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December 31, 2004
In the December 27, 2004 edition of the Express Times we learned, as many of you did, that a new
development is being proposed to our Board of Supervisors and our Planning Commission
members individually and "off the record." This is no ordinary development. This is the largest ever
proposed here. Yes, 830 homes on 400 acres in the FP (Farmland Preservation) district. Edward
Sieger wrote as much as we (now) know since it was only alluded to at the 12/2/04 meeting by
Supervisor Holmgaard. Apparently he had not yet seen the plans as he described it as having 500
homes. The article indicated that "lawsuits" by other municipalities were discussed. This one is a
BIG deal. Honestly, concerned residents must venture out on Thursday nights and attend the
meetings. If we do not stand up now, there is no way that our elected and appointed officials can
conduct the "will of the people." They don't know what it is! This will be a long process and many
meetings will be involved. Our elected officials are being co-opted you see. It will be hard for them
to say "no" when the time comes. Today's (12/28/04) Express Times had a really good editorial
about the secrecy involved. It is a must read! We are reminded of former Board of Supervisor
Morris Metz's recent words when he publicly called on this board to return integrity and honor to the
institution of the elected Board of Supervisors.
development is being proposed to our Board of Supervisors and our Planning Commission
members individually and "off the record." This is no ordinary development. This is the largest ever
proposed here. Yes, 830 homes on 400 acres in the FP (Farmland Preservation) district. Edward
Sieger wrote as much as we (now) know since it was only alluded to at the 12/2/04 meeting by
Supervisor Holmgaard. Apparently he had not yet seen the plans as he described it as having 500
homes. The article indicated that "lawsuits" by other municipalities were discussed. This one is a
BIG deal. Honestly, concerned residents must venture out on Thursday nights and attend the
meetings. If we do not stand up now, there is no way that our elected and appointed officials can
conduct the "will of the people." They don't know what it is! This will be a long process and many
meetings will be involved. Our elected officials are being co-opted you see. It will be hard for them
to say "no" when the time comes. Today's (12/28/04) Express Times had a really good editorial
about the secrecy involved. It is a must read! We are reminded of former Board of Supervisor
Morris Metz's recent words when he publicly called on this board to return integrity and honor to the
institution of the elected Board of Supervisors.
The December 16, 2004 meeting of the Board of Supervisors may have been one of the shortest of 2004! It was over in less
than an hour. We learned that the accounting software conversion is going well, that the Delaware Nation has filed the
expected appeal, and that the Thanksgiving Day damage to the new Fire Department may set its completion date back by only
two weeks. Solicitor Kline was given authorization to advertise Ordinance #290 (the Emergency & Municipal Services Tax of
$52 per person employed at jobs in the Township). The Final 2005 Budget was approved. Hodges Technologies (the current
vendor) received a 3 year contract for network support which will include moving the system to the new buildings. And, the
Borough of Stockertown's request to purchase some of Forks' sewer capacity was not approved. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
More details are available in the meeting notes on our Blog. Don't forget to read some of the other posts there... and the
Comments to them too.
than an hour. We learned that the accounting software conversion is going well, that the Delaware Nation has filed the
expected appeal, and that the Thanksgiving Day damage to the new Fire Department may set its completion date back by only
two weeks. Solicitor Kline was given authorization to advertise Ordinance #290 (the Emergency & Municipal Services Tax of
$52 per person employed at jobs in the Township). The Final 2005 Budget was approved. Hodges Technologies (the current
vendor) received a 3 year contract for network support which will include moving the system to the new buildings. And, the
Borough of Stockertown's request to purchase some of Forks' sewer capacity was not approved. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
More details are available in the meeting notes on our Blog. Don't forget to read some of the other posts there... and the
Comments to them too.
The Board of Supervisors held their first December meeting on 12/2/04. It began in an extraordinary fashion with Supervisor
Holmgaard berating Chairman Ackerman over what he believed to be a secret meeting held with a developer last Spring.
Ackerman tried to explain and it went downhill from there with Holmgaard reminding Ackerman that the BoS Chair is not an
Uber Supervisor position (we are unsure of whether he said UBER or OVER but it sounded like UBER). Apparently when
asked by the developer what the Township needed, Ackerman told him a "public works garage." The developer said that he
would be back in the Fall with a proposal. That project appeared on the Township Manager's desk last week with a "public
works garage" on Glover Road AND with a 500 house development in the FP (Farmland Preservation) district! What a trade!
We were not told who the developer is nor which farm is involved.
The issue of lowering fees for non-residential developments was removed after discussion as all Supervisors present were in
agreement that this would not be a good course of action. The Riverview Estates Phase One Final Plan was approved with the
condition that the construction entrance be from Winchester Drive exclusively. A discussion of House Bill 197 was added to the
Agenda. This bill (if approved by the Governor) allows municipalities to substitute the $10 OPT (Occupational Privilege Tax)
with a new $52 EMS (Emergency & Municipal Services) Tax. Solicitor Kline was given permission to draft a resolution in the
event that the bill is signed. Kline also reported that the Federal Court has dismissed the Delaware Nation Claim. He believes
that the decision will be appealed. Alex Gale reported on the destruction of the 80% of the roof trusses on the new Firehouse
by the 55 mph winds on Thanksgiving day!
See the meeting notes on the Blog for more details! Don't forget to read some of the other posts there... and the Comments to
them too.
Holmgaard berating Chairman Ackerman over what he believed to be a secret meeting held with a developer last Spring.
Ackerman tried to explain and it went downhill from there with Holmgaard reminding Ackerman that the BoS Chair is not an
Uber Supervisor position (we are unsure of whether he said UBER or OVER but it sounded like UBER). Apparently when
asked by the developer what the Township needed, Ackerman told him a "public works garage." The developer said that he
would be back in the Fall with a proposal. That project appeared on the Township Manager's desk last week with a "public
works garage" on Glover Road AND with a 500 house development in the FP (Farmland Preservation) district! What a trade!
We were not told who the developer is nor which farm is involved.
The issue of lowering fees for non-residential developments was removed after discussion as all Supervisors present were in
agreement that this would not be a good course of action. The Riverview Estates Phase One Final Plan was approved with the
condition that the construction entrance be from Winchester Drive exclusively. A discussion of House Bill 197 was added to the
Agenda. This bill (if approved by the Governor) allows municipalities to substitute the $10 OPT (Occupational Privilege Tax)
with a new $52 EMS (Emergency & Municipal Services) Tax. Solicitor Kline was given permission to draft a resolution in the
event that the bill is signed. Kline also reported that the Federal Court has dismissed the Delaware Nation Claim. He believes
that the decision will be appealed. Alex Gale reported on the destruction of the 80% of the roof trusses on the new Firehouse
by the 55 mph winds on Thanksgiving day!
See the meeting notes on the Blog for more details! Don't forget to read some of the other posts there... and the Comments to
them too.
12/4/04 - We received the following email from our friends at the Kiwanis Club:
- The Forks Kiwanis is hosting the Annual Tree Lighting (the 3rd!) at the Municipal Complex (sports
building) on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 7:pm. All are invited. There will be music from two Easton Area High School
student soloists, the Forks School Chorus, and the Middle School Brass Ensemble. Santa will arrive on a fire
truck and he will be lighting the tree. We are asking for donations for ProJeCt of Easton, in cash or preferable in
gift certificates to food stores. ProJeCt Executive Director Martie Magee will speak at the event also. It will be
over by 8 pm. Hot Chocolate will be available.
Nancy Walters
Forks Kiwanis, VP
This year's ceremony is an especially poignant one because of the origin of the donated 19' foot blue spruce. The tree was
toppled in high winds last week. It had been planted by the Hartranfts of Palmer Township as a living reminder of their son
Randy who was killed in a car crash 15 years ago. The Express Times piece from 12/3/04 tells all about the Hartranft's very
special gift to Forks Township.
toppled in high winds last week. It had been planted by the Hartranfts of Palmer Township as a living reminder of their son
Randy who was killed in a car crash 15 years ago. The Express Times piece from 12/3/04 tells all about the Hartranft's very
special gift to Forks Township.
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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