The regular meeting of the Bridgeton Township Board of Supervisors was held on August 14, 2014 at the Township Building, 1370 Bridgeton Hill Road, Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania. Present were Supervisors Gard Holby and Roger Keller. Supervisor Michael Lynch was absent. Also present was Secretary-Treasurer Tammy Macaluso and David Shafkowitz, Township Solicitor. An Executive Session was held prior to the meeting to discuss matters of personnel.
Supervisor Holby called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. Supervisor Holby called for public comment on the meeting agenda. No public comment was received.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: None
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Members of the Bridgeton Athletic Association (the “AA”) which included Nick Zangli, President, Keith DeLuca and Marty Tange were in attendance at the Board Meeting. The AA is seeking financial assistance from the Township by way of either a monetary donation or in-kind services, such as plowing and/or lawn cutting with the boom mower. Supervisor Holby would like to discuss this further when all Board members are present.
MINUTES: Supervisor Holby presented the July 10, 2014 minutes for consideration by the Board. The matter was tabled until next month since a majority of the Board Members present at the July meeting are not present at this meeting.
BILLS/PAYROLL: Upon motion by Supervisor Keller, seconded by Supervisor Holby, which carried 2-0, the bills and payroll in the amount of $44,034.69 from July 2014 were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Upon motion by Supervisor Keller, seconded by Supervisor Holby, which carried 2-0, the Treasurer’s report from July 2014 was approved.
REPORTS:
- Fire Company – None.
- Open Space – The Open Space Committee Meeting for August was cancelled.
- Solicitor – Solicitor Shafkowitz distributed to the Board information received from PA DEP concerning the consideration of an open burning ordinance by the Township. Solicitor Shafkowitz informed the Board that a resolution is necessary for consideration by the Township, indicating its intent to follow the Municipal Records Schedule set forth by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The regulations and schedule for disposal of records has been updated by the State Legislature. The Board authorized the preparation of the Resolution for consideration at the September meeting.
- Planning Commission – Supervisor Keller reported that discussions are still taking place in regards to the noise ordinance. A 250 page document is currently being reviewed for guidance and outlines so as all rights are acknowledged and a fair ordinance can be passed.
- Secretary/Treasurer – Secretary Macaluso received an email from State Representative Quinn’s office relaying a constituent concern about parking on Ringing Rocks Road, emanating from Ringing Rocks Park and speed limit signage on Chestnut Ridge Road. Bucks County Commission Loughery will be present at the October Board meeting to speak to him about the parking issue at Ringing Rocks Park. Ringing Rocks Park is a County owned facility.
Secretary Macaluso received recommended installation locations for new 35 mph signs for Chestnut Ridge Road from PA DOT. Roadmaster Rich Pursell stated that installation of the new signs will begin August 15, 2014.
Secretary Macaluso received an email from Bucks County Planning Commission addressing the Municipal Bridge Retro-Reimbursement Program. Roadmaster Rich Pursell measured the bridge on Lonely Cottage Road and it meets the required 20 foot span to apply for assistance. This bridge is jointly owned by Bridgeton Township and Nockamixon Township. The Board will discuss with Nockamixon Township whether the assistance available is applicable to the required repairs.
Secretary Macaluso received a letter from Senator Bob Mensch announcing that Bridgeton Township will be receiving a 68% increase in liquid fuel allocations for the FY 2017-18.
Secretary Macaluso asked the Board to allow for the combination of the Payroll Checking Account and the General Fund Checking account. Secretary Macaluso advised the Board that there was no reason why accounts had to be maintained as separate accounts. The Board agreed and authorized Secretary Macaluso to pursue the combination of the accounts.
- B/N/T Groundwater Committee – None
- Roadmaster – Rich Pursell, Roadmaster stated that the sealcoating of Ringing Rocks Road and Birch Road have been completed and that the sweeping of the excess stones will take place Tuesday, August 19th. Roadmaster Pursell would like the Board to consider the hiring of Scott Lehr for part-time winter maintenance work. Upon motion by Supervisor Keller, seconded by Supervisor Holby, which carried 2-0, the Board of Supervisors agreed to hire Scott Lehr for part-time laborer during winter maintenance periods at pay grade level 1, subject to the review of Mr. Lehr’s driving record.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Berkheimer/EIT Delinquents – Secretary Macaluso advised the Board that the approved Confidentiality Agreement will be submitted to Keystone, the County tax collector for EIT, which shall allow for the release of the list of 2011 delinquent accounts.
- Firefighter’s Relief Association Audit – Secretary Macaluso reported that the Upper Black Eddy Fire Company has received written notification that the audit compliance has been met, and the Office of Inspector General has withdrawn the Order demanding compliance. Copies are on file with the Township.
- Signage for Township Building – The Board agreed to table this matter for further discussion.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Approval of Resolution 2014-4 Authorizing Township Secretary Tammy Macaluso to Obtain a Credit Card for General and Emergency Township Purposes – Upon motion by Supervisor Holby, seconded by Supervisor Keller, which carried 2-0, the Board approved Resolution 2014-4 authorizing Township Secretary Tammy Macaluso to Obtain a Credit Card for General and Emergency Township Purposes. Supervisor Holby would like to be able to review at any time this credit card online.
- Outdoor Message Center – Secretary Macaluso presented to the Board for consideration the potential for adding an outdoor message center to the front door area of the municipal building. The Board advised that they would like to review the potential size and pricing of the message center before proceeding. Accordingly, the matter was tabled for further discussion.
- Resolution in support of the Delaware Riverkeeper’s position on retention and repair of existing historic bridges – Secretary Macaluso presented the Board with a resolution requested by the Delaware Riverkeeper’s Organization seeking support for their position of historic bridges in the area. The Board agreed to table this matter for further discussion at next month’s meeting.
- Approval of Fire Police Assistance, Sellersville Borough, Pennridge Gallery of the Arts festivities, Sunday, September 21, 2014 – Secretary Macaluso presented the Board with a request from Sellersville Borough for Fire Police assistance for the Gallery of the Arts Festival on September 21, 2014. Upon motion by Supervisor Keller, seconded by Supervisor Holby, which carried 2-0, the Board approved the assistance of the Fire Police for Sunday, September 21, 2014 to Sellersville Borough.
- Approval to Release 2013 Fire Tax Funds to Upper Black Eddy Fire Company – In light of the notice of compliance and withdrawal of the Order from the Office of Inspector General, regarding the Upper Black Eddy Fire Company Audit, Secretary Macaluso presented the Board with a request to release the 2013 Fire Tax funds to the fire company. Upon Motion by Supervisor Holby, seconded by Supervisor Keller, which carried 2-0, the Board approved the release of the 2013 Fire Tax Funds in the amount of $20,077.44 to the Upper Black Eddy Fire Company.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Laura Stokes, Township resident would like a copy of the current zoning map. Secretary Macaluso will speak to Dan Jenkins, Zoning Officer to obtain a copy to be sent.
Marty Tange, Township resident stated to Roadmaster Rich Pursell that Birch Road looks great!
Being no further business, upon a motion by Supervisor Keller, seconded by Supervisor Holby, which carried 2-0, the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m., with the next meeting scheduled to be held on September 11, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Building.
Respectfully submitted,
Tammy Macaluso
Secretary/Treasurer