Board of Supervisors Work Session
Wednesday, October 14 2009
Work Session Minutes
The work session of the Buckingham Township Board of Supervisors was held October 14, 2009 in the Township Building, 4613 Hughesian Drive, Buckingham, Pennsylvania.
Present:
Maggie Rash Chairperson
Jon Forest Vice-Chairman
Henry Rowan Member
Craig A. Smith, Esquire Township Solicitor
Dana Cozza Township Manager
Daniel Gray Township Engineer
Jill Pistory Finance Manager
The meeting was called to order at 6:10pm.
1. Budget Discussion
Newsletter The Board discussed the possibility of doing a printed newsletter funded through advertising. Ms. Cozza agreed to send the Board information regarding advertising possibilities. The Board will decide whether they want to do one more printed newsletter either way. Ms. Pistory noted that the cost per newsletter was $7,000. Consensus was that the cost was too high and that the information could be delivered another way such as through the web page.
Videotaping the Board Meetings Ms. Cozza provided the Board with a summary of the options available:
a) Purchase a better quality camera and continue using HPT at a cost of approximately $100 per meeting to prepare the video for the web page.
b) Purchase a better quality camera and contract with Webposting (the company utilized by Wrightstown Township) to prepare the video for the web page and put it into labeled sections so that viewers can just watch the section of the meeting of interest to them. Webposting estimated that the cost of a new camera would be a few thousand dollars. The cost per meeting is $275 (annual cost $6,600).
c) Purchase a better quality camera(s) and contract with VideoGold at a cost of $6,000 per year to store the files and create labeled sections. VideoGold also offers the service of video technicians during the meetings to run cameras and switch between cameras at a cost of $175 for a three hour meeting and $65 per hour for additional time (annual cost approximately $4,200). VideoGold estimated the cost of two cameras at $23,000.
Ms. Cozza noted that the purchase of a new camera was included in the budget. There was consensus to get a recommendation from Webposting for a camera recommendation.
Other Issues
1) Ms. Cozza will research whether or not it would make sense for Ms. Rash and Mr. Forest to turn in their Nextels.
2) Mr. Rowan recommended increasing the budget number to $2,000 for the purchase of a new laptop.
3) Mr. Rowan expressed concern that the increase in fees to $200,000 from Water & Sewer to Finance and Administration were excessive. Ms. Pistory explained that 30-40% of the department’s time was spent on water and sewer. Ms. Pistory offered to do an analysis to see if the numbers were accurate.
2. Executive Session
3. Central Bucks Athletic Association (CBAA) Request for Lighting at Holicong Park
Paul Krumenacker, Park & Recreation Board Member, requested on behalf of CBAA that the Board consider allowing temporary lighting at Holicong Park for a period of five to six weeks (starting immediately and ending by November 24, 2009) to be used by the travel soccer program. He explained that the lights were rented diesel powered lights that would run between 5:30-8:30pm Monday – Friday and would be paid for by CBAA travel. Mr. Krumenacker noted that the lights were barricaded with hay bales and wrapped with orange construction tape. Ms. Cozza explained that if CBAA came in and made an application for lights they would have to go before the Zoning Hearing Board for a special exception which would require more time than was available. She explained that if the Township were the authorizing agent, then the lights could go in under the municipal outdoor recreation ordinance. Board consensus was that the lights could go in, but that they must be installed in accordance with the provisions of the zoning ordinance and that the issue would be revisited after the first week in case there were resident concerns.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:25pm.
Approved by the Board of Supervisors on the 28th day of October, 2009.
Buckingham Township Board of Supervisor
Maggie Rash Chairman
Jon Forest Vice-Chairman
Henry Rowan Member
Attest: Dana S. Cozza, Secretary
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