WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
July 12, 2006

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of West Goshen Township was called to order by Chairman Dr. Robert S. White at 4:02 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12, 2006, at the West Goshen Township Administration Building. All members were present. Dr. White opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Dr. White opened the floor for public comment. No comments were made.

Ms. McIlvaine announced that the opening of the Robert E. Lambert Park will be held on Sunday, July 16, 2006 at 12:00 p.m. She said that professional skaters will be in attendance from San Diego, CA, and that Verizon is providing food for the event. The winner of the Battle of the Bands contest will be playing and there will be a dog agility demonstration. She invited everyone to attend.

On motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously approved the Board of Supervisors minutes from June 14 and June 28, 2006. 

On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Mr. Meakim, the Board unanimously approved the Treasurer's Report dated June 30, 2006 for the General Fund, the Sewer Revenue Fund, the Waste and Recycling Fund, and the Capital Reserve Fund, as well as the bills to be paid from the General Fund, the Sewer Fund, the Capital Reserve Fund, and the Waste and Recycling Fund.

Lt. Joseph Gleason gave the Police Report for the month of June 2006. 

Mrs. Evelyn Baker, 900 Sheridan Drive, asked how many of the alarms in the Police Report were valid alarms and Lt. Gleason responded that 24 calls were valid.

Ms. Andrea Testa, Fire Marshal, gave the Fire Marshal Report for the month of June 2006. Ms. Testa also gave the report for Good Fellowship Ambulance and Goshen Fire Company.

Mr. Edward Hunger, Building Official, gave the Building Inspection Activity Report for June 2006. 

Prior to the consideration of the Decision and Order for Pulte Homes of PA, Limited Partnership, Mr. Joseph Brion, Esquire, Township Solicitor stated that the document had been prepared by his office based on the input from the individual supervisors and Township staff. He said that the Decision and Order is pursuant to Ordinance 09-2006 which was adopted by the Board on June 28, 2006, and grants conditional use with seventy-three conditions. Mr. Brion said that the conditions pertain to such details as trails, stormwater management, trees, open space, use of the country estate lot, the serpentine barrens and the recreational parking lots.

Mrs. Baker asked if the stormwater conditions took into consideration a large run-off of rainwater and Mr. Brion said that the Township Engineer would handle that as the plan is further developed and that the total engineering for the project has not yet been completed. He added that there are many months of planning to be done, many permits are still required to be obtained and that the plan is still in the embryonic stage. Dr. White read Condition 63, which pertains to stormwater management. Mr. Richard J. Craig, Township Engineer, said that West Goshen Township has an up-to-date comprehensive stormwater ordinance, that the developer will be required to meet all regulations and that the construction will be monitored for compliance. Mrs. Baker asked who will be responsible for maintaining the stormwater retention basins after the construction is complete and Mr. Craig replied that the homeowners association will be responsible for the maintenance. He added that the basins will be monitored by the Township and if necessary the basins will be repaired by the Township and liens will be placed on homeowners for the upkeep. Mrs. Baker asked if the developer will be required to post bonds and Mr. Craig replied that a maintenance escrow will be required for an eighteen month period after construction is complete.

Mr. Joseph Celia, 986 North Penn Drive, asked if the maintenance escrow would revert back to the homeowners association after eighteen months and Dr. White replied that it would revert back to the builder after eighteen months. Mr. Celia asked what the Township's liability to the developer would be if it was determined that the plan could not move forward. Mr. Brion explained that if the Township is correct in rejecting the plan there would not be any liability to the Township. He said that if the builder meets all of the conditions and ordinances, the Township would be obligated to grant approval. 

Mr. Scott Bailey, 5 Peaceful Lane, asked what the notification procedure would be for residents and Ms. Sharon Lynn, Township Manager, replied that Mr. Bailey is on the list of Parties to the Proceedings and will receive a copy of the Decision and Order if it is approved. Mr. Bailey asked if residents will received a notice of future meetings and Mr. Brion said that residents will not receive a notice and will need to check the Township meeting agendas for future meetings.

On motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously approved the signing of the Decision and Order for the application of Pulte Homes of PA, Limited Partnership.

Dr. White opened the floor for public comment. 

Mr. James Westlake, 223 Chrislena Lane, asked what responsibility the Township has in the oversight of Verizon as they install their FIOS line in the right-of-ways. He said that he had multiple problems with the work Verizon performed in front of his house. Ms. Lynn advised Mr. Westlake to inform the Township of any future problems and Township staff will notify the proper personnel at Verizon of the problems.

Dr. White announced that six months into the year the Earned Income Tax amount received is $200,000 ahead of last year's mark at that time and the Real Estate Transfer Tax received is $40,000 behind last year's period.

There being no further business, on motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Mr. Meakim, the meeting was adjourned at 4:29 p.m.

    Respectfully submitted,

Sandra K. Turley
Township Secretary