LANCASTER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
MINUTES
November 12, 2018
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, CALL TO ORDER, AND ROLL CALL
The duly advertised Lancaster Township Board of Supervisors meeting was held on Monday, November 12, 2018, in the township building at 1240 Maple Avenue, Lancaster, PA. The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Chair Benjamin H. Bamford. Vice Chair Thomas H. Schaller, Treasurer Steven P. Elliott, and Township Manager William M. Laudien were also present. Others in attendance included township staff and interested parties. Mr. Bamford led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
No public comments on agenda items.
Mr. Schaller thanked all the veterans for their service.
III. SECRETARY’S REPORT
The minutes of the October 8, 2018 board meeting were approved by general consent.
IV. TREASURER’S REPORT
Mr. Elliott presented the treasurer’s report as of November 12, 2018:
General Fund $7,214,988.50…………………………………………………………………………………………….
Highway Aid Fund…………………………………………………………………….. 658,827.84
Parks Fund…………………………………………………………………………………. 41,422.85
Capital Reserve Fund…………………………………………………………………. 431,667.61
TOTAL………………………………………………………………………………… $8,346,906.80
Mr. Bamford stated the treasurer’s report would be filed for audit.
V. PAYMENT OF BILLS
On a motion by Mr. Elliott, seconded by Mr. Schaller, the board unanimously approved the payment of bills (October 9, 2018–November 12, 2018):
General Fund…………………………………………………………………………… $647,380.67
Escrow Fund………………………………………………………………………………… 6,902.43
State Highway Fund…………………………………………………………………… 142,031.28
Parks Fund…………………………………………………………………………………… 1,746.65
Capital Reserve Fund…………………………………………………………………………….. -0-
TOTAL…………………………………………………………………………………… $798,061.03
VI. REPORTS
A. Lancaster Township Fire Department: Chief Ron Comfort Jr. reported there were thirty-three calls in the township, with seventeen calls for mutual aid, during the month of October, 2018, making a year-to-date total of 394 calls. Chief Comfort stated that the new ladder truck arrived, and that the equipment was being installed.
B. Lafayette Fire Company: There were six calls answered on the east side of Lancaster Township during the month of October 2018.
C. Police: An overview of the October 2018 police report was given by an MTPD officer. It was noted that Officer John Donnelly was receiving a promotion to Sergeant on this night.
D. Recycling Report: Penn Waste-September 2018: 20.75%; Waste Management-October 2018: 18.53%
E. Sewer/Other Reports: Reports are available for public inspection at the meeting and during regular business hours.
VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Yard Waste Facility Updates:
1) New Monday/Wednesday hours started November 5—3:30pm to 5:30pm
2) Last Saturday drop-off—November 17, 9:00am to 1:00pm
3) Final day for drop-off—Wednesday, November 21, 3:30pm to 5:30pm
B. Leaf Pickup Updates:
1) Pickup ends for signed streets on Tuesday/Wednesday, December 4 & 5
2) Pickup ends for non-signed streets week of Monday, December 10 to Friday, December 14. See fall/winter newsletter or township website for details. Leaves put out after the final date for your neighborhood will not be picked up.
C. Office closed: Thursday & Friday, November 22 and 23, 2018.
D. Lancaster Township Fire Department 2018 Santa Run Schedule starts Monday, December 3. Full schedule printed on page 7 of the township fall/winter newsletter, and will appear on the LTFD Facebook page.
E. Next Board of Supervisors Meeting: Monday, December 10, 2018, 7:00pm; workshop at 6:00pm, Lancaster Township.
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
No old business.
IX. PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS
A. SWM 17-0267 – 1230 Hillcrest Road – Financial Security Release Request
Mr. Schaller moved, and Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously approved a request from Gotham Pasupuleti, 1230 Hillcrest Road, for the full release of the financial security for SWM 17-0267, Stormwater Management Minor Land Disturbance plan. The request was submitted via an e-mail dated October 15, 2018. Township Engineer Ben Webber recommended the release of $18,923.71, leaving a balance of $0.00 in his letter dated October 16, 2018.
B. LTPC 255 – Lancaster Country Day School – Financial Security Reduction Request
Mr. Elliott moved, and Mr. Schaller seconded, and the board unanimously denied a request from Thomas Porsch, Porsch Consulting Company, for the reduction of the financial security for LTPC 255 Lancaster Country Day School Land Development plan to an amount of $2,777.50. The request was submitted via an e-mail dated September 28, 2018. Township Engineer Ben Webber recommended not reducing this financial security in his letter dated October 25, 2018.
C. SWM 16-0186 – 460 Conestoga Blvd– Financial Security Release Request
Mr. Schaller moved, and Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously approved a request from Mark Will, Hunter Creek Partners, LLC, for the full release of the financial security for SWM 16-0186, 460 Conestoga Boulevard, Stormwater Management Minor Land Disturbance plan. The request was submitted via an e-mail dated October 30, 2018. Township engineer Ben Webber recommended the release of $5,203.00, leaving a balance of $0.00 in his letter dated November 9, 2018.
D. SWM 16-0199 – 470 Conestoga Blvd– Financial Security Release Request
Mr. Elliott moved, and Mr. Schaller seconded, and the board unanimously approved a request from Mark Will, Hunter Creek Partners, LLC, for the full release of the financial security for SWM 16-0199, 470 Conestoga Boulevard, Stormwater Management Minor Land Disturbance plan. The request was submitted via an e-mail dated October 30, 2018. Township engineer Ben Webber recommended the release of $5,062.00, leaving a balance of $0.00 in his letter dated November 9, 2018.
E. Valentino’s Cafe—Rider Avenue
Mr. Schaller moved, and Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously approved a request from Valentino’s Cafe for a letter of consent to hold a special event on Groundhog’s Day, Saturday, February 2, 2019, and for a one-day temporary extension of their PLCB license to a portion of their parking lot for that event.
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. Presentation of 2019 Proposed Budget
Discussion took place with regard to the 2019 proposed budget. Mr. Laudien provided a couple highlights. No tax increase for 2019, and no decrease in township services. The proposed increases for 2019 are for the Maple Grove Community building rental to $50 an hour, and the annual trash bill to $245 per year as a result of the recycling changes. The proposed increase in trash still does not cover all of the township costs. Mr. Schaller pointed out that for the Maple Grove increase, we have a very large chunk of money set for repairs; the roof is leaking. He thanked all the staff for their outstanding participation on the budget. Everybody works to keep it at a reasonable level.
Mr. Schaller requested that the library budget be raised by $4,000.000 and brought back up to $32,000.00. Mr. Schaller moved, and Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously agreed to raise the library request for 456.500 to $32,000.00 for 2019.
Mr. Schaller moved that LEMSA receive $3,000.00. Mr. Bamford indicated he wanted $5,000.00; however, he would meet in the middle with $4,000.00. Mr. Schaller amended his motion, and Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously agreed to amend 412.500 on the 2019 budget to include $4,000.00 for LEMSA.
Mr. Laudien pointed out that education 401.331 should be $12,000.00, a drop from $15,000.00. Public works salaries 430.130 is at $425,000.00, which is a little bit off; it should be $430,000. The budget will be amended, prepared, and available for public inspection starting November 19 through December 10, 2019.
Mr. Schaller moved, and Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously directed the township manager to advertise the 2019 budget for public inspection. The document will be on public display at the township office from 8:00am to 3:00pm starting November 19, 2018 through December 10, 2018, at which time the board will vote on the proposed budget.
B. Resolution 2018-15
Mr. Schaller moved, and Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously approved Resolution 2018-15 amending its existing sewer use regulations by adopting the City of Lancaster administration ordinance No. 21-2017 and the Suburban Lancaster Sewer Authority tenth amendment to rate resolution.
C. Resolution 2018-16
Mr. Elliott moved, and Mr. Schaller seconded, and the board unanimously approved Resolution 2018-16 in support of current earned income tax collection, as defined by Act 32, and in opposition to legislative initiatives to mandate centralized services.
D. Handicap Parking Space Application
Mr. Schaller moved, and Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously approved a handicap parking space application for 837 5th Street.
XI. GUEST RECOGNITION AND PARTICIPATION
· Paul Groff, Waypoint Drive, Southern Village, asked if a permit is needed to install backyard fences. Zoning officer Tom Daniels stated yes, if it is a new fence, it would be a zoning permit. However, the township must receive a letter of approval from the HOA first before proceeding with the permit process. If it is replacing an existing fence, no. If the fence is over six foot high, then it would require a building permit.
· Tom Coyne, Valley Road, asked if there was any proposal to eliminate junk mail now that paper is no longer recyclable. Mr. Bamford explained there is no way the township can enforce that. Mr. Laudien stated that the township has no jurisdiction to do that. It would have to start at the top and be done at a federal level. Mr. Coyne asked if Buchanan school has submitted a proposal. Mr. Daniels indicated no, although there has been some preliminary discussion, and they may submit something in November or December. He suggested keeping an eye on the planning commission schedule.
· Harry Haddon, Spencer Avenue, indicated that the street lights installed in 2017 are extremely bright, and asked if there was a possibility of reducing the intensity. Mr. Daniels stated he has contacted PPL about getting shields, but has not heard back from them. He will contact them again.
· Gordon Reed, Conestoga Drive, asked the board to consider looking at, and perhaps updating, the current trash codes, especially due to the new recycling policies that are now in place. Mr. Bamford asked Mr. Laudien to take a look at the policies to see where things can be updated.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:37pm.
Respectfully submitted,
William M. Laudien, Secretary
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