AGENDA – TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS’ MEETING – OCTOBER 10th, 2024 AT 6:30 P.M.

John Theodossiou, Supervisor, Chair

Todd Weikel, Supervisor, Vice Chair

Ann Sellers, Supervisor

Kelsey Frankowski, Esq., Township Solicitor

Don Pottiger, Manager/Secretary-Treasurer

I. CALL TO ORDER- 6:30 P.M.

Pledge of Allegiance to the flag

II. PRESENTATIONS

A. None scheduled.

III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

A. None scheduled.

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

A. Motion to approve the minutes of the September 12, 2024, Lower Alsace Township Supervisors’ Meeting.

V. ROAD CREW FOREMAN REPORT

VI. SUPERVISOR LIAISON REPORTS

A. Central Berks Regional Police Commission – Supervisor Theodossiou.

B. Lower Alsace Fire Company – Supervisor Weikel.

C. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association – Supervisor Weikel.

D. Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – Supervisor Sellers.

E. Antietam Valley School District – Supervisor Sellers.

VII. SOLICITOR’S REPORT

A. Solicitor’s report to be presented.

VIII. ENGINEER’S REPORT

A. Engineer’s report to be presented.

B. Motion to approve Payment #1 to Construction Masters Services, LLC for the 2024 Road Paving projects in the amount of $86,622.75, which is funded by the 2024 state Liquid Fuels revenues received this year.

IX. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REPORTS

A. Planning Hearing Board:

1) No new meetings of the Planning Commission have been scheduled at this time. The most recent meeting of the Planning Commission was held on May 1, 2024.

B. Zoning Hearing Board:

1) No new meetings of the Zoning Hearing Board have been scheduled at this time. The most recent meeting of the Zoning Hearing Board was held on May 20th, 2024.

C. Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – no report.

X. TREASURER’S REPORT / LIST OF BILLS

A. Motion to accept the September 30, 2024, Treasurer’s reports.

B. Motion to approve the payment of the list of bills as presented.

XI. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL

A. Central Berks Police Department

1. September 2024 reports.

B. Central Berks Regional Codes Enforcement Department

1. September 2024 reports.

C. Sewage Enforcement Officer

1. September 2024 reports.

D. Zoning and Building Code Officer

1. September 2024 reports.

E. Lower Alsace Township Fire Company

1. September report.

F. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association

1. September report.

XII. OLD BUSINESS

A. Update on the status of the paving project at the Lower Alsace Township Fire Company.

B. Update on the status of the 2024 road paving project.

C. Update on the status of property on 700 block of Brighton Avenue – issues with residents living on site. No current issues have been received by the Township. If additional problems arise, a phone conference call with representatives of the organization will be scheduled to discuss these concerns.

D. Update on the status of property on 1500 block of Friedensburg Road – number of vehicles on property. A follow up meeting with owner of property and operator of business and Township zoning official was held on October 8th to review what corrections have been made. More progress was noted by the zoning official and more vehicles will be removed this weekend. The Township Manager stated that the area along Friedensburg Road (which is most visible) is the area of greatest concern. The vehicles in this area need to be relocated behind the fence. Other issues identified in the notice can be addressed as soon as possible. The Township Manager and Township zoning official agreed to meet again on November 12th to bring the property into compliance or enforcement action will be taken.

E. Update on the status of the use and occupancy permit application for property on 1300 block of Friedensburg Road – ongoing construction and conversion into apartments. All necessary permits have been applied for and approved at this time. Work progresses.

F. Update on the status of property on 100 block of Midland Avenue.

G. Update on the status of property on 800 block of Penndale Avenue.

H. Update on the status of vehicles parked along the zero hundred block of Cornell Street.

I. Update on the status of property on Eagle Lane.

J. Discussion of staffing – update on road crew position.

K. Township Manager to provide an update on the status of LSA grant applications for the Lower Alsace Ambulance and for Lower Alsace Township. No updates have been received by the Township from the state. A new grant application period is now open.

L. Continue discussions on the Carsonia Avenue Multimodal project.

M. Discussion of damages incurred to a stone wall along Lewis Road which may have resulted from the traffic detoured during the construction work performed by PennDOT. A meeting is scheduled for October 10th to review the best course of action.

N. Discussion on fence concerns at property in 600 block of Penndale Avenue.

O. Discussion of the 2025 animal sheltering contract proposal from Safety Net Sanctuary.

P. Review and discussion of the estimate for landscape work to be performed on the island in front of the Township building along Carsonia Avenue.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS

A. Review and approval of a special event permit for the Antietam A-Fest fund raising event conducted by the Antietam Music Boosters to be held on October 20, 2024 from 12:00 PM (noon) to 4:00 PM at the Reading Liederkranz.

B. Discussion and Motion to Approve Ordinance 2024-4 – Ordinance of the Township of Lower Alsace Enacting Section 209 Entitled “Regulations, Enforcement And Appeals Related To Motorized Devices And All-Terrain Vehicles”. The Ordinance has been properly advertised.

C. Possible action on advertising for bids for the Carsonia Avenue Multimodal project when plans are ready.

D. Possible action on authorizing the preparation of grant applications for LSA Statewide Grants. One will be for the road crew to assist with purchasing a new skid steer, and the second would be filed on behalf of the Lower Alsace Ambulance Association to assist with purchasing a new ambulance. Grant applications had been previously submitted but neither was awarded.

E. Possible action on authorizing the preparation of grant application for a state Multimodal Grant to be used for funding streetscaping and other roadway improvements. A grant application had been previously submitted but was not awarded.

F. Discussion on commercial vehicle parking in the 900 block of Brighton Avenue – noise issues with refrigeration unit.

G. Discussion on budget timeline and setting up a budget workshop meeting to review draft budget prior to December Supervisors meeting when budget will be voted on for approval.

XIV. FINAL PUBLIC COMMENT

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Executive session if necessary.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT

The next monthly meeting of the Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors will be held on November 14th, 2024.