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UPPER OXFORD TOWNSHIP DECEMBER 12, 2005 Upper Oxford Township Board of Supervisors held their regular scheduled meeting at the township building, 1185 Limestone Road, Russellville, PA on Monday, December 12, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. PRESENT: James E. Gordon Betsy E. Huber Edward E. Hook Jane Daggett, Secretary Tom Guhl, Road Master John Coldiron, Building Inspector Blair Fleischmann, Emergency Management Coordinator OTHERS: Henry Huber Scott Rugen Karl Herr Charles Fleischmann Fran Sharon Joe Sexton Joe and Louise Cappelli Mel Horst Douglas and Elizabeth Randolph Steve Donnelley Melvin Horst Kera Smith Robert Yoder Andrew Rau After the Salute to the Flag, Betsy Huber 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 November 14, 2005 Minutes with the following corrections: Page 1 - Ranch should be changed to “Ranck”. Gordon - Yea Huber - Abstained Hook - Yea Mr. Yoder requested that the Supervisors include the total amount of acreage when talking about the Challenge Grant Programs. PA. STATE POLICE - Lt. Dougherty was present to address and discuss any questions and concerns the Supervisors or public has regarding coverage of Upper Oxford Township. Lt. Dougherty informed the Supervisors that the Avondale barracks has 61 troopers and covers 14 municipalities full time. Traffic accidents appear to be the number one problem in this area. BARTELS/HICKMAN - HERITAGE BUILDING GROUP - 81 Lot Subdivision on Route 896. Andrew Rau was present representing Heritage Building Group. Motion was made by Betsy Huber, seconded by Ed Hook and carried to grant and accept an indefinite extension from Heritage Building Group with forty-five (45) days written notice by the applicant to the township to seek approval of the Preliminary Plan and with a status report given to the Solicitor by May 1, 2006. Gordon - Yea Huber - Yea Hook - Yea KARL HERR - Mr. Herr presented the Supervisors with a sketch plan of his property at the Fieldcrest Development. Phase II of Fieldcrest was never completed and Mr. Herr purchased 9 lots. Because the one lot did not perc, Mr. Herr was seeking a waiver to have off-lot septic systems. One lot would provide sewage for two other lots that would have homes on the properties. The Supervisors referred Mr. Herr to page 16 of the Zoning Ordinance Book - definition of “Sewage Facility”. 2006 BUDGET - Motion was made by Ed Hook, seconded by Betsy Huber and carried to adopt the 2006 Budget. Gordon - Yea Huber - Yea Hook - Yea TAX LEVY - Motion was made by Betsy Huber, seconded by Ed Hook and carried to adopt Resolution #2005 - 12, setting the tax rate for 2006 at .5 mill. Gordon - Yea Huber - Yea Hook - Yea ROADS - Tom Guhl read his report for the month. A “traffic study” report was received from the township engineer, Ragan Engineering for a study that was conducted on Pusey Mill Road. The Supervisors will review the report before the next meeting. BUILDING INSPECTOR - John Coldiron read his report for the month. John issued 6 permits and performed 12 inspections. PAYMENT OF BILLS - Motion was made by Ed Hook, seconded by Betsy Huber and carried to approve the payment of bills in the amount of $27,820.76 from the General Fund and $378.22 from the Open Space Fund. Gordon - Yea Huber - Yea Hook - Yea S.P.C.A. 2006 CONTRACT - The Animal Protective Service contract and the Stray Boarding contract were presented to the Supervisors. A decision will be made at next month’s meeting. MEETING DATES - The 2006 meeting dates were reviewed by the Supervisors for advertisement. ZONING HEARING - A zoning hearing for Christ Stoltzfus has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. Mr. Stoltzfus is proposing to subdivision a lot from his present property for an Amish cemetery. Motion was made by Jim Gordon, seconded by Betsy Huber and carried to inform the Solicitor that the Township does not oppose the application of Christ Stoltzfus. Gordon - Yea Huber - Yea Hook - Yea AG ZONING - Motion was made by Betsy Huber, seconded by Ed Hook and carried to recommend that the Solicitor forward the proposed ag zoning ordinance to the Chester County Planning Commission for review. Gordon - Yea Huber - Yea Hook - Yea JUNK YARDS - The township received a recommendation from Chester County Planning Commission that we make an adjustment for junk yards in our ordinance stating that junk yards must be at least 25 acres. Motion was made by Betsy Huber, seconded by Ed Hook and carried to instruct the Solicitor to proceed with advertising for a hearing. ROBERT YODER - questioned the Supervisors on the following: 1. What was the speed limit study about? 2. Code of Conduct - West Nottingham Township adopted a ethical resolution - Yoder would like Upper Oxford to do the same as WNT 3. What would be a response from the Supervisors regarding this resolution? 4. He feels our township is not resident friendly - he senses some hostility and would like to see changes. 5. He was very impressed with West Nottingham Twp - especially by the office hours. (Township directory has them listed as being opened 8 hours per week) 6. He feel $.50 a copy is outrageous and West Nottingham Twp. only charges $.10/copy 7. He would like to see our chairs set closer to the Supervisors and would also like to see the Supervisors and the Secretary have a microphone for the meetings. He did not have any idea where Mr. Herr’s property was located. Jim responded to the above as follows: 1. Ethic resolution - Supervisors will review 2. Not resident friendly - many other people think contradictory 3. New office hours - no response 4. Copies - West Nottingham Twp. can charge what they want and so can Upper Oxford Tables and PA system - Present system is sufficient (Ed agreed with Jim. Betsy had no comments at this time. Members in the audience expressed appreciation for the job the supervisors do and feel that the township is very accommodating to residents. Charles Fleischmann thanked Supervisor Ed Hook for the good work which he has done for the township these past 12 years. Jim presented Ed with a Certificate. Ed thanked all and expressed that the two remaining supervisors have done wonderful jobs and feels that Charlie will be a good replacement for him. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, motion was made by Betsy Huber, seconded by Ed Hook and carried unanimously to adjourn at 8:35 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Jane Daggett Secretary |