LANCASTER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
MINUTES
November 11, 2019
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, CALL TO ORDER, AND ROLL CALL
The duly advertised Lancaster Township Board of Supervisors meeting was held on Monday, November 11, 2019, in the township building at 1240 Maple Avenue, Lancaster, PA. The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Vice Chair Steven P. Elliott. Treasurer Benjamin H. Bamford, and Township Manager William M. Laudien were also present. Chair Thomas H. Schaller was not in attendance. Others in attendance included township staff and interested parties. Mr. Elliott led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. PUBLIC HEARING
Ordinance 2019-02 – Vacating a Portion of Riverside Avenue
225 Riverside Avenue (City of Lancaster Operations Center)
Mr. Elliott called the public hearing to order at 7:00pm to consider Ordinance 2019-02. The ordinance authorizes the board of supervisors to vacate a portion of Riverside Avenue, and to transfer title to the same to the City of Lancaster, the adjoining landowner. Township Engineer Ben Webber was sworn in by court stenographer Cheryl Hansberry. Mr. Webber gave a brief explanation of the reason behind the ordinance.
Resident Kathy Wasong, Bentley Lane, asked if there would be public access down to the river at that point. Mr. Webber stated absolutely. That is part of the city operations site. There is trail head parking and a small portion of a trail that the city and the township are both looking to extend.
There were no other public questions or comments.
The public hearing was closed, and the regular meeting of the board of supervisors was reconvened at 7:05pm. Mr. Bamford moved, Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously adopted Ordinance 2019-02, Vacating a Portion of Riverside Avenue.
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
- Steve Carrilio, Woodlyn Court, asked for more information about the Conestoga Reserve stormwater management amendment on the agenda. Mr. Laudien explained that the actual location of the swale is in a different location in the yards than what is depicted on the easement. The two choices are to regrade the land and move that swale into the easement, or move the easement to where the actual land contours. What will be approved tonight will be conditioned upon the developer getting a letter from all the affected property owners, and then we will move the lines over to match what is on the ground.
- Razien Council, Conestoga Woods Road, asked what happens if the homeowners don’t want to sign anything? Mr. Webber said then the swale will need to be relocated. Ms. Council stated she has had no water problems in the eight years she has lived there. Mr. Laudien explained that the township preference is to move the lines on the map, and leave the yards completely alone. If not all property owners agree, then Mark Will (JPM Keller, LLC) will have to go back to the drawing board, or dig up all the yards.
- Carissa Pinkard, Conestoga Woods Road, said there are three or four residents who are having water issues. If you vote tonight, how does that affect them? Mr. Laudien explained it is conditioned upon Mark Will getting all signatures from all property owners, so he has to satisfy every one of those property owners in order to get past us. Mr. Webber pointed out that the supervisors are not dictating to the property owners that they must sign this agreement.
- Kathy Wasong, Bentley Lane, asked if it would be possible to redirect some of the swale without affecting all the property owners. Mr. Webber said that is what Mr. Laudien said about going back to the drawing board.
IV. SECRETARY’S REPORT
The minutes of the October 14, 2019 board meeting were approved by general consent.
V. TREASURER’S REPORT
Mr. Bamford presented the treasurer’s report as of November 11, 2019:
General Fund………………………………………………………………………… $7,624,326.09
Highway Aid Fund…………………………………………………………………….. 671,652.29
Capital Reserve Fund…………………………………………………………………. 819,783.69
TOTAL………………………………………………………………………………… $9,115,762.07
Mr. Schaller stated the treasurer’s report would be filed for audit.
VI. PAYMENT OF BILLS
On a motion by Mr. Bamford, seconded by Mr. Elliott, the board unanimously approved the payment of bills (10/14/2019 thru 11/11/2019):
General Fund…………………………………………………………………………… $450,841.41
Escrow Fund………………………………………………………………………………. 11,705.81
State Highway Fund…………………………………………………………………… 275,629.81
Capital Reserve Fund…………………………………………………………………. 55,008.00
TOTAL………………………………………………………………………………… $793,185.03
VII. REPORTS
A. Lancaster Township Fire Department (west side): Chief Ron Comfort Jr. reported there were twenty-five calls in the township, and thirteen calls for mutual aid during the month of October 2019, making a year-to-date total of 382 calls. Chief Comfort also pointed out that if a road is closed due to an incident, it is done for safety. He also thanked all veterans.
B. Lafayette Fire Company (east side): October 2019: Seven calls.
C. Police Report: Sgt. John Donnelly gave an overview of the October 2019 police report. Sgt. Donnelly again reminded everyone that vehicles should not be left running unattended. Vehicles break-ins are still an issue—lock your vehicles and remove all valuables. MTPD is participating in the Beards for Brothers Campaign, an annual fundraiser to assist a member of local law enforcement diagnosed with cancer.
D. Recycling Report: October 2019: 19.38%
E. Sewer/Other Reports: Reports are available for public inspection at the board meeting and during regular business hours.
VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. November 23: Last Saturday for yard waste drop off
B. November 27: Yard waste facility closes for the season
C. November 28: No trash/recycle collection. It will be collected Friday, November 29th
D. November 28 & 29: Office closed
E. Next Board of Supervisors Meeting: Monday, December 9, 2019. Workshop at 6:00pm; regular meeting at 7:00pm, Lancaster Township.
IX. OLD BUSINESS
No old business.
X. PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS
A. LTPC 224 – Conestoga Reserve – Amendment to Stormwater Management Agreement and Declaration of Easement
Mr. Bamford moved, Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously approved an amendment to the Stormwater Management Agreement and Declaration of Easement for LTPC 224, the Conestoga Reserve development, due to the alteration of the location of certain Storm Water Drainage Facilities from the locations originally contemplated under the terms of the agreement, and conditioned upon all of the affected property owners agreeing and signing the amendment.
XI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Presentation of 2020 Proposed Budget
Mr. Bamford moved, Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously directed the township manager to advertise the 2020 proposed budget for public inspection. The document will be on public display at the township office from 8:00am to 3:00pm, Monday through Friday, and on the township website starting, November 15, 2019 through December 9, 2019, at which time the board will vote on the proposed budget.
B. Ordinance to Amend Chapter 231, Streets and Sidewalks
Mr. Bamford moved, Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously directed the township manager to advertise an ordinance to amend Chapter 231, Streets and Sidewalks.
XII. GUEST RECOGNITION AND PARTICIPATION
- LouAnn Brubaker, Springside Drive, feels that the character of the township is changing due to so many trees being cut down. Asked if an ordinance requiring residents to replant could be instituted. Mr. Bamford said that might be tough. Mr. Elliott agrees with what she is saying; however, not every tree was planted in the correct location for the tree. Mr. Laudien replied that the township is struggling with the same issues. In a place like Roslyn where they went through a land development process and cut down trees, we had them replace those trees. We do have some mechanism through the land development process to do that. When talking about private property, the township is working with the Hamilton Park Tree Commission (a private organization) to encourage residents to voluntarily plant trees.
- Anne Meier Pryzbylkowski, Springside Drive, echoed some of what LouAnn said, and commented that in addition, property values might be an issue. Glad to hear of the steps being taken.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
William M. Laudien, Secretary
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