FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

March 17, 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, Don Lerew, John Shambaugh, Engineer Tim Knoebel, Solicitor Edward Schorpp, Secretary Linda Hansen.  Visitors included:  Art Bert, Peggie Williams, Bob Eichelberger, Rodney Decker, Deborah Westbrook, Rick Stoerzinger, Jody Galloway, Heather Fiero, Lynn Potts, Dan Murphy, Tim Gilson, Jay Coates, Jackie Serbu, Rick Hoffman, Dave Lenox, Curt Umpleby, Theresa Little, Bob Watts, Traci Cook, Heidi Houck, Patrick Hephner and Deanna Weaver.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PRAYER

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

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

February 15, 2005 – John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Naomi Decker to approve the minutes.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

February 17, 2005 – Naomi Decker had the following changes: visitors need to be included; page 2 the Greenfield Plan needs clarification regarding the isolation distance; on page 3 “Valley” needs to be deleted before “Township”; page 4 under Lost Hollow Road, “correction” should be “correct”, the septic systems need to be dye tested not dye in the trenches; on page 5 a “d” should be added to “change” under approval and payment of bills; meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.  John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to approve the minutes with the stated changes.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

February 25, 2005 – Naomi Decker made a motion seconded by John Shambaugh to approve the minutes.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

 

AGENDA AMENDMENTS

Number 3 under Roadmaster Report will be another application for a driveway permit.

 

ORGANIZATION  REPORTS

Police – The written report will be on file in the  township office.

Franklintown Fire Company – No one was present.

Citizen’s Hose – No one was present.

Dillsburg EMS – Traci Cook was present. For February there were a total of 104 calls with 12 in Franklin Township. She also gave written reports for the year 2004. The 1998 ambulance will be replaced this year.  All the radios in both ambulances will be replaced.  Full time workers will be getting an increase in benefits to try to retain employees.  In the past five years there was a turn over of 79 employees.

Dillsburg Authority –  A letter was received asking Franklin Township to advertise on the web page and newsletter  about conserving water in support of the WREN grant.  The supervisors agreed.

Emergency Management – No report.

Planning & Zoning Committee –  Engineer Knoebel stated the workshops will be doubling up.

 

SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT

Ernest Kauffman – A request was received asking for the release of the letter of credit.  Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to have the engineer review the plan and report back to the Board.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

Chestnut Hills – A time extension was requested.  The meeting was turned over to John Shambaugh.  A letter was received from Engineer James Garling stating any drawings or calculations for this project submitted after December 10, 2004 with his stamp are invalid.  Engineer Tim Knoebel’s comments from June of 2004 have not been addressed.  Since that time a new planning module was submitted.  A minimum lot size was recalculated and some of the lots do not meet that requirement.  The module is not ready to go to DEP.  A nitrate study was done by the BL Company.  Theresa Little from NAV Tech was present.  She stated Mr. Garling is no longer the engineer.  Solicitor Schorpp said the supervisors had to either deny the plan or grant the extension.  John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Naomi Decker to deny the plan based on the comments from KPI dated June 4, 2004.  Vote:  Decker, Lerew, Shambaugh – Aye; Balsavage abstained due to professional involvement.  Motion carried.

Apple Blossom – A letter was received granting an extension.  Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by John Shambaugh to accept the extension until April 30, 2005.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.  Naomi Decker stated there is a Pennsylvania Geological Survey Library that will do a study of that area free of charge.  The secretary was directed to write a letter to have a study done.  This study will not replace the developer’s study.  

 

REPORTS

Engineer

Survey of Township Buildings & Grounds – John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to have the engineer do a survey of the township grounds and buildings.  Naomi Decker asked if an estimate would be given first.  Vote: Balsavage, Lerew, Shambaugh – Aye; Decker – Opposed since no estimate will be given before the survey is done.

New Pumping District – Computer Soft Ware – Engineer Knoebel said it might be a good idea for the township to purchase GIS soft ware to have the zoning map and other applications done in the township office.  There may be county money available for training.  The secretary was directed to check with the county mapping office and look into the cost to purchase soft ware.

Solicitor

Amendment to Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance -  At last month’s meeting the Board directed the solicitor to draft an amendment to the ordinance to allow collection of consultant fees.   John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Ed Balsavage to have the hearing for the amendment to the subdivision and land development ordinance at 6:45 p.m. on April 21, 2005.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

Building Permit Officer

Brian Fahey was present.  He reported that there is some activity that violates the UCC.  The Board gave approval for the Building Permit Officer to work with the solicitor if a search warrant is needed.

Roadmaster

Gary Ocker prepared a written road report.

10 Lost Hollow Road – Dan Murphy was present to address the letter he received regarding the run off water from his property at 750 Franklin Church Road.  Mr. Murphy stated he has lived at his current residence since 1995.  He had made no changes to the water drainage design of the property.  The solicitor stated the township has an ordinance that prohibits the discharge of stormwater to township roads.  Curt Umpleby stated he moved into his house on Lost Hollow Road in 1989 and at that time there was water on the road.  The question is if there is enough grade change to drain the water.  John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Ed Balsavage to have the engineer do a profile of the area and render a judgment.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

Driveway on County Line Road – John Shambaugh stated he had no problem with issuing a driveway permit to Jody Galloway since he has a right-of-way.  Dave Lenox, the attorney for Jody Galloway, said the right-of-way is the only legal access to the land.  Solicitor Schorpp stated he reviewed the right-of-way document and agrees there is a legal right-of-way there.  Deborah Westbrook stated there are wet lands that will be disturbed.  Mr. Galloway said he is aware of the springs and knows what procedures he must take to construct a driveway.  Deborah Westbrook wanted to know if a stormwater management plan will be required.  Engineer Tim Knoebel said if there is any redirecting of water or if the improvement is for 10,000 square feet or more of impervious surface on the property, a stormwater plan must be done.  John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Ed Balsavage to have the Roadmaster issue a driveway permit to Jody Galloway. 

Harris Driveway Permit – This driveway was discussed last month and it was decided since the property is in Latimore Township and Franklin Township does not have jurisdiction to make them remove the second driveway without a written agreement with Latimore Township.

Park & Recreation

Naomi Decker reported that at the park and recreation meeting they discussed the picnic and feel the Fall would be the best time.  The Park and Rec Board recommends allowing Lacrosse to use the upper field at the Ponderosa.  The Lacrosse Club did submit a certificate of insurance.  Supervisor Decker said by August the Ponderosa Park will have a walking path and an improved parking lot.  If the township receives the grant, two playgrounds will be there.  Ed Balsavage said by having a grand opening earlier, we may get more volunteers involved with the park.  The newsletter should inform the residents of the township that the Ponderosa Park is open for use.

Lutheran Church Picnic – Naomi Decker asked Solicitor Schorpp for his opinion on the use of games of chance at the park picnic to raise money for the tsunami victims.  The solicitor stated a permit may be needed from the York County Treasurer.  The Board also needs to decide if they want to permit fund raising activities at the parks.  That can be done by the park rules and regulations.  Ed Balsavage said at the last meeting they determined there was no ordinance prohibiting this activity at the park.  The solicitor stated something could be adopted before the activity takes place.  Supervisor Balsavage said he did not feel it was up to this Board to decide.

Park Projects – Because of the weather, not much has been done.  Naomi Decker reported that John Flanagan is very good for the Park and Recreation Board.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Verizon Escrow Check – The Solicitor stated Verizon returned the check indicating they do not know what it is for.  After five years the money becomes State property.  The Board would like Phyllis to contact Verizon to see if they will send some type of letter giving the money to the Township.

Escrow Memo- Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by John Shambaugh to return Andrew Bingaman’s escrow fund.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.  Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by John Shambaugh to have the secretary send a letter to Arthur Spiece informing him there are escrow funds, but an as-built-plan has never been submitted to the township.  Vote:  Balsavage, Lerew, Shambaugh - Aye;  Decker abstained due to professional involvement.  Motion carried. Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by John Shambaugh to return the escrow funds for the following accounts:  Harmony Plus Wood, Donald Cawthra, and Robert Preston.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

Clean up Day Fees – Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to keep the clean up day fees for 2005 the same as 2004.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

Notary Work – The Board directed the secretary and treasurer to only notarize documents for the Board of Supervisors.

Freightliner Truck – The quote from Berman Freightliner was lowered by $735.  The purchase is through the PACC Contract.  John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Naomi Decker to purchase the Freightliner Truck, dump body and plow package.  The cost of the truck is $52,635 and the dump body and plow package is $37,480.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

Brillhart Insurance – The township paid for 6 months of insurance and only used 5 months before going with the HDH Group.  Brillhart Insurance keeps sending invoices.  Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to have the solicitor look into these invoices.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Dillsburg Youth Baseball – Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to allow Dillsburg Baseball to use the township fields. Motion carried by unanimous vote.

Support of EQB Petition – Deanna Weaver was present to ask the supervisors for a letter of support for an Evaluation Quality Board petition she took to DEP on February 24, 2005.  The purpose of this petition is to change the classification of Dogwood Run to a high quality stream.  This would place stricter requirements for run off water to the stream.  Tim Knoebel said he thought it would be a good idea for the township to support the petition.  John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Ed Balsavage to write a letter of support for the EQB petition.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

Intermunicipal Task Force – A letter was received from the Northern York Community Services Foundation requesting the township send a delegate to the dinner on March 29, 2005 to re-establish the Intermunicipal Task Force. Dillsburg Mayor Darwin Moyer will be the host of the dinner.  Naomi Decker said back when the task force started, it brought about the regional comprehensive plan and it was also Mr. Moyer’s  idea to have an industrial park.  Then it was his idea to develop a regional Carroll Township Police Force. Supervisor Decker does not know if this region can survive anymore of Mr. Moyer’s efforts.   None of the supervisors were interested in attending the meeting.

York County Municipal Administrators Association – The Board decided not to join the association.

Letter 64 May Drive -  There is no action since they are not in violation of any ordinances.

Letter 217 Chain Saw Road – Jackie Serbu stated their neighbor’s property at 217 Chain Saw Road has an open hole with odor from their septic system.  The Board directed the SEO to look at the septic system on this property to determine if there is a malfunction.  The property also does not have house numbering and the mailbox is on the 215 Chain Saw Road property.   Building Permit Officer Brian Fahey stated there were no permits issued for two sheds at 217 Chain Saw Road.  There is also a trailer on the property with no one living in it. 

 

John Shambaugh forgot to mention when the two men from Lost Hollow Road were here, that Mr. Murphy does not have a problem with having his septic system tested but Mr. Gilson will not give authorization to test his system.  The supervisors decided to wait until KPI does the profile of  the area.

CORRESPONDENCE

Gary Fanus Letter – Mr. Fanus responded to the School District’s letter.

Adelphia – A letter was received stating they will be increasing rates. 

Optimus Risk Services Letter – This letter refers to the visit to the township by the current workers’ compensation carrier.  The supervisors wanted to make sure the Roadmaster has a copy of this letter.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Patrick Hephner stated the township supervisors should be getting both the Patriot News and the Dillsburg Banner to stay informed on what is going on in the region. 

 

Curt Umpleby stated he lives on Lost Hollow Road and Adelphia told him they would not run the cable 1000 feet to his home.  The solicitor said it is up to the Franchise Agreement to determine the service in the township.  Mr. Umbleby would like the township to write a letter to Adelphia asking them to run the cable out Lost Hollow Road.  John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to have the secretary write a letter to Adelphia and also have the solicitor look into the Franchise Agreement.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

 

Naomi Decker would like it noted on the cable channel that New Hope Ministries have a donor that will match donations.  They have a million dollars to work with.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by John Shambaugh to approve the treasurer’s report.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

 

APPROVAL & PAYMENT OF BILLS

John Shambaugh made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to pay the bills.  Vote:  Balsavage, Lerew, Shambaugh – Aye; Decker Aye with the exception of the KPI bill for zoning.

 

 

Executive Session began at 9:20 p.m. and end at 9:25 p.m.

 

The life and disability insurance will be paid at the status quo until further discussion at the next meeting.

 

Naomi Decker made a motion seconded by Don Lerew to adjourn.  Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Linda J. Hansen

Secretary