LANCASTER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
MINUTES
December 9, 2019
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, CALL TO ORDER, AND ROLL CALL
The duly advertised Lancaster Township Board of Supervisors meeting was held on Monday, December 9, 2019 in the township building at 1240 Maple Avenue, Lancaster, PA. The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Chair Thomas H. Schaller. Vice Chair Steven P. Elliott, Treasurer Benjamin H. Bamford, and Township Manager William M. Laudien were also present. Others in attendance included township staff and interested parties. Mr. Schaller led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. LEGISLATIVE HEARING – Ordinance 2019-03 – Streets and Sidewalks
Mr. Schaller opened the legislative hearing to consider and, if appropriate, enact Ordinance 2019-03. An ordinance to amend the Code of the Township of Lancaster, Chapter 231, Streets and Sidewalks, to amend the design standards and to revise road classifications of rights-of-way located within the township.
The Ordinance amending and restating specific sections of the Code of Lancaster Township is summarized as follows: Section 231-28 D is amended and restated specifying design standards for curbs, Section 321 Appendix 1 is amended and restated specifying and classifying Township arterial and collector streets, and Section 231 Appendix 2 regarding design details is deleted.
Township Engineer Ben Webber provided a brief overview of the amendment, and then the board invited public comment. There was no public comment.
Mr. Schaller closed the legislative hearing. Mr. Bamford moved, and Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously adopted Ordinance 2019-03, Streets and Sidewalks.
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
No public comment on agenda items.
IV. SECRETARY’S REPORT
The minutes of the November 11, 2019 board meeting were approved by general consent.
V. TREASURER’S REPORT
Mr. Bamford presented the treasurer’s report as of December 9, 2019:
General Fund………………………………………………………………………… $8,115,312.39
Highway Aid Fund……………………………………………………………………… 660,715.39
Capital Reserve Fund…………………………………………………………………. 812,170.22
TOTAL………………………………………………………………………………… $9,588,198.00
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 (11/11/2019 thru 12/09/2019):
General Fund…………………………………………………………………………… $525,387.39
Escrow Fund…………………………………………………………………………………. 2,374.00
State Highway Fund……………………………………………………………………… 76,171.99
Capital Reserve Fund…………………………………………………………………….. 9,008.00
TOTAL…………………………………………………………………………………… $612,941.38
VII. REPORTS
A. Lancaster Township Fire Department (west side): Chief Ron Comfort Jr. reported there were 38 calls in the township, and 12 calls for mutual aid during the month of November 2019, making a year-to-date total of 432 calls. Chief Comfort indicated they are still getting complaints about open burning, and reiterated that the township does have a no open burning ordinance. He also asked everyone to check and change their batteries in their smoke detectors and CO detectors. They are a cheap way to save lives. Mr. Schaller reminded everyone that both LTFD and Lafayette are all volunteer, and would appreciate residents sending them a couple bucks during their annual fund drive campaigns.
B. Lafayette Fire Company (east side): November 2019: 3 calls.
C. Police Report: Lieutenant Baldwin gave an overview of the November 2019 police report.
D. Recycling Report: November 2019: 14.56%
E. Sewer/Other Reports: Reports are available for public inspection at the board meeting and during regular business hours.
VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. November 19: The board of supervisors held an executive session to discuss real estate.
B. December 16 to 19: Final week for leaf collection. Parking restrictions on signed streets remain in force through January 16, 2020 to allow for sweeping of the streets after final leaf collection, weather permitting.
C. December 24 & 25 and January 1: Office closed
D. December 25 & January 1: No trash/recycling collection. Waste Management will operate on one-day delay.
E. Next Board of Supervisors Meeting: Monday, January 6, 2020 Workshop at 6:00pm; Reorganization Meeting at 7:00pm, followed by the Regular Meeting. Held at Lancaster Township.
F. Tuesday, January 7: Board of Auditors Meeting; 5:30pm; Lancaster Township.
IX. OLD BUSINESS
No old business.
X. PLANNING AND ZONING BUSINESS
A. LTPC 224 – Conestoga Reserve – Financial Security Reduction Request
No action was taken by the board of supervisors.
B. LTPC 224 – Conestoga Reserve – Financial Security Liability Rider
Mr. Elliott moved, Mr. Bamford seconded, and the board unanimously accepted an Assumption of Liability Rider for the Financial Security related to LTPC 224 – Conestoga Reserve.
C. LTPC 272 – Southern Village Phase IV – Final Subdivision and Land Development Plan
Mr. Bamford moved, Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously acknowledged receipt of a time extension until March 13, 2020, from William Swiernik, David Miller/Associates, Inc., on behalf of Hogan Herr Wolf II, for the approval of the Land Development Plan for Southern Village Phase IV, LTPC 272. This extension was submitted in a letter dated November 15, 2019.
D. LTPC 275 – Bean Hill Road Subdivision – Final Subdivision and Land Development Plan
Mr. Elliott moved, Mr. Bamford seconded, and the board unanimously acknowledged receipt of a time extension until March 13, 2020, from William Swiernik, David Miller/Associates, Inc., on behalf of WPE Partners, LLC, for the approval of the Land Development Plan for Bean Hill Road Subdivision, LTPC 275. This extension was submitted in a letter dated November 15, 2019.
E. Valentino’s Café – Rider Avenue; Extension of License for Special Event
Mr. Bamford moved, Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously approved a request from Valentino’s Cafe for a letter of consent to expand their license to a portion of their parking lot for a special event on Saturday, February 1, 2020.
XI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Resolution 2019-06; Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2020
Mr. Elliott moved, Mr. Bamford seconded, and the board unanimously approved Resolution 2019-06 to set the Lancaster Township real property tax levy for fiscal year 2020 at 0.91 mills (0.00091).
B. Resolution 2019-07; Annual Budget for 2020
Mr. Bamford moved, Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously approved Resolution 2019-07 for the adoption of the Lancaster Township annual budget for 2020.
C. Resolution 2019-08; Balance Accounts for Fiscal Year 2019
Mr. Elliott moved, Mr. Bamford seconded, and the board unanimously approved Resolution 2019-08 to balance all accounts for fiscal year 2019.
D. Lancaster Township Fire Police Confirmation
Mr. Bamford moved, Mr. Elliott seconded, and the board unanimously confirmed Rodney C. Warner, III, as Special Fire Police for the Lancaster Township Fire Department.
E. Blue Rock Ventures, LLC & Samuel Bigler Settlement Agreement
Mr. Elliott moved, Mr. Bamford seconded, and the board unanimously authorized the township manager and township solicitor to move forward with the stipulated Order regarding the Blue Rock Ventures, LLC & Samuel Bigler Settlement Agreement, as outlined in the letter dated December 4, 2019, from the township solicitor.
XII. GUEST RECOGNITION AND PARTICIPATION
. Bill Laudien, Lancaster Township Manager, recognized and thanked Mr. Schaller for everything he has done for the township and its residents over the many years he has been a board supervisor. Mr. Schaller has exemplified a civic-minded attitude, and dedicated himself to the township—from he and his father literally building the old fire station, to him spending the last fifteen years working to build a new fire station. Tom is Lancaster Township, and has made Lancaster Township, and Lancaster Township is richer because of him. Thank you for your service, and thank you for your dedication.
. Kathy Wasong, Bentley Lane, want other people to understand the caliber of person Mr. Schaller is. He cares about Lancaster Township, and helped me enormously before and when I was elected, and I can never repay the debt I owe you, except possibly to pass it along to someone else. Thoughtful, kind, helpful. This township is, as Bill said, immensely richer because you have lived here. You care about Lancaster Township, and thank you.
. Ben Bamford and Steve Elliott, Board Supervisors, presented Mr. Tom Schaller with a certificate of appreciation, and thanked him for everything he has done.
. Tom Schaller, Board Supervisor, stated that the township is in very good shape, and feels that Mr. Bamford, Mr. Elliott, and Mr. Lopez will keep it that way. He is proud of a lot of things that went on in the township. One of the two things I am proud of is switching police protection to Manheim Township, and the other thing is hiring Mr. Laudien as township manager. Everybody in the township family makes it really easy for the three people sitting up here to make decisions. So, without him and them, we would be in trouble. You guys keep the township in good shape.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:33pm.
Respectfully submitted,
William M. Laudien, Secretary