Newtown Township
Board of Supervisors
Minutes of January 5, 2009
The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors held an organization meeting on January 5, 2009 in the Township meeting room at 7:30 PM. In attendance were Supervisors: Philip Calabro, Robert Ciervo, Michael Gallagher, Thomas Jirele and Jerry Schenkman. Also present were Joseph Czajkowski, Township Manager and Jeffrey Garton, Township Solicitor.
Call to Order : The meeting was called to order with a moment of silence. The invocation was given by Pastor Eric Royer of Ascension Lutheran Church. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcement: Mr. Jirele announced that the Board had met in executive session to discuss personnel matters on December 22 and December 30, 2008.
Changes to the Agenda: Mr. Czajkowski said that Chairman’s comments and a resolution setting mileage reimbursement has been added to the agenda.
Community Comments: Mr. Jirele reminded those in attendance that at an organization meeting this would be the only opportunity for public comment. No comment would be permitted on the individual motions.
Resident Mick Petrucci, President of Newtown Business and Professional Association, thanked the Board for its continued support of Newtown’s First Night, paying for the fireworks display. The program was a tremendous success, with over 1400 attendees. Newtown’s is the only remaining First Night celebration in the county.
Organization of the Board of Supervisors
- Motion to elect Tom Jirele as Chairman
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Gallagher
Vote: 5-0
- Motion to elect Robert Ciervo as Vice-Chairman
Motion: Mr. Jirele Second: Mr. Gallagher
Vote: 3-2, with Messrs. Schenkman and Calabro voting nay.
- Motion to elect Mike Gallagher as Secretary/Treasurer
Motion: Mr.Schenkman Second: Mr. Calabro
Vote: 5-0
Comments of the Chairman: Mr. Jirele thanked the Board for their continued confidence and support, and the administration and staff, especially Mr. Czajkowski, Mr. Garton, Ms. Fountain and Ms. Donaldson for their efforts throughout the year. He noted that the Board had set some priorities for 2008, and working together many of the goals set forth have been reached, including the start of both the Municipal Complex Expansion and the Woll tract park, the purchase of open space and the creation of a revenue stream for continued open space preservation and the completion of the draft open space comprehensive plan. He would like to set 2009’s goals at a February work session, while continuing to strive for progress on the 2008 goals, particularly on zoning, budgeting and improved inter-municipal communication. He would also like the Board to meet with each committee, board and commission to provide guidance for the future. He said that he is looking forward to working together with the Board with the united purpose of a better Newtown.
Mr. Schenkman said that he would like to thank Mr. Jirele, whose leadership has guided the Board through some very thorny issues in the past year.
Bills List: Mr. Gallagher moved to authorize payment of bills totaling $90,342.91. Mr. Schenkman seconded and the motion passed 5-0.
Mr. Gallagher moved to authorize interfund transfers totaling $170,000. Mr. Schenkman seconded and the motion passed 5-0.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Set Bond Amounts for Township Officers
Resolution 2008-R-1 to set bond amounts for Township Officers for 2009
- 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 2009-R-2 certifying properties that qualify for tax increase exemptions under PA Act 153
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
Re-Affirming The Administrative Conditional Use Procedure
Resolution 2009-R-3 reaffirming resolution 94-R-43
establishing an Administrative Conditional Use procedure
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher
Vote: 5-0
Re-affirm Resolution 2003-R-5 Establishing Township's Pension Plan Investment Policy (2009-R-4)
Motion to Re-affirm 2003-R-5 establishing the Township's Pension Plan Investment Policy
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Schenkman voting nay.
2008 Board of Supervisors Meeting Dates (Appendix A)
Motion to set meeting dates for Board of Supervisors for 2009
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
Mr. Jirele noted that due to conflicts with the Martin Luther King National Holiday there would not be a January work session.
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. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
Tax Ordinances and Resolutions
Motion to continue all 2008 Tax Ordinances and Resolutions in force pursuant to Section 4 of the Local Tax Enabling Act for 2009
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher
Vote: 5-0
Resolution 2009-R-5 to provide Funding for the Newtown Ambulance Corporation
Resolution that twenty-five (25%) percent of the collections in 2009 from the Local Services Tax imposed for 2009 shall be remitted to the Newtown Ambulance Corporation
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo
Discussion of motion: Dr. Ciervo said that the money collected in 2008 should be used for funding of the ambulance squad.
Mr. Gallagher amended his motion to read “collections in 2008….for 2008…”
Dr. Ciervo amended his second.
Vote: 5-0
APPOINTMENTS REPORTING DIRECTLY TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO SERVE THE TOWNSHIP WITH COMPENSATION FOR 2009
- Motion recognizing Joseph Czajkowski employment agreement as Township Manager
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
- Motion to appoint Jeffrey Garton of Begley, Carlin & Mandio, LLP as Township Solicitor
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher
Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Calabro voting nay
- Motion to appoint Mary Donaldson as Board of Supervisors Recording Secretary
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 5-0
STANDING, NON-STATUTORY COMMITTEES AUTHORIZED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
- Pension Plan Committee (Appointed Yearly)
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), and John Elhman (CWA Non-Uniformed Employees representative)
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Jirele
Vote: 4-0-1, with Mr. Schenkman abstaining
- Occupational Safety Committee (Appointed Yearly)
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 2009
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
REPORTING TO THE TOWNSHIP MANAGER TO SERVE WITH COMPENSATION FOR 2009
- Traffic Engineers
Motion to appoint Carroll Engineering as Township Traffic Engineers with appropriate authority to attend Board, Commission and Committee meetings
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Calabro voting nay
- Civil Engineers
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. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Engineers
Motion to appoint Carroll Engineering as Township Engineers for GIS services
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Gallagher
Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Calabro voting nay
- Labor Solicitors
Motion to appoint the law firm of Kamensky* Cohen & Associates as Township Labor Attorneys
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Calabro
Vote: 5-0
- Building Inspectors
Motion to appoint Keystone Municipal Services as Township Building Inspectors
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher
Vote: 5-0
- Pension Actuary
Motion to appoint Mockenhaupt Associates as Township Actuaries
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
- Pension Investment Advisor
Motion to appoint the firm of Merrill Lynch as Township Pension Investment Advisor
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 3-2, with Messrs. Calabro and Schenkman voting nay
- Insurance Brokers or Carriers
Motion to affirm H.A. Thompson, The Hartford, Delaware Valley Workers Compensation Trust, Delaware Valley Insurance Trust, Delaware Valley Health Insurance Trust and ADP Services as brokers or carriers of the Township Insurance and employee benefits
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
- Official Depositories
Motion to designate First National Bank of Newtown, TD Bank, Invest of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust (PLGIT) and Wells Fargo (Wachovia) as Township Depositories
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
- Earned Income Tax Collector, Local Services Tax Collector and Tax Hearing Officer
Motion to appoint Berkheimer Associates as EIT, LST Distribution Tax Collectors and Tax Hearing Officer
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 5-0
- Video Production
Motion to appoint Video Gold for 2009
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
INDIVIDUALS SERVING WITH COMPENSATION
- Zoning Hearing Board (5 Year Terms)
Motion to affirm the appointment of John Lenihan (2009), David Katz (2010) and William Wall (2011)and Karen Doorley (2012) and to appoint Mario Lionetti (2013)
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Jirele
Vote: 3-2 with Messrs. Calabro and Schenkman voting nay
INDIVIDUALS SERVING WITHOUT COMPENSATION
- Neshaminy and Little Neshaminy Creek and the Delaware River (South) Plan Advisory Committee
Motion to appoint John Boyle as the Township Representative
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher
Vote: 5-0
- Vacancy Board (Appointed Yearly)
Motion to appoint Patricia Bachtle for a term ending December 31, 2009
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 3-2, with Messrs. Calabro and Schenkman voting nay
- Planning Commission (4 Year Term)
Motion to affirm the appointment of Peggy Driscoll (2011), Allen Fidler (2010), Jay Sensibaugh (2010), Dennis Fisher (2010), Jim Ott (2009) and Brandon Wind (2011), and to appoint Sue Beasley (2012), Fred Olivieri (2012) and Rob Whartenby (2012)
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 5-0
Mr. Gallagher asked that the Township Administration review expiration dates for the current Planning Commission members, as it is surprising that only one term expires next year.
- Parks & Recreation Board (3 Year Term)
Motion to affirm the appointment of Andrew Levine (2009), Buck O'Neill (2009) and Kathy Kelly (2009), Joel Grosso (2010) and Brian Bark (2010) and to appoint Susan Sutton (2011), Michael Clancy (2011),
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 5-0
- Newtown Area Joint Historic Commission (4 Year Term)
Motion to affirm the appointment of Jeff Marshall (2009), and Jeanette Rogers (2011) and to appoint Ethel Hibbs (2012)
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 5-0
- Newtown Area Telecommunications Advisory Committee (3 Year Term)
Mr. Jirele noted that this appointment would be postponed as the Township is making efforts to coordinate appointments with Newtown Borough.
- Historic and Architectural Review Board (4 Year Term)
Motion to affirm the appointment of Keystone Municipal Services (Building Inspector), Douglas Terry (2009) Francis Tyrol, III (2010), Harriet Beckert (2010),
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman
Discussion of motion: Mr. Jirele asked the Board whether to continue with an appointment for a new member to the HARB.
Mr. Schenkman said that it is his understanding that the position requires some expertise in historic preservation and he would prefer to wait until a qualified individual has made application.
Mr. Jirele noted that the appointee will be expected to work closely with the business community. If the right applicant has not yet come forward he would prefer to leave the position open.
The Board agreed to postpone making a new appointment at this time.
Vote: 5-0
- Traffic Impact Fee Advisory Committee (Appointed Yearly)
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. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 5-0
- Newtown Joint Municipal Sewer Authority Board (5 Year Term)
Motion to affirm the appointment of Martin Sutton (2009), Allen Fidler (2010), and Paul Lewis (2011)
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 5-0
- Environmental Advisory Council (3 Year Term)
Motion to affirm the appointment of Michael Kaner (2009), Aliya Aslam (2010), and Dennis Annarelli (2010) and to appoint Jay McGuigan (2011) and Pamela Fitzpatrick (2011)
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Gallagher
Vote: 5-0
- Financial Planning Committee (Appointed Yearly)
Motion to appoint Treasurer Mike Gallagher, Elaine Gibbs and to appoint Jim McCrane, Glenn Beasley, Brian Wilson, Bob Dieterle, Andrew Salvucci, Ronald Kaizar and John Stranford
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Gallagher
Vote: 5-0
Mr. Gallagher noted that he is only a liaison to this committee. Board members assigned to committees do so only as Board representatives, not as voting members.
- Newtown Corporation (4 Year Term)
Motion to appoint Mick Petrucci (2012), Tina Leck (2012), Chris Messick (2012) and Frank Tyrol (2012)
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 5-0
Mr. Jirele noted that the term expirations of some sitting members of this committee must be verified. There is some confusion as to which are appointed to a four year term and which are filling an unexpired term of a previous member. Mr. Calabro will continue as liaison to this committee.
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 & Phil Calabro
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 Liaison - 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
Newtown Corporation - Phil Calabro
County Tax Board - Mike Gallagher
Environmental Advisory Council - Tom Jirele
Miscellaneous
Mr. Gallagher moved to change the Township mileage reimbursement, as per IRS guidelines, to $0.55 per mile. Mr. Schenkman seconded and the motion passed 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
| Respectfully Submitted: | Mary Donaldson, Recording Secretary |
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