Board of Supervisors
Wednesday, March 10 2010
The regular meeting of the Buckingham Township Board of Supervisors was held March 10, 2010 in the Township Building, 4613 Hughesian Drive, Buckingham, Pennsylvania.
Present:
Jon Forest Chairperson
Maggie Rash Vice-Chairman
Henry Rowan Member
Craig A. Smith, Esquire Township Solicitor
Dana S. Cozza Township Manager
Daniel Gray Township Engineer
Thomas Kelso Township Water/Wastewater Consultant
Absent: Lynn Bush Bucks County Planning Commission
Mr. Forest called the regular meeting to order at 7:35 pm and led The Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Bonnie Chang, Holicong Road, commented that she had received her tax bill and had voted for the referendum but did not know the details about it so she wanted to learn about the open space program in the Township. She reviewed the budget and asked various questions about the open space budget and the 2008 referendum. She stated that there was nothing budgeted for open space debt in 2009 but the revenue column was $7million and the expenditure actual was $6.7million. Mr. Rowan agreed that zero was put in the budget. Ms. Cozza explained that if the Board has not secured the bonds and planned to spend the money, they do not typically show the bond in the budget. Mr. Forest noted that the Township had been paying for open space debt service out of the general fund and the 2009 budget would show a $1million transfer from the general to the open space fund to pay for debt service. Ms. Chang asked about the tax increase. Ms. Cozza explained that the tax increase was to cover the multiple voter approved referendums for open space preservation. Ms. Cozza noted that approximately 2.6 mils are to cover open space debt from prior referendums. Mr. Forest explained that the general fund was no longer being utilized to pay open space debt service and the tax increase was necessary to cover this previous voter approved debt.
Mr. Mark Weinberg, Burnt House Hill Road, asked why there was nothing budgeted in 2009 for open space. Mrs. Rash responded that there was nothing on the table at the end of 2008 and so nothing was placed in the budget. She noted for example that in 2009 the Histand property became a possibility for preservation. She explained that she had been involved with the Agricultural Preservation Committee since the beginning and they had never dreamed this property would come to the Township to be preserved. Mrs. Rash noted that one property being considered for 2010 was number two on the County list so County money would go toward preserving the farm.
Ms. Chang asked if the debt service for the proposed 2010 purchase was included in the budget and the tax increase. Mrs. Rash responded that it was. Mr. Forest explained that 0.5 mils were being collected for future preservation efforts. Ms. Chang questioned what would happen with the surplus if one of the deals did not go through. Mr. Forest responded that the debt could be paid down. Mr. Forest reported that there was a section on the web page that explained the millage.
Mr. Cunningham noted that the Township purchased development rights and not the land.
Ms. Chang suggested that the Board members provide residents with information about what they are doing and what is their vision for the Township. Ms. Cozza noted that all agendas and minutes are posted on the web site. Mr. Forest noted that the Township was currently working on a Comprehensive Plan.
Ms. Chang asked why there were only three Supervisors and noted that she believed that three was the worst number in any management structure and suggested an increase in Board size. Mr. Forest noted that to increase the size of the Board there must be a voter referendum. He noted that there was a referendum a number of years ago to increase the size to five and it was defeated by the voters. Mr. Calderio explained that either the Board or signatures by residents could put the question on the ballot again.
Mr. Weinberg, Burnt House Hill Road, asked what was happening with the stone farm house purchased at the same time land was purchased for Bush Park. Ms. Cozza responded that they were planning to put it up for auction this spring. She explained that the Township must have two auctions before the Board can decide to get a realtor.
BOARD’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Forest made the following announcement:
- Acknowledgment of Officer Steve Thomas’ Legion of Excellence Medal to be received from the Delaware Valley Association of Professional Police Officials on April 16th .
- The Board of Supervisors Work Session of March 17, 2010 has been cancelled.
- Township Yard Waste Collection Program. Free bags will be available at the township building from March 22-April 9 for pick up to begin on April 12th.
- Keep Buckingham Beautiful – April 24 & 25, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring your household trash to the Township Maintenance building located at 4991 Upper Mountain Road.
PAYROLL AND BILL LIST
Consideration of approving Payroll for the week ending February 28, 2010 and the Bill List for the meeting of March 10, 2010.
Mr. Forest made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rash to approve Payroll for the week ending February 28, 2010 and the Bill List for the meeting of March 10, 2010. Mr. Rowan asked about the $1950 bill from USA Bluebook. Mr. Kelso responded that it was a purchase from a catalog for water and wastewater components. Mrs. Rash asked if $850 charge to the Morning Call was to readvertise for the public works. Ms. Cozza responded yes. Mrs. Rash asked if the $1500 to the Intelligencer was for the same purpose. Ms. Cozza responded it was not and the charge was in a previous bill. The motion carried unanimously.
MINUTES
Consideration of approving Supervisor's Minutes of the February 24, 2010 Work Session and February 24, 2010 Regular Business Meeting.
Mr. Forest made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rash to approve the Supervisor’s Minutes of the February 24, 2010 Work Session and the February 24, 2010 Regular Business Meeting. Solicitor Smith asked that in the first item in the Business section, Consideration of approving Resolution 2119, after the word acquisition, the words “in lieu of condemnation” be added. Mrs. Rash noted that under the bill list Mr. Forest had asked Mr. Rowan why he voted against payroll and the bill list and Mr. Rowan had responded that he had a problem with consultant bills. Approval of the minutes was tabled so that Mr. Rowan could see the revised minutes.
Consideration of accepting various Departmental Minutes and Advisory Body Minutes.
Mr. Forest made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rash to accept the various Departmental Minutes and Advisory Body Minutes. The motion carried unanimously.
BUSINESS
1. Consideration of awarding the Roadway Line Painting Bid to Midlantic Marking, Inc. of Gaithersburg, MD, in the amount of $9,577.58.
Mr. Forest made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rash to award the Roadway Line Painting Bid to Midlantic Marking, Inc. of Gaithersburg, MD, in the amount of $9,577.58.
Mr. John Cunningham commented that the line painting in the Township was atrocious, specifically Route 263 and Route 413 and asked what was included in the bid. He commented that 90% of the stop lines were in the wrong place. Mr. Cunningham suggested that the contractor be given very specific information about where to paint the lines. Mr. Forest responded that the contractor was doing center and fog lines and that the Township did their own stop lines. Mr. Gray explained that the stop bars were usually placed relative to stop signs. Mr. Forest explained that some of the problem areas were on PennDOT roads. Solicitor Smith added that the Township could not tell PennDOT what to do. Mr. DeChamps noted that the rules were set by PennDOT. Mr. Forest added that the Township follows PennDOT guidelines.
Mr. Gray offered to provide the roadmaster with copies of sheets relative to road lines.
Mr. Rowan noted that he found it interesting that the lowest bid came from Maryland. Ms. Cozza responded that the staff had done reference checks.
The motion carried unanimously.
2. Consideration of awarding the Open Space and Lawn Maintenance Bid to TruGreen Land Care LLC of East Norriton, PA in the amount of $59,500.00.
Mr. Forest made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rash to award the Open Space and Lawn Maintenance Bid to TruGreen Land Care LLC of East Norriton, PA in the amount of $59,500.00.
Mr. Forest noted that some bids had come in as high as $120,000. Ms. Cozza added that this bid was lower than what was currently being paid. Mr. Rowan asked if there was a listing of the bidders. Ms. Cozza provided the list. Mr. Rowan asked to have the information provided in the future on such bids. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Consideration of approving the Wastewater Grinder Pump Maintenance Agreement between Buckingham Township and Charles F. and Eileen S. Koch of 3896 N. Forest Drive, Doylestown, PA, TMP 6-27-1-5.
Mr. Forest made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rowan to approve the Wastewater Grinder Pump Maintenance Agreement between Buckingham Township and Charles F. and Eileen S. Koch of 3896 N. Forest Drive, Doylestown, PA, TMP 6-27-1-5. Mr. Kelso explained that it was an existing home that wanted to connect onto phase two of Buttonwood and the DEP requires maintenance agreements. The motion carried unanimously.
4. Request for Payment: “Cold Spring Creamery Road – Contract No. 2009-02 Timber Bridges,” Request for Payment No. 3 in the amount of $6,246.71.
Mr. Forest made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rash to approve Payment No. 3 in the amount of $6,246.71 to the Cold Spring Creamery Road – Contract No. 2009-02 Timber Bridges. The motion carried unanimously.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS / MANAGER’S ITEMS
1. Consideration of authorizing township staff to advertise the Bituminous Sealcoat Bid for the two sections of Holicong Road that the township paved in 2009.
Mr. Forest made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rash to authorize township staff to advertise the Bituminous Sealcoat Bid for the two sections of Holicong Road that the township paved in 2009.
Mr. DeChamps asked what kind of sealcoat was being used. Ms. Cozza responded that it was oil and chip. Mr. DeChamps questioned why oil and chip was being put on a new road. Mr. Gray explained that they had put down a base course of BCBC and seal coat was used as the wearing course. Mr. Rowan asked why the road was being repaved. Mr. Gray explained that they had repaved with a base course and this is the top coat instead of putting a wearing course because it was less expensive. Mr. Rowan asked why it was not all done the first time. Ms. Cozza explained that these were two sections of Holicong Road that the road crew did last year. Mr. Rowan asked if it was common to put down a base course and then after winter put down a top coat. Mr. DeChamps and Mr. Cornell said it was common. The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Rowan requested a history of the paving of these sections and the costs when the bid is scheduled to be awarded.
2. Consideration of authorizing township staff to advertise the Pump Station #7 Electrical Upgrade.
Mr. Forest made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rash to authorize Township staff to advertise the Pump Station #7 Electrical Upgrade. Mr. Kelso noted the electrical controls were being replaced on the Midway garage property. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Water & Sewer Commission Appointment
Mrs. Rash made a motion, seconded by Mr. Forest to appoint Mr. Tom Edwards to the Water & Sewer Commission to fill a vacant term with an expiration date of January 1, 2013. The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Forest made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Rash to adjourn the meeting at 8:32pm. The motion carried unanimously.
Approved by the Board of Supervisors on the 24th day of March, 2010.
Buckingham Township Board of Supervisors
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Jon Forest, Chairman
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Maggie Rash, Vice-Chairman
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Henry Rowan, Member
Attest:
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Dana S. Cozza, Secretary
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