| Forks Action Committee |
| Homepage - Last Day of the Month |
| August 31, 2006 |
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The Express Times editorial from August 25th says it all. This IS the last stand for Forks' agricultural heritage, and is a veritable King's Ransom. EASD Superintendent, Dennis Riker wrote an Express Times letter, one that proves it is indeed a "King's Millage" for us all. Click on the links to read both articles. Read more below (the calendar) and in our blog. Keep Monday October 16 and Monday October 30 open. These are the tentative dates for the next rounds. You can't afford to miss the hearing! |
| Zoning Challenge Gets "Start" Do-Over! That's right - a re-start! Read all about the "technicality" that stopped the August 7th zoning hearing in its tracks. Both Sarah Mausolf (Express Times) and Joe Nixon (Morning Call) were there and told all. Three hundred and fifty of you were there also. It was hard to believe that something as elementary as notifying the owners of property within 300 feet of the parcels named in the suit (and as required by the Zoning Ordinance) was overlooked. It was. Consequently the meeting was called off for that night and everyone went home - vowing to return again on August 21st for the new "official" start of the challenge hearings. Don't miss it! Bring your friends! |
This month in Forks! updated 8/27/06
The August 21st start of the Kings Mill zoning challenge was well attended by concerned Forks residents and
neighbors. According the local papers 300 or more came. Read Mausolf (Express Times) and Nixon (Morning Call) for details
of the meeting. Channel 69's Carl Madonna was there too. For text of his televised report click here.
The big deal of the night was the announcement by the King's Mill (& partners) attorney that they amended their application. It
now reads that the applicant is KMRD, LP. Before this it listed Nic Zawarski and Sons Developers Inc., Nic Zawarski and Sons
Development Corp., Bucks-Lehigh Land Company, LLC, and KMRD, LP. The original filing was signed by Terry Zawarski
(twice), Dennis Benner, and another (illegible signature but possibly Dennis Benner again).
Forks resident (and Planning Commission member), Jim Wideman, spoke for many in the crowd when he objected to the
applicant name change. He asked that the partners be identified and said that they are hiding what they are doing behind the
"mask" of the new name. The audience applauded and was quieted by Solicitor Shay, the Zoning Hearing Board counselor,
when he told them that this was a legal proceeding and that outbursts would be gavelled by a judge in a courtroom.
The original Kings Mill partners (August 2005 Planning Commission meeting presentation) were Nic Zawarksi & Sons and J.T.
Maloney/Signature homes. At that time they were represented by Atty. Dennis Benner. Benner is now a partner and a new
attorney has been retained.
According the Morning Call article (linked above), Signature Homes is still a partner in KMRD, LP. Mr. Benner was not in
attendance but the rumor was that he was on vacation.
See our blog for some meeting photographs! Don't forget to read some of the posts there... and the Comments too. Don't be
afraid to join in the discussion(s) and add your own Comments. Your thoughts and opinions are always welcome!
neighbors. According the local papers 300 or more came. Read Mausolf (Express Times) and Nixon (Morning Call) for details
of the meeting. Channel 69's Carl Madonna was there too. For text of his televised report click here.
The big deal of the night was the announcement by the King's Mill (& partners) attorney that they amended their application. It
now reads that the applicant is KMRD, LP. Before this it listed Nic Zawarski and Sons Developers Inc., Nic Zawarski and Sons
Development Corp., Bucks-Lehigh Land Company, LLC, and KMRD, LP. The original filing was signed by Terry Zawarski
(twice), Dennis Benner, and another (illegible signature but possibly Dennis Benner again).
Forks resident (and Planning Commission member), Jim Wideman, spoke for many in the crowd when he objected to the
applicant name change. He asked that the partners be identified and said that they are hiding what they are doing behind the
"mask" of the new name. The audience applauded and was quieted by Solicitor Shay, the Zoning Hearing Board counselor,
when he told them that this was a legal proceeding and that outbursts would be gavelled by a judge in a courtroom.
The original Kings Mill partners (August 2005 Planning Commission meeting presentation) were Nic Zawarksi & Sons and J.T.
Maloney/Signature homes. At that time they were represented by Atty. Dennis Benner. Benner is now a partner and a new
attorney has been retained.
According the Morning Call article (linked above), Signature Homes is still a partner in KMRD, LP. Mr. Benner was not in
attendance but the rumor was that he was on vacation.
See our blog for some meeting photographs! Don't forget to read some of the posts there... and the Comments too. Don't be
afraid to join in the discussion(s) and add your own Comments. Your thoughts and opinions are always welcome!
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On August 17th the Board of Supervisors met to take action on a short agenda and to take care of Township
business. Township business was indeed the focus of this very long meeting. Read Sarah Mausolf (Express Times) and Joe
Nixon (Morning Call) for details on the evolving EMS investigation.
Some of the rest of the meeting:
Read our blog for more meeting details! Don't forget to read some of the other posts there... and the Comments too. Don't be
afraid to join in the discussion(s) and add your own Comments.
business. Township business was indeed the focus of this very long meeting. Read Sarah Mausolf (Express Times) and Joe
Nixon (Morning Call) for details on the evolving EMS investigation.
Some of the rest of the meeting:
- The Township Manager job description work will continue in committees,
- The flowers on the table in the lobby were donated by a flower shop near Bushkill Park.
- There is a police investigation going on into an "unauthorized entry" into the Municipal offices over the weekend of July
7th. The police report was filed by Supervisor Howell. - The DVR (digital video recorder) in the Municipal Building was out of service and out of the building from July 7 - Aug 9.
The Supervisors were not informed. - The Township pays $40 per animal to the Northampton County ASPCA. Anyone can bring in an animal and the
Township will be billed. The Board will consider whether or not to go back to annual flat fee next year. - The Board will consider re-joining Sam's Club in order to enjoy the savings provided. Purchases were made for
personal use in the past and receipts, etc. will be closely monitored by Finance Manager Farley. - Forks EMS life members are working to resuscitate the entity. Meanwhile agreements are being worked on between
Suburban EMS and Forks EMS regarding residents' subscriptions. - Supervisor Nicholas will take up key access to the Municipal Buildings at the Public Safety Committee meeting.
- All standing committee meetings have been publicly advertised and can now have more than two Supervisors in
attendance without Sunshine Law violations. - Work on Frutchey Hill "recycling" will begin soon. Bid packages have been prepared.
- Mitman Road will be "recycled" next year. This year a 270' length of new sewer line will be installed.
- A resident informed the Board that because its meeting night is the same as Northampton County's meetings, that
Forks is losing out on conservation grant money. He advised the Board to change its night and to attend County
meetings. - The hiring of a commercial photographer to help with the zoning litigation was approved.
Read our blog for more meeting details! Don't forget to read some of the other posts there... and the Comments too. Don't be
afraid to join in the discussion(s) and add your own Comments.
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The Planning Commission held its regular meeting on August 10th. They had a small agenda and the
meeting was done by 8:00 PM. Joe Nixon (Morning Call) was there and wrote of the agenda items. Two other things were
discussed that merit noting:
In response to Turner's concern that the Board acts on projects without a thorough understanding of the PC's discussions, the
Planning Commission decided to try a rotation system of PC members to represent the PC at each BoS meeting in which
projects they have discussed are on the agenda. Planner Jim Wideman will attend the August 17th meeting and Turner will
represent the PC at the September 7th meeting.
All projects discussed at this meeting are updated on our Newspage.
meeting was done by 8:00 PM. Joe Nixon (Morning Call) was there and wrote of the agenda items. Two other things were
discussed that merit noting:
- The scheduled workshop session for August 22nd to work on the SALDO re-write was cancelled "due to lack of
attendance." - Planner Dean Turner pursued his effort (begun as a comment at the 8/3/06 Supervisors' meeting) to insure that PC
comments and discussions are more thoroughly communicated to the Supervisors.
In response to Turner's concern that the Board acts on projects without a thorough understanding of the PC's discussions, the
Planning Commission decided to try a rotation system of PC members to represent the PC at each BoS meeting in which
projects they have discussed are on the agenda. Planner Jim Wideman will attend the August 17th meeting and Turner will
represent the PC at the September 7th meeting.
All projects discussed at this meeting are updated on our Newspage.
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ZONING HEARING BOARD: The August 7th challenge hearing was postponed on a technicality. Someone forgot to
notify (by certified mail) the property owners within 300 of the Kings Mill partnership's parcels that there was to be a meeting.
The partnership will do that and the new start is scheduled for August 21st at 7:30 PM in the Community Center.
According to the Express Times and the Morning Call, more than 300 residents were there for the "false start." One of them,
Francis Caffrey, wrote to the Express Times urging everyone to return for the August 21st meeting. We second that! And, for
those of you who missed it the first time, you have a chance to be there for the new official start of the hearings. Don't forget to
come and bring everyone you know! - To read the challenge filing that is arousing so much controversy, click HERE.
notify (by certified mail) the property owners within 300 of the Kings Mill partnership's parcels that there was to be a meeting.
The partnership will do that and the new start is scheduled for August 21st at 7:30 PM in the Community Center.
According to the Express Times and the Morning Call, more than 300 residents were there for the "false start." One of them,
Francis Caffrey, wrote to the Express Times urging everyone to return for the August 21st meeting. We second that! And, for
those of you who missed it the first time, you have a chance to be there for the new official start of the hearings. Don't forget to
come and bring everyone you know! - To read the challenge filing that is arousing so much controversy, click HERE.
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At the August 3rd Board of Supervisors meeting we learned what some of the procedure for the Zoning Hearing
Challenge may be. We learned too, that the Police Department's installation of video cameras in cruisers is complete. Some
of you may recall that a $13,000 gift for this purchases was given to (now former) Township Manager Cathy Kichline last March
by developer Tom Maloney (J.T. Maloney/Signature Homes. Some of you may also be aware that Signature Homes is one of
the partners in... King's Mill, the group challenging Forks' zoning as too restrictive.
A short list of other meeting highlights includes:
Read our blog for more meeting details! Don't forget to read some of the other posts there... and the Comments too. Don't be
afraid to join in the discussion(s) and add your own Comments.
Challenge may be. We learned too, that the Police Department's installation of video cameras in cruisers is complete. Some
of you may recall that a $13,000 gift for this purchases was given to (now former) Township Manager Cathy Kichline last March
by developer Tom Maloney (J.T. Maloney/Signature Homes. Some of you may also be aware that Signature Homes is one of
the partners in... King's Mill, the group challenging Forks' zoning as too restrictive.
A short list of other meeting highlights includes:
- The Lehigh Valley Greenways group was given permission to hold a meeting in the Municipal Building on August 30.
- "Greyhound people" will have 3 dogs at Community Days. Community Days is being held September 16 & 17. The
Municipal Complex will stage its official open house on Saturday, the 16th from noon to 4:00PM right after the opening
ceremony (from 11-noon). The Municipal Building, Police Department, and Fire House will be open. - The Township will loan horses/cones and directional devices to help control traffic for the Italian Festival being held
August 26-27 at the Eagles on Sullivan Trail. - Forks police have answered 700 more calls than last year at this time.
- The Mom's Club of Forks Township has been given permission to put a collection box in the lobby of the Municipal
Building. They already have one in the Community Center. They collect school supplies for the Third Street
Alliance/needy children. - The Borough of Freemansburg will be joining the Twin Rivers Council of Governments.
- Gifts from developers will no longer be assumed okay. They must be brought to the Board for acceptance.
- Forks is paying for its agreed purchase of Crivellaro sewage treatment capacity. Last November Forks approved the
purchase of 21K gallons at $6.80/gal. - The new quarterly publication will be out in October and will be the Fall/Winter edition.
- Folks on 611 complained about the lack of traffic enforcement and the deteriorating road condition because of heavy,
speeding trucks and flooding. - Folks on Richmond Road are complaining about speeders and increased traffic.
- A Briarwood at Steeplechase resident complained that their developer has not kept his promise to regrade in order to
stop flooding and erosion problems. - The fund raiser for Bushkill Park was deafening to those living near there. Eleven hours of 60 bands playing on 4
stages caused the police to pay three visits finally shutting it down at 10:35 PM. - Solicitor Karl Kline and Attorney Steven Goudsouzian will represent the Township at the Zoning Challenge Hearings.
- Delivery of the new fire truck is delayed because of a "minor complication." The minor complication will cost an
additional $3600 and offsets much of the discount earned by the initial downpayment. - The paperwork for the new fire truck PEMA loan has just been completed and is under review by Solicitor Kline. He
advised that it can take up to 60 days to be processed. The Board will borrow funds from other accounts to pay for the
truck and will reimburse those accounts with the PEMA loan money when it arrives. - Fire Chief/Zoning Officer Tim Weis said that Maloney approached him with a donation offer. Weis was advised to bring
all offers to the Board. - There is trouble with one of the air conditioner units at the Community Center. They are hoping to have it fixed in time
for the meeting on August 7th.
Read our blog for more meeting details! Don't forget to read some of the other posts there... and the Comments too. Don't be
afraid to join in the discussion(s) and add your own Comments.
In case any of you wonder how our website and blog are doing lately, here are some graphs to view. Double click on the
images below for larger views. We are excited at the traffic we are getting. Thank you all! Tell your friends!
images below for larger views. We are excited at the traffic we are getting. Thank you all! Tell your friends!
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