Newtown Township

Board of Supervisors

Minutes of January 7, 2008

 

The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors held an organization meeting on January 7, 2008 in the Township meeting room at 7:30 PM. In attendance were Supervisors: Thomas Jirele, Philip Calabro and Jerry Schenkman and Supervisors Elect Robert Ciervo and Michael Gallagher. Also present was Joseph Czajkowski, Township Manager.

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order with a moment of silence. The invocation was given by Reverend Paul Chreiman of Newtown United Methodist Church. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Oath of Office of Elected Officials: Judge Donald Nasshorn administered the oath of office to Supervisors Robert Ciervo and Michael Gallagher and Auditor Brian Zavodnick.

Community Comments: Mr. Jirele reminded those in attendance that at an organization meeting there would be no other opportunity for public comment. No comment would be permitted on the individual motions.

Resident Pam Fitzpatrick of 331 Stoopville Road congratulated the new Board members and said that she is hopeful that this Board will listen to the residents on the environmental impact of continued development. She asked that the Township adopt a “woodlands ordinance”, support open space efforts and check development. She asked that the Board adhere to existing zoning, and support the Conservation Management zoning. She expressed concern about plans for development of the Melsky tract.

Ms. Fitzpatrick referred to Planning Commission minutes from 2001, in which there had been discussion about whether equitable owners could submit plans for development of property, and questioned why Toll Brothers was permitted to submit plans for Melsky. She asked about Board authorization of Solicitor Paul Beckert’s participation in County Court on Council Rock School District’s sale of the Melsky tract. She also pointed out that in the minutes on November 20, 2001, reference is made to exclusion of detention basins from calculations of open space.

Mr. Jirele said that records would be checked to ascertain whether the full Board participated in a vote to send Mr. Beckert to represent Newtown Township in the Council Rock School District matter before the court. Regarding equitable owners submitting plans for properties, Mr. Jirele noted that a number of years ago the Ordinance was changed to allow equitable owners to submit plans to the municipalities in the Jointure for review.

Resident Karen D’Aprile welcomed the new Board members and said that she is very happy that all of the Board members will be listening to the residents and giving their concerns careful consideration.

Organization of the Board of Supervisors

  1. Motion to elect Tom Jirele as Chairman


    2. Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Gallagher

    Vote: 5-0

  2. Motion to elect Rob Ciervo as Vice-Chairman


    3. Motion: Mr. Jirele Second: Mr. Gallagher

    Vote: 3-2, with Messrs. Schenkman and Calabro voting nay

  3. Motion to elect Mike Gallagher as Secretary/Treasurer


    4. Motion: Mr.Schenkman Second: Dr. Ciervo

    Vote: 5-0

Comments of the Chairman: Mr. Jirele thanked the Board for their confidence and support. He thanked the Township Administration and Staff for their efforts in preparing for this evening’s meeting. The appointments planned this evening for services of professional consultants should result in a 30% savings over past years, without cutting back on services. All residents who have expressed interest in serving on committees, boards and commissions have been offered positions, and all of these committees, boards and commissions will be given specific tasks to focus on in the coming year. He thanked all of the residents who have come forward to give generously of their time.

Mr. Jirele said that all of the Board look forward to serving the community in the coming year, and will, early in the year, set goals and priorities.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

Set Bond Amounts for Township Officers

Resolution 2008-R-1 to set bond amounts for Township Officers for 2008

  • Treasurer $3,000,000.00
  • Manager $1,000,000.00
  • Finance Director $1,000,000.00
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman

Vote: 5-0

Resolution Adopting Act 153 Exemptions

Resolution 2008-R-2 certifying properties that qualify for tax increase exemptions under PA Act 153

Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher

Vote: 5-0

Re-Affirming The Administrative Conditional Use Procedure

Resolution 2008-R-3 reaffirming resolution 94-R-43 establishing an Administrative Conditional Use procedure

Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher

Vote: 5-0

Real Estate Tax Levy for 2008

Resolution 2008-R-4 to set the Real Estate Tax Levy for 2008

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: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher

Vote: 5-0

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:Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo

Vote: 5-0

2008 Board of Supervisors Meeting Dates (Appendix A)

Motion to set meeting dates for Board of Supervisors for 2008

Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman

Vote: 5-0

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: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher

Vote: 5-0

Tax Ordinances and Resolutions

Motion to continue all 2007 Tax Ordinances and Resolutions in force pursuant to Section 4 of the Local Tax Enabling Act for 2008

Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher

Vote: 5-0

APPOINTMENTS

REPORTING DIRECTLY TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO SERVE THE TOWNSHIP WITH COMPENSATION FOR 2008

  1. Motion recognizing Joseph Czajkowski employment agreement as Township Manager


    2. Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman

    Vote: 5-0

  2. Motion to appoint Jeffrey Garton of Begley, Carlin & Mandio, LLP as Township Solicitor


    3. Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo

    Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Calabro voting nay

  3. Motion to appoint Mary Donaldson as Board of Supervisors Recording Secretary
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher

Vote: 5-0

STANDING, NON-STATUTORY COMMITTEES AUTHORIZED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

  1. Pension Plan Committee (Appointed Yearly)

    2. Motion to appoint Chairman Tom Jirele, Treasurer Mike Gallagher, Elaine Gibbs (Committee Chair), Joseph Czajkowski, and to affirm the Appointments of Joseph Martindell (CWA Firefighter representative), Frank Ambrose (PBA representative), John Elhman (CWA Non-Uniformed Employees representative)

    Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo

    Vote: 5-0

  2. Occupational Safety Committee (Appointed Yearly)

    3. Motion to appoint Elaine Gibbs, Glenn Forsyth and Donald Harris (Chairman) and to affirm the PBA appointment of Jason Harris and the CWA appointments of Joseph Martindell and Timothy Shaw for 2008

    Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman

    Vote: 5-0

  3. Business Development Council

Motion to appoint Richard Weaver as Chairperson

Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman

Vote: 5-0

REPORTING TO THE TOWNSHIP MANAGER TO SERVE WITH COMPENSATION FOR 2008

  1. Traffic Engineers

    2. Motion to appoint Carroll Engineering as Township TraffiEngineers with appropriate authority to attend Board, Commission and Committee meetings

    Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman

    Vote: 5-0

  2. Civil Engineers

    3. Motion to appoint CKS Engineers as Township Civil Engineer, General and Environmental Engineer, Community Planner, and Lighting Consultant with appropriate authority to attend Board, Commission and Committee meetings

    Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher

    Vote: 5-0

  3. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Engineers

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

    Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo

    Vote: 5-0

  4. Labor Solicitors

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

    Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Jirele

    Vote: 4-1, with Dr. Ciervo voting nay

  5. Building Inspectors

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

    Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher

    Vote: 5-0

  6. Pension Actuary

    7. Motion to appoint Mockenhaupt Associates as Township Actuaries

    Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher

    Vote: 5-0

  7. Pension Investment Advisor

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

    Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo

    Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Schenkman voting nay

  8. Insurance Brokers or Carriers

    9. Motion to affirm 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: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher

    Vote: 5-0

  9. Official Depositories

    10. Motion to designate First National Bank of Newtown, Commerce Bank, Invest of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust (PLGIT) as Township Depositories

    Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo

    Vote: 5-0

  10. Earned Income Tax Collector, Local Services Tax Collector and Tax Hearing Officer

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

    Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher

    Vote: 5-0

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 William Wall (2011) and to appoint Karen Doorley (2012):

Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Gallagher

Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Calabro voting nay

INDIVIDUALS SERVING WITHOUT COMPENSATION

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

    2. Motion to appoint John Boyle as the Township Representative

    Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman

    Vote: 5-0

  2. Vacancy Board (Appointed Yearly)

    3. Motion to appoint Patricia Bachtle for a term ending December 31, 2008

    Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo

    Vote: 5-0

  3. Planning Commission (4 Year Term)

    4. Motion to affirm the appointment of Jim Bowe (2008), Peggy Driscoll (2007), Vince Lombardi (2008), Shannon Wilson (2008), Allen Fidler (2010), Jay Sensibaugh (2010), Dennis Fisher (2010), and to appoint Jim Ott (2009), Peggy Driscoll (2011) and Brandon Wind (2011)

    Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo

    Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Calabro voting nay

  4. Parks & Recreation Board (3 Year Term)

    5. Motion to affirm the appointment of Susan Sutton (2008), Michael Clancy (2008), Andrew Levine (2009), Buck O'Neill (2009) and Kathy Kelly (2009), and to appoint Joel Grosso (2010) and Brian Bark (2010)

    Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo

    Vote: 5-0

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

    6. Motion to affirm the appointment of Roberta Taylor (2008), Jeff Marshall (2009), and to appoint Jeanette Rogers (2011)

    Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Gallagher

    Vote: 5-0

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

    7. Motion to affirm the appointment of Harry Stevens (2008), James Manahan (2009), Robert Hafner (2009), Barbara Jankowski (2009), and to appoint Sharon Hortman (2010)

    Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo

    Vote: 5-0

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

    8. Motion to affirm the appointment of Keystone Municipal Services (Building Inspector), Melva Vitoriano (2008), Douglas Terry (2009) Francis Tyrol, III (2010), Harriet Beckert (2010), and to appoint Alfred Trevino of Marziani Associates, Registered Architect (2011)

    Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman

    Vote: 5-0

  8. Traffic Impact Fee Advisory Committee (Appointed Yearly)

    9. Motion to appointMike Iapalucci, Sue Beasley, Glenn Beasley, Chuck Weiner, Brandon Wind, Neil Poppel, Wade Suthard, and Joseph Czajkowski to serve as consultants

    Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher

    Vote: 5-0

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

    10. Motion to affirm the appointment of Martin Sutton (2009), Allen Fidler (2010), and to appoint Paul Lewis (2011)

    Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman

    Vote: 5-0

  10. Environmental Advisory Council (3 Year Term)

    11. Motion to affirm the appointment of Jay McGuigan (2008), Michael Kaner (2009), William Heil (2009) and to appoint Walter Leck (2010), Allya Aslam (2010), Donald McEachron (2010), and Dennis Annarelli (2010)

    Mr. Gallagher suggested changing the term for one of the new appointees, so that not all terms would expire in the same year. The Board agreed to appoint Donald McEachron to a one year term, expiring in 2008.

    Amended Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher

    Vote: 5-0

  11. Financial Planning Committee (Appointed Yearly)

    12. Motion to appoint Treasurer Mike Gallagher, Elaine Gibbs and to appoint Philip Newmius, John Stanford, John Nejman, Michele Goldberg, Brian Wilson, Glenn Beasley, Jim McCrane and Bob Deiterle

    Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Dr. Ciervo

    Vote: 5-0

  12. Joint Downtown Newtown Corporation (3 Year Term)

Motion to affirm the appointment of Phillip Calabro (2008), Richard Weaver (2008), Vince Lombardi (2008) and to appoint Mike Leone (2011), Tim Potero (2011) and Lisa Schonewolf (2011)

Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr Gallagher

Vote: 5-0

LIAISON & COORDINATION ASSIGNMENTS

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

In closing, Mr. Jirele announced that the Board would address the appointment of video consultants at the regular meeting of Wednesday, January 9, 2008. He also announced that due to a recent resignation, there is an opening on the Joint Historic Commission. He urged any interested residents to send letters of interest to Township Administrative Assistant Toni Garcia at tonig@twp.newtown.pa.us or at 100 Municipal Drive, Newtown PA 18940.

There would be no need for an executive session after this evening’s meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted:
Mary Donaldson, Recording Secretary

 

Attest:

Joseph S. Czajkowski, Township Manager


Tom Jirele, Chairman

Robert Ciervo, Vice-Chairman

Michael Gallagher, Secretary/Treasurer

Philip Calabro, Member

Jerry Schenkman, Member