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 SEPTEMBER 12, 2005

 

The second monthly meeting of the Potter Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, September 12, 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. 

 

Also attending were Bob Decker, Brian Long, Don Pecht, Tim Craul, Ann Glaser, Mary Ramsey, Larry Ramsey, Carol Walker, Susan Walker, Mary Ellen Whalen, Frank Cummins, Melicent Sammis, Laura & Jay Young, Penny Waltz, Sandra Rishel, Virginia Struble, Nancy Doty, Kathy Zimmerman, Bob Foust, Linda Shakley, John Dunlap, Dennis Foust, Holly Ishler, Christine Palmer, Jim Shunk, Brad Noll, Troy Richner, Tom Doman, George Bucek, Todd Hockenberry and Fred Waltz.

 

Chairman Zerby called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M.

 

Minutes of the September 5, 2005 meeting and the Financial Report were approved as presented on a motion by Tom, seconded by Rich, motion carried unanimously.

 

Citizens Concerns (relating to Sinking Creek Subdivision)

·         Mel Sammis read a letter to the Supervisors expressing her concerns regarding the Sinking Creek Subdivision.  She has had two (2) wells go dry and therefore has concerns about water for 74 additional homes in the area.

·         Penny Waltz expressed her concerns with the additional number of wells, the 74-septic systems and the safety of Route 144/Sinking Creek Road intersection.

·         Nancy Doty expressed concerns with the swampy areas, she is on her second septic field because of it and she also has had a well go dry.

·         Larry Ramsey expressed the same concerns.

·         Troy Richner expressed a safety issue for his children who are picked up by the school bus close to the Route 144/Sinking Creek Road intersection; and has concerns with the water issue.

·         George Bucek suggested a serious hydrogeological study be performed.

·         Frank Cummins expressed the same concerns.

·         Jay Young is concerned with wells going dry and wonders why the residents are not protected but the developers are.

·         Mary Ramsey asks about the water study the Township had done.

Tom replied the main concern at that time was the Homan well field and the update was mainly for well head protection.

·         Penny Waltz asked if anyone along Sinking Creek was tested but no one present knew who was tested.  She also points out road safety issues; the added traffic, the school bus traffic, and the farmers’ equipment.

·         Larry Ramsey states that a water study is different than a hydrogeological study.

·         Tim Craul said he knows the soils in the area and the soils can handle those kinds of flows and the septic systems.  If placed correctly and installed correctly, there is very little chance of overloading the soils unless there are cavities underneath.

·         George Bucek said that no one can tell ahead what concerns will come in the future.

·         Susan Walker is concerned with the wells and sewage, stating there is a lot of run-off in the lower field and caves are a possibility and she knows that homes in the lower field will encounter problems.

·         George Bucek said the issue of nitrates in the water needs addressed.

·         Laura Young asked the Board if they can address these concerns or how can the citizens get these issues addressed.

Tom stated everyone has concerns but we also need to depend on the system and the Engineers to do their jobs.

·         Mel Sammis asked where the burden lies if the system fails.

Bob Rayman stated nothing is approved until all the studies and reviews are done.  Our Engineer will look at everything submitted before it’s approved.  The developer’s Engineer presents plans that need reviewed by the Planning Commission and our Engineer and any studies that need done will have to be done before there are any approvals. Decisions are made on the Engineer’s expertise after we have all the input. 

·         Laura Young asked if there is somewhere they can go to find the tests and studies already done.

Paul said it would be best to wait until all the studies and tests are done.  There has been nothing approved, nothing built or finalized; the Township Engineer has not reviewed the plans yet.

·         Penny Waltz asked how the Board will make the road safer in conjunction with 74 new homes.

Bob Corman said it may mean taking land to make the intersection safer.

·         Mary Ramsey asked what the steps are from now until the plans are approved final.

Paul responded the County and our Planning Commission review everything and make recommendations to the developer’s Engineer.  When everything meets our Planning Commission’s approval they give their recommendations to the Supervisors and the Supervisors have the final say.  Discussion followed regarding a hydrogeological study.  Paul recommends they should let the system work all these things out.

·         Bob Decker of Nittany Engineering said these are all legitimate concerns and the County has considered these same concerns.  The Owner hired an independent traffic study engineer and a study is currently being done and will be presented to the Township.  If improvements need done, they will be addressed.  The Owner has also begun a hydrogeological study as part of the process and he assured the citizens there is a process and asked that they let the process work.

·         Laura asked about laws on developments/subdivisions in the Township and Bob Rayman told her we use the County’s Subdivision Ordinance.

·         Ann Glaser said the PVRPC is preparing a Regional Comp Plan which will update the Township’s 1994 plan and the new plan will be effective for the next 10 or 20-years.  She urged these citizens to get involved and attend a PVRPC public hearing October 24th.

 

Planning Commission Report

  • Monty reported they basically addressed these same concerns at their September 6th meeting.

 

Zoning Officer’s Report

·         Presented the August Zoning Report.

 

Subdivisions

·         Sinking Creek Subdivision – Bob Decker of Nittany Engineering asked for a waiver for Stormwater Management for the Preliminary Plan but do the detail on the Final Plan.  Bob Corman made that motion, seconded by Paul, motion carried unanimously.  Conditional approval was discussed and the Board wants the concerns addressed first.  Paul made a motion to wait on taking any action until the Planning Commission gives their approval first, seconded by Bob C., motion carried unanimously.

·         Tim Craul presented the Planning Module for The Craul Farm Subdivision.  Paul made a motion to approve, seconded by Monty, motion carried unanimously.  Signed.

 

Centre Hall Fire Company

·         Brian Long reported that at their August tax meeting they discussed the piece of land they are looking to purchase.  Centre Hall Borough has given their approval of support.  Brian asked the Township for their support.  Tom asked why they need Township approval.  Brian said because it is possible they would use tax money to help pay for the land and the building.  Brian asked if the Township tax money can be used to purchase the land and build the building.  Bob Corman said he understood the Fire Co. would finance through grants and other means of support and when they are ready to build, come back to the Township about help with the building; that no fire tax money be used until they buy the property.  Bob also has concerns with the roads, there is only one way in and out and the road is narrow, they need a place where they can drive straight through the property and that’s not a sure thing.  Brian said they have paid $5,000 down to the land owner with the option after a year.  The land is in the Borough.  Most firemen live in the Borough.  Most calls are in Potter Township.  They checked four (4) other land options, including expanding where they are currently located.  They also have a meeting set with the Lions to discuss the matter.  Tom made a motion to support the venture, seconded by Monty.  Bob C. asked for discussion.  Bob said the dollars and sense is good; there are nearly 10 acres, Borough sewer and water, and power is on the land.  The land is available and it’s a good investment.  Paul said he can support it if they raise the money themselves but he would like to see no tax money be used for land purchase.  Rich advised the road is only 30-feet wide and not built for heavy truck traffic and they would need to upgrade the road.  Vote was called for and carried with Monty, Tom and Rich voting for the support.  Brian invited the Board to attend a meeting October 26th at 7:00 PM with the Borough.

 

Old Business – none.

 

Solicitor’s Report

·         He asked if we have heard from the County on our grant request for Country Club Park.  We have called repeatedly but they haven’t returned our calls.  Budd was advised to follow up on it and Bob will follow up with Rep. Benninghoff.

·         Reported he and Budd have a meeting September 19th on the Road Standards.  Jeff suggested roads in a development be based on number of lots.  Bob C. would like to see single ingress / egress to eliminate a lot of roads coming out on to a Township road from a development.  They were asked to bring the revised version to a meeting for review.

·         Bob asked about the malfunctioning septic system on Manor Road.  Brenda said Chuck Herr asked if they would like him to make an inspection because pumping has not been done and advised Bob the bill for building the holding tank has not been paid.  Bob R. asked if anyone knew for sure whether anyone is living there.  No trespassing signs have been erected.  Jeff was asked to confirm whether or not someone is living there.

·         Bob asked if the $28,000 Letter of Credit was received for Ashford Manor.  No.  He will call Al Jones.  Brenda said she has spoken with Don Coyne and he promised the letter.  Budd said the County has not done final inspection.  Brenda was told not to record the deed until the $28,000 Letter of Credit is received.

 

Jeff brought up an issue to the Board that Rick Hampton is taking plans and issuing building permits before Zoning has seen the plans or applications.  Rick is not following proper procedures and the Board said Rick should not be accepting plans and issuing permits before the whole package goes through proper channels.  Brenda was told to write a letter to Rick about this issue.  Bob R. wants to review it before it is mailed.

 

Secretary’s Report

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

·         Asked if Monday, October 31st is approved for Trick or Treat night.  Paul made that motion, seconded by Bob C., motion carried unanimously.

·         Asked the Board if they would like me to follow up on a letter received from Chuck Herr regarding the Eutaw House.  Bob R. has followed up with Chuck on the matter but I could follow up on it with a call.

·         Presented three (3) Memorandums of Understanding for SEO services for the Board to sign for Rimmey, Tanis and Mahaffy.  (signed)

·         Reported that Adelphia has started charging the 40¢ franchise fee per cable customer August 1st.

·         Asked if there is any problem with Elections being held at the Township November 8th.   No.

·         Asked for discussion of options to pay CCP bills during plant design.  Bills must be paid before I can ask for reimbursement from the Grant.  Budd and I came up with two options. Option 1: use the established Line-of-Credit and pay interest, or Option 2: borrow from General Fund and keep paper trails.  The Board decided to use General Fund money but I should speak with Rick Bair about any special accounting for when he does the audit.

 

Correspondence

·         Centre County Solid Waste Authority monthly recyclables report for August

·         Letter copy from John Miller to Harry McClenahan

·         PSATS News Bulletin

·         Glenn O. Hawbaker announcing an increase to quoted prices (does not affect Potter Township)

·         Thank you for donation from Centre County Library

·         Centre Hall Potter Sewer Authority minutes of July 19th

·         Centre Hall Fire Co. Minutes of July 12th