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 APRIL 10, 2006

 

The second monthly meeting of the Potter Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, April 10, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. at the Township Building, 124 Short Road, Spring Mills, PA with Supervisors Tom Sharer, Monty Strouse, Bob Corman, Richard Poorman and Paul Zerby present.  Also attending were Secretary Brenda Burd, Solicitor Robert Rayman, Road Superintendent Budd Brooks and Zoning Officer Jeff Wingert. 

 

Also attending were Dale (Buster) Wilt, John Zerby, Ann Glaser, Ray Regan, Stan Wallace, Bob Decker, Mick Rowles, John Weaver, Stacy Zerby, Ellen Zerby, Linda Poorman, Dave and Darlene Bierly, Amy Grove, Sandra Rishel, Fred and Penny Waltz, Janet Zerby, Joy and Alan Decker, Todd and Betsy Hockenberry, Mel Sammis, Irene Cummins, Mary and Larry Ramsey, Ronald Phillips, Susan and Carol Walker, Jim Casselberry, Tim Treaster and George and Milena Bucek.

 

At 7:00 P.M. Chairman Sharer opened the meeting by asking everyone to stand and pledge allegiance to the flag after which he called the meeting to order.

 

Paul had questions and comments on the Minutes of the April 3, 2006.  He stated he listened to the tape of the April 3rd meeting.  He asked Tom if he voted for himself to become Chair.  Tom said yes and he is allowed to do that.  Paul said under Citizens Concerns, Monty told John Z. ‘we broke the law, so what’ and Paul wants that added to the minutes.  With those corrections/comments Paul made a motion to approve the minutes and financial report, seconded by Rich, motion carried unanimously.

 

Citizens Concerns

  • Mel read two letters addressing Casselberry’s hydro report.  She asked the Township to submit these letters with the hydro reports when the Township sends them to a third-party for review.
  • Penny commented on the inaccuracy of her well and presented a letter regarding same.
  • Tom suggested holding other Sinking Creek concerns until the subdivision is discussed later in the agenda.

 

Planning Commission Report

  • They signed the Sinking Creek Planning Module.
  • They are working on revising the map.

 

Zoning Officer’s Report

  • Jeff introduced himself and announced his office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Township building, or by appointment.
  • Presented Permit Report for March through April 6, 2006.
  • He asked about obtaining Centre Roads and Excel software.  Brenda said she has a software package available for him and she believes Centre Roads is available to the Township.
  • Dave Bierly expressed his concerns with the 78 acres he has signed up for ag preservation.  He said if the preservation fell through, he doesn’t want it land-locked.  Tom suggested Dave make an appointment with Jeff to discuss this.  Dave also asked about the in-lieu-of fee for the lots he did subdivide.  Tom told him it couldn’t be answered without checking the plan submission date.

 

Subdivisions

Sinking Creek Subdivision – Stanley Wallace, Nittany Engineering

  • Stan submitted revised plans for Sinking Creek Subdivision reducing the lots to 63 residential.  Discussion followed and questions were asked of Stan and Mr. Casselberry.
  • Stan gave a recap of the meeting regarding the intersection of Route 144 and Sinking Creek Road.  They hope to get easements on both sides of the road; and guiderail improvements will be made to increase site distance for a safer intersection.  Stan said Penny Waltz’s stormwater management concerns for a house down-stream of that intersection will be reviewed.
  • Stan submitted a new Planning Module for approval.  Bob C. expressed concerns on drainage from the Myers Farm.  Monty made a motion to approve the Planning Module Component 3, Transmittal Letter, and Resolution #7, seconded by Bob C., motion carried unanimously.  Tom said to make note the Chair voted to support the Planning Module.

Dave Bierly – Ray Regan, Penn Terra

  • Ray submitted Sewage Planning Module, Component 1 for approval.  Bob C. made a motion to approve, seconded by Paul, motion carried unanimously.  Signed.

 

Old Business

Penns Valley Regional Planning Commission By-Laws Draft

  • Brenda received the revised By-laws draft from Linda Marshall, changed as Potter Township suggested.  Monty made a motion to conditionally approve the corrected draft, seconded Bob C., motion carried unanimously.  Brenda asked what to tell Linda about meeting days for PVRPC.  Tom tabled the issue; PVRPC Board should decide. 

 

  • Paul said a motion had been passed that the Penn State Farm meeting on March 15 be deferred until they could have it at a more public place where more people could attend; but three Supervisors went to the meeting anyway and made a decision at that meeting.  Paul asked Bob R. if the three Supervisors that attended the Penn State Farm meeting rescinded that motion or just went ahead and voted to accept the farm; and he asked if their action was legal.  Bob R. said he did not attend that meeting and therefore cannot answer what happened at the meeting; but he told Paul the motion he made was to postpone a meeting that the County called and the County chose to have it.  Paul’s motion did not state that no one from the Township could attend and participate.  Bob R. said we could not stop the meeting from happening because it was the County’s meeting.  Paul said a quorum should not have attended the meeting since his motion carried 3 to 2. 
  • Paul said Bob C. and Tom had Paul step down from Chairmanship at last meeting (4/3) because of calls from citizens about his Chairmanship, and asked them to name the citizens.  Tom said he would not name names at public meeting.  Paul argued if he was made to step down at public meeting, the reason should be made public.  Tom read from Robert’s Rules that say a Chairman is supposed to run meetings in an organized manner, not be in debates of issues, and be courteous to other members of the group.  Paul asked Bob C. to name names and Bob refused.  Paul told Bob C. he talked about Tom outside of meetings and said how Tom’s mouth will get the Township into trouble by talking outside of meetings.  Paul told Monty that he said he ran for reelection to keep control of Bob Corman.  Paul said he wants this to go on record.  Paul asked Bob R. if the reorganization was legal.  Bob R. said it is not illegal to reorganize and a reason was given for reorganization.  Tom said they will move on with the meeting and if Paul wants an executive session they will hold one.  Paul said he does.
  • John Z. told Bob R. he checked with the Ethics Commissions and read them the minutes (of March 13th) and the CDT article (of March 16th) and they told John the Township broke the Sunshine Law. 
  • John Z. asked the status of the Penn State Farm purchase.  Tom said a meeting is scheduled for April 19th.  John asked how we’ll pay for the farm; because in the last couple years the Board has put two new taxes on the citizens; one for the fire company and this new one for the $1,250 recreation fee. 
  • John Z. said the Fire Co. was supposed to organize a committee 1-1/2 years ago or have their tax millage reduced and no committee was formed and the millage wasn’t reduced.  Bob C. and Monty both said things changed. 
  • Mick said he had understood the Board was going to get information about how they would pay for the farm and bring it back to the Township meetings and that hasn’t happened.  Potter is the largest of the three municipalities interested in the farm so they would pay the most money.  Tom said at that 3/15 meeting, they voted to ‘support the farm purchase’.  Paul said he has been against a ‘partnership’ from the beginning because when there is a partnership, you don’t know what ‘part’ you own.  He discussed the 56 acres the Township already owns and could have made into a park but never did.  John asked if the Board thought about the liability insurance for this farm.

 

Solicitor’s Report

  • He said we will need to get a copy of Fire Company’s approved Resolution.
  • He sent Brenda a Permit Ordinance they need to review to discuss at next work session.
  • He would like to ask for an executive session to discuss a legal road issue.

 

Secretary’s Report

  • Presented documents for Smith Farm Development Rights for signatures.  Bob C. made a motion to approve, seconded by Monty, motion carried unanimously.
  • Presented Sewage Memorandum of Understanding for the Sterner subdivision for signatures.
  • Presented bills to be paid list for review and approval.

 

Correspondence

  • Permit Ordinance from Bob Rayman – distributed
  • April 7, 2006 letter from Centre Hall-Potter Sewer Authority to Larson Design
  • Letter from Fred and Penny Waltz – distributed
  • CCATO Convention April 17, 2006
  • PSATS Newsletter and proposed Resolutions
  • Invitation from Larson Design to visit them at Progress Grill April 24th at PSATS
  • Centre County Solid Waste Authority Monthly recyclables
  • CCMPO Coordinating Committee meeting report
  • C. Herr on Eugene Walker Subdivision-Phase II
  • Article on C. Herr-distributed
  • Letter from Centre County Conservation to S & A
  • Centre County Planning Office to Grange Fair on Minor Land Development

 

Road Superintendent’s Report

  • He gave the Board a copy of the proposed turnback road from PennDOT.  They do not support this.
  • He needs to get someone to mow Country Club Park.  He was told to get prices.
  • Brush pick up is April 24th and 25th
  • Riff raff dates are May 5th and 6th
  • Received a Legislative Alert that prevailing wages be paid on some road maintenance jobs
  • Asked the Chairman to sign the Notice-of-Award for the Building Bid for CCP

 

Penns Valley Regional Planning Commission – none

 

New Business

State College Baseball – John Sepp

  • J. Sepp asked for final signature on the plan.  He provided Chuck Herr’s approval letter.  Monty made a motion, seconded by Bob C. to sign the final land development plan for State College Baseball.  Motion carried and the Secretary signed it (Chair previously signed).
  • J. Sepp asked about dedication of Summer Lane which they understand the Township does not want to plow when there is only one-summer business on the road.  There may be more year-round businesses go in that road.  He asked the status of the proposed agreement in January 2006.  Bob R. will revise it and Sepp was told the Owners’ need to keep the road up to standards until the Township even considers taking it over. 

 

Open Discussion

  • Amy G. asked about a sewage problem at their home in CCP.  Budd said SBWJA will be conducting a camera test of the lines and will determine their problem.
  • Joy D. asked about the logo that should have been completed a couple years ago.  Tom responded his daughter worked on that but it died for lack of support at the school.
  • Mick R. suggested the in-lieu-of fee be eliminated for parents giving their child a piece of land.  Tom said he doesn’t know how exceptions could be regulated.
  • Buster asked if the Township could recoup several hundred dollars from the former Zoning Officer for all the personal phone calls he made that were paid for by the Township.  Bob R. said if they are not Township calls, we can bill him.  Buster asked if there is a motion to retrieve that money.  Tom said it will be discussed.
  • The Board was asked if business will be conducted after the executive session.  Tom said they always reopen the meeting; they often conduct business at that time; they have to open to adjourn; and he said they always check to see if residents are outside.

 

At 8:50 P.M. Chairman Sharer recessed the regular meeting for an executive session on personnel and a legal road issue.

 

At 9:10 P.M. Chairman Sharer closed the executive session and reconvened the regular meeting.

 

Adjourn

Tom asked Brenda and Budd if anything further needed discussed or signed; no.  Monty made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Bob C. – meeting adjourned at 9:11 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Brenda K. Burd

Secretary/Treasurer

 

PVRPC – Penns Valley Regional Planning Commission

CDT – Centre Daily Times

CCATO – Centre County Association of Township Officials

PSATS – PA State Association of Township Supervisors

CCMPO – Centre County Metropolitan Planning Organization

CCP – Country Club Park

SBWJA – Spring-Benner-Walker Joint Authority

THE 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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