NEW LONDON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES July 1, 2021
The New London Township Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting convened at 7:00 PM at the New London Township Building, New London, PA. The following Supervisors were present: Gerard Porter, Chairman; Dale Lauver, Vice Chairman; and Supervisor, Mary Anne Steel.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment on Agenda items.
Neil Vaughn West Grove Fire Company
Neil Vaughn, President of the West Grove Fire Company introduced himself to the Board of Supervisors. He told the Board that the fire company has purchased a new engine and that they would like to maintain two (2) staffed EMS crews. He further explained the need for having two (2) EMS crews arises when a call is answered and the EMS crew transports a patient to Chester County Hospital can take the crew out of the area for some time.
Mr. Vaughn presented the Board of Supervisors with a framed fleet picture of the current apparatus and thanked the Board for their continued support.
Richard Landis – 140 Church Road
The Township Engineer, Ron Ragan, advised the Board that Mr. Landis has requested assistance with FEMA to settle a flood plain error on his property at 140 Church Road. He is refinancing his property and the insurance company is requesting he get flood insurance. He is asking that the Township draft a letter stating that his house is not in the flood plain. It was agreed Ron will draft a letter.
Raymond Mackey – Mason New London Lodge No. 545
Raymond Mackey of New London Lodge No. 545 requested to use the Township pavilion located at the Township building to conduct a Chicken Bar-B-Q. It will begin at 8:00 AM and conclude by 2:00 PM. Chickens will be cooked off property by Oxford Bar-B-Q and brought to the site. Corn will be cooked on property and there will be a food handler’s licensee on site. The use of the pavilion is primarily to assemble the meals as a common place for distribution and pick up. All sales will be prior, with no walk up sales. Mr. Mackey also advised that the Lodge is in the early planning stages but no plans have been formalized to have a hot dog sale in which hot dogs would be grilled on site, packed with a snack and a drink, and sold for a modest price. Again, a food handler’s licensee will be on site. Mr. Mackey said proceeds are to benefit the Lodge. Unlike most other Lodges in Pennsylvania the New London Lodge has no additional income except from membership dues and donations.
The Board agreed to waive the $70.00 pavilion rental fee as a donation to the Lodge.
A Motion was made by Gerry Porter, seconded by Dale Lauver, to grant permission to the New London Lodge No. 545 to use the pavilion located next to the Township building on Saturday, August 14, 2021, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM to conduct a chicken bar-B-Q. The vote was unanimous.
Avon Grove Bull Dogs Baseball Team
Township Assistant Secretary, Maureen Zdun, advised that Ken Strawhecker representative for the Avon Grove Bull Dogs Baseball team has requested to use the New London Township Baseball Field twenty-seven (27) more times, than previously requested, at no charge in exchange for maintaining the baseball field. The Board gave their approval.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Regular Meeting Minutes
On a motion by Gerry Porter, seconded by Mary Anne Steel, the June 3, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes were approved as presented. The vote was unanimous.
Treasurer’s Report
On a motion by Gerry Porter, seconded by Dale Lauver, the July bills were approved for payment and the financial reports were approved as presented. The vote was unanimous.
STAFF REPORTS
Planning Commission
Planning Commission Chairman, Ron Ragan, reported that there are no new subdivision plans. They will be reviewing the next draft of the Landscape Ordinance at the next Planning Commission Meeting scheduled July 14, 2021.
Engineer’s Report
MS4 – Ron is still waiting to hear from the DEP.
Sonny Place – Ron and Mike Harlan, Township Road Contractor, inspected the gully leading from the stormwater drain pipe. It was agreed it needs to be stabilized. Mike Harlan estimated the cost to clean up the channel and place some rip rap which should take about two days to complete including labor would range from $7,500.00 to $11,000.00. Ron advised that since the work is stream restoration that the Township could receive credit towards MS4 requirements.
A Motion was made by Gerry Porter, seconded by Mary Anne Steel, to approve Mike Harlan’s estimate and to take the funds from the Stormwater Management account and allocate it toward the stream restoration project. The vote was unanimous.
New London Township Park – Ron advised that he is still waiting for Cedar Knoll to finish the steps and railing to the wetlands bridge. We are still waiting on the electrician to hook up electricity to the park. Ron will call the electrician to find out what the status is and when he expects to be able to hook up the electricity.
Pennock Bridge Road Bridge – Gerry Porter contacted Representative John Lawrence’s office and was given the name and contact information for Lou Calverese from PennDOT. Gerry will call Mr. Calverese about the possibility of the Township taking over the bridge replacement project.
Wheatland Farms Waste Water Treatment Plant – The latest inspection report mentioned that the drip field may be over loaded. Township Engineer, Ron Ragan, will follow up on it.
Zoning Report
Zoning Officer, Trish Fagan, sent a report that fifteen (15) building permits were issued in May. There were two (2) single family dwelling permits issued. There were three (3) Use and Occupancy Permits issued.
Emergency Management
The Township Emergency Management Coordinator, Dave Flad, reported that most of the Covid vaccination sites have closed. If you still need to receive the Covid vaccine, you can get it just about any where at this point. He said there is talk of a possible flu vaccine with a Covid vaccine booster.
FEMA – Has accepted the County Mitigation Plan.
Building and Property Report
815 West Avondale Road – Gerry reported that the garage doors have been installed. The keypad has also been installed. The outside of the house was pressure washed.
835 West Avondale Road – The outside of the house was pressure washed. While being pressure washed some water did leak in to the house. There was some discussion about subdividing the property and selling off the house parcel. Mary Anne Steel will look into this.
960 State Road – The Township made settlement on the property on June 18, 2021. Gerry Porter thanked Supervisor Mary Anne Steel for her help and time in making it a successful settlement.
Mary Anne Steel suggested to the Board that the Township look into applying for some grants to restore natural resources to the park and 960 State Road.
OLD / NEW BUSINESS
Oxford Road
Gerry announced that Oxford Road will be milled and repaved starting Tuesday, July 27, 2021 through Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Gerry asked Mike Harlan, the Township Road Contractor to please have signs made and posted informing that the road will be repaved and to expect delays on the designated dates.
July 21, 2021 Board of Supervisors Work Session Meeting
It was agreed to tentatively schedule a work session with Martha Straus to discuss the New London Township Park maintenance task list. Township Assistant Secretary, Maureen Zdun, will confirm the date with Martha Straus.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Zdun Assistant Township Secretary