MINUTES POSTED HERE ARE NOT OFFICIAL.  THE MINUTES ARE POSTED ON THIS SITE AS A CONVENIENCE TO TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS.  THE OFFICIAL MINUTES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TOWNSHIP OFFICE FOR REVIEW.

 

 POTTER TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

MEETING OF January 10, 2005

 

The second monthly meeting of the Potter Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday,

January 10, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. at the Township Building, 124 Short Road, Spring Mills, PA with Supervisors Paul Zerby, Monty Strouse, Bob Corman, Richard Poorman and Tom Sharer present.  Also attending were Road Superintendent Budd Brooks, Solicitor Robert Rayman, Zoning Officer Jeff McClellan and Secretary Brenda Burd.

 

Chairman Zerby called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

 

Minutes of the January 3, 2005 meeting and the Financial Report were approved as presented on a motion by Bob C. and seconded by Rich.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Citizens Concerns – none

 

Robert Jacobs, Centre County Planning Office

·         Bob C. had suggested Bob J. attend to see if there is any middle ground between the Township and its efforts with The Meadows to bring CCP to CHPSA. 

·         Bob J. said the County concluded that no sewer expansion should come from the Meadows to Centre Hall.  When the County reviewed The Meadows Planning Module, land use planning and Ag land preservation issues came up.  Bob J. states:

·         Issue 1 is all the Ag land in Potter Township with Ag security easements purchased to preserve Ag land.  When he reviewed the Planning Module he saw all these preserved farms, easement purchased farms and farms earmarked for purchase rights.  In his experience this creates development pressures.

·         Issue 2, when he looks at Penns Valley, the Route 45 corridor is probably the most important area in the valley because of Ag land preservation issues and the over all community character.  It is important to look at a planning perspective, to preserve the character of the community and make the best use of water and sewer facilities. 

·         Issue 3, as you look at Centre County as a whole you want to keep the rural character.  You don’t want to see a lot of development action where major roadway improvements need to be made.

·         Issue 4 is when you look at SCCCTS highway project, there were three alignments.  The 1st was along the existing 322 corridor to State College; the 2nd would go over Centre Hall Mountain.; and the 3rd went to the Homan well field area, down Route 45 and tied back into Route 322.  His recommendation has been and will continue to be, that an existing alignment along Route 322 be looked at.  When PennDOT revisits this project in the future, they will look at any sewer extensions and may choose accordingly.

·         He suggests that The Meadows upgrade their system or rebuild the plant and send it to CCP, solving pressures for both and protecting Ag areas and DEP’s Gary Metzger agrees with him.  Paul said CCP has only 28 homes and it would be impossible for them to withstand the cost to rebuild their plant.  Bob J. said DEP told him the grant we received can be used for any type of sewer improvement in that area.  Bob R. advised that the grant application was for a specific purpose; to run a line to CHPSA.  Some years ago, we wanted to run The Meadows to CCP and DEP said absolutely not and now they are telling us the complete opposite.  Bob C. said this is a 3” pressure line that you cannot tap into; not an 8” main.  Bob J. said any time you extend public sewer line it creates development pressures, and when PennDOT revisits the SCCCTS project they will see the Township’s “intent to develop”.  Bob C. said the traffic flow on Route 45 already equals that on Route 322 at peak times and as more people move into Penns Valley, it can only increase and PennDOT will have to make major improvements anyway.

·         Paul said originally we wanted to go to CCP and DEP said no way; and now they are telling us we must go to CCP?  Bob J. said Gary Metzger offered to meet with the Supervisors.  The Supervisors said that would be great and said he should bring a letter with him stating the grant can be used for any sewer upgrade instead of what was set forth in the grant application.  Bob J. said he stands by his recommendation of Meadows going to CCP.  He will contact Kerry Benninghoff, DEP, The Meadows and CHPSA and coordinate the meeting with Brenda.

·         Tom asked Bob J. about the County’s proposed Ordinance for park land dedication or fee in lieu.  Bob J. said the County would provide subdivision land development services and would enact an ordinance for all developments and would administer it for the municipalities including Potter even if they adopt their own Ordinance.

 

Alirry Ridge Home Owners Association – Steve Foust, President and Spokesperson

·         Steve asked what they need to do for the Township to take over their road.  McClenahan’s still own the road.  Paul told him they need to speak with Budd Brooks, the Road Superintendent.  Steve said they talked to Budd in 1999.  Budd said the Contractor would not bond the road.  Bob R. said the Engineer did a study in 1999 or 2000 and listed things that needed done and those things were never done.  He said at that time the contractor would not post bond or surety for the road so we said until all the houses are built we will not consider taking it over because the contractors were in there chewing up the road and we would not be responsible for repairing it.   Now that the houses are all built, the road is no longer up to standards because they got all beaten up in the construction so the Engineer would have to go out and look at it in its present state.  First of all Mr. McClenahan needs to sign a Memorandum of Understanding assuring us he will pay the engineering costs.  Then we will have our Engineer go out and make a list of what needs to be done to bring the road up to current standards; then they can make an offer of dedication and once the road standards are met, we can decide whether or not to take it over

 

Planning Commission Report - Monty

·         They reorganized with Brooks Harris as Chairman.

 

Zoning Officer’s Report

·         Presented November and December 2004 permit reports.

·         Asked to discuss zoning fees.  Zoning fees were $100 plus 5¢/sq.ft. residential, 10¢/sq.ft. commercial, 15¢/sq.ft. industrial.  Zoning is now $100 application fee only and is taking a loss; Keystone gets the inspection fee.  After discussion, Paul made a motion seconded by Bob C. that zoning fees will be:  Application Fee $100, plus 5¢ sq. ft. Ag/Residential, plus 10¢ sq. ft. Commercial/Industrial, motion carried unanimously.  Jeff told Brenda to change the Zoning applications in the office to reflect this change and to pull the Schedule of Fees Resolution for amendment.

·         Discussion followed regarding driveway encroachments.  Jeff would like to see encroachments and culverts if required, be installed and certified immediately like the state does; or at the least, make the driveway encroachment firm on the plans before signing off so driveways cannot be changed when the house is built.  He can make people correct driveways not placed as on the plans.

·         Paul asked Jeff if he has reviewed all set backs.  No.  The PCI and residential set backs have been reviewed, but Paul thinks they all should be looked at.

·         Jeff asked if the Board would put recodification money in the 2006 budget because of all the changes to the code book.  Bob C. made a motion, seconded by Paul to consider recodification at the budget meeting in 2005 for 2006.  Motion carried unanimously.

·         Brenda was asked to put a note in the minutes that Bob R. will look at fees for subdivision reviews and report back to us.

·         Jeff asked if he could order a new computer – yes it was budgeted.

 

Old Business – none  

 

Solicitor’s Report

·         He reported he has heard nothing back on the Grange Fair Tax.

·         On the Church problem – a Contractor spoke with Budd about starting work January 11 or 12.

·         Asked Brenda if the Parks, Open Spaces and Recreation Facilities Ordinance will be advertised for public hearing.  It is ready for advertising but since the County sent us a similar Ordinance Brenda asked if the Board wanted to wait to review the County ordinance or proceed with the public hearing.  Proceed with Public Hearing.

·         Asked if the Board wants all five Supervisors to attend the CCP meeting with DEP and the County or have a non-quorum meeting.  They decided Paul and Monty should attend; also Budd, Bob R. and Paul Krizan in addition to previously discussed Benninghoff, DEP, Meadows and CHPSA.

·         On the Ashford Manor Surety, the Bank would like to change some wording to say:  to reduce the security as completed.  “To reduce the security as the work is completed and certified by our Engineer” was approved.

·         Bob R. said he would review the whole Alirry Ridge file.  Brenda is supposed to be sure Mr. McClenahan signs a Memorandum of Understanding before any work is done.

 

Secretary’s Report

·         Presented bills to be paid list for review and approval.

·         Presented Liquid Fuels Annual MS-965 Report in four copies for signatures of three (3) Supervisors.  Paul made a motion to approve and sign Liquid Fuels Annual Report, seconded by Rich, motion carried unanimously.  Report was signed.

·         Asked if the Board would like to name an alternate to PVRPC since Tom moved from alternate to full time.  Not at this time.  I will tell the County.

 

Correspondence

·         Centre County Solid Waste Authority December recyclables.

·         Centre County Solid Waste Authority 2004 Annual Report.

·         Rebersburg Parent Teacher Group requesting donation for playground equipment.  Send letter – not in budget.

·         Centre County MPO Home Town Streets/Safe Route to School.

·         Mountainview Estates Traffic Study.

 

Road Superintendent’s Report

·         Stone and E-3 oil bids will be received February 14.

·         Township was denied County Liquid Fuels grant money for 2005.

·         Asked for approval to start Newsletter for Spring.  Approved.

·         The dump woods has a lot of trees needing harvested.

·         Bob C. asked if Budd’s crew will do a brush collection if residents have a lot of limbs down from the recent ice storm.  Yes.

 

Penns Valley Regional Planning Commission – no meeting

 

New Business – none

 

Open Discussion

·         Bob C. asked if we changed the mileage rate.  Yes.

·         Bob C. asked who the Township voting delegate will be for the PSATS convention.  Bob C. will be.

·         Tom said he cannot attend February 7 meeting.

 

Adjourn

·         At 9:10 P.M. Chairman Zerby adjourned the meeting.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Brenda K. Burd

Secretary/Treasurer

 

CCP – Country Club Park

CHPSA – Centre Hall Potter Sewer Authority

SCCCTS – South Central Centre County Transportation Study

DEP – PA Department of Environmental Protection

PCI – Planned Commercial Industrial

PVRPC – Penns Valley Regional Planning Commission

MPO – Metropolitan Planning Organization

 

MINUTES POSTED HERE ARE NOT OFFICIAL.  THE MINUTES ARE POSTED ON THIS SITE AS A CONVENIENCE TO TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS.  THE OFFICIAL MINUTES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TOWNSHIP OFFICE FOR REVIEW.

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