BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES –
A special meeting of the Lower Makefield Township Board of
Supervisors was held on
Those present:
Board of Supervisors: Steve Santarsiero, Chairman
Ron Smith, Vice Chairman
Greg Caiola, Secretary
Grace Godshalk, Supervisor
Pete Stainthorpe, Supervisor
Others: Terry Fedorchak, Manager
DAVID GORDON
Mr. Santarsiero stated Mr. Gordon is interested in serving
on the Park & Recreation Board. He
noted the covering e-mail and resume received by the Board. Mr. Santarsiero asked if he had anything
additional to add, and Mr. Gordon stated his family owned a summer camp in the
Poconos with which he was intimately involved until he went to
Mr. Stainthorpe asked if Mr. Gordon is familiar with what
Park & Recreation does, and Mr. Gordon stated he is generally familiar with
what they do. He stated he has lived in
the Township since 1990 and has two sons eight and ten-years old, and through
them he has been actively involved in sports. He is also a member of the Township
Pool. He has been very involved in YMS
for years and has knowledge of issues involving
summer and winter. Mr. Smith stated the Pool is now part of the Park & Recreation Board, and they will be investigating the potential of a “bubble.” Mr. Gordon stated he is aware of some of the general issues with regard to the “bubble.” He stated he is also involved in a wrestling program, and he plays an active role with that Club as well.
Mr. Santarsiero asked if Mr. Gordon feels his involvement with any of these activities would be an impediment to him if he was on the Park & Recreation Board, in making decisions that would be in the best interest of the Township but may not be in the best interest of one or more of the sports organizations. Mr. Gordon stated he feels his involvement is an advantage as being involved in so many different programs, he has a feel for what the true needs are of the community and he would therefore be in a better position to be part of Park& Rec and make decisions. He stated his allegiance would be to the Township and what would be in the best interest of the Township.
DENNIS WYSOCKI
Mr. Santarsiero stated Mr. Wysocki is interested in serving on the Park & Recreation Board. He stated they did receive his cover letter and resume and asked if he had any other information to add. Mr. Wysocki stated he would consider himself to be a solution finder as opposed to a road-blocker. He stated he has been involved in a number of the major sports organizations in the community and oftentimes he has been a go-between between them to make them more harmonious. He feels he will also be able to represent the perspective of the Park & Recreation Board very clearly to the individual sports memberships if he is on the Park & Recreation Board. He feels he has a good sense of what the needs are of the organizations.
Mr. Smith stated Mr. Wysocki served on the Board of YMS and he knows him very well. He stated during this time they have had many discussions including the fact that if he were on the Park & Recreation Board, he must be able to serve the entire Township as opposed to one individual organization. Mr. Wysocki stated he does understand that this would be an expectation and his responsibility is to serve the greater entity. He stated he faces this everyday at his work as well. Mr. Stainthorpe noted from reading his resume, that he has been with the same company for twenty-five years which he feels is an accomplishment. He asked if in his role as Director of Global Sources, is he required to travel; and Mr. Wysocki stated he does travel periodically but does not feel his travel would be a major impediment.
KEVIN KOPP
Mr. Santarsiero stated Mr. Kopp is interested in serving on the Park & Recreation Board.
He noted the cover letter and resume received, and asked if he had anything further to add. Mr. Kopp stated he feels his resume speaks fairly strongly about his work in
Park & Recreation and environmental
education. He stated he has
worked in County and State Parks, in the City of
TONY BUSH
Mr. Santarsiero stated Mr. Bush has indicated he is interested in the Planning Commission and the Economic Development Committee. Mr. Santarsiero stated there is also an opening on the Zoning Hearing Board and asked if he has an interest in this,
but Mr. Bush stated he does not. Mr. Santarsiero stated they have interviewed Mr. Bush in the past with respect to the Planning Commission. He asked if there is anything beyond the e-mail or resume submitted which Mr. Bush would like to add. Mr. Bush stated he was a member of the RAM Executive Board and was involved in the negotiations with the Township and Matrix which will hopefully lead to a resolution
shortly. He stated this sparked his interest in the Planning issues in the Township. He recognizes that there is not as much land left to be developed, but still feels there are very important issues to be considered. Mrs. Godshalk asked about his opinion of the present Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Bush stated he is not familiar with all the details of the Master Plan. He stated he has looked at the Edgewood Village Plan and is generally familiar with the Zoning in the Township. Mrs. Godshalk stated because there is so little land left for the Zoning they have, it is important to hold what they have.
Mr. Bush stated he does have knowledge of how much land is remaining
in the Township and has an interest in preserving as much as possible of what
remains of the open space to the extent that it can be preserved. Mr. Stainthorpe asked what he sees as the
role of the Economic Development Commission.
Mr. Bush stated he was present at the public meeting when that
Commission was discussed and knows that the Commission’s role was not necessarily
narrowly defined and it was indicated that the members of that Commission would
have some say in narrowing the scope of it.
He stated if appointed to that Commission he recognizes he would be only
one voice out of five, but feels the Commission could attempt to help bring
business or expand existing businesses in the Township and do something good
for the Township tax base. He stated in
his work he has seen how Townships in
JOHN LAPTCHKA
Mr. Santarsiero stated Mr. Laptchka is interested in serving
on the Park & Recreation Board. He
asked if he had anything additional to add besides his resume and the e-mail
message which was received by the Board.
Mr. Laptchka stated he is currently involved with Municipalities in
He stated they should have separate equipment designed for
the two to five year olds and there are specific guidelines regarding spaces
between equipment, etc. Mrs. Godshalk
stated it appears that they have overlooked the five to twelve year old group
other than the active organizations. Mr.
Santarsiero agreed noting they do not have a skateboard park or other
activities that do not require the organizations. Mr. Laptchka stated with regard to skateboard
parks in dealing with the Municipalities in
Mr. Laptchka’s credentials are excellent. He asked if he has an interest in any of the
other Boards such as Planning Commission or Zoning Hearing Board. He noted there are eight people applying for
the Park & Recreation Board for only three slots, and he would like to see
if there is anything else he is interested in.
Mr. Laptchka stated while he has not considered this, he would be
interested in finding out more about these other Boards. He stated he would like to be able to give
back to the community. Mr. Santarsiero
stated they made a decision a number of months ago to install lights at
have consideration for the neighbors depending on how far away the locations are from residences.
MICHELLE STAMBAUGH
Mr. Santarsiero stated Ms. Stambaugh is seeking
re-appointment to the Historical Commission.
Ms. Stambaugh stated she has enjoyed serving very much and has served
two terms. Mr. Santarsiero stated a
majority of the Board knows Ms. Stambaugh very well and is familiar with the
work she has done on the Historical Commission.
He asked what she feels are some of the challenges for the Historical
Commission going forward. Ms. Stambaugh
stated moving forward with the
RAE PINCHUK
Ms. Pinchuk was present and stated she would like to be
re-appointed to the Historic Commission. Mr. Santarsiero asked if there is anything she
would like to add to what she had already submitted. Ms. Pinchuk stated she feels she brings a
business component to the Commission.
She stated she has been on the Board for three years. Mr. Smith asked what she sees as the
challenges facing the Historic Commission, and Ms. Pinchuk stated she feels
Mr. Smith asked if Zoning has done what they can do to assist the Historic Commission.
Ms. Pinchuk stated issues were raised prior to her tenure
and she feels they will be raised again.
She stated there seems to be some question as to the limits of
Mrs. Godshalk stated they really do not have any laws as far as the homes, but the developers do have to show the historic homes on the map and it is really working one by one with the developers as to whether they will save them. She is not sure what the Ordinance could do to require what must be saved. She stated if it is found to be worth saving by the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors, then it is put on the Plans that it must be saved. Mr. Smith stated he would like to have the Solicitor discuss what they can add to what is already on the books to put some “teeth” into enforcing preservation. Ms. Pinchuk stated she is concerned about the properties that fall into disrepair and then coming to the Board advising that it must be condemned and taken down when they deliberately allowed the property to fall into disrepair.
NORMA WOOD
Ms. Wood stated she would like to be re-appointed to the Elm Lowne Committee.
Mr. Santarsiero asked what she sees as some of the goals for Elm Lowne going forward.
Ms. Wood stated when they acquired Elm Lowne they primarily wanted to save it as they really loved the house and the grounds. She stated so many historic buildings are being taken down and this is one they can hold onto. She stated they do have a Fundraiser every year and with those proceeds, they are able to do a few things at Elm Lowne. She stated those on the Committee clean, paint, and garden to preserve it and feel it is shaping up. She stated it is used quite often by groups and for parties. Mr. Caiola asked what she feels could be done to make it more profitable. Ms. Wood stated she feels they are working toward obtaining more funds particularly with the barn project. She stated it is more expensive to maintain a home when it is historic as it must stay in keeping with the era. She stated they have had the Tasting Party as their primary Fundraiser, and this year
they are discussing a Flea Market/Sale function so it would not be as much work for the Committee. Mr. Smith stated there are also openings on the Historical Commission and asked if she would be interested in this as well, and Ms. Wood stated she would be interested in serving on the Historical Commission as well. Mr. Stainthorpe asked how the property and grounds could be be made more accessible to more residents in the Township. Ms. Wood stated it is accessible now, and they do have groups using it. She stated she has been present when future brides and mothers come in to look at the property as a potential site and she can see when they leave that it is not what they are looking for as it is an old house. She stated anything they can do to bring it up to date will help, but they are lacking funds. Mr. Stainthorpe stated the grounds are lovely and asked if it should be opened up to the public as a Park. He stated possibly they could stock the lake with fish and make picnic benches available. He stated he would like to see it be used by the people in the Township. Ms. Wood stated she does feel the Committee members would be willing to explore this. She noted the Girl Scouts have used it and have had sleepovers there. Mrs. Godshalk stated a number of people do drive in and walk around the grounds. Mr. Santarsiero stated he feels they are considering something that is more purposely designed for passive recreation which is something that the Township does not have a lot of.
JACK MORRISON
Mr. Morrison was not present for his scheduled interview this evening.
GRACE GODSHALK
Ms. Godshalk stated she is unavailable to be interviewed at the next scheduled meeting of March 15 as she has a planned vacation. She stated they could interview her this evening for re-appointment to the Elm Lowne Committee. As the next individual scheduled to be interviewed this evening had arrived, the Board decided not to interview Mrs. Godshalk this evening.
LISA GRAYSON ZYGMUNT
Mr. Santarsiero stated Ms. Zygmunt is interested in serving on the Environmental Advisory Council. He asked if there was anything she would like to add beyond what was contained in her resume which they received. Ms. Zygmunt stated there is not.
Mr. Smith stated she has listed on her resume that she is
the Manager of the Stormwater Financing Initiative. He stated they have stormwater problems in
the Township, and asked what she sees as the challenges for the Township within
the next several years in this regard.
Ms. Zygmunt stated the problems facing
and are being faced by most
communities in
Ms. Zygmunt stated her clients range from companies such as Georgia Pacific to environmental non-profits like the Sierra Club. She stated she has also worked with corporate association groups. She stated some of her clients are focused on specific EPA programs. She stated some are National organizations. Some of the work she has done has been for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. She would like to do more work locally. Mr. Caiola stated they are considering expanding the Environmental Advisory Council to include more members and also giving them greater responsibility including looking at Plans. He stated it could involve more than one meeting a month.
Ms. Zygmunt stated she feels environmental issues should be
considered as part of the entire community.
Mr. Smith asked if there are things the Township could do to help in
flooding situations. Ms. Zygmunt stated
she is not a technical expert. She
stated she does feel there are a number of problems, some of which are local
and many of which are upstream. She
stated
There being no further Interviews, the Board adjourned at
Respectfully Submitted,
Greg
Caiola, Secretary