April 3, 2000
The Board of Supervisors of Pennsbury Township held a regular meeting on Monday,
April 3, 2000. All members were present and the minutes approved as submitted.
STATE POLICE
Cpl. O'Connor of the PA State Police in Avondale gave a presentation on collision analysis and reconstruction. He explained that his job is to reconstruct a fatal accident
and report on it to the state and in court. During the first quarter of 2000, 42% of the
calls received by the police were false alarms and 911 hang ups. The police can issue
citations for false alarms after three per year. Right now the barracks is at full
compliment but more troopers are needed in this area since it has grown.
COSSART ROAD
Cossart Road has been temporarily closed for one year and the Board discussed with
residents present the opening of the road. It is a public road maintained by taxpayers.
The closing of the road has helped to reduce incidents on it however, with the warm
weather, this is picking up.
Jack Jones of Shadow Lane stated that he also gets vandalism and objects to the
closing of a road at least in principle. He views this as giving in to the vandals and
does not agree to it. Terry Brewer commented that there has been drug dealing,
harassment and vandalism at Cossart on a daily basis. It was agreed by all residents
and Board that we must break the cycle. John Dennison of Fairville Road has the
same problems as Cossart Road residents and he asked when and where should be
draw the line for closing roads. He believes there should be a more equitable solution.
The problems have subsided since the road has been closed. The Board agreed in
order to assure the cycle is broken, the road will remain temporarily closed until
January, 2001. They encouraged residents to also contact Townwatch for patrolling
and have troopers in force patrolling the road at high points i.e. prom, graduation etc.
Hal Haskell would also like to see other property owners along the road to clean up the
graffiti. This would discourage continued vandalism.
Manager
Ms. Howley reported the following:
Wrote a letter to Dutch Eichorn of PennDot regarding the unprotected left turns at the Sinton property, signage for Knoll Hill on Rt. 1 for right hand turns into the Knoll and the yellow delineators by the Gable Restaurant being destroyed.
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April 3, 2000
The Zoning Hearing Board granted variances to Ruane, Post and will continue
the hearing with Cattie. Courts at Longwood has applied for a variance for a
home that is encroaching on the side yard setback. Cattie and Courts at
Longwood will be heard April 19th at 7:30 P.M. in the township building.
ROADMASTER
Dave Allen reported the following:
The Coop opened bids for materials and labor - oil prices have gone up slightly.
Conducted a spring road inspection with supervisors. The Chadds Ford Knoll is
scheduled to be done. It was noted that driveway swales are being paved over
creating a drainage problem. Township residents will be notified about this.
Code Enforcement Officer Rusty Drumheller reported he issued 6 zoning and building
permits during March. He will be issuing a citation for the commercial truck being
parked on Raintree Road. Attended a session on the new state building code March
23rd. Regulations may be in place by the year 2003. The land disturbance permit for
the lot in Fern Hill having work done on steep slope must be filed. Rusty will call the
engineering firm doing the work to inquire of its status. Mud went onto Parkersville
Road with the last rain storm. This work needs to be completed. Rusty suggested
some type of as built plan be filed when a home is finished being built. Dave Patten
will work with Rusty on drafting something for the subdivision ordinance. Complaints
have been received on the parking of cars for sale at the entrance of the Knoll. Rusty
will contact the property owner.
Emergency Management - Reese Reynolds reported on the meeting held on March
29th at the township building with county emergency management personnel, PennDot,
neighboring townships and police. Procedures for road closing on Route 1 during
floods was discussed. It was suggested that a sign board be obtained for alerting
motorists when the road is closed and Reese will follow up on this.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS
The ordinance for the Route 926 & Parkersville Road project was advertised and
passed by the Board.
A letter was received by the township from Mr. Fosnocht, attorney representing the
Neighbour's on Rt. 926 stating the wall in front of their home was historic and they were
pursuing getting on the national historic register. The township and PennDot must
clear this up before moving forward with the project.
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April 3, 2000
Three resolutions were signed by the Board authorizing the taking of property for
Leborn, Neighbour and Woodward for this project. These resolutions will not be filed
until the historic issue is resolved.
The Board of supervisors intend to petition the election board to put on the November
ballot a referendum to repeal the library tax. The township will be meeting with the
library on April 20th.
Bill Holloway reviewed the preliminary plans for the renovation of the township building
and has sent his comments to John Rosencrans. He reported we may have an
opportunity to purchase a generator for the entire building. He asked John to look
again at the supplemental heat being electric and provide cost allowances for light
fixtures. We will pick them as we proceed with the project.
Mr. Patten will talk to Mike Lyons, attorney for Jeff Berlin regarding the status of his
planning project.
The Board of Supervisors signed and approved a minor subdivision for Staves on
March 23rd. All items were taken care of and the Planning Commission recommended
approval. Since the Board did not meet March 20th these plans were not looked at and
the buyers needed to make settlement by the end of the month.
Because of schedule conflicts the next Board of Supervisors meeting will be held on
Wednesday, April 19, 2000 at 7:30 P.M. in the township building.
A bill list dated April 3rd numbering 1757-1822, State Fund 136-138 was signed and
approved by the Board.
With no further business the meeting adjourned at 10:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Kathleen Howley
Township Manager