Monday, March 17, 2014
The Penn Township Board of Supervisors having notified the residents in advance held a public hearing
at 5:50 p.m. The purpose of this hearing is to provide citizens with an opportunity to examine and
submit comments on the 2014 CDBG Applications. This was the 1st of 2 public hearings to be held. The
hearing was conducted by Wendy Leslie, CDBG Coordinator. She advised that the contract for 2013
should be signed shortly. She also stated the money from 2011 needs to be spent this year. She
reported the remaining funds for the Church Road project are:
$77,551.01 – Year 2011
$72,181.00 – Year 2012
$72,816.00 – Year 2013
Several suggestions were received regarding the 2014 allocation which she anticipates to be
approximately $82,522.00. One suggestion was to use the funds for ADA purposes at Harcrest Park. No
other suggestions were made and no other comments from any resident and the hearing adjourned at
6:00 p.m.
The Penn Township Board of Supervisors met this evening at 6:00 P.M. at the Penn Township Municipal
Building, 157 East Airport Road, Butler, PA 16002 with the Chairman, Samuel M. Ward, presiding. Also
present were Supervisors, Douglas A. Roth and Wilbert J. Mowry, Jr.
Township Manager, Linda D. Zerfoss, Land Use Administrator, Clinton A. Bonetti and 10 Township
residents were also present.
Minutes – 02/17/14
Motion by Supervisor Roth and seconded by Supervisor Mowry that there being no additions or
corrections to the minutes of the meeting held Monday, February 17, 2014 they be approved as
presented. Supervisor Ward did not vote as he was not at the February 17, 2014 meeting. There being
no questions or comments from the audience, the motion carried.
Correspondence
PSATS – 2014 Proposed Bylaw Changes.
Purvis Brothers – Letter advising of their annual downstream notification.
Butler County Conservation District – Letter authorizing the notice of intent for the ESCGP (Erosion and
Sediment Control General Permit) for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Oil and Gas Activities
from XTO to Bluestone Pipeline, Evans City, Nixon to Little Connoquenessing Creek (CWF) &
Connoquenessing Creek (WWF).
PSATS News Bulletin – Newsletter dated February 2014 on Corbett Announces 2014-2015 Budget Plan,
Transportation News; Don’t Miss ‘Boot Camp’ for New Supervisors; Legislature Debates Pension Issues;
Capitol Roundup; PMGA Introduction Course Slated for March 4; What’s New for PSATS 92nd Annual
Conference?; Lawmakers Consider Local Government Legislation; SEO Training Opportunities; and This
and That.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Correspondence - Continued
Community Development Corporation – Invitation to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting-People, Purpose
& Passion…Butler County’s Pathway to Success on Friday, March 28 at 7:30 a.m., Cranberry Township.
Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation – Letter advising they have been provided funding from the
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Automated Red Light Enforcement Program to implement
projects that involve traffic signal LED conversions and are asking for applications for this program,
Penn Dot – Letter stating Liquid Fuels Tax Fund payment in the amount of $180,693.26 was paid Mar4ch
3, 2014.
Penn Dot – Announced that the Road Turnback Allocation payment of $41,080.00 was paid March 3,
2014.
South Butler Community Library – Copy of their 2013 Annual Report detailing the changes at the Library,
the growth and information as to what they can offer.
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – They approve the proposed review of the
revised oil and gas lease and the township’s inclusion of the requested Keystone non-surface impact
language. They request a copy of the final executed lease agreement.
Penn Christian Academy – Notice of their second annual PCA 5K event on Saturday, September 13.
Butler Area Public Library – Newsletter dated Spring Edition 2014.
The Conservator – Newsletter dated January/March 2014.
Seminars
The following seminars have been scheduled:
2014 Mandatory Act 180 In-Service Training, March 12 and 13, BCCC
Energy Symposium, 03/13, BCCC
Electric Hazard Awareness, 04/09, Mercer County Cooperative Extension
Crisis Intervention Team, May 12-16, BCCC
Motion by Supervisor Mowry seconded by Supervisor Ward that all involved be authorized to attend.
There being no questions or comments from the audience, the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report
Mrs. Zerfoss read the list of invoices paid since the last report was read on February 17, 2014.
Township Fund: $134,066.72, Fire Tax Fund: $3,020.08, Municipal Pension: $324.08, Police Pension:
$240.09. Deposits into the various Township Fund totaled $328,060.66. Balances were read as follows:
Township Fund: $575,906.15, Fire Tax Fund: $48,482.62, Act 13 Impact Fee Fund: $75,858.07, State
Fund: $344,622.88, Municipal Pension Fund: $376,395.11, Police Pension Fund: $940,631.62. The
Monday, March 17, 2014
Treasurer’s Report - Continued
Budget Analysis was also submitted for the Township Fund. Motion by Supervisor Ward and seconded
by Supervisor Roth that the Treasurer’s Report be approved. There being no questions or comments
from the audience, the motion carried.
Zoning Department
Mr. Bonetti presented his zoning report for January 2014. Five Building Permits were issued totaling
$3,251, Four Zoning Permits were issued totaling $350.00, four Traffic Impact Fees were filed totaling
$5,427.68, two Highway Occupancy Permits were issued totaling $85.00, two Septic Applications were
filed totaling $900.00, two Lien Letters were issued totaling $30.00, and two Land Development
Applications were filed totaling $400.00. Total zoning fees for January 2014 were $10,443.68.
Mr. Bonetti presented his zoning report for February 2014. Two Building Permits were issued totaling
$1,183, Two Zoning Permits were issued totaling $150.00, Six Lien Letters were issued totaling $90.00,
One Land Development Application was filed totaling $50.00, and Three Ordinance Books were sold
totaling $60.00. Total zoning fees for February 2014 were $1,533.00.
Wireless Development Group
Motion by Supervisor Roth and seconded by Supervisor Mowry that WDG conditional use approval for
Essential Communication Facilities, being a 262’ tower and related equipment shelters and access and
utility easements on a .2296 acre parcel (.3365 acre parcel including access and utility right of way) at
230 Hicks Road, Renfrew, PA being a part of Tax Map Parcel 270-2F98-1F as particularly described in the
Application and the Plan of Lease Area prepared by Tri-County Engineers, LLC, revised November 25,
2013 and offered as Exhibit B, subject to the following conditions:
A. The maximum height of the communication tower shall not exceed 262’ above ground level.
B. The setback of the support structure from any adjacent property shall be no less than the
height of the highest point of any structure on the premises, or the minimum distance necessary
so that if it were to fall or collapse, it would remain within the confines of the parcel.
C. The base of the tower shall be fenced with a minimum 8’ chain link fence as detailed in
WDG’s Exhibit I, J.G. Contracting Company, Inc., Sheet No. SP-2.
D. The communications tower shall meet all Pennsylvania Department of Transportation,
Bureau of Aviation and Federal Aviation Administration regulations, including lighting, and WDG
shall provide evidence of same to the Township.
E. Landscaping shall be required to screen as much of the support structure, fence, and other
ground level features as possible. The Township may permit any combination of existing
vegetation, topography, walls, decorative fences or other features of landscaping, if they
achieve the same degree of screening as the required landscaping. Required landscaping shall
include an arborvitae tree surrounding the site. The arborvitae screen shall be at least 6’ on
center. The arborvitae screen shall be a minimum of 6’ in height at planting and shall grow to a
minimum of 15’ at maturity.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Zoning Department – Wireless Development Group - Continued
F. The support system shall be constructed in accordance with all applicable building codes and
shall include the submission of a soils report from a geotechnical engineer, licensed in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The soils report shall include soil borings and a statement
confirming the suitability of soil conditions for the proposed use.
G. WDG shall provide an opinion by a licensed professional engineer that the structure is
designed and intended to collapse upon itself in the event of a catastrophe.
H. WDG shall provide verification that the antenna mount and structure have been reviewed
and approved by a professional engineer and that the installation is in compliance with all
applicable codes, including wind load standards, and those of the Federal Aviation
Administration and the Federal Communications Commission.
I. The tower shall not be artificially lighted except as required by the Federal Aviation
Administration or other public agency.
J. It shall be the responsibility of WDG to maintain the communication facility in a neat and
orderly condition.
K. It is the policy of the Township to minimize the overall number of newly established locations
for communication towers within the community, and encourage the use of existing structures
or towers while promoting the public health, safety, and welfare and minimizing negative
impacts of such sites. WDG shall permit collocation where the same is feasible. Collocation
shall be deemed to be “feasible” where all of the following are met:
1. The communication provider entity under consideration for collocation will
undertake to pay market rent or other market compensation for collocation.
2. The site on which collocation is being considered, taking into consideration
reasonable modification or replacement of a facility, is able to provide structural
support.
3. The collocation being considered is technologically reasonably, e.g., the collocation
will not result in unreasonable interference, given appropriate physical and other
adjustment in relation to the structure, antennas, and the like.
4. The height of the structure necessary for collocation will not be increased beyond a
point deemed to be permissible by the Township Board.
There being no questions or comments from the audience, the motion carried.
Motion by Supervisor Mowry and seconded by Supervisor Ward the Site plan for the Wireless
Development Group be approved. Mr. Bonetti stated the Planning Commission recommended that the
plan be submitted to the Butler County Planning Commission. Mrs. Zerfoss verified that it had been
submitted to the Butler County Planning Commission. There being no further questions or comments
from the audience, the motion carried.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Zoning Department - Continued
Motion by Supervisor Ward and seconded by Supervisor Roth that the Fairway Lane Subdivision (Todd
Plan) be approved. There being no questions or comments from the audience, the motion carried.
The Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department Site Plan was presented for approval. Mr. Bonetti said
the Planning Commission had no issues and approval is pending from the Butler County Planning
Commission. Motion by Supervisor Roth and seconded by Supervisor Mowry that the Penn Township
Volunteer Fire Department Site Plan be approved pending approval from the Butler County Planning
Commission. There being no questions or comments from the audience, the motion carried.
The Godfrey Stormwater Retention Facility was presented. Mr. Bonetti reported it was reviewed by the
Township Engineer, KLH. Motion by Supervisor Mowry and seconded by Supervisor Ward the Godfrey
Stormwater Retention Facility be approved as long as all the requirements of KLH are met. There being
no questions or comments from the audience, the motion carried.
Police Department
Mrs. Zerfoss presented the Police Report for February 2014.
Road Department
Supervisor Roth reported they have been working at the Veterans monument to put in sidewalks to
make it more accessible. He also has a tentative paving/sealing plan. He would like to finish Mushrush
Road, W. Jefferson remainder of Hicks and Brown Road. He also stated due to the extreme winter it
might be a better idea to just tar and chip the roads. He will present his paving/sealing plan at the next
meeting. He also reported that Peoples TWP requested a list of roads that were going to be done so
that they could minimize potential damage to newly paved roads.
Recycling Report
Mrs. Zerfoss reported the Electronics Recycling Day will be July 21, 2014 at the Saxonburg Fire
Department from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. She stated the road crew will assist in the morning and she and
Clinton will go from noon to 3.
She also reported that DEP approved the Act 101 Recycling Program Performance Grant in the amount
of $1,504.00 for the year 2012 for 233.4 tons of residential and commercial materials recycled in the
Township.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Parks and Recreation
Supervisor Roth reported him and Linda met with KLH to draft an advertisement for removing the barn
at Harcrest Park. KLH is also going to apply for the NPDES permit which will be good for 5 years and can
possibly be extended.
Public Relations Department
No report.
Old Business
No report.
New Business
Resolution #452 – Procedures for Professional Services Contracts Pursuant to Act 44 of 2009 – Mrs.
Zerfoss read Procedures for Professional Services Contracts Pursuant to Act 44 of 2009 which requires
each municipal pension system to develop procedures related to contracts for the provision of
professional services including investment services, legal services, real estate services and other
consulting services. The Penn Township Police Pension Plan and the Non-Uniform Pension Plan hereby
enacts these procedures governing the selection of applicants for all professional services contracts.
Motion by Supervisor Ward and seconded by Supervisor Roth that Resolution #452 – Procedures for
Professional Services Contracts Pursuant to Act 44 of 2009 be approved. There being no questions or
comments from the audience, the motion carried.
Resolution #453 – 2014 CDBG – Mrs. Zerfoss read Resolution #453 – 2014 CDBG. Motion by Supervisor
Roth and seconded by Supervisor Mowry that Resolution #453 – 2014 CDBG be approved. There being
no questions or comments from the audience, the motion carried.
Resolution #454 – 2014 Fair Housing – She also read Resolution #454 – 2014 Fair Housing. Motion by
Supervisor Mowry and seconded by Supervisor Ward that Resolution #454 – 2014 Fair Housing be
approved. There being no questions or comments from the audience, the motion carried.
Also submitted was the 2014 CDBG Three Year Community Development Plan.
Resolution #455 – R.E. Gas Development, L.L.C. – Solicitor Lope reported when municipalities lease or
sell property they need to advertise for sealed bids. Motion by Supervisor Ward and seconded by
Supervisor Roth that Resolution #455 – R.E. Gas Development, L.L.C. be tabled and that sealed bids for a
total of 59 acres be solicited to be opened at the next meeting April 28, 2014. There being no questions
or comments from the audience, the motion carried.
Monday, March 17, 2014
New Business - Continued
Mrs. Zerfoss reported that Maher Duessel has completed and filed the annual audit and financial report
for Penn Township for the year ending December 31, 2013. In their opinion the financial statements
present fairly, in all material respects, the regulatory basis financial position of the Township and the
regulatory results of its operations for the year ending December 31, 2013.
Motion by Supervisor Roth and seconded by Supervisor Mowry that the next meeting scheduled for
April 21, 2014 be cancelled and rescheduled for Monday April 28, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. There being no
questions or comments from the audience, the motion carried.
Act 537 – Saxonburg Authority
No report.
Audience Participation
John Trempus – Inquired about the electronics recycling program if re-chargeable items would be
accepted. Mrs. Zerfoss responded saying she thought they would take them but would have a complete
list available as soon as Saxonburg gets the information from the recycling center. Mr. Trempus also
asked how close a property has to be in order to get royalties.
Supervisor Ward seeing no audience participation requested a motion to adjourn. Motion offered by
Supervisor Mowry and seconded by Supervisor Roth. There being no questions or comments from the
audience, the motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:35 p.m.
Approved:
Respectfully Submitted:
________________________
_________________________
Samuel M. Ward
Chairman
Board of Supervisors
Linda D. Zerfoss
Township Manager
Penn Township