EAST MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Meeting of the Board – December 5, 2016
Chairman Richard P.S. Hannum, Jr. called the public meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Township Building by leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members John Sarro, Eddie G. Caudill, Robert F. Weer and Christine Kimmel were also present, as was Solicitor Frone Crawford, Engineer Jim Hatfield and Planning Commission Chairman Cuyler Walker.
Public Comment Period. No comments from the public
Minutes of November 7. The minutes were approved by a vote of 5-0.
Safety Committee Meeting Update. John Sarro said the Safety Committee met on November 30th and made good progress toward slowing traffic through Unionville. The next Safety Committee meeting will be January 11th at 7:00 p.m. Bob Weer asked that Mr. Sarro involve members of Unionville Chadds Ford School District in the discussions about the crosswalk at the school.
Escrow Release -Glenelg Farm #17. Engineer Jim Hatfield recommended the release of $18,440.00 for work that was completed at Glenelg Farm. The Stormwater retention basin needs to be redesigned so they don’t have to remove mature trees, this work will be completed in the spring. The Supervisors voted to approve the release unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
Resolution 2016-12. Mr. Hannum called for a vote on the resolution to set the Tax Levy for 2017 setting the tax rate for general purposes at 1.05 mills, the tax rate for Open Space Preservation at .20 mils, and the tax rate for the library at .183 mils and the tax rate for Fire Protection at .75 mils. The Supervisors approved the resolution unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
Resolution 2016-13. Mr. Hannum called for a vote on the resolution to set the Light Tax for funding for the Unionville Street Lights at .50 cents per lineal foot of measurable and applicable property frontage. The Supervisors approved the resolution unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
Resolution 2016-14. Mr. Hannum called for a vote on the resolution to close certain township roads – Wollaston Road from Route 926 South to the point where it becomes a blacktop road, and Byrd Road from Route 842 South to the Township Line with West Marlborough Township – and that no winter maintenance should be performed thereon until traveling conditions are improved to the point where, in the Township Roadmaster’s opinion, said roads will be fit and safe to travel.The Supervisors approved the resolution unanimously by a 5-0 vote.
Meeting of the Board – December 5, 2016
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Resolution 2016-15. Mr. Hannum called for a vote on the resolution to establish the Tax Levy for Fire Hydrants $26.73 pursuant to Ordinance Number 2010-01. The Supervisors voted to approve the resolution by a 5-0 vote.
Emergency Service Study Group. Mr. Hannum asked Mr. Cuyler Walker to give an update on the committee that is working with the Emergency Services Consultant to improve coverage and control rising costs that are associated with EMS service.
Mr. Walker said representatives from six municipalities: East Marlborough, Kennett Township, Kennett Borough, Pennsbury, Newlin and Pocopson have been meeting over the last year to address resident concerns about Fire and EMS services. Mr. Walker and Mr. Weer have been representing East Marlborough Township at the meetings. The consultant hired by the municipalities to conduct the Emergency Services needs study was Valley Forge Information Systems (VFIS) and they prepared a 200+ page report title “Kennett Area Conceptual EMS/Fire Delivery Model” that Mr. Walker asked the Supervisors to accept. The Supervisors voted unanimously (5-0) to accept the report. The next step for the Study Group is to draft an inter-municipality agreement to establish a governing commission. The governing commission would then establish a funding formula for operation of the Fire Companies for the next three years. Under the proposed plan, each Fire Company will stay independent. Funding would remain at the same level the Fire Companies currently receive from the municipalities. Mr. Walker reported that a unanimous vote would be required for decisions on the funding formula, funding allocation and change in territory.
Township Owned Building in Unionville. Mr. Hannum asked Mr. Walker to brief the Supervisors on the efforts of a group of residents who were asked to help decide the what to do with the old engine room building, the post office and the banquet hall in Unionville. The building have been dormant for the past few years, with the exception of the front part of the Post Office, and have had significant water damage due to burst pipes. Since the buildings are located within the RB (Residential) Zoning district they are not attractive properties to an investor unless the township would give relief from zoning. The group determined that due to the state of the buildings and the lack of historic significance they should be dismantled rather than being rehabilitated to rent or sold at public bid. Mr. Walker reported that the current lease for the Post Office runs until 2020 and the commission recommends demolishing the banquet hall at the most convenient and cost-effective time.
Mid-Year Audit Report. Township Manager Prysock said the Township’s Independent Auditors, Barbacane, Thornton, had conducted an audit as of September 1, 2016 to coincide with former Manager Jane Laslo’s retirement. The Auditors verified the balances in all of the township accounts as well as payroll records and expenditures and determined there were no deficiencies in the township’s accounting practices. The auditors also verified that Mrs. Laslo had been removed from township accounts as of September 1.
Meeting of the Board – December 5, 2016
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Bills. By unanimous vote (5-0) the Supervisors approved payment of invoices with the following totals:
General Fund $268,685.85
Payroll $ 46,201.48
Sewer Fund $ 16,016.29
State Fund $ 17,097.75
Unionville Park $123,582.02
Treasurer’s Report. By unanimous vote (5-0), the attached Treasurer’s report was accepted as prepared.
The public meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m., at which point the Supervisors went into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter.
East Marlborough Township
Laurie C. Prysock, Manager/Secretary
EAST MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
AGENDA – December 5 – 7 P.M.
Call to Order – Pledge of Allegiance
Public Comment Period
Old Business:
- Minutes of November 7, 2016
New Business:
- Glenelg Escrow Release #17 – Represented by Bob Pearson
- Budgets for 2016
- Resolution 2016-12 Establishing tax rate for General Fund and Fire Tax for 2017
- Resolution 2016-13 Establishing Light Tax Rate for 2017
- Resolution 2016-14 Establishing Hydrant Tax Rate
- Resolution 2016-15 – No Winter Maintenance on Specified Township Roads
- Presentation of Emergency Services Report – Bob Weer and Cuyler Walker
- Recommendation for Buildings in Unionville – Cuyler Walker on behalf of the committee
- Monthly Bills
- Treasurer’s Report
There will be a brief Executive Session after the public meeting to discuss personnel matters.