Newtown Township
Board of Supervisors Minutes
May 22, 2002
MINUTES WERE APPROVED at the regular meeting June 12, 2001. REGULAR MEETING OF 5/22/02: Mr. Weaver moved to approve the minutes of the 5/22/02 regular meeting with one correction. In the discussion of Mr. Goodnoe’s motion regarding the Newtown Community Center Alliance in New Business, the first sentence should read”… the appearance of a commitment of financial support for a Township owned community center.” The motion was seconded by Mr. Weaver and passed unanimously.
The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors met on Wednesday, May 22, 2002, in the Township meeting room at 8:00 PM. In attendance were Supervisors: Chairman Scott Harp, Vice Chairman Tom Jirele, Treasurer Richard Weaver, Secretary/Assistant Treasurer Anne Goren and Member Raymond Goodnoe. Also present were: Sycamore Street Committee Chairman Vince Lombardi, Cable TV Committee Chairman Jim Bowe, HARB Vice Chairperson Elinor Campbell, Township Solicitor Stephen Harris, Township Engineers Gerald Smith and Phil Wursta, Township Manager Bob Pellegrino and Township Finance Director Elaine Gibbs.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Harp called the regular meeting to order at 8:00 PM with a moment of silence.
INVOCATION: Given by Paul Chreiman, Chaplain of Morrell Smith, Post 440, Newtown American Legion. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: Mr. Pellegrino announced that an item relating to the JMZO codification is added to the Manager’s report; the item relating to the Redevelopment Authority under Old Business is postponed; an item relating to the installation of a traffic signal at Wrights and Durham Roads is added to the Manager’s report; and the Board will meet in executive session for matters of pending litigation following the adjournment of the regular meeting.
MINUTES, BILLS LIST AND REPORTS:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
REGULAR MEETING OF 5/8/02: Mr. Weaver moved to approve the minutes of the 5/8/02 regular meeting with one correction: the motion to pass the bills list should read “… the motion was seconded by Mr. Jirele and passed unanimously, with Mr. Goodnoe abstaining”. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weaver and passed unanimously.
BILLS LIST: Mr.
Weaver moved to pay bills totaling $356,557.57; the motion was seconded by Mrs.
Goren and passed unanimously.
INTERFUND TRANSFERS: Mr.
Weaver moved to approved interfund transfers totaling $858,512.55; the motion
was seconded by Mr. Jirele and passed unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT: No items.
SPECIAL ACTIONS:
RECOGNITION:
RESOLUTION 2002-13 - EMPLOYEES WITH 5, 10 AND 20 YEARS OF SERVICE: Mr. Harp read Resolution 2002-13, honoring
the following employees: Russ Davis,
Robert Lupinetti, Shane Dilling, Timothy Keegan, Charles Palko and Mark Russ
for five years of service; Chris Bush and Donald Harris for ten years of
service; and Ron Weaver for twenty years of service.
RESOLUTION 2002-15 - POLICE MEMORIAL WEEK: Mr. Harp read Resolution 2002-15, which
commended the Newtown Township Police Department and recognized Police Memorial
Week, 5/26/02 to 5/31/02.
Two other resolutions were read
later in the agenda (see below), when the honorees could be present.
CONDITIONAL USE
HEARING - MCLAUGHLIN TRACT - TOLL BROTHERS - STOOPVILLE AND LINTON HILL ROADS -
TMP# 29-7-5: Mr. Harp opened the
hearing on the conditional use application.
Attorney Ed Murphy was delayed, and Mr. Harp closed the hearing and
tabled it to later in the agenda.
REPORTS OF
COMMITTEES, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
PLANNING COMMISSION: Mr. Harp noted that the scheduled 5/21/02
Planning Commission meeting was canceled.
SYCAMORE STREET
COMMITTEE: Committee Chairman Vince
Lombardi reported on the Committee’s 5/14/02 meeting, at which they discussed
the $1.2 million T-21 grant received for enhancements on Sycamore Street and
developed their priorities for using the funds. Mr. Lombardi thanked all those involved with preparing the
successful grant application. He said
Committee members chose the following groups of priorities for the use of the
funds:
1. period lighting and well defined crosswalks
2. attractive sidewalks and pedestrian signals
3. street trees and other landscaping
4. street
furniture
Mr. Lombardi said there is a possibility that some of these
items can be obtained through private donations.
Mr. Harp and Mr. Jirele commended Mr. Lombardi and the
Sycamore Street Committee for their work.
Mr. Goodnoe said the Joint Downtown Newtown Corporation
(JDNC) has a design committee which could help the Sycamore Street Committee in
its planning. Mr. Lombardi said he will
invite the Chairman of the JDNC design committee, Allen Smith, to participate
in the planning of the enhancements.
Mr. Goodnoe asked about the investigation of the illegal
dumping at the Peter Taylor Farmstead.
Mr. Lombardi said he understood that one of the County Commissioners was
going to organize a field visit, but he has not been contacted about the visit,
although he has visited on his own. Mr.
Lombardi said he had no information about the progress of the investigation.
CABLE TV COMMITTEE: Committee Chairman Jim Bowe reported on
their 5/15/02 meeting. The Committee
discussed problems with Comcast’s e-mail services and some property damage
caused by Comcast’s installation work.
Mr. Bowe announced that Dr. Joe Ugras, a former Chairman, resigned from
the Committee. He asked that the
Supervisors advertise for a new Committee member. Mr. Harp said that any resident interested in any Township
committee should send a letter and resume to the Township Manager.
Mr. Goodnoe asked if it is possible to eliminate the need
for a separate box on top of a television.
Mr. Bowe said he understood that it is not, but he will check with
Comcast officials about this.
HISTORIC
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD (HARB):
HARB Vice Chairperson Elinor Campbell reported on their 5/15/02
meeting. They discussed Dr. John
McIntyre’s plan to replace an existing sign at 117 South Sycamore Street,
improvements to the Tyrol building at 223 Sycamore Street, and the Sycamore
Street Committee’s request for HARB’s help with designing street improvements.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS - KATHY LESSER - 117 S. SYCAMORE STREET: Mr.
Jirele moved to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness, in accordance with
HARB’s recommendation, for replacement of an existing sign for Dr. John McIntyre
at 117 S. Sycamore Street. The motion
was seconded by Mr. Weaver and passed unanimously.
REVISED FINAL PLAN - TYROL - 223 SYCAMORE STREET: Mrs.
Goren moved to approve the revised final plan for the office building at 223
Sycamore Street, in accordance with HARB’s recommendation. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weaver and
passed unanimously.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
COMMITTEE: Mr. Weaver reported that
the Technology Department and the Park & Recreation Department met with the
Committee this month and discussed their capital needs. He said that the guidelines for capital
expenditures require that items purchased have at least a five year life span,
but many necessary purchases for the Technology Department do not have such a
life span.
SPECIAL ACTIONS
(CONTINUED):
RECOGNITION:
COUNCIL ROCK HIGH SCHOOL - CHET ZABOROWSKI AND BRIAN LAUTH: Mr. Harp presented a Certificate of
Accomplishment to teacher Chet Zaborowski, who administered CPR to a fellow
teacher on 5/8/02. Mr. Harp also
presented a Certificate of Accomplishment to Brian Lauth, a student who
assisted Mr. Zaborowski that day.
RESOLUTION 2002-14 - PUBLIC WORKS WEEK: Mr. Harp read a proclamation commending the Public Works
Department and recognizing Public Works Week, 5/19/02 to 5/25/02.
CONDITIONAL USE -
MCLAUGHLIN TRACT - 37 STOOPVILLE ROAD - TOLL BROTHERS - TMP# 29-7-5: Mike Palmer, attorney Ed Murphy and
architect Jeff Franz were present to discuss the request for Use B-14,
Performance Subdivision, for a development of 35 single family homes on a 38.39
acre tract in the CM District. Mr. Harp
opened the hearing and Mr. Franz was sworn in.
Mr. Murphy provided each Supervisor with a booklet which
included the original conditional use application, soils information, an aerial
photo of the area, the Pennoni plan for realignment of Stoopville Road, the
revised conditional use application, and the resource protection calculations. He said the Board of Supervisors requested
substantial improvements to Stoopville Road as part of the development of the
tract; the improvements would cost approximately twice the cost of merely
meeting ordinance requirements. Mr.
Murphy said the applicant can absorb this cost if the lots and homes can be
larger than shown on the original plan.
Also, the plan now does not meet ordinance requirements for the
preservation of soils and for density, and the applicant will seek variances on
these requirements. Mr. Murphy said the
plan does other meet ordinance requirements, including those for open space and
a 100 foot buffer.
Regarding the McLaughlin house, Mr. Murphy said it is
preserved on its own 1/3 acre lot in accordance with the Supervisors’
wishes. He said there has been some
discussion of deeding the house to the Township for public use.
Mr. Murphy also said that the Planning Commission discussed
the possibility of eliminating the cul-de-sacs, and he displayed a sketch of an
alternative design. He said the
disadvantage of this design is that the backs of many of the houses would face
Stoopville Road.
Mr. Smith asked if a second access is planned. Mr. Murphy said an emergency access can be
built where the current McLaughlin house driveway is located.
Mr. Harris asked about the Planning Commission’s reference
to right of way and cartway widths on Stoopville Road in their 5/13/02
letter. Mr. Murphy said there were
residents present at the Planning Commission meeting who expressed concern
about the widening of Stoopville Road, and Commission members recommended that
it be widened only as needed for safety.
He suggested that this and other land development issues be considered
during the plan approval process.
Mr. Goodnoe said he is not in favor of most of the proposed
road improvements, although he would like to see 12 foot lanes and four foot
shoulders as recommended by Pennoni Associates. Mr. Murphy said it would make sense to establish additional right
of way now for future needs.
Mr. Jirele said he would like to see a trail along
Stoopville Road.
Mr. Goodnoe said he would prefer to see the McLaughlin house
sold to a private buyer. Mr. Murphy
said the applicant is willing to do whatever the Board of Supervisors directs.
Sue Beasley, a member of the Planning Commission, said that
the Commission was under the impression at their meeting that the Board of
Supervisors had expressed a preference that the McLaughlin house become
Township property; this was not the Commission’s recommendation.
Mr. Jirele asked about the adjacent Gray Tract in Upper
Makefield, which Toll Brothers is also developing. Mr. Palmer was sworn in and stated that Toll Brothers has just
received conditional use approval for the Gray Tract for 124 age-qualified
carriage houses on 33 acres with public water and sewer. He said he did not know yet if Upper
Makefield attached any conditions to the approval. Mr. Murphy said that the Gray Tract has the same 100 foot buffer,
so a minimum of 200 feet will separate the two developments. He also said that Upper Makefield has
endorsed the Pennoni plan for the road improvements that extend into their
township.
Phil Wursta, Township Traffic Engineer, was present and
explained the improvements recommended on the Pennoni plan, which Toll Brothers
has incorporated into their plan for the development. The plan includes the realignment of the intersection of
Stoopville Road, Linton Hill Road and Creamery Road, and the addition of left
turn lanes. He said this intersection
will be signalized in the next few years, so the plan includes installation of
conduits. Mr. Wursta said that the
ordinance requires an 80 foot right of way on Stoopville Road, and the
additional right of way would come from the McLaughlin tract exclusively.
Mrs. Goren said the Supervisors have just received a copy of
the Swamp Road study results, and she questioned why Pennoni is recommending a
wider cartway for Stoopville Road than that recommended for Swamp Road, which
is a higher classification of road. Mr.
Wursta said topographic features along Swamp Road mandate 11 foot lanes and
four foot shoulders. He said that 12
foot lanes and four foot shoulders on Stoopville Road will be safer.
Mr. Jirele asked if Toll Brothers is willing to make a
contribution towards the maintenance of the McLaughlin house, whether it
becomes public or private property. Mr.
Murphy said Toll Brothers is waiting to hear a specific request. Mr. Jirele proposed a meeting with him, the
applicant, HARB, and other relevant parties to determine an appropriate
arrangement.
Mr. Jirele also asked if the plan could be revised to
preserve the open space in one unified parcel.
Mr. Murphy said the presence of wetlands makes it difficult to do so,
although it might be possible if they encroach on the buffer. Mrs. Goren said the present plan actually
makes more open space visible from Stoopville Road.
Mr. Harp asked if the public had comments or questions.
Chris Kennedy, a resident of Newtown Grant, stated that 1100
neighboring homeowners have signed a petition against the widening of
Stoopville Road. She said that
Stoopville Road now has 10 foot lanes, so widening this part would be
inconsistent. She said there have been
33 accidents on the road in the last five years, and fears that the proposed
widening will lead to more trucks and more speeding on Stoopville Road.
Mr. Harp said this will be discussed thoroughly during the
land development process. Mr. Jirele
said the widening is being proposed to improve the safety of the road. Mr. Goodnoe said that narrower roads are not
necessarily safer.
Nancy Cresenczo, a Township resident, said regional traffic
issues should be studied before conditional use approval is granted.
Tom Landle, a resident of Stoopville Road, said he is
opposed to widening the road because more truck drivers will choose Stoopville
Road. He said that the residents need
public water and sewer service. Mrs.
Goren said the Township cannot require that public water and sewer lines be
installed. Mr. Harris said that if it
can be proven that the developer caused residents’ wells to go dry, the
residents can force the developer to rectify the situation.
Tammy Mantegna, a resident of Linton Hill Road, said she
represents 55 other residents who oppose the plan for road improvements because
of fears of increased traffic, noise and air pollution.
Marcy Conti, a resident of Wrightstown Township, asked that
this matter be tabled so that other area residents can learn about the plan.
Sue Hermann, a resident of Lower Makefield Township, said
the Bucks County Planning Commission rejected the widening of Stoopville Road
because it would increase traffic volume and speed. She also said that PennDOT recommended traffic calming
measures. She stated that this is the
first step towards a northern bypass road.
She supported Ms Conti’s request to allow neighboring residents to
review the plan.
Mr. Harp stated that the road improvements will be discussed
during the land development process, and the applicant meets requirements for
Use B-14. Mr. Jirele said he would like
more information about water and sewer services in the Gray Tract, and the
disposition of the McLaughlin house.
Mr. Murphy said water and sewer services in the Gray Tract will come
from a community well and septic system.
He said that no sewer lines will be extended from Newtown Township to
serve the Gray Tract.
Mr. Harp said the three major issues discussed tonight are
the Gray Tract approval, the disposition of the McLaughlin house and water and
sewer services. He asked if they must
be settled before conditional use approval.
Mr. Harris said this hearing concerns only the request for Use B-14,
Performance Subdivision.
Mrs. Goren moved to
grant conditional use approval to Toll Brothers for Use B-14, Performance
Subdivision, on the McLaughlin Tract, with the following conditions:
· The applicant will comply with the Heritage Conservancy letter of 4/16/02.
· The applicant will pursue subdivision and land development with a plan substantially like the plan last revised on 5/3/02, with the McLaughlin house on a separate lot, with the disposition of the house to be resolved later.
· The width and improvements to Stoopville Road will be resolved later.
· The applicant will obtain variances to permit the disturbance of 50% of class 1 and 2 soils.
· The applicant will obtain variances to permit a density of 35 units.
· The applicant will provide appropriate agreements regarding open space.
· The applicant will pay all costs of review.
The motion was
seconded by Mr. Weaver.
Discussion of motion: Mr. Murphy said the applicant will agree to
all the conditions listed.
Mrs. Goren’s motion
passed unanimously.
Mr. Murphy suggested that a trail along Stoopville Road be
added as a condition.
Mrs. Goren moved to
amend her motion to include a trail along Stoopville Road as an additional
condition of approval. Mr. Weaver
amended his second.
Mrs. Goren’s amendment
passed unanimously.
Mr. Jirele asked Mr. Murphy to bring information about the
Gray Tract when the preliminary plan for the McLaughlin Tract is reviewed.
MEMBERS COMMENTS:
CLARK PROPERTY NAME: Mr. Weaver said that the Park and Recreation
Board wanted to name the Clark property the Clark Nature Preserve, but DCNR has
stated that it is not a true preserve.
He will suggest the name Clark Nature Center to the Board.
MCLAUGHLIN TRACT
HEARING: Mrs. Goren moved to close the hearing on the McLaughlin Tract
conditional use application. The motion
was seconded by Mr. Weaver and passed unanimously.
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Mr. Jirele announced that the Presbyterian
Church will hold its annual Strawberry Festival on 6/1/02.
COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
Morris Kaplan, a Township resident, expressed concerns about
the parking lot planned for Hidden Lake.
He said the lot might present a traffic hazard, the earthen dam might be
damaged, and the area itself is a dangerous place to encourage public
access. Mr. Harp said these issues are
being considered by the Park and Recreation Board. Mr. Smith said the entrance to the lot will have to be approved
by PennDOT.
Frank Mendicino, a Township resident, asked several
questions about how Mr. Goodnoe planned work session agendas when he served as
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Mendicino said he would return with further questions later in the
meeting.
Nancy Cresenczo, a Township resident, asked several
questions about how the Clark property will be maintained.
John D’Aprile raised a concern about the cost of
improvements to Township parks. Mr.
Harp said the Township will seek alternative sources of funding, including
donations, for many of these projects.
REPORTS OF OFFICIALS:
CHAIRMAN:
WORK SESSION 5/20/02: Mr.
Harp said that topics discussed at the work session on 5/20/02 included the
continuation of the School Police Resource officer; a parking ordinance
amendment; bids for used equipment; traffic issues; and Keystate publishers. Mr. Harp asked Mr. Pellegrino to make copies
of Mr. Wursta’s report on traffic issues available to the public at the next
meeting.
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: Mr.
Harp noted that on 5/27/02 the Newtown community’s Memorial Day parade will
begin at 9:00 AM.
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS:
SYCAMORE STREET ENHANCEMENT GRANT:
Mr. Jirele announced that the Sycamore Street subcommittee dealing with
the Enhancements grant will meet next week with members of HARB, the Planning
Commission and the Joint Downtown Newtown Corporation.
MANAGER:
PLAN EXPIRATIONS: Mr.
Pellegrino said there are no expirations to be addressed.
AWARD OF USED EQUIPMENT BIDS:
Mr. Pellegrino provided copies of a 5/21/02 memo from Tom Harwood which
included recommendations for the sale of used Township equipment. He said the items were advertised twice, as
no bids were received the first time.
Mrs.
Goren moved to sell four used Township vehicles as recommended by Mr. Harwood
in his memo of 5/21/02. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Harp and passed unanimously.
KEYSTATES contract: Mr.
Weaver moved to approve a contract for $1070 for initial costs of converting
and scanning the JMZO, and $15.00 for each subsequently revised page, to be
awarded to Keystate Publishers. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Jirele and passed unanimously.
BIDS FOR SIGNAL AT WRIGHTS AND DURHAM ROADS: A 5/20/02 letter from Carroll Engineering
recommended awarding the contract for installing the traffic signal to the
lowest bidder, Henkels and McCoy, Inc.
Mr. Jirele asked if this is a reputable firm; Mr. Smith said it is. Mr. Pellegrino noted the money will come
from the Liquid Fuels Fund.
Mr.
Weaver moved to award the contract for installing a traffic signal at Wrights
and Durham Roads to Henkels and McCoy, Inc., in the amount of $66,473.00. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Goren and
passed unanimously.
SWAMP ROAD STUDY: Mr.
Pellegrino announced that the Swamp Road Study report is now posted on the
Township’s website. Mr. Goodnoe said
the report should be discussed at a televised meeting.
SOLICITOR:
JMZO AMENDMENT 2002-05: Mr.
Harris reported that the JMZO Amendment adopted at the 5/8/02 Board of
Supervisors meeting provides for the approval of cell towers by special
exception only in the Upper Makefield parcel mentioned in the ordinance, TMP#
47-8-55. In other areas the approval
process is unchanged.
NO IMPACT HOME BASED BUSINESSES:
Mr. Harris said the Municipalities Planning Code was amended to require
that all municipalities provide for “no impact home based businesses” by the
end of 2002, and the Jointure should discuss this requirement. Mr. Harris said he will give Mr. Weaver a
letter explaining the issue so that he can bring it to the Jointure.
ZONING HEARING BOARD - 6/6/02:
Mr. Harris reviewed the applications scheduled before the Zoning Hearing
Board. The Supervisors did not indicate
that the Solicitor should attend any of the hearings, although Mr. Jirele asked
that Community Association Underwriters be notified about the Brandywine Realty
Trust’s application because the proposed variance might affect the CAU
property. Mr. Smith said that his
review, and that of the Doorleys’ engineer, indicated that the upstream
neighbors will not be affected by the variance.
PENNS TERRACE MYLARS: Mr. Jirele moved to sign the mylars for the
Penns Terrace Office Park. The motion
was seconded by Mr. Weaver.
Discussion of motion: Mrs.
Goren said she will abstain from voting on this motion because she was not a
member of the Board of Supervisors when this plan was approved. Mr. Harris noted that the address of the
development is the northwest corner of Penns Trail and Friends Lane. He stated that this is one of two approved
plans in the Township with under building parking.
Mr.
Jirele’s motion passed unanimously, with Mrs. Goren abstaining.
ENGINEER: No items for this section.
OLD BUSINESS:
FINAL PLAN - HESTON
TRACT - 208 UPPER SILVER LAKE ROAD - TOLL BROTHERS - TMP# 29-10-77: Mike Palmer, attorney Ed Murphy and engineer
Jeff Franz were present to discuss the final plan for 24 single family homes on
a 77.3 acre tract in the Office Research District. The development will be called The Reserve.
Mr. Murphy said the applicant has addressed the major issues discussed by the Planning Commission as follows:
· The buffer plantings near Mr. Sterling’s property have been moved back, and a waiver is not necessary.
· The swale on the northern side of the property will be deeded and preserved.
· There will be access to the open space from Upper Silver Lake Road, delineated by a split rail fence, a berm and buffering, and signage. The Homeowners Association will maintain the access area. There is another access from within the development.
· The applicant will comply with the review letters.
· The applicant will aerate the pond and promote water circulation, or get rid of the pond.
·
The County has said it will support the following plan
for the Heston barn. Toll Brothers will
dismantle the barn and give it to the Friends of the Farm, storing the parts in
a dry, indoor area. Toll Brothers will
also give the Friends of the Farm a contribution equal to the cost of a new
foundation. The Friends group will use
the parts to repair an existing barn on the Taylor Farmstead.
Mrs. Goren said neighboring property
owners are concerned about the access to the open space running past their
homes. Mr. Murphy said the access can
be eliminated from the plan.
Mr. Jirele said he would prefer that
the pond be preserved; Mr. Murphy said the applicant will comply with this.
Gail Laughlin, one of the Directors of
the Friends of the Farm, said she supported the plan for the Heston barn. Mr. Murphy said Toll Brothers will leave it
up as long as possible during construction, but it will be dismantled prior to
dedication.
Tony Passello, a resident of Kirkwood,
asked several questions about improvements to Upper Silver Lake Road and trees
to be used as buffering.
Bill Sterling thanked the applicant
for moving the proposed trees and putting in a swale. He asked that the Township ensure that the deed restrictions
protecting the swale are part of the approved plan.
Nancy Cresenczo asked several
questions about the plan for the barn and the Fire Marshal’s
recommendations. Mr. Murphy explained
that the Fire Marshal’s letter predates the Supervisors’ approval of the
preliminary plan, which contained different requirements for the spacing of
fire hydrants.
Mr.
Jirele moved to approve the final plan for the Heston Tract, subject to the
following conditions:
·
The applicant
will comply with the Pennoni Associates letter of 5/3/02, the Heritage Conservancy
letter of 4/9/02, the Bucks County Planning Commission letter of 4/24/02 and
the Conservation District letter of 4/19/02.
·
The applicant
will obtain the necessary approvals and permits.
·
The applicant
will post the required financial agreements and deeds.
·
The barn will be
dismantled and the parts saved in a dry place so that they do not deteriorate. The timbers will be given to the Friends of
the Farm. Toll Brothers will donate an
amount equal to the cost of a new foundation.
The amount will be determined by Pennoni Associates.
·
Deed restrictions
will be placed on lots 10, 11 and 13 to protect the swale.
·
Buffer plantings
will be pulled back at least 25 feet from Mr. Sterling’s property line. The deeds for the appropriate lots will
contain this restriction.
·
Park and
Recreation fees of $119,025 will be paid.
·
Traffic impact
fees will be paid.
·
Water and sewer
agreements will be provided.
·
Access to the
open space will be from the interior road.
·
All costs of the
review will be paid.
·
A waiver is
granted to allow a cartway width of 34 feet on Upper Silver Lake Road.
·
The pond will be
aerated.
The motion was
seconded by Mrs. Goren.
Discussion of motion: Mr. Jirele asked if there will be a sidewalk
the entire length of the Upper Silver Lake Road frontage; Mr. Murphy said there
will be.
Mr. Goodnoe said he opposes this plan because he opposes
residential development in the OR District, the open space is not on the main
road, and the utility connections are not linked to the development to the
south.
Mr. Jirele’s motion
passed 4-1, with Mr. Goodnoe voting “nay”.
NEW BUSINESS:
NEWTOWN COMMUNITY
CENTER ALLIANCE: Mr. Goodnoe moved to appoint Mr. Jirele as
the representative of the Board of Supervisors to the Newtown Community Center
Alliance. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Jirele.
Discussion of motion: Mrs. Goren said she is still concerned about
the appearance of a commitment of financial support for the Alliance. Mr. Jirele said he too is concerned about
this, but he feels the Township needs to have a liaison with the business
community to show that the Supervisors are serious about looking at all options
regarding a community center.
Mr. Weaver said he is concerned about a duplication of
effort. He said it may be possible to
use a building in the Municipal Complex, once the expansion project is
completed.
Nancy Cresenczo said she agrees with Mr. Jirele.
Mr. Goodnoe’s motion
failed 2-3, with Mrs. Goren, Mr. Weaver and Mr. Harp voting “nay”.
COMMUNITY COMMENTS
(CONTINUED):
Walter Iwaskiw spoke in favor of Mr. Goodnoe’s motion.
Frank Mendicino asked Mr. Goodnoe several questions about
significant issues that have been discussed in work sessions during Mr. Harp’s
term as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Goodnoe mentioned land development plans for the McLaughlin and
Heston Tracts. Mr. Mendicino said that
Mr. Goodnoe did the same thing when he was Chairman of the Board of
Supervisors. He gave examples of what
he described as issues that were added to work session agendas, and items that
were discussed at work sessions and not mentioned in reports at televised
meetings when Mr. Goodnoe was Chairman.
Mr. Mendicino asked that work sessions and Planning Commission meetings
be televised.
Mrs. Goren said that the Township should consider taking on
the additional costs of televising work sessions and Planning Commission
meetings during the budget process this fall.
John D’Aprile asked that residents not use the public
comment section for interrogations about the past.
Nancy Cresenczo said she favors a liaison with the business
community.
Phil Calabro, a Newtown Grant resident, said he is a newly
elected Democratic committeeman. He
asked that Mr. Harp not allow people to make personal attacks during the public
comment section.
Glenn Beasley asked what is happening regarding the School
District redistricting issue. He asked
if the Township can submit its own plan.
Mr. Harris said this is possible, but there is only one more meeting
before the deadline.
Karen D’Aprile protested the political nature of public
comments.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Harp said the Board will meet in
executive session for matters of pending litigation following adjournment of
the regular meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: With no objections, Mr. Harp adjourned the
meeting at 1:20 AM, 5/23/02.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
_____________________________
Gretta Stone, Recording Secretary
Minutes Approved as submitted _______ as corrected _______
_____________________________
Scott R. Harp, Chairman
_____________________________
Thomas Jirele, Vice Chairman
_____________________________
Anne Goren, Secretary/Assistant Treasurer
_____________________________
Richard Weaver, Treasurer
_____________________________
Raymond Goodnoe, Member