Supervisor Michael Vigunas convened the April 16, 2003 regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors at 7:00 p.m. Present were Supervisors Michael Vigunas, Roger Moyer and Joseph McSparran. Bruce Bucher and W. Logan Myers were absent. In attendance were Township Manager Daniel Zimmerman, Police Chief Richard Garipoli, Roadmaster Dean Saylor, Code and Zoning Officer Thomas Zorbaugh, Tim Kershner, Robert Lamb, Carl Hostetter, and Michael Shelley. Laura Knowles of Lancaster Newspapers represented the press.

Vigunas explained that the Conditional Use application that was the subject of this evening’s public hearing has been withdrawn at the applicant’s request.

2002 AUDIT-PRESENTED BY TIM KERSHNER, SAGER, SWISHER AND COMPANY: Tim Kershner, representing Sager, Swisher & Company, is present this evening to provide the results of the Township's 2002 Fiscal Audit. Kershner explained that he reviewed the financial reports with Township staff earlier this week. He detailed the 2002 Financial Statement for the Board’s review and information. On a motion by Moyer, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously accepted the 2002 Fiscal Audit Report as presented. The Board commended the auditors for a thorough report.

INTRODUCTION OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CHAPLAIN: The Police Chief introduced Police Department Chaplain Michael Shelley to the Board. He explained that the Chaplain would be available to all of the Police Officer’s and their families if needed. He noted that the Chaplain serves the Police Department as a volunteer. The Board acknowledged Michael Shelley as the Police Department Chaplain.

INTRODUCTION OF THE CERT PROGRAM: The Police Chief stated that the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was developed as part of the USA Freedom Corps which was inaugurated in January, 2002 by President Bush. He provided a handout that describes the background and overview of the citizen corps. The Police Chief stated that the Township’s Emergency Management Coordinator Robert Lamb spearheaded the program. Lamb explained that Cert volunteers are trained by emergency experts in basic disaster preparedness, fire suppression, basic medical operations, and light search and rescue.

Moyer inquired how the CERT program coordinates with organizations such as the Red Cross. A representative of CERT explained that some of the training comes from the Red Cross as well as other organizations. He noted that at this time, training is provided free of charge. The Cert members report to the Police Chief and are dispatched by the Emergency Management Coordinator. The Police Chief stated that CERT volunteers are considered "Good Samaritans" and covered under the Volunteer Protection Act. He noted that they do not have any authority beyond serving as "Good Samaritans" when helping others. The Board briefly discussed the program and commended the CERT members.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On a motion by McSparran, seconded by Moyer, the Board unanimously approved the minutes of the March 5, and March 19, 2003 meetings as submitted.

TREASURER’S REPORT: The Board reviewed the Treasurer’s Report. On a motion by Moyer, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously approved the Treasurer’s Report as submitted.

PAYMENT OF BILLS: The Board reviewed the list of bills submitted for payment. On a motion by McSparran, seconded by Moyer, the Board unanimously approved the payment of bills from the General Fund in the amount of $207,943.24.

TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT: The Board reviewed the March, 2003 Tax Collector's report. On a motion by Moyer, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously approved the Tax Collector's March, 2003 report.

MANAGER'S REPORT:. The Township Manager stated that the Lancaster County Planning Commission is sponsoring a Smart Growth Leadership Award program. He stated that awards will be presented under several categories and recommended that the Board consider submitting an application for the leadership award. The Board is in agreement to authorize the Township Manager to submit applications, as deemed appropriate, to the Smart Growth Leadership Award program.

The Township Manager provided a status report on several recreation projects. He stated that the Public Works Department continues work on the Forney Field and noted that the work has been delayed due to adverse weather conditions. He stated that the Township received verbal confirmation of the DCNR Technical Study grant award for the creation of a regional recreation advisory committee. The Township Manager stated that Akron Borough, Ephrata Borough, Ephrata Township and Warwick Township were awarded $40,000.00 for their joint Rails-to-Trails feasibility study.

The Township Manager stated that a draft of the Stormwater Ordinance has been submitted to DEP for review.

The Township Manager stated that an application for reimbursement of winter expenses for the President’s Day storm is currently being prepared.

The Board unanimously approved the Township Manager's Report.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT REPORT: The Roadmaster presented a report that outlines the activities of the Public Works Department during March, 2003. On a motion by McSparran, seconded by Moyer, the Board unanimously approved the Public Works Department's March, 2003 report.

POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: The Police Chief presented a report that outlines the activities of the Police Department during March, 2003. On a motion by McSparran, seconded by Moyer, the Board unanimously approved the Police Chief's March, 2003 report.

CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE POLICE HIRING POLICY: The Board reviewed the draft hiring policy. The Police Chief explained that the Solicitor (Reed Smith) reviewed the proposed hiring policy and provided several recommendations and suggestions which were included in the draft document. He stated that, subsequently, the Solicitor reviewed the draft document and is agreeable to the document as currently drafted. The Township Manager explained that the document also addresses the State’s guidelines for Police Department hiring policies for second-class townships. The Police Chief outlined the six steps that would be followed as part of the hiring policy. On a motion by Moyer, seconded by McSparran, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the Police Department Hiring Rules & Regulations. Moyer suggested that the title page of the document be revised to specifically designate that the hiring policy is for the Warwick Township Police Department. In addition, page two of the document should also be designated accordingly. The Police Chief stated that he will revise the document as noted.

ZONING OFFICER'S REPORT: The Township Manager presented a report prepared by the Zoning Officer that outlines the Zoning/Building permits issued in March, 2003. He also outlined the cases that were heard at the Zoning Hearing Board’s March 12, 2003 zoning hearing. On a motion by McSparran, seconded by Moyer, the Board unanimously approved the Zoning Officer’s March, 2003 report.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR REPORT: The Emergency Management Coordinator provided a report that outlines his activities during the first quarter of 2003. The Board unanimously approved the Emergency Management Coordinator’s report and commended the Coordinator for the work he performs.

CONSIDER DRAFT OF THE CONDITIONAL USE DECISION FOR MODIFICATIONS OF CONDITIONS FOR THE NEWPORT SQUARE PROJECT: The Board reviewed the draft of the Conditional Use decision for the Newport Square project. The Township Manager requested the Board to provide him with any revisions.

CONSIDER RESOLUTION #04-16-03-01 AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF REIMBURSEMENT OF SNOW REMOVAL COSTS: The Board reviewed the Resolution. On a motion by Moyer, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously adopted Resolution #04-16-03-02 authoring the designation of agent for submittal of reimbursement of snow removal costs.

CONSIDER BIDS SUBMITTED FOR THE PURCHASE OF TDRS: The Township Manager stated that the Township received one bid for the purchase of 10 TDRs. He explained that the minimum bid was $2,750.00 per TDR. He added that the Highlands Office Complex will require 20 TDRs for their project and noted that the developer will obtain 10 TDRs from Lancaster Farmland Trust. Vigunas opened the bid for the purchase of TDRs. On a motion by McSparran, seconded by Moyer, the Board voted unanimously to award the bid for the purchase of 10 TDRs to Buckhill Farms for a purchase price of $2,751.00 per TDR.

CONSIDER AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT TO THE WARWICK TOWNSHIP EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN: The Emergency Management Coordinator explained that the PA Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) recently mandated that all Emergency Operations Plans follow the same format. He stated that all of the mandates do not have to be implemented immediately; however, a representative of PEMA stated that future State and Federal Funds could be withheld if the mandate is not followed. The Emergency Management Coordinator stated that the new format will be an amendment to the existing Emergency Operations Plan. On a motion by Moyer, seconded by McSparran, the Board unanimously adopted the amendment to the Warwick Township Emergency Operations Plan.

CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION FOR CHAIRMAN TO EXECUTE SETTLEMENT WITH PENN NATIONAL INSURANCE: The Township Manager stated that the Township Solicitor has drafted a settlement in accordance with previous discussions. He stated that the settlement would terminate the action and provides clarification on coverage under the Township’s Umbrella Policy. On a motion by Moyer, seconded by McSparran, the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Chairman to execute the settlement agreement with Penn National Insurance.

CONSIDER ACCEPTING PAUL R. PAULSEN’S RESIGNATION AS WARWICK EMERGENCY SERVICES ALLIANCE ADMINISTRATOR: The Township Manager explained that Paul Paulsen submitted his resignation as Administrator of the Warwick Emergency Services Alliance (WESA) due to time constraints. He stated that Paulsen is engaged in other volunteer positions and works full-time as well as working part-time as the WESA Administrator. The Township Manager stated that he will schedule a special meeting of the WESA Board to discuss an interim Administrator. He noted that Paulsen stated that he will update the new administrator of the status of several ongoing projects.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Daniel L. Zimmerman
Township Manager