Newton Township Board of Supervisors met Aug. 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors met on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 in the Township meeting room at 7:00 PM. In attendance and voting were the following Supervisors: Chairman Phillip Calabro, Secretary/Assistant Treasurer John Mack, Kyle Davis, Linda Bobrin and Dennis Fisher. Also in attendance were David Sander, Esq., Township Solicitor, Justine Gregor, Stenographer, Leanna Colubriale, Township Engineer, and Micah Lewis, Interim Township Manager.
Call To Order - Chairman Calabro called the meeting to order with a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Special Actions
a. Swearing In Ceremony
District Justice Michael Petrucci administered the oath of office to newly appointed supervisor Dennis Fisher for the remaining term of Jennifer Dix.
b. Election of Board of Officers
To fill the void left by Ms. Dix, Mr. Mack motioned that Ms. Bobrin become Board of Supervisors Vice Chairperson. Mr. Fisher seconded, and the motion passed 5-0.
Newtown Artesian Water Company Presentation
Dan Angove, Assistant General Manager, reported on the overall water quality of the Township. Occasional testing is performed on the local wells that provide Newtown's water sources. The water is safe and in compliant with the standards mandated by PUC, PaEPA and USEPA regulations. There have been no detection of PFAs and PFOAs (manmade chemicals that leached into the water in the Horsham/Willow Grove Naval Air Station area). The NAWC is proactively conducting testing for these compounds. More information can be found on www.newtownwater.com.
Police Report
Lt. Jason Harris, Interim Police Chief, presented the Calls for Service report for July 2018. There were a total of 1,475. Of those calls, there were 126 traffic citations, 10 DUIS, 233 property checks, 9 thefts, 2 narcotics with Narcan, 52 accidents, 4 hit & run, 7 struck deer, and 102 medical emergencies. Newtown Police will be covering the Grange Fair in Wrightstown August 15-19, 2018.
Public Comment
John D'Aprile, Newtown Grant, congratulated Mr. Fisher upon his position as Supervisor.
Reports of Committees, Boards and Commissions
a. Committees
Planning Commission - Allen Fidler, Chairman, gave a synopsis of the Arcadia Green PRD presentation at the August 7, 2018 meeting, and the Commission asked questions of a general nature to the applicant. There were no formal recommendations made. The plan reflected 76 residential units, excluded the Newtown Reformed Church property and High Street access, includes rearranging open space and woodlands, site access and traffic design, and proposed a pedestrian crosswalk across the Bypass linking communities to the Sycamore Street area.
Some of the concerns of the Commission and from public comment were traffic and pedestrian safety issues, proposed double left u-turns at Mill Pond and Buck, development infill affecting quality of life, and roadway safety accessing and leaving their developments via Buck Road and the Bypass. Suggestions from the Commission included a pedestrian bridge, a second access to the development for use by EMS services only, and for partial open space to remain as undisturbed habitat for native plants and wildlife.
Mr. Calabro questioned the double lane u-turn, and Mr. Fidler confirmed that was the plan proposed.
b. Board Members
Ms. Bobrin attended the Jointure meeting on August 2, 2018 and was elected Treasurer. Medical marijuana and fireworks ordinances were discussed at the meeting.
Land Development
A motion was proposed by Ms. Bobrin to open the public hearing of Arcadia Green. Mr. Fisher seconded and the motion passed 5-0.
Mr. Sander reviewed the guidelines of the public hearing for the Board of Supervisors of Newtown Township to hear the application of Arcadia at Newtown Holdings LP for tentative PRD plan approval for the property located at the intersection of Newtown Bypass and Buck Road.
John VanLuvanee, Esq., is applicant's counsel; John Truelove, Esq., is Newtown Township's special counsel; Justine Gregor is stenographer.
Mr. Sander read the Board's exhibits into the record.
Resident Jay McGuigan, 271 High Street, Newtown Crossing, was given party status.
Resident and vice president of Eagle Ridge Association Dennis Schoener, 21 Ardsley Court, Eagle Ridge, was denied party status; however, if an attorney is hired by Eagle Ridge, they may have the opportunity to be included.
Mr. VanLuvanee presented the Supervisors with a binder of exhibits and addressed the history of the property and previous plans.
Mr. VanLuvanee explained an offer of a mediation option for the Board to consider.
Mr. Calabro asked for a motion to submit the application to mediation. The motion failed.
Mr. VanLuvanee read a prepared opening statement.
A motion to recuse the Board members was denied. Jason Duckworth, an officer of Arcadia Land Company, was sworn in and provided testimony.
Mr. Truelove objected to applicant's exhibit under Tab 21, regarding the PennDOT preliminary response letter to the traffic impact assessment dated April 19, 2018.
Mr. Truelove cross-examined Mr. Duckworth, and reserved the right to cross-examine Mr. Duckworth on the consultants' response letters at the next continued date of the hearing.
Mr. McGuigan was sworn in. He would like to review applicant's exhibit book that was given to him at the meeting before questioning Mr. Duckworth.
Mr. VanLuvanee re-directed Mr. Duckworth. There were no follow up questions for Mr. Duckworth from either of the parties. The Supervisors reserved their right to ask questions at a later time.
Mr. Mack made a motion to continue the hearing on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at 7:00PM at the Newtown Township Building.
Mr. Fisher seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Reports of Officials
a. Engineer's Report -
Leanna Colubriale, Township Engineer, submitted Payment Certificate No. 1 for the 2018 Liquid Fuels Road Program.
Mr. Mack made a motion to approve the payment of $434,228.36.
Ms. Bobrin seconded, and the motion passed 4-0-1 with Mr. Fisher abstaining.
b. Solicitor's Report
- Ms. Bobrin made a motion approving the decision of Board granting the application of Danielle Dalafave for a PRD variance from the Final Plan of Newtown Crossing.
Mr. Davis seconded, and the motion passed 4-0-1 with Mr. Fisher abstaining.
c. Manager's Report -
Mr. Lewis stated that the General Fund balance as of August 8, 2018 is $3,408,189. - Consideration to approve the lease agreement with Ricoh to provide printers/copiers and maintenance. Ms. Bobrin made a motion to approve the 16-month Ricoh lease agreement at $1,124 per month.
Mr. Fisher seconded, and the motion passed 5-0.
- CWA Non-Uniform Agreement.
Mr. Davis motioned to approve the CWA Non-Union Agreement ending in 2022 with negotiated changes. Ms. Bobrin seconded.
Motion Discussion: Mr. Calabro stated it was a nice job done by the Township's labor attorney and the employees.
Mr. Calabro called the vote and the motion passed 5-0. - Consideration of amending the tax certification fee from $35 to $45.
This fee is charged during a real estate transaction to certify that no liens or delinquent taxes exist.
Mr. Davis motioned to approve this increase to $45 per transaction. Ms. Bobrin seconded, and the motion passed 5-0.
Minutes, Bills List and Reports -
Mr. Mack made a motion to approve the Board of Supervisors minutes of July 25, 2018.
Ms. Bobrin seconded, and the motion passed 4-0-1 with Mr. Fisher abstaining.
- Mr. Mack made a motion to approve payment of bills as of August 8, 2018 in the total amount of $370,852.31. Ms. Bobrin seconded.
Motion Discussion: Mr. Mack questioned repairs at the Clark Nature Center rental house. Mr. Lewis stated there was a significant leak causing damage and these costs will be reimbursed by insurance.
Mr. Calabro called the vote and the motion passed 5-0.
- Mr. Mack made a motion to approve payment of the interfund transfers as of August 8, 2018 in the total amount of $302,220.09. Ms. Bobrin seconded, and the motion passed 5-0.
Public Comment -
2nd Session Andy Hoffman, Newtown Crossing - appreciates the professionalism of sticking to the procedures with the Arcadia development.
New Business -
Appointment of Township Auditor - Mr. Calabro asked for nominations. Mr. Davis wasn't aware nominations were being called at this meeting and would consider someone. Mr. Calabro made a motion recommending Mark Joseph for the position of Auditor. Ms. Bobrin seconded.
Motion Discussion: Mr. Joseph would have to resign from the Planning Commission to be appointed and there would need to be an appointment to fill his Planning Commission position. Mr. Calabro called the vote and the motion passed 4-1 with Mr. Davis saying 'nay'.
Executive Session -
Mr. Lewis noted there was an executive meeting prior to the Board of Supervisors meeting to discuss matters of personnel and litigation.
Mr. Calabro adjourned the meeting at 9:56 PM.
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