Wayne Township Minutes March 16, 2020
The Wayne Township Board of Supervisors held a meeting on March 16, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at the Wayne Township Municipal Building, with James Maguire, David Calhoun and Brad Rote present.
Those also in attendance: Carl Bathurst, Linda Calhoun, Rob Bowmaster of the Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Company, Jerry Powers, Russ Johnson, Ryan Frenya, P.E. of PennCore Consulting, Acting Zoning Officer Terry Crawford, Peggy Fanning and Paul D. Welch, Jr., Esquire
Chairman Maguire asked for a moment of silence at the beginning of the meeting to note the passing of Carolyn Hanna who was a lifelong resident and also an employee of Wayne Township.
Public Participation
Linda Calhoun
Resident Linda Calhoun questioned the procedure for appointments to the Recreation Committee stating that the Supervisors require a letter of interest from residents to be considered for board appointments but the Recreation Committee makes appointments to its Committee and then the Supervisors approve the appointment at a meeting, adding that she believes the positions on the Recreation Committee should be advertised and believes the procedure for appointment should be consistent with the appointments made by the Supervisors to other township boards.
Chairman Maguire said he believes that the Recreation Committee does not have a limit as to the number of members and that the Committee is different in that the Municipal Planning Code stipulates as to the requirements for Zoning and Planning Boards.
Jerry Powers of the Recreation Committee explained that the number of members on the Committee is limited but the Committee is always looking for volunteers.
Supervisor Calhoun said it has been the practice in the past that the Recreation Committee would bring the names to the Supervisors to approve.
Linda then asked about the Landfill Committee and Chairman Maguire explained that the Landfill Committee is different and was set up by the County, Landfill and Township.
Linda stated she believes that all appointments should be brought up at a township meeting and everyone in the township should have the availability to know when there are openings on the Committees in order to serve.
Carl Bathurst
Resident Carl Bathurst questioned the $229.37 payment to Superior Plus Propane for the Visitor’s Center listed on the monthly Disbursement Report asking if that was for heat.
A discussion was held and it was noted that the invoice was for last year and the propane was used at the concession stand at the ball field.
Rob Bowmaster – Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Company
Rob Bowmaster reported that he received information for the new fire truck stating that the interest rate is now 4.05%, down from 4.7% and that rate is good through April 10th.
A brief discussion was held and it was noted in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic and action being taken by the federal government, that interest rates are anticipated to drop.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Chairman Maguire asked if there were any questions or comments on the minutes of the February 17, 2020 monthly meeting, there being none, Supervisor Calhoun made a motion to approve the minutes as presented; seconded by Supervisor Rote, MCU.
Approval of Treasurer’s Report
Supervisor Calhoun made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report as submitted; seconded by Supervisor Rote, MCU.
Police Report
Chief Winkleman was not present at the meeting.
Zoning Officer’s Report
Acting Zoning Officer Terry Crawford provided the following report:
- March 11, 2020 – Received $450 Zoning Hearing fee from Rebecca Raymond for a Special Exception Hearing for property located at 249 Shoemaker Road and delivered the paper work to Attorney Frank Miceli’s office.
- March 11, 2020 – Issued zoning permit to Wayne Township for the construction of a deck at the Visitor’s Center.
- March 11, 2020 – Received $750 from McTish Kunkle for a zoning permit issued for the Highway Equipment expansion project.
- March 11, 2020 – Issued a zoning permit to the McElhattan United Methodist Church to move a roof over the BBQ pit.
- March 12, 2020 – Mailed a Land Use Application to Steven Borowski of Kessel Construction, Bradford, Pennsylvania.
- March 12, 2020 – Received $6.00 for a zoning permit for the placement of a 12 x 20 shed on the King property.
- March 12, 2020 – At the request of the property owner of 249 Shoemaker Road, went to property to explain that the request to open a repair garage at that residence is not permissible in the R-2 Zoning District and asked if they would like to continue with the Special Exception Hearing before the Zoning Hearing Board and they indicated they would like to continue with the hearing. Notified Attorney Miceli of their wish to proceed with the hearing.
- March 13, 2020 – Visited property located at 2106 Youngdale Road to measure setbacks for possible construction of a garage.
Monthly Engineer’s Report
Township Engineer John Segursky, P.E. was not present for the meeting but Chairman Maguire reported that John plans to be present at the April work session along with a Sales Representative to discuss options to repair the tennis court.
Recreation Committee Report
Jerry Powers of the Recreation Committee reported that the Committee sent out approximately 40 letters to businesses within the township asking for contributions for the basketball court and ice skating rink complex and requested $138.00 from the Board of Supervisors for the Committee to purchase a banner fund raising sign.
Supervisor Calhoun made a motion to approve the $138.00 for the banner fundraising sign; seconded by Supervisor Rote, MCU.
Old Business:
Don While Memorial
Supervisor Calhoun reported that after the work session he was approached by Robin Condo who indicated that she and her husband Terry would like to pay for the memorial plaque for the stone at the Nature Park.
It was the consensus of the Board of Supervisors that township employees would attach the plaque to the stone.
Zoning Officer Position
It was the consensus of the Board to advertise the Zoning Officer Position again in The Express and Secretary Macklem stated that the position is also on the CareerLink site.
AM Logging Road Bond
Chairman Maguire and Solicitor Welch reported there was nothing new with regard to AM Logging bonding the Pine/Mountain Road.
New Business:
Memorial Donations – Shirley Fleisher and Carolyn Hanna
Supervisor Calhoun made a motion to donate $100 to LifeTree Ministries in memory of Shirley Fleisher and $100 to the McElhattan United Methodist Church in memory of Carolyn Hanna; seconded by Supervisor Rote, MCU.
Chatham Village Lot Revision
Russ Johnson stated he would like to add a few more lots in Chatham Village and presented the plans to the Wayne Township Planning Commission and there were a couple of questions the Planning Commission couldn’t answer and the Planning Commission suggested that he attend the Supervisors meeting as the Supervisors may be able to answer those questions.
Mr. Johnson’s Engineer, Ryan Frenya of PennCore Consulting, addressed the Supervisors stating that Russ Johnson would like to add three additional lots and the question that came up during the Planning Commission meeting pertains to recreational space in Chatham Village. Mr. Frenya provided the requirements for recreation space from Page 49, Section E., of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO), which states:
- Recreation Space Requirements. A minimum of ten (10) percent of the gross park area or one thousand (1,000) square feet per unit, whichever is larger, shall be provided for recreational space. This recreational space shall be suitable for outdoor recreational activity and shall be easily accessible to all mobile home lots.
He said the Wayne Township Zoning Ordinance does not have a definition for recreational space but there is a definition for park and recreation areas and provided the Page 156 of the Zoning Ordinance, which states:
Park and Recreation Area: A public, semi-public or private park or park-type facility which provides for outdoor recreational enjoyment activity, either for free or on a fee basis. Such facilities may include tennis or basketball courts, baseball or other athletic fields, swimming, hiking and picnic areas, and playgrounds and may also include buildings and accessory structures. Activities may be organized to include day camps, leagues or other groups or may be strictly independent.
Mr. Frenya asked if the lots each have at least 1,000 square feet per lot for recreational use or does there have to be one common large area in Chatham Village that sums up to the gross area required for recreation.
Supervisor Rote indicated that his understanding is that it must be one large common lot within Chatham Village.
Chairman Maguire pointed out that the SALDO and Zoning Ordinance have two conflicting definitions and it depends on interpretation and asked Attorney Welch to review the matter and give the Board his interpretation.
Supervisor Calhoun said he would also like to have Solicitor Welch look at the definitions adding, that he was the Zoning Officer when the plans for the mobile home park were submitted and there was one parcel shown on the plan that was for recreation and it has been maintained as a vacant lot from that point in time and he would like the original plans for Chatham Village reviewed as well.
Mr. Frenya asked if a waiver for this issue would be appropriate.
Solicitor Welch said it was inappropriate for Mr. Frenya to ask if the Board would consider a waiver, adding that if he would like to submit a waiver then he should do so.
Planning Commission Member Carl Bathurst said during the Planning Commission meeting the question of a waiver was raised but in the definition of waiver it states that a hardship would be required.
Chairman Maguire requested Solicitor Welch to review the matter and provide a legal opinion to the Board as to how to proceed. He said approval for Chatham Village was based on the 1972 Zoning Ordinance and since that time the zoning ordinance was updated in 1992 and in 2002 and there was a lot created in Chatham Village for recreation and parking where people could park and that was never utilized.
Solicitor Welch said he was not sure zoning would come into play for the reason that the SALDO and Zoning Ordinance have different criteria and this issue is about land development.
2020 Road Projects
The Board discussed road maintenance projects for the Pine Mountain/Loganton Road, Riverview Road, Linnippi Village roads, South Road and the ditch at the intersection of Fritz Road at the traffic signal.
It was the consensus of the Board to meet with the Road Foreman of Pine Creek Township to look at the roads to determine what repairs need to be made.
Recreation Committee Donation Request
Supervisor Calhoun made a motion to approve the donation request from the Recreation Committee for $250.00 for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt; seconded by Supervisor Rote, MCU.
Jersey Shore State Bank Loan for Shoemaker Road
Supervisor Calhoun made a motion to pay off Jersey Shore State Bank loan for Shoemaker Road in the amount of $164,101.73; second by Supervisor Rote, MCU.
Kevin Myers – Pine Mountain/Loganton Road
Resident Kevin Myers spoke to the Supervisors about the possibility of using the Pine Mountain/Loganton Road to haul several tri axle loads of wood from his property. Mr. Myers explained that the trees were cut to create a fire barrier around his home.
A discussion was held about the ten ton weight limit and the possibility of having a simple road maintenance agreement prepared to allow the small number of loads to be hauled from Mr. Myers property. The proposed agreement would allow use of the road and require payment for damages made rather than requiring a road bond that is required for larger scale logging activities.
Solicitor Welch advised the Board that they should treat everyone equally.
Mr. Myers indicated that he will look into the cost of obtaining a bond for the road.
Invoices
Chairman Maguire asked Solicitor Welch about charges on his monthly invoice attributed to contact with Lock Haven City Manager Greg Wilson.
Solicitor Welch stated that it was his understanding that the City is in talks with property owners in Wayne Township about water wells to supply the City while repairs are made to the reservoir and City Manager Greg Wilson had questions about well rights in Wayne Township.
Chairman Maguire stated that the water wells have already been completed and when the Supervisors spoke with DEP they had no knowledge of it and advised Solicitor Welch that the Supervisors have not been approached by the City.
Solicitor Welch explained that the City asked about the SALDO requirements in Wayne Township and Solicitor Welch explained that if the City is getting an easement for the wells the SALDO would not come into play but if the City is buying a portion of the land for the wells then a subdivision would be required and if the City is leasing a portion of the property long term, the Municipal Planning Code requires a subdivision.
It was the consensus of the Board that Solicitor Welch contact City Manager Wilson to let him know he should contact the Supervisors about the plans for the wells.
Chairman Maguire asked if there were any questions on the invoices to be paid, there being none,
Supervisor Calhoun then made a motion to approve the invoices as presented; seconded by Supervisor Rote, MCU.
Jersey Shore State Bank General Fund Money Market Account
Secretary/Treasurer Darlene Macklem said funds from Muncy Bank General Fund and all the funds in the Jersey Shore State Bank General Fund Money Market Account will be used to pay off the loan for the Shoemaker Road Project with Jersey Shore State Bank and requested approval from the Board to close Jersey Shore State Bank General Fund Money Market account.
Supervisor Calhoun made a motion to close the Jersey Shore State Bank General Fund Money Market Account; seconded by Supervisor Rote, MCU.
Adjournment
Supervisor Calhoun made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Supervisor Rote, MCU.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Darlene S. Macklem
Secretary/Treasurer