Newtown Township

Board of Supervisors

Minutes of January 2, 2007

 

The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors held an organizational meeting on January 2, 2007 in the Township meeting room at 8:00 PM. In attendance were Supervisors: Chairman, Anne Goren, Vice-Chairman Philip Calabro, Secretary/Treasurer Jerry Schenkman, and member Richard Weaver. Also present were Robert Pellegrino, Township Manager and Paul Beckert, Township Solicitor.

Call to Order: Chairman Goren called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM with a moment of silence.

Community Comments: Chairman Goren noted that a pre-organizational meeting had been held on December 18, 2006 at the Martindell House, with the full Board in attendance. She reminded those in residents in attendance that this would be the only opportunity for public comment at the organizational meeting. There would not be comment after each motion.

Resident Nancy Crescenzo said that the Mr. Calabro and Mr. Schenkman had run for office promising to listen to the residents, and she thanked them for their attention. She said that she is disappointed that there has not been progress on the plans for an expanded municipal complex. She also expressed some concern about the budget process; there should be more open discussion on the budget. She said she is concerned about financing of the municipal complex and the Woll tract; she would like public input before financing of the projects. She reviewed the attendance records of certain Planning Commission members, and hoped that new appointees would have more commitment to regular attendance at meetings. She asked that there be more open and honest discussion of issues in the upcoming year.

Resident Robert Ciervo expressed some concern about the ever increasing budget, noting that there has been a 7% increase every year since 2002. He questioned whether the projected earned income tax revenue is accurate at 2% above last year. He asked that this projection be reviewed mid-year. He said that proposed budget of $110,000 for paving the Silver Lake Park parking lot is a waste of money. The lot is far away from the lake, and nobody wants to walk that far. Regarding the plans for the Woll tract, he questioned the need for basketball and tennis courts, as many developments already have these facilities. He asked whether the $1,200,000 in recreational impact fees for 2006 had actually been collected for the Woll tract.

Mr. Pellegrino said that recreational impact fees have been received for new developments, but not all of that money would go to the Woll tract. There are a number of other budgeted recreational expenses. The Silver Lake Park budget includes a trail extension, paved parking and some furniture and outdoor amenities. The $110,000 is not for paving the parking lot, only. That portion of the Silver Lake budget is about $25,000.

Mr. Ciervo said that he disagreed with any spending at Silver Lake Park at all. He would rather that this money be used to pave the unpaved areas at Helen Randle Park.

Organization of the Board of Supervisors

  1. Motion to elect Anne Goren as Chairman


    2. Motion: Jerry Schenkman Second: Phil Calabro

    Vote: passed 4-0

  2. Motion to elect Phil Calabro as Vice-Chairman


    3. Motion: Anne Goren Second: Jerry Schenkman

    Vote: passed 4-0

  3. Motion to elect Jerry Schenkman as Secretary/Treasurer


    4. Motion: Phil Calabro Second: Richard Weaver

    Vote: passed 4-0

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

Set Bond Amounts for Township Officers

Resolution 2007-R-1 to set bond amounts for Township Officers for 2007

  • Treasurer $3,000,000.00
  • Manager $1,000,000.00
  • Finance Director $1,000,000.00
Motion: Jerry Schenkman Second: Richard Weaver

Vote: passed 4-0

Resolution Adopting Act 153 Exemptions

Resolution 2007-R-2 certifying properties that qualify for tax increase exemptions under PA Act 153

Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Jerry Schenkman

Vote: passed 4-0

Re-Affirming The Administrative Conditional Use Procedure

Resolution 2007-R-3 reaffirming resolution 94-R-43 establishing an Administrative Conditional Use procedure

Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Phil Calabro

Vote: passed 4-0

Real Estate Tax Levy for 2007

Resolution 2007-R-4 to set the Real Estate Tax Levy for 2007

i. Debt Service Fund 0.875 mils
ii. Fire Protection Fund 0.875 mils
iii. Rescue Squad Fund 0.125 mils
iv. Park and Recreation Fund 0.750 mils
  Total 2.625 mils

Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Jerry Schenkman

Vote: passed 4-0

Re-affirm Resolution 2003-R-5 Establishing Township’s Pension Plan Investment Policy

Motion to Re-affirm 2003-R-5 establishing the Township’s Pension Plan Investment Policy

Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Jerry Schenkman

Vote: passed 4-0

2007 Board of Supervisors Meeting Dates (Appendix A)

Motion to set meeting dates for Board of Supervisors for 2007

Motion: Jerry Schenkman Second: Phil Calabro

Vote: passed 4-0

Procedure Directing The Presentation Of Proclamations

Motion authorizing the Chairman after polling the Board, to have the Chairman sign and the Manager attest to proclamations honoring citizens and others for worthy deeds and activities

Motion: Phil Calabro Second: Richard Weaver

Vote: passed 4-0

Tax Ordinances and Resolutions

Motion to continue all 2006 Tax Ordinances and Resolutions in force pursuant to Section 4 of the Local Tax Enabling Act for 2007

Motion: Phil Calabro Second: Jerry Schenkman

Vote: passed 4-0

APPOINTMENTS

REPORTING DIRECTLY TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO SERVE THE TOWNSHIP WITH COMPENSATION FOR 2007

  1. Motion recognizing Robert Pellegrino employment agreement as Township Manager


    2. Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Jerry Schenkman

    Vote: passed 4-0

  2. Motion to appoint the firm of Paul Beckert Jr. as Township Solicitor


    3. Motion: Jerry Schenkman Second: Phil Calabro

    Vote: passed 4-0

  3. Motion to appoint Mary Donaldson as Board of Supervisors Recording Secretary
Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Phil Calabro

Vote: passed 4-0

STANDING, NON-STATUTORY COMMITTEES AUTHORIZED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

  1. Pension Plan Committee (Appointed Yearly)

    2. Motion to appoint Chairman Anne Goren Treasurer Jerry Shenkman, Elaine Gibbs (Committee Chair), Robert Pellegrino, and to affirm the Appointments of Joseph Martindell (CWA Firefighter representative), Frank Ambrose (PBA representative), Thomas Chybinski (CWA Non-Uniformed Employees representative)

    Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Phil Calabro

    Vote: passed 4-0

  2. Occupational Safety Committee (Appointed Yearly)

    3. Motion to appoint Elaine Gibbs, Norman Moorhead and Donald Harris (Chairman) and to affirm the PBA appointment of Paul Deppi and the CWA appointments of Joseph Martindell and Timothy Shaw for 2007

    Motion Richard Weaver Second: Jerry Schenkman

    Vote: passed 4-0

  3. Business Development Council

Motion to appoint Supervisor Richard Weaver as Chairperson

Motion: Jerry Schenkman Second: Phil Calabro

Vote: passed 4-0

REPORTING TO THE TOWNSHIP MANAGER TO SERVE WITH COMPENSATION FOR 2007

  1. Traffic Engineers

    2. Motion to appoint Pennoni Associates Inc. as Township TraffiEngineers with appropriate authority to attend Board, Commission and Committee meetings

    Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Phil Calabro

    Vote: passed 4-0

  2. Civil Engineers

    3. Motion to appoint Remington Vernick & Beach as Township Civil Engineers with appropriate authority to attend Board, Commission and Committee meetings

    Motion: Jerry Schenkman Second: Phil Calabro

    Vote: passed 4-0

  3. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Engineers

    4. Motion to appoint Carroll Engineering as Township Engineers for GIS services

    Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Jerry Schenkman

    Vote: passed 4-0

  4. Lighting System Engineers

    5. Motion to appoint Suburban Lighting Consultants as Township Lighting Engineers with appropriate authority to attend Board, Commission and Committee meetings.

    Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Jerry Schenkman

    Vote: passed 4-0

  5. Labor Solicitors

    6. Motion to appoint the law firm of Kamensky * Cohen & Associates as Township Labor Attorneys

    Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Phil Calabro

    Vote: passed 4-0

  6. Building Inspectors

    7. Motion to appoint Keystone Municipal Services as Township Building Inspectors and Zoning Officer.

    Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Phil Calabro

    Vote: passed 4-0

  7. Pension Actuary

    8. Motion to appoint Mockenhaupt Associates as Township Actuaries

    Motion: Jerry Schenkman Second: Richard Weaver

    Vote: passed 4-0

  8. Community Planner and Environmental Consultant

    9. Motion to appoint Boucher & James as Township Community Planner and Environmental Consultant

    Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Phil Calabro

    Vote: passed 4-0

  9. Pension Investment Advisor

    10. Motion to appoint the firm of Merrill Lynch as Township Pension Investment Advisor

    Motion: Jerry Schenkman Second: Phil Calabro

    Vote: passed 4-0

  10. Insurance Brokers or Carriers

    11. Motion to affirm PIRMA, H.A. Thompson, Model Consulting Inc., Delaware Valley Workers Compensation Trust, Delaware Valley Insurance Trust, Delaware Valley Health Insurance Trust and ADP Services as brokers or carriers of Township Insurance and employee benefits

    Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Jerry Schenkman

    Vote: passed 4-0

  11. Official Depositories

    12. Motion to designate First National Bank of Newtown, Commerce Bank, Invest of Pennsylvania, PNC Bank, M&T Bank, Sovereign Bank, Univest Bank, Wachovia Bank, Third Federal Bank, Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust (PLGIT) as Township Depositories

    Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Jerry Schenkman

    Vote: passed 4-0

  12. Earned Income Tax Collector , Emergency & Municipal Tax Collector and Tax Hearing Officer

    13. Motion to appoint Berkheimer Associates as EIT, EMS Distribution Tax Collectors and Tax Hearing Officer

    Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Jerry Schenkman

    Vote: passed 4-0

  13. Video Consultant

Motion to appoint Video Gold Productions as Video Production Consultant

Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Phil Calabro

Vote: passed 4-0

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

INDIVIDUALS SERVING WITH COMPENSATION

  1. Zoning Hearing Board (5 Year Terms)

Motion to affirm the appointment of Victoria Bowe (2008), John Lenihan (2009), David Katz (2010) and Gail Laughlin (2007) and to appoint: William Wall (2011):

Motion: Phil Calabro Second: Richard Weaver

Vote: passed 4-0

INDIVIDUALS SERVING WITHOUT COMPENSATION

  1. Official Voting Delegate to the 2007 PSATS Convention.

    2. Motion to appoint Anne Goren

    Motion: Jerry Schenkman Second: Phil Calabro

    Vote: passed 4-0

  2. Neshaminy and Little Neshaminy Creek and the Delaware River (South) Plan Advisory Committee

    3. Motion to appoint John Boyle as the Township Representative

    Motion: Jerry Schenkman Second: Phil Calabro

    Vote: passed 4-0

  3. Vacancy Board (Appointed Yearly)

    4. Motion to appoint Peg Dissinger for a term ending December 31, 2007

    Motion: Phil Calabro Second: Jerry Schenkman

    Vote: passed 4-0

  4. Planning Commission (4 Year Term)

    5. Motion to affirm the appointment of Jim Bowe (2008), Michael Piazza (2007), Vince Lombardi (2008), Shannon Wilson (2008), and Frank Mendicino (2009) and to appoint: Allen Fidler(2010), Jay Sensibaugh (2010), Dennis Fisher (2010), Shawn Ward (2007)

    Motion: Phil Calabro Second: Richard Weaver

    Vote: passed 4-0

  5. Parks & Recreation Board (3 Year Term)

    6. Motion to affirm the appointment of Joel Grosso (2007), John Davis (2007), Susan Sutton (2008), and Michael Clancy (2008). and to appoint: Andrew Levine (2009), Buck O’Neill (2009) and Kathy Kelly (2009)

    Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Phil Calabro

    Vote: passed 4-0

  6. Newtown Area Joint Historic Commission (4 Year Term)

    7. Motion to affirm the appointment of Roberta Taylor (2008), Jeanette Rogers (2007), and Jeff Marshall (2009) and to appoint: Jim Heistand, Sr. (2010)

    Motion: Jerry Schenkman Second: Phil Calabro

    Vote: passed 4-0

  7. Newtown Area Telecommunications Advisory Committee (3 Year Term)

    8. Motion to affirm the appointment of James Bowe (2007), Harry Stevens (2008), and to appoint :James Manahan (2009), Robert Hafner (2009), Barbara Jankowski (2009)

    Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Phil Calabro

    Vote: passed 4-0

  8. Historic and Architectural Review Board (4 Year Term)

    9. Motion to affirm the appointment of Keystone Municipal Services (Building Inspector), Melva Vitoriano(2008), Douglas Terry (2009) and to a ppoint: Francis Tyrol, III (2010), Harriet Beckert (2010), Alfred Trevino of Marziani Associates, Registered Architect (2007)

    Motion: Jerry Schenkman Second: Richard Weaver

    Vote: passed 4-0

  9. Traffic Impact Fee Advisory Committee (Appointed Yearly)

    10. Motion to appoint Vincent DeLuca, Karen Doorley, Douglas Terry, Vincent Lombardi, Thomas Salvadore, Michael Vesey, Joseph Barbagallo, Phil Calabro and Robert Pellegrino, and Paul Beckert Jr. to serve as consultants

    Motion: Jerry Schenkman Second: Richard Weaver

    Vote: passed 4-0

  10. Newtown Joint Municipal Sewer Authority Board ( 5 Year Term)

    11. Motion to affirm the appointment of Martin Sutton (2009), Anne Goren (2008), and to appointAllen Fidler(2007) to complete the unfinished term of Raymond Goodnoe

    Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Jerry Schenkman

    Vote: passed 4-0

  11. Environmental Advisory Council (3 Year Term)

    12. Motion to affirm the appointment of Susan Sciarratta (2007), Donald McEachron (2007), Jay McGuigan (2008), and to appoint: Michael Kaner (2009), William Heil (2009).

    Motion: Jerry Schenkman Second: Richard Weaver

    Vote: passed 4-0

  12. Financial Planning Committee (Appointed Yearly)

    13. Motion to appoint Jerry Schenkman, Allen R. Fidler, III, Elaine Gibbs, Philip Newmuis, Jr., Jennifer Dix, John Stranford, Wade Suthard, John Nejman and Angela Evans

    Motion: Jerry Schenkman Second: Richard Weaver

    Vote: passed 4-0

  13. Joint Downtown Newtown Corporation (3 Year Term)

Motion to affirm the appointment of John Parry (2007), Lorraine Sikora (2007) and Douglas Terry (2007) , Phillip Calabro( 2008), John Baker (2008), Vince Lombardi (2008)

Motion: Richard Weaver Second: Jerry Schenkman

Vote: passed 4-0

LIAISON & COORDINATION ASSIGNMENTS

Bucks County Association of Township Officials   Anne Goren
Bucks County Community College   Anne Goren
Newtown Area Telecommunications Advisory Committee Jerry Schenkman
Community Service Organizations   Richard Weaver
Council Rock School Board   Phil Calabro
Council Rock Senior Center   Richard Weaver
Home Owners Associations   Phil Calabro & Jerry Schenkman
HARB   Tom Jirele
Joint Zoning Council   ALL Supervisors
Newtown American Legion Ambulance Squad   Richard Weaver
Newtown Borough Council   Anne Goren
Newtown Fire Association   Anne Goren
Newtown Joint Historic Commission   Tom Jirele
Parks & Recreation Board   Phil Calabro
Planning Commission Liasion   Jerry Schenkman
Regional Planning Traffic Task Force   Anne Goren & Jerry Schenkman
Southeast Bucks League of Municipalities   Phil Calabro
Traffic Impact Fee Advisory Committee   Phil Calabro

Miscellaneous Items

Executive Session

Adjournment

 

Respectfully Submitted:
Mary Donaldson, Recording Secretary

 

Attest:
Robert Pellegrino, Township Manager

Anne Goren, Chairman

Phillip Calabro, Vice-Chairman

Jerry Schenkman, Secretary/Treasurer

Thomas Jirele, Member

Richard Weaver, Member