Newtown Township
Board of Supervisors Work Session Minutes
April 14, 2003
MINUTES WERE APPROVED at the regular meeting May 28, 2003. MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF 4/14/03: Mr. Weaver moved to approve the minutes of the 4/14/03 work session; the motion was seconded by Mr. Goodnoe and passed unanimously, with Mrs. Goren abstaining.
Members Present: Scott R. Harp, Chairman;
Richard Weaver, Secretary/Treasurer; Tom Jirele and Raymond “Skip” Goodnoe,
Members; Gregory Sturn, Solicitor; Robert M. Pellegrino, Township Manager. Not in attendance was Anne Goren, Vice
Chairman.
Also Present: Jean-Paul Lautenschlager,
Courier Times; Acme Site Visioning Committee Members: Vince Lombardi, Joe
Merjeski, James Bowe, Paul Lewis and Terry McLean; Caron Williams, representing
Newtown Presbyterian Church; Bill Wert, Parks & Recreations Director; Buck
O’Neill, CRNLL; Newtown residents Elizabeth Beasley, Karen & John D’Aprile,
Walt Iwaskiw, Paul Sterling, Nancy Crescenzo and Ethel Hibbs.
Call to Order: Chairman Harp called the
meeting to order at 7:32 PM.
The
Supervisors discussed the Acme Site.
The Supervisors reviewed the documents received from the Acme Site
Visioning Committee and Redevelopment Authority of the County of Bucks. The Supervisors discussed the Committee’s
Final Report & Recommendations. Mr.
Lombardi discussed six developers interested in developing the site. The Supervisors agreed to have a Request for
Proposal (RFP) draft prepared by the Redevelopment Authority under the
direction of the Manager, for further review.
The Supervisors discussed the types of uses (residential, retail,
office) the RFP should include and the multi-level parking garage. The Supervisors agreed the RFP should
include language to encourage at least two uses and require two decks for the
parking garage. The Supervisors agreed
to discuss further once draft RFP is complete.
Ms.
Crescenzo asked about the RFP process, which was explained by Mr.
Pellegrino. She also asked about the
involvement of the owner of the Acme
property , who has attended some of the past meetings.
The
Supervisors discussed the request made by CRNLL. Mr. O’Neill advised the agreement would include a scoreboard and
vending machines, which the Supervisors indicated they did not object to. Mr. O’Neill also advised that CRNLL would
like to put up a split rail fence with wire mesh by field 1 along Sycamore
Street to prevent children from running into the street after balls. He advised CRNLL would pay for the
fence. The Supervisors questioned the
use of wire mesh and requested to see a sample of what is proposed. The Supervisors agreed to a split rail fence
with the possibility of vegetation being planted at a later date. A draft agreement would be available for the
next BOS meeting, April 23, 2003. Mr.
Harp asked to have a representative from CRNLL at the BOS meeting on April 23,
2003.
The Supervisors reviewed correspondence received with regards to the YSM proposed master plan and how it compared with the township’s 1999 Comprehensive Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan. The Supervisors agreed the proposal is not consistent with the 1999 Plan and therefore should be revised. The Board agreed to look into the costs to run water to Silver Lake Park. The Supervisors advised that YSM’s proposal is more of a conceptual master plan rather than a final drawing. The Board requested that YSM be contacted regarding revisions to the proposal.
Mr. Jirele suggested that the Park & Recreation Board look into the reforestation of the park.
The
Supervisors discussed the Roberts Ridge Park Master Plan and documents they
had received with regards to its
development. Mr. Pellegrino reviewed
the proposed time line and updated the Board on progress to date. The
Supervisors agreed to the Roberts Ridge Park Development Time Line with one
change, Item 6, July – August 2003 - The Supervisors want the development plan
to be reviewed by the Park & Recreation Board and the Planning Commission
before the Board of Supervisors review the development plan.
Mr.
Jirele asked about the need for traffic signs in the park, but Mr. Wert advised the problems have been
taken care of.
Mr.
Jirele asked about handicap parking spaces.
Mr. Wert advised there are two spaces and they are not located next to
one another.
Mr.
Wert advised the Supervisors that the picnic tables, trash cans and benches
have been installed, he is waiting for the wood carpet before opening the
picnic area. That area should be
available within the next few days.
The
Supervisors discussed the proposed park naturalist position and reviewed
correspondence they had received regarding the matter. Mr. Pellegrino and Mr. Wert updated the
Supervisors on the status of the position and the proposed hiring process. The Supervisors agreed they would support
the Township Manager in filling the position as budgeted. Mr. Harp reminded members this position was
shown in the 2003 budget. Mr. Goodnoe
advised he was upset the position was created without being specifically
discussed by the Supervisors.
The Supervisors discussed the proposed 2002 Annual Report, which they had been furnished a draft copy of. Mr. Harp asked the Supervisors to review the report and let him or the Township Manager know if they have any changes or additions by May 1, 2003. Mr. Harp advised that the report would be available to township residents in the near future.
Ms.
Crescenzo commented on a site for a Community Center. Mr. Lombardi recommended Chandler Field. Ms. Crescenzo asked the Supervisors to look
into the matter of a Community Center for the township.
Ms.
Crescenzo commented on the naturalist position. She suggested the township look into having a student from one of
the local colleges’ intern.
Mr.
O’Neill advised the Supervisors that CRNLL would like to make improvements to
the fields at Chandler Field. The
Supervisors advised CRNLL to submit a formal request to the Board of
Supervisors regarding the proposed improvements. CRNLL advised any improvements would not be made until the fall
of 2003.
Mr.
O’Neill commented on the opening of the park restrooms. Mr. Wert advised the restrooms would be open
by April 15th.
The
Supervisors discussed field maintenance.
Mr. Wert advised that a rotation schedule is being worked out so that
every year one field would be closed for the season, for renovations. Mr. Pellegrino advised this is part of a
field maintenance program that is being created. The Supervisors discussed watering systems for the fields. Mr. Pellegrino asked Mr. Wert to look into
which fields may need a watering system.
Ms.
Beasley commented on how the township would keep the general public off of the
closed fields that were being renovated.
Mr. Wert suggested an article could be put in the township’s newsletter
informing the public of the field renovations.
The fields would also be fenced.
Mr.
Iwaskiw commented on the request for dirt made by the Newtown’s Girls Softball
League. The Supervisors agreed to see
that the NGSL receives the dirt they need.
Mr.
Iwaskiw commented on the restrooms not being opened. Mr. Wert advised the restrooms are winterized and will open by
April 15th.
Mr.
Iwaskiw commented on the RFP for Silver Lake Park. He questioned if the township should seek a new RFP. The Supervisors advised they would request
the vendor to negotiate the costs due to changes with the RFP.
Mr.
Iwaskiw commented on the Supervisors approving plans before having all the
facts.
Ms.
Hibbs commented on the 2003 budget funds.
The Supervisors advised that any additional funds spent would need prior
approval by the BOS.
Mr.
D’Aprile commented on approving the plan for Silver Lake Park prior to knowing
all the details. He also commented on
the public’s opinion of the Board of Supervisors.
Ms.
Crescenzo commented on the 2003 budget and the funds set-aside for Silver Lake
Park. She also commented on the
renegotiations with the vendor. Mr.
Pellegrino advised how the process should work.
Ms.
Crescenzo commented on the township’s parks maintenance plan. She felt the plan should be used for all the
township’s parks. She referred to
problems with the Clark property.
Ms.
Crescenzo commented on the township’s deer problem and the reforestation of the
township parks.
Ms.
Crescenzo commented on a March 27th article where Upper Makefield
Township advertised that Newtown Township’s task force would be in Upper
Makefield to discuss the truck traffic study.
Ms. Crescenzo questioned why the public was not made aware of the
meeting. Mr. Pellegrino advised he did
not believe these meetings were open to the public. The Supervisors advised they would look into why the township is
not being made more aware of these meetings.
Mr.
Harp thanked the public for attending the meeting.
Without
objection, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM.
After the adjournment of the
meeting, the Supervisors met in executive session.
Respectfully
Submitted by:
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