|
UPPER OXFORD TOWNSHIP NOVEMBER 14, 2005
Upper Oxford Township Board of Supervisors held their regular scheduled meeting at the township building, 1185 Limestone Road, Russellville, PA on Monday, November 14, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. PRESENT: James E. Gordon Edward E. Hook (Betsy E. Huber - absent) Jane Daggett, Secretary Tom Guhl, Road Master OTHERS: Henry Huber Nathan King Julie Kirkpatrick Christine Nibouar Charles Fleischmann Eric Knutsen Samuel Reyburn Margaret Hickman Chuck Bays John D. Samara Scott Rugen Gale Miller Ruth Holmes Bill Schoell Andrew Rau Kera Smith Stephen Donnelley Colleen Mahaney, Oxford Library Robert Yoder After the Salute to the Flag, Ed Hook led in prayer PUBLIC COMMENTS - At this time, public comments were asked for from the audience based on the agenda. There were no comments from the audience. MINUTES - Motion was made by Ed Hook, seconded by Jim Gordon and carried to approve the October 10, 2005 regular minutes and the October 18, 2005 Budget Work Session minutes. Gordon - Yea Hook - Yea OXFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY - Colleen Mahaney and Ruth Holmes were present to thank the township for the support they give to the library during the year and also discuss the upcoming and present activities of the library. BARTELS/HICKMAN - HERITAGE BUILDING GROUP - 81 Lot Subdivision on Route 896. Andrew Rau was present representing Heritage Building Group. Mr. Rau explained that Heritage has met with DEP, Chester County Conservation and Ragan Engineering, on site, for additional design work, re: storm water and infiltration. Motion was made by Ed Hook, seconded by Jim Gordon and carried to accept and grant a 30-day extension to December 12, 2005, on the subdivision plans of Heritage Building Group in order to resolve all outstanding issues. Gordon - Yea Hook - Yea COMMUNITY OF LOVE LUTHERAN CHURCH - Motion was made by Ed Hook, seconded by Jim Gordon and carried to accept the letter from the Community of Love Lutheran Church withdrawing their land development plans. The township will refund the remaining land development fees to the church. Gordon - Yea Hook - Yea Upper Oxford Township November 14, 2005 Page 2 CONSTANCE BIDDLE SUBDIVISION - FOREST MANOR ROAD - RELEASE NO. 8 Motion was made by Jim Gordon, seconded by Ed Hook and carried to release the amount of $250.00 from the Constance Biddle Escrow Account based upon recommendation from Ragan Engineering for expenses that were incurred. (This motion is overriding the first motion whereby the supervisors stated the amount as $603.75) Gordon - Yea Hook - Yea CONSTANCE BIDDLE LETTER OF CREDIT - Since Mrs. Biddle has passed away, another developer has taken on the remaining lots and has established a letter of credit to the Solicitor’s satisfaction. Motion was made by Ed Hook, seconded by Jim Gordon and carried to release the remaining Letter of Credit of the Constance Biddle Escrow Account contingent upon approve of the township engineer. Gordon - Yea Hook - Yea PROPOSED 2006 BUDGET - Motion was made by Ed Hook, seconded by Jim Gordon and carried to adopt the Proposed Budget for 2006. Gordon - Yea Hook - Yea FIRE PROTECTION CONTRACT - Motion was made by Ed Hook, seconded by Jim Gordon and carried to adopt and sign the 2006 Fire Protection Contract with the Union Fire Company #1. Gordon - Yea Hook - Yea HISTORIC COMMISSION APPOINTMENT - Motion was made by Jim Gordon, seconded by Ed Hook and carried to appoint Philip Edwards to replace Cheri Makowski for the remainder of her term which is January 2009. Gordon - Yea Hook - Yea BUILDING INSPECTOR - The Supervisors reviewed John’s report. ROADS - Tom Guhl read his report for the month. PAYMENT OF BILLS - Motion was made by Jim Gordon, seconded by Ed Hook and carried to approve the payment of bills in the amount of $39,770.53 from the General Fund and the payment of $71.83 from the Open Space Fund. Gordon - Yea Hook - Yea OPEN SPACE AGREEMENTS - The Open Space Lands Acquisition was discussed by the Supervisors with the audience. Jim and Ed explained the benefits of the township and the county purchasing development rights. They explained effective agriculture zoning and also that the proposed ordinance for ag zoning was unrelated to the County Challenge Program. AGREEMENTS WITH LUTHER AND GERTRUDE REYBURN AND RANCH PROPERTY - motion was made by Jim Gordon, seconded by Ed Hook and carried, that after all necessary actions have been taken to be in compliance with the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Preservation Act including a hearing on the property and the negotiation of the payment time period for the easements satisfactory to the Township Solicitor that the Board of Upper Oxford Township approve Agreements with Luther and Upper Oxford Township November 14, 2005 Page 3 Gertrude Reyburn and the Ranck family for the purchase of agricultural preservation easements for Upper Oxford Township in cooperation with the County of Chester. The Upper Oxford Township purchase cost of the easement from Reyburn has been established by appraisal at $421,782.00. The Upper Oxford Township purchase cost for the Ranck easement has been established by appraisal at $615,825.00. Gordon - Yea Hook - Yea ORDINANCE NO. 3-2005 - Motion was made by Jim Gordon, seconded by Ed Hook and carried to adopt Ordinance No. 3-2005, establishing procedures for reviewing open space property interests, for rating the relative desirability of interest in particular parcels of real estate and for establishing the price. Gordon - Yea Hook - Yea ROBERT YODER - questioned the Supervisors on why there was no one present to give a zoning report and that everyone should be accountable for reports. Mr. Yoder also expressed concerns about ethical situations and conflicts of interests which he thought were being done in the township. He suggested that a Ethical Resolution be signed by all officials and employees of the township and he would be willing to head a committee, for 1-1/2 months, before he went to Florida, to draft such a resolution. Jim thanked Mr. Yoder for his comments. JOHN SAMARA - questioned Jim about a park development report. Jim explained that our equipment would not fit in the present buildings on the Stankywicz property, therefore the road crew demolished the buildings. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, motion was made by Ed Hook, seconded by Jim Gordon and carried to adjourn at 8:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Jane Daggett Secretary |