Members Present:      Frank T. Peluso, Chairman

                                    Judith A. Algeo, Esq., Vice Chair

                                    Edward P. Thompson, Member   

 

Others Present:          Gail V. Weniger, Township Manager

                                    Mary Eberle, Township Solicitor

                                    Dave Connell, Township Engineer

                                    Linda Grant, Recording Secretary

 

 

n       CALL TO ORDER:

 

The Warwick Township Board of Supervisors’ October 20, 2003 public work session meeting, held at Warwick Township Administration Office, 1733 Township Greene, Jamison, PA., was called to order at 7:37 p.m., by Chairman Peluso.  Mr. Peluso then led attendees in the pledge of allegiance.

 

n        EXECUTIVE SESSION:

 

            Chairman Peluso reported that the Board had met Briefly in Executive Session to talk about some legislative issues and some real estate.

 

            Mr. Peluso announced that Pulte has requested to be removed from tonight’s agenda and also Dunkin Donuts have also removed themselves from the agenda.

 

n        CITIZEN COMMENTS:       There were none.

 

n        WORKSHOP AGENDA:

 

_ Moland House – Carriage House (exhibit)

 

            Mr. Peluso said that over a period of time, we have had a number of discussions and most of us have a pretty good idea of the Moland House itself, and what our plans are and what we hope to accomplish.

 

            Present for this discussion with the Board of Supervisors were Warren Williams, President of the Warwick Township Historical Society, Don Detwiler, consultant and fund raiser for the Historical Society and Mary Werner DaNadai, with Milner Architects.

 

            Warren Williams thanked the Board of Supervisors for the opportunity to be part of this project.  This group of volunteers are dedicated to the restoration, preservation and management of the house.  Mr. Williams also thanked Mr. Benninghoff and Ms. Weniger for their cooperation.

 

            Mr. Detwiler to summarize this proposed project,  displayed a concept plan of the Moland House site that was generated through discussed alternatives and research.   

Mr. Detwiler further stated that the plan encompasses a museum, a multi-purpose field, a reception meeting center, a parking area and an area for outside events.  We hope to retain the natural feel of this area.  We also want to protect pedestrians and keep the influence of vehicles separate.   Mr. Detwiler noted that there is a “sight and sound” buffer proposed against Route 263.  The concept also suggested moving access to align with Eddowes Road so that while entering this area, there is an historic feel.  The plan suggests 45 to 60 parking spaces, which would meet most of the needs of the site with another 45 proposed at the north end.  Mr. Detwiler feels the intrusions of traffic in the neighborhood will be few, except for an occasional event.

 

            Mary Werner DeNadai, Architect, stated that a conceptual plan for the building is in the process of being made.  Ms. DeNadai described a large multi-use room, toilet rooms which would be open to the inside and outside, storage space for site needs, a janitor’s closet and mechanical rooms on the lower level.  Ms. DeNadai also described the upper level to be used for meetings or banquets.

 

            Supervisor Algeo asked if this area is zoned for these kinds of programs or would a variance be required.  Mary Eberle, Township Solicitor, believes this area is zoned RA and that they probably  should be looking at zoning. 

           

            Mr. Williams noted that the building, as a reception area, would relieve some of the wear and tear on the Moland House.  This would be the major function of the building, and if other uses could be incorporated that would be good. 

           

            Chairman Peluso said the question all along has been the practicality of this proposal.  Mr. Peluso noted that there will be the Heritage Creek golf course across the street that could affect the entryway.  Mr. Peluso suggests that there may be a way to get all the entryways and turning lanes as part of that project.                  

 

            Bob Benninghoff, Public Works Director, spoke of the 150 year old surrounding trees, while the interior trees may be 50 or 60 years old.  Mr. Benninghoff noted that the parking area was chosen due to its being the lowest vegetative growth area. 

 

            Also noted during discussion was that a connection from Eddowes Road may not be so simple due to a culvert, incline, etc. and that it could really be a major engineering project.

 

            Ms. DeNardai said that there is a preliminary cost estimate of approximately $60,000 to re-do the structure or make changes needed to increase the floor structure to have assembly use on the upper level.  We should have the entire cost estimate by next week.  Mr. Detwiler explained that to be self-sustaining, there is a need for income sources and it will cost to get the income sources in place.   Mr. Williams feels when restoring the building that is part and parcel of the Moland House, people may be willing to give money, but if the Township wants to knock it down and build a new building, it probably won’t generate money from the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission because they will not be willing to give money for a recreation center for Warwick Township.

 

            Supervisor Thompson commented that he likes the Carriage House concept, but is leery of the cost to restore the building.  Mr. Thompson asked if the Historical Society is willing to take that on.  Also, Mr. Thompson spoke about the golf course connection as a possible entrance on Route 263.  Additionally, Mr. Thompson suggested that the parking areas could be spread around, instead of making one large parking area.

 

            Also mentioned in this discussion was whether this would be a park open to the Township.  Mr. Williams voiced concerns over the need for supervision of this park.

           

            Mr. Thompson would like the Township Solicitor to look into uses in an RA district. 

Ms. Eberle, Township Solicitor, said that what is currently being proposed can’t be done in an RA district, this would require an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance or a variance.  There are some municipalities who have historic preservation ordinances, or you could have an overlay district.  Mr. Detwiler has the understanding that there is currently an overly district in Warwick Township.

 

            Ms. DeNardai noted that this project is considered “green architecture”, which means that we are recycling the materials.          

 

            At the conclusion of this presentation, the Board of Supervisors requested an analysis of the viability of this proposal, whether the building is structurally sound, as well as what the cost would be. 

 

_ Open Space Purchase and Financing Alternatives (exhibit)

 

            Chairman Peluso said that we are extremely lucky here in Warwick Township to have a Financial Advisory Board, comprised of our citizens who have volunteered for a number of years.  We have financial people, bankers and CPAs.  Mr. Peluso introduced Joe Kane from Warwick Township Financial Advisory to present financing alternatives for the purchase of open space.

 

            Mr. Kane stated that the Township Manager and Dick Carlin, Chairman of the Financial Advisory Committee worked to prepare this presentation this evening.  Mr. Kane proceeded to show a power point presentation, copies of which were available for the public in attendance.  Mr. Kane spoke of Open Space Purchases and Financing Alternatives, the five year general fund forecast, current acquisition plan, methods to fund the shortfall and the annual cost to the taxpayer.  The workbook used was developed by Penn State, and is a tool to estimate the economic impact of residential development.

 

            Mr. Kane noted that there are currently 4,602 households in Warwick Township.  Also, purchased open space land cannot generate stress on the infrastructure such as students, public safety needs and road improvements.  The debt service ends in 20 years.  Avoidance of a net $2,548,000 negative fiscal impact from land development.  

 

            Concluding the presentation of information, Mr. Kane said that he feels that if the Township borrows 5 million over 20 years at an interest rate of 4.14 to pay for all undeveloped and unprotected land, the Open Space Purchase program would cost each taxpayer household $85 per year.  When that debt is paid off, the debt would be non-existent instead of having the costs of Township and School services, which are on-going.       

 

            Mr. Peluso said that Warwick Township has had a healthy surplus, but noted that a significant portion of that surplus is the amount of what we have been getting in terms of building permits and real estate transfer fees.  There will be a point in time when the extraordinary growth that we had will end, but it also ends that revenue source.  Warwick Township needed to do some long-term planning, keeping in mind that the reduction of the number of people in the schools and the Township results in savings.  

 

            During further discussion, it was noted that the Township has preserved about 300 acres of open space.  Mr. Peluso said that most of the open space activity that has been done is buying development rights.  Mr. Peluso said that this process could take six months.  Mary Eberle, Township Solicitor, said that the formula used is based on the last three years of revenue.

Mr. Thompson stated that we have to move ahead with the acquisition of properties now, that we can’t wait.

                       

n        ANOUNCEMENTS:

 

_ Ms. Algeo confirmed that the Halloween Happening is being held on Thursday, October 30, 5:30 t0 7:30 pm, at the Warwick Firehouse.

 

_ Ms. Weniger spoke of the wonderful job Dan Sharapan our Parks & Recreation Director did with Warwick Day. 

 

_ Ms. Weniger reminded that the budget hearing will be in two weeks.

 

n        ADJOURNMENT:

 

  The Warwick Township Board of Supervisors’ October 29, 2003 public meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                                Gail V. Weniger,

                                                                                                Township Manager/Secretary

 

 

 

 

These minutes were approved at the

Board of Supervisors’ meeting held:  November 3, 2003