NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP SYCAMORE STREET COMMITTEE

8:00 PM

Approval of Minutes: Mr. Nejman made a motion to approve the minutes of February 10, 2004 as presented.  Mr. Tyrol seconded; the motion carried. 

Members Present:  Chairman Vince Lombardi; Members Joe Merjeski, John Nejman, Frank Tyrol, Melva Vittoriano, Michael Piazza; HARB representative Terry McLean; BOS Liaison Thomas Jirele. 

Members Not Present: Rand Jaslow, Borough Liaison; David Burns, Jr.; Barry Dinneen, Borough Representative; Shannon Wilson; Planning Commission Liaisons Beth Sanderlin and Shawn Ward, Esq. 

Also present:  Nelson Shaffer representing Pennoni Associates Inc.; Supervisors Raymond Goodnoe and Scott Harp; John Paul Lautenschlager, Focus on Newtown - Courier Times; Robert Bebon, Newtown Presbyterian Church; Tom McLearnon representing Chandler Hall; George Stockburger IV; Del Purscell; John Schmidt, Advance; Milissa J. Lenahan, First National Bank & Trust; Township Manager Robert M. Pellegrino; John Hunter, Pennoni Associates, Inc.; Esther Lownes. 

Call to Order:  Chairman Lombardi called the meeting to order at 8:04 PM. 

Approval of Minutes

Mr. Merjeski made a motion to approve the minutes of December 9, 2003 with the following correction:  change “Nelva” to “Melva”.  Mr. Tyrol seconded; the motion carried, with abstention by Mr. McLean. 

Guest Speaker:  Michael Pfeiffer, Haines & Kibblehouse

Mr. Pfeiffer said he has worked with PennDOT for over 20 years.  He announced that construction would begin on Monday; the trailer would be set up on Thursday.  He said that weather is a factor, but that they have a lot of preliminary work to do.  Mr. Pfeiffer said that temporary signs would be posted later this week, and said that work would begin at the Richboro Road end of Sycamore Street.  He said that the CPM schedule had been given to Pennoni for approval, and that there would be a 4-week rolling schedule that would be updated and submitted every two weeks.  Mr. Merjeski asked about signs to be posted on site; Mr. Shaffer said they had sketches of the signage. 

Mr. Lombardi said that the website is up and running:  www.sycamorestreet.org.  He said that suggestions are welcome; there is a link on the township website.   

Mr. Pfeiffer clarified that there would be a trailers on the north side of the old Acme site for Armour Electric, H & K Group, and for PennDOT.  He said that materials would be ordered in accordance with approvals, and that initial materials would include concrete pipe, inlets, and manholes.  Mr. Pfeiffer said the anticipated project completion date is April 30, 2005, pushed back due to the delayed start.  Mr. Shaffer noted that the wear coat paving needed to be done under the appropriate weather and temperature conditions. 

Mr. Pellegrino said that they are working to tie up loose ends before the order to proceed is issued; they have received many shop drawings and the paperwork with PennDOT has been completed.  He explained the payment process:  invoices would be given to the engineer to sign off on, be given to him and then to the Board of Supervisors.  Payments would go through the ECMS system, with payment authorization by Mr. Pellegrino; he is authorized to execute payments and change orders.  Mr. Pellegrino said that the Acme lease agreement was to be approved at the next Board of Supervisors meeting.   

Mr. Shaffer announced that John Hunter would oversee the project and communicate with Mr. Shaffer and PennDOT.  There will be a resident inspector on the site.  Mr. Shaffer said that Pennoni would be the conduit to the township, working with Mr. Pfeiffer to see that things go smoothly and reviewing shop drawings.  He clarified that no changes would be made without township electronic sign-off.  John Hunter presented a copy of the contractor CPM schedule.  Mr. Pfeiffer explained that the schedule shows all detailed activities and the duration of each, including start and stop dates for each activity.  Mr. Shaffer said that he would keep the community liaison committee apprised of what is happening, in order to keep everyone informed.  There was discussion about posting information on the website. 

Mr. Pfeiffer said that in the Richboro Road/Sycamore Street phase the utilities would be addressed first, such as pipe, inlets, drains, and electricity behind the curb.  He said the schedule might be adjusted to complete some sidewalk work.  Mr. Lombardi noted that special attention needs to be paid to adequate access for a handicapped resident, and asked that he be notified of anyone else on Sycamore Street with special circumstances.  Mr. Pfeiffer said they hope to complete about 75% of construction and have things cleared up before next winter.  He said that the schedule allows for landscaping. 

Mr. Pellegrino noted that a grant for $383,000 received by the township for streambed stabilization would allow for some reinstallation of on-street parking; the Board of Supervisors will look to begin the search for a contractor.  He clarified that the township would receive the money up front, with a portion allotted for engineering and the remainder for construction. 

Mr. Pfeiffer said that he would prepare a list of emergency numbers for Pennoni, and would discuss details as they arise with representatives of Chandler Hall, which is located in the area of initial construction.  It was clarified that construction work hours would be 8:00 pm to 5:00 am.  Mr. Pfeiffer noted that one-way access throughout construction is required under the contract.  He said that concrete pipe would probably be laid in mid-March, and that pipe trenches would be closed up when work hours were closed.  He said that the plans do not call for any road closings.  Mr. Lombardi said that when utilities were done earlier, there were brief closings in the early morning, which worked out because traffic was scarce at that time. 

Mr. McLean noted that the base of the streetlights should be straight, not tapered; the design had been changed.  Mr. Shaffer said he would address the issue.  The Committee agreed that the benches would have natural finish, so as to age naturally to a silver color; there will be approximately 30 benches installed along the length of the street.  Mr. Merjeski said he hoped that business owners would take ownership of and maintain benches near their establishments.    

Mr. Stockburger asked what source for construction information would be most up to date; Mr. Lombardi said that the website would be the best resource and said he would like to see times and locations of construction listed.  Mr. Shaffer said that the inspectors could put together a schedule.  Mr. Pfeiffer said there would be a detailed four-week rolling schedule for the township and residents to view, including the past two and current two weeks - written in layman’s terms.  Mr. Jirele suggested a weekly updated posting of the upcoming month’s work.  Mr. Stockburger suggested posting information on cable channel 23 as well. 

It was clarified that trash containers and traffic signals would be black.  Mr. Shaffer said he would check the lighting, suggesting that cobra head overburden lights would probably not be necessary because of the extra ornamental lights added. 

Correspondence:  None. 

New Business

None. 

Other

Mr. Lombardi asked the Community Relations subcommittee to stay for a brief meeting. 

Next Meeting:  The next meeting is scheduled for March 9, 2004.  

Adjournment

On motion by Mr. Merjeski and without objection, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

 ______________________________
Leslie P. Dunleavy, Recording Secretary