Newtown Township
Board of Supervisors
Work Session Minutes
July 18, 2005
MINUTES WERE APPROVED at the regular meeting August 24, 2005. Minutes of Work Session of July 18, 2005: Mr. Jirele moved to accept the minutes of the work session meeting of July 18, 2005. Mrs. Goren seconded and the motion passed 4-0-1, with Mr. Harp abstaining.
Members Present: Richard Weaver, Chairman;
Anne Goren, Secretary/Treasurer; Raymond “Skip” Goodnoe, Member; Tom Jirele,
Member; Dave Sanders, Solicitor; Robert M. Pellegrino, Township Manager; Gerald
Smith, Engineer. Not in attendance was
Scott R. Harp, Vice Chairman
Also Present: James Linske, George J.
Donovan AIA & Associates; William Knittle, George J. Donovan AIA &
Associates; Joseph Phillips, George J. Donovan AIA & Associates; Michael
Imperial, Keystone Municipal Services, Inc.; Rich O’Brien; Various Township
employees including John Boyle, Elaine Gibbs, Bill Wert, Ron Weaver, Gary
Crossland and Jean Tanner; Various Newtown Township residents including Ethel
Hibbs and Walt Iwaskiw.
Call to Order: Chairman Weaver called the
meeting to order at 8:04 P.M. This was
followed with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr.
Pellegrino updated the Supervisors with regards to the Building Code Amendment
for a basement egress. Mr. Pellegrino
introduced Mr. Imperial and Mr. O’Brien, representatives from Keystone
Municipal Services, Inc.
Mr.
Sanders commented with regards to the Building Code Act 45 and Building Code
Act 93 (an Amendment to Act 45). Mr.
Sanders advised the Supervisors that he is looking for their direction on how
to have the Township’s building inspectors enforce the building codes.
Mr.
O’Brien advised the Supervisors on Act 45 (required a basement egress) and Act
93 (does not require a basement egress).
Mr. O’Brien questioned the Supervisors on as to how they would like the
building inspectors to enforce the basement egress options as dictated in the
bounds of the Building Code or eliminate the basement egress from the
requirements of the Uniform Construction Code.
Mr. O’Brien advised the Supervisors on three (3) possible options. The first option would be to leave the
Building Code as it is. The second
option would be to eliminate the basement egress from the requirements. The third option would be to enforce the
basement egress if the area is used for sleeping.
Mr.
Pellegrino questioned how the building inspectors are currently handling the
matter regarding a basement egress. Mr.
Imperial advised that the Township has been enforcing the requirement for a
second means of egress. He also advised
the Supervisors on the 1996 BOCA Code.
He discussed the emergency egress and commented with regards to the
Township’s liability.
Mr.
Sanders advised the Supervisors on the Township’s liability in accordance to
Act 93. He also commented with regards
to the increased addition of living space and the residents’ ability to appeal.
Mr.
O’Brien commented with regards to the Building Code being a reactive document.
Mr.
Smith questioned if Act 93 applies to new construction. Mr. O’Brien advised that new construction
does not fall under Act 93 and that new construction requires a secondary means
of egress.
The
Supervisors discussed the townhomes within the Township with regards to a
basement egress.
Mr.
Imperial commented with regards to having concerns about residents finishing
their basements without applying for permits.
He advised the Supervisors on his biggest concerns. The Supervisors discussed people sleeping in
the basement.
Mr.
Smith questioned the requirement of alarm systems. Mr. Imperial advised that the Township only requires smoke
detectors.
Mr.
Goodnoe questioned what Act the Township’s building inspectors are currently
enforcing. Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Imperial
advised that the building inspectors are enforcing the requirement for a second
means of egress for a finished basement.
Mr. Sanders advised that due to Act 93 the building inspectors are
enforcing the requirement for a second means of egress from a finished basement
under the increase in floor area.
The
Supervisors discussed what other municipalities are doing.
The
Supervisors discussed the interpretation of Act 93.
Mr.
Goodnoe questioned the appeal process.
Mr. Imperial advised that the residents would have to formally apply to
the Township’s Building Code Appeals Court and that the building inspectors are
advising the public on their right to appeal.
Mr.
Jirele commented with regards to not requiring Townhomes to have an emergency
egress. Mr. Sanders advised on his
thoughts with regards to exempting any type of housing.
Mr.
Pellegrino questioned the building inspectors’ experiences with regards to
enforcing the secondary means of basement egress. He also questioned the number of applications received. Mr. Imperial advised that he receives
approximately five applications per month.
He advised the Supervisors that the problem is with existing homes and
on the problem areas within the Township.
Mr.
Jirele commented with regards to requiring all new construction within the
Township to have an emergency egress.
Mr.
O’Brien suggested having residents’ sign an affidavit stating that the area
would not be used as a sleeping area if they do not want to install an
emergency egress.
Mr.
Goodnoe commented with regards to the Building Code, he suggested requiring an
emergency egress for all new construction, but leave existing homes alone.
The
Supervisors discussed leaving the Building Code as is, and have the building
inspectors continue handling the matter as they have been and advise the
residents that they can appeal.
Mr.
O’Brien commented with regards to problems he has seen in finished basements.
Mr.
Iwaskiw commented with regards to hard wiring smoke detectors to ring if an
alarm goes off elsewhere in the building.
Mr.
O’Brien advised the Supervisors that they would draft an Amendment to Act 93
addressing all new construction requiring an emergency basement egress whether
the basement is finished or not.
Ms.
Goren advised that she is in favor of the Township requiring an emergency
egress.
The
Supervisors agreed to continue enforcing the emergency egress.
Mr.
O’Brien advised he would rework the draft Amendment to Act 93 and forward to
the Supervisors for review.
Mr.
Weaver thanked Mr. Imperial and Mr. O’Brien for their time.
Representatives
from George J. Donovan AIA & Associates made a power point presentation to
the Supervisors with regards to the proposed plans for the Municipal
Complex. Mr. Phillips updated the Supervisors
and discussed correspondence dated January 26, 2005. Mr. Linske advised the Supervisors on the proposed plan.
Mr.
Linske discussed the proposed Public Works Facility. He advised on the existing square footage (7,570 square feet) and
the proposed square footage (24,000 square feet). He advised that the new Public Works Facility would be a
pre-engineered steel building. He
discussed the floor plan and possible ways to heat the facility.
Mr.
Linske discussed the proposed Administration Building. He advised that the square footage has been
reduced to 16,400 square feet. He
discussed the floor plan.
Ms.
Goren questioned the square footage in the new public meeting room compared to
the square footage in the current public meeting room. The representative from George J. Donovan
AIA & Associates advised that the proposed meeting room is currently 1,800
square feet. and that the existing public meeting room is approximately 900
square feet.
Mr.
Pellegrino advised the Supervisors that two of the public meeting rooms and
some storage area have been removed from the proposed plan for the
Administration Building reviewed June 9, 2003.
Mr.
Linske discussed the proposed Police Department. He advised that the square footage has been reduced to 11,766
square feet. He discussed the floor
plan.
Mr.
Linske discussed the Park & Recreation Facility. He advised on the proposed floor plan and discussed the finished
building.
Mr.
Linske advised on the program summary, he discussed the programs from March 18,
2002, June 9, 2003 and November 10, 2004.
He also discussed the changes in square footage.
Mr.
Pellegrino questioned the total number of square footage prior to the 2002
plan. Mr. Linske advised that on the
1998 plan the square footage was approximately 58,000 square feet.
Mr.
Goodnoe questioned the number of Township employees housed. Mr. Pellegrino advised that he expects the
Township to have approximately ninety (90) employees at full build out.
Mr.
Pellegrino advised the Supervisors with regards to the cost of the
project. The June 9, 2003 program would
of cost approximately $6,819,000.00.
The January 26, 2005 program would cost approximately $7,343,395.00l,
plus a 15% contingency fee. He advised
that the total cost for the project is approximately $9,325,000.00.
The
Supervisors discussed the Bond issue cost.
Mr. Pellegrino provided the Supervisors information regarding the cost
estimate, Bond issue cost and the Schedule O – 2005 Debt Service Schedule. He discussed ways to fund the project. He also discussed paying off the Wiggins
loan, he suggested that the Township use the funds received from the RCN
settlement.
The
Supervisors discussed the cost of the project and agreed the cost would not go
down and that now is a good time to borrow the money.
Ms.
Goren questioned the property that needs to be purchased from the
Archdiocese. Mr. Pellegrino advised
that he is waiting for a second appraisal from the Archdiocese. He discussed the 2003 appraisal and that the
property value has increased. He
advised that the cost of the property is not included in the Bond issue cost,
but the Township has budgeted for the purchase of the property.
Mr.
Jirele commented with regards to the cost estimate and furnishing the
facilities. Mr. Pellegrino advised it
would cost approximately $300,000.00 to furnish the facilities. Mr. Phillips advised he would look into and
advise the Township.
Mr.
Pellegrino advised that he is looking for direction from the Supervisors on how
to proceed. He discussed have a public
meeting to present the plans for the Municipal Complex and securing the funds.
Ms.
Goren advised that she has concerns with regards to purchasing the property
from the Archdiocese. Mr. Pellegrino
advised on his feelings. The
Supervisors agreed that the property needs to be purchased then the Township
can apply for the bond.
Mr.
Phillips advised the Supervisors on the project timeline: eight (8) – nine (9)
months of design time, the project would go to bid, one (1) year for
construction. He discussed the project
being done in two (2) phases.
Ms.
Goren questioned if the department heads have reviewed the proposed plans. Mr. Pellegrino advised.
Mr.
Pellegrino advised the Supervisors that there may be a possible problem with
the local of the proposed Public Works building.
Mr.
Jirele questioned the location of the Township’s Police Department firing
range. Mr. Pellegrino advised that the
firing range would need to be relocated to the rear of the Township’s property.
Ms.
Goren questioned an item in the packet provided by George J. Donovan AIA &
Associates, on page 3, item #8 Recording Secretary. Mr. Pellegrino advised.
Mr.
Jirele suggested that the Supervisors review the plans received tonight and
discuss the matter further at the August Work Session.
Mr.
Goodnoe advised that he feels the project is too big and expensive. He also advised that he is against having
two (2) building for the administration and the police department.
The
Supervisors agreed to discuss the matter further at the August Work Session.
Mr.
Pellegrino updated the Supervisors with regards to the resolution authorizing
PACC Automotive & Equipment Contract.
The Supervisors were provided a copy of Resolution No. 2004-R-11. Mr. Pellegrino advised that the prices are
the same as if the vehicle was purchased through the state.
The
Supervisors discussed the vehicle options and ordering through a state
contract.
Mr. Jirele made a motion to
adopt Resolution No. 2004-R-11. The
motion was seconded by Ms. Goren and passed unanimously.
Mr.
Iwaskiw commented with regards to the Sycamore Street project. Mr. Pellegrino advised that the project
should be complete soon. He updated the
Supervisors on the work that will be completed in the Fall of 2005 including
any tree replacement, replacing topsoil where needed and landscaping.
Mr.
Weaver thanked the public for their input.
Mr.
Goodnoe commented with regards to the closed loop system with the Borough. Mr. Pellegrino discussed a contract
extension. He advised that there is a
meeting with PennDot regarding the closed loop system. He advised that with regards to the contract
extension the Supervisors would need to authorize an Amendment to the
contract. Once that has been done the
project should be completed later this year.
Without objection, the meeting was adjourned at 9:44 P.M.
Respectfully
Submitted by:
_____________________________