LANCASTER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Minutes—December 12, 2011
I. Pledge of Allegiance, Call to Order, and Roll Call
The duly advertised Lancaster Township Board of Supervisors meeting was held on December 12, 2011 in the township building at 1240 Maple Avenue, Lancaster, PA. Chair Kathleen M. Wasong called the meeting to order at 7:00PM. Vice Chair Benjamin H. Bamford and Treasurer Thomas H. Schaller were also present. Others in attendance included township management staff and interested parties. Ms. Wasong led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. Public Comment on Agenda Items: There were no comments.
III. Secretary’s Report: The minutes of the November 14, 2011 board meeting were approved by general consent.
IV. Treasurer’s Report
Mr. Schaller presented the report with the following amounts as of November 30, 2011:
General Fund…………………………………………………………………………………….. $4,557,722.59
Highway Aid Fund…………………………………………………………………………………. 530,881.12
Parks/Open Space Fund…………………………………………………………………………….. 20,133.18
Capital Reserve Fund……………………………………………………………………………… 723,816.01
TOTAL………………………………………………………………………………….. $5,832,552.90
Ms. Wasong stated the treasurer’s report would be filed for audit.
V. Payment of Bills
On a motion by Mr. Schaller, seconded by Mr. Bamford, the board approved the payment of bills (11/15/11–12/12/11):
General Fund……………………………………………………………………………………….. $243,690.01
Escrow Fund……………………………………………………………………………………………… 6,006.52
Highway Aid Fund…………………………………………………………………………………….. 2,942.39
Parks/Open Space Fund…………………………………………………………………………………. 946.80
Capital Reserve Fund………………………………………………………………………………………….. -0-
TOTAL…………………………………………………………………………………….. $253,585.72
VI. Reports
- A. Lancaster Township Fire Department: Mr. Schaller reported 32 calls for service in November for a year-to-date total of 520 calls.
- B. Lafayette Fire Company: There were seven calls to the east side in November.
- C. Police: There was no representative from the police department but the written report is available for inspection.
- D. Sewer, and Subsidiary Reports: These reports are available for public inspection at this meeting and during regular business hours.
- E. Recycling Report: The recycling rate for October 2011 was 13.13%. Also collected were 4,284 tons of yard waste and 273 yard waste bundles.
- F. Lancaster Inter-Municipal Committee: There has been no LIMC meeting since the last township board meeting.
VII. Announcements
A. Next Lancaster Township Board of Supervisors Meetings: January 3, 2012
Workshop: 6:00PM
Reorganization Meeting: 6:30PM
Regular Board Meeting: 7:00PM
B. Office Closed January 16, 2012
VIII. Old Business:
A. Ordinance No. 2011-06
Mr. Schaller moved, Mr. Bamford seconded, and the board voted to approve the compensation rate for elected or appointed supervisors according to township population as set by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Second Class Township Code. This ordinance was presented at the November 14, 2011 board meeting. Ms. Wasong abstained from the vote.
IX. Planning/Zoning Business:
A. LTPC #213—Shepherd Family Limited Partnership Plan Reinstatement, 1896 Millersville Road
Mr. Bamford moved to approve the reinstatement request. Mr. Schaller seconded and then there was discussion to amend the motion. Mr. Bamford moved, Mr. Schaller seconded, and the board unanimously approved reinstatement of LTPC Plan #213 with the stipulation that the applicants pay for all reinstatement costs.
B. LTPC #237—Southern Village, Phase IIIA
Mr. Schaller made a motion to approve a request for modification to open space requirements reducing the separation distance between certain single family units. Mr. Bamford seconded and discussion ensued. There was concern for fire safety with the reduced amount of structure separation. After discussion, Mr. Bamford moved to postpone a decision until the January 3, 2012 meeting in order to obtain more information. Ms. Wasong seconded the motion which passed. Mr. Schaller abstained from the vote.
- X. New Business
A. Resolution No. 2011-10
Mr. Schaller moved, Mr. Bamford seconded, and the board unanimously set the real estate tax rate for 2012 at .6 mils ($.0006).
B. Resolution No. 2011-11
Mr. Schaller moved, Mr. Bamford seconded, and the board unanimously adopted the proposed 2012 annual budget with the addition of $3,000 to Parks and Open Space. Mr. Schaller noted this is a reasonable, responsible, and frugal budget. The board thanked township staff for all they do to prepare and stay within budget.
C. Resolution No. 2011-12
Mr. Bamford moved, Mr. Schaller seconded, and the board unanimously authorized the balancing of all accounts for fiscal year 2011.
XI. Guest Recognition and Participation
•Bill Worley, Bean Hill Road, asked for clarification of the increased supervisor’s salary, which Mr. Laudien explained. •Joe Mugavero, Atkins Avenue, expressed his concern with the increase in neighborhood crimes. Ms. Wasong noted there is a police clearance rate of 79% this year (up from 49% for the prior year). More criminals are being caught and convicted thereby reducing crime. Mr. Schaller reminded residents to lock everything. Mr. Laudien said that crime has indeed increased in areas within walking distance of Lancaster City. There have been recent arrests in a “smash and grab” burglary ring. The police have been targeting areas of increased home break-ins with extra police. Unmarked cars are also patrolling. He asked that residents keep the township informed of concerns. A meeting with residents and police is being scheduled for January and all concerned will be notified of the date. •Paul Reinhart, Bentley Lane, asked at what point does the township stop drawing down reserves. Mr. Laudien responded that at the current rate we can sustain a drawdown for three to four years before a tax increase will be necessary. A big plus for the township is that we have no debt. Mr. Bamford said it was unfortunate the School District of Lancaster increased taxes during these difficult times but we have no control over that.
XII. Executive Session
The board retired into an executive session on real estate matters at 8:17PM.
XIII. Adjournment
The board returned to the regular meeting at 8:45PM and with no other business brought forward, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45PM.
Respectfully submitted,
William M. Laudien, Secretary
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