April 4, 2002 Special Meeting on the Martin Sewage Leak:
Due to Martin's failure to meet the deadlines set in our February meeting, (see 2/14/02 meeting for more information) we voted to have the solicitor pursue the injunction as threatened in our ultimatum. The injunction was to be filed 4/8/02, but there were complications. The township solicitor procrastinated and learned on 4/9/02 that the LOC's had been submitted on 4/5/02 and were rejected by the Water Authority solicitor. The WA made changes to the language and sent them back to the bank. We now wait for the bank.
At the 4/11/02 meeting we decided the following:
Not to pursue the injunction at this time, since it is our Water Authority that caused the recent delay.
There was an outstanding violation that had not yet been processed by the District Justice. Since Mr. Martin has indeed been leaking sewage, and has not been conscientious in seeking a fix for his system, the board directed the solicitor to go for the maximum fine of $8,000.
April 9, 2002 Northern Berks Police Meeting:
The 2002 contract is settled. The township has rescinded its letter of intent to withdraw from Northern Berks.
You need to be aware that there have been items stolen from unlocked vehicles parked in driveways. There has even been a car stolen (left unlocked with keys inside). We need to lock our cars.
April 11, 2002 Maidencreek Meeting:
There was much on the agenda. The meeting went 11:30 PM starting at 7:00 PM. What follows are some of the highlights.
Speeding on Faith Drive (in Maidencreek Estates):
Many residents came complaining of speeding on Faith Drive. Most seemed to want to make Faith Drive one way exiting the development. All three supervisors seemed reluctant to make Faith Drive one way. I am concerned that this could shunt the unwanted "cut through" traffic on to other development roads like Cornerstone. Also this would limit many other residents of the Maidencreek Estates in coming and going from their homes. We have asked the police for more enforcement in this area. Joe Rudderow suggested we have a sign erected on the township land that borders Faith drive with the fines for speeding posted, similar to the sign on Kutztown Rd. in Muhlenberg Township. The board voted for the sign, and also for painted crosswalks for the basketball courts, and another crosswalk near the island on Genesis Drive.
Bedrock Stone and Mulch:
On 4/9/02 the solicitor sent the cease letter requested by the board in the February meeting. Many residents are concerned about the negative externalities associated with living near this business. There are other areas in the township where Bedrock would pose less impact on neighbors, however, the supervisors can not cause a land swap. The land is zoned for this type of business. The neighbors will have to work with the planning commission to assure that safeguards are put in place to minimize the impact on the neighbors.
Martin Retirement Village:
See summary of special meeting above.
Tires and the Cement Plant:
At a previous meeting there was concern over the tire piles at the cement plant breeding mosquitos. Several representatives of the Cement Plant management came to our meeting. They explained that they had previously been doing construction, but under normal circumstances, and in the warmer time of year, the run their tire inventory on a first in first out basis. A tire will likely be on their property 5 days before being burned for fuel. They are also open to having the township receive tires from residents (on specially advertised days only) and then having the township deliver those tires to the cement plant. Terry Manmiller will likely put more about this in our news letter. We hope this will discourage people from dumping tires on our roadways.
Bids:
The bids on the phase I construction of the tot lot in Treetops were opened. Smith & Smith Gen. Contractors of Pottsville was the lowest bidder, with a bid of $55,739. The bids were sent to Park and Rec. for review and a recommendation.
Meadowbrook Subdivision:
The only two wavers remaining for Maidencreek Plaza was the berm height on the retention basins, and whether the open space would be publicly or privately owned. We decided to grant the waver on the higher berms. I refer you to the last meeting on the public vs. private issue. The board decided not to accept the open space. The Meadowbrook plan was sent to DEP for review. Bob voted "no" while Gloria and I votes "yes" on sending the plan to DEP.
Planning Commission Vacancy:
We had many good people express an interest in this position. Gloria moved to appoint Randy Wolfe. The motion passed with Gloria and Roy voting "aye" and Bob voting "no."
April 12, 2002 PennDOT Meeting with State Representative Dave Argall:
This meeting was with the supervisors, State Representative Dave Argall, and PennDOT. Our chief concern was US 222 from Maidencreek to Trexlertown, and specifically the intersection of 222 and 73. Dave Argall called this meeting after I informed him that the current PennDOT study of 222 stops at the county line. This leaves about a 1.5 mile "missing link" in the improvement of 222. Dave Argall took many notes, and is genuinely concerned. The PennDOT people agreed that in 2005 when the Adams town portion of 222 is complete that our traffic jam at 73 will become much worse. They do not foresee additional trips, however, they believe the existing traffic will tend to arrive all at the same time causing a more dramatic back up.
The township has more power over the intersection at 73 than I previously realized. For example, we can try to have the light at 73 interconnected with the light at Genesis. Since much of the traffic is through trucks, a truck stopped at 73 is just getting moving again, when he can be snagged by the light at Genesis. Interconnecting the lights (along with a good control algorithm) could improve the back up situation. The township would have to do the engineering, make the argument to PennDOT, get the permit and perhaps pay for the improvement. It is annoying that Maidencreek taxpayers would have to pay for an improvement that would mostly benefit through traffic, but we would benefit as well. Please let me know how you feel about spending some Maidencreek money to improve the intersection.
paid for by Roy Timpe