| Forks Action Committee |
| Homepage - Last Day of the Month |
| September 30, 2006 |
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For a few more photos of the days festivities, click HERE. On 9/21/06, the Board of Supervisors presented Harry and Susan Bennett, who chaired the steering committee, with a letter of appreciation. The Bennetts in turn presented Boy Scout Troop 29 with a check for $200. The scouts performed the flag ceremony, helped vendors, and cleaned up the garbage. The Board agreed to have the event again next year! |
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| The Planning Commission, The Grocery, & You! Once again, the PC "heard it first." Weis Market is the premier contender for the commercial property at Uhler & Sullivan Trail. At the presentation to the PC on 9/14/06, the developer and Weis representatives described a "prototype" Weis store and a new shopping experience. The discussion was detailed by Nixon (Morning Call) and Lomax (Express Times). The vote was 7:0 to "not accept" the plans because they differed from the newer plans (presented.) The clock starts ticking when the plans are accepted for review. More to come when more is known. |
On Monday, August 28th the Board of Supervisors held a special meeting to decide the Forks EMS issue.
Both the Express Times' Sarah Mausolf and the Morning Call's Joe Nixon were there. Please read their articles as well as this
editorial from the 9/3/06 Express Times.
The new Forks EMS plan was presented by Bill Keifer, the new board president of the squad. He asked the Supervisors to
back the squad so that they could negotiate with their lenders and customers and resume operations on its September 11th
target date. He said that the "life members" have met and elected a new board and developed a plan.
Dr. Everitt Binns, executive director of the Eastern PA EMS Council, told the Board that he was going to recommend the
suspension of the Forks squad's license because it violated the terms of its license by not giving 90 days notice before it
closed its doors and because he has not seen the new plan.
Binns also told the Board that his department has a free service that squads can use to develop viable financial/working plans.
The Forks squad will avail itself of this service. It can take up to 90 days before re-licensing is recommended by the EMS
Council.
Forks residents' subscriptions were discussed. One of the options is that Forks EMS and Suburban EMS conduct a joint
subscription drive and put the money in an escrow account, 1/12 of it to be used monthly by the squad providing the service
(currently Suburban). Keifer noted that Suburban is using the Forks facility at no charge and that costs are increasing as a
result. Solicitor Kline offered that a portion of the subscription money could be paid to them as rent without the squad being
perceived as operating without a license.
There was a 4:0 vote (with Supervisor Hoff abstaining because of a potential conflict) to back Forks EMS once it gets its license
reinstated by the State EMS Council.
The Board voted (5:0) to make up the shortfall in the money owed on the new fire truck until the PEMA loan ($100K at 2%)
comes through (and repays the Township accounts.) Two representatives are to inspect the truck (it's ready) prior to delivery
and to pay the balance due, $210,789.92. The Township has written the check and the signers were Secretary/Treasurer
Howell and Supervisor Miller. The money to cover the check is coming from the fire truck accrual account ($185,160) and
another accrual expense account.
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.
Both the Express Times' Sarah Mausolf and the Morning Call's Joe Nixon were there. Please read their articles as well as this
editorial from the 9/3/06 Express Times.
The new Forks EMS plan was presented by Bill Keifer, the new board president of the squad. He asked the Supervisors to
back the squad so that they could negotiate with their lenders and customers and resume operations on its September 11th
target date. He said that the "life members" have met and elected a new board and developed a plan.
Dr. Everitt Binns, executive director of the Eastern PA EMS Council, told the Board that he was going to recommend the
suspension of the Forks squad's license because it violated the terms of its license by not giving 90 days notice before it
closed its doors and because he has not seen the new plan.
Binns also told the Board that his department has a free service that squads can use to develop viable financial/working plans.
The Forks squad will avail itself of this service. It can take up to 90 days before re-licensing is recommended by the EMS
Council.
Forks residents' subscriptions were discussed. One of the options is that Forks EMS and Suburban EMS conduct a joint
subscription drive and put the money in an escrow account, 1/12 of it to be used monthly by the squad providing the service
(currently Suburban). Keifer noted that Suburban is using the Forks facility at no charge and that costs are increasing as a
result. Solicitor Kline offered that a portion of the subscription money could be paid to them as rent without the squad being
perceived as operating without a license.
There was a 4:0 vote (with Supervisor Hoff abstaining because of a potential conflict) to back Forks EMS once it gets its license
reinstated by the State EMS Council.
The Board voted (5:0) to make up the shortfall in the money owed on the new fire truck until the PEMA loan ($100K at 2%)
comes through (and repays the Township accounts.) Two representatives are to inspect the truck (it's ready) prior to delivery
and to pay the balance due, $210,789.92. The Township has written the check and the signers were Secretary/Treasurer
Howell and Supervisor Miller. The money to cover the check is coming from the fire truck accrual account ($185,160) and
another accrual expense account.
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 September 7 Board of Supervisors meeting was once again filled with the "business" of the Township and not
with developers' projects. Sarah Mausolf (Express Times) and Joe Nixon (Morning Call) were there and reported extensively
on the Township Manager deliberations.
Other topics under discussion/review included:
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.
with developers' projects. Sarah Mausolf (Express Times) and Joe Nixon (Morning Call) were there and reported extensively
on the Township Manager deliberations.
Other topics under discussion/review included:
- Supervisor Ackerman said that there were witnesses to the "private meeting" that he inquired about at the last meeting.
Chairman Hoff advised him to report it to the State Ethics Commission if he had evidence and to let them do the
investigation. Ackerman couldn't remember the date he asked about but did remember that it was a Wednesday. - Hoff said that he was in a meeting on the evening of July 5th (a Wednesday) with Supervisor Howell, former manager
Cathy Kichline, and Mel Hodges and David Becker (both of Hodges Technologies.) That meeting was about
Supervisors Ackerman and Nicholas and their attempt to get Supervisor Miller to be the third signer on a memo
authorizing Becker to provide them with certain Municipal office email. Hoff said that had they gotten that third signature
that they would have violated the Sunshine Law. - Jim Wideman (resident and PC member) asked the Board how they felt individually about the Kings Mill and partners
zoning challenge since he could not recall a public vote on it. After Nicholas replied that she was for open space but if
the Township was losing she would do whatever she could to get as much as possible for the Township. The acting
Solicitor (Kline was on vacation) cautioned the Board about making public statements while the litigation is ongoing. - The Board voted 5:0 to support Palmer Township's grant request for soccer field amenities. They hope that Palmer will
support their grant request (should they file one) for the dog park. - Nicholas reported that Forks EMS is working with Suburban EMS to send out subscriptions and that they are working
with Dr. Binns to get their license reinstated. - Deputy Fire Chief Bryan Weis said that the new truck has passed inspection and should be here on Tuesday. It will be
a month until all the equipment is installed and it is placed in service. - Nicholas said that backup security cameras and surge protection will cost $32K. She also said that she got an
estimate for lightening protection for the municipal buildings - $20K. The Public Safety Committee will seek more
quotes. - Forks' newest bank, Merchants, presented the fire company with a check for $500 for Community Days.
- E. J. Breneman's bid of $199K earned it the contract for the Frost Hollow Road "recycling."
- GARY STRAUSSER - DEVELOPMENT EXTENSIONS TO EXTEND PHASES 5 & 6 MAINTENANCE BUILDING & BED
AND BREAKFAST was put on hold until next meeting when the uncompleted list from phases 5 & 6 will be prepared in
a resolution for the Board's consideration. - The application deadline for the Township Manager position remains at 9/15 but may be extended.
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.
On September 21st the Board of Supervisors began the evening with a public workshop session at 6:30 to discuss
the Township Manager's duties and responsibilities. There will be another workshop session to finish the job description on
October 5 at 6:30 PM. The budget calendar for 2007 was on the agenda and Joe Nixon (Morning Call) wrote about it. Please
read his article for more.
On this night, we learned:
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.
the Township Manager's duties and responsibilities. There will be another workshop session to finish the job description on
October 5 at 6:30 PM. The budget calendar for 2007 was on the agenda and Joe Nixon (Morning Call) wrote about it. Please
read his article for more.
On this night, we learned:
- Community Days was successful enough to be rescheduled for the same time slot next year. The Board gave both the
Bennetts and Boy Scout Troop 29 Certificates of Appreciation. The Bennetts presented Troop 29 with a donation of
$200. For a small snapshot gallery of the festivities click HERE. - Two people who purchased memorial plaques (on new trees) do not like the plaques. The Board authorized correcting
the errors at Township expense ($185.00 each). - There are leaks in the Municipal Building roof. Pete Gheller (Facilities Director) will be in charge of getting the warranty
repairs done. - Forks EMS has not produced a financial plan/report for the State EMS Council and has not yet received its license
renewal. - The area where the new Municipal Complex informational sign will be installed along Sullivan Trail is in the wrong
zoning district on the township zoning map. It should be in the REM district and the map shows it in TC. - Only 10 more ad sales are needed for the new quarterly publication.
- USA Architects $20K invoice will be on the next meeting agenda. It was for additional work.
- The Board may ask PennDot to do a speed study on part of Richmond Road. A resident requested a lower limit.
- The Zoning appeal for the grocery store is scheduled for October 23rd at 7:30 PM. Location to be announced.
- Strausser Enterprises will not get a needed time extension until the uncompleted items detailed by Engineer Hay are
completed, all accounts in arrears are current, and the escrow account shortfall is funded ($55K). Without the time
extension, zoning will revert back and the density will be reduced. - The pension plan for non-uniform employees was under budgeted and will be funded. The 2006 budget line item will
be amended.
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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images below for larger views. We are excited at the traffic we are getting. Thank you all! Tell your friends!