WARWICK TOWNSHIP

Board of Supervisors’ Public Work Session Meeting Minutes

FEBRUARY 22, 2005

Members Present: Judith A. Algeo, Chair

Edward P. Thompson, Vice Chairman

Bert Parrish, Member

Others Present: Dave Connell, Township Engineer

Mary Eberle, Township Solicitor

Tom Scott, Assistant Manager

Linda Grant, Recording Secretary

n CALL TO ORDER:

The Warwick Township Board of Supervisors’ February 22, 2005 public meeting, held at Warwick Township Administration Office, 1733 Township Greene, Jamison, PA., was called to order at 7:07 p.m., by Chair, Judith Algeo, who then led attendees in the pledge of allegiance.

n CITIZEN COMMENTS: There were no citizen comments.

Supervisor Parrish spoke of all the heartfelt support he received during his recent surgery and thanked everyone for their kindness.

n WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS:

_ Warwick Fire Company – presentation of future building ideas (exhibit)

Scott Petri, legal advisor for Warwick Fire Company was present. Mr. Petri noted the status of the Warwick Fire Company has probably not been discussed in thirty years, such as if it is on the right track, what are its needs. Mr. Petri also stated that as Warwick matures, its needs change. Mr. Petri then introduced Brian Dawicki, Warwick Fire Chief.

Chief Dawicki spoke of the issue of an EOC (Emergency Operations Center) that is included in the proposed plans, which would be at the expense of the fire company and would be operated by the Warwick Police Department. Mr. Dawicki also spoke of a QRS Program (Quick Response Service), to be implemented with the construction of a new facility. This program would cut down on the response time for basic life support.

Mr. Parrish referred to a fire and medical emergency report, noting the number of calls has risen considerably. Mr. Parrish feels the response time has increased since removal of the facility at the Manor at Yorktown. Mr. Parrish asked about the possibility of getting that facility back due to the aging population in the area. Mr. Dawicki said we support an ambulance, we would not take over for an ambulance, it would be until the point of time the Township would decide to establish an ambulance corps for itself, if in fact they do. We would be assistance to Warminster and Warrington response. Ms. Algeo said she understands the ambulance pulled out because they couldn’t make it on the budget, and the money issue needs to be addressed. Mr. Dawicki spoke of sprinklered homes, noting 49% of all new homes within the township have sprinklers, according to the 2000 census.

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February 22, 2005

Chief Dawicki next spoke of difficulties with the Almshouse and York Road intersection, and additional traffic lights going in along York Road. Chief Dawicki spoke of the breakdown of calls received from different locations within the Township, noting that with the new site, 75% of the calls would mean that the fire apparatus would not have to proceed through that intersection. Chief Dawicki noted the Fire Company has done test runs from the current fire house location and from the proposed new location. There was also a study of member response time going through the York and Almshouse intersection versus not going through that intersection. Chief Dawicki also spoke of firefighter response and safety noting that the second leading cause of firefighter deaths was vehicle collisions while responding.

Mr. Petri introduced Matthew Piotrowski, architect. Mr. Piotrowski displayed a drawing of the proposed (15,500 sq. ft) building and its position on the proposed ground, noting an exit to Meyer Way. Mr. Piotrowski also displayed floor plans of the proposed building, with architectural details to fit into the village concept. Mr. Thompson likes the building and thinks it is a good thing for people to see at the top of the hill when coming through the greenway from Warminster.

Mr. Petri introduced Tom Comitta, planner to speak of the zoning challenges faced by the fire company with this proposed relocation.

Mr. Comitta distributed a planning/zoning report regarding this proposed fire house relocation consisting of an overview, a description of the current proposed site, the road network from the planner’s perspective, insights on population housing, current and future growth areas, discussions on zoning, advantages, does this fit on the site and what would happen at the current site if this relocation is successful and a summary recommendation.

Mr. Parrish and Mr. Thompson asked about impervious surface. Mr. Comitta noted there are materials, such as porous concrete that could be used and there are possibilities for shared parking with other facilities. Dave Connell, Township Engineer, states some of the reserved parking areas could be made with gravel and Mr. Connell said that porous materials need proper maintenance

Mr. Petri introduced Mark Surrusco, Warwick Fire Company Treasurer. Mr. Surrusco gave a summary of operating projections for the Warwick Fire Company, noting that very conservative projections were used. Mr. Surrusco spoke of the financial benefit of moving the fire company to the new location and building a new fire house versus staying at the present location and building on site.

Ms. Algeo asked if the fire company has a backup plan if this property does not become available. Mr. Surrusco said we have looked at additional sites and there is another plan. Ms. Algeo asked where the fire company operates during a move. Mr. Surrusco states they would negotiate with the buyer of the current property that the fire company could stay until they could move into the new building, or there would be storage costs.

Ms. Algeo invited public comment.

Bob Gordon, resident of Heritage Creek is concerned regarding the emergency services in the are and believes the Board should consider emergency services in this building.

Mr. Thompson questions if there would be room for EMS at the fire house and it is something we should look at. Mr. Thompson notes these fire fighters are volunteers and they are willing to go out on a limb for three million dollars for this project, with the Township’s help.

Judy Cox, Candytuft Drive, feels it does not make sense to put the fire company near fire company only a mile down the road.

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February 22, 2005

Bill Mahoney, Heritage Creek, feels this is a life, safety and health issue and it is our job as a community to support this proposal.

Jeff Widdock, Country Crossing, agrees with Mrs. Cox concerning the tactical layout of our stations back to back and questions if it will serve the overall community.

Mr. Thompson feels we have a responsibility to the residents of Warwick Township to build a state-of-the-art facility for emergency services and limit that cost by eight million dollars, we owe it to the people. Mr. Thompson clarified this is not duplicated services, it is relocating only about 8/10 of a mile, with the move cutting response time. The people win because if the fire company does not have to go through that intersection, they knock time of their travel time.

John Cox, Hartsville Fire Company, congratulated the fire company for the tremendous presentation. Mr. Cox believes that if you bring two houses close together, they may be competing for members. Mr. Cox urges the Board of Supervisors to contact the DCA (Department of Community Affairs) and have this matter checked before we spend all this money. Mr. Cox also suggested that Warwick Township should establish a fire commission, we should have a citizens overview committee.

Mr. Surrusco stated that we are proposing a move to a more dense area. Mr. Surrusco noted that fire houses are close in Philadelphia.

Lynn Kirkner, asked if she should assume that moving south to the denser population means that we will not be seeing building growth north of Almshouse. Ms. Algeo noted that in Warwick, we are pretty much built out up there, but doesn’t know what Buckingham’s situation is regarding growth.

Chair Algeo thanked the Warwick Fire Company for their presentation and appreciates the amount of work they did. Ms. Algeo also said that it gave the Board a lot to think to about and to move forward with the project.

_ Harmony Lane (Germinal Colony) – discussion of road and land development issues (exhibit)

Dave Connell, Township Engineer, presented a report, dated February 10, 2005.

Mr. Connell notes this report lays out existing conditions of Colony Road, Harmony Lane and Jackaway Road. Mr. Connell states Colony Road is a public road existing in a 50’ wide right-of-way and is in general decent condition being about 15’ wide with no curbs and sidewalks. Jackaway Road is a private street, having a paved cart way of 10 to 12 feet and is not in good condition. Harmony Lane exists in a private right-of-way and is 10 to 12 feet wide and is in reasonably good condition. Mr. Connell notes the report indicates several alternatives of what can be done with those roads, one is the construction/re-construction of all three of the roads to

a condition of what the subdivision ordinance requires. The total of those three things together would be something over $600,000 to build those sections of roadways to a 30 foot wide roadway width to the depth required for new public roadways, with curbs on both sides and necessary storm sewer system.

Mr. Connell notes it may not be necessary to build those roadways to those requirements and offered another consideration of a 24 feet wide roadway, without curbs and sidewalks, which cost would be approximately $242,000. Mr. Connell then offered another for even narrower roads, and that would be to consider these one-way roads, which would be about $136,000.

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February 22, 2005

Mr. Thompson asked how it would affect the future development of the lots that are not developed. Mr. Connell said he included an assessment of where houses exist on those lots in his report. In the front two thirds, it is essentially built out, with a vacant lot here and there. There are a number of vacant lots in the rear portion, where there a couple of unopened paper streets. The Township has some proposals currently, but there is probably going to be a great deal more happening in that area.

Mr. Parrish asked how we are affected by water and sewer connections. Mr. Connell is not familiar with that issue, and noted that water and sewer are two different things. Mr. Connell is not aware that Heritage Creek Golf Course community has anything to do with this. Ms. Eberle said, from a legal standpoint, we can only require that people hookup to water and sewer if the main is located 150 feet from their structure.

Mike Findler, Harmony Lane, questioned the utility poles in the middle of the right-of- way.

Ms. Eberle explained Colony is a dedicated road, and that Harmony and Jackaway are private streets in a private development and are not dedicated. Ms. Eberle suggests that the Board of Supervisors need to set acceptable standards for these roads for future development. Mr. Connell further explained that Colony Road is a 50 foot wide publicly dedicated right-of-way, Jackaway Road is a 50 foot wide, not publicly dedicated road and Harmony is only 25 feet wide, and not publicly dedicated.

Mitch Cates will be moving into a house on Colony and is worried about 17 lots that will be developed. Mr. Scott, Planning/Zoning, explained that while there are numerous lots, there is a problem with the lot sizes and in this district, the lots can not meet requirements, so most cannot be built on.

Mr. Thompson asked how the maintenance is worked out on these roads. Mr. Findler said the neighbors get together to maintain the roads. Ms. Eberle notes that basically there is no mechanism in place for maintenance.

Mr. Connell explained how some of the streets could be made one-way. Mr. Parrish believes we would need 24 feet width. There was brief discussion as to how to make builders repair damage they may cause while building.

The Board members were in consensus that a thirty foot roadway is not necessary and also that a one way system does not work. We should be looking into option number 2.

_ Econo Lite Traffic Signals (no exhibit)

Dave Connell, Township Engineer, introduced Alan Wertz, Econo Lite distributor, who came to the Township with a proposal to replace certain equipment on traffic signals with other certain equipment.

Mr. Wertz said that the company is offering to save Warwick money on traffic controls by offering a five year warranty at no cost to the Township. We are offering this because of a system Warminster and Buckingham are putting in on York Road. This will cease compatibility of current traffic signals to interact. Mr. Wertz said they will come in for free and replace controllers in the Township, giving a five year warranty. Mr. Wertz said the original proposal was for the Township to specify Econo Lite for future projects. Mr. Wertz explained that now they offering to replace controllers for free. Mr. Connell explained that his only objection months ago was that

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February 22, 2005

Mr. Wertz was asking the Township to sign a document saying they would only specify Econo Lite. Mr. Connell said that Mr. Wertz has now removed that language.

Further discussion included Mr. Connell explaining that the signal at York and Tulip was to be interconnected with the York and Bristol signal. It was done, and the signals “talked to each other”, then Warminster put in Econo Lite controllers, which changed the language between signals. Mr. Wertz’s proposal will bring interaction between signals back.

The Board is asking that the Public Works Director, the Chief of Police and the Fire Company look into this.

_ Financial Report (exhibit)

Bill Payments for February 7, 2005

General Fund check N^o. 10719 – 10788	$ 125,339.06
Highway Aid Fund check N^o. 2401 - 2415 checks 2399, 2400 are void	26,627.57
Parks & Recreation Fund check N^o. 3038 - 3057	6,286.60
Capital Projects Fund check N^o. 804 – 805	17,197.41
Open Space Fund check N^o. 282 – 283	570,392.95
Fire House & Equipment check N^o.191 - 192	132,122.00
TOTAL	$ 877,965.59

Bill Payments for February 22, 2005

General Fund check N^o. 10789 – 10841	$ 114,563.38
Highway Aid Fund check N^o.	0
Parks & Recreation Fund check N^o. 3058 – 3066	3,739.09

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February 22, 2005

Capital Projects Fund check N^o. 806	1,629.50
Open Space Fund check N^o. 284 – 285	1,987.50
Road Machinery Fund check N^o.132	50,378.20
TOTAL	$ 172,297.67

Motion by Mr. Thompson to approve Bill Payments for February 7, 2005, subject to audit.

Second to motion by Mr. Parrish.

Chair Algeo invited comment or discussion. There being none, the vote was called.

Motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Mr. Thompson to approve Bill Payments for February 22, 2005, subject to audit.

Second to motion by Mr. Parrish.

Chair Algeo invited comment or discussion. There being none, the vote was called.

Motion passed unanimously.

_ Treasurer’s Report – December 2004 (exhibit)

General Fund	$3,280,663
Firehouse and Equipment	626,720
Road Machinery Fund	151,803
General Obligation / Sinking fund	4,133,714
Open Space Fund	320,759
Capital Projects Fund	236,452
Highway Aid Fund	33,912
Park and Recreation	434,163
Capital Reserve	615,143

Total $9,833,329

Motion by Mr. Thompson to approve the Treasurer’s Report for December 2004, as prepared by Rose Christie, Finance Director, subject to audit.

Second to motion by Mr. Parrish.

Chair Algeo invited comment or discussion. There being none, the vote was called.

Motion passed unanimously.

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February 22, 2005

n ADJOURNMENT:

The February 22, 2005, Warwick Township Board of Supervisors’ meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gail V. Weniger,

Township Manager/Secretary

These minutes were approved at the

Board of Supervisors’ meeting held: March 7, 2005