[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:02:27]
I'D LIKE TO CALL TO ORDER THIS REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH.
PLEASE RISE AS YOU'RE ABLE AND JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, BUDGET ALLEGIANCE TO THE ONE NATION UNDER GOD THIS HOPE, LIBERTY, JUSTICE STRONG.
[MOTION TO APPROVE BOARD AGENDA]
I KNOW EVERYBODY'S HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT OUR AGENDA.I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE, UH, MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE TONIGHT'S AGENDA.
ANY OPPOSED? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[CEREMONIES]
AND TONIGHT WE'LL BE SWEARING IN THREE NEW FIRE CAPTAINS.I WOULD ASK THEM TO COME FORWARD TO THE FRONT PLEASE.
SO, EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE, UM, STARTED, UH, PROMOTIONAL PROCESS BETWEEN THE FULL-TIME FIREFIGHTERS TO, UH, AS WE, THE, THE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO GROW TO PROMOTE THREE OF OUR CAPTAINS, THREE OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS TO A CAPTAIN'S POSITION.
THEY WORKED 24 HOURS ON AND THEN THEY'RE OFF FOR 48 HOURS.
SO OUT OF THAT WE HAVE A A THREE PLATOON SYSTEM.
UM, AND WE KNEW THAT WE NEEDED TO CONTINUE TO PUT SUPERVISORY ROLES IN THE POSITION SO THAT THAT FULL-TIMERS WENT THROUGH A, ACTUALLY A REALLY GRUELING, UM, PROCESS TO WHERE WE HAD MULTIPLE FACTORS TO HELP US DECIDE, UH, WHO WOULD BE PROMOTED TO THIS POSITION.
UM, I'M REALLY PROUD TO SAY THAT OUT OF THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT, UM, AT WHICH, WHICH IS SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE FIREFIGHTERS THAT WE HAVE WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT, THAT WE HAVE SO MANY QUALIFIED PEOPLE THAT
[00:05:01]
WERE, UH, TO THE POSITION.UM, BUT STANDING BEFORE YOU TODAY ARE THE, UH, THE TOP THREE CANDIDATES WHO, UM, WE'RE PROMOTING TO A PLATOON B PLATOON AND SEA PLATOON CAPTAINS.
WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA TRY A GROUP SWEARING.
GUYS, I'M NOT A JUGGLER, SO WE'RE GONNA GO NICE AND THE, ALRIGHT, I'M GONNA, WHEN I SAY I, YOU EACH STATE YOUR NAME INDIVIDUALLY, AND THEN AFTER THAT YOU'LL REPEAT AFTER ME.
IN UNISON, I ELLI HAVING BEEN DULY APPOINTED AS A CAPTAIN OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES, DULY APPOINTED AS CAPTAIN OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF UPPER PROVIDENCE, PENNSYLVANIA FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF PROVIDENCE, PENNSYLVANIA.
DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL SUPPORT, OBEY, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES THAT I WILL SUPPORT, OBEY DEFENDANT CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AND THE ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF UPPER PROVIDENCE, THE ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PROVIDENCE.
THAT I WILL PERFORM AND DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF MY OFFICE THAT I WILL PERFORM, DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF MY OFFICE WITH FIDELITY.
WITH WITH FIDELITY, AND I WILL REPRESENT MYSELF, REPRESENT MYSELF AND THIS COMMUNITY, AND THIS COMMUNITY IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE MANNER AT ALL TIMES IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE MANNER AT ALL TIMES.
SO TRADITIONALLY, IT'S USUALLY A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY THAT PINS GETS TO PIN THEIR VAGINAL FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND ALL THEIR KIDS ARE UP HERE HOLDING THE BIBLE FOR THEM, BUT THEIR WIVES ARE NOW GOING TO PIN THE BADGES ON THEIR UNIFORM TO SEAL THEIR FATE.
EVERYBODY COULD JUST HANG ON FOR A FEW MORE MINUTES.
WE HAVE A PRESENTATION, UH, AND A RECAP OF THE WALL THAT HEALS.
AND I'M NOW GONNA TURN THAT OVER TO, UH, SUPERVISOR PEARSON, SUE HOFFMAN, SUE HOFFMAN, AND SUPERVISOR PIERCE.
IT'D BE GREAT IF YOU GUYS CAN HANG ON JUST TO PURSUE THE AWARD SPEECH AND JOHN SPEECH.
BUT WHAT WE'RE GONNA GET TO TODAY IS JUST A RECAP OF THE WALL THAT HEELS, UM, IF SOME OF YOU WEREN'T AWARE OR DIDN'T GET TO GO SEE THE WALL, THE HEELS, WE HAD IT HERE A FEW WEEKS AGO.
UM, IT IS A TRAVELING REPLICA WALL, THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL WALL FROM WASHINGTON DC.
IT'S A 375 FOOT IN LENGTH AND IT BEARS THE 58,281 MANY WOMEN WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN VIETNAM.
IT'S TRANSPORTED FROM COMMUNITY TO COMMUNITY VIA 50 FOOT TRAILER.
AND WHEN PARKED, THE TRAILER OPENS UP TO SHOWCASE THE MOBILE UNIT THAT EDUCATES EVERYBODY FROM THE TIMELINE OF THE VIETNAM WAR.
OUT OF OVER A HUNDRED DIFFERENT APPLICANTS AND ROUGHLY 32 HOSTS A YEAR CHOSEN BY THE VVMF OR THE VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL FUND, THEY SELECTED UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP TO HOST THE WALL, THE HEELS IN 2023.
[00:10:02]
SO THIS IS JUST A LITTLE, LITTLE SLIDE OF WHAT WE'RE GONNA TOUCH TONIGHT.IMM GONNA LET JOHN TAKE OVER THE WHY WE EMBARKED ON THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I'M GONNA, I'M GONNA TELL YOU HOW THIS CAME ABOUT, HOW, HOW WE ENDED UP GETTING THIS HERE IN UPPER PROVIDENCE.
AND THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MY SPEECH, UM, ON DURING THE OPENING CEREMONY, AND THAT WAS SYMBOLIC OF HOW I DROPPED MY PAPERS THAT EVENING.
UM, ACTUALLY I DIDN'T DROP THEM AT THE PODIUM, I DROPPED THEM AT MY SEAT.
I GOT UP, I READ THE FIRST TWO, UH, PAGES AND THEN COMPLETELY BLEW IT FROM THERE.
'CAUSE, UH, THE REST OF MY SPEECH WAS UNDERNEATH OF MY CHAIR.
UM, SO PLEASE, UH, PAY ATTENTION.
I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU A STORY, A STORY ABOUT MY FRIEND DENNIS MCGUIRE.
THIS IS NOT A BLOOD AND GUT STORY, NOR IS IT A STORY ABOUT SOME HEROIC MEDAL OF HONOR FEAT.
IT'S JUST A STORY ABOUT A FRIEND OF MINE.
DENNIS AND I GREW UP IN A SMALL TOWN OF LESS THAN 1500 PEOPLE WHERE EVERYBODY KNEW YOUR NAME AND YOUR BUSINESS.
WE WENT TO SCHOOL TOGETHER AT ST.
UDE CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOL IN WEST CONSHOHOCKEN.
EVERYBODY KNEW YOUR BUSINESS, SO IF YOU DID ANYTHING WRONG IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, YOUR MOTHER KNEW ABOUT IT IN HOURS.
IF SHE DIDN'T GET THE NEWS RIGHT AWAY, SHE GOT IT AFTER CHURCH ON SUNDAY WHEN SPEAKING TO THE OTHER MOTHERS, TRUST ME, WE DIDN'T GET AWAY WITH MUCH WITHOUT GETTING A BELT ACROSS OUR ASS.
DENNIS AND I LIVED A FEW BLOCKS FROM EACH OTHER AND WE WOULD OFTEN WALK TO SCHOOL TOGETHER.
I'D STOP IN AND SAY HI TO MRS. MCGUIRE AND WATCH HER GET THE REST OF THE BROOD READY FOR SCHOOL.
AS DENNIS AND I SLIPPED OUT THE SIDE DOOR TO GET A HEADSTART ON EVERYONE ELSE.
BACK IN THOSE DAYS YOU WALKED TO SCHOOL EVEN IF IT SNOWED.
BUT THAT WAS ALWAYS A GOOD REASON FOR BEING LATE FOR CLASS, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS REALLY THE SNOWBALL FIGHTS THAT MADE US LATE FOR THE BOMBARDING OF THE TRAFFIC ON THE STREET AND THE MEAN LOOKS FROM THE DRIVERS AS YOU PUMMELED THEIR CARS WITH SNOWBALLS.
IT WAS A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE MOST OF YOUR FRIENDS WERE ONLY A QUICK SHOUT AWAY, AND THAT'S HOW WE COMMUNICATED.
A A QUICK, A QUICK WOO WHOOP WOULD BRING THE GANG TOGETHER.
ON ONE OCCASION, WE DECIDED TO PLAY A GAME OF RING UP, A SORT OF HIDE AND SEEK GAME WITH A TWIST.
WE DECIDED TO PLAY THIS GAME IN AN OLD BARN ACROSS THE STREET FROM MCGUIRE'S HOUSE DOWN THE STREET FROM THE MICHELLE'S WHERE THERE WERE FOUR BROTHERS.
WE PLAYED THE GAME FOR HOURS THEN WHILE HIDING, HIDING IN ONE OF THE HORSE STALLS, DENNIS PICKS UP THIS GOOEY BROWN THING FROM THE STABLE FLOOR AND STARTS FLINGING THEM AT EVERYONE AS THEY RUN BY.
WELL, THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW, EVERYONE'S DOING THESE GOOEY BROWN THINGS AT EACH OTHER AS KIDS.
LITTLE DID WE KNOW, I GUESS, OR CARE.
WE WERE THROWING HORSE S**T AT EACH OTHER.
NEEDLESS TO SAY, THAT NIGHT THE MOTHER'S NETWORK WAS A BLAZE OF HORSE SMELLY CHILDREN.
THE MCGUIRE, THE MCGUIRE HOUSE WAS ALWAYS A GREAT PLACE TO HANG OUT THEIR BACKYARD BACKED UP TO A CREEK AND BEHIND THAT WAS A FIELD.
THE JUNKYARD WAS ALWAYS A FUN PLACE TO PLAY HIDE AND SEEK AND SIT IN OLD RUSTY FLAT TIRE CARS AND PRETEND YOU WERE RACING DOWN FORD STREET, THE MAIN STREET IN OUR TOWN.
WE OFTEN PLAYED COWBOYS AND INDIANS AND ARMY WITH WOODEN STICKS AS GUNS.
AND WE LOVED PLAYING WITH OUR LITTLE PLASTIC ARMY GUYS, YOU CAN STILL FIND THEM IN DOLLAR STORES TODAY.
ONCE DENNIS AND I WERE PLAYING WITH THESE LITTLE GREEN PLASTIC GUYS DOWN THE CREEK AND HIS BROTHER MICHAEL CAME DOWN TO JOIN IN THE FUN, HE WANTED TO MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE REALISTIC, SO HE RAN INTO THE HOUSE AND BROUGHT OUT SOME LIGHTER FLUID AND LIT THINGS UP.
HE DRIPPED SOME OF THE MELTING PLASTIC ARMY GUYS DOWN ON THE SCENE WE MADE AND MADE IT LOOK LIKE BOMBS WERE DROPPING.
LUCKY FOR US, THE MOTHER'S NETWORK NEVER FOUND OUT.
ONE TIME WE WERE IN THIRD OR FOURTH GRADE, AND THE NUNS WOULD MAKE US SLIDE THE DESK TOGETHER TO FIT EVERYONE INTO THE SMALL CLASSROOMS. WE HAD.
THERE WERE FOUR LARGE ROOMS AND EACH ROOM HAD TWO GRADES.
SO ONE YEAR YOU'RE LEARNING THIRD GRADE MATERIAL, AND THE NEXT YOU'RE LEARNING FOURTH GRADE MATERIAL ONE DAY, THEN IT'S, AND I ARE SITTING NEXT TO EACH OTHER AND HE SAYS TO ME, LOOK WHAT I FOUND ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL TODAY.
I LOOKED DOWN AT HIS HAND AND HE MUST HAVE HAD A HOLE IN HIS POCKET, AND I'M SURE YOU CAN GUESS WHAT HE PULLED OUT THROUGH THAT HOLE.
THE NUNS DIDN'T SEE, BUT IT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THE FIRST TIME WE WERE PUT IN FRONT OF THE CLASS FOR SISTER MICHAEL MAUREEN'S KNUCKLE BUSTING RULER.
LIFE WAS PRETTY IDYLLIC GROWING UP IN A
[00:15:01]
SMALL TOWN.GERTRUDE'S AND MOVED ON TO UPPER MERION HIGH SCHOOL.
AND EVEN THOUGH WE FOUND MANY NEW FRIENDS, WE REMAINED CLOSE DURING HIGH SCHOOL YEARS.
I CAN REMEMBER WATCHING WALTER CRONKITE GIVE THE NEWS COMING OUT OF VIETNAM.
HE GAVE THE DAILY CASUALTY LIST FOR BOTH SIDES AND THE WAR, AND IT SEEMED LIKE WE WERE LIKE WE WERE WINNING WITH FEWER DEAD AND WOUNDED.
DENNIS AND I GRADUATED WITH OUR CLASS IN JUDAH, 1967, AND I LOST TOUCH WITH HIM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.
AND THEN I HEARD FROM ONE OF OUR FRIENDS THAT HE HAD ENLISTED IN THE ARMY LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER GRADUATION.
HIS BROTHER MICHAEL WAS ALREADY THERE.
AND I WONDERED WHY HE WOULD DO THIS, WHY HE WOULD PUT HIMSELF IN HARM'S WAY.
ON DECEMBER 20TH, 1968, MY FRIEND DENNIS DIED.
HE WAS A CASUALTY OF AN UNPOPULAR WAR.
OVER 33,000 SOLDIERS ON THIS WALL OF 58,000 PLUS BOYS WERE 19 YEARS OLD OR YOUNGER.
AND I SAID, BOYS, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE FOUGHT THIS WAR WITH.
BOYS WORD GOT OUT WHEN HIS FUNERAL WAS GOING TO BE, AND ALL HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY WERE THERE.
THE MILITARY SENT THEIR HONOR GUARD AND EVEN SENT HIS BROTHER MICHAEL HOME FOR HIS FUNERAL.
HE HAD A FULL MILITARY FUNERAL.
I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA HOW MR. AND MRS. MCGUIRE WERE DEALING WITH HIS DEATH.
I HAD ATTENDED GRANDPARENTS' FUNERALS, SO I WAS FAMILIAR WITH DEATH, BUT NEVER HAD I LOST A FRIEND AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE.
AND IT WAS UNREAL, UNIMAGINABLE, UNTHINKABLE.
IT TORE ME UP AND I LOOKED AT LIFE DIFFERENTLY FROM THAT POINT ON AS WE ALL MET AT THE GRAVE SITE TO PUT MY FRIEND TO REST.
EVERYONE HAD TEARS ROLLING DOWN THEIR VASS.
WE WERE ALL, WE, WE WERE ALL HUGGING EACH OTHER FOR HURT AND SUPPORT, BUT THE WORST WAS YET TO COME OFF IN A DISTANCE WAS A LOOM BLUE BUGLER PLAYING TAPS.
AND AS I WRITE THIS, I CAN'T HELP BUT CRY AGAIN FOR THE LOSS OF MY DEAR FRIEND.
I'VE BEEN TO MANY FUNERALS AND MORE THAN 50 YEARS LATER, JUST THE THOUGHT OF THAT DAY STILL BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYES.
TWO MONTHS AFTER FEBRUARY, TWO MONTHS LATER, FEBRUARY 3RD, 1969, I ENLISTED IN THE ARMY, OR SHOULD I SAY, THE ARMY GAVE ME A CHOICE, EITHER ENLIST OR WILL DRAFT YOU THE NEXT TIME.
SO I THOUGHT IF I MIGHT DIE OVER THERE, AT LEAST, I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT I CHOSE TO FIGHT.
SEVEN MONTHS AFTER DENNIS PASSED, I WAS IN VIETNAM.
WHEN I CAME HOME FROM VIETNAM, I WAS DIFFERENT.
I WASN'T THAT HAPPY-GO-LUCKY, CAREFREE INDIVIDUAL THAT I WAS BEFORE.
I USED TO DREAM ABOUT THINGS THAT I WITNESSED.
BUT OVER THE YEARS, YOU FORGET AND DREAMS START TO FADE.
BUT I NEVER STOPPED THINKING ABOUT MY FRIEND DENNIS.
I STARTED HAVING DREAMS ABOUT HIM.
THEY'D WAKE ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
ONE DREAM WAS SO VIVID, I THOUGHT I WAS ACTUALLY TALKING TO HIM.
I WOKE UP CRYING BECAUSE I WAS UPSET WITH MYSELF.
MY BETTER HALF WAS SHAKING ME, ASKING ME IF I WAS OKAY.
I TOLD HER I WAS UPSET WITH MYSELF BECAUSE I ASKED HIM WHERE HE WAS.
I DIDN'T THINK TO ASK HIM HOW HE WAS.
I COULDN'T TELL IF THIS WAS A DREAM OR REALITY.
I STARTED GOING TO BED WITH HOPES OF DREAMING LIKE THAT AGAIN SO I COULD APOLOGIZE TO HIM FOR NOT BEING SO THOUGHTFUL.
ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, A MARINE FRIEND OF MINE, BILL JEER, TOLD ME ABOUT THE WALL, THAT HEELS.
SO I LOOKED IT UP, SO I LOOKED IT UP ON THE INTERNET AND DECIDED THAT THIS WOULD BE A GREAT WAY TO HONOR MY FRIEND AND ALL THOSE LOST IN THAT CRAZY WAR.
MY REASON FOR TELLING YOU THESE PERSONAL THINGS ABOUT MY FRIEND IS THAT EVERYONE ON THAT WALL HAS STORIES LIKE THESE.
SO WHEN YOU TOUCH THAT WALL TO REMEMBER THOSE PERSONAL THINGS ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS, TRY NOT TO THINK ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THEY'VE MISSED OVER THAT LAST 50 YEARS.
CHERISH THOSE PERSONAL MOMENTS YOU HAD WITH THEM, TO THOSE OF US WHO SURVIVED THAT WAR, AND TO THOSE FAMILY WHO LOST LOVED ONES, WE STILL SEE THEIR FACES AND WE STILL FEEL THEIR PAIN AND WE WILL UNTIL OUR OWN PASSING BECAUSE THEY WERE OUR FRIENDS, HUSBANDS, WIVES, SONS AND DAUGHTERS.
GOD BLESS THE WARRIORS ON THAT WALL.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME TELL YOU MY STORY ABOUT MY FRIEND DENNIS.
AND AND THIS WAS MEANT FOR PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE.
IF YOU'LL HAVE TIME, STOP BY PANEL 36 LINE, 53 EVIDENCE.
WE GONNA READ, I, I HAVE A BUNCH OF COMMENTS HERE FROM, UM, FROM PEOPLE WHO WROTE ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE AT THE WALL.
I'M NOT GONNA READ ALL OF THEM.
[00:20:01]
ONE THAT'S MOST IMPORTANT.UM, I GOT A LETTER FROM, UH, WILLIAM DINGMAN.
HE USED TO BE OUR, OUR TOWNSHIP ENGINEER.
UH, WE GOT, UM, HIS COMPANY TO, UH, COME OUT AND THEY, THEY VOLUNTEERED.
HIS COMPANY, UH, SENT A BUNCH OF PEOPLE OUT AND VOLUNTEERS AND HE VOLUNTEERED.
AND THESE ARE COMMENTS FROM THOSE PEOPLE THAT VOLUNTEERED.
UH, THIS IS BILL JOHN BELOW A FEW OF THE COMMENTS FROM, UH, THE EMPLOYEES WHO WERE AT THE WALL.
I CAN ALSO STATE THAT MY TIME THERE WAS VERY MOVING.
IT HAS BEEN A WHILE SINCE I HAVE BEEN TO DC AND SPENT TIME AT THE WALL.
AND THIS VISIT TO THE WALL THAT HEALS WAS VERY FULFILLING FOR MYSELF.
THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE IN BRINGING THE WALL THAT HEAL TO EVERYONE IN THE PHILADELPHIA AREA.
ANOTHER COMMENT FROM ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES.
I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO MANY OF THE VISITORS AS I WAS EARLY MORNING SHIFT STATIONED IN THE VOLUNTEER TENT, BUT I DID GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH A VIETNAM VET.
HE TOLD ME SOME GREAT AND NOT SO GREAT STORIES, BUT I WAS INTRIGUED BY EVERY SINGLE ONE.
HE GOT SILENT A FEW TIMES, MID-STORY, BUT I WOULD JUST GET UP TO GO GET MORE COFFEE OR, OR BREAK OUTSIDE UNTIL HE REGAINED HIS COMPOSURE.
I ALSO HAD THE PLEASURE TO MEET ANOTHER VET WHO WAS IN THE ROTC, JOINED THE AIR FORCE AND THEN SHE JOINED THE NAVY RESERVE AFTER I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF BEING A PART OF THIS.
I WASN'T READY TO LEAVE WHEN MY SHIFT WAS OVER.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY.
THE NEXT ONE, UH, I BELIEVE WAS FROM DAVE.
I WAS GOING TO WRITE A SIMILAR EMAIL TODAY, BUT I CERTAINLY COULD NOT HAVE FRAMED THIS AS ELOQUENTLY AS GREG.
I KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO BE MOVING A MOVING EXPERIENCE, BUT NOT TO THE LEVEL IT TURNED OUT TO BE.
SOME OF THE STORIES I HEARD WERE JUST UNIMAGINABLE.
I SPOKE TO A CHOPPER MEDIC WHO WAS ONE OF THE ONLY THREE WHO SURVIVED THE CRASH.
I WALKED WITH HIM AS HE FOUND THE NAMES OF, OF SOLDIERS WHO WERE, WHO WAS KILLED.
CONVERSELY, CONVERSELY, THERE WERE OTHER VETERANS WHO DIDN'T WANT TO TALK.
THEY JUST WANTED TO BE ALONE WITH THEIR THOUGHTS AS THEY RAN THEIR FINGERS OVER A LOST FRIEND'S NAME.
AND IT WAS CLEAR THERE WAS NO WAY JUST MAILING THIS IN AS JUST SOMEONE OFF VOLUNTEER TIME.
EVERYONE I SAW WAS ENGAGED IN IN THE MOMENT.
THIS IS CERTAINLY AN EXPERIENCE WHICH WILL STAY WITH ME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE AND HOPEFULLY I'LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT AGAIN.
AND THE LAST ONE I'M GONNA READ IS THANK YOU FOR ALL MAKING LAST WEEK'S VOLUNTEER EVENT AT THE WALL THAT HEALS IN UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP IS SUCCESS ON SO MANY LEVELS.
SEVERAL TOWNSHIP REPRESENTATIVES EXPRESSED THEIR THANKS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS.
THEY COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE GRATEFUL FOR OUR HELP IN ENSURING THIS IMPORTANT EVENT WENT SMOOTHLY.
I'M STRUGGLING TO SUMMARIZE OR EV OR EVEN CHARACTERIZE OUR INTERACTIONS WITH ALL THE WALLS VISITORS AND I GUESS I SHOULDN'T EVEN TRY.
SO I'D LIKE TO SHARE MY OWN EXPERIENCE INSTEAD.
AND THIS PERSON IS THE PERSON WHO SENT THAT PICTURE IN MY HIGH SCHOOL COUNCIL ROCK, NOW KNOWN AS COUNCIL ROCK NORTH HAS A MEMORIAL WALL WITH THE PHOTOS OF THE 15 GRADUATES THAT WERE KILLED OR MISSING IN ACTION IN THE VIETNAM WAR.
THEIR FACES HAUNTED ME AS I WALKED BY ON MY DAILY SHUFFLE TO CLASSES AND I KNEW SOME OF THEIR NAMES AS MY FAMILY HAD CONNECTIONS WITH FOUR OF THOSE KILLED IN ACTION AND MISSING IN ACTION.
I HAVEN'T BEEN BACK SINCE GRADUATING IN 1982.
AND THOSE NAMES AND FACES EVENTUALLY FADED FROM MY MEMORY.
EARLY LAST WEEK, I MADE IT A POINT TO RESEARCH THE STORIES OF DAVID LOANS, BUTCH GEARY, BILL HILL, BOB HILL, AND WALTER FUS.
AS I TOOK RUBBINGS OF EACH, I SENT THE IMAGES TO MY BROTHER WHO KNEW THEM.
I FELT CONNECTIONS ON SEVERAL LEVELS.
WE WALKED THE SAME SCHOOL HALLS, PLAYED ON THE SAME FIELDS.
TWO OF THEIR MOTHERS WORKED WITH MY OWN MOTHER, AND THEIR MOTHERS WOULD ENDURE THE AGONY OF LOSING A YOUNG SON.
ONE WOULD NEVER FIND CLOSURE OF HAVING HER SON'S REMAIN SENT HOME FOR BURIAL AS FELLOW RICH BURRO.
NATIVE WALTER FUS WAS SHOT DOWN OVER A DARK LOTION JUNGLE IN 1971.
I NEVER FOUND IN TALKING TO PEOPLE AT THE WALL, IT SEEMED SOME HAD DIRECT CONNECTIONS.
A STEPBROTHER, A COUSIN, A CONRAD THAT DIED IN A CRASH OF A HUEY ALONG WITH THE REST OF HIS CREW, BUT MANY OTHERS WERE LIKE ME AND HAD SECONDARY CONNECTIONS TO HOME TOWNS OR RELATIVELY UNKNOWN CLASSMATES.
OTHERS WANTED TO TALK THE LENGTH OF THE WALL AND TAKE IN THE ENORMITY OF THE FIVE THOUSAND FIFTY TWO THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY ONE LOSSES.
BUT THEY WANTED TO, THEY NEEDED TO CONNECT IN A DEEPER LEVEL, AS DID I EXPERIENCE THE FLOOD OF EMOTIONS WITH THEM WAS SO TRULY WAS TO TRULY EXPERIENCE
[00:25:01]
THE POWER, THE HEALING POWER OF THE WALL.I'M PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH YOU ALL AND OTHERS, BUT I'M NOT GONNA READ THEM.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THEM.
SO WE HAVE A LOT OF TESTIMONIALS THAT KIND OF RELATE TO EXACTLY WHAT JOHN SAID ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE AND WE DID WITH THE OVER 300 VOLUNTEERS THAT WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE TO HOST THIS WALL.
UM, THOSE VOLUNTEERS WERE KIND AND CONSIDERATE ENOUGH TO LISTEN TO A LOT OF THESE STORIES, SOME HEARTBREAKING, SOME ESPECIALLY EMOTIONAL.
SO WE DO THINK THOSE 300 VOLUNTEERS THAT HELPED US OUT DURING THIS TIME, I AM VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT IN TALKING TO OUR VVMF HOSTS, THAT THEIR 17,000 PEOPLE WERE THE MOST I'VE EVER SEEN AT A WALL.
THAT HEELS HOST SITE, UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP HAD ROUGHLY 13,000 PEOPLE THAT CAME OUT FOR THIS EVENT.
NOT SO MUCH AN EVENT, BUT AN EXPERIENCE.
SO WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THE HARD WORK THAT WENT INTO PUTTING THIS WALL ON WITH 300 VOLUNTEERS IN OUR COMMITTEE THAT WERE ABLE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
WE ARE STARTING TO ARCHIVE A LOT OF THE TESTIMONIALS, SO IF ANYONE HERE OR ANYONE LISTENING OR WATCHING WANTS TO SEND ANYTHING IN, PLEASE SEND IT TO THE TOWNSHIP.
WE'RE HAPPY TO ARCHA, ARCHA, UM, ALL OF THOSE YOU WANT ME TO SPEAK AGAIN? NO, YOU'RE GOOD.
SO JUST REALLY QUICK, UM, PART OF THE PROCESS AND PUTTING THE WALL ON IT WAS A YEAR AND A HALF OF BACKEND WORK.
MY COMMITTEE CAN ATTEST TO THE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF MEETINGS THAT WE HAD TO HAVE LOTS OF MINUTES, LOTS OF HOURS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS ALL HAPPENED WITHOUT, WITHOUT ANY GLITCH.
WE ARE VERY LUCKY WITH THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT WENT INTO IT WITH OUR PROCESSION, FROM OUR CEREMONIES TO THE SITE LOGISTICS, MAKING SURE WE HAD POWER, MAKING SURE WE HAD WATER FOR VOLUNTEERS, WARM TENTS, EVERYTHING THAT WE COULD EXPECT FROM UPPER PROVIDENCE TO PUT IN.
WE DID PUT IN AND IT WAS BECAUSE OF THAT TEAM AND COMMITTEE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN WITH ALL OF, WE CAN SKIP RIGHT THROUGH THAT.
SO IF I CAN ASK FOR THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, IF YOU ARE HERE, IF YOU GUYS CAN PLEASE STAND UP FOR ME AND MAKE YOUR WAY UP TO THE J THE UPT WALL, THE HEAL COMMITTEE AND SOME EAGER VOLUNTEERS MADE HOST THE WALL THAT HEALS POSSIBLE MONTHS OF WORK.
AND GOOD COMMUNICATION WAS THE KEY TO OUR SUCCESS.
THROUGH THE COMMUNICATION, WE WERE ABLE TO APPEAL TO MANY GRACIOUS DONORS AND SPONSORS FROM IN KIND DONATIONS LIKE GOLF CARTS, POWER PORTA POTTS, AND TO MONETARY DONATIONS OF ALL SIZES.
WE'RE ABLE TO HOST THE WALL THAT HEELS IN AN EXCEPTIONAL MANNER THAT WE NORMALLY DO.
JOHN AND I THANK OUR COMMITTEE VERY MUCH.
I HAVEN'T SPOKEN THIS MUCH IN THE 18 YEARS, 16 YEARS I'VE BEEN A SUPERVISOR.
WHAT CAN I SAY? UH, LIKE THE HEROES ON THE WALL STEPPED UP TO DEFEND OUR COUNTRY.
SO DID A SMALL GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS STEP FORWARD TO HELP HONOR THEIR SACRIFICES.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THEIR SELFLESS EFFORTS TO BRING THAT WALL TO UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP.
OUR FIR OUR FIRST EMAILS ABOUT THE WALL STARTED IN JUNE OF 2022 AND THAT'S WHEN WE STARTED OUR PLANNING FOR ITS VISIT.
THIS PROJECT WAS A YEAR IN THE MAKING AND TO THE UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWN TOWNSHIP, THE WALL AT HEALS COMMITTEE AND ITS 300 PLUS VOLUNTEERS.
IT BROUGHT AN INCREDIBLE EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR ALL WHO ATTENDED.
I'D LIKE TO THANK EACH COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR THEIR LONG HARD WORK ON BRINGING THIS TO OUR COMMUNITY.
I'D LIKE TO TOM, I'D LIKE TO THANK TOM BROADVILLE AND HIS ENTIRE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK POLICE CHIEF MARK FREEMAN AND HIS ENTIRE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK FIRE CHIEF MIKE CRYSTAL AND HIS ENTIRE STAFF OF FIREFIGHTERS.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK TIM BERMAN, BRIAN BACHE, AND OUR ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF.
THANK YOU TO CHERYL AND THE LADIES FOR SHOWING ME HOW TO OPERATE A STAMP MACHINE AND COPIER.
AND IF WE'RE FOLDING ALL THOSE FLYERS AND ANYTHING ELSE I ASK THEM TO DO TO PATTY FIORI, THANK YOU FOR THE ENDLESS HOURS YOU SPENT WORKING ON THAT VOLUNTEER LIST.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HOURS YOU PUT IN THE VOLUNTEER TENT.
THANKS FOR DRIVING THE GOLF CARTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE YOU DID THAT I DIDN'T SEE BECAUSE I KEPT SAYING TO YOU, WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE? SO LINDA ROONEY, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HOURS YOU PUT IN DOING THAT MAGICAL THING YOU DO WITH THE COMPUTER.
[00:30:01]
INTERNET ADS.THANK YOU FOR ALL THE BROCHURES.
THANK YOU FOR THE DIGITAL ADS AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING ELSE THAT I DON'T EVEN KNOW THE NAMES OF BECAUSE I'M SO TECHNICALLY CHALLENGED TO KEN CAMPBELL.
WE KNOW YOU WERE CALLED AWAY TO DUTY IN THE AIR FORCE AND SO WANTED TO BE MORE A PART OF THIS, BUT SOMEHOW YOU MANAGED TO GET BACK IN TIME TO BE A PART OF OUR CEREMONIES AND FOUND TIME TO VOLUNTEER AT THE WALL.
YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY IS MUCH APPRECIATED TO DAN SCHAFER, THANK YOU FOR FIRST OF ALL SETTING UP ALL THAT TECHNICAL STUFF AT OUR MEETINGS, THE FIREHOUSE.
THANK YOU FOR REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.
UH, THANK YOU FOR HELPING OUT WITH THE CEREMONIES AND THANK YOU FOR TEACHING ME ABOUT MONTCO.
READY AND THANK YOU FOR USING IT TO INFORM OUR RESIDENTS AND EVERY EVERYTHING ELSE I KNOW YOU DID TO ROBERT GIL INGER.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, GILLY ASKED ME TO HELP A NEIGHBORING VET OF HIS.
I AGREED AND SPENT SEVERAL DAYS ON MY KNEES HELPING SCREW TOGETHER A RAMP FOR THIS GUY TO BE ABLE TO GET IN AND OUT OF HIS HOUSE EASIER.
THAT'S THE KIND OF GUY GILLY IS.
I WORKED MY ASS OFF
I THINK I GOT THE BETTER DEAL.
I KNOW HE WORKED HIS ASS OFF ON THIS THING.
I PROMISE I WON'T CALL YOU FOR A WHILE.
THANK YOU TO POLICE CHIEF MARK FREEMAN.
I'VE KNOWN THIS MAN FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND I HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED HIS PROFESSIONALISM WHEN THEY NEEDED SOMEONE TO WELCOME THE ESCORT WITH A SPEECH I HID IN THE BACK BECAUSE I'M BAD AT THAT SORT OF THING.
AND HE STEPPED RIGHT UP AND GREETED THAT WHOLE ENTOURAGE AND MADE THEM FEEL RIGHT AT HOME.
MARK AND HIS GUYS ALONG WITH CHIEF SEL, WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ESCORT ROUTE.
I'M GLAD YOU'RE PART OF THIS FAMILY.
SO SERGEANT ROBERT SALERIO, THANK YOU AND THE GUYS FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DID, YOU PUT INTO THE ESCORT.
I WAS IN AWE OF THE WHOLE TRIP.
TWO OF THE HIGHLIGHTS WERE NUMBER ONE PASSING POPE JOHN PAUL HIGH SCHOOL AND SEEING ALL THOSE STUDENTS ALONG TOWNSHIP LINE ROAD WAVING ALL THOSE FLAGS BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES.
AND THE SECOND ONE WAS WATCHING ALL THE PARKHOUSE RESIDENTS IN THE PARKING LOT IN WHEELCHAIRS AND WALKERS AND THEM SALUTING US AS WE DROVE BY TO DON KELLY.
WHAT CAN I SAY? BUT THANK YOU.
IF I NEEDED SOMETHING, DON WOULD SAY, I CAN GET THAT.
IF I ASKED HIM, CAN YOU DO THIS? AND HE'D REPLY, NO PROBLEM.
HE AND HIS CREW FROM PUBLIC WORKS PUT UP THAT WALL IN RECORD TIME, BEATING ALL OTHERS BY AN HOUR.
NEED US TO SAY, NEED US TO SAY TAKING IT DOWN WAS JUST AS EASY FOR HIS CREW.
THIS ISN'T JUST A ONE-TIME THING FOR HIM.
THIS IS HOW HE WORKS ALL THE TIME.
PROUD TO HAVE HIM AND THE CREW IN THE FAMILY TO GEORGE PEL.
WHEN I'M AROUND GEORGE, I ALMOST FEEL LIKE I'M BACK IN THE SERVICE AGAIN.
IT WAS AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU ON THIS COMMITTEE.
YOU HAVE A VERY COMMANDING VOICE AND WE COULDN'T HAVE PULLED THIS OFF, PULLED THE CEREMONIES OFF WITHOUT YOU.
I AM TRULY, I'M TRULY HAPPY TO HAVE YOU ON THE POLICE FORCE, AND I BELIEVE YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE TO A MUCH HIGHER STANDARD THAN MOST OF US.
YOU HAVE MY RESPECT TO FIRE CHIEF MIKE BRISEL.
IT TOOK THE TOWNSHIP TOO LONG TO PUT YOU IN THE RIGHT POSITION WHERE YOU BELONG.
IF MIKE DIDN'T HAVE THE ANSWER, HE WOULD GET IT FOR YOU.
WHEN IT CAME TO NEEDING A COLOR GUARD, MIKE WAS ON IT.
WHEN IT CAME TO NEEDING A BUGLER, MIKE WAS ON IT.
I WAS TOTALLY IMPRESSED WITH HOW WE WENT THROUGH ALL THOSE BOROUGHS AND MUNICIPALITIES WITHOUT A HITCH, AND EVERY ONE OF THEM HAD AN ARCH AND FLAGGED WITH FIRE WITH OUR FIRETRUCK.
ONE DAY MIKE TOLD ME THIS WAS A GREAT MUNICIPALITY TO WORK FOR BECAUSE ALL THE DEPARTMENTS WORKED SO WELL TOGETHER.
THE POLICE OFFICERS, THE FIREMEN, THE PUBLIC WORKS CREW, THEY ALL WORK AS A TEAM.
I WILL MISS OUR BANTER WHEN I'M NO LONGER A SUPERVISOR TO SUE HOFFMAN STAND.
IT WAS A PLEASURE DOING THIS WITH YOU BECAUSE YOU DID ALL THE HEAVY LIFTING.
SOME DAYS I THINK SHE WAS HIDING FROM ME BECAUSE I WAS A PAIN IN THE ASS.
I NEVER SAW SOMEONE JUGGLE SO MANY BALLS IN THE AIR AND MAKE IT LOOK EASY.
SHE RAN THE MEETINGS, SHE WAS IN CHARGE OF THIS EVENT, AND I GOT ALL THE ACCOLADES BECAUSE OF, AND I GOT ALL THE ACCOLADES BECAUSE OF YOUR HARD WORK.
I CAN'T SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALL YOU DID THIS PAST YEAR.
AND I'D JUST LIKE TO MENTION A COUPLE OF NAMES.
[00:35:01]
BILL PINKERTON, RICH CUSTER, GAIL LATCH DAN AND BETSY DALEY TRAP VFW.AND SULLIVAN RU IS THE EAGLE SCOUT WHO MADE THE BENCHES AT THIS THING.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE TOO, AND I WANT TO THANK, I'M NOT, I KNOW I'M NOT MENTIONING EVERYBODY'S NAME, BUT I WANT TO THANK THEM ALSO.
WE HAD OVER 300 VOLUNTEERS THERE AND I, I, I SINCERELY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT THEY DID, AND WITH THAT YOU CAN.
SO YOU, THANKS FOR REMINDING ME, CHERYL.
KEEP YOU ON STRAIGHT AND NARROW EVERYBODY.
I I APOLOGIZE FOR TAKING UP YOUR TIME.
I KNOW YOU'RE HERE FOR SOMETHING ELSE.
UM, AND I HAVE, UH, SUE, DON'T GO ANYWHERE.
I, I HAVE, UH, SOMETHING FOR YOU.
FROM THE FIRST DAY I CAME TO YOU TO PROMOTE MY IDEA OF BRINGING THE WALL THAT HEALS TO OUR TOWNSHIP, YOU TOOK THIS CHALLENGE AND MADE IT A PRIORITY IN YOUR ALREADY BUSY SCHEDULE BECAUSE YOU SPENT SO MUCH TIME ON THIS.
I UNDERSTAND YOUR HUSBAND PUT A PICTURE OF YOU ON YOUR COFFEE TABLE AT HOME SO YOUR CHILDREN WOULD REMEMBER WHAT YOUR MOTHER LOOKED LIKE.
I WAS AMAZED WHEN I, WHEN I WOULD COME INTO YOUR OFFICE WITH QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS AND WITH A FEW CLICKS, YOU WOULD SAY, WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT? AS I'VE ALREADY STATED BEFORE, YOU DID ALL THE HARD WORK AND I GOT ALL THE PRAISE.
THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I WOULD CHASE YOU FROM THE TOWNSHIP BUILDING TO THE REC CENTER ONLY TO COME BACK TO THE TOWNSHIP BUILDING AGAIN TO GET AN ANSWER FOR A PROBLEM I HAD WHEN ALL FINALLY GOT HERE.
YOU WERE ON TOP OF EVERYTHING.
I WATCHED YOU WORK EVERY DAY MAKING SURE ALL THE PLANNING WE HAD DONE WAS GOING TO HAPPEN JUST THE WAY WE PLANNED IT.
AND WHEN THINGS DIDN'T GO EXACTLY AS PLANNED, YOU IMPROVISED.
YOU HAVE AN IMPRESSIVE WORK ETHIC AND ARE APPRECIATED MORE THAN YOU KNOW.
I'M GLAD THAT YOU ARE PART OF THIS FANTASTIC FAMILY AT UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR US.
THIS IS, UH, SOMETHING FROM THE TOWNSHIP.
[PUBLIC COMMENT]
ALRIGHT, THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS PUBLIC COMMENT.IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, I ASK YOU TO COME FORWARD TO THE PODIUM.
THE MICROPHONE IS ABOVE YOUR HEAD AND WE'LL PICK UP EVERYTHING YOU SAY AND I ASK YOU TO KEEP YOUR REMARKS CONCISE FOR THREE MINUTES.
OH, I NEED YOUR NAME AND YOUR STREET ADDRESS.
UM, MARLENE LASKER, 1142 EGYPT ROAD.
UM, FIRST I WANT TO THANK, UH, CHERYL FOR PUTTING THE ADVERTISEMENTS ONTO THE WEBSITE.
THEY WERE VERY HELPFUL RELATIVE TO THE BUDGET IS VERY GOOD THAT THE BUDGET IS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE FOR ACCESS BY RESIDENTS.
PERSONALLY, I COULD NOT ATTEND THE THREE BUDGET MEETINGS THE 28TH OF SEPTEMBER THE THIRD AND THE 5TH OF OCTOBER.
HOWEVER, I DID ATTEND THE, THE BUDGET MEETING IN JULY WHEN THE BUDGET WAS JUST, UH, STARTING TO BE WORKED ON WHEN WE REALLY, UH, COULDN'T GET A COPY.
IN FACT, THE 16TH AND, UH, OCTOBER BOARD OF SUPERVISOR MEETING WAS THE, WAS WHEN WE, THE BUDGET WAS ACTUALLY AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW, GOING TO THE WEBSITE TO READ THE POST-IT BUDGET AS SOON BECAME OBVIOUS THAT EVEN THOUGH I COULD READ THE BUDGET, UM, THERE WAS NO PLACE FOR ME TO PUT IN COMMENTS OR QUE OR, OR QUESTIONS.
SO WE, THE RESIDENTS REALLY DO NEED, UH, A WAY TO ASK QUESTIONS AND COMMENT ON THE BUDGET VIA THE WEBSITE.
SO, UM, HOPEFULLY, UH, THIS SUCH CAN BE DONE AS QUICKLY AS THE POSTING OF THE ADVERTISEMENTS.
[00:40:01]
MY QUESTIONS, UM, FOR THE, UH, SUPERVISOR.SO I DO HAVE A COPY, UM, UH, OR, AND THE MANAGERS, UH, SO I DO HAVE A COPY.
UH, HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ONE OF THOSE COMMENTS HERE.
FOR ME, THE MAIN ISSUE, LIKE WITH MY BUDGET AT HOME IS, UH, WHETHER I CAN LIVE WITHIN MY MEANS.
I, IE DO I HAVE MORE REVENUE THAN EXPENSES.
SO I'M IN THE BLACK EVERY MONTH.
UH, ONE OF THE MAIN INTEREST IN REVIEWING THE BUDGET WAS WHETHER MY TAXES, UH, PROPERTY AND EARNED INCOME WOULD BE GOING UP.
UNFORTUNATELY, I COULDN'T DRAW A CONCLUSION ON THAT.
UH, THERE, THERE IS, THERE ARE 16 SOURCES OF REVENUES WITH ONLY TWO, YOU KNOW, BEING THE EARNED INCOME AND REAL ESTATE TAXES.
SO I COULD NOT TELL WHETHER MY TAXES WOULD BE INCREASING OR NOT.
SO IT APPEARS THAT FROM BOTH TABLE ONE AND TABLE TWO, THAT MANAGEMENT ADJUSTED THE INCOME TO MATCH THE EXPENSES.
HOWEVER, IT WOULD BE GOOD, UH, TO HIGHLIGHT RIGHT UP FRONT IN THE BUDGET, UH, WHETHER IT THERE WOULD BE ANY TAX INCREASES.
I LIVE AT ONE 17 OLD STATE ROAD.
UM, A WEEK AGO LAST, FROM LAST SATURDAY, WE HAD AN INCIDENT AT OLD STATE AND SECOND AVENUE IN WHICH A TRACTOR TRAILER TRIED TO NEGOTIATE THAT TURN.
UH, HE WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON SECOND AVENUE AND TURNING RIGHT ON OLD STATE ROAD.
IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THAT INTERSECTION, IT'S VERY SHARP INTERSECTION AND IT'S EVEN DIFFICULT FOR A CAR.
IF YOU, IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH IT, YOU'RE GONNA GET IN THE DITCH OR ANYWAY, UM, HE WAS OUT THERE, UM, MOST OF THE AFTERNOON.
AND THEN FINALLY, HOW TO GET A TOW TRUCK TO GET THE, UH, TRUCK OUT THERE.
MY SUGGESTION IS THAT, UM, SINCE WE HAVE NO TRUCKS SIGN ON OLD STATE ROAD, THAT WE CONTACT PENDOT AND HAVE THEM PUT A NO TRUCK TURN ON SECOND AVENUE SO THAT THEY KNOW BEFORE THEY MAKE THE TURN THAT THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO ON OLD STATE ROAD.
AND THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.
IT'S HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST.
AND, UH, AND, AND WHILE YOU'RE AT IT, I THINK IT WOULD ALSO BE A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE PENNDOT PUT INTERSECTION SIGNS.
THERE ARE NO SIGNS SHOWING INTERSECTIONS AT OLD STATE ROAD, HOFFNER ROAD, SPRINGER TOWN ROAD, OR V ROAD.
TO MY KNOWLEDGE, WE HAVE CURVED SIGNS, YOU KNOW, MARKING THE CURVES, BUT THERE ARE NO SIGNS SHOWING THAT THERE ARE INTERSECTIONS.
I COME SOUTH ON SECOND AVENUE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON OLD STATE ROAD, AND FOR YEARS I'VE BEEN AFRAID THAT SOMEBODY'S GONNA REAR END ME BECAUSE IF SOMEBODY'S BEHIND ME DOESN'T KNOW THAT THERE'S A ROAD THERE, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GOING TO NOT KNOW WHY I'M SLOWING UP.
BECAUSE YOU HAVE, THERE'S A CURVE THERE AND A HILL AND IT'S VERY HARD TO SEE.
SO I PUT MY TURN SIGNAL ON VERY FAR AHEAD OF TIME SO THAT THEY MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THAT I'M GONNA BE TURNING SO THAT I'M NOT REAR-ENDED.
BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, PENDO SHOULD HAVE SOME SIGNS OUT THERE INDICATING THAT THERE ARE INTERSECTIONS.
AND BY THE WAY, I'M OPPOSED TO THE ANY ZONING CHANGE FOR THE PODCAST.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, UH, THIS EVENING ON THE AGENDA.
UH, FIRST, MY NAME IS TORY BRIGHT.
AND, UM, UH, YOU KNOW, I WANTED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY FIRST TO, UM, SAY HOW PROUD OF A CITIZEN I AM OF THIS TOWNSHIP, UH, AND ALSO REALLY IN THIS WEEK OF GIVING THANKS, UM, TO THANK SUPERVISOR JOHN PEARSON FOR BRINGING THE WALLET HEELS TO THIS TOWNSHIP.
UM, I HAD BEEN A VOLUNTEER THERE AND IT TOUCHED MY LIFE.
UH, IT TOUCHED A FRIEND'S LIFE, GAVE HER SOME, SOME KIND OF RESOLVE FOR HER, HER BROTHER, WHO SHE LOST.
[00:45:01]
UH, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK YOU, JOHN FOR YOUR SERVICE AND, UH, FOR BEING, UM, YOU KNOW, THE PERSON WHO HAS DEFENDED OUR FREEDOMS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT.UM, SO I MAY TAKE MORE THAN THREE MINUTES.
I HAVE ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS WHO IS WILLING TO GIVE ME THEIR THREE MINUTES, SO I JUST, BUT IT WILL, WILL BE LESS THAN SIX, I PROMISE.
UM, SO IN THE SPIRIT OF GIVING THANKS, UH, I FIRST OF ALL WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR PUTTING PARKHOUSE ISSUE ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT.
UM, IT IS THE FIRST TIME IN THE LAST 10 MONTHS THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY SPEAKING ABOUT THIS.
UH, SO THE NEED AND THE GOAL TO SAVE THE LAST 176 ACRES OF OPEN SPACE IN THE TOWNSHIP REMAINS A PRIORITY FOR THE FRIENDS OF PARKHOUSE GROUP AND THE CITIZENS OF THIS TOWNSHIP.
ONE YEAR AGO, THE PLANNING COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WERE PUBLICLY AND OPENLY DISCUSSING A PROPOSAL TO DO AWAY WITH THAT OPEN SPACE, THE PROPOSAL BY ROYERS FOR HOLDINGS TO DEVELOP A CONTINUING CARE RESTRICTED AGE RESTRICTED COMMUNITY, PROPOSING 1,203 MIXED HIGH DENSITY HOUSING UNITS ON THAT PROPERTY.
AS WE KNOW, THE PLANNING COMMITTEE SUBSEQUENTLY DENIED RULING ON THE APPLICATION AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE PROPOSAL GO BEFORE THE SUPERVISORS FOR A CONDITIONAL USE HEARING AND THEN SILENCE.
UNTIL NOW, IN THE LAST YEAR, THE FRIENDS OF PARKHOUSE HAVE INVESTIGATED RESEARCH PRESENTED AND RECOMMENDED VIABLE ACTIONS THAT THE TOWNSHIP COULD HAVE TAKEN TO KEEP THE 176 ACRES OPEN SPACE AND THIS SPECIFIC PROPOSAL FROM GOING FORWARD, WE FILED THREE RIGHT TO NO REQUESTS, PRESENTED RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING CONSIDERING A LOCAL REFERENDUM TO KEEP THE SPACE OPEN, UTILIZING THE CLEAR, COMPELLING EVIDENCE AND EXPERTISE OF THE NATURAL LANDS TRUST REPORT TO KEEP THE PROPERTY OPEN SPACE.
AND MOST RECENTLY HAVE SENT GUIDANCE TO THE TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS ON HOW THE TOWNSHIP COULD WORK WITH LAWYERS FOR HOLDINGS TO UTILIZE IMPRESSIVE TAX CREDITS IF THE LAND WERE DONATED FOR OPEN SPACE.
WE SENT LETTERS AND EMAILS TO THE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS, THE SOLICITOR, THE PLANNING DIRECTOR, THE TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATOR, AND HAVE RECEIVED LITTLE TO NO RESPONSE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS IN OUR RIGHT TO KNOW REQUEST, WE'VE IDENTIFIED WHAT APPEARS TO BE SEVERAL DISCOVERIES OF HOW THE TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS ARE PROCEEDING WITH DIALOGUE WITH THE DEVELOPER AROUND WHAT APPEARS TO BE A NEW NOT YET FOR PUBLIC RELEASE PLAN FOR PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY.
THE TONE OF THE NON-TRANSPARENCY HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE BEGINNING WITHOUT ANY CONSIDERATION FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE TAX PAYING RESIDENTS WHO ARE ULTIMATELY IMPACTED BY YOUR ACTIONS.
HOWEVER, SINCE NOTHING'S PUBLIC YET, WE CAN'T SPEAK TO ANY NEW PLAN.
SO THE QUESTION IS WHY NOW ON THE, ON THE AGENDA, WHY NOW? WHY ARE YOU PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO AN ORDINANCE OF A VERY LONGSTANDING ORDINANCE, BY THE WAY, FOR OPEN SPACE? AND WHAT EXACTLY IS BEING AN AMENDED AND WHY? NOW THE AGENDA ITEM STATES REVIEW PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REGARDING OPEN SPACE RESIDENTIAL TWO TO RESOLVE THE PENDING PARKHOUSE CONDITIONAL USE APPLICATION.
AGAIN, WHY IS OPEN SPACE RESIDENTIAL BEING AMENDED TO RESOLVE THE CONDITIONAL USE APPLICATION THEY HAVEN'T FILED FOR A CONDITIONAL USE HEARING? WHY? AMEN.
IF IT'S FOR A REASON, UNLESS THE TOWNSHIP AND THE DEVELOPERS APPEAR TO BE TAKING STEPS TO CHANGE THE ORDINANCE THAT'S CURRENTLY UNRELATED TO THE CURRENT ZONING BEFORE THEY EVEN WORK THROUGH THE ASPECTS OF WHAT IS CURRENTLY BEFORE YOU.
SO IN ADDITION, WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR THAT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
THE PRIORITY OF OPEN SPACE IS CITED IN THE COUNTY AND THE TOWNSHIP'S COMPREHENSIVE PLANS FOR THE LAST 25 PLUS YEARS.
YOUR OWN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN STATES IT.
SO WHY NOW? WHY NOT ADDRESS THE EXISTING PROPOSED PLAN THAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU AND HAVE THE CONDITIONAL USE HEARING? WELL MAYBE BECAUSE CONDITIONAL USE HEARING HASN'T BEEN REQUESTED BECAUSE THE APPLICANT KNOWS THAT THEY WILL GET DENIED BECAUSE THE PLAN FROM THE VERY BEGINNING DID NOT MEET THE ZONING ORDINANCE.
SO AGAIN, WHY AND HOW CHANGE THE ORDINANCE, WHY CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT? WHY CHANGE THE ORDINANCE UNDER THE TOWNSHIPS UNLESS THERE'S BEEN A REVIEWED PLAN AND THERE'S SOME DISCRETION OR THAT, THAT YOU'VE BEEN RE REVIEWING DISCREETLY AND CUTTING A DEAL WITH A DEVELOPER DUE TO THREAT OF LITIGATION OR SOME OTHER PERSONAL BENEFITS.
IF INDEED THERE'S A CHANGE IN THE ORDINANCE.
[00:50:01]
WITH AMENDMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, R TWO, WHICH IS SINGLE OR HIGH DENSITY HOUSING SUCH AS TOWNHOUSE TOWN HOMES OR CLUSTERED CARRIAGE HOMES, NOT ONLY DO YOU RISK FUTURE LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL HARM, BUT ANY DEVELOPMENT WILL NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL AS INCREASED BURDEN ON FIRE EMS, PUBLIC SAFETY AND ALREADY OVERCROWDED SCHOOL DISTRICT INCREASED TRAFFIC AND CONGESTION, LIGHT POLLUTION, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.AND ABOVE ALL, CITIZENS WILL DEFINITELY SEE INCREASED TAXES.
SADLY, IGNORANCE TO THIS RISK IF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IS PERMITTED, WILL SOLELY FALL ON THE BACKS OF EVERY TAX PAYING CITIZEN IN THIS COMMUNITY.
YOUR OWN ORDINANCE STATES OPEN SPACE E IS TO REDUCE THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF S SUBURBANIZATION AND SPRAWL AND TO, TO PROTECT THESE AREAS FROM INAPPROPRIATE USES.
I AM ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO ANY CHANGES IN THE I'M FINISHING.
I'M ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO ANY CHANGES IN THE OPEN SPEECH RESIDENT.
WANNA MAKE PUBLIC COMMENTARY? I APPRECIATE THREE MINUTES FOR 10 MONTHS.
UH, BILL FELTON, OLD STATE ROAD.
UH, I WANT TO THANK MR. PEARSON.
UH, THAT WAS VERY SOBERING AND UH, PUT A LOT OF STUFF IN PERSPECTIVE.
OKAY, WHAT YOU ALL DID BRING THAT BALL.
UM, SINCE LAST SPRING, I KNOW YOU'VE ENGAGED NATURAL LANDS TO DO AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPERTY, TALKING ABOUT PARKHOUSE AND, UH, HAD AN APPRAISAL DONE OF THE PROPERTY, WHICH CAME UP WITH SOME VALUE OF THE PROPERTY.
AND AS ALL THIS WAS HAPPENING, I'M THINKING LIKE, OH, THIS IS GREAT.
THEY'RE SETTING THIS UP FOR POSSIBLE DONATION OR, OR A CONSERVATION EASEMENT OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES, PARTICULARLY SINCE YOU HAD NATURAL LANDS ENGAGE AND ALL THESE MONTHS HAVE GONE BY AND, AND, UH, NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.
I DIDN'T KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT THE TAX BENEFITS THAT SOMEBODY COULD HAVE A LANDOWNER, UH, GETTING A CONSERVATION EASEMENT OR ACTUALLY DONATING THE LAND.
SO I GOT THE BOOK THAT, UH, EXPLAINS THE TAX CODE AND HOW THIS MIGHT WORK AND HOW IT MIGHT WORK WITH, UH, WITH THE PARKHOUSE PROPERTY.
UM, IN AN EFFORT TO CONSERVE LAND AND SAVE OPEN SPACE, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND MANY STATE GOVERNMENTS HAVE WRITTEN RULES INTO THE TAX CODE TO ALLOW SUBSTANTIAL TAX DEDUCTIONS TO THOSE WHO SAVE OPEN SPACE.
THE CONGRESSIONAL JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION HAS RECOGNIZED LAND TRUST ORGANIZATIONS, WHICH ARE CERTIFIED BY THE LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION COMMISSION AS EXPERTS WHO UNDERSTAND THE RULES SET FORTH TO GUIDE THE PROCESS FOR CONSERVING LAND.
BUT DONATING LAND DOES NOT NECESSARILY GUARANTEE A DEDUCTION.
THERE'S A LITMUS TEST OF RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT A LAND CONSERVATION DEAL MUST FOLLOW IN ORDER TO, TO QUALIFY FOR THESE DEDUCTIONS.
THE GOOD NEWS, IT APPEARS THAT THE PARKHOUSE PROPERTY IS A MODEL FOR THESE PRESERVATION DEDUCTIONS.
SOME OF THE ATTRIBUTES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING, THE PROPERTY HAS BEEN AND IS CURRENTLY ZONED AS OPEN SPACE.
AND THAT'S A, THAT'S A BIG THING.
YOU KNOW, THE TOWNSHIP HAS IDENTIFIED YEARS AGO THAT WE'VE SEEN THIS PROPERTY AS OPEN SPACE FOR A LONG TIME.
THE PROPERTY HAS BEEN ASSESSED AND IDENTIFIED TO POSSESS MANY FEATURES AND ATTRIBUTES WHICH MAKE IT IDEAL PROPERTY, WHICH THROUGH PRESERVATION WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THE PUBLIC.
THE TOWNSHIP HAS SECURED AN APPRAISAL FROM AN ACCREDITED APPRAISAL COMPANY TO ESTABLISH THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY.
THE OWNER HAS PURCHASED THE LAND AS A REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AND HAS OWNED IT FOR MANY YEARS.
HE'S NOT JUST BUYING IT THIS YEAR, HOPING TO GET A DEDUCTION IN A FOLLOWING YEAR, WHICH WOULD BE SCRUTINIZED THE DONATION OF THIS LAND OR PROPORTIONATE DIFFERENCE IN A TRANSACTED PRICE.
AND THE APPRAISED VALUE WOULD QUALIFY AS A BARGAIN SALE, WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT FOR DEDUCTION AS WELL.
THE TAX CODE AS PART OF THIS GREAT DEDUCTION ALLOWS THAT VALUE TO BE DEDUCTED OVER 15 YEARS.
SO OBVIOUSLY THIS PROPERTY HAS A HUGE VALUE.
NOT TOO MANY TAXPAYERS COULD MAYBE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT VALUE IN ONE YEAR, 15 YEARS.
THEY HAVE TO MAKE THESE, THESE UH, DEDUCTIONS.
[00:55:01]
THERE ARE MANY RULES AND REGULATIONS IN THE TAX CODE WHICH SCRUTINIZE THESE DONATIONS AND DEALS.AND IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE TOWNSHIP AND THE DONOR ENGAGE, CREDITED AND QUALIFIED ORGANIZATION TO GUIDE AND BRING THIS DEAL, WHICH WOULD SAVE THIS VALUABLE PROPERTY FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE PUBLIC FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
I HOPE WE CAN ENCOURAGE THE OWNER TO STOP INVESTING IN GETTING THIS LAND APPROVED FOR DEVELOPMENT, BUT RATHER SECURE THE SERVICES OF QUALIFIED TAX ATTORNEYS, ACCOUNTANTS, AND LAND PRESERVATION EXPERTS.
AND TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THIS A WIN-WIN FOR ALL PARTIES.
I BELIEVE WE CAN ACHIEVE MUCH BY WORKING TOWARDS A COMMON GOAL.
DO I HAVE ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT TONIGHT? HI, RAY ROCCHIO, 3 74 VISTA DRIVE.
UM, JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT.
APPRECIATE THE TIME AND EFFORT.
UM, IT'S FUNNY, I SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE WITH TORI AND OTHERS OF THE DEVELOPMENT NEAR ME AND UH, I'VE BEEN GETTING A FEW EMAILS.
IT'S TOUGH AS YOU GO THROUGH 10 MONTHS OF TIME WORKING ON THIS PROJECT AND NOT HAVING A LOT THERE, THEN SOMETHING POPS UP AND EVERYBODY ALWAYS ASSUMES THE WORST, RIGHT? WE'RE HERE, THERE'S GONNA BE AN AGENDA ITEM.
ALL OF A SUDDEN, CODE'S GONNA BE CHANGED.
ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS, JEFF SENT ME A NOTE LAST NIGHT.
HE SAID, UH, HE OPENED ON ONE OF THOSE BAIT AND SWITCH THINGS AND THAT HE WANTED TO HOLD SUPERVISORS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE FACT THAT WHEN THEY RAN, THEY RAN ON KEEPING OPEN SPACE A PRIORITY.
SO, UH, FOR JEFF, A COUPLE OF MY SECONDS FROM MY THREE MINUTES SHARED WITH THE GROUP TO LET HIM KNOW HIS PERSPECTIVE.
I HAVE JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANTED TO COVER 'CAUSE A LOT'S BEEN SAID, SO I'LL TRY TO MAKE THIS BRIEF.
IT APPEARS THAT THE PARKHOUSE HAS A PROPOSAL FOR AN AMENDMENT TO OUR ORDINANCE.
AND AGAIN, WE DON'T HAVE EVERYTHING AT HAND, SO IT'S TOUGH FOR US TO REALLY WEIGH IN ON WHAT'S BEING DISCUSSED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, IF YOU WILL.
I JUST ASK AGAIN, WHY IS OPEN SPACE RESIDENTIAL BEING AMENDED TO RESOLVE THE PARKHOUSE CONDITIONAL USE APPLICATION? IT'S FAIRLY FRUSTRATING TO US.
WHY AMEND OUR ORDINANCES AT ALL? IT WAS PURCHASED KNOWING THE RESTRICTIONS THAT WERE THERE.
THEY MADE SOME MONEY WHEN THEY SOLD PIECES OF THE PROPERTY, WHEN THEY PURCHASED IT, OR COULD IT JUST BE THAT THE AMENDMENT DUE TO THE DEVELOPER'S FRUSTRATION WITH THE COMMUNITY ON THE PLANS PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED THAT DIDN'T MEET CODE.
WE'VE SHARED A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT NUMBER IN THE THOUSANDS, NOT JUST A FEW, BUT HONESTLY IT FEELS LIKE IT'S A ONE-WAY COMMUNICATION STREET.
IT'S UNFORTUNATE WE'VE NOT HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DISCUSSION WITH THE COMMUNITY BEFORE MAKING THESE CHANGES, BUT NOW MIGHT BE A GREAT TIME AS WE'RE SEEING SOME CHANGES COMING ABOUT WHILE THE COMMUNITY IS WORKING OR THE COMMITTEE, EXCUSE ME, IS WORKING TO MINIMIZE THE DECONSTRUCTION OF OUR TOWNSHIP'S BEAUTIFUL OPEN SPACE.
WE REALIZE THAT CHANGE HAPPENS.
WE DO REALIZE YOU JUST CAN'T STOP DEVELOPMENT.
WE REALIZE SOMETHING WILL BE BILLED, BUT WHAT WE HAVE AND WHAT WE FEEL FOR SOME REASON WE MUST COMPROMISE BEYOND WHERE OUR CURRENT ORDINANCES ARE.
WE PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE ASK YOU TO DO IT IN THE SPIRIT OF WHAT'S BEEN BUILT HERE SINCE 1805.
PLEASE CONSIDER R ONE, NOT R TWO ZONING.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND SETBACKS OFF OF THE ROAD AND PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT, NOT OVERDEVELOPMENT.
I'M BLAKE WELLING, 1 35 BENNINGTON ROAD, AKA, THE BUTTERFLY GUY, MONARCH BUTTERFLY GUY.
FIRST, I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT PARKHOUSE LAND DEVELOPMENT AND LEGAL RISK.
NO DOUBT THE BOARD IS CONCERNED ABOUT LEGAL RISK AND THE THREAT OF LEGAL ACTION BY ROYERSFORD HOLDINGS THE OWNER OF THE PARKHOUSE PROPERTY.
SO WE GET THAT AND WE WANT TO SUPPORT YOU.
[01:00:01]
TO SUPPORT THE BOARD AND MITIGATE LEGAL RISK BY MAKING THE FILING PROPOSAL.HIRE A SEPARATE ATTORNEY FOR THE PARKHOUSE MATTER WHO SPECIALIZES IN LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT.
IT WOULD BE IN THE TOWNSHIP'S BEST INTEREST TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY WHO WOULD BE DEDICATED SOLELY TO PROVIDING SOUND LEGAL ADVICE IN THAT HIGHLY SPECIALIZED AREA.
YOU MAY RECALL THAT THAT WAS THE APPROACH RECOMMENDED FOR A CONDITIONAL USE HEARING POINT NUMBER TWO, LIKE OTHERS.
I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING THE DISCUSSION LATER ABOUT THE PROPOSED OPEN SPACE R TWO ORDINANCE AMENDMENT.
I SURE HOPE YOU ALL ARE CRITICAL OF WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED, BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, WE WILL FIGHT R TWO ZONING FOR THAT PARKHOUSE PROPERTY THAT PROPERTY IS SURROUNDED.
LOOK AT A ZONING MAP THAT PROPERTY IS SURROUNDED BY R ONE, R TWO DOES NOT SERVE THE INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS OF THIS TOWNSHIP.
I SUBMITTED A RIGHT TO NO REQUEST FOR EMAILS RELATED TO THE PARKHOUSE DEVELOPMENT ON NOVEMBER 1ST.
ACCORDING TO SECTION 9 0 1 OF THE LAW, THOSE REQUESTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WITHIN FIVE BUSINESS DAYS.
THUS, I EXPECTED A RESPONSE BEFORE THIS MEETING.
THE RESPONSE I RECEIVED STATED AN EXTENSION OF TIME IS TO REVIEW.
YOUR REQUEST IS REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 9 0 2 OF THE LAW AS A TIMELY RESPONSE CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED DUE TO STAFFING ISSUES.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE TOWNSHIP HAS INVOKED AN EXTENSION ON RIGHT TO NO REQUEST ON PARKHOUSE DUE TO STAFFING ISSUES.
DO Y ALL NEED TO HIRE MORE STAFF? I DON'T HAVE THE EVIDENCE TO ASSERT THAT YOU ARE INTENTIONALLY DELAYING A RESPONSE.
WHEN PARKHOUSE IS ON THE AGENDA.
I WILL SAY I FEEL A GREAT SENSE OF DISTRUST.
I ALSO FEEL LEFT IN THE DARK ABOUT THE 700 PLUS UNIT HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL THAT THE BOARD HAS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSIONS WITH THE SOLICITOR, BUT HAS NOT SHARED AT ALL WITH THE PUBLIC.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I LIVE AT THREE 30 FOR MEADOWVIEW DRIVE AND TRAP.
I WAS LOOKING TONIGHT AT THE TOWNSHIP WEBSITE.
IT APPEARS TO BE THAT THE PARK HOUSE PROPERTY, ACCORDING TO THE INTERACTIVE TOWNSHIP MAP, APPEARS TO BE THE LARGEST CONTIGUOUS OPEN SPACE DISTRICT IN UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP.
LET ME REMIND YOU OF THE OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION DISTRICT.
I QUOTE FROM CHAPTER 180 2 ZONING ARTICLE THREE, A OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION DISTRICT 180 2, 38 0.1 LEGISLATIVE INTENT, AN EXPANSION OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES CONTAINED IN ARTICLE 1 180 2 OF THIS CHAPTER IS HEREBY DECLARED TO BE THE INTENT OF THIS ARTICLE WITH RESPECT TO THE OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION DISTRICT TO ESTABLISH REASONABLE STANDARDS AND CRITERIA TO PROTECT MAJOR OPEN SPACE LANDS, PARKS, PRESERVES, AND AGRICULTURALLY UTILIZED LANDS IN THE TOWNSHIP.
IT SHALL FURTHER BE THE INTENT OF THIS DISTRICT A, TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE RESTRICTIONS FOR SUCH LANDS CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TOWNSHIP'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND OPEN SPACE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE PROTECTION PLAN, AND TO ENSURE THAT LANDS ARE DEDICATED TO SUCH USE FOR THE FUTURE.
B, TO PROTECT THE EXISTING VISTAS INTO AND RURAL CHARACTER OF LARGE TRACKS OF UNDEVELOPED LAND IN THE TOWNSHIP.
C, TO PROTECT UNIQUE LAND FORMS AND VISUAL AND PHYSICAL ACCESS TO THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER AND PERKY AND CREEK, WHICH ARE MAJOR AMENITIES AND WHICH FORM PORTIONS OF THE TOWNSHIP BOUNDARIES.
D TO ALLOW CERTAIN RECREATIONAL USES WHICH ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION GOALS OF THE DISTRICT E TO REDUCE THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF SUBURBANIZATION AND SPRAWL AND TO PROTECT THESE AREAS FROM INAPPROPRIATE USES.
[01:05:01]
TO REMIND THE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORY BOARD OF THEIR OWN ZONING, ZONING PERMITTED USES OPEN SPACE PRESERVE INCLUDING NATURAL AREAS, WILDLIFE, SANCTUARY FOREST OR WOODLAND PRESERVE RE FORESTED LAND OR SIMILAR USES MUNICIPAL PARKLAND DEVOTED TO ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECREATIONAL USES AGRICULTURAL AS DEFINED IN THIS CHAPTER AS WELL AS THE RAISING AND SALE OF LIVESTOCK AND FULL INCLUDING ASSOCIATED GRAZED OR PLASTER LAND, MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS, OFFICES, GARAGE, AND OTHER MUNICIPAL USES.PROVIDED THAT NO MORE THAN 5% OF A TRACK LOCATED IN THE OPEN SPACE DISTRICT MAY BE DEVOTED TO ANY ONE OR COMBINATION OF SUCH USES.
AGAIN, THE OBJECTIVES ARE CLEARLY STATED IN THE OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION DISTRICT ZONING.
WHY WE WOULD CHANGE THIS TO R TWO.
I CAN ONLY SEE THAT YOU WANT TO ACCOMMODATE THE DEVELOPER.
I THINK YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO THE CITIZENS OF UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP WHO ARE ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO HAVING ESPECIALLY R TWO RESIDENTIAL ZONING IN THAT AREA.
AGAIN, LET ME REMIND YOU, IT'S THE LARGEST CONTIGUOUS OPEN SPACE DISTRICT IN THE TOWNSHIP.
WHY DO WE HAVE AN ORDINANCE FOR OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION IF WE'RE SIMPLY GOING TO FOLD OUR TENTS AND GIVE INTO THIS DEVELOPER? I KNOW HE IS TRIED TO SAY THAT IT'S FOR, UM, SOME OF THESE, UM, CHANGES FOR, UH, THE OVERLAY OF THE INSTITUTIONAL FOR NURSING HOMES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
BUT IF YOU LOOK CAREFULLY AT THAT, THAT'S A CONDITIONAL USE.
IT'S REALLY FOR SCHOOLS, EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES, LIBRARIES, LICENSED NURSING CONVALESCENT HOME RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, PERSONAL CARE ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENTS OR ADULT CARE.
I THINK HE WAS JUST SAYING THAT HE WAS GOING TO PUT THAT IN TO STICK IT IN HERE UNDER THE CONDITIONAL USES OF THE INSTITUTIONAL ZONING.
OTHER ITEMS ARE CEMETERIES, CLINICS, ET CETERA.
SO MA'AM, I'M I'M GONNA NEED YOU TO WRAP UP.
YES, I WILL WRAP UP, BUT I JUST WANT TO SPEAK TO THE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS AND ON BEHALF OF RESIDENTS THAT ARE OPPOSED TO THIS.
LET ME AGAIN REMIND YOU OF THE INTENT OF THE OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION DISTRICT AND WHY ARE WE NOT STICKING WITH THIS INTENT.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT? HELLO EVERYONE.
MY NAME IS VICTORIA SCHWARTZ, UM, 2 48 BAXTER.
I'M HERE AS A PERSON WHO GREW UP IN THIS TOWNSHIP, BORN AND RAISED IN MONTCLAIR, PENNSYLVANIA.
AND I JUST WANT TO KIND OF MAKE A BRIEF STATEMENT.
UM, I NEVER THOUGHT THAT I WOULD ACTUALLY BE HERE AMONGST ANY OF YOU IN THIS TOWNSHIP BUILDING AT ALL.
UM, I MOVED BACK HOME BECAUSE IT WAS AN AREA THAT I COULD AFFORD.
I'M HERE AND COMPELLED WITH ALL OF MY FELLOW CITIZENS AS A YOUNGER GENERATION, IF YOU WILL.
I'VE SEEN THIS DEVELOPED HEAVILY IN THIS AREA IN SOME GOOD FAITH.
BUT WHAT I'VE ALSO SEEN IS THE FACT OF DISREGARD.
I UNDERSTAND THAT IN CASES WE NEED TO BUILD, I GET IT.
I'VE WATCHED MYSELF AS A SINGLE PERSONNEL TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT I CAN STILL AFFORD MY HOME.
NOW GRANTED MY HOME HAS INCREASED.
WHO DO I HAVE TO BLAME FOR THAT? I FEEL LIKE THE PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME WHO ARE FIGHTING JUST TO KEEP THEIR HOMES, THEIR TAXES KEEP GOING UP.
YES, BUILDING'S GREAT, BUT AT WHAT COST? PUT THAT TAX BURDEN ON THE NEW PLACES.
WHY BURDEN THE PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST TRYING TO HOLD ONTO THEIR HOMES? I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE AS A SINGLE PERSON, BUT HOW MANY OF OUR ELDERLY FOLK, AND I DON'T MEAN ANY DISRESPECT FOR ANYBODY, BUT HOW ABOUT HOW OUR PEOPLE WHO ARE RETIRED, THEY DON'T HAVE CHILDREN HERE, BUT THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO KEEP THEIR HOMES.
NOW I'M A MONTCLAIR RESIDENT, BORN AND RAISED AND DAMN PROUD OF IT.
BUT HERE'S WHAT I ALSO HAVE TO SAY, I'VE ALSO GROWN UP ON PARKHOUSE ON THAT LAND.
I HAVE MY BEST FRIEND'S PARENTS WHO LIVE ON AVNER ROAD AND I GREW UP RIDING HORSES THERE.
YES, I'VE ALSO BEEN IN MONTCLAIR.
I'M ALSO FIGHTING FOR LOVER'S LANE IN AMELIA STREET.
THE FLOODING, THE TRAFFIC, ANYTHING THAT'S GONNA BE AN EXCESS OF BUILDING.
AND THIS IS WHY I'M FIGHTING, BECAUSE I'M SEEING THAT OUR ORDINANCES,
[01:10:01]
WE HAVE THESE RULES IN PLACE TO KEEP SAFETY, BUT THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS FOLLOWED.STEEP SLOPE ORDINANCE, UM, YOU KNOW, USED FOR OUR TWO LAND, WHAT HAPPENED? AND AT WHAT POINT DO WE JUST TURN AROUND AND LOOK AND SWEEP EVERYTHING UNDER THE CARPET AND NOT LET OUR OWN RULES PREVAIL? WE HAVE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE.
SO WHAT I'M ASKING, AND JUST WHAT I'M SAYING IS WE ALL HAVE TO BE TRANSPARENT.
WE KNOW THAT BUILDING'S HAPPENING, IT'S, IT'S INEVITABLE, BUT AT WHAT COST? AT OUR TAXES.
SO PEOPLE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO LIVE HERE.
AND A COMMUNITY THAT HAD BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME, OR NEW PEOPLE SUCH AS MYSELF, WHO, YOU KNOW, I, I WORKED HARD.
I BOUGHT A HOME, AND NOW I CAN'T BECAUSE IN A COUPLE YEARS I WON'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE IN MY OWN HOME BECAUSE OF WHAT OVERDEVELOPMENT OR IN ADDITION AT WHAT COST? BECAUSE NOW WE'RE HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT FLOODING AND EXCESS TRAFFIC.
YOU'RE GONNA HAVE MORE ACCIDENTS, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
SO ALLS I ASK IS, PLEASE, PLEASE, AS A PERSON WHO'S BEEN BORN AND RAISED AND SEEN BEAUTIFUL DEVELOPMENT, BUT NOW IT'S BEGINNING TO A POINT WHERE IT'S SCARY.
WHETHER IT'S THE ZONING RULES BEING HUSHED AND SWEEPED UNDER THE TABLE, OR WHETHER THERE'S A WAY AROUND IT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO, AND LEGALLY WE HAVE TO PREPARE OURSELVES AND PROTECT.
BUT AT WHAT POINT IN TIME DO WE OVERTAX PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN HERE OTHER THAN THE NEW PLACES, AND AT WHAT POINT IN TIME DO WE LET ORDINANCES AND SWEEP IT ONTO THE TABLE AND LET BUILDERS COME IN AND DO WHAT THE HELL THEY WANNA DO? THAT'S ALL I ASK, PLEASE.
WE HAVE ORDINANCES IN PLACE, WE HAVE ZONING IN PLACE.
WE NEED TO STICK TO THEM, NOT ADJUST THEM FOR BUILDERS, BECAUSE IT'S GONNA COST.
AND THAT BIG COST COMES TO ALL OF US.
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU GUYS DO, AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
AND JOHN PEARSON, MY DAD IS A UNITED STATES MARINE, WHO IS IN VIETNAM, IS BORN AND RAISED IN MONTCLAIR, PENNSYLVANIA.
SO ON BEHALF OF HIM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING THAT WALL TO OUR TOWNSHIP.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? SO MY NAME'S BOB DEROSE FOR YOUR ONE VISTA DRIVE, AND I'LL KEEP ATURE.
I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT THESE GUYS ARE SAYING HERE.
TONIGHT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.
UM, I DON'T SUPPORT AND I TALK TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE DO NOT SUPPORT CHANGE FOR HIGH DENSITY HOUSING.
YOU GUYS HEAR THAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL TRANSPARENCY IN THE PROCESS.
I FEEL LIKE WE'RE NOT GETTING IT.
I ASK THESE GUYS A LOT OF QUESTIONS.
WE WOULD LIKE MORE TRANSPARENCY.
HI, SUSAN DENBY, 1, 3 5 BENNINGTON ROAD IN THE DEVELOPMENT, RIGHT? THAT LOOKS AT PARKHOUSE FARM.
UM, I JUST AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S BEING SAID HERE AND I WANTED TO STATE THAT.
BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT IN THE BACKS OF YOUR MINDS, YOU'VE SAID, AND YOU'VE OPENLY SAID THIS, THAT THE CURRENT ZONING IS INSTITUTIONAL WITH AN, WITH THE OPEN SPACE, UH, CONSERVATION AS AN OVERLAY, WHICH IS MEANINGLESS ANYMORE.
AND IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT ANYTHING, I THINK YOU SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT CHANGING IT.
ANYONE ELSE? OKAY, I JUST WANNA ANSWER ONE QUESTION FROM WAY, WAY BACK IN THE COMMENTS.
THERE IS NO TAX INCREASE BY THE END TOWNSHIP THIS YEAR.
IT WOULD'VE, THAT HAS TO BE
I KNOW THE BUDGET IS DIFFICULT TO READ.
IT'S DIFFICULT FOR ME TO READ, BUT THERE IS NO TAX INCREASE FROM A PROVINCE, TOWNSHIP IN THIS NEXT YEAR.
UM, NEXT ITEM IS A HEARING, I BELIEVE IS APPROVAL, UH, OR EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT.
AN EXEC, AN EXECUTIVE SESSION WAS HELD BEFORE TONIGHT'S MEETING ON THE 20TH.
UH, TOPICS WERE DISCUSSED WERE REAL ESTATE AND PERSONNEL MATTERS.
LITIGATION AND POTENTIALLY LITIGATION.
[APPROVAL OF BILL LIST]
UH, APPROVAL OF THE BILL LIST.I KNOW EVERYBODY HAD THAT IN THEIR PACKET.
UM, IF THERE'S NO QUESTIONS, WE WILL, UH, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
I'LL MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE BILL LIST FROM
[01:15:01]
OCTOBER 1ST, OCTOBER 31ST, 2023 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,323,108 AND 24 CENTS.ALRIGHT, I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO, UH, APPROVE THE BILL LIST FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER ONE THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,323,108 AND 24 CENTS.
[APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
ALRIGHT.AND WE ALSO HAD, UH, SEVERAL SETS OF MINUTES IN OUR PACKET, UH, INCLUDING OUR LAST REGULAR MEETING AND THREE OF OUR BUDGET WORKSHOPS.
IF THERE'S NO CORRECTIONS, I, WE COULD TAKE THAT AS ONE MOTION.
SO I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO PROVE THE BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2023.
ALRIGHT, I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE, UH, BUDGET WORKSHOP MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2023.
OCTOBER 3RD, 2023, AND OCTOBER 5TH, 2023.
AND WE STILL NEED TO APPROVE THAT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FROM THE 16TH.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 16TH, 2023 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM OUR REGULAR MEETING ON OCTOBER 16TH.
[PUBLIC HEARING]
AND NOW WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING, UH, FOR A LIQUOR LICENSE TRANSFER TO OAK CINEMA.THE APPLICANTS ARE HERE, UH, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC.
THERE IS A, UH, STATE LAW, PART OF THE STATE, UH, LIQUOR CODE, WHICH PROVIDES THAT, UH, A SPECIAL PROVISION WHEN LIQUOR LICENSES ARE TRANSFERRED WITHIN A COUNTY.
SO FROM ONE LOCATION IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY TO ANOTHER LOCATION IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, THERE IS A PROVISION FOR A LOCAL HEARING.
UH, AND AT THAT TIME, ANYBODY FROM THE PUBLIC IS ENTITLED TO COME FORTH WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS THAT THEY HAVE ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER INTO THE NEW LOCATION.
IN THIS CASE ON MILL ROAD, I GUESS IT IS.
UH, SO THAT'S, THAT'S WHY THE HAP THE HEARING, UH, IS HAPPENING.
AND WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO APPLICANT'S COUNSEL.
I'M A LAWYER WITH THE LAW FIRM OF BARLEY SNYDER IN YORK, 100 EAST MARKET STREET, YORK, PENNSYLVANIA.
AND I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT, UH, FOR APPROVAL OF THE INTER MUNICIPAL TRANSFER.
LEGISLATION CHANGED IN THE YEAR, UH, 2000 TO ALLOW TRANSFER WITHIN A COUNTY BETWEEN MUNICIPALITIES BEFORE THAT LICENSES WERE LOCKED INTO THAT, UH, PARTICULAR TOWNSHIP WHERE THEY WERE, OR MUNICIPALITY WHERE THEY WERE DOING BUSINESS.
UM, I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF, UH, OAKS CINON, LLC AS THE PROPERTY AT 180, UH, MILL ROAD OAKS.
THIS LICENSE, UH, WAS PURCHASED, UH, AT A RECENT AUCTION OF THE, UH, PENNSYLVANIA LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD.
AND IT WAS LOCATED PREVIOUSLY IN NORRISTOWN.
SO THAT WOULD BE AN I TRANSFER THAT REQUIRES UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, A HEARING TONIGHT TO HEAR ANY CONCERNS OR COMMENTS, UH, FROM THE PUBLIC.
UM, WE ARE SEEKING APPROVAL BECAUSE APPROVAL OF THE TOWNSHIP IS NECESSARY FOR US TO FILE AN APPLICATION.
WE DON'T, THAT APPROVAL, HOWEVER, DOES NOT TRANSFER THE LICENSE.
IT SIMPLY ALLOWS MY CLIENT TO START THE PROCESS OF TRANSFERRING THE LICENSE.
WHEN CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM, UH, TWO MONTHS WOULD BE ABOUT THE RIGHT TIME.
HOWEVER, THINGS GET KIND OF SLOW IN HARRISBURG THIS TIME OF YEAR.
NOT MUCH HAPPENS WITH THE PLCB IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER.
I CAN TELL YOU FOR 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, UM, SOME TRANSFERS CAN TAKE A LONG TIME.
I HAVE ONE RIGHT NOW THAT WAS, UH, STARTED IN JANUARY AND WE'RE STILL SOLVING PROBLEMS. I DON'T THINK THIS ONE WILL BE IN THAT INSTANCE.
THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT'S IN OUR LICENSE, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A FINE DINING RESTAURANT.
IT'S SIMPLY GOING TO BE LOCATED IN THE MOVIE THEATER.
I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT MANY IN PENNSYLVANIA.
I'VE SEEN A LOT IN OTHER STATES AND THEY SEEM TO WORK FAIRLY WELL.
UM, THIS IS A 20 FOURPLEX, UH, CINEMA.
NOT ALL OF IT'S OPERATIONAL NOW.
IT'S A FORMAL REGAL, BUT WE'LL BE LICENSING THE, UH, ENTIRE AREA.
AGAIN, IT'S NOT GONNA BE A FINE DINING ESTABLISHMENT.
[01:20:01]
POPCORN, CANDY, SODAS, AND AS WELL AS, UH, OTHER DRINKS.UH, THE MANAGER, UH, IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS, UH, WE WILL TRY TO ANSWER THEM FOR YOU.
UH, LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT NOBODY HAS INDICATED HAVING ANY QUESTIONS OF COUNSEL FOR THE APPLICANT.
DOES THE, UH, BOARD HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? YEAH, I, I ASSUME YOU'RE GONNA BE COMPETING WITH, UH, THE MOVIE TAVERN OVER HERE AT PROVIDENCE TOWN CENTER.
AND THEY, I KNOW THEY SERVE, UH, BEER AND I GUESS, DO THEY HAVE WINE? SO IS THAT THE IT'S, AND OUR LICENSE IS ALL ALCOHOL.
IS THERE A BEER OR WINE LICENSE? YES.
WELL, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A BEER.
IT'S, IT'S AN R OR WHICH IS SPIRITS WINE OR MALT BEVERAGES.
OR THERE'S A FEW E'S LEFT, WHICH IS CALLED EATING PLACE.
BUT THAT, THOSE ARE THE TWO CLASSES OF LICENSE WAS, SIR, THAT WAS, WHAT WAS IT? I'M SORRY.
IT WAS CALLED, THAT WAS A BUREAU I THOUGHT.
WAS BUREAU ONLY A COUPLE YEARS AGO.
A COUPLE YEARS AGO, THEY DID SOME LEGISLATION WHERE THE, YOU COULD CONVERT YOUR E TO AN R FOR $30,000.
AND A LOT OF PEOPLE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
UM, I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY ES ARE, IF YOU EVEN HAVE ANY EASE IN THIS, UH, IN THIS PARTICULAR TOWNSHIP OR IN THIS COUNTY.
AND THE OTHER PLACE HAS ALL ALCOHOL.
THE PLACE THAT MR. STARLING WAS REFERRING TO DOES HAVE, THEY DO HAVE MIXED OKAY.
THE ONE, ONE OF THE THINGS I, I DO, I DO SEE IS WITH SOME OF THE, UH, MANUFACTURING LICENSES, UM, A BREWERY CAN HAVE TWO STORAGE SPACES.
UH, A WINERY AND DISTILLERY CAN HAVE FIVE SATELLITE LOCATIONS.
AND I KNOW OF ONE CINEMA THAT OUGHT TO HAVE A BREWERY SATELLITE.
AND OF COURSE ALL THEY, THEY CAN SELL JUST BEER FOR OUR PREMISES CONSUMPTION AND OTHER PRODUCTS MADE IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA THAT ARE LICENSED.
BUT THIS, THIS ONE ISN'T OUR LICENSE.
I JUST, I KNOW A LOT OF, UH, JUVENILES ATTEND MOVIES DOWN THERE.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THERE'LL BE PROPER CONTROLS AND, UH, ARE YOU GONNA HAVE LIKE A SEPARATE COUNTER FOR THE BEER AND ALCOHOL? IT'S NOT GONNA BE SERVED AT EVERY REGISTER, RIGHT? NO.
AND THERE'LL BE LIMITATIONS AND VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT AS WELL.
UM, YOU WON'T BE, WHEN YOU'RE SITTING THERE AND YOU'LL BE THE, IF YOU LOOK UNDER 35, THEY'LL BE CARTED.
UM, AND TO BE SERVED ALCOHOL, YOU CAN'T TAKE MORE THAN THE DRINK THAT YOU HAVE WITH YOU INTO THE THEATER.
UH, SO THERE WON'T BE, SOMEONE CAN'T COME IN AN ORDER, A SIX PACK AND TAKE IT, UH, INTO THE THEATER.
'CAUSE THAT, THAT WAY YOU LOSE CONTROL.
'CAUSE ONE OF THE WAYS THEY CONTROL IT AT THE MOVIE TABLET IS THEY ACTUALLY SERVE YOU AT YOUR SEAT SO THEY SEE EXACTLY WHO THE ALCOHOL'S GONE THROUGH.
SO IF I GO TO THE CONCESSION AND THEY BUY TWO BEERS, THAT SECOND BEER CAN GO TO ANYBODY? OR CAN I JUST WELL, THAT'S, THAT'S WHY WE WON'T SELL MORE THAN ONE, ONE DRINK PER PERSON.
THAT'S THE WAY TO CONTROL THAT.
BECAUSE WE'RE CONCERNED TOO, UH, SIMPLY BECAUSE IF LCE AND THEY HAVE, THEY HAVE STING OPERATIONS AND THEY'RE OUT THERE, ALL THEY'RE UNDERCOVER.
AND IF THEY SEE IT, IT'S GONNA BE, UH, AN EXPENSIVE, UH, CITATION FOR US.
ARE, ARE THOSE UNDER DRINKING AGE LEGAL, DRINKING AGE, ABLE TO COME AND SEE MOVIES THERE BY THEMSELVES WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION? YES.
BUT THEY CAN, THEY CAN STILL ATTEND? YES.
UM, WHOSE NAME WILL BE ON THIS LIQUOR LICENSE? IT'S OAK SINEMA.
UM, AND I KNOW THAT BILL BRING BRINGS UP A GOOD POINT, UM, IS, I FORGET HOW MANY THEATERS THERE ARE DOWN THERE.
DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY THEATERS THERE ARE? IT'S A 24 PLEX.
SO YOU, YOU ARE GONNA GET LICENSED JUST FOR THOSE SEVEN? WELL, RIGHT NOW THAT'S THE ONLY PLACE THEY COULD GO.
WE'LL LICENSE THE WHOLE PREMISES SO WE DON'T HAVE TO KEEP COMING BACK FOR, UH, WELL, THAT'S WHAT I WAS GETTING AT.
SO, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE SAYING HE'S SAYING SEVEN AND IT'S A 24 PLEX.
AND LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD COMES IN AND SAYS, OKAY, THESE ARE THE ONES THAT WE'RE, UH, LICENSING YOU FOR.
SO YOU'RE GONNA GET ALL 24 LICENSED IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? CORRECT.
SO WE ALL BE DONE, SEVEN OF YOU ARE WORKING ON SEVEN OF 'EM NOW, BUT YOU COULD COME BACK, SO YOU WON'T HAVE TO COME BACK AT A LATER DATE IN FRONT OF US AND SAY, OKAY, WELL WE'RE GONNA EXPAND OUR BUSINESS AND, RIGHT.
THAT'S WHY YOU'RE, WE'RE LICENSING THE WHOLE THING BECAUSE
[01:25:01]
IT'S THERE.OTHERWISE WE KEEP COMING BACK AND GO THROUGH THE WHOLE EXTENSION OF PREMISES EACH TIME, UH, WHICH IS EXPENSIVE AND TIMELY TOO.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER LICENSES DOWN THERE? DOES THIS, DOES THIS CORPORATE, UH, NAME THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED, DO THEY OWN ANY OTHER LIQUOR LICENSES DOWN THERE? NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF, NO.
SO ARE THERE ANY OTHER DRINKING FACILITIES ON THAT PARTICULAR PROPERTY? NOT THIS, NOT THE ADDRESS THAT YOU GAVE ME, BUT ON THE WHOLE, THE WHOLE COMPLEX DOWN THERE? YES.
JJ, WHY DON'T YOU GO NEXT? I HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE PLACE.
DO YOU SWEAR THE TESTIMONY YOU GIVE BE THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, NOTHING ABOUT THE TRUTH? I DO.
AND YOUR FIRST NAME IS? GERALD.
SO, SO YOU'RE GONNA BE THE MANAGER FOR THIS PLACE? YES.
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER EXPERIENCE AT THIS OR DO YOU WORK AT OTHER LIQUOR ESTABLISHMENTS? YES, I'VE WORKED AT ARNOLD'S FAMILY FUND CENTER FOR QUITE A LONG TIME, AND THAT'S WHERE I BEGAN IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.
UM, AND THEY HAVE A LIQUOR LICENSE AS WELL, AND THEY HAVE A LIQUOR LICENSE ALSO.
AND THE, AND LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD DOESN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH HAVING SEVERAL LICENSES IN ONE BUILDING PER SE.
THEY'RE, UH, THEY'RE IN A DIFFERENT BUILDING.
UM, NOT THAT, NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF.
AND THERE IS, UH, A FEW RESTAURANTS OUTLINED THAT SURROUNDING THAT THEATER THAT ALSO HAVE LIQUOR LICENSEES.
SO THERE'S OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS, UH, DOING THIS.
I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS.
HE'S ALSO BEEN, UH, ALREADY RAMP CERTIFIED FOR OWNER MANAGER TRAINING.
AND SO WILL THE REST OF THE STAFF BE CERTIFIED? CORRECT.
AS SERVER SELLER, HE'S, HE HAS TO DO SERVER SELLER AND OWNER MANAGER.
YOU KNOW, JUST, JUST GIMME, JUST BRIEFLY EXPLAIN TO ME HOW YOU'RE GONNA RUN THIS OPERATION.
ARE YOU GONNA HAVE LIKE ONE BAR WHERE YOU HAVE SEVERAL BARS AND WHO'S GONNA REGULATE WHAT GOES ON? LIKE BILL SAID, IF HE GOES IN, LET'S SAY BILL'S NOT A DRINKER, BUT HE TAKES A DRINK INTO THE MOVIE THEATER WITH HIM.
CAN HE HAND IT TO SOMEBODY ELSE THE SAME WAY SOMEONE COULD AT THE MOVIE TAVERN? IF IT'S DELIVERED TO THEM AND THEN THEY HAND IT OFF? UM, PEOPLE WANNA CONTROL THIS THOUGH.
ALL THE ALCOHOL IS COMING FROM A SEGREGATED PART OF THE COUNTER.
BUT IF YOU GO INTO A TYPICAL BAR AND YOU LOOK LIKE YOU'RE MAYBE NOT 21 YEARS OF AGE, THEY'RE GONNA CARD YOU.
UM, SO YOU'RE, WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS YOU'RE MIXING ALCOHOL WITH ADULT BEVERAGES WITH YOUNG PEOPLE ALSO JUST LIKE THEY DO AT THE MOVIE THEATER.
SO PLEASE JUST EXPLAIN TO ME HOW YOU'RE GOING TO HANDLE EVERYTHING AT YOUR FACILITY.
I KNOW HOW THAT WORKS UP AT THE MOVIE THEATER.
THE COUNTER YOU ORDER FROM WILL BE SEPARATED AND YOU'RE GONNA DO THAT AT, NOT AT THE SAME TRANSACTION AS THE MOVIE TICKETS AND THE CONCESSIONS.
AND THEN THEY ALSO DO, WE DO ROAMING CHECKS OF EACH THEATER THROUGHOUT THE MOVIES.
AND ANY SERVER SELLERS GONNA BE TRAINED TO LOOK FOR, IS THERE AN OLDER PERSON WITH A GROUP OF YOUNG CHILDREN? HOW MUCH HAVE THEY CONSUMED, HOW MUCH HAVE THEY ORDERED? THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
SO I HEARD THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE AND YOU KNOW HOW RELIABLE THE GRAPEVINE IS, UH, THAT THEY, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE ENTERTAINMENT THERE WITH THE MUSICIANS.
UH, IS THAT TRUE? WE'RE HOPING TO EXPAND TO THAT AT SOME POINT.
UH, MAINLY CORPORATE SPACES FOR, BECAUSE OF THE AUDITORIUM SEATING, WE'RE HOPING TO DO SOME EVENT SPACES LIKE THAT FOR CORPORATIONS.
UM, SO X, Y, Z WILL MAKE A, WE WILL CALL YOU UP AND MAKE A RESERVATION FOR A PARTY OF 50 OR 60 OR HOWEVER MANY PEOPLE.
AND THAT ALSO WILL ALSO INCLUDE BEVERAGES AND FOOD, PROBABLY.
AND THEN WE WOULD LIKE TO ALSO OFFER A MOVIE OR SOME USE OF THE SCREENS AND PROJECTORS, THINGS LIKE THAT.
ALRIGHT, JOE, UH, IF THERE'S NO MORE QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD, WHERE DO WE, UH, PROCEED TO? UH, DO YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION IN YOUR PACKET? OKAY.
FOR APPROVAL? ALRIGHT, I SEE IT HERE.
UH, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
IF SOMEONE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THAT, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023 DASH 39 GRANTING AN INTERIM MUNICIPAL, UH, LIQUOR LICENSE TRANSFER TO OAK CINEMA.
ALRIGHT, I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO
[01:30:01]
ADOPT RESOLUTION.2023 DASH 39 GRANITE UNION MUNICIPAL LIQUOR LICENSE TRANSFER TO OAK CINEMA.
[OLD BUSINESS (ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS)]
NOW WE'RE ONTO OLD BUSINESS.AND, UH, TONIGHT THE BOARD RECEIVED A, UH, POTENTIAL CON, UM, ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO RESOLVE, UH, SOME THE CONDITIONAL USE APPLICATION AT PARKHOUSE AND A PAPER PLAN.
I THINK ALL THE PUBLIC HAS GOT A CHANCE TO SEE IT, BUT I'M NOT SURE WE'VE HAD ENOUGH TIME TO DIGEST THIS.
SO I'LL MAKE A FEW COMMENTS THERE.
THE TOPIC OF TRANSPARENCY COMES UP AND HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR ON TRANSPARENCY.
THE, THE FACT IS, I WAS SURPRISED AT THIS AGENDA ITEM AS ALL OF YOU WERE.
AND THAT, AND THAT'S THE TRUTH.
I SAW THAT PLAN THAT YOU RAISED, I BELIEVE, 45 MINUTES BEFORE WE WALKED IN HERE.
SO THERE IS NO SPECIAL NEGOTIATION GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES.
THE PURPOSE OF THAT BEING ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT WAS TO BE TRANSPARENT THAT YOU ALL RECEIVED THE SAME INFORMATION WE DID AT THE EXACT SAME TIME WE DID THE LANDS TRUST BECAUSE WE WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT CONSERVATION.
AND WE DID THAT VERY TRANSPARENTLY.
WE HAD THE APPRAISAL BECAUSE WE WANTED TO KNOW HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST FOR US TO BUY THIS PLACE.
AND WE DID THAT TRANSPARENTLY.
SO I DO HEAR THIS TONE OF MISTRUST AND I WANT TO TRY TO BUILD THAT BACK WITH ALL OF YOU.
I, I DON'T FORGET THAT YOU ELECTED ME.
AND I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO YOUR COMMENTS OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND I HAVE PAGES OF NOTES ON ALL OF 'EM.
WE DO HAVE A LEGAL PROCESS THAT WE HAVE TO RESPECT.
AND TONIGHT, THIS HAS COME UP ON THE AGENDA AND I'M AS ANXIOUS TO TALK ABOUT IT OR NOT TALK ABOUT IT, OR WE'RE GONNA HAVE SOME, SOME CONVERSATION HERE ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW.
BUT I DO WANT TO TRY TO REBUILD WHATEVER IT IS THAT THERE'S A MISTRUST THAT WE'RE BEHIND THE SCENES TRYING TO NEGOTIATE SOMETHING.
THERE WAS AN ORIGINAL PLAN PUT FORWARD.
IT WENT, IT, IT WAS, I DON'T, I DON'T WANNA SAY THE RIGHT THING, BUT IT WASN'T PULLED DOWN OR WHATEVER.
NOW THIS HAS COME FORWARD AND WE NEED TIME TO DIGEST IT, BUT JUST AS MUCH AS YOU DO.
SO I'M JUST, I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU BECAUSE THERE IS NO SPECIAL NEGOTIATION GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES.
SO THAT, I THINK WE'RE GONNA PROCEED WITH THE TOPIC NOW, BUT I, BUT I JUST THINK WE'RE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE PUBLIC CONTENT.
I DID WANT MAKE ONE OTHER COMMENT TOO.
THERE'S A LOT OF LIKE, IT'S OPEN SPACE, KEEP IT OPEN SPACE, BUT, AND I WISH IT WAS
MY GOD, I SO WISH IT WAS OR ADD $50 MILLION, ONE OR THE OTHER.
THE PERSON WHO OWNS AND PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR IT, HE'S GONNA WANT HIS MONEY OUT OF IT.
YEAH, I THINK WHEN WE FIRST, I INITIALLY ASKED TO MAKE THIS AN AGENDA ITEM OUT OF THE SENSITIVITY FOR THE FACT THAT THROUGHOUT THE 10 MONTHS THAT EVERYBODY REFERRED TO PEOPLE CAME IN HERE AND SAID, WELL, WHERE ARE YOU? WELL, WHERE ARE YOU? WHY AREN'T YOU TELLING US ANYTHING? SO AS SOON AS WE HAD SOMETHING THAT WE COULD REPORT, I WANTED TO REPORT ON IT.
AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT, UM, VIRTUALLY EVERY HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION THAT WAS ASKED TONIGHT, I AM ABLE TO ANSWER I, BUT I THINK THE PREFERENCE OF THE SUPERVISORS, IF I'M UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY, IS TO TABLE THE DISCUSSION UNTIL THE JANUARY MEETING SO THAT THE NEW, THE NEWLY ELECTED SUPERVISORS ARE MOVING THAT PROCESS FORWARD FROM THE JUMP.
THE, THE ORIGINAL INTENTION TONIGHT WAS JUST TO ASK FOR MOTION TO SEND THIS TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
NO, NO ACTION ON THE ORDINANCE TONIGHT.
THERE'S NOT GONNA BE ANY VOTE ON THE ORDINANCE IN 2023.
WE JUST WANTED TO GET IT KICKSTARTED AND THAT WAS WHY I ASKED TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA.
BUT I DO UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN THAT THE SUPERVISORS HAVE ABOUT APPEARANCES AND ABOUT GIVING THE NEW SUPERVISORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME IN FROM, FROM THE JUMP.
SO IF I UNDERSTAND YOU CORRECTLY, IT'S GOING TO THE, THE, THE MATTER'S GONNA BE TABLED, UM, UNTIL THE JANUARY MEETING THAT I DON'T RECALL THE DATE OF THE 16TH.
I'LL, I'LL MAKE, I'LL, I'LL MAKE, I'LL MAKE THE MOTION TO TABLE THIS UNTIL THE JANUARY 16TH MEETING.
WELL, WE, I I JUST WANT TO, JUST A TECHNICAL LEGAL POINT HERE.
WE HAVEN'T ACTUALLY APPROVED OUR SCHEDULE FOR NEXT YEAR.
SO LET'S SAY THE FIRST REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE BOARD IN JANUARY.
[01:35:01]
THEN.MAY I ASK A QUESTION? NO, ALL COMMENTS ALREADY BEEN.
LL I'LL WAIT UNTIL JANUARY AND I'LL ASK TO PROPOSE.
ACTUALLY, WE HAVE A MEETING DECEMBER 4TH IN TWO WEEKS.
AND, AND, AND OUT OF RESPECT, THAT'S WHY WE WANT, WE WANT TO ALLOW TIME TO LOOK AT THIS, RAISE QUESTIONS COME FORWARD.
WE'RE NOT JUST TRYING TO THROW THIS THING THROUGH.
THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET AT IS IT'S CAN I JUST WELL, IT SHOULD, IT SHOULD ALREADY.
I THINK IT WAS POSTED ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE THIS MEETING.
THE, THE, THE, SOMEBODY HELD IT UP.
SO IT'S, WELL, I HELD UP A PIECE OF PAPER THAT WE FOUND IN OUR RIGHT TO NO REQUEST.
THIS IS THE THIRD MANY, NO, NO, THAT'S THE BACK OF THE ROOM.
DO WE HAVE IT IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM? THE THIRD PLAN.
NOW THERE'S, THERE'S A, THERE'S A PLAN THAT WAS SUBMITTED TO US TODAY.
THE, THE IDEA WASN'T THAT, WASN'T THAT, UM, IT WOULD BE SUBMITTED TODAY IN VOTER ROLL TODAY.
THE IDEA WAS THAT IT WAS SUBMITTED THE SAME DAY OF THE HEARING SO THAT EVERYBODY'S GETTING IT AT THE SAME TIME.
THERE'S A BIG KERFUFFLE BEFORE ABOUT WHO HAD WHAT, WHEN, AND WHO HAD THE ORIGINAL COPY OF THE ORDINANCE.
SO THIS WAY IT WAS RELEASED TODAY.
NOBODY HERE HAS SEEN IT ANY FASTER THAN YOU, EXCEPT FOR BY A COUPLE OF HOURS.
MR. PRESIDENT, WHO ACTUALLY PROPOSED THE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT.
I, I'LL GET INTO ALL THAT IN JANUARY.
I HAVE A PRESENTATION, I HAVE SLIDES.
ALL YOUR QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED.
THE, I I WILL SAY TO YOU THAT PART OF WHAT EVERYBODY SAW IS A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY OR PART OF IT WAS THAT WITH THE CONDITIONAL USE PENDING, UM, THE LEVEL, THE FIELD HAD TO REMAIN UTTERLY LEVEL AND WITHOUT EXPRESSIONS OF OPINIONS BY THE PEOPLE UP HERE.
UM, THE, THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGE DOESN'T INCLUDE A CONDITIONAL USE HEARING.
AND THERE THAT ALLOWS FOR A LOT MORE CANDOR AND DISCUSSION WITH YOU ABOUT WHY THE ORDINANCE SAYS WHAT IT SAYS.
AND AND YOU'LL HAVE QUESTIONS AS YOU LOOK AT IT.
BUT I DO HAVE PRESENTATION POINTS THAT WILL ALLOW EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND.
AND I ALSO HAVE SUBSTANTIVE ANSWERS TO EVERY SINGLE QUESTION THAT WAS RAISED.
HAS THERE BEEN A NEW PLAN SUBMITTED BY LAWYERS BOARD BOLDINGS LLC TO YOU AND TO THIS BOARD? THAT THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING TODAY, THIS AFTERNOON A PLAN WAS FAXED.
A PLAN WAS SENT TODAY, I I HAVE NOT EVEN REALLY HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT MYSELF TO CLOSE AN AMENDMENT TO THE ORDINANCE IF NO ONE'S LOOKED AT THE PLAN YET.
WELL, THAT'S WHY WE'RE KICKING IT DOWN.
YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHEN, WHEN WE MEET IN, WHEN WE HAVE OUR DISCUSSION IN JANUARY.
SO I, I HAVE A MOTION AND, UH, SECOND ON THAT MOTION.
I'LL SECOND THE, SO WE HAVE A MOTION TO MOVE.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO MOVE THIS AGENDA ITEM, WHICH IS A DISCUSSION OF, UH, OH, DISCUSSION OF THE OPEN, A POTENTIAL OPEN SPACE, UH, UH, ORDINANCE CHANGE TO THE PARKHOUSE PROPERTY.
AND WE ARE GONNA MOVE THAT TO THE FIRST REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING IN JANUARY, WHICH WILL MORE THAN LIKELY BE JANUARY 16TH.
SO, BUT WE WILL HAVE TO PASS OUR NEW CALENDAR WHEN WE REORGANIZE ON JANUARY 2ND.
ALRIGHT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TABLING THIS ITEM UNTIL THE FIRST BUSINESS MEETING IN JANUARY.
ANY OPPOSED? ALRIGHT, WE THANK YOU.
AND I, I APOLOGIZE IF THIS APPEARS TO BE A BAIT AND SWITCH, BUT HONESTLY WE GOT THIS 45 MINUTES BEFORE THE MEETING.
HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE WAS GONNA BE AN AMENDMENT, PROPOSED AMENDMENT? THIS WILL ALL BE, YOU'LL UNDERSTAND ALL OF IT.
I, YOU, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ONE POINT THAT I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT.
I DON'T THINK YOUR HEARING, I KNEW THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A PLAN COMING.
THAT'S WHY I ASKED TO BE ON THE AGENDA FOR THIS.
THE POINT WAS THAT EVERYBODY GOT IT AT THE SAME TIME.
I ASKED FOR THE AGENDA ITEM BEFORE I SAW THE PLAN.
BUT WHEN THERE WAS A DRAFT ORDINANCE TO TALK ABOUT AND THEY HAD AGREED TO SEND A PLAN THE DAY OF THE MEETING SO THAT EVERYBODY HAD IT AT THE SAME TIME, SINCE NOBODY WAS VOTING ON THE ORDINANCE DONE, IT WAS ONLY GONNA BE A VOTE TO SEND IT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
SO IT REALLY DIDN'T MATTER THAT EVERYBODY GOT IT TODAY.
'CAUSE NO ONE WAS ASKED TO DO ANYTHING WITH IT TODAY.
BUT I, I RESPECT THE POSITION OF THE BOARD THAT THEY, EVEN THAT MATTER OF SENDING IT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION, THEY WANT
[01:40:01]
TO LEAVE UP TO THE NEW MAKE UP OF THE SUPERVISORS.OUR NEXT ITEM, UM, YEAH, NUMBER SEVEN, CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE SOLICITOR TO EXECUTE TWO STIPULATIONS TO SETTLE PERTAINING TO THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS ACTIONS FILED BY MH TWO HIGHVIEW LLC FOR 200 400 CAMPUS DRIVE.
I THINK THIS CAME BACK FROM LAST MONTH.
RIGHT JOE? AND WE JUST NEED, WE JUST GOT SOME MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IT.
YES, I DID SEND AN EMAIL OUT TO YOU, ALL OF YOU EXPLAINING THE, UH, ATTORNEY FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT EXPLAINING THE SETTLEMENT.
I'LL MAKE, I'LL MAKE THE MOTION TO AUTHORIZE A SOLICITOR TO EXECUTE TWO STIPULATIONS TO SETTLE PERTAINING TO BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS ACTION FILED BY MMII HIGHVIEW LLC FOR 200 AND 400 CAMPUS DRIVE.
[NEW BUSINESS (ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS)]
ON TO NEW BUSINESS.CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO PICO LICENSING AGREEMENT FOR THE KLEIN ROAD DEVELOPMENT.
FOR WHAT WE'RE ASKING YOU TO AUTHORIZE SIGNATURE IS ON THE MAP HERE, THE RED CIRCLE TO THE, TO THE LEFT OF THE PICTURE TO CROSS UNDER THE PICO EASEMENT.
WE, PICO ASKED US TO RELEASE TO, TO, TO AUTHORIZE, YOU KNOW, THE, WE'RE LETTING THAT OCCUR.
THE PREVIOUS BOARD SIGNED EXACTLY THE SAME AGREEMENT FOR THE RED CIRCLE ON THE RIGHT.
THAT WAS, UM, PART OF THE, UH, THE KLEIN ROAD SELF STORAGE FACILITY.
SO IT, IT IS REALLY SORT OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER.
UM, WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THE KLEIN ROAD DEVELOPMENT, THE 30 HOUSES THAT ARE THERE, ARE EXTENDING A TRAIL FROM THEIR DEVELOPMENT ALL THE WAY TO CONNECT TO THE TARGET SHOPPING CENTER WITH GIANT IN THE FRONT.
AND THAT REQUIRES 'EM TO GO UNDERNEATH THE POWER LINES.
SO THAT IS WHERE THE, UH, TRAIL WORKS.
YEAH, IT IS, IT IS A TRAIL THROUGH THERE.
ALRIGHT, WELL THAT'S GOOD STUFF.
UM, ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? I'LL ENTERTAIN MOTION.
I'LL MAKE THE MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE PICO LICENSING AGREEMENT FOR THE KLEIN ROAD DEVELOPMENT.
I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO, UH, EXECUTE AND, UH, TO AUTHORIZE, UH, THE EXECUTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE PICO LICENSING AGREEMENT FOR CLIENT ROAD DEVELOPMENT.
ALRIGHT, OUR NEXT ITEM IS CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION 2023 DASH 40 AFFIRMING THE RESTRICTION OF MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE CENTRAL EMERGENCY SERVICES FACILITY WRAP CP GRANT.
WE'VE NOT YET RECEIVED THE $2 MILLION IT WAS AWARDED TO THE TOWNSHIP.
WE'RE TRYING TO CHECK OFF IN ANOTHER BOX IN THE LONG LIST OF BOXES WE HAVE TO CHECK TO RECEIVE THOSE FUNDS.
UM, THIS, UM, RESOLUTION THAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU, UM, WAS PREPARED BY THE STATE.
THEY RECOGNIZED A, UM, THEY PERCEIVED, UH, A SHORTFALL IN FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT BECAUSE THE BORROWING THAT THE SUPERVISORS DID AT THE TIME, PLUS THE AMOUNT OF THE RACP GRANT AWARD AT $2 MILLION FELL $589,000 SHORT OF WHAT THE BID AMOUNTS WERE WHEN YOU OPENED BIDS FOR THIS PROJECT.
SO WE ARE RETROACTIVELY, UM, AFFIRMING THAT THE BOARD DESIGNATED MR. BERMAN TO SET ASIDE $589,000, WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN SPENT ON THE FIRE EMERGENCY SERVICES FACILITY.
AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK ON THESE MINUTIAE ITEMS. I, I SWEAR TO YOU, YOU, LIKE YOU, YOU'RE EARNED THAT MONEY YOURSELF, AREN'T YOU?
UM, DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? I THINK THIS IS, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023 DASH 40 AFFIRMING THE RESTRICTION OF MATCHING FUNDS, UH, FOR THE CENTRAL EMERGENCY SERVICES FACILITY.
ALRIGHT, I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO, UH, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023 DASH 40 AFFIRMING THE RESTRICTION ON MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE CENTRAL EMERGENCY SERVICES FACILITY.
ALRIGHT, ITEM NUMBER 10, CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A SERVICE CONTRACT WITH DANDELIONS DIGITAL FOR COMMUNICATION SUPPORT FOR THE TOWNSHIP.
UH, MR. CHAIRMAN, UH, WE'RE, UH, WE'RE TRANSITIONING, UH, TO CONTRACTING ALL OF OUR COMMUNICATIONS
[01:45:01]
FUNCTIONS, UM, PRIVATIZING IT, UM, EFFECTIVE, UH, OFFICIALLY IN 2024.WE'RE, WE'RE STARTING TO TRANSITION EARLY AND, UH, WE'RE, UH, I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS LINDA ROONEY.
SHE'S, UH, WORKED VERY DILIGENTLY ON SOME OF OUR PROJECTS SUCH AS THE WALLET, HEELS AND OTHER DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS.
SO WE'RE, UM, LOOKING TO SEEK GRATIFICATION, BRING HER ON TO HANDLE, UM, OUR FULL-TIME COMMUNICATIONS ON A CONTRACTED BASIS.
HER BILLS, UM, HER COMPENSATION, UH, FOR UM, IS ABOUT ABOUT $3,500 PER MONTH RETAINER WITH SOME INCIDENTALS BASED ON OTHER PRINTING COSTS, OTHER INCIDENTAL COSTS.
AND IT SHOULD BE SAVING US AROUND.
WE'RE PROJECTING ABOUT A CLOSE TO A $50,000 SAVINGS GOING INTO 2024.
I WOULD, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ADD TO THAT BECAUSE WE WORKED DILIGENTLY WITH HER.
UM, IF YOU GUYS MAY HAVE HEARD ME EARLIER, SHE WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT WAS ON THE, UH, COMMITTEE AND SHE'S EXCELLENT.
SHE WAS SPOT ON WITH EVERYTHING.
UM, I, I WAS AMAZED AT, OF COURSE, I'M SO COMPUTER ILLITERATE AND PATHETIC, BUT, UH, I, I WAS AMAZED AT THE WORK THAT SHE DID.
HOW LONG IS THE CONTRACT? IT'S AN ANNUAL, IT'LL BE RENEWED EVERY YEAR, BUT IT'S FOR ABOUT 3,500 PER MONTH.
IT'S ABOUT, I THINK IT'S AT, IT'S AROUND 45,000.
WHAT'S THAT ONE YEAR? THAT'S GOOD.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE WASN'T MULTI YEAR WITH ESCALATIONS.
THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK AT.
WE MAY NEED MORE, WE MAY NEED LESS LATER ON.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A SERVICE CONTRACT WITH DANDY LINES DIGITAL FOR COMMUNICATION SUPPORT.
AND SECOND TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A SERVICE CONTRACT WITH DANDY LINES DIGITAL FOR COMMUNICATION SUPPORT.
UH, NUMBER 11, CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A SERVICE CONTRACT WITH GOV PILOT AS THE TOWNSHIP'S GIS OPERATING SYSTEM.
AND I KNOW THAT'LL BE REPLACING THE ONE WE HAVE NOW.
SO, MR. CHAIRMAN, THIS IS ALSO A 2024 BUDGET ITEM, BUT AGAIN, WE'RE STARTING TO TRANSITION EARLY, UM, TO GET, UH, THIS COMPANY ON BOARD.
UH, I SHOULD POINT OUT, THE COMPANY HAS AGREED TO HOLD OFF ANY BILLING UNTIL 2024.
WE HAVE ALSO AGREED TO WAIVE, UH, THE EIGHT, UH, ABOUT $18,000 IN MIGRATION FEES.
SO THIS IS COMING UP, COMING WITHIN, UH, UH, BUDGETARY, UH, LIMITATIONS OF WHAT WE BUDGETED.
AND I KNOW THAT, UM, NATE'S ON VACATION, BUT NATE, UM, OVERSAW OUR GIS STAFF COMMITTEE AND O'BRIEN WAS ON THAT COMMITTEE.
EVERYBODY'S UNANIMOUS, UH, UH, WITH THE SELECTION OF THIS COMPANY.
I THINK YOU GUYS INTERVIEWED WHAT, THREE OR FOUR COMPANIES? SO THIS IS BY FAR THE, THE ONE THAT WE, UH, RECOMMENDED.
I DID HAVE JOE LOOK AT THE PSA, I THINK ONE LITTLE MINOR ISSUE REGARDING, UM, UH, UH, OF, UM, I THINK THEY HAD SOMETHING IN THERE ON NEW JERSEY.
WE NEED TO CHANGE IT TO PENNSYLVANIA, WHICH THEY'VE AGREED TO.
I DON'T WANT TO TAKE ANY GRIEVANCES TO NEW JERSEY.
UH, LISTEN, TIM, ONE THING I WANT, I, UM, HAVE THEY HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE DATABASE AND THE RECORDS, THE RECORD FORMATS OF WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE? DO THEY FEEL LIKE THEY CAN DO A CONVERT? GO AHEAD.
THEY, THEY HAVE SOME, UM, A LOT OF THIS, THE FIRST PROBABLY 6, 3, 4 MONTHS OF THIS IS GONNA BE FLUSHING IT OUT ABSOLUTELY.
AND MAKING SURE OUR, OUR DATA IS IN THE RIGHT FORMAT AND EVERY DEPARTMENT IS GONNA BRING DATA A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.
SO LIKE THE FIRST COUPLE MONTHS, IT'S REALLY JUST GONNA BE US WORKING ON HOW WE UPLOAD IT AND HOW WE GET IN THE PROCESS BEFORE WE MAKE IT LIVE.
WELL, LET ME ASK YOU THIS A DIFFERENT WAY.
I KNOW WE WENT AND LOOKED AT ALL THESE DIFFERENT ONES.
HAVE THEY BEEN IN TO LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE HAVE WHAT WE HAVE NOW? I THINK YES.
I THINK NATE PROVIDED THEM SOME INFORMATION AND ACCESS TO OUR INFORMATION.
SO I HAVE, I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION TOO.
SO THIS, IT WON'T BE THE OLD GIS HERE AND THE NEW GIS THEY'LL BE INTEGRATED THEN.
IT'S A REPLACEMENT WHERE YOU, THE REASON THAT I ASKED JEFF IS BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF WORK PUT INTO THAT OLD GIS YES.
BUT THAT, THAT DATA WILL TRANSFER OVER.
SO WE'RE NOT SURE HOW, I MEAN, WE'RE NOT SURE EXACTLY WHERE THE SEAMS ARE GONNA BE, BUT THERE'S GONNA BE SOME SEAMS TO IT AND THERE'S GONNA BE SOME MOVING OF DATA.
AND THIS GOV PILOT IS GONNA BE MORE ENCOMPASSING THAN THE SOFTWARE THAT THE INFORMATION SYSTEM THAT WE USE NOW, IT'S GOING TO INCLUDE SOME FLEET MANAGEMENT.
IT'S GONNA INCLUDE, UM, ALL OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENTS INSTEAD OF HAVING JUST ONE SHAREPOINT SERVER.
[01:50:01]
ALL OF THE HISTORY OF LAND DEVELOPMENTS AND ALL THAT'S GONNA BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE BOARD, TO MY CONSULTANTS, TO ALL OF THAT.SO IT IS, IT'S A, IT'S A BROADER SYSTEM THAN WE HAVE CURRENTLY.
ONCE IT'S FULLY IMPLEMENTED, IT WILL STREAMLINE A LOT OF OUR WORKFLOWS.
AND IT'LL BE INTEGRATED WITH PAYMENTS.
WE'LL BE DOING ONLINE PAYMENTS, ONLINE BUILDING PERMITS THAT'LL STREAMLINE THE PROCESS.
UH, GOV PILOT, ARE THEY, UH, ARE THEY PART OF ANOTHER, A LARGER CORPORATION OR, OR, UH, I YOU HAVE ME STUMPED ON THAT ONE.
JUST WHAT SIZE COMPANY ARE THEY? THIS ONE THEY'RE FAIRLY LARGE AND I MEAN, THEY'RE NATIONAL.
'CAUSE ONE OF THE REASONS WE, JUST SO FOLKS UNDERSTAND, AND THEN JOHN UNDERSTANDS TOO, OUR OLD SYSTEM WAS A GREAT, IT WAS A SAY GREAT, IT WAS AN OKAY SYSTEM, BUT IT WAS A ONE HORSE COMPANY AND THERE WAS A SINGLE POINT OF FAILURE IN THE OWNER IF HE SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO HIM, THERE'S NO MORE SUPPORT IN THE SYSTEM,
SO, I MEAN, I I, IT WAS, IT WAS A GOOD SYSTEM, BUT WE CAN'T DO BUSINESS LIKE THAT.
I WILL, UH, IF THERE'S NO MORE QUESTIONS, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION, UM, A MO MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF THE SERVICE CONTRACTOR CONTRACT WITH, UH, GOV PILOT AS THE TOWNSHIP'S GIS OPERATING SYSTEM.
I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO EXECUTE A SERVICE CONTRACT WITH GOV PILOT AS THE TOWNSHIP'S GIS OPERATING SYSTEM.
ANY OPPOSED? ALRIGHT, THANK YOU.
AND NUMBER 12, CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF A LETTER OF INTENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF FORMING A REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT.
MR. CHAIRMAN, THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO OUR OCTOBER 12TH, UH, REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE THAT UPT HOSTED.
WE HAD REPRESENTATIVES FROM COLLEGEVILLE, UH, TRAP PERMA ROYERSFORD PHOENIXVILLE, UM, LOWER PROVIDENCE AND LIMERICK.
UM, AND, UH, THE NEXT STAGE OF FORMING THE, THE GUTS OF A, OF A COG IS TO DO A LETTER OF INTENT, UM, OF INTEREST THAT GOES, THAT IS FILED WITH THE, UM, UH, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
AND SPECIFICALLY IT'S THE GOVERNOR'S CENTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
I THINK TOM AND HELENE WERE BOTH HERE WHEN WE HAD THE FORMAT, BUT DEPUTY SECRETARY RICK ELLO WAS HERE.
UM, UM, AND, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, PENNSYLVANIA'S A, A STRANGE COLLOQUIUM OF, OF, UH, 2200 TOWNSHIPS.
WE NEEDED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF WORKING TOGETHER.
I THINK WE WANNA STREAMLINE COSTS, WE GOTTA FIND WAYS TO DO THAT.
THIS IS THE BASIC STRUCTURE TO GET THAT STARTED AND THEN YOU CAN ADD LAYERS AS YOU MOVE ON.
SO I WILL BE HAPPY TO SAY THAT, UM, TRA UM, THAT I'VE ALREADY GOTTEN, I'VE RECEIVED A COLLEGE BILL HAS PASSED THEIR LOI, PHOENIXVILLE HAS, AND, AND LIMERICK HAS PASSED THEIRS, AND I EXPECT SOME OF THE OTHERS WILL FOLLOW WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
YOU SAID LIMERICK? TIM LIMERICK HAS WOW.
YEAH, THAT WAS MY QUESTION IS WHO ELSE DONE THIS? BUT THAT'S, THAT'S VERY POSITIVE.
UH, IF THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON THAT.
MAKE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE FILING OF A LETTER OF INTENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FOR COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS.
BEGIN THE PROCESS OF FORMING A REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT.
AND SOME SECONDS ON, UH, ON AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF A LETTER OF INTENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF FORMING A REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT.
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION 2023 DASH 41 AUTHORIZING THE SOLICITOR TO PROCEED WITH EMINENT DOMAIN TO ACQUIRE A UTILITY EASEMENT ON A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY AT 14 NORTH TOWNSHIP LINE ROAD.
THIS IS, UH, THE SECOND ONE FOR THAT PROJECT.
WE HAVE, WE HAVE SIGNATURES ON HALF OR THREE, TWO OR THREE OF THE PROPERTIES OF THE TOTAL OF FIVE.
ONE YOU ALREADY ADOPTED A RESOLUTION FOR AUTHORIZING ME.
IT'S JUST PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT RESPONDING TO ME AT ALL.
CERTIFIED MAIL, HAND DELIVERED MAIL.
UM, OF COURSE THERE'S ALWAYS A PROBLEM WITH, UH, OWNERS WHO LIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE AND TRYING TO RUN DOWN THEIR CURRENT NEW ADDRESS.
BUT WE NEED TO THIS, I NEED TO HAVE THIS IN MY BACK POCKET FOR THIS ONE SO I CAN GET IT SIGNED.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? NOPE.
ALRIGHT, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023 DASH 41 AUTHORIZING THE SOLICITOR TO PROCEED WITH EMINENT DOMAIN TO ACQUIRE A UTILITY EASEMENT ON A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY AT 14 NORTH TOWNSHIP LINE ROAD.
ALRIGHT, I HAVE A MOTION A SECOND TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023 DASH 41 AUTHORIZING THE SOLICITOR TO PROCEED WITH IMMINENT DOMAIN TO ACQUIRE A UTILITY EASEMENT ON A PORTION OF
[01:55:01]
THE PROPERTY AT 14 NORTH DOWNLINE ROAD.CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION 2023 DASH 42 APPROVING A CAPITAL EXPENDITURE TO ACQUIRE FLOOD TO ACQUIRE FLOOD PRONE HOMES.
BRIAN, I THINK YOU'RE BACK ON.
WE INITIATED A PROCESS OF REQUESTING AN ADVANCED PAYMENT FROM FEMA TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $4.1 MILLION IN NOVEMBER.
WE RECEIVED CONFIRMATION THAT THOSE FUNDS SHOULD HIT THE TOWNSHIP'S ACCOUNT ON THE 12TH OF DECEMBER.
UM, THEREFORE WE'VE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED SETTLEMENTS, UH, FOR THE, THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 18TH.
UM, FORTUNATELY, UH, 21 PEOPLE RAISED THEIR HAND AND SAID, I WANT TO GO FIRST.
UM, THE FUNDS REQUIRED TO, UH, AFFECT THAT TOTALS ABOUT $6.2 MILLION, UH, IN EXCESS OF WHAT WE'LL BE RECEIVING IN THE FIRST INSTALLMENT FROM FEMA.
UM, IF WE'RE RELYING UPON THE FULL FAITH AND CREDIT OF THE US GOVERNMENT, WE WILL BE, UH, WE WILL RECEIVE, UH, FUTURE INSTALLMENTS IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY.
UM, SO EFFECTIVELY THE RESOLUTION, UH, ASKED PERMISSION FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO SPEND UP TO $2.5 MILLION FROM THE TOWNSHIP'S GENERAL FUND, UM, TO EFFECT THOSE SETTLEMENTS PRIOR TO, UH, PRIOR TO THE HOLIDAYS.
SO IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE'RE GETTING, WE'D ADD 2.5 TO GET THE 21.
AND THEN WE, WHEN WE RECEIVE THE NEXT INSTALLMENT FROM FEMA, WE PAY OURSELVES BACK FOR WHATEVER WE HAD SPENT UP TO 2.5 MILLION.
AFTER THE 21, WE WILL HAVE HOW MANY LEFT IN THAT AFTER THE 21? I THINK THERE'S 38 RIGHT NOW, SO ABOUT 17 MORE.
I NEVER THOUGHT I'D HEAR YOU SAY
WELL, YEAH, WE'RE, WE'RE TWO PLUS YEARS ON THESE FOLKS AND WE'VE HAD WEIGHT.
AS MANY HUNG WITH AS LONG AS THEY HAVE.
SO YEAH, LET'S, LET'S GO AHEAD AND BEGIN THIS PROCESS.
UM, THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS.
I'LL MAINTAIN A MOTION, MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023 DASH 42 APPROVING A CAPITAL EXPENDITURE TO ACQUIRE FLOOD PRONE HOMES.
ALRIGHT, I HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023 DASH 42 APPROVING A CAPITAL EXPENDITURE TO ACQUIRE FLOOD PRO HOMES.
MANAGER AND DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS NOTHING FROM THE TOWNSHIP MANAGER.
NOTHING FROM THE DEPARTMENT HEADS CONSULTANT REPORTS.
DO WE HAVE AN ENGINEER REPORT TONIGHT? I HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT.
YEAH, I I CAN SEE IT SITTING JEN HERE SO YOU'RE NOT JEN, WHERE REPORT, WHERE'S MY FRIEND JEN? THAT'S OKAY.
YEAH'S ON VACATION BECAUSE SHE DESERVES IT TOO.
[CONSULTANT REPORTS]
THANK YOU.UH, CONSIDER APPROVING THE MONTHLY DEVELOPMENT IMPROVEMENT GUARANTEE REDUCTION LIST.
THIS IS A RELEASE OF VARIOUS ESCROW ACCOUNTS.
IT'S A LITTLE HEAVY THIS MONTH.
I, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO CLOSE THINGS OUT.
GET SOME MONEY BACK AT THE END OF THE YEAR AND IT'S CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS SHOPPING.
SO IT, IT, IT IS A LITTLE LARGER THAN NORMAL, BUT NOTHING OUTTA THE ORDINARY.
I, I'M, I'VE BEEN ASKED TO MAKE THE MOTION SO WE DON'T HAVE TO DO IT TWICE.
SO I'M GONNA MAKE THE MOTION GET A SECOND THEN WE'RE TAKE A VOTE.
I MAKE A MOTION TO, I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MONTHLY DEVELOPER DEVELOPER IMPROVEMENT GUARANTEE REDUCTION LIST AS FOLLOWS.
A MEADOWS AT LONGVIEW PARENT WB HOMES RELEASE NUMBER 1 430 3070 $7 AND 12 CENTS B FOUNDERS ESTATE RELEASE NUMBER EIGHT $44,878 AND 90 CENTS C RESIDENCES AT PROVIDENCE RELEASE NUMBER 4 280 $2,726 71 CENTS.
D SHEPHERD DISTRIBUTION RELEASE NUMBER 11 201 200 $1,917 AND 47 CENTS.
AND E 88 BECHTEL ROAD RELEASE NUMBER SIX $97,510 AND 0 CENTS.
ANY OPPOSED? ALRIGHT, WE THANK YOU MR. SOLICITOR, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT? NOTHING FURTHER, NO.
[SUPERVISORS COMMENTS]
OKAY.AND NOW WE'RE DOWN TO SUPERVISOR'S COMMENTS.
I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT, I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE THAT I'VE SAID THIS SEVERAL TIMES.
OTHER MEMBERS HAVE SAID THIS SEVERAL TIMES.
THE SOLICITOR HAS SAID THIS SEVERAL TIMES, EVEN THOUGH THE MAP SAYS OPEN SPACE, TRUE OPEN SPACE IS ONLY
[02:00:01]
OWNED BY A MUNICIPALITY, THE COUNTY, THE STATE, A TOWNSHIP OF RURAL OR WHATEVER, THAT HAS BEEN OWNED BY A MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY AND IS DESIGNATED OPEN SPACE IF IT'S OWNED BY A PRIVATE PERSON.IT IS NOT OPEN SPACE THAT PRIVATE PERSON CAN DO WITH THEIR PROPERTY WHAT THEY WANT.
THEY HAVE STATE'S RIGHTS TO DO THAT.
YEAH, AND I'LL JUST REITERATE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LEGAL PROCESS TO FOLLOW AND WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO FOLLOW THAT WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO LISTEN TO THE RESIDENTS.
I ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN PROFESSIONALISM AND I ALWAYS, I ALWAYS APPRECIATE THAT IT DOES.
I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF EMOTION IN THIS STEP BY STEP TRUST THAT WE WANNA MAKE SURE OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE BACK IN THE CORNER HERE ARE GONNA JOIN US SOON ARE PART OF THIS BECAUSE THEY'RE GONNA BE SITTING UP HERE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
WE, WE, WE WANT ALL OF YOU TO ABSORB IT.
I DON'T, I DIDN'T EVEN READ THE WHOLE THING YET.
I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO READ IT YET.
YOU KNOW, IT, IT POPPED UP ON THE AGENDA 'CAUSE JOE KNEW SOMETHING WAS COMING, BUT HE DID NOT SEND IT TO US UNTIL WE WALKED IN THIS BUILDING 45 MINUTES BEFORE THE MEETING.
SO THERE IS, WE ARE TRYING TO ENSURE THAT NO MISTAKES HAPPEN AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS.
THAT WE'RE TRANSPARENT AND THAT WE TAKE THE TIME AND WE LISTEN.
SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO BRING YOUR POINTS FORWARD.
THAT IS YOUR OBLIGATION AS A RESIDENT.
OUR OBLIGATION IS TO LISTEN AND FOLLOW THE LEGAL PROCESS WITHIN THIS MEANS.
SO I DO APPRECIATE THE, THE PROFESSIONALISM THAT THAT IS OFFERED.
IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE? I HAVE NOTHING.
I, I JUST WANNA SAY AGAIN, I, I ALSO WORKED ONE OF THE O THE, UH, SIX TO MIDNIGHT SHIFTS AT THE WALL WITH MY WIFE AS VOLUNTEERS.
I WAS MOVED BY ONE OF THE PEOPLE I SAW THERE.
AND, UH, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU JOHN, FOR BRINGING THAT TO OUR TOWNSHIP.
I WILL BE HONEST THAT WHEN I FIRST HEARD OF IT, UH, LATE LAST YEAR, I WAS THINKING OF IT AS JUST ANOTHER PAIN IN THE, BUT IT TRULY WAS AN OUTSTANDING EVENT AND, AND SOMETHING THEY ACTUALLY WANT TO COME BACK HERE.
I, I DON'T KNOW IF WE'LL GO THROUGH ALL THAT WORK AGAIN, BUT THEY WOULD LIKE TO COME BACK IN FOUR YEARS.
IT WAS THAT WELL DONE AND THAT WELL ATTENDED.
SO THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU JOHN, EVERYBODY WHO WORKED ON IT.
UM, I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PASSING OF, OF, UH, ONE OF OUR PARKS AND REC BOARD MEMBERS AND ALSO A MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, WENDY EARL.
UM, WENDY SERVED HER COMMUNITY FAITHFULLY AND UH, RECENTLY LOST HER BATTLE WITH CANCER.
SO REST IN PEACE MY, MY DEAR FRIEND WENDY.
AND, UH, I'M GONNA VIEW THE UPCOMING EVENTS, UH, OR A SUPERVISOR'S MEETING SCHEDULED.
WE HAVE TWO MEETINGS, PUBLIC MEETINGS SCHEDULED IN DECEMBER.
REGULAR MEETINGS DECEMBER 4TH AND DECEMBER 11TH.
UM, THAT'S PRIMARILY BECAUSE, UH, WE NEVER KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING TO BE IN THE BUDGET PROCESS AT THAT TIME, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THE BUDGET'S GONNA BE FINE AND WE WILL MORE THAN LIKELY PASS IT AT THE MEETING ON THE FOURTH AND THEN VOTE TO CANCEL THE MEETING ON THE 11TH, UM, IF EVERYTHING GOES AS PLANNED.
BUT AGAIN, THAT'S OUR SAFETY NET BECAUSE WE MUST HAVE THE BUDGET PASSED BY THE END OF THE YEAR AND IT MUST BOUNCE
[UPCOMING EVENTS]
ALRIGHT.PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE.
UH, THE PLANNING COMMISSION IS UH, SCHEDULED TO MEET THE SIXTH, THE SIXTH AND THE 20TH.
AND, AND EVERYTHING'S SORT OF ON A WIDE OPEN AT THIS POINT.
AND WE'RE WE'RE WORKING ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THOUGH, WHEN WE'RE NOT ON YES.
ALL AND, UH, THE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISOR COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE IS TO BE DETERMINED.
THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULED DECEMBER 13TH WILL BE THEIR LAST MEETING OF THE YEAR.
THE MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY, THEIR LAST MEETING WILL BE ON DECEMBER 7TH.
AND THE ZONING HEARING BOARD CURRENTLY HAS TWO HEARING SCHEDULED.
ONE FOR DECEMBER 12TH AT 7:00 PM AND THAT'S, UH, APPLICATION 23 DASH OH TWO RELATING TO 7 65 SOUTH COLLEGEVILLE ROAD.
MR. STERLING, AND I'LL TO INTERRUPT YOU REAL QUICK, THAT MEETING IS PROBABLY CANCELED AND MOVED TO JANUARY.
IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE IT IN TIME FOR THIS, FOR THE AGENDA.
SOME THINGS HAPPENED LATE ON FRIDAY.
I INFORMED A FEW OF THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT THAT THAT'S, THAT'S PROBABLY THE CASE.
I HAVE SOME EMAILS THAT I'LL GET OUT WHEN I GET THAT DATE FIRMED UP.
I'M WAITING TO HEAR FROM A COUPLE ZONING HEARING BOARD MEMBERS SO THAT WOULD MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN MAKE THAT DATE.
THE ONE ON THE 19TH FOR THE STEEP SLOPES AT HOP ROAD 2310 IS ON AND WE'LL GO FORWARD.
UM, IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, OR FOR TOM RY I'LL TAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
WELL, BILL, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING, UH, YOU MADE A COMMENT ABOUT THE WALL OF THE HILLS THING.
[02:05:01]
TO WASHINGTON DC OUTSTANDING.UM, THEY, THEY LIKED OUR PRESENTATION SO MUCH.
THAT AND THE WAY WE PUT TOGETHER EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE BEEN INVITED TO WASHINGTON, DC WE, WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS OR NOT.
UM, BUT, AND, BUT WE'RE HONORED THAT WE WERE ASKED IN ANY CASE, THANK YOU JUDGE.
AND I'LL MAKE AND I'LL MAKE THE MOTION TO ADJOURN.