January 7, 2002 Maidencreek Supervisors' Meeting:
Terry Rarick resignation?
As of this writing, it is rumored that Terry will resign from the board. If this is the case, and I believe it is, the township will likely receive Terry's letter (mailed from Florida) by 1/18/02. Bob and I will take action on his letter at the next meeting 2/14/02. I have a replacement in mind and will announce the person when the board takes action on Terry's resignation.
(This section added 1/19/02)
On 1/18/02 I received Terry's resignation letter. I thank Terry for his many years of service to the township. At the next meeting 2/14/02 we will vote to accept Terry's resignation. We will then begin the process of appointing a replacement. If the two remaining supervisors agree, the vacancy can be filled right away. If they cannot reach agreement within 30 days, the vacancy board will participate in the decision. If no agreement can still be reached (in 45 days from 2/14/02) the matter would go to the Court. With the problems of officer retention in the police department (due to low morale caused by Leesport's and Maidencreek's letters of intent to withdraw) and a few other pressing issues, I want to fill the third supervisor position rapidly. I want this third person in on the police decisions, and the Martin sewage leak etc. I am hopeful that Bob and I will be able to agree on a replacement at the 2/14/02 meeting. I think the township needs the wisdom of three supervisors guiding it not just two. In the meantime, please email me your ideas and suggestions.
Reorganization:
This was Bob Kopfer's first meeting. Things have largely stayed the same. Bob proposed changing the Lawyer and Engineer. Bob sent me a letter about the lawyer a few days before the meeting. The possibility of an engineer change surprised me. I voted with Terry Rarick to keep both the current engineer and lawyer. Readers of this web site know, I have not always been happy with our lawyer, but we have many on-going issues in the Township at present. Mr. Orwig, our current lawyer, is up to speed on these issues. In my opinion Mr. Orwig is better able to conduct the business of the township than the lawyer Bob proposed.
Terry made it clear that he is likely to resign in the near future. Therefore, Bob and I divided the typical township supervisor responsibilities amongst ourselves. Bob is Road Master, and Agriculture Security Chairman. I have replaced Karl as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, and Police Commissioner.
Martin Retirement Village:
This establishment continues to leak sewage on its neighbors. The developer would like us to believe his project is in a catch 22. The taxpayer is protected in development projects by a letter of credit LOC, or cost bond. The purpose of the LOC is to provide money to finish the development. The LOC covers the complete cost, and if the developer goes out of business the Township can draw down on the LOC, and finish the public improvement portion of the project without using tax payer funds. The water authority uses a similar method (sometimes an LOC coupled with cash.)
The Martin project has an LOC with the township, but not the authority. Until the developer gets or offers an LOC to the authority, the project is stalled. I hope to get this moving at the 2/14/02 meeting.
Burning Ordinance:
The burning ordinance was passed at the 12/31/01 special meeting. Gloria Kemmerer, in the audience, suggested that the language in the ordinance be clarified to indicate that it does not apply to agriculture. The board included this language.
Storm Water:
The new flood plane ordinance that beefs up our storm water requirements for new development was passed. For background and further details see The Storm Water Zone.
Police:
As you know, the large police budget increase caused both Maidencreek, and Leesport to submit letters of intent to withdraw. The police chief made it clear these letters have had a negative effect on morale. Some of the better officers have found jobs with other departments. This was an unintended consequence of our letter. We were concerned about the large increase and the apparently unbridled spending, and did not want to commit the taxpayers to a similar increase in 2003.
January 8, 2002 Northern Berks Police Meeting:
While we're on police, allow me a quick digression into the police meeting. The police report at the township was virtually repeated at the police meeting. Most of the meeting comprised of an executive session that cannot be shared here. My opinion on the budget problem in Northern Berks is that for the most part the former chief was not good with finances. He would seek grant money from the state or federal government. He would apply for the grant and in some cases spend the money before the grant came in. In either event if the grant failed to come in, or later the grant was discontinued, the department was faced with a deficit. I attended a meeting two years ago where several grants that expired in two years were sought. I suspect it is these chickens coming home to roost that has caused much of our increase. I believe Maidencreek Township needs to investigate all its options with regard to police. The three supervisors will need to sit down and decide what to do regarding police protection.
paid for by Roy Timpe