Public Hearing October 2, 2002:
The vacation of Slater Road was met with no public testimony. This is part of the Rajah project. This will improve the intersection of Slater Road with Route 73.
No parking on Golden Drive, no parking on Route 73 near Tom's Gas station, and speed limit of 35 on Schaeffer Road. This was also met with no public testimony to the contrary. The no parking on Golden Drive is being done to facilitate the agricultural community bringing equipment over Golden Drive. Golden Drive is the access that will be used now that East Wesner Road has been closed. (See previous meeting notes under September 5th )
Recycling Workshop: October 8, 2002:
Bob Kopfer was able to attend this meeting. It was very good to have the full board present, since all members bring a unique view and have valuable input.
A quick synopsis of the recycling situation:
|
Cost of Curb side Pick Up |
$95,256.00 |
|
Purchase of Recycling Bins |
$20,771.00 |
|
Drop Off Site |
$22,075.00 |
|
Total |
$136,102.00 |
The state was supposed to have a 90% grant for the start - up costs of the program (that would be the bins and the drop off site) We were informed that the state is putting its grant money into composting this year. We will get no state money; this is a completely un-funded mandate. There are 2646 households in Maidencreek and 4817 people on the per capita tax roles. This program will cost about $52.00 per household or $29.00 per person over 18 years old. All three of us with the solicitor discussed different ways to fund the program. There is no perfect way to fund this. We may go with a flat fee per household or a flat fee per person. Per person is slightly better since households with more people will pay more.
Gloria Kemmerer's good suggestion:
Gloria remembered reading in a PSATS publication that it may be possible to avoid all this. We would just license the trash haulers. In order to do business in the township we would require that they provide recycling. Most of them already provide recycling, so this would not likely result in a large fee increase for our residents. Gloria's suggestion may save Maidencreek taxpayers nearly $52 per household. The solicitor is going to check if Gloria's suggestion would satisfy the requirements of the state mandate. It is my hope that Gloria's suggestion works out, and we can avoid a per household or per capita charge.
October 10, 2002 Billboard Hearing Continuation:
The billboard ordinance needed some modifications to prevent some conflicts in the zoning ordinances between the definition of sign and the definition of billboard. We became aware of this at the previous hearing, and decided to continue the hearing just before the public meeting to allow the solicitor to research the issue. The solicitor proposed some additional modifications to the ordinance to avoid conflicts between signs and billboards.
October 10, 2002 Maidencreek Regular Business Meeting:
Speeding:
One resident present voiced concern about speeding on Spirit Court and Henry Drive. Two residents complained about the signs designed to reduce speeding on Faith Drive (one in person and one via email). Terry Manmiller picked up some good advice from another township. We will place a double yellow line down the middle of the problem development streets. The double yellow will define lanes and cause the cars to stay on their side of the road, rather than race down the middle. The effect is to make the road appear narrower, and cause all but the most imprudent driver to reduce speed. The board voted to have the stripes painted. It is not clear that the weather will allow the painting before the winter.
Land Use Plans:
Those attending this public meeting learned that the Meadowbrook development will be sold to Forino.
The Bedrock plan was approved with three contingencies. (Improvement agreement with Letters of Credit, DEP approval, and MTA approval)
October 14, 2002 Northern Berks Police Meeting:
The Budget:
Last years' police budget was quite a shock to all three municipalities in the Northern Berks Regional Police. Thanks to the hard work of the administrative staff (our treasurer, and Police Chief) this year's budget is not likely to require more money from the townships. The total budget is $1,160,499.37. The precise amount of the budget depends upon ongoing salary negotiations with the officers.
One item I would like to see added to the available funds side of the budget is income obtained through PA title 42 section 6801 (the forfeiture statute) This is money obtained by forfeiting property deemed to have a connection with a drug crime. The law states, and the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has held that there need be no underlying conviction of a crime to support the forfeiture of a person's property.
The Attorney General provides the state legislature with an annual report of assets obtained through forfeiture. The most recent report shows Berks County receiving about $230,000 through asset forfeiture. It is the practice of the District Attorney's office to share this money in some measure with the local departments. This money is earmarked for enforcement of drug laws. However, this money is available to our police, and I believe it should show up in the treasurer's report and budget.
October 31, 2002 Public Hearing and Special Meeting:
Zoning Change & Billboard Ordinance:
A public hearing was held on adding some property adjacent to the cement plant to the industrial zone. This property is an old mushroom packaging facility, and is right across the road from the existing agricultural zone. Testimony was heard from the land owner. There were no residents who spoke against the rezoning. The zoning change and the billboard ordinance were adopted at the special meeting following the hearing.
The Budget Workshop:
Regina Sanders, our Treasurer, did yeoman's work on the budget this year. The Earned Income Tax received last year was ahead of the estimates. However, this years estimates are lower due to the many jobs lost in Berks County this past year. It looks like there will be enough money in the budget to do some of the deferred maintenance items (i.e. new roof on the township building etc.) with out a tax increase this year. The only increase on the horizon is a recycling charge, and if Gloria Kemmerer's suggestions works out that charge will be minimal.
paid for by Roy Timpe