NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP SYCAMORE STREET COMMITTEE

8:00 PM

Mr. Merjeski moved to approve the minutes of January 28, 2003.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Burns and carried, with abstentions by Ms. Doorley, Mr. Ward and Mr. Wilson, who were not present at that meeting.

Present:  Chairman Vince Lombardi, Vice Chairman Frank Tyrol, Members Joe Merjeski, John Nejman, and David Burns; Planning Commission James Ott; HARB representative Terry McLean.

Not Present: Karen Doorley, Planning Commission; Gerald DeYoung; Guy Gindhart; Shannon Wilson; Tom Jirele, Supervisor.

Also present: Nelson Shaffer representing Pennoni Associates Inc., Tom McLearnon representing Chandler Hall, George Stockburger V, Public Works Supervisor Gary Crossland; John Paul Lautenschlager, Focus on Newtown - Courier Times. 

Call to Order:  Chairman Lombardi called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM. 

Special Announcements:  None. 

Approval of Minutes

Mr. Merjeski moved to approve the minutes of December 12, 2002, with the following change: add a comma after “Hadco”, indicating that there were three separate companies being considered.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Ott and passed unanimously.

Reports of Committees

A.         Traffic & Safety: None scheduled.

B.         Planning: None Scheduled

C.         Grants/Enhancements:  Mr. McLean distributed and reviewed a handout regarding Sycamore Street specifications for light poles and fixtures, which included illustrations of each element.  He reviewed the list of acceptable manufacturers, particularly Sun Valley Lighting, who had worked to meet especially hard to meet the specifications.  Mr. McLean said that Sternberg had been removed from the list, since they did not have a pull out unit.  He said that the Sternberg light pole had a small sidewalk light at its base, but felt that a slide out unit was more desirable.  Mr. McLean noted that the lamppost was exactly like the one in Yardley, with a base of the desired diameter, and that the Sun Valley poles for banners were permanently welded, not clamp-ons.  The lamppost will be black, and the light fixture will be acrylic, which won’t yellow.  Mr. McLean clarified that the lights will be high pressure, yellow lights.

Mr. McLean praised Sun Valley’s efforts in helping with the specifications, and said that they even supplied original drawings and designed an element especially for the Sycamore Street project; they were very impressed with Sun Valley.  Mr. Shaffer noted that Mr. McLean had included a banner arm, flower basket, receptacle for holiday items, and specialty lighting as part of the lighting specs.

The committee thanked Mr. McLean for all of his hard work on the specifications.  Mr. Merjeski said everything should be in good order, since Mr. McLean had worked so hard on the details.   Mr. Lombardi recognized Shannon Wilson’s work on landscape and plantings.

Mr. Shaffer said there would be shop drawing reviews held, if anyone on the enhancements committee was interested in attending.

D.         Community Relations:  No report.

Correspondence:  None 

Old Business:  None. 

New Business:  Nelson Shaffer said that when street enhancements are being installed communication would be increasingly important. He said that once a contractor is chosen, a good “next step” would be to form a liaison between the community and the contractor to further such communication. 

Mr. Shaffer suggested that a video be made of what Sycamore Street looks like presently, for archival purposes and to compare later after construction is completed.  Mr. McLearnon said he had a digital computer, which could transfer photos to computer.  Mr. Merjeski suggested that the video could be a project for students from Bucks County Community College; Mr. Tyrol said that high school film class students might also be a possibility.  Mr. Lombardi liked the possibility of digital photos for use in PowerPoint, and said he would still like to have a video recording as well.  Mr. Shaffer suggested the Boy Scouts as a possible source for videographers.  Mr. Merjeski will contact BCCC and Mr. Tyrol will contact the high school and report back at the next meeting.

Mr. Shaffer reported that they are piecing together loose ends, and complimented the committee for sticking with the detailed work required.  He said that the Community Relations and Safety Committees could assist with the communications issue.  Mr. Shaffer was unsure of when construction bids would be awarded and when construction would begin; the goal is to start construction early this spring.  He noted that utilities clearances are all completed. 

Acme Visioning Committee

Mr. Lombardi said that the committee has completed its work; the report was approved by the committee and final appendices are being completed.  He said that the process went well, and that he, Bob White of the Redevelopment Authority and Supervisor Weaver will meet this Friday to finalize the report.  The report will be presented at the Board of Supervisors meeting on February 26, 2003.

Mr. Lombardi summarized the report, which will be presented to the Board of Supervisors at their February 26, 2003 meeting. 

Next Meeting:  The February 11, 2003 was cancelled; the next regular meeting will be held on March 11, 2003.  The February 11, 2003 date is being held as a possible meeting date if issues arise that require attention. 

Adjournment

Mr. Merjeski moved to adjourn the meeting; Mr. Tyrol seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

___________________________
Leslie P. Dunleavy, Recording Secretary