NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP SYCAMORE STREET COMMITTEE

A Reconstruction Project of Newtown Township

Minutes of 6/11/02: Mr. Merjeski moved to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Burns and passed unanimously.

The Sycamore Street Committee met on Tuesday, June 11, 2002, in the Newtown Township Municipal Building at 8:00 p.m.  In attendance were Chairman Vince Lombardi, Members Joe Merjeski, Jerry DeYoung, David Burns and Shannon Wilson.  Planning Commission Members Karen Doorley, James Bowe and James Ott. Terry McLean representing HARB.  Not in attendance were Vice Chairman Frank Tyrol, Member Daniel Faust and Newtown Borough Liaison Barry Dinneen. 

Also present were Supervisor Tom Jirele, Tom McLearnon representing Chandler Hall, Bob Bebon representing Newtown Presbyterian Church and Joe Kervick, owner of Avalon Café.

Call to Order

The Meeting was called to order at 8:00 PM. 

Special Announcements:  

Minutes of 5-14-02: Mr. Merjeski moved to approve the minutes.  Mr. McLean advised the committee on one change to the minutes, on page 4, item #2 HARB would like the street lighting to resemble Yardley’s street lighting not Doylestown’s. The motion was seconded by Mr. Wilson and passed unanimously, with 3 members abstaining. 

Subcommittee and Liaison Reports: 

A.                 Traffic & Safety:  

Mr. Merjeski updated the committee on the status of the road-opening document (appendix 1).  The committee reviewed the document.  Mr. Lombardi advised the committee on Mr. Shaffer’s recommendation for the possibility of allowing work to be done in the right-of-way during the day as long as two-way traffic was maintained.  The committee discussed the recommendation and agreed they would discuss further at a later date. Mr. DeYoung made a motion to approve the Road-Opening Document knowing there may be some modifications to allow for day work at a later date.  The motion  was seconded by Mr. Ott and passed unanimously.  

Mr. Merjeski reported on the current road conditions and repairs.  He advised the committee he has spoken with Tom Harwood.  Mr. Harwood advised Mr. Merjeski on 3 areas that are in need of an overlay.  All 3 areas are in the northbound lane.  The first is from St. Andrew’s Church to the last house before Bruce Lesser’s old shop.  The second area is approximately 700-ft. past Swamp Road parallel to the new paving on the southbound lane.  The third area is before Jefferson past the Township House.  Mr. Harwood estimated the overlay would cost approximately ten thousand dollars.  He advised he has received 1 bid and is waiting for others.  The committee felt the condition of the roadway is a real safety concern.  Mr. Merjeski recommended the committee suggest to the BOS.  Mr. Jirele advised he would discuss with the BOS.  

B.                 Planning:

None 

C.                 Grants/Enhancements: 

Mr. Lombardi advised the committee on the name change for this sub-committee. 

Mr. McLean advised the committee on what HARB is recommending for safety fences. Members received copies showing the different picket fence designs from Superior Aluminum Products (www.superioraluminum.com).  Committee members discussed the different fence designs.  Members agreed on picket fence design selection E with 3” picket centers.  Mr. Merjeski made a motion to approve picket fence design selection E with 3” picket centers.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Burns and passed unanimously.

Mr. McLean advised the committee on what HARB is recommending for the streetlights.  He gave the members copies of sketches showing 3 different style street light fixtures and poles (Yardley, Doylestown, and Langhorne).  The committee discussed the 3 styles of fixtures and poles.  Mr. McLean advised that HARB recommend that the street lighting fixtures and poles resemble Yardley’s street lighting.  The committee agreed they would like yellow lighting.  Mr. Jirele recommended advising Newtown Borough Council on the type of street light fixtures and poles that will be used on Sycamore Street.  The committee agreed they would like the street light poles and fixtures to resemble the Yardley street lighting.  Members agreed on yellow bulbs, bollard lights on the pole to provide light for the sidewalks and the pole is to have brackets for either a basket or a banner.  Members agreed the traffic light standards and stop sign post should match the streetlights.  Mr. McLean made a motion to approve the sketch depicted as the Yardley light fixture and pole.  The pole should be 12’ in height, the fixture should be 3’ in height with yellow lighting, the pole should have a bracket for either a basket or a banner and the pole should have bollard lights for the sidewalk with yellow lighting also.  The motion was seconded by Mr. DeYoung and passed unanimously.  Mr. McLean made a motion for the traffic light standards and the stop sign post to match the streetlight fixtures and poles.  The motion was seconded by Mr. DeYoung and passed unanimously.   

Mr. Wilson reported on street trees, benches and trash containers.  He provided a plan showing the committee where the street trees, benches, trash containers and additional plantings would be placed.  Committee members and residents reviewed the plan.  Mr. Wilson advised the committee that Mr. Shaffer might have to make some revisions due to right-of-ways.  Mr. Wilson advised the committee Sycamore trees would be used.  Some members had concerns about using Sycamore trees in certain areas.  The committee discussed the possibility of using a different type of tree in some areas.  Mr. Lombardi advised the committee that Mr. Shaffer recommended the additional plantings be raised and surrounded by some type of brick wall to protect the plants.  Mr. Wilson advised the committee of what type of plants would be used in the plantings.  Mr. Wilson estimated there were between 35 and 40 benches.  Mr. Wilson advised that McMahon is working on the street lighting plan.  Mr. Lombardi advised the plan is not final and changes would be made.  Mr. Lombardi made a motion to approve the plan as-is knowing changes would be made later.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Merjeski and passed unanimously. 

Mr. Lombardi advised he would pass the above plan to Mr. Shaffer tomorrow.  Mr. Lombardi advised the committee he would like to start a small group to review any changes to the plan.  He suggested Mr. Wilson and Mr. Ott be in the group.  He also suggested contacting Mr. Allen Fidler, Jr. and possibility Mr. Russ Stover. 

The committee discussed eliminating the parking spaces in front of where the old Landmark Realty used to be.  Mr. Lombardi made a motion to eliminate the 3 parking spaces in front of the Stockland property.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Merjeski and passed unanimously. 

Mr. Lombardi updated the committee on the proposal to build a wall in front of the McBride property.  He advised he has met with Mr. Robert McBride and Mr. George Stockburger, who both liked the idea and had a few changes.  The wall would curve into the driveway and Mr. Stockburger asked if something could be put on top of the wall to prevent people from sitting on it.  The committee discussed the idea.  Mr. Lombardi made a motion to approve the wall.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Burns and passed unanimously. 

The committee discussed pattern sidewalks.  Members agreed on a slate pattern.  Mrs. Doorley made a motion to approve a slate pattern for the new sidewalks.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Wilson and passed unanimously. 

The committee discussed pattern crosswalks.  Members agreed on a red herringbone pattern.  Mr. Burns made a motion to approve a red herringbone pattern for the crosswalks.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Bowe and passed unanimously.    

D.                 Community Relations:  

Mr. Burns reported that as of June 7, 2002, everyone has been contacted in reference to the temporary construction easements.  He advised that 7 of the 13 easements have been signed.  He felt there would be no problems getting the last 6 signatures.  Mr. Lombardi thanked Mr. Burns and Mr. DeYoung for a job well done.  Mr. Lombardi suggested sending thank you letters to the property owners. 

Correspondence: 

Old Business: 

New Business: 

General Discussion: 

The committee discussed how the flower baskets would be maintained.  Mr. Wilson suggested sub-contracting out to a local grower.  Members discussed how that would work. 

The committee discussed the traffic light signals. 

The committee discussed the trees in front of Carl Sedia Park/Chandler Fields. 

Mr. Lombardi updated the committee on the status of the Dilks property.

Mr. Joe Kervick asked about the traffic signal at Sycamore and Silo.  Mr. Lombardi explained that PennDot has not approved the signal, but the township is still trying to get approval for the signal.  A new packet and application have been submitted to PennDot. 

Mr. Kervick asked about speed limit.  Members advised they thought the speed limit would be 35 mph. 

Mr. Kervick asked when construction would begin.  Mr. Lombardi advised construction should begin in the next construction season. 

Adjournment: 

The meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM. 

The next scheduled meeting is July  25^th.

Respectfully submitted:

_____________________________
Christy Holley, Recording Secretary