CHESTNUTHILL TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS
ROUTE 715, BRODHEADSVILLE, PA 18322
MINUTES OF MEETING – FEBRUARY 5, 2002
A regular meeting of the Chestnuthill Township Board of Supervisors was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5, 2002, at the Municipal Building, Rte 715, Brodheadsville. Those present were Chuck Gould, Maureen Tatu and Atty. Joseph P. McDonald, Jr. Mike Possinger was absent.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Gary Nasca.
Public Comment. None.
Minutes. On motion made by Maureen, seconded by Chuck it was voted to approve the minutes of the January 22, 2002 meeting as distributed. (2-0)
Correspondence.
WE Ambulance Corp. has invited the Board of Supervisors to their next meeting. However, this is in conflict with our meeting and the Board will be unable to attend.
Monroe County Control Center. Has issued their 2001 statistical data and their services have increased 97% over 1995. Chestnuthill Township is in the lower 1/3 over all incidents reported. We are lucky, as we do not have a large crime problem as of now.
Open Space Meetings. Eldred Township will have the open space meetings on the 1st Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Monroe County Conservation District. Has sent their new fee schedule for the E & S review. Cathy will fill in the blanks and send it back.
Density Requirements of SALDO. Atty. McDonald had a draft of Article II Density requirements of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, which accompanied the conservation sub-division cover letter from Mr. Hopkins on January 31, 2002. Mr. Hopkins then got up and spoke. He has been to several workshops with the Supervisors and the Planning Commission going back 6 to 7 months to discuss the conservation sub-division concept out of the County comprehensive plan. This concept would leave 50% of the land to the open space system. The Township would have to re-do the Ordinance and incorporate the conservation sub-division into it. It is possible to do this type of sub-division with a slight change in cluster housing. The proposed change in the Ordinance would make the minimum lot size 1.25 ac (54,450 sq. ft) and still allows for on lot well & septic. It would raise the minimum lot frontage from 90 to 110 feet. The Ordinance will be forwarded on to the Monroe County Planning Commission and the Township Planning Commission for their comments. At the next meeting we can set a date for a public hearing and this will give the Board a chance to review the Ordinance. On motion made by Maureen, seconded by Chuck it was voted to forward the Ordinance to both PC’s for review and comments. (2-0)
Old Business.
Orchard View Estates. No one was present on behalf of this development.
Roadmaster request to sell items. On motion made by Chuck, seconded by Maureen it was voted to authorize the Roadmaster to sell the Bucket truck, the zoning vehicle (Blazer) and the 2 wheel drive Chevy Pickup. The sale must be under $1000.00 for each item so that we are not required to bid them out. (2-0)
New Business.
HRG Proposal. Effort Firehouse Survey. The Township is considering the placement of a salt storage building/storage area at the West End Fire Company site in Effort. The storage area would be used as a restocking site for municipal road crew worker’s vehicles. The survey and research would include 1. Court house research and field reconnaissance, 2. Field survey and, 3. Plot plan of the property. On motion made by Maureen, seconded by Chuck it was voted to proceed with this proposal for $3205.00. (2-0)
HRG Proposal. Transportation Engineering Services. The purpose of an evaluation of the intersections of Smith Hill Road and PA Route 715 and Smith Hill Road and Sherwood Forest Road in the Township. This study will evaluate the existing operating and safety conditions in this area as well as projected future conditions. Recommendations will be provided to alleviate existing safety and capacity problems as well as problems that are likely to occur within the next ten years. On motion made by Maureen, seconded by Chuck it was voted to approve this proposal for $5375.00. (2-0)
HRG Proposal. Aerial Photograph and Topographic Mapping. The Township wishes to obtain an aerial photograph of the site and topographic survey to be utilized for planning of future improvements and use of the tract. The scope of services would include 1. Aerial Photography, 2. Photo Enlargement, 3. Topographic Mapping, and 4. Ground Control. On motion made by Maureen, seconded by Chuck it was voted to approve this proposal for $9844.00. (2-0)
Service Agreement. Waste Management has taken over Fairfax Recycling and the service agreement we have with Fairfax Recycling states it is ok to do so provided the following in Paragraph 10 A, that the Township signs a statement saying it is ok with us that this has taken place. On motion made by Maureen, seconded by Chuck it was voted to accept and sign this document and to have Atty. McDonald prepare an assignment agreement as part of the signature approval. (2-0)
AP Watershed. The AP Watershed is applying to DEP for a growing greener grant and asked the Township to send a letter of support. On motion made by Chuck, seconded by Maureen it was voted to sign this letter. (2-0)
Auditors Update. Julia Cattaneo spoke on behalf of the Elected Auditors on the 2001 audit they are now in the process of doing. They asked the Board to set up a workshop date, On motion made by Chuck, seconded by Maureen the date was set for February 11, 2002 at 6:00 p.m., Cathy will take care of the advertising. (2-0) also, requested approval for the Auditors to retain legal services, if needed. On motion made by Chuck, seconded by Maureen it was voted to approve this request, if needed. (2-0) Last, the Auditors would like to formally inform the Supervisors that due to inconsistent record keeping of the Zoning Department, they are not able to audit that department. The Board said do not stop the audit process, to note this finding in the final report.
Treasurer Update. Cathy gave the Board an update on their request to speak to several banks to inquire about a possible consolidation loan, future borrowing or perhaps floating a bond. The meetings have gone well, however, the Banks are requiring professional financial statements prepared by certified accountants before they will consider lending us any more money. On motion made by Chuck, seconded by Maureen it was voted to have Cathy look into this further and contact a CPA to get an estimated time frame and a price. (2-0)
Bills. On motion made by Maureen, seconded by Chuck it was voted to pay the bills. (2-0)
Plan. LTS Development, Inc. (118 Lot Major Residential Subdivision) Langan Engineering. In for final approval. Mr. Hopkins was in the audience and asked the Board to table this until the next meeting as the Letter of Credit and Development Agreement were not ready. On motion made by Chuck, seconded by Maureen it was voted to table this plan until the 2nd meeting in February. (2-0)
Adjournment. There being no further business, on motion made by Maureen, seconded by Chuck it was voted to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. (2-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy A. Baker, CGS
Recording Secretary