Chairman Bruce Bucher convened the September 18, 2002 meeting of the Warwick Township Board of Supervisors at 7:00 p.m. Present were Supervisors Bruce Bucher, W. Logan Myers, and Joseph McSparran. Roger Moyer and Michael Vigunas were absent. In attendance were Township Manager Daniel Zimmerman, Roadmaster Dean Saylor, Code and Zoning Officer Thomas Zorbaugh, Police Chief Richard Garipoli, Jr., Pam Williams, Jared Miller, and Tim Diehm. Laura Knowles of Lancaster Newspapers represented the press.

PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A CONDITIONAL USE APPLICATION FROM REUBEN KING. THE APPLICANT IS SEEKING CONDITIONAL USE APPROVAL UNDER ARTICLE 2, SECTION 201.4.A OF THE WARWICK TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING IN AN AGRICULTURAL ZONED DISTRICT AND SECTION 453 RELATING TO SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED DWELLINGS.

The Chairman announced the procedures to be followed for this evening’s public hearing. The Township Manager was sworn in. He confirmed the posting and proof of publication of this evening’s Conditional Use hearing. He explained that Warwick Township Planning Commission reviewed the Conditional Use application and recommended favorable review of the application at their August 28, 2002 meeting. He submitted a copy of their recommendations into the record for the public hearing.

Tim Diehm, representing Diehm & Sons, and Reuben King were sworn in. Diehm explained that the project area is an approximate 121.5 acre farm located along Becker Road. The property owners would like to construct a third detached dwelling unit and associated barn on the property for their son (Reuben King). Diehm explained that the proposed dwelling unit would be served by on-lot water and on-lot sewer. He noted that the property is zoned Agricultural and single-family dwellings are permitted as a Conditional Use. Diehm explained that the proposed dwelling would be accessed via the existing driveway on the site. He indicated the location of the other dwelling units and associated outbuildings on the site for the benefit of the Board. Diehm stated that the area where the dwelling unit is proposed contains steep slopes and is one of the least productive areas of farmland on the site. He explained that the plan proposes to use cisterns to collect stormwater from the proposed dwelling and barn and noted that the other dwelling units also use cisterns to collect stormwater. Myers inquired whether or not the existing tributary on the property would be affected by the proposal. Diehm explained that the stream is buffered by the steep slopes on the tract. King added that only a small amount of water flows through the tributary channel. Diehm noted that they recently received DEP approval of their on-lot sewer module.

The Township Manager stated that the Planning Commission expressed concern that seven lots could be subdivided from the parent tract. They commented that any similar future proposals for additional dwellings on the lot should meet the lot layout guidelines of the Zoning Ordinance and recommended that any approval of the proposal by the Board include this stipulation.

The Chairman inquired whether or not anyone present would like to comment on the proposal. No one present indicated their desire to comment on the proposal. On a motion by Myers, seconded by McSparran, the Board voted unanimously to close the public hearing on the Conditional Use application.

PRESENTATION BY THE LITITZ PUBLIC LIBRARY: Pam Williams, Lititz Public Library Treasurer, and Jared Miller, Lititz Public Library Board, are present this evening to represent the Library. Williams explained that she began serving on the Library Board when the Library was still located along South Broad Street. She provided an outline of trending statistics and associated information for the Lititz Public Library. The information indicates that circulation at the Library has increased 83% from 1999 to 2002, in addition, the number of programs has increased 67% from 1999 to 2002.

Miller stated that the outline includes summary of 2002 donations by comparable local municipalities to their respective library systems. He explained that on average, donations contributed by municipalities represent 2% per capita; however, in this area, the percentage is less than that. He requested consideration for the local municipalities to increase their per capita appropriations to the Lititz Public Library to 2.5% based on the increase of the Library’s services and the associated increase in their expenditures. The Township Manager explained that the Township provides the land for the Library which was assessed at $200,000.00 and inquired whether or not the State considers this a contribution for matching funds. Williams responded that the State only compares income with expenditures for matching funds. A brief discussion ensued regarding the Library’s funding. The Board members advised that they will begin formal budget discussions in October and should be able to provide an estimate of the Township’s 2003 Library contribution in November.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On a motion by Myers, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously approved the minutes of the August 21, 2002 meeting as submitted.

TREASURER’S REPORT: On a motion by Myers, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously approved the Treasurer's report for August, 2002 as submitted.

PAYMENT OF BILLS: The Board reviewed the list of bills submitted for payment. On a motion by McSparran, seconded by Myers, the Board unanimously approved the payment of bills from the General Fund in the amount of $497,332.39. The Township Manager noted that this figure represents all of the contributions issued by the Township, and added that the contributions are paid in September of each year.

MANAGER’S REPORT: The Township Manager provided a status report on the DCED Grant. He stated that Township Staff has received confirmation that the 2nd-year grant for the Warwick Emergency Services Alliance (WESA) program has been approved. He provided a report that outlines the funding split between the three municipalities and the DCED funding. He noted that the WESA committee will be meeting in October.

The Township Manager provided a status report on several Recreation Projects. He stated that Township Staff has completed the close-out of the regional recreation study. He added that Staff will prepare the grant application for the technical peer grant.

The Township Manager provided a status report on the John Bonfield Recreation Field Project. He explained that the Warwick School District approved the design for the Bonfield tract. He added that Township Staff is currently calculating the details of the budget for the project.

The Township Manager provided a status report on the Forney Polo Field Project. He explained that settlement for the property is scheduled for October 22, 2002.

The Township Manager provided a status report on Act 100 (Open Records Law). He provided an outline of Act 100 which amends the current open records regulations. He explained that the Township will address several provisions for the new requirements.

The Township Manager provided a status report on farm preservation. He stated that the Township has completed the preservation of the 105-acre Reiff farm and the 88-acre Hess farm. He noted that these farm preservations provide the Township with an additional 96 Transferrable Development Rights (TDRs) for its inventory (44 TDRs from the Hess farm, and 52 TDRs from the Reiff farm).

The Township Manager provided a status report on the Regional Joint Meeting. He recommended that the regional meeting be scheduled for Wednesday, October 30, 2002. He explained that several of the issues that should be discussed include the Recreation Grant from DCNR and the cable franchise negotiations. The Board is in agreement to hold the Regional Joint Meeting on October 30, 2002.

The Board unanimously approved the Township Manager’s Report.

TAX COLLECTOR’S REPORT: The Board reviewed the Tax Collector’s report. On a motion by Myers, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously approved the Tax Collector’s August, 2002 report.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT REPORT: The Roadmaster presented a report that outlines the activities of the Public Works Department during August, 2002. The Roadmaster requested authorization to accept bids for the sale of a 1992 2-wheel drive Ford truck. On a motion by McSparran, seconded by Myers, the Board unanimously authorized the advertisement to accept bids for the sale of the 1992 Ford Truck. On a motion by Myers, seconded by Bucher, the Board unanimously approved the Public Works Department’s August, 2002 report.

POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: The Police Chief presented a report that outlines the activities of the Police Department during August, 2002. On a motion by Myers, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously approved the Police Department’s August, 2002 report.

ZONING OFFICER'S REPORT: The Township Manager presented a report prepared by the Zoning Officer that outlines the Zoning/Building permits issued in August, 2002. The report also outlines the cases heard at the Zoning Hearing Board’s August 14, 2002 meeting. The Zoning Officer submitted a copy of a Certificate of Conformance that was issued for the Henry King property along Millport Road. On a motion by Myers, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously approved the Zoning Officer’s August, 2002 report.

COMMUNICATIONS: The Board received the September, 2002 edition of the PSAT’s News Bulletin

The Board received a letter from Patricia Shoff, who was one of the participants of the Warwick Township Citizens’ Police Academy. She commended the Police Chief’s initiative and leadership throughout the thirteen sessions.

The Board received a copy of a memo from the Lancaster County Emergency Management advising that the County-wide Burn Ban will expire on September 14, 2002.

The Board received a letter from Nevin Greiner, representing the Lancaster County Conservation District. The letter commends the Township for its assistance with the County’s zoning officer outreach program.

The Board received a letter from Office of Homeland Security announcing that on September 10, 2002 U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and the Office of Homeland Security elevated the Homeland Security Advisory System warning level to Orange/High Risk of Terrorist Attack. The letter indicates that no specific, credible, or corroborated threats have been received targeting persons or property in the United States.

The Board received a thank-you note from Public Works Employee Jerry Styer for his recent service recognition.

CONSIDER THE REQUEST BY ISAAC’S DELI FOR RELEASE OF LETTER OF CREDIT: The Board reviewed the request. The Township Engineer commented that it appears that all of the previously outstanding construction and stabilization items outlined in their December 12, 2001 comment letter have been completed or otherwise addressed. Therefore, they recommend the Township release the remaining $1,500.00 from the current Letter-of-Credit account balance. On a motion by Myers, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously approved a release of the Letter-of-Credit for Isaac’s Deli in its entirety.

CONSIDER THE REQUEST BY NEWPORT SQUARE, PHASE II FOR REDUCTION OF LETTER OF CREDIT: The Board reviewed the request. The Township Engineer commented that based on their recent observation of construction compared with the original Letter-of-Credit estimate amounts, they recommend the Township release $159,080.90 from the current Letter-of-Credit account balance. The retainage represents their opinion of the costs to complete the remaining outstanding items. On a motion by McSparran, seconded by Myers, the Board unanimously authorized the release of $159,090.90 from the current Letter-of-Credit for Newport Square, Phase II.

REVIEW PROPOSAL FOR CABLE FRANCHISE RENEWAL SERVICES: On a motion by Myers, seconded by McSparran, the Board voted unanimously to table this agenda until next month’s meeting.

DISCUSSION ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE RELATING TO TDR’S AND MAXIMUM COVERAGE IN THE CAMPUS INDUSTRIAL ZONE: The Township Manager explained that the original intent of the TDR Ordinance was to use the fair market value of the land for the purchase price of each TDR. However, based on recent farm preservation appraisals, the purchase price of each TDR would be approximately $9,000.00. He explained that Township Staff is currently reviewing the permitted lot coverage percentages to determine an equitable lot coverage percentage based on the cost of TDRs (the minimum purchase price is suggested at $2,000.00). He noted that the Township currently has 170 available acres within the Campus Industrial zone, and in order to fully utilize this area, approximately 450 TDRs would be required. The Township Manager explained that a "slide" formula may be used to calculate permitted lot coverage (i.e. the permitted lot coverage would increase in increments with the acreage of a subject site). The Board is in agreement to consider an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance relating to TDRs.

CONSIDER APPLICATION FOR PERMIT TO INSTALL A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT ROUTE 501 AND WYNFIELD DRIVE: The Township Manager explained that the Township received a grant from the County for a traffic signal at this location. In addition, the developer of the Lititz Watch Technicum project contributed funds toward traffic signal installation. On a motion by McSparran, seconded by Myers, the Board unanimously authorized submittal of the permit to install a traffic signal at Route 501 and Wynfield Drive.

CONSIDER PROCLAMATION FOR RED RIBBON WEEK DRUG FREE CAMPAIGN: The Board reviewed the proclamation. On a motion by Myers, seconded by McSparran, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the proclamation designating October 26, to November 2, 2002 as "Red Ribbon Week".

CONSIDER THE 2003 MMO FOR THE NON-UNIFORM PENSION PLAN AND THE 2003 MMO FOR THE POLICE PENSION PLAN: The Township Manager stated that the MMO for the uniformed employees is $69,938.60 and the MMO for non-uniform employees is $33,428.00. On a motion by McSparran, seconded by Myers, the Board approved the MMO for the non-uniform pension plan, and the MMO for the police pension plan.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Daniel L. Zimmerman
Township Manager