Schorpp indicated one option the township has is  a declaration of the restriction requiring the detention pond must be built before an occupancy permit will be issued.  Ed Balsavage made a motion to call the letter of credit for White Tail Crossing unless the engineer’s inspection finds the improvements have been completed on the three lots.  The fourth lot must have a recordable document stating an occupancy permit will not be issued until the storm water improvements have been completed.  This document must be approved by the solicitor.  The other option Mr. Warner has is to renew his letter of credit.  John Shambaugh seconded the motion.  Vote: Balsavage, Lambert, Lerew, Shambaugh – Aye: Decker abstained due to professional involvement.

Escrow Accounts – Engineer Knoebel reported a couple of months ago the Board released escrow accounts from 1999 and earlier.  A report will be coming regarding the accounts prior to 1999.  It will be on the February agenda.

Franklin Glen – The detention pond has never been completed due to the wet weather the past couple years.  This pond is always wet.  Solicitor Schorpp wrote a letter to the Counsel of the Bank to remind them.  Their position was that they will not pay until they have actual costs.  Attorney Schorpp will call their attorney again.

Kimmel Planning Module – John Williams brought the module to the planning commission.  John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to approve the Kimmel module and send it to DEP.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

Mike Lavin Septic Permit Application – Mr. Lavin needs a waiver to have the new septic system placed closer to his well than regulations allow since he has no other alternative.  Solicitor Schorpp recommends having the owner sign a release and have it recorded.  Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by John Shambaugh to have the solicitor prepare a waiver regarding the Lavin property.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

 

 

 

Solicitor

On Lot Septic System Ordinance – The ordinance will have to be amended for two reasons: the amendment to Act 537 has increased pumping in one area from 3 years to 2 years and the map has changed due to this district.  Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by John Shambaugh to authorize the solicitor to revise the Sewage Management District Ordinance to be consistent with the current Act 537 Plan.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

 

Building Permit Officer

Brian Fahey was not present but had turned in a written report.  The report will be on file with the secretary.

 

Roadmaster

Gary Ocker prepared a written road report.

10 Lost Hollow Road – Tim Gilson wrote a letter.  John Shambaugh reported a couple years ago Gary rented a gradall and did some gutter work.  A property on Franklin Church Road has a spring that has been redirected to Lost Hollow Road.  Gary said he was going to get the gradall excavator and do the work again but Supervisor Shambaugh didn’t know if this was done.  Verizon did some work and dug up the property. Wayne Kober said he is familiar with the property.  Water is being pumped out of the basement.  There needs to be some kind of meeting with Verizon and the Roadmaster.  The secretary was directed to contact Verizon and let them know they did the work without a permit, making a bad situation worse.  There was discussion of installing pipe to drain the area.  Verizon could be fined for doing work without a permit.  The question is what would be the permanent fix since this area is wet.  John Shambaugh will talk to Gary.

DAA Letter – The Roadmastere will review this letter.

16 West Greenhouse Driveway – Mr. Twigg submitted a letter requesting a waiver to widen his driveway within the township right-of-way.  The supervisors did not feel a waiver was needed.  Mr. Twig can keep the driveway as required by the ordinance and widen it outside of the right-of-way.

New Truck – The Roadmaster gave John Shambaugh the specs for a 2005 Freightliner Truck.  They would like to replace the red dump truck with this truck.  The truck will be purchased through the state piggy back program.  The price is $90,000.  Ed Balsavage said there is money in the Capital Reserve and State Highway Funds for the truck.  Once the new truck is received, the old truck will be put out for bid.  John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to purchase the 2005 Freightliner truck, plow and cinder spreader.  Bob Ruth asked about purchasing through the state program.  Solicitor Schorpp said the lead municipality runs the bids and other municipalities can purchase through the piggy back program.  Mr. Ruth questioned the specs.  You may be paying for higher specs than you need. Lynn Potts also questioned how you know the price is really a good price with out having bids.  Bob Ruth said you could possibly get a 2004 left over at a much better price.  John Shambaugh rescinded his motion.  Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by John Shambaugh to solicit bids for a new truck.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.  Attorney Schorpp should look at the ad for bids before it is published.

 

 

 

 

 

Park & Recreation

Dillsburg Area Soccer Club – Two letters were received; one requesting use of the fields and one requesting use of the township building for meetings.  Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to allow the Soccer Club to use the township fields as outlined in their letter.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.  Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to allow the Dillsburg Soccer Club to use the municipal building for their monthly meetings with the exception of July 11th and September 12th since the planning commission will be using the building those evenings.

Park & Recreation Reorganization – The park and rec board met for the first time this year on January 18, 2005.  Their meetings will be the third Tuesday of the month with the exception of February.  The meetings will be advertised.

Ponderosa Park – The water was retested and it passed. 

Diamond Tex – The cost is $614 instead of $480.  The motion was to pay half of the diamond tex.

Equipment Cost for the playground equipment at the Century Lane Park will cost $343 more for shipping.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Insurance -  There are forms that need to be signed and returned to the HDH Group.  Solicitor Schorpp does not recommend rejecting stacked uninsured coverage since it does not cost that much.  Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by John Shambaugh to reject terrorism coverage but not stacked uninsured coverage.  Naomi Decker said we should get a cost for terrorism coverage.  This can be done later if the coverage is declined now.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

Resolution for Residential Fee ScheduleEd Balsavage made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to adopt Resolution 1-2005 setting the fees for residential inspections.  Motion carried.

Community Development Block Grant for Accessibility Improvements to the Township Building  - John Shambaugh stated this will require a work session to determine the specs.  Letter of ThanksEd Balsavage said a letter should be sent to Keith Miller thanking him for his service on the planning commission. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

Local Government Advisory Committee – Naomi Decker will continue to be the representative from the township.

PSATS Convention Attendance – All the supervisors said they will attend.

Detter Letter – The secretary was directed to call Ms. Detter to see if the property has been cleaned up. 

Clean up DayEd Balsavage made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to set Clean up Day for May 7, 2005.

Auditor’s Letter – Solicitor Schorpp prepared a draft letter that should be typed on township letterhead and signed by Ed Balsavage.

PSATS Round Table – Naomi Decker requested permission to attend the Round Table discussion on January 29th .  The price is $75.  John Shambaugh requested permission to attend a floodplain management course on March 28th.  Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to approve Supervisor Decker to attend the PSATS Round Table on January 29th  and pay the fee and approve Supervisor Shambaugh to attend the floodplain management course on March 28th   and pay the fee.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE

No action was needed on any correspondence.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Kauffman was present and requested direction about adding on to his building located on Range End Road and Century Lane.  The addition will be a 25’x75’ office and storage building.  Engineer Knoebel stated he must apply for permits to move the septic tanks.  An amended land development plan could be submitted.  Waiver requests for set backs and filing a land development plan must be in writing.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

Larry Lambert made a motion seconded by John Shambaugh to accept the treasurer’s report.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

 

APPROVAL & PAYMENT OF BILLS

Don Lerew made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to approve and pay the bills.  Motion carried by unanimous vote except Naomi Decker did not approve the zoning section of the KPI bill.

 

The employees benefits and ADA accessibility workshop was set for January 26, 2005 at          12 noon.

 

Bob Ruth presented a letter and said he will be submitting a land development plan for his property at 10 Century Lane once he is approved by Ford Motor Company.  The lights that shine across the highway will be removed and the sign will be removed.  The soil conversation issue has been resolved.

 

Larry Lambert made a motion seconded by John Shambaugh to adjourn.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

Linda J. Hansen

Secretary