Newtown Township
Board of Supervisors Work Session
October 16, 2006
Members Present: Philip Calabro, Vice
Chairman; Jerry Schenkman, Secretary/Treasurer; Richard Weaver, Member; Tom
Jirele, Member; Paul Beckert, Solicitor; Robert M. Pellegrino, Township Manager. Not present was Anne Goren, Chairman and
Chris Fazio, Engineer.
Also Present: Bucks County Courier Times
reporter.
Call to Order: Vice Chairman Calabro
called the meeting to order at 8:00 P.M.
2007 Budget
Mr.
Pellegrino updated the Supervisors with regards to the 2007 Budget.
Mr.
Jirele advised the Supervisors on what items he would like to see in the 2007
Budget.
Mr.
Pellegrino advised the Supervisors on how the budget is put together.
Mr.
Pellegrino requested the Board of Supervisors to advise him on what items they
would like to see in the 2007 Budget.
Mr.
Pellegrino advised the Supervisors on his philosophy with regards to the
budget.
Mr.
Jirele questioned the excess revenue and excess expenditures for 2006. Mr. Pellegrino advised that the Township
would have excess in revenue this year.
He discussed the Sycamore Street project and Township building permits.
The
Supervisors discussed purchasing the land from the Archdiocese.
The
Supervisors discussed the proposed Municipal Complex expansion and the
development of the Woll Tract.
Mr.
Pellegrino advised the Supervisors that he is going to include the soft cost
for the proposed Municipal Complex expansion and the development of the Woll
Tract in the 2007 Budget.
The
Supervisors discussed the projects that would be starting in 2008.
The
Supervisors discussed the possibility of starting the Woll Tract project in the
fall of 2007.
Mr.
Pellegrino discussed the possibility of a Bond Issue in early 2008 and advised
that he did not see the need to raise taxes in 2007.
Mr.
Beckert advised the Supervisors with regards to the purchase of land from the
Archdiocese.
The
Supervisors discussed ways to finance the Municipal Complex expansion and the
development of the Woll Tract.
Mr.
Jirele questioned the payoff of the loans for Silver Lake and the Wiggins
Tract. Mr. Pellegrino advised that the
loan for Silver Lake will be paid off in 2007 and the loan for the Wiggins
Tract will be paid off in December of 2008.
Mr.
Pellegrino suggested that the land cost and architectural fees come out of
debt. He also discussed the engineering
cost.
Mr.
Schenkman commented on seeing the numbers on a spreadsheet before making a
decision and advised that he would like the Township to leave the Reserve Funds
alone.
Mr.
Jirele advised that he would like to see both projects the Municipal Complex
expansion and the development of the Woll Tract get into the planning process
and hopes for a 2008 ground breaking.
Mr.
Pellegrino advised that the Woll Tract construction will take at least one year
and the Municipal Complex construction will take at least three years. He discussed the construction of the
Municipal Complex being done in phases.
Mr.
Pellegrino discussed the possibility of the Township hiring a construction
manager to oversee the Municipal Complex expansion and advised that he has done
it previously in other Townships.
The
Supervisors discussed Mr. Pellegrino suggestion to hire a construction manager
to oversee the Municipal Complex expansion.
Mr.
Pellegrino advised on discussions with Public Financial Management and their
suggestion to have at least two separate Bonds.
Mr.
Calabro commented on the effects to the residents.
The
Supervisors discussed raising taxes and millage.
The
Supervisors discussed the commitment from the local sports organizations with
regards to contributing to the Woll Tract.
Mr.
Schenkman suggested financing the whole amount and to be repaid at a later date
by the sports organizations for their contributions to the Woll Tract.
The
Supervisors discussed having a written agreement with the sports organizations
regarding their contribution to the Woll Tract.
Mr.
Schenkman advised on discussions regarding the development of an educational
video piece to inform the public on the current Municipal Complex.
Mr.
Pellegrino advised the Supervisors on discussions with Video Gold and the
development of an educational video for the Municipal Complex.
Mr.
Jirele advised that he would like to begin serious discussions regarding the
Municipal Complex expansion in January of 2007.
Mr.
Schenkman questioned how far along the Municipal Complex expansion plans
were. Mr. Pellegrino advised that the
plans for the Municipal Complex expansion are at the concept stage.
The
Supervisors discussed having the Planning Commission review the Municipal
Complex expansion plan.
Mr.
Pellegrino advised on how the Municipal Complex plans where devised.
Mr.
Pellegrino advised that he is currently budgeting for the following in the 2007
Budget:
·
Newtown-Yardley Road and Terry Drive intersection – TIP project.
·
Traffic calming projects.
·
Installing crosswalks at select locations.
·
Roadway maintenance.
·
Maintenance to the current Municipal Complex.
·
Update the Act 209 study.
·
Install restrooms at Roberts Ridge Park.
·
Maintenance to the Clark property.
·
Maintenance to Silver Lake Park – pave the parking lot and extend the
trail system.
·
Change the span wires located at the intersection of Newtown Bypass and
Newtown-Yardley Road to poles.
·
Trail extensions.
·
Install fencing around the Staples field.
·
Field improvements at Chandler Field.
·
Field improvements at Helen Randle Park.
The
Supervisors discussed Toll’s Overlook development and the extension of the
walking path.
Mr.
Calabro commented on the roadway improvements and the dip on Rt. 532. Mr. Pellegrino advised the Supervisors on
discussions with Penn Dot regarding Rt. 532.
The
Supervisors discussed soliciting bids for a new Traffic Engineer.
The
Supervisors discussed various intersections within the Township that need
repair work done.
Mr.
Calabro commented with regards to the wording of the above topic and advised
that it was his intent to discuss ideas for what the Committee would focus on.
Mr.
Schenkman advised that he has a problem with the proposed name, he suggested
that it not be a committee but a focus group.
Mr.
Jirele advised that he would like to remove the phrase comprehensive plan.
The
Supervisors discussed the future vision for Newtown.
The
Supervisors discussed Mr. Calabro’s email.
The
Supervisors discussed what the group’s purpose should be.
The
Supervisors discussed using members from existing Committees for the group.
The
Supervisors agreed to discuss the matter further at an upcoming meeting.
The
Supervisors discussed parking within the Township.
The
Supervisors discussed the Elliot Building Group property.
The
Supervisors discussed the plant maintenance for Sycamore Street.
Without
objection, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 P.M.
Once the meeting adjourned
the Supervisors met in Executive Session.
Respectfully
Submitted by:
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