August 6, 2002 Maidencreek Recycling Workshop:
Bob Kopfer was not present at this meeting. Roy Timpe and Gloria Kemmerer were present. The following check list was developed:
The township secretary will poll private haulers to determine which items are the best to recycle right now. The items decided upon will be recycled by ordinance.
The burning ordinance will be modified to prohibit all burning of the items decided upon in step 1 above.
The Solicitor will investigate if the law allows us to fund this with a per household charge, rather than using the property tax. Using property tax would result in commercial properties (to a small measure) subsidizing the residential recycling pick up. The supervisors present were leaning toward a per household charge.
Will the township purchase recycling containers? The supervisors present were leaning toward township purchase of recycling containers.
Will recycling pick up be every week or every other week? The supervisors present were leaning toward every other week pick up.
Will the township provide a drop off bin for small businesses? The supervisors present were leaning toward providing a drop off bin provided there could be controlled access to prevent vandalism. The operations director will investigate the cost of a card access system, or other means of preventing unauthorized access to the drop off bin.
Will there be one hauler for recycling, or several? The supervisors present were leaning toward one hauler.
Will trash pick up be included in recycling? The response from the newsletter flyer was clear. The residents do not want trash included with recycling. All three supervisors have indicated that they do not want to include trash pick up with recycling.
Just as it was apparent that a one size fits all trash plan was not good for Maidencreek, it is likely that a one size fits all recycling program will not be good for all residents. The trash was optional. The State is forcing Maidencreek into recycling, and a one size fits all plan is the best way to comply with the state mandate.
August 8, 2002 Maidencreek Regular Business Meeting:
Burning Ban:
The Fire Chief requested that the supervisors institute a burning ban, due to the dry weather. All three supervisors voted to institute the ban.
Length of Meetings:
This meeting ended around a quarter to eleven. The total public comment time was limited to about a half hour. This seemed to result in an acceptable meeting duration. I was in favor of scheduling a workshop meeting, as I mentioned in last month's meeting summary. Bob Kopfer thought this was not necessary. Gloria favored the workshop. We decided not to hold a workshop, since there was no time that Bob could be present. We will try things the way they are, with limiting public comment to 20 to30 minutes.
Road Report:
We amended last month's motion to purchase the leaf vacuum to the amount of $19,104 from $16,605.
What follows is the road report summary with my comments in red italics.
July 2002
Flails and spacers were replaced on the Tiger Boom Mower. Also, the L-hydraulic fitting sprung a leak and a new fitting was purchased at Russco Hydraulics and installed by the Road Crew.
Blades were replaced on the Howard Mower.
Blades were sharpened on the other units.
The new truck was picked up and is in the garage. As time permits, we will have a radio installed and install sideboards on the bed.
Maintaining road vegetation will start and be completed by August 9, 2002.
Patching of Orchard Road will start when the temperature goes down.
Painting of stop bars will start the week of August 12, 2002.
Some repairs of the Dries Road Bridge were completed. I must patch small cracks and obtain an estimate for guide rail correction.
A traffic count of East Wesner Road from Hoch Road to Park Road is attached for your review.
Behind the salt building, we have an area fenced in. I would like to remove the fence and construct a 22' by 34' addition to the salt building to store equipment over the winter (chipper, leaf vac, etc.). We have in the budget $33,000 for the new garage. I would like to use a portion of this money, $10,000, for this addition and push the garage off until next year. DISCUSSION - MOTION?
The Board decided to go for the addition and delay the garage.
Charges have been filed at the District Judges office for the sum of $5,800.00. The trial date is August 26, 2002. The property is still not being maintained. Pending the outcome of the hearing, I will refile for another violation if the Board wishes.
LIGHTING
I spoke with Mr. Stubby again. He and Tom Unger of Systems Design Engineering, Inc. spoke. Mr. Stubby wishes not to write a letter on the lighting at Meadowbrook. I think if the Board would call him, he can explain (610-326-1402). Mr. Unger will also address this issue. Mr. Stubby and Mr. Unger apparently do not agree on the ordinance.
The concern here is that the new ordinance may cause newer developments to be too bright. The cost of maintaining and power these lights is a consideration. The board is seeking the guidance of the engineers.
LOT #133
A question was raised about Lot 133 in Willow Gardens regarding the Township's need for the lot. The past Board felt that we needed it to gain access to the open space. There is an agreement with Walter Greth for the lot. I feel we should have Lot 133 in order to get equipment into the open space and if a walking trail does materialize, we will need it for parking.
TREE MAINTENANCE
Would the Board give permission to take down the dead tree at Hoch Road and East Wesner and the tree at Tamarac and Colonial Court. We will need to hire Dave Barth. Both trees are dead. MOTION
Yes
12 CHESTNUT STREET
Margie Andujar, at 12 Chestnut Street, Blandon, is requesting that the no parking sign near her driveway be moved closer to Main Street (Route 73) to stop her neighbor from parking in front of his house and improve Ms. Andujar's visibility when backing out of her driveway. DISCUSSION - DECISION
The Board felt that moving the sign would cause problems for the neighbor's parking.
HECKTOWN ROAD
A resident on Hecktown Road has requested a "Watch Children" or "Children at Play" sign be installed at the crest of the hill on Hecktown Road approximately 600 feet from the intersection of Troxel Road and Hecktown Road because of cars constantly speeding on the road. DECISION
The Board decided to have a Watch Children sign placed in the area.
Terry L. Manmiller
Operations Director
Traffic:
On 5/9/02 your board asked the engineer to study the data PennDOT took on their 222 survey to see if the data shows any benefit to timing the lights at 73 and Tamarack. It seems it may cost about $2,000 to $4,000 to do such a study. (I would expect the true cost to be the lower number, since we should be able to piggy back off the recent PennDOT data) Depending upon what the data shows, PennDOT may be willing to pay for improvements to the intersection. There is still another quote outstanding from another traffic engineer. The board made no decision on this.
The Community Park and East Wesner Rd.
The previous board had voted to start construction on the community park. This included the relocation of the stream near East Wesner Rd. This was done to provide more space for fields, and prevent flooding of some of the homes in Limestone Village. The board will be holding a hearing on vacating Wesner Road on Sept. 5th Gloria is concerned about the safety problems of leaving East Wesner Road open so close to the fields in the park. Bob and I are concerned about the impact of closing the road on traffic through the neighboring developments. The board needs you to come to this hearing and voice your opinions on closing this road.
Outdoor Advertising:
The September 5th Public hearing will likely also deal with a proposed outdoor advertising ordinance, providing the planning commission recommends the draft of this ordinance.
paid for by Roy Timpe