Newtown Township
Board of Supervisors
Minutes of January 4, 2010
The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors held an organization meeting on January 4, 2010 in the Township meeting room at 7:15 PM. In attendance were Supervisors: Matthew Benchener, Philip Calabro, Robert Ciervo, Michael Gallagher, and Jerry Schenkman. Also present were Joseph Czajkowski, Township Manager and Jeffrey Garton, Township Solicitor.
Administration of the Oaths of Office Judge Donald Nasshorn was in attendance to administer the oaths of office to newly elected Township Officials.
- Tammy Sutton was sworn in as Tax Collector.
- Richard Weaver and Warren Keyser were sworn in as Elected Auditors.
- Michael Petrucci was sworn in as Constable.
- Matthew Benchener was sworn in as Supervisor.
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.
Bills List: Mr. Benchener moved to authorize payment of bills totaling $602,521.85 Dr. Ciervo seconded and the motion passed 5-0.
Mr. Benchener moved to authorize interfund transfers totaling $185,000. Dr. Ciervo seconded and the motion passed 5-0.
Organization of the Board of Supervisors
- Motion to elect Michael Gallagher as Chairman
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Gallagher
Vote: 4-0-1 with Mr. Calabro abstaining
- Motion to elect Robert Ciervo as Vice-Chairman
Motion: Mr.Benchener Second: Mr. Gallagher
Vote: 4-0-1, with Mr. Schenkman abstaining
- Motion to elect Matthew Benchener as Secretary/Treasurer
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr.Schenkman
Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Calabro voting nay
Comments of the Chairman: Mr. Schenkman congratulated Mr. Gallagher on his being elected Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Gallagher thanked his fellow Board members for their confidence in him and their support. He said that he would use the lessons he learned from former Board Chairman Tom Jirele as he assumed this position. He said that 2009 was a good year for the Township, with the municipal complex expansion and the building of playing fields at the Woll tract nearing completion. He thanked the Township administration and staff for the hard work that has gone into making 2009 a successful year. He thanked the Township’s many volunteers for their efforts in the redevelopment of the Acme site, the acquisition of open space at the Rockbridge property and the Stoopville Road improvement project. He asked for the continued support of the administration, staff, volunteers and Board of Supervisors as goals are set for 2010. Looking ahead, some goals to be considered are development of a revenue and expense tracking procedure, pension fund management, redevelopment of Sycamore Street, economic development in the business/commercial districts, streamlining of the various processes for commercial and residential permits and approvals, implementing the newly adopted Joint Comprehensive Plan and improving communications with residents through such groups as Newtown’s 21 st Century Voice.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Set Bond Amounts for Township Officers
Resolution 2010-R-1 to set bond amounts for Township Officers for 2010
- Treasurer $3,000,000.00
- Manager $1,000,000.00
- Finance Director $1,000,000.00
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
Resolution Adopting Act 153 Exemptions
Resolution 2010-R-2 certifying properties that qualify for tax increase exemptions under PA Act 153
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 5-0
Re-Affirming The Administrative Conditional Use Procedure
Resolution 2010-R-3 reaffirming resolution 94-R-43 establishing an Administrative Conditional Use procedure
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 5-0
Re-affirm Resolution 2009-R-4 Establishing Township's Pension Plan Investment Policy
Motion to Re-affirm 2009-R-4 establishing the Township's Pension Plan Investment Policy
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Benchener
Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Schenkman voting nay.
Resolution Adopting the 2010 Fee Schedule
Motion to adopt Resolution 2010-R-4 adopting the 2010 fee schedule
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Benchener
Vote: 5-0
Resolution 2009-R-5 to provide Funding for the Newtown Ambulance Company
Resolution that twenty-five (25%) percent of the collections in 2009 from the Local Services Tax imposed for 2010 shall be remitted to the Newtown Ambulance Company
Motion: Mr. Benchener Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Calabro voting nay
2010 Board of Supervisors Meeting Dates (Appendix A)
Motion to set meeting dates for Board of Supervisors for 2010
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Benchener
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. Benchener
Vote: 5-0
Tax Ordinances and Resolutions
Motion to continue all 2009 Tax Ordinances and Resolutions in force pursuant to Section 4 of the Local Tax Enabling Act for 2010
Motion: Mr. Benchener Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 5-0
APPOINTMENTS REPORTING DIRECTLY TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO SERVE THE TOWNSHIP WITH COMPENSATION FOR 2010
- Motion recognizing Joseph Czajkowski employment agreement as Township Manager
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
- Motion to appoint Jeffrey Garton of Begley, Carlin & Mandio, LLP as Township Solicitor
Motion: Mr. Benchener Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Calabro voting nay
- Motion to appoint Mary Donaldson as Board of Supervisors Recording Secretary
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
STANDING, NON-STATUTORY COMMITTEES AUTHORIZED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
- Pension Plan Committee (Appointed Yearly)
Motion to appoint Treasurer Matthew Benchener , Elaine Gibbs (Committee Chair), Joseph Czajkowski, and to affirm the Appointments of Joseph Martindell (CWA Firefighter representative), Frank Ambrose (PBA representative), and John Ehlman (CWA Non-Uniformed Employees representative)
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Gallagher
Vote: 5-0
- 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 2010
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 5-0
REPORTING TO THE TOWNSHIP MANAGER TO SERVE WITH COMPENSATION FOR 2010
- Traffic Engineers
Motion to appoint Carroll Engineering as Township Traffic Engineers with appropriate authority to attend Board, Commission and Committee meetings
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Benchener
Vote: 3-2, with Messrs. Calabro and Schenkman voting nay
- Civil Engineers
Motion to appoint CKS Engineers as Township Civil Engineer, General and Environmental Engineer, and Lighting Consultant with appropriate authority to attend Board, Commission and Committee meetings
Motion: Mr. Benchener Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Calabro voting nay
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Engineers
Motion to appoint Carroll Engineering as Township Engineers for GIS services
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Benchener
Vote: 3-2, with Messrs. Calabro and Schenkman voting nay
- Labor Solicitors
Motion to appoint the law firm of Susanin, Widman and Brennan as Township Labor Attorneys
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Benchener
Vote: 5-0
- Building Inspectors
Motion to appoint Keystone Municipal Services as Township Building Inspectors
Motion: Mr. Benchener Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Calabro voting nay
- Pension Actuary
Motion to appoint Mockenhaupt Associates as Township Actuaries
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Benchener voting nay
- Pension Investment Advisor
Motion to appoint the firm of Merrill Lynch as Township Pension Investment Advisor
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Gallagher
Vote: 2-3, with Messrs. Benchener 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. Benchener 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. Benchener Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Calabro voting nay
- 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: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Benchener
Vote: 5-0
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
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. Benchener Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
- Vacancy Board (Appointed Yearly)
Motion to appoint Patricia Bachtle for a term ending December 31, 2009
Motion: Mr. Benchener 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), and Sue Beasley (2012), Fred Olivieri (2012) and Rob Whartenby (2012) and to appoint Paul Cohen (2011) and Michael Iapalucci (2013)
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Calabro
Vote: 5-0
- Parks & Recreation Board (3 Year Term)
Motion to affirm the appointment of Joel Grosso (2010) Brian Bark (2010) Susan Sutton (2011), Michael Clancy (2011),and to appoint Andrew Levine (2012), Buck O'Neill (2012) and Kathy Kelly (2012)
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
- Newtown Area Joint Historic Commission (4 Year Term)
Motion to affirm the appointment of Neil Poppel (2010), Jeanette Rogers (2011) and Ethel Hibbs (2012) and to appoint Jeffrey Marshall (2013)
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
- Historic and Architectural Review Board (4 Year Term)
Motion to affirm the appointment of Keystone Municipal Services (Building Inspector), Francis Tyrol, III (2010), Harriet Beckert (2010), Joseph McKernan (2011), William Mahler (2012) and to appoint Doug Terry (2013)
Motion: Mr. Gallagher Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
- Traffic Impact Fee Advisory Committee (Appointed Yearly)
Mr. Garton advised the Board to table these appointments, as the Board is about to embark on a new traffic impact fee schedule and committee members are required to demonstrate certain specific qualifications.
- Newtown Joint Municipal Sewer Authority Board (5 Year Term)
Motion to affirm the appointment of Allen Fidler (2010), and Paul Lewis (2011) and to appoint Peter Beckschi (2014)
Motion: Mr. Benchener Second: Mr. Gallagher
Vote: 4-1, with Mr. Calabro voting nay
- Environmental Advisory Council (3 Year Term)
Motion to affirm the appointment of Aliya Aslam (2010), and Dennis Annarelli (2010) Jay McGuigan (2011) and Pamela Fitzpatrick (2011) and to appoint Autumn Thomas ( 2012)
Motion: Dr. Ciervo Second: Mr. Schenkman
Vote: 5-0
- Financial Planning Committee (Appointed Yearly)
Motion to appoint Treasurer Matthew Benchener, Elaine Gibbs, Finance Director, to re-affirm the appointment of Bob Deiterle (2010), Andrew Salvucci (2010), Tom Grace (2010), Jim McCrane (2011) and Brian Wilson (2011) and to appoint Glen Beasley (2011), Ryan Gallagher (2012), John Stranford (2012) and Ronald Kaizar (2012)
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 5-0
- Newtown Corporation (4 Year Term)
Motion to affirm the appointment of Tim Potero (2011), Richard Weaver (2011), Michael Petrucci (2012), Tina Marie Leck (2012) and Frank Tyrol (2012) and Don Leidy (2012)
Motion: Mr. Benchener Second: Dr. Ciervo
Vote: 5-0
- Joint Traffic Committee (1 Year Term)
Motion to appoint Joanne Bintliff-Ritchie (2010), Timothy Swedo (2010) and Jeff Rockower (2010)
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Benchener
Vote: 5-0
- Technology Committee (1 Year Term)
Motion to appoint Ed Lipski (2010), Robert Bowers (2010), Michael Horan (2010) Jonathan Schnell (2010), Arun Chaudhary (2010), Lynne Brennan (2010) and Anand Shukla (2010)
Motion: Mr. Schenkman Second: Mr. Benchener
Vote: 5-0
INDIVIDUALS SERVING WITH COMPENSATION
- Zoning Hearing Board (5 Year Terms)
Motion to affirm the appointment of David Katz (2010) and William Wall (2011)and Karen Doorley (2012) Mario Lionetti (2013) and to appoint Brandon Wind (2014)
Motion: Mr. Benchener Second: Mr. Calabro
Vote: 5-0
On behalf of the Board, Mr. Gallagher extended his thanks to John Lenihan, who has served on the Zoning Hearing Board for many years.
LIAISON & COORDINATION ASSIGNMENTS
Bucks County Association of Township Officials - Jerry Schenkman & Mike Gallagher
Bucks County Community College - Mike Gallagher
Newtown Area Telecommunications Advisory Committee
Community Service Organizations - Phil Calabro
Council Rock School Board - Phil Calabro
Council Rock Senior Center - Matt Benchener
Home Owners Associations - Mike Gallagher & Phil Calabro
HARB - Phil Calabro
Joint Zoning Council - ALL Supervisors
Newtown American Legion Ambulance Squad - Rob Ciervo
Newtown Borough Council - All Supervisors
Mr. Gallagher noted that all of the Board would like to participate in a relationship of improved communication with the Borough Council.
Newtown Fire Association - Rob Ciervo
Newtown Joint Historic Commission - Jerry Schenkman
Parks & Recreation Board - Rob Ciervo
Planning Commission Liaison - Jerry Schenkman
Regional Planning Traffic Task Force Tabled
Southeast Bucks League of Municipalities - Jerry Schenkman
Traffic Impact Fee Advisory Committee - Matt Benchener
Newtown Corporation - Phil Calabro
County Tax Board - Mike Gallagher
Old Business
Dr. Ciervo asked what action needed to be taken to address the Pension Investment Advisor, since the motion to reappoint Merrill Lynch failed. He noted that he agreed with his fellow Board members that this matter should be reconsidered, as the Township’s investment advisor has recently passed away.
Mr. Garton advised the Board that Merrill Lynch has assigned someone to act as investment advisor and will continue in that capacity until a replacement is found.
Mr. Schenkman suggested that the Pension Committee conduct interviews for a replacement advisor. A few years ago some different firms had made some interesting presentations.
Public Comment
Resident Warren Keyser said that as a Township Auditor and investment professional, he is aware that Merrill Lynch has done an excellent job as investment advisor for the Township’s pension funds. The funds did not suffer greatly in the recent economic downturn, as so many other pensions did, due to the prudent investment strategies.
Mr. Gallagher announced that three Board members had met in executive session to discuss matters of personnel before the meeting and the Board would remain in executive session to continue its discussion.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.
| Respectfully Submitted: | Mary Donaldson, Recording Secretary |
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