Chairman Bruce Bucher convened the December 18, 2002 meeting of the Warwick Township Board of Supervisors at 7:00 p.m. Present were Supervisors Bruce Bucher, Joseph McSparran, Roger Moyer, Logan Myers and Mike Vigunas. In attendance were Township Manager Daniel Zimmerman, Roadmaster Dean Saylor, and Police Chief Richard Garipoli, Jr. Laura Knowles of Lancaster Newspapers and Richard Reitz of the Lititz Record Express represented the press.

The Chairman explained that the budget has been available for review and comment by the general public. The Township Manager confirmed the advertisement and posting of this evening’s public hearing. He outlined the budget proposal for the benefit of the Board. He added that the .3304 millage rate remains unchanged for the thirteenth consecutive year and noted that the 2003 budget represents a 7% increase over last year’s budget. On a motion by Moyer, seconded by Myers, the Board voted unanimously to close the public hearing on the 2003 Fiscal Budget.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On a motion by Myers, seconded by Moyer, the Board unanimously approved the minutes of the November 6, and November 20, 2002 meetings 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 $140,130.81.

MANAGER’S REPORT: The Township Manager reported that a reimbursement request for the polo field acquisition will be completed with the County next week. He added that the Public Works Department began the improvements to the polo field; however, adverse weather has temporarily delayed construction.

The Township Manager reported that the subcommittee working on the Recreation Technical Grant has scheduled a meeting for January 29, 2003 with DCNR to review the grant application and the format for the study. All of the appointments have been made by the five entities participating in the study.

The Township Manager reported that Township staff is currently working on confirmation of the reappointments and new candidates for the Board’s reorganization meeting scheduled for January 6, 2003.

The Township Manager reported that settlement on the Kline farm preservation is scheduled for December 23, 2002.

The Township Manager reported that the public meeting on the Route 772 corridor scheduled for December 11, 2002 was cancelled due to inclement weather. He noted that the meeting will be rescheduled in January, 2003.

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 November, 2002 report.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT REPORT: The Roadmaster presented a report that outlines the activities of the Public Works Department during November, 2002. He related the department’s response to the recent snow and ice storms for the Board’s benefit. On a motion by Moyer, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously approved the Public Works Department’s November, 2002 report.

POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: The Police Chief presented a report that outlines the activities of the Police Department during November, 2002. The Police Chief expressed concern over vehicles parking along East Newport Road during snow storms and explained that the vehicles impede snow plowing efforts. He noted that the parked vehicles are a result of individuals who are sledding on a hill in the area. The Township Manager suggested that the north side of the roadway be posted as No Parking and that no parking be allowed on either side of the roadway during snow storms. The Board is agreeable to posting the roadway as suggested. On a motion by McSparran, seconded by Myers, the Board unanimously approved the Police Department’s November, 2002 report.

ZONING OFFICER'S REPORT: The Township Manager presented a report on behalf of the Zoning Officer that outlines the Zoning/Building permits issued in November, 2002. The report also outlines the cases heard at the Zoning Hearing Board’s November 13, 2002 meeting. On a motion by Vigunas, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously approved the Zoning Officer’s November, 2002 report.

COMMUNICATIONS: The Board received a letter from the Youth Aid Panel Coordinator (Barbara Flosdorf) requesting that the Township consider contributing $200.00 for the 2003 Fiscal Year. The Coordinator also provided a copy of the 2002 activity statistics for the Youth Aid Panel. On a motion by Myers, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously authorized the allocation of $200.00 for the Youth Aid Panel. The Police Chief commended Flosdorf for her work on the Youth Aid Panel.

The Township Manager provided a copy of an article that appeared in the December 10, 2002 edition of the Lancaster New Era regarding growth in Lancaster County. The article rates Townships and Boroughs based on the "smart growth" initiative. Warwick Township is identified in the article as one of the municipalities that limit development to areas within its Urban Growth Boundary.

CONSIDER REQUEST TO REDUCE THE LETTER OF CREDIT FOR THE BYLER SUBDIVISION PLAN: 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 $31,255.07 from the current Letter-of-Credit. The retainage represents their opinion of the costs to complete the remaining outstanding items. On a motion by Myers, seconded by Vigunas, the Board voted unanimously to release $31,255.07 from the Letter of Credit for the Byler Subdivision Plan.

CONSIDER THE TIME EXTENSION REQUEST FOR RECORDING OF THE SYLVAN BRANDT COMPANY PLAN: The Board reviewed the request. On a motion by Moyer, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously approved a 6 month extension of time for recording of the Sylvan Brandt Company Plan.

CONSIDER THE REQUEST TO REDUCE THE LETTER OF CREDIT FOR NEWPORT SQUARE, PHASES 3 AND 4: 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 $48,144.80 from the current Letter-of-Credit. The retainage represents their opinion of the costs to complete the remaining outstanding items. On a motion by Vigunas, seconded by McSparran, the Board voted unanimously to release $48,144.80 from the Letter of Credit for Newport Square, Phases 3 and 4.

CONSIDER RESOLUTION #12-18-02-01 PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE 2002 FISCAL BUDGET: The Board reviewed the Resolution. The Resolution would provide for a transfer of funds from the General Fund to the Health Benefit Fund to provide adequate reserves, to the Capital Reserve Fund, and to the Capital Building Fund. On a motion by Myers, seconded by Vigunas, the Board unanimously adopted Resolution #12-18-02-01.

CONSIDER RESOLUTION #12-18-02-02 ESTABLISHING THE REAL ESTATE MILLAGE FOR 2003: The Board reviewed the Resolution. The Resolution establishes the real estate millage rate (.3304) for the 2003 Fiscal Year. On a motion by Vigunas, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously adopted Resolution #12-18-02-02.

CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE 2003 FISCAL BUDGET: The Board reviewed the 2003 Fiscal Budget. The Chairman stated that this agenda item was the subject of the public hearing that was held at the beginning of this evening’s meeting. On a motion by Moyer, seconded by McSparran the Board voted unanimously to adopt the 2003 Fiscal Budget.

CONSIDER RESOLUTION #12-18-02-03 PROVIDING FOR EXEMPTION OF EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PENSION PLANS: The Board reviewed the Resolution. The Resolution would provide for the exemption of employee contributions to the Police Pension Fund for the Year 2003. On a motion by Myers, seconded by Vigunas, the Board unanimously adopted Resolution #12-18-02-03.

CONSIDER RESOLUTION #12-18-02-04 ACCEPTING LAUREL RIDGE LANE AND A PORTION OF FOX RUN TERRACE LOCATED IN FOX RUN AS PART OF THE WARWICK TOWNSHIP PUBLIC ROAD SYSTEM: The Board reviewed the Resolution. The Roadmaster confirmed that the roadways have been constructed in accordance with Township standards. On a motion by Vigunas, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously adopted Resolution #12-18-02-04.

REVIEW RESOLUTION ON COVERAGE BY PENN NATIONAL ON THE UMBRELLA POLICY: The Township Manager explained that the Township Solicitor reviewed the information and has recommended revisions to the policy. He explained that a draft agreement will be provided to the Board for their review at the January 6, 2003 meeting. The Board voted unanimously to table action on the Umbrella Policy.

OTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD: The Township Manager explained that Officer Brindley is pursing a Master’s Degree and has requested authorization for course reimbursement. He noted that the Township’s policy is that Officer’s are reimbursed upon completion of the course with a satisfactory grade; however, as a courtesy, the Officer’s notify the Township when they are enrolling in college courses.

Vigunas stated that he and Myers met with an attorney regarding upcoming cable franchise negotiations. Myers explained that the meeting went well and the attorney has provided recommendations for revisions to the Township’s current agreement. Vigunas noted that the attorney specializes in these types of negotiations. Vigunas recommended that Lititz Borough and Elizabeth Township participate in the discussions. On a motion by Moyer, seconded by Myers, the Board voted unanimously to retain Daniel Cohen as Counsel for the Cable Franchise Agreement negotiations and to invite Lititz Borough and Elizabeth Township representatives to participate in the negotiations.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Daniel L. Zimmerman
Township Manager