February 21, 2007 - Union Township



February 13, 2019

Lickdale, PA

The Union Township Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Wednesday, February 13, 2019. The meeting was held at the Municipal Building, 3111 SR 72, Jonestown, PA.

Dennis Firestone called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Present:

Dennis Firestone, Chairman

Kerry McCrary, Vice Chairman

Gary Longenecker, Secretary

Elizabeth Krause, Zoning Officer

Brent McFeaters, Township Manager

Paul Bametzreider, Solicitor

Steve Sherk, Township Engineer

Seven (7) Citizens

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Dennis Firestone introduced Daniel Bost, who is the Lebanon County Recorder of Deeds. Mr. Bost explained that he was appointed as the Recorder of Deeds in October and is working with the municipalities to implement electronic payments and is also working with the attorney’s office to implement electronic filings in order to use more of the technology that is currently available. Mr. Bost said he would be available after the meeting to answer questions that anyone might have.

Glenn Rudy commented that he noticed that Mr. Varvel has a water heater setting out on his property on Chapel Drive and he hopes that he is not starting to pile it up again. Dennis Firestone directed Liz Krause, Zoning Officer to check into the matter.

APPROVE JANUARY 9TH MEETING MINUTES

Dennis Firestone made a motion seconded by Gary Longenecker to approve the January 9th Meeting Minutes. All approved.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Kerry McCrary made a motion seconded by Gary Longenecker to approve the financial report. All approved.

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP – DAVID WEISNICHT

Dave Weisnicht reported that since their new year started on October 1st, there have been over 45,000 troops training at the Gap. He noted that the “big boom training” is done for the month but their heliport is still going strong and they are having a good year getting back into the swing of things after the holiday breaks and expect it to be a busy year moving forward.

Mr. Weisnicht reported that they are going through the final permitting for the Access Control Point (ACP) construction project and are hoping to break ground on the east ACP by the end of March which will be near Alice’s Alterations. He added once that side is built, about six months later they will get started on the main gate which will be located in the vicinity of Funks Restaurant near the Lt. Governor’s mansion, noting that the gate will be manned 24/7 and the Lickdale gate will be open around twelve hours a day.

Mr. Weisnicht said there is a lot of work being done behind the scenes regarding the Quartermaster Road issues and they will hopefully be able to provide an update next week. Dennis Firestone asked Steve Sherk if the work being done at the gate entrance on Fisher Avenue will be a hinderance to the Quartermaster Road project. Mr. Sherk said he can’t say for sure right now, but if the Township has to close Quartermaster Road when the work is being done, they will need a detour agreement with Penn Dot for Fisher Avenue, and some careful coordination will be necessary. Mr. Weisnicht noted that they will work with the Township the best they can to mitigate the impacts their project will have to the Township.

STATE POLICE REPORT

No report was available

NORTHERN LEBANON FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES (NLFES)

Report available with handouts when provided by NLFES

PLANNING COMMISSION

There was no Planning Commission meeting.

ZONING OFFICER REPORT

Liz Krause, Zoning Officer reported that seven permits were issued totaling $993.00, and $9,850.42 was received in reimbursement fees and $1,200.00 was received in Zoning Hearing Board Fees. Krause also reported that Williams Pipeline replenished their escrow balance of $5,000.00 for Attorney and Engineering Fees.

Krause reported that the Zoning Hearing Board will meet on Monday February 25, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. to hear Case 18-06 which was continued from January 29th and

Case #19-01 and Case #19-02:

As reported last month Case # 18-06 is for a Petition of Appeal that was filed by Linda Light and John Light who are asking for a variance to allow five storage trailers on the property, setback variances for the storage trailers, and a variance to be allowed to replace the house on the property which is now considered a non-conforming use since the property is zoned commercial.

Case #19-01 is for a Petition of Appeal that was filed by Supreme who is asking for a variance to create a lot less than one (1) acre at their property located at 429 Jonestown Road

Case # 19-02 is a Petition of Appeal that was filed by J D Oliver, LLC who is under contract to purchase 16 Penny Lane and an 8-acre parcel on the east side of Old Forge Road across from Loves for a Freightliner truck retail service facility. They have petitioned the Zoning Hearing Board to allow a freestanding sign on the northwest corner of the property that will be 1,748 sq. ft. and 125’ high.

Enforcement Issues:

The owner of 47 White Tail Lane removed another small pile of scrap from the driveway but there were no other changes as of the beginning of the month.

The owner of 3533 State Route 72 cleaned up the property and removed all the garbage bags that were on the porch and in the yard.

Last month a formal complaint was filed regarding the property located at 239 Ft. Swatara Road stating that there were renovations being done to the home without a permit, and other violations. Since the renovations that were done to the home were on the inside and there were no structural changes, a permit was not required. Dennis Firestone asked Paul Bametzreider, Township Solicitor if the Township is required to follow up on complaints from people who do not reside in Union Township. Atty. Bametzreider said anyone can complain about a property but it’s within the Board’s discretion if the complaint should be acted upon.

Lastly Krause reported that a certified letter was sent to the owner of 3103 State Route 72 regarding garbage bags setting on the ground in the front yard of the property. Dave Hawkins also commented about the condition of the property. Krause asked Atty. Bametzreider if a property owner could be sited for junk piled on their porch rather than in the yard. Atty. Bametzreider said it’s a question of extent. If they are accumulating a lot of trash and it’s becoming unsightly it could fall under the Nuisance Ordinance or possibly the Vector Proofing Ordinance if it could be items would attract rats or other vectors.

ENGINEER’S REPORT – STEVE SHERK –

1. Street Occupancy / Driveway Permits: No permits were issued since the last Supervisors’ meeting.

2. Atlantic-Sunrise Pipeline. A letter was sent to Allan Berenbrok of The Williams Companies, Inc. on February 1, 2019 regarding the unauthorized use of Green Point School Road Bridge by pipeline contractors. The letter includes a claim in the amount of $21,826.63 for damages to the bridge and related costs.

3. Bordnersville Road Improvements. Nothing new to report. All road repairs, except for installation of paving fabric are complete. The final overlay is scheduled for spring when asphalt plants reopen. The developer will be required to repair any additional road damage that occurs over winter prior to completing the overlay.

4. Holiday Inn Express (81 Room Hotel) Lickdale. Nothing new to report. Financial security shall be posted before the plan is signed and recorded. No construction associated with the hotel structure, including foundation work, is permitted until the Subdivision and Land Development Plan is signed and recorded.

5. Green Point School Road Bridge. PA DEP issued the GP-11 general permit registration on January 10, 2019. In-stream work is prohibited from October 1 to December 31 since this is a wild trout stream.

For the Procurement Contract, Big R Bridge returned the executed Agreement, performance and payment bonds and certificate of insurance. We recommend the Township execute the Agreement which calls for Bid R Bridge to be paid $117,883.00 for the specified Goods and Services. Dennis Firestone made a motion seconded by Kerry McCrary to execute the agreement for Bid R Bridge to be paid $117,833.00. All approved.

The Right-of-Way application to PA DCNR for the additional right-of-way needed on the east side of the bridge is still under review. Once approved, the Township will be required to execute a license agreement. DCNR sent me the attached letter on February 1, 2019 regarding the removal of six (6) trees within the Swatara State Park property. The trees to be removed have an assessed value of $9,105.00 over a 15-year period and the Commonwealth of PA will require this payment upon finalization of the Right-of-Way Agreement.

Kerry McCrary asked Steve Sherk when he anticipates the construction to start and Steve said he feels the bridge will be under construction late spring or early summer. Paul Bametzreider asked if the Township is interested in seeking a loan for the bridge replacement, but the Board agreed that rather than taking out a loan and paying all the fees involved with a loan, they will pay for the bridge from the General Fund.

6. Quartermaster Road Culvert. Preliminary design drawings are complete. To reduce costs and avoid prevailing wage rates, we recommend installation of a polymer coated corrugated metal pipe arch in lieu of reinforced concrete pipe. The polymer coating will prevent corrosion. Corrugated metal pipe is lighter than reinforced concrete and will be easier and less costly install. We are ready to submit the GP-11 permit registration package if the polymer coated corrugated metal pipe arch is acceptable.

We reached out to John Saufley, Director, Bureau of Military Construction & Engineering, regarding the need for a temporary construction easement on Fort Indiantown Gap’s land. He is checking with Air Guard, Army Guard, and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) legal/real estate personnel on the steps necessary to obtain a construction easement.

An agreement with PennDOT will be required to use Fisher Avenue as a detour route during closure of Quartermaster Road during construction. Bullet #4 of the PennDOT/DMVA Memorandum of Understanding states that DMVA shall not restrict access to Quartermaster Road from Fisher Ave or access to Fisher Ave from Quartermaster Road except for emergencies and planned work to maintain continuity of the highway network.

We are pursuing potential grant funding available through the PA Dirt, Gravel, Low Volume Roads (DGLVR) Program. Funding originally reserved for Bethel Township recently became available since Bethel Township is no longer pursuing a project. To be eligible for funding, the applicant is responsible for validating that the road has 500 vehicles per day or less. The count must be conducted on a non-holiday Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between March 1 and the week before Thanksgiving. We plan to conduct a traffic count on Tuesday, March 5. It is our understanding the work must be completed by June 30 to be eligible under the current grant cycle. This could be problematic if the GP-11 permit takes more than a couple of months to secure and if there are any delays in securing the temporary construction easement from the Gap. We are checking to see if the deadline can be extended.

Steve added that one of the requirements for the grant funding is that someone from the Township, preferably from the road department, must attend “Environmentally Sensitivity Training” and there is training available April 2nd and April 3rd in Bethlehem which is the closest location he could find. He added that the grant will only cover the construction cost, and the Township will be responsible for the engineering fees.

7. PennDOT Green Light-Go Program Application. The Green Light-Go Program application was successfully submitted on January 11, 2019. The required 20% match is comprised of $30,0000 in developer contributions and $16,893.00 in Township general funds. The grant application is non-binding. If a grant offer is extended, the Township will have 60 days to notify PennDOT whether the offer is accepted or declined. If the Township fails to return a signed agreement within the time limit, the offer will lapse and become void.

Kerry McCrary asked if Steve was able to get anything together regarding the repairs on Colonial Drive. Steve said typically the Municipal staff with the help of Scott Lehman of Penn Dot will put together the bid and get that out. He added that he gave Brent McFeaters, Township Manager the MS944 forms and told him he will help him put that together when ready. Steve said he thinks there are some sections where the Township must do some patch repair, but where there is a lot of rutting, it might require a full depth base repair to make sure there is no humping.

ROAD FOREMAN REPORT

Brent McFeaters, Township Manager reported that the road crew has been spending time plowing the roads and are almost finished replacing the reflective road signs and street signs which have been brought up to Penn Dot standards. He added that they have also been working on some rust areas on the recycling truck.

He added that the road crew said it was difficult to plow the snow in King’s Plantation because there were cars double parked on the street and they could barely get through with the plow. Brent said he contacted Kristy Sanders of the Homeowners Association and she said she posts on Facebook every time before it snows that they are not supposed to park on the street but should park in their driveways, but he will stay on top of it to make sure it’s not an ongoing issue during any upcoming storms.

Kerry McCrary said that he wants to make sure the Tomstown Road issue regarding plowing is addressed with Bryan Michael, Road Foreman noting that they shouldn’t put salt on the road because it’s a dirt road, but if it does turn to ice, they will have to run the small truck up there to put stone down like they do on Cavalry Road.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT – PAUL BAMETZREIDER

Atty. Bametzreider said he prepared the Deed of Easement and ROW for the Greenpoint School Road Bridge Project for the Krissingers to sign. Brent said he went up to the property twice to have the Krissingers sign the agreement, but no one answered the door. Atty. Bametzreider said he will send the Agreement to the Krissingers by certified mail.

NEW BUSINESS

MOTION TO REPLACE SIX (6) EXTERIOR HPS WALL PACKS WITH A3 WATT LED EXTERIOR FIXTURES

Brent McFeaters, Township Manager explained to the Board that the light fixtures will be located along the front of the garage area and the proposed cost would be $1,950.00 which would include the new fixtures and labor. Kerry McCrary asked if the lights would be dusk to dawn lights and not on a timer and Brent McFeaters said they would not be on a timer. Dennis Firestone made a motion seconded by Kerry McCrary to authorize the replacement of the six light fixtures on the front of the garage area. All approved.

MOTION TO RENT A STREET SWEEPER

Mr. McFeaters explained that they would like to rent a street sweeper from A & H Equipment during the month of April for one week and the cost would be $2,800.00. Kerry McCrary made a motion seconded by Gary Longenecker to approve renting the street sweeper from A & H Equipment for one week during the month of April at a cost of $2,800.00. All approved.

MOTION TO APPROVE AN AMOUNT FOR THE TIRE COLLECTION CONTRIBUTION (LAST YEAR’S AMOUNT WAS $650.00)

Brent McFeaters explained that the Lebanon Tire Collection will take place on April 17, 2019 from 8A.M. to 6p.m. location is the Lebanon Exp Center, 80 Rocherty Road, in Lebanon. Pre-registration deadline is April 3, 2019 and applications for residents may be picked up in the lobby. He added that last year the Township contributed $650.00 to the tire collection. Dennis Firestone made a motion seconded by Gary Longenecker to contribute $650.00 to the tire collection. All approved.

2019 COUNTY AID PROJECT - $3,099.00

Dennis Firestone announced that Union Township received $3,099.00 Liquid Fuels Money from the County for 2019 for general maintenance on Township Roads.

LEBANON VALLEY RAIL TRAIL LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

Dennis Firestone announced that Lebanon Valley Rail Trail is looking to extend the trail north from North Lebanon Township to Swatara State Park and is looking for volunteers/supporters to set up a second board to help move the project forward. Interested parties can contact Tom Kotay at dtkotay@ or contact Brent McFeaters at the Township office.

UNION TOWNSHIP WEBSITE

Kerry McCrary asked Brent McFeaters about the status of the Township’s website. Brent explained that the company was provided with all the documents that should be put on the website and he is expecting to hear back from them in a week or two, and then the website should be up and running. He added that the website will be updated with all the minutes, ordinances and forms, and is hoping to get feedback or suggestions once everyone visits the website.

BILLS PAYABLE

Dennis Firestone made a motion seconded by Kerry McCrary to pay the bills in the amount of $161,942.51 from the General, Recycling, Liquid Fuels, Street Light & Payroll Funds. All approved.

OTHER COMMENTS

Glenn Rudy asked about a payment that was made to Renee Lehman, and Brent McFeaters said she was reimbursed for mileage expenses that occurred during her employment with the Township.

DATE OF NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

Wednesday March 6, 2019 - 7:00 PM

DATE OF NEXT LICKDALE TREATMENT PLANT MEETING

Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - 6:30 PM

DATE OF NEXT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS

Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - 7:00 PM

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business or comments, the meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Elizabeth Krause

Recording Secretary

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