LOWER FREDERICK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Transcription

1 LOWER FREDERICK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Meeting Minutes September 25, 2018 Lower Frederick Township Workshop Municipal Building 53 Spring Mount Road Announcements Township meetings are recorded for the purpose of preparing the minutes and the recording is destroyed when the minutes are approved. It is requested that all persons wishing to speak before the Board shall state their name, address, and the subject matter upon which they wish to speak for the record. In the interest of facilitating the business of the Board, all persons addressing the Board shall be limited to (2) minutes unless such time is extended by the Chairman for good cause. Individuals are requested to remain in their seats and to respect when other persons are speaking. The Board of Supervisors will provide a reasonable opportunity for citizens to comment on any non-agenda items after all agenda items have been addressed, but prior to the adjournment of the public meeting (Adopted 1/30/18) Terry Sacks Chairman, called the meeting to order at approximately 7:00 pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Board of Supervisors Present: Terry Sacks - Chairman Marla Hexter, Vice Chairperson Charles Liedike- Supervisor Township Staff Present: Kevin R. Tobias- Township Manager Thomas Keenan - Esquire Carol Schuehler, P.E Tom Manning Roadmaster Guests: Daryl Peck (Concord Financial Management) Mr. Peck briefed the board on the updated timetable of activities to take place in order to move ahead with the refinancing of the existing sewer plant construction loan. The purpose is ultimately to lower the principal payment due yearly on payback of the loan. Mr. Peck strongly suggests that refinancing take place prior to Thanksgiving. Supervisor Hexter mentioned to Mr. Peck that there is always a third option, this option being to let the existing loan in place and not to move forward on any other options. Mr. Peck added that there is some additional information which is required to move ahead, should the Township wish to pursue issuing a bond for the refinancing. Information in this regard has been forwarded to Solicitor Keenan and Manager Tobias to begin preliminary completion of these forms. Supervisor Hexter asked Mr. Peck about when the Township would incur a cost to acquire a rating. Mr. Peck stated that all the information when completed will be forwarded to Standard and Poors on October 15, The Bank proposals are due October 18, 2018, and after these proposals are reviewed will the Township know whether a bond will be a viable option. If a Bond is the preferred method for refinancing, then on October 22, 2018 a cost will be incurred by the Township. Manager Tobias asked how long the rating is valid. The rating is reevaluated every two years. Supervisor Liedike asked Mr. Peck how many bank proposals the Township could possibly receive. Mr. Peck responded that because of the Township s favorable position, he envisions possibly receiving five or six. Dan Orfe (Kratz Road): Asked if the current provider (Fulton Bank) would submit a proposal. He asked for further clarification that the purpose of the refinancing is to lower the yearly repayment amount. 1

2 Mr. Peck was asked that if after October 18, 2018, should the Township request a rating after the proposals are received.? He said that if the bank proposals are favorable, that the ratings would not be necessary. Manager Tobias asked Mr. Peck about the proceedings needed with DCED. Solicitor Keenan asked the Board for an approval for a ratings designation, if the bank proposals are not favorable. Supervisor Sacks asked if the Board could meet on October 19, 2018 to discuss and or vote to accept the proposals. Solicitor Keenan asked the Board to schedule a meeting on October 19, 2018 at 11:00 AM to discuss and or vote on the bank proposals. If a bond rating is necessary, a call for the rating would take place on October 22, Supervisor Hexter was told that the meeting does need to be advertised at least three days prior to the meeting. Supervisor Hexter also asked when the Township would be locked into a rate for the bond. She was told that would happen the date of the Special Meeting. Mr. Peck asked the Board if they wanted to briefly discuss the yearly repayment amount. He asked at what time during the proceedings does a final year end repayment figure make sense. Mr. Peck estimated that at this time bond repayment figure of $620, per year. Motion made by Supervisor Sacks, seconded by Supervisor Liedike to proceed with acceptance of Request for Proposals from financial institutions for the refinancing of 2015 Sewage Construction Plant loan. Approved 3-0 Bob Burns (Zieglerville Road): Asked if there will be a cap on the interest rate on the bond. Supervisor Hexter reviewed again the three options which are available. Approval of Meeting Minutes August 28, 2018 Motion made by Supervisor Liedike second by Supervisor Hexter Approved 3-0. Correspondence Cheryl McCauley : Ms.McCauley requested that a School Bus Stop Sign be placed at Perkiomen and Mary Jane. Engineer Schuehler provided guidance as to the regulations to the installation of a School Bus Stop Sign Ahead Sign. Ms. Schuehler stated that it is the responsibility of the School District to install these signs. Ms. Schuehler added that there is currently a School Bus Stop further on Perkiomen. The suggestion was made to open lines of communication with the school district to better coordinate the placement of these signs. Amanda Kristofco (Goshen Road): Correspondence regarding the parking issues on Goshen Road and Zieglerville Road. Parking takes place on both sides of the road and presents an issue with sight lines. After a brief discussion, the Board decided to have Engineer Schuehler prepare a study of recommendations as to how to alleviate parking issues on Goshen Road and Zieglerville Roads. On motion by Supervisor Liedike, second by Supervisor Sacks, to direct Engineer Schuehler to prepare this study. Approved 3-0. Hon. State Senator Robert Mensch: Veteran s Appreciation Breakfast on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at Upper Perkiomen High School. Mark Livezey: Request for release of construction escrow. Engineer Shuehler noted that there are still outstanding issues. MONTCO Dept. of Public Safety: Update on ongoing radio improvement project. Page2

3 Administrative Actions None Public Comment on Agenda Items Charles Yeiser (N. Ryansford Road): Asked if the previously discussed parking issues should be presented to the Planning Commission. Bob Burns (Zieglerville Road): Asked about the future role of the Traffic Calming Committee and future direction from the Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Hexter noted that she is concerned about the expenditure of budget monies as it relates to the Traffic Calming Committee. Reports Solicitor: No Report Engineer: No Report. Engineer Schuehler reported that the Township was the successful recipient of a $61, grant from Commonwealth Finance Administration for repair of sewer manholes. Arcadia Station project will impact Zieglerville Road for the water connection. Supervisor Hexter asked when the actual construction of homes will begin. Engineer Schuehler was not able to provide an exact date for construction to start. Engineer Schuehler also briefly discussed the submittal of Component 4B for the B Team Investments Project. Police: Manager Tobias noted that all the Law Enforcement Studies have been submitted to DCED and a meeting with Ron Stern and the designated State Peer Consultant has been scheduled for October 11 th 2018 at 11:00 AM. Supervisor Hexter asked what will take place at the meeting. In addition, Manager Tobias also announced that he has received from Montgomery County a new Planning Assistance Contract for Supervisor Hexter asked about the increase in cost from the old contract to the new one. Chuck Yeiser further elaborated on the specifics of the new contract. Public Works: Roadmaster Manning updated the Board on the status of the line painting bids. Roadmaster Manning informed the Board that even though $15, was budgeted for line painting, only one bid was received in the amount of $20, The roads which were chipped sealed this year will be lined. In addition, a complaint was received from a resident on Evergreen Road and specifically a diseased Ash Tree. Mr. Manning has a quote for $3, for the removal. On motion by Supervisor Sacks, second by Supervisor Hexter, to contract with Knight Brothers for the removal of tree on Evergreen Road. Approved 3-0 Old Business: Upcoming Board Meetings BOS Board Meeting October 2, 2018 Traffic Calming Committee October 18, 2018 Planning Commission October 18, 2018 Page3

4 A brief discussion took place regarding the use of the Township Building. Supervisor Hexter noted about the need to provide a Release of Waiver form. In addition, she asked about the need to require a deposit for the use of the building and the loss of a key. Solicitor Keenan was requested to add to the application a deposit of $50.00 needed for the use of the building. A brief discussion took place regarding the establishment of an Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC). Solicitor Keenan noted that he does have in place a proposed ordinance and Supervisor Liedike thanked Rachel Hendricks for her assistance in providing preliminary information. Supervisor Liedike noted that a budget amount would be needed. Supervisor Hexter noted that the EAC will play a substantial part in the establishment of Colonial Park Linda Jansson (Simmons Road): Discussed the role of the EAC and their involvement in the MS 4 requirements and Storm Water education. Bob Burns (Zieglerville Road): Asked about how permit fees are collected and the connection with the EAC and further research. New Business Supervisor Hexter asked about the work completed by Chuck Yeiser and his efforts to draft a Code of Conduct followed by members of a municipality who sit on Boards and or Commissions. Linda Jansson (Simmons Road): Elaborated on the Code of Conduct and the applicability of this Code as it applies to all those persons representing a municipality on Boards or Commissions. Supervisor Sacks directed the Manager to post on the Township website an update on the Township s recent efforts to insulate the air intake manifolds at the Waste Water Treatment Plant in an effort to quiet the noise of the blowers. The Township recently engaged a sound acoustics firm to conduct an analysis on the noise. Manager Tobias also announced that representatives from Melbourne Hills will be present at the Board of Supervisor s Workshop meeting on October 30, Linda Jansson (Simmons Road): Discussed briefly with the Board Melbourne Hill s representatives plans to install a pumping station and the need to possibly rezone the area. Further discussion took place regarding future development and how this development may affect the development of future areas of the township. Public Comment: Ernie Schmidt (Silver Brook Drive): Asked about the capacity charge to connect to the plant and also the connection fees. The fees are not separated, but rather there is one tap in fee of $7, He discussed other fees such as capacity fees. Mr. Schmidt discussed using capacity fees to pay off debt, and not utilizing user fees. Larry Cohen (Mine Hill Road): Asked if there was consideration given to installing the sewer line to the Perkiomen Creek. The reason why the line was not considered was that Upper Salford did not want to promote further development, and the land is owned by the County. Mr. Cohen also asked about the posting of the Meng Sanctuary. Dan Orfe (Kratz Road): Asked a question about the hiring of the acoustics firm to try to alleviate the noise problem at the sewer plant. Page4

5 Motion to adjourn: Supervisor Hexter Respectfully Submitted Kevin R. Tobias Township Secretary Page5