Welcome everyone.
Oh, now, flush the blue weather day, appreciate it. First order of business, we have a presentation from Paul Gordon,
Luxe County Plan Commission. So Paul, when you're ready, we'll dim some lights and go from there.
Okay, I'm going to have a bottle over here. We'll have a glass of water.
And you're going to use that microphone? Yes.
Can everyone hear me? Okay. Okay. You're still hearing me? Why do I have to be able to be able to see?
So, when you can move ahead, stand with you. Okay. Let me move back here, some.
That way, we won't be in people's life. That good for everyone.
Okay. Thank you for your time tonight. What we're going to do is, the county has been working on a
A child needs a building study for the Upper Nishameda Creek.
And this is the project background is that we're back in 1955.
The county parks board recommended the creation of a linear park system along the Nishameda,
including the Nishameda Creek and mill and bike ditch, Creek's done on the southern portion of the county.
Then jump forward to 1974, 1986.
And the county reaffirmed its commitment to the swing of your park concept.
It went into about 20 park and rec planned.
In 1989, after the county abandoned the plants for the dot collar dam,
they dedicated the dark collar county park, which was comprised of a minute of the parts that they had acquired
along the Nishameda.
In 2003 and 2004, these are watershed river conservation plans for the Upper Middle and Lower Nishameda.
They also recommended the establishment of a tree trail system along the creek.
In 2004, the Nishameda Creek was identified as an open space priority land and the regional and green space priorities project
by the Green Space Alliance.
In 2005, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, which is the regional planning commission
for the Delaware Valley area, identified the Nishameda Creek Greenway and the Mill and Queen and Queen
Greenways as part of the 2030 Green Space Network.
In 2011, the county adopted the county opus facing really planned,
which identified 27 different greenway corridors throughout the county,
the Nishameda be one of those.
And similarly, around 2012, the county adopted the Bicycle Master plan,
which, again, included the Nishameda Creek and other roads in the area
as key components of the bicycle facilities network.
Kind of why is all the support it?
Well, back in 2011, the county did the opus facing Greenways plan.
We asked people what they want to see more of the county
in terms of park and recreation facilities.
And the two things that really popped out were that people wanted more bike lanes
and bike paths, 64% responded, syndicated that,
and trails at 65% with the highest red ed item people were interested in.
So again, it's clear that people are, you know,
they like the trails obviously that they have,
you know, I never did this by the success of the local bike and hike initiative.
But the county didn't kind of get on the water a little bit more.
So with that coming out of the opus facing Greenways plan,
the county subsequently supplied for funding under various funding sources
to conduct trail fees village studies for different creek segments.
As I mentioned, the upper Nishameda is what I'm here to speak about today.
That was funded by the Delaware Valley Regional Training,
the Delaware Valley Regional Panic Commission regional trails program,
which was funding provided to them through the William Pan Foundation.
We have the milk, we have like ditch, which is funded by D.P.,
coastal zone management program.
The middle of the shamony that I actually had my initial steering committee
kick off meeting for today.
And that was funded by D.C.N.R.
and then the Department of Community Economic Development through the Marcellal Shell
at 13 funding.
We just received a grant for the lower Nishameda.
So this will complete all the trail fees ability work for the Nishameda.
And so the county is brought in about $154,000 with a grant funding.
And the match is all in a staff time, not actually funds being out laid.
In terms of where these various projects lie,
this is the milk queen at Black D.H. Down in Leviton area.
This is the lower Nishameda, the middle of Nishameda, upper Nishameda.
All that we know that the Nishameda continues on down.
We did not need to apply for grant funding for that segment.
As Bencell and Tash have separately had received grant funding earlier,
and it completed all the trail fees ability work for that portion of the Nishameda.
This piece of Glee study for the Upper Nishameda encompasses seven different municipalities.
It's also a workbooking, M.D. Green Tash that it works down.
And then the shelf item you've written burrows.
It's a county on land is about 9.5 miles of it.
There are eight municipal parks along the creek,
and obviously very heavily sloped areas in a overhangy rock cliff.
In various points of interest, including Central Park, Delva College,
and the eight archbridge, Rushland, among others.
With that being said, we've broken it down into six segments
to make it navigable, so to speak.
It begins over here at Twin Streets Park, in Chalphite, New Britain area,
and extends down to where the Little Shameda comes into the mainstream in the Shameda,
also called the Forks in the Shameda.
And what we want to do today, we just give you an overview of the proposed trail routing.
And for those of you who might be familiar with the Chalphi's village,
stay what they're designed to do is to really assess the potential
of the feasibility of going out and seeing could you put a trail in,
and if so, what are the roadblocks for the obstacles?
Where are the environmental constraints you need to come up against?
Are they identifying easements that we need to be acquired?
A lot of different elements, so with that,
and working with the DOS, I could buy committee,
we met with them a couple of times during our field research.
Tom Kelso is on our steering committee for this project,
as in Maryland, Jacobsen, New Navy, may also be familiar with.
They've helped guide the process,
and we've worked locally with Gilmore Associates as a consulting engineer
on the project.
So as I mentioned, the trail would start here with Twin Streets Park,
as I go through the presentation,
red lines represent existing trails,
green lines represent the primary proposed trail network,
and these tripoyges lines represent a segment that will actually be on road.
So again, coming out of Twin Streets Park in the BlueJay Park,
it would run behind BlueJay Road,
then cross the enemy middle school property.
There's a little existing trail here behind Lidipy Lane.
It would come out, go on road along Forest Road,
cross Bristol Road, and basically be on road
on Africa, the name of the street, I apologize.
But then we'd cross two or three private properties
to connect into the enemy major, excuse me,
Quinlan Nature Reserve.
And this is in line with the Tri-Minusport Trail's plan
that the new Britons of Schalfine have been working on over time.
The trail then, the desired route,
is to continue straight down the Nishamini,
and join in with the trail that will be under construction shortly
on the Schalfine New Britain,
joint municipal authority property.
There is a proposal to connect to the new Britain train station
by making use of the road existing service roads
around the Bula Cemetery,
and work is actually beginning in terms of easement acquisition
with the property owners along Tamm and Navinou to get to the train station.
Another thing we had assessed was the potential
of coming down the right of way of Bristol Road,
and then making use of the sidewalk on the Northern Agile Upper State Road
as they get back up if this were not to work out.
The other thing that will still potentially be happening though
is recognizing the need to try to connect as many neighbors as possible.
These communities were kind of cut off from the two of two parkway
when it was built, the parkway trail.
So we'd like to try to provide them connection.
So this is actually a door-sound township on property
that we would seek to acquire an easement on
in order to build a separate trail over the Nishamini
off of here to connect up to this trail.
That would allow these neighbors to connect into the trail system.
The second segment of the trail in essence is basically built.
It would pick up where the trail into construction
comes into the two two parkway trail.
Continue over here to the Lower State Road
and two two parkway.
From there people could have the option of
accessing the trail that would be built as part of the
wide redevelopment or they could continue along Lower State Road
and access the trails along Wells Road here.
Either way what we're trying to do is eventually get them into central park
for the next connection to the trail system, which really proves to be
our most difficult challenge.
Coming out of central park, what we propose to do
is the cash upon parcel here that was given as part of the
Obestration for the All-Sound Station.
We'd like to come down that property along the creek there.
We know a couple of bridge crosses would be needed.
And obviously all this would be subject to environmental permitting and
cooperation of various landowners.
At that point we faced the constraints of having the
bucks kind of fishing game property here that
is all by the kind of least out-to-the-fishing game people.
We had the bucks kind of public safety training center here
and then the correctional facilities here.
So obviously this was a real challenge to get around these various areas.
But what we'd like to do is to basically just wipe behind here,
cross-tirk road.
If you've driven down that road you'll see there's a little bridge
across as the creek that feeds into them.
And then there would be crossing over-tirk road on the other
side of that bridge.
Near that there's a gate there that kind of takes down the county property
now.
It'd be further up that closer to the Corridor road intersection.
Because there are good sight lines there and we feel that that's a
particular place we could put a safe crossing there.
From there once you are on the county property we actually build a bridge
over in the shamony that would take you on to the island back there.
From the island we actually have three different proposed
routeings and we said put a detailed slide.
Yes, here we go.
This gives you a better picture of what I'm speaking of.
This is the creek tributary I was speaking of.
So go you'd be crossing, building a bridge over the shamony.
Coming back onto the island here.
And coming off the island we have three different options.
One is to cross the, this is the shamony coming all here as well as back here.
One, the preferred option is to just not cross the shamony again,
but to stay here, cross it here and come up.
There's a path that would bring you up beside the public safety training center
which is fully fast.
So there's no inherent problem with people getting into the training center.
That's the preferred option.
Option B takes you back off the island with another bridge over to Bridge Point Park.
Then from there you would cross roughly in the area of the old
Edison for a long bridge to get back over to the same general area.
The other reason we presented option B is really in case the county for somebody is eventually said,
no we're not amenable to people coming up beside the public safety training center.
Option C basically falls the same route.
He has option B in terms of going into Bridge Point Park.
But then rather crossing back, it stays on that side of the creek and runs behind the,
there's shop where the package ship place with gas station arm.
I don't think these been registered north of the shamony creek bridge.
It crosses behind those properties.
So once you get there, option A and B again have kept you on.
I have moved you back to the western side of the creek.
Option C has kept you on the eastern side.
The challenge with option C is once you, it's a lot of private easements.
Because there's the shopping center, the gas station, and then once you cross six to eleven,
there's the property right there.
And then there would require about four or five easements in the back yards of homes along the Wayne Road.
Last week when we presented this at the public meeting of the dual-style library,
these residents were not, you know, as expected to be very supportive of that idea.
They love being able to connect to the trail, but they would prefer almost that, you know,
we build it to the six eleven bridge and then stop and not take behind their homes.
Option C and B would basically bring you up beside the, behind the barn theater Plaza.
There's a parking lot right at the end.
There was service show held location parking, so we wouldn't need to have, you know, additional parking.
And then if you've ever been back there, it's kind of like a far loop around the theater.
There's a giant retaining wall that we would potentially be able to, and build it to the base of, or a cavity, or off of,
in order to then basically get us back and cross in the sham, because either way what happens is the down here, this blue,
designated area, this is counting on land, is that we write out a land, and eventually, as you, if you travel along Almshouse Road,
you notice that there really steep slopes that lead down to the creek.
So eventually we need to move back to the northern or eastern side of the creek, if you will, to continue with the, with the round.
So again, either A, B, or C have been, should they all get you down, you know, to the central area.
From there, we are completely eye-counting land, over to, and we stay on the northern side of the creek until you approach the, if you're familiar with the area where the value road, the gravel parking lot is,
where the, a lot of people fish and, you know, put in to stop the trout, around that area.
There's a pond back there. Somewhere in this vicinity, we would cross the Nishami again, in order to, basically, access both of you in New County
Park facility on County on land. We were proposing an ADA access to a fishing pier, a picking shelter,
restroom facilities, potentially, a canoe and kayak, launch site, various facilities there, walking
trail around the back side of the creek. The purple line here that I did not mention earlier, these are supposed to be
connector trails. And this one would basically take you up to Pebble Hill Road and there's a adacor center there.
The weekend is not, obviously, being utilized. So again, a great opportunity to make use of the existing parking lot
for a trailhead location parking. As I, as I am, this is showing that connector trail.
And the other connector trail is that this is a property owned by Heritage Conservancy. And again,
as you're coming out of the valley road park area, we would be going across that property, get over to the ADA Bridge.
The more importantly, at this bridge valley, if we're along, there's a basin back here that there's clearly existing trail,
runs around the basin. By connecting to that trail and going on,
on Bridge Valley, a furlough, we're able to connect that neighborhood, this, excuse me.
Amid on neighborhood, as well as the villages of Buckingham and Heritage Center and those neighborhoods as well.
So again, we're trying to be able to feed people in to that park area, as well as feed them into the trail.
On the southern side, we would again have a connector trail that would run, across a run parallel to the valley road for just a short segment.
This property has actually just been preserved under the Buckingham County Upper Space Program.
And again, a trail, these has been provided that would connect into the estates at Warwicklay trail system that would then, again,
give us access to Mountain View, Warwick Woods and Guinea Lane Park, as well as the states of Buckingham County Country for us.
So again, we've been able to make a lot of connections in this one area to the proposed trail system.
Back when we had our public meeting last spring, people asked us also to investigate the potential connecting middle buses to technology.
We did look at that, even though the county owns all this property right along the creek.
It basically, the creek is, as you see, is running right adjacent to the valley road there.
And these are all privately held streets, not township streets within Warwick, township.
So that was not an option at that point, but with the recently announced Route 263 improvements by pin dot.
They are established here at traffic light.
Right around the, yeah, right here at this, where you feed into the middle buses to, so basically people will be able to go through that neighborhood.
But access this trail that's existing along the railroad currently in the power line that will then connect to the trail.
So this is the eight arch bridge here.
So once you've come out of here, just conservancy, you'll be using the old eight arch bridge to get back on to this side of the shabby.
From there, the trail runs along county owned property here to get to Mill Road where the old bridges.
And from there, we have three different routing options again.
Option A is our preferred option in terms of, in terms of, in terms of, in terms of, generally, a county land and a land owned by heritage conservancy.
Again, it would connect up into an existing trail system within the state's dark hollow, which would feed you into dark hollow road.
Option B and C are the provider connectivity to these particular neighborhoods.
Which challenges is that although this is a heritage conservancy owned parcel that we have already been in discussions with them that we could obtain an amusement on.
Once you get to the median house road, you would have to be on road for a very short segment.
And it's even though it's a dead in road, we're trying as much as possible to minimize on road segments.
And unfortunately, the right of way there is not conducive to having a trail in the wide away.
But anyway, B and C within, like I say, take you up meeting House Road. Option B takes you to a parcel that, where we cash it bones that's a basic access parcel.
That again leads to dark hollow. Option C basically takes you on East Rocksbury Road through the Hampton Chase Development to dark hollow.
Once you get to dark hollow road, this is a dark hollow road.
This became our second biggest challenge area in terms of, we're trying to venture to get over here to where the forks and the shambler are.
So this is a little bit of the shambler coming in.
We, in an ideal road, we'd love to access the Jim Mill campus of Bellevue College.
Unfortunately, according to their easement terms, the terms where they receive the land from the work foundation, trails are not currently allowed on the farm.
So that prevented us from being able to access their property. These orange properties are state-preserved agricultural parcels.
That if you have any amount of state funding involved in preserving an agricultural, you cannot put a trail on that because the areas that every square inch of that property should be preserved for agricultural purposes.
So that prevented us from having a trail on that segment.
We like that coming within the peak of corridor that you've ever been down dark hollow road to the dark hollow bridge.
You know how steeped doesn't backwards are. This basically would have had to have been a bridge about 80 feet up in the air and with a span of about two or three inches.
So you can imagine how much that would have cost.
So our solution is that, again, not the ideal solution, but the most cost effective in one that would provide the connectivity we need is that
the pedestrians will be right at a long dark hollow road.
But again, after you've access to these subdivisions, it's a dead end road. No one's really going down there for any purpose.
And from there, there's an old road that does not connect through anymore.
The residents, they're only two residents along that road.
And years ago, they asked forward to house ship not to service the road anymore.
But we're not making use of that because the Taships says the one day they may want to service again.
But there is a heritage conservator to see easement on the parcel that runs between this old abandoned road and the Shambi Creek.
That does allow for a high control only bicycles or any of what type of field vehicles are not allowed.
So once pedestrians reach the end of the road, they'll be able to access along the creek that will then bring them over to Russia and Jamison Road.
Bicycles will follow the trail system as part of this writings of Warwick.
The green line is actually existing trail as well.
So rather than take people behind the homes and through the neighborhood, we'd like to try to be a signage and encourage them to make use of this trail in our Worship and Road.
Once they reach the entrance of the subdivision, the bicycles will have to go on road along Worship and Worship Jamison Road until where this road comes in.
Hill Road.
At that point, at this, there are two properties here on the corner.
That heritage and currency currently has easement on as well.
They'll allow for trail.
So we'll be able to do that.
And then we're hoping that there's a 500-foot segment here.
I tell you, reach Wilkinson Road.
There were hoping we would be able to get an easement from Del Valkyla John to allow just 500 feet in this, you know,
distant corner of their property, so to speak.
Otherwise, everyone can be on Walton Road, but again, it's not a heavily trampled road whatsoever.
And then the last segment of the trail would be on Wilkinson Road.
And again, it would be on road.
If you have ever driven down that road, you can see it's heavily canopyed.
It's very narrow right away, so there's not that opportunity, you know, without acquiring a lot of private easements.
And given that again, it's not a heavily trampled road.
We'd rather not disturb the tree canopy and or, you know, have to observe as just for the sake of having a, this is probably less, you know, not even a mile long.
And then that will feed you in the saggy sport road.
The county owns the property between saggy sport road and the creek here.
And some are to the valley road property.
We mentioned earlier, this would be another county park facility with another, uh,
a canoe kayak, watchpoint, an 80-accessible fishing pier, a picnic shelter, and parking as well for this trailhead location.
Everyone there, my mone to shammy creek project, would continue on down the Nishami.
And that's it.
So they might have questions comments.
And so we had, uh, we had a public meeting last Tuesday night at the Georgetown Library.
We had about 50-51 people show up and, uh, there was over what we support for the, uh, for the project.
Paul, if there's any, uh, way the residents can get this information or you're online somewhere.
Yes, the, um, the, um, actual presentation from last Tuesday's workshop is online on the,
about the county planning commission website, which if you just go do, um, the county website,
go to community services and click on community services.
They'll take you, uh, to another page that says, planning commission.
If you click on that, it says up in the shammy trail, routing.
Great.
And it has my email address that you can feed comments or questions too.
Thank you. Okay. Thank you.
Uh, uh, next we have Dr. Felt, uh, Feltstein going to talk about, um, open space.
As soon as we get reorganized to you for a minute.
There you go.
Do you want to come back?
Dr. Feltstein is a chair of the open space committee.
And as soon as we get the lights on and out of your way.
Um, okay.
Thank you. Thank you.
Mr. Chairman and members of the board.
It's always my pleasure to come up.
We have to give you an annual report.
And I say the building in all the staff and everybody else.
You've been in use.
That's an amazing, of course, of the member of it.
And also Margaret.
I don't see Margaret here.
But she's also helpful to us.
I represent the committee that consists of the following numbers.
Caustol, Tom Caustol.
Jeffrey from,
Stuffin.
The station.
Alison Hamilton.
Has an, is an lies on, Barbara, lies also as a lie from.
And also down Richardson.
As you know that the township consists of approximately 17,000 and 700 people.
But it actually occupies a space of 15.54 square miles, and that represents 9945.6 acres,
648 in this square mile.
So in actuality, it's taken the whole township, it would take every inch of it, including
everything has 9,945.6 acres, 739.892 acres have been already given to us as a gift.
There have been many, many people who are interested in that, and they don't make a good
to the township.
And we have it, 233 acres has been preserved by the college, and 305.65 acres were,
it's part of the Pine Run, so the total amount is 1,278.5492 acres, or 12%.855 of the total
township is already preserved in open space, as we speak right now.
Now, as you also know, that we have made every effort in the past and in the present to preserve
all the open space we can.
However, the facts are, the number of acres which are remaining in the township available to us
is a very minimal amount.
There's a couple acres here in there.
We were tempted to contact, and even though that we only spent 75% of the allotment that
was given to us, we were given by the count is 620,480, which represents 75% of the total amount
that should be spent.
And that 25% additional to bring it up to 887-10 should come from the township.
But the township never allocated a money, we have never asked you to do it, and with the only
township in back scoundry, I know, because I serve an agriculture preservation board, and on
the open space boards and day one, they are the only one who have been able to convince as
you to take not cars, just convince and educate people, and to, and the person that helped
us immensely is sitting right there, I'm manager of the township, and the senors and I'm talking
mad.
We have made hours and hours with people to convince them to make their 25% contribution instead
of the township, as they give the township for their own benefit for township purposes, but
above all, as a good deed, we are accomplished that.
Now, you also know, as I mentioned to you, that the boards in the past and the present boards
are always conscious of preserving open space, because way, way back, I know it, because I've been here.
I've been in the Bux County, and I've been in the door of town to launch this March 75 years,
and I didn't come here as an infant either, so all I could say to you that I've seen this,
and this is why we have this Hancock Park, which is a beautiful park of almost 100 acres, which
is essentially available, the benefit, and the pleasure of the citizen of
The residents of a township of 1777 are not a people. But actually, of course, more come, and it's available
to kids, the people of middle-aged, older people and all others. There's also another central bark
in Manhattan. And believe it or not, they only have 843 acres in Central Park in Manhattan.
In plain English, there are 8.5 times bigger than we are. But they handle millions of people.
And we have it here for a very small numbers. We have actually accomplished something extraordinary
to support our people up here and to offer them something wonderful. Now as we go along, I want to mention to you,
that is, we are doing everything possible to allocate the money that I said,
acres have become scarce, and those people who own any acres of any kind are willing
to, to give, to preserve the land at very high prices, which we cannot afford.
Because in a person that's ten acres, and if you can have ten watts out of it,
I mean, you can get a hundred thousand dollars a month, and even more, all depending on the areas.
In a borough, some of you may know, many people buy a house for two hundred thousand dollars,
tear it down, and the remaining dollar house. Because they like to location and like the same
economy very difficult. So you as a board have allocated three hundred and ten thousand,
two hundred and nine dollars of the six hundred and forty thousand, four or eight,
for the shamanic greening trail. You have already done that, which means that we have now
remaining essentially available to us, three hundred and thirty thousand, one ninety nine,
is still remaining to be spent, and we are making every effort and seeking properties
to save this, all the space in our area. And this we're going very judiciously and
constantly and we hope to do it, and my ambition is obviously to get us accomplished
before I become an old man. So hopefully I'm asking for all of you,
and the audience, and all of you are sitting on the board. If you know any place, or anybody
that you may think of, give us the name, give them, our name and we'll contact those people
and make them effort to do that. So in summation, we have accomplished enough a lot in the past,
we're doing a best to the present time, even though as I've mentioned before,
that a town should by itself has never spent one penny as part of its twenty-five percent
contribution, and this is in accomplishment by himself, because it indicates the quality
people that we have in the township who are willing to, after being approached and said
educated to do what is right. So I appreciate that very much the opportunity that I've
had over the years to help you, this may be the rest annual meeting that our present is report,
but to whatever faith before us may, you can be sure that I will always do my very, very best,
because I believe in Bugs County, I believe in our township, I'll be buried in Bugs County,
and I'm going to stay on as long as I can, to do the very best I can, so may God bless you
and be in our state of America. I say goodbye to everybody.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Next is a visitor public comments, anyone have any comments they like to make?
Okay, let's move on to announcements. Next meeting of the Board of Supervisors is scheduled for Tuesday,
February 18, 2014 at 7 p.m., the administrative offices will be closed on Monday, February 17,
2014 in observance of President's Day. And ski tickets are now available. Please contact the administration
offices to purchase. You notice Ryan and Barbara are not here tonight, but rest assured,
Barbara is watching. If you know Barbara, you know she's watching, and she's going to
be on this. So if you're on the floor, you'll probably help my school or I appreciate it.
As far as the minutes of approval, we're going to table the minutes until the next meeting.
The reports will start solicitor. That'll be reported at the moment of the Chairman and Chief, nothing will be put sir.
No township engineers, so we'll go to the manager.
I have two requests. First is they're both training related. The first is for myself to be able to attend the
Pell-Res training in March and Penn State. Because there's an overnight state, it requires Board approval
as well as the APM conference in May. Both of those have funding available in our budget.
It would look for the boards. Okay, there. In addition, Karen Sweeney, Director of Parks and Recreation,
looking to attend the Recreation Pennsylvania Park Recreation Society. Again, that requires an overnight stay.
Money is budgeted in park recreation for Karen to attend that as well. And both allow for us to obtain continuing education credits.
I have a motion. Yes, I'll make a motion to approve.
Thank you. Any comments? All in favor? Aye.
Thank you. And that supervisor comments. Okay.
Just to highlight everybody that the police pension plan and the non-uniform pension plan was audited and
came back with glowing remarks. No audit finding, so that was all in good shape.
Good job. Ken and Stephanie for conducting getting that audit finished up.
That's it. Thanks.
Sure. Thank you. Only one thing. I've just a comment or rather a compliment to Dick Johns and the road crews.
They've certainly been through the wringer this winter. I guess we all have.
But some feedback we've gotten in your own observation, I guess too, but some good feedback about,
I know I remember all municipalities do their best, but I've heard some good things.
People couldn't wait to get the doors down, township during these storms, because they really had a good hand on the roads even in those
sub-zero temperatures and anything. So I don't know what you're doing.
But it's working hard. There you go. Thank you.
All the crew. That's all I have. Thank you.
Unfortunately, your work isn't done.
Which brings me to one thing, we have information that comes out from the township.
You get emails. So if you're not on the Google group, I strongly suggest you go through
the website and sign up, a call to township. They'll tell you how to do it.
You get weather alerts, emergency information, left turn signal.
That is in for a long is up and running. So once or twice a week, you get some really good information.
I think you'll enjoy getting a timely information from the township.
The other thing is that this is the last board supervisor's meeting for Sandra.
So when it's over, if you can say goodbye, even though you may see her in the next day or two,
but you won't see her in meetings like this. So thanks Sandra.
We know where you're at. And you know where we're at, so we'll keep the doors open.
Next is New Business.
He's on a reading of text like that. Mr. Chairman, what happens by law is that if someone is not paid to
a real estate taxes by December 31 of a given year, the tax collectors required to certify
those list of delinquents to the tax claim bureau, who then has the responsibility to collect those taxes.
So what's you're doing is just acknowledging that an exonerating tax collector for that uncollected taxes
because they've been transferred to the county. So the motion would be to approve the exoneration
of the tax collector for uncollected 2013 taxes.
Motion moved to approve. Second, second, any discussion? All in favor? All in favor? All right.
Next on New Business is the 2014 trash holder permits.
Yes, you have a memo regarding the 2014 trash holder permits.
These are all the haulers that would be licensed to collect
in dollars' time-toucher for residential and commercial purposes.
And we would recommend the approval so that we can let them know their license to go into that.
They've met all the requirements.
I'll make the lease for a second. Any comment? All in favor? All in favor? All in favor? All in favor? All in favor?
All in favor? All in favor? All in favor? All in favor? All in favor? Next is the land development as
uh... the gets burned or track sketch plan on roger state road
uh...
steel and he missed mr's a bit of thunder but while he's getting a square away
on lower state road across and the why
uh... you see the side of the i believe saying uh...
uh... for sale or something to that affect
next to uh...
uh...
uh... lake panoramic
and for the public certification
when a sketch plan is discussed with a supervised dr know approval
granted
basically mr's a vat wants to show the board what he has in mind and get some feedback
uh... then he can proceed to go forward with a normal process
uh... those of you like me who suffered many in
uh... uncomfortable moments of dr gets burned or general office uh...
when that little building the back is torn down to be a few people be very happy
which is about you making the presentation or
uh...
which kind of stop here that we need to either use a lot can get the microphone because
i'm gonna need to use the microphones that we can hear because you're on TV
sorry i just don't like to start anybody at home listening
good evening thanks for seeing us this evening i've had a busy agenda so i'll keep it brief this evening
um... i'm here today to speak with you about the gets burger tracked it's three acres
um... it is adjacent to as you mentioned the lake view facility
um... it's basically we have an opportunity i'm gonna do diligence period currently
so i'm very shortly after step up and make a decision to actually purchase the property
the township was gracious enough to provide us an opportunity to meet with township staff
in early january followed up by a meeting with the planning commission
so my goal is to certainly collect any thoughts and comments
as to give me a piece of mind of the project
makes as much sense to the township as it appears to myself and internal staff
um... basically
you have about a white here to help you with this
this is the guy
i would use the um... easel i would bring you
or you can use the microphone at the podium
the property consists currently of two structures
one actually for one being a spring house
um... the
fabled legend which i've been fortunate not to experience as the gets burger dentist office which is here
um... that's a structure that it's our intention to take down
i'm trying to keep up with this other photographs one of these
there's a small spring house
it over in this vicinity over here which is just a pleasant
historic spring house
um... this is the main structure itself which you see
um... that resides
right here
um... opposite the main structure is a barn
the barn resides here
um... this is the dental office
it will be coming down this is the spring house
in this lower quadrant over here
um...
the property really is
some extraordinary features but also has some significant challenges
um... in the house itself
there's some attractive pieces
of original milk work
and so forth
interesting stairs
but there's also some amazingly
challenging kitchen facilities
and i think the first dishwasher ever invented still resides here
there's special architecture in different areas
um... the house predominantly
it consists of the primary structure
two winged appendages
plus what appears to be in addition
there's a date up in the top core that says night came
I haven't done the research yet that right up in the top, I believe 1920 would reflect a significant time where some of these additions were consummated, but the House looks far older based on its tender construction and facilities of the stone, window jams, etc., that would be indicative of an earlier home.
Our plan is to clean up the remove, I should say, many of these additions, go back to the main structure of the House and amidst that traffic through the other board, please.
So the main House take off the plaster, it is an all stone structure, and restore the House into its original grandeur as well as some additions, some obviously significant feature updates, remembering that's the House portion.
The barn resides is shown here, this is the barn. I'm using a unique methodology to make sense of connectivity and garages.
As you remember, perhaps remember we did pine tree farms some years ago, so we have a pretty good handle on what works and how that we can maybe even pick up a few enhanced features in the site.
The concept is to go to more individual farm styles replicating a period of architecture to have a continuous flavor and play well off of one another, whereas pine tree was a specific theme that the color schemes, the unit mixes were very inherently similar.
These would have individual homes and they would be a total of six, coming around basically one, two, three, four, five, six.
The use that we're in is R4B2Us. We're using this individual structure as the primary house, also each as we learned in pine tree parking is something we need to plan for and really make sure that we have a good handle on to make a successful community.
Two car garages for each unit, we're using a connector corridor between the two that's fully covered and enclosed, so in essence the energy of garage you go into this vestibule connection, make a left and this garage, make a right and the other.
That theme carries all the way around, even the main house has the new two car garage, the barn has a new two car garage with that same connectivity between the two.
So that theory is carried out to give that continuous look of architecture. Our adjoining, shall I go see the board, see layout, board, please.
Okay, the closest thing that says, this is an existing garage, shall I go see the color board of the garage please, the photoboards.
I took the opportunity to stop and meet with this gentleman and just to show them on our concept, so as his name is Rob Versetta.
The garage that he has is a pretty commercial looking structure and speaking with me said at one point in the history of the world, this was like a furniture shop, so it's a truly commercial looking facility.
And it sits right here to I guess that would be our next southwest portion.
Our goal was to heavily landscape this in. I also spoke with him and he seemed very immunably as a beautiful stone house in the front.
Nicely fixed up and we talked about maybe collaborating with him to do some improvements of this just for both of our sakes, so he's very excited.
I can report that he likes the project should we go on with it, he said he'd be glad to attend as a neighbor showing support.
So I've shared it with the same information packs that the board has.
So that's what I would see that maybe the most concern in this house is here, a square out of his swimming pool is here.
The concept again high end architecturally plausible.
Correct houses with a very interesting feel, kind of the single called the second police runs.
We're very fortunate when Lakeview was done this road, the road was fully improved, so we have curves sidewalks across the entire facility.
Structure stormwater curving street lighting is all taken place already for us.
We're proposing the full specification with the road 26 feet coming in, doing a full sidewalk loop around it.
I'm using some perhaps more interesting materials than just concrete, but we're really looking for little familiar relief.
I let Greg Glitzer from Gilman Associates, our project engineer speaks to the specifics, but again this is our concept.
We're excited with the potential opportunity and as I mentioned, Greg will touch on engineering briefly and then answer any questions the board may have.
And then get out of your way this evening.
Just one quick question.
You mentioned that the total plot is three acres and so they're in the front and I see you have quite a bit of open space up against lower state road.
So that would leave you about how much per lot then.
Well, I believe Greg, we have this is allow about 40% in public service.
The zoning allows for requires 5,000 square foot lots.
The lot though is in the unit that Rich talked about is actually a twin.
The zoning allows twins that's that B2 use.
So you have to provide at least the 5,000 square foot lot now.
It's our intention to set up a condo association for ownership.
We'll delineate the lots just for zoning compliance.
Right now we believe that we're fully compliant with zoning.
And that setback from lower state road is governed by the townships collect the road setback.
So that's 65 feet minimum is required to the ultimate right away line of lower state.
Thank you.
And specifically Greg, Emma, if you were just talking about the number of units that's permitted.
Yeah, so go through the and just to talk a little bit about the use first.
The B2 uses a use by right in that in that R4 zone in our rich was addressing and comparing that with pine tree farm, which was a conditional use the B15 use with this is a straight by right use.
Going around we we have a certain degree of natural resources of slopes.
Springhouse is a little wetland that comes out with the springhouse, obviously, so it's a it's a true springhouse.
But we're also required to delineate a minimum of 20% of open space.
Doing running through all the net buildable site area calculations and applying allowable density for that use.
A lot of the use 12 welling units are we're in fully 12 welling units for the for the site so that's more about you know much higher density.
I think than we set with really support but it's a good benchmark to say that okay you know how are we we think we're a fully bi right plan.
Always good to calculate the max one density just to kind of benchmark yourself against that.
So we're at six is four for brand new and two one one adaptive reuse and one renovation.
Other stuff that don't get into too much detail again it's will have slurmer management in the rain garden in the central ball we discuss that with the planning commission.
And now I'm going to incorporate some of their comments as well.
I'll have some supplemental stormwater management in the rear of the site.
Stephanie made us aware of an issue with drainage down that ultimately I guess ends up with the real road we're going to look at that as we get into detail engineering.
And there's kind of things really a comment gathering period right now and really we're happy to take all.
That's our only topic that we wish for some relief on is speaking to me to speak to the folks that.
Yeah we do well we're compliant with zoning work by right was zoning we'll see any need for any variances or or anything like that there is one item of relief of the.
The vision ordinance we know that we in order to implement this plan and give it the field but we think is important it's a.
It's a design modification to the call to second ball geometry basically to shorten the the bulb diameter.
We think that's important because we talked about some adjacent structures and as we were as we were planning the site.
Look at that 60 foot bulb radius or 120 foot bulb diameter which is a really large right away bulb if it forces the units out to the perimeter of the site so we think that.
In fact the whole look at the site and obviously put this in much closer proximity to some of the.
Maybe the less desirable features that we're trying to buffer so we would be.
As in for some vision waiver on that there's always a few technical waivers that come about but the.
But the development review.
So I understand what you're looking for the night first of the board got any questions or concerns or thoughts and then we'll ask anyone out in the audience.
And I have a couple.
Yeah, just and I appreciate most of this will be covered in the upcoming months in the plan of commission meetings and such could you just a couple of things you mentioned.
The relief you need for the bulb.
Of the call to sack.
Preserably you'll get some input from fire department and I can figure still be I know it's go by by code road with is that what you said.
Yeah, the ball the actual quality with would be compliant.
We proposed a private road it's just the diameter the outer the outer diameter of the loop.
We asked for some relief that we'd be full prepared to show the emergency services what kind of you know how we've been through that.
To talk about the.
So the continuous driveway depressions that we will have around it to do provide a you know substantial amount of hardscaping for.
You know for emergency vehicle if they should need to go and and do a loop around it.
So I think we have some ways to.
To address any real real concerns it's just if we do that all our setbacks measure then from the.
From the ball and that just forces everything.
Outwards sure.
Lastly, I want to hold you longer, but you say you this is pretty close to a.
By right or by you know plan.
If you and you're talking about half the density that's permitted if you were to go to.
That density I appreciate the max which would be 12 units not obviously giving you the concept or look or fill you want.
Would the be.
Consider more relief needed then or is that still.
That was that was that a pretty close to right by right plan to.
That's pretty close as well. You'd be looking at.
You know more of a duplex type of a twin we have a more a loose attachment.
The twins.
Whether the garage is actually.
Have a.
Attachment maybe she can kind of discuss that.
How we how we characterize these as.
I'm not trying to.
I'm just.
I think it's in a track of plan, but I don't.
I was just.
I would.
Our goal we saw this is a great opportunity.
To do something that's interesting.
It's you can feed traffic lights in the.
When you're standing right at the entry.
When you look towards town.
The sidewalk connectivity.
The trails and the other features.
Running back across to the.
That's why in.
Access to the college.
For us this is a great opportunity.
We've had numerous people.
Clients asking us.
We'll do something like pine tree again.
This.
For us takes.
So that was again.
Tever.
It's nice pine trees.
Very nice.
I think this takes it up.
An additional notch.
And we simply would prefer.
To work with the next.
These original structures.
And we do some.
We're going to work out to be around 3,000.
3,300 square feet on the boat.
The original structures.
The houses are going to carry.
Through the one thing I learned to pine tree farm.
I thought they were more than adequately sized.
And we did the designs averaging around 25 to 2800.
Several times a year.
I would back with some.
Talking about how we do additions inside and converting.
AddX and finishing basements.
So that really again.
The national comments.
Smaller smarter.
For us.
Our clients.
Many of them are scaling down out of six eight thousand square feet.
So for them a scale down is really 3500 square feet.
And will they make think they can be happy at 2000.
They really can.
So we feel this speaks directly to that market.
With the steep roofs.
The vertical architecture.
We're looking.
Many of them do three stories.
Sort of the same.
More level through.
Through the third floors.
I don't have any other comments.
I get so if it's like your other projects.
It should be very nice.
Thank you.
Any comments or questions from our blue ribbon panel?
Yeah.
Chief.
Mr. Hendrick.
The lead.
It's once.
I'm glad it won't.
I'm glad it won't be.
We haven't gotten the full budget.
But we should all be.
He's going to be starting to build on the end of it.
He has a sign of sheet over here for the manuscript.
I can deposit.
Chief.
Thank you.
I decide quite a bit of regarding the.
Detection in the bulb.
The you're saying that.
Can a fire truck get in and totally loop that bomb.
Without going on to a resonance property.
It would stay in the right of way.
It would require, let me get down to the curb line.
We have almost a continuous depression or a concrete apron for the driveways.
We would either extend those to provide that hard surface. There is almost basically makes up the difference in the pavement, doesn't make it up in the right of ways.
So we'll have to document that if that's, you know, they can certainly be able to turn in there as opposed to pulling straight through and backing out.
My concern with that would be with the fire trucks coming down there and then putting their pads down.
It is even wider than the actual width of the vehicle.
So if the pads that come out to stabilize the fire trucks are going off into the garage or wherever, because you have to extend your pads, it could become an issue.
Right.
So that's something that I think you really need to talk about with the fire services and their biggest trucks back there.
Yeah, let's get coming. Thank you.
Anyone else?
Mr. Zaveta, thank you. I hope we gave you some kind of input and guidance and we appreciate you and we appreciate it.
I appreciate it. Thank you.
Thank you.
Next order of business is the fills list.
February 4, 2014.
I make a motion for.
Okay.
All in favour?
Aye.
Board and Commission presentations.
Looks like Mr. Schwartz when he gets it together is first up.
If I'm reading or not.
I did not devise the order.
But I'm sure there was some reason for this order being set up the way it is.
And I don't really want to get into that.
I just, I, I, I, I, I, I, I'm not in trouble with that order.
I'm not in trouble with that.
No, he's going to degenerate into that.
I'll be skipping the zone here and I'll be over there.
Okay.
Well, that's what we need to play here.
We, we've tried that in the past.
I think whatever least strategy is.
You can see him after the meeting and next year you may.
Next year we'll be starting with.
We, we do, we do rotate it every other year.
Whoever's the shortest goes first next year.
Short of speech.
Oh, okay.
Short of speech.
Bleer on.
Okay.
Attention go for it.
Good evening.
Yeah.
I'm here.
We have to raise a means committee to bring the update to the board.
Residents are watching.
Twenty fourteen is under way as far as our planning.
And I guess I'm going into my fourth year on the committee.
I guess I characterize our evolution as going from panic to planning.
Which is a good thing.
So that means the conditions of change drastically for the good and the last three.
Our purpose is to, is an advisory council.
We provide information and ideas to help the board and township staff make the best possible decisions.
To safeguard the financial condition of the township.
As always, when I get the chance, I welcome input.
Get a better understanding of how your tax dollars are spent.
Come share your good ideas.
Join us on the last Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.
We rarely see visitors, but they're always very welcome.
And of course, I definitely urge you to participate in special budget work sessions with the board that goes roughly from September to November.
Our core financial objectives are to track the monthly budget via key variables.
We project and we've gotten better at it.
A multi year impact of the decisions that we make today.
Planned capital spending to make necessary improvements and preserve the infrastructure.
Provide prudent financing strategies.
Be alert to liability and identify options prevent negative impacts.
In the last year, and I characterize it as smoothly the most of the others that I've been here.
But our analytical tools, data quality and the financial reporting has become timely and even more usable.
I particularly like the form of budget presentation was made in 2013.
The township manager and the finance manager spearheaded that.
And they put that together after review and suggestions from our committee.
And we believe that it's strengthened the reasoning, kind of streamlined the process and in place the budget ownership and presentation back in the best hand,
which is the financial people and management of the township.
The last projections now show and it would come out at the previous budget meetings and sessions.
Is that we see at this point depending on how much Dick John spends on salt this winter.
But we see at this point a workable budget without shortfall in the 2018 things can change,
where we go on from looking at looking over the cliff by 2013 or 2018 we look like we might get by.
So I would view that as great news.
For 2014 our objectives is to, at this point, document the standard operating procedures for our budget model.
It's a rather complex piece of work that's been put together by one of our members primarily structured in Excel, but provides exceptionally good data.
And we also want to document or at least help document the capital project prioritization.
We want to preserve the process tools and continuity in case we lose somebody unexpectedly.
We like to recommend process to track progress and allocate funds for approved projects that overlap budget years.
I think that's one thing we've kind of missed.
We approve a set of projects this year, but they don't all get done and kind of lose track and then what's we go into the next.
Help optimize project completion when needed at best cost by balancing our internal capacity and outsourcing when the board means fit.
And our other objective for one of the others is to publish three or five meaningful charts that give our citizens periodic snapshots of how the township is doing in the interest of transparency.
We want to explore economical and sensible financing options for large capital projects.
In the past, we've done we'd like to look forward again to optimize the use of the debt service fund.
We continue to refine the multi year forecast as we get better of what we're doing.
A couple of things to look out on the horizon for minimizing impact of the Affordable Care Act on future health care costs.
Monitor the changes and unfended unfunded pension liabilities and present alternative approaches to investment.
Hopefully that's quick enough to qualify me for first place next year.
We just the fourth Wednesday.
You said Thursday.
You did.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Please.
I come every Wednesday.
That's when nobody shows up.
So it is the fourth Wednesday.
My apologies.
Any comments?
Questions?
For us?
Maybe.
Everyone realizes you're getting fourth on that committee, but there's anyone else that kind of shows up and helps you.
We do have a few other people.
Our liaison is Ryan.
And we certainly welcome everybody to come of course.
It even back is very strong member.
He's hard at work back on the TV set back there.
We have Brenda Bray.
And we're looking for a move.
At least one possibly two appointees that I believe that you.
That's you've interviewed.
And of course, Edent and our secretary who's anxious to give up the secretary duties is quickly using 10.
Any questions?
Thank you very much.
Next up is Mark Schiner.
And for traffic and advisory.
And at least kidding a bit.
But they're committee.
The new member all the time becomes a secretary.
And that has really worked out from rising.
The new person gets to get more involved.
It gets to learn everyone's name because they're taking the minutes, et cetera.
And so that might be something the other committees want to think of.
We gave him about a six months grace period.
And then we said, we need a secretary and it worked out really well.
But we have eight members of all based on district.
And eight voting members at least.
And you can see the names there.
A couple of us have been there since the inception of 2005 myself being in Dory.
I've been there since 2005.
And the other ones have been there for quite a while.
Kevin Green was just appointed for this year.
So it's finally got a replacement for district three.
It had been vacant for about a year and a little over year and a.
Not quite a year and a half.
Chief Logan's a valuable liaison for the committee.
Always has excellent input.
And thank you for your involvement.
So it's always a pleasure to have you have your input.
In terms of accomplishments.
It's very much an operational committee.
We're driven really by citizens.
Concerns and issues that they note.
So the Ouija ball for 2014 was a very good because it's based really on what the citizens bring to the table.
But every month we review traffic statistics and determine actions.
We have some guidelines we've developed to determine when we need to take action on a speeding issue or whatever.
We have the ability to we have a web form online.
We have obviously take better actual letters emails.
And sometimes the citizens will come for the monthly meetings.
And we'll take their concerns face to face, which is the best way.
So we review new development plans for, you know, any traffic concerns.
This year's been very likely last couple years.
I've been really liking that area.
I think since it's all on development going obviously.
And the one thing I wanted to point out to the board.
And it can notice this last month when he visited and Rick, you know this too.
There's a lot of times pen dot takes for everybody to get back to us.
And it seems like that just as that gets longer and longer and longer and longer.
And we have something on the old businesses been there since March of last year.
And it's probably the nature of the beast.
But and I don't know what we can do about it.
But it does really kind of embarrassing that we just constantly just wait and wait and wait.
So just one thing that points out to the board.
Rick does attend a lot of our meetings.
And these, even though Ryan's the official liaison he's there quite often.
It's been a real good voice of input for us too.
Okay.
In terms of the next year, I mean, Willie will continue to monitor the stats.
Those stats are produced monthly by chief Logan staff.
Hopefully they'll continue.
I know there's going to be some challenges this year.
Hopefully they'll continue to be refreshed pretty often.
They do really help when concerns are pointed out because literally we can say.
The statistics don't seem to indicate that or the statistics are great.
You know, so we'll do have some concerns with some of the traffic pattern changes that have been introduced by the parkway.
Some of the signals may need some changes.
Things like that.
There are some several changes that we've noticed throughout the township.
And of course, the adaptive lighting project will start this year and hopefully early next year complete.
So that will be an interesting one because that's where probably a lot of our complaints come from.
We get those complaints all the time as you do to ensure Stephanie so.
Okay.
Any questions?
Concerns.
Yeah.
I have one question.
Is there anything on the website that people can go to.
We'll have to understand what you guys what the committee does.
Yeah.
Who they should contact and you know what you do collect the data on a monthly basis.
This is the educated must to, you know, people comment, you know, this guy, I see this.
These guys speeding on my road all the time.
So how you collect the data and how you process it and what to say.
Yeah.
Not that so much.
We do have a brochure on traffic calming and how that's what that is all about.
We have the web forum.
We probably could increase some of the stuff there.
The stats need a lot of explanation to understand.
I don't think there's something I want to publish that.
I would publish the stats but I would.
But yeah.
Somebody somebody somebody.
Yeah.
So we could definitely do that.
You know, issue it all.
Okay.
Sure.
And I think it's been a big innovation last couple years.
Putting that accessibility to the to the public.
Right.
I think it's been great.
Yeah.
And I said it to the last board meeting.
That left turn signal hitting north on 6.11.
That's now working, turning on this and furlough.
You guys played the big part in that and picked it up and picked it up.
We've been playing that for years.
Exactly.
You kept picking the ball up.
And now I'm excited about the next meeting.
We can attack 6.11.
And I'm so proud.
Yeah.
I think it's important for everybody to understand that if.
If we are aware of individual violators that that is something that should be content.
The police department should be contacted directly for that.
To let us deal with that individual on a one or one basis.
I think the main objective of the traffic advisory communities.
If we get a number of people that live in a particular area that are perceiving a speeding problem or
a general safety hazard where maybe a street lights are out or the.
The timing of street like red lights are out.
That that's something that can be addressed with the traffic advisory committee.
And it gives us an opportunity to look at it and address it.
And a lot of times we'll get we'll get phone field phone calls.
Quite often the police department about speeding on a particular road within the township.
We try to be very proactive over the last couple of years.
We have at least four different speed timing equipment that are constantly out in the township.
Where we're being more proactive where somebody calls to complain.
I can pull the data up immediately and explain to them exactly what is occurring on their street.
And a lot of times that work.
Sometimes perception is worse than in the reality.
And that's a lot of the things that we deal with on a monthly basis with the traffic advisory committee.
What is real and what is perceived.
Yeah.
Great seeing that.
Yeah.
Residents come to the meeting and show them the data and we put the machines out there.
Yeah.
Those boards have been the best.
There's a new board because they collect the data.
And we did in our capital purchases for 2014.
I had.
We purchased the fourth of our equipment.
Just so that you know, the new one is very nice.
It is.
And where will it see?
It is the upgraded version of the 2012 purchase.
It's all online.
Like an asset is it all online.
And there are pictures.
Yeah.
So if you're speeding we're going to get a picture of the car and we'll come find you.
Awesome.
Super.
Thanks.
Thanks Mark. Next up is at Evan Bach, who was in the back and we're ready to stroll out and update us on
on the television advisory board tab. They're the ones that make this TV show possible. Give me a second here.
Please.
Be better if I started as a beginning. Thank you for your patience and waiting for me to start.
There's some general information here that probably is of interest to you. Our mission has been around for a while.
And the thing that's really happened that has evolved in the last couple years is we moved from really focusing on cable franchise,
negotiations and monitoring the cable providers to becoming advisors to the board and the staff regarding more general communication matters.
We branched out into the TV station as many as many of you know and we played a part in the social media start up in this past year.
And those are all things that have brought in our mission. So communications is now right up there on the top line.
There's three of us in the merry band, Joe Savadi, who is sitting back there.
Of course, the focus is on the programming side.
Crows who's been with us since 2003 and really is the father of most of the equipment design that we've used and I've been on the group since 2008.
We have a new liaison this year, Ken Snyder, and I'm completely remiss in not mentioning that our staff liaison is Sanders Adele, who we are really going to miss dearly.
But we're I'm happy to report that we have a new assistant in the back Ashley Thompson who has come on board in the last year and is now going to fill in the fillet role force.
So we wish Sandra well she's actually going back she's sitting in my chair. I see you take care of it.
Anyway, we need the fourth the second Monday of every month at 630 at night.
We have a great deal of fun and the public would if he came I think it'd have a good time. So we would welcome you to come.
We did a few things in 2013.
Our historical role has been to work on franchise renewals. We've been working on it for a year. We're basically just wrapping it up now.
I think we've made some progress and what we've gotten done. So hopefully we'll be able to report to the board before very long that that's been concluded.
As I mentioned earlier, we did in fact help to perform a study on social media.
One of our members is a pretty big user of social media. Two of us are not. So two of us really had to get educated.
And I'm happy to say I was one of the uneducated one and I've just gone on to Facebook for the first time.
Very nice. And I'm one of the 360 up there. Anyway, it we hope to do more of that in this coming year.
One of the most important things we did is to develop a line range plan.
We're sitting on what amounts to about $50,000 worth of equipment.
And probably if we were to add up the labor to put all this in $152,000 worth of donated labor to put this system together.
And guess what? It's not going to last forever. So we need to have a plan of what happens when these cameras wear out to microphones wear out, et cetera.
So we put such a plan together. We predicted the life of the equipment and what sort of equipment will be around when in the time comes to make these changes.
And that plan says in 2018, 2019 or so probably we need to replace all of the cameras.
And at that point we will probably make a transition to high definition.
So that's part of what we've been working on this past years. Putting together a credible plan that deals with both the equipment side and the programming to support it, which brings me to programming.
In 2004, we started with exactly 0% of live video. We had bunch of build board slides that repeated endlessly our after hour.
In 2008, we added board of supervisors meetings, which probably was three hours a day or so, and the rest of the time was build board slides.
We have now gotten for the period of time between six A.M. and midnight. We've got ourselves up to almost 50% of the time we have programming other than other than build boards and slides.
And it's rather interestingly split between environmental stuff, seniors meetings that we actually record the meetings for a C-Brat and play them back at various times during the day, the supervisors meetings themselves.
And that constitutes roughly 75% of the total that's on there. But as many of you know, we've been putting the arm on you to get other programming onto the channel, and we'll be talking about that in a minute, 10% in parks programs, 9% in other.
Our goal is to get ourselves higher than 45% and get up until a much better number where we have a lot more individual programs.
In this past year, we continued web streaming. I'm happy to report that the number of visits are up about 12% over the year before, and nobody in the room would be surprised to find that access by mobile devices doubled from 2012 to 2013.
Some of those mobile devices are sitting right here in the front of the room watching things online. But we get a fair amount of access to our channel on the web.
And video replays between 20 and 100 visits for meeting agenda and minutes between 10 and 70 orphaners, more people who are watching our meetings online than are in the room.
So we think it's been a valuable addition to our repertoire.
We did help the township deploy their website, and as always, we had to do some maintenance.
Added some equipment, did lots of things within this room, including adding a public wireless facility, which some of you have found out about.
So we continue to work on equipment and try to keep it up to date into make it better.
In 2014, not surprisingly, programming is the major topic at the top of the list.
We want to continue working with fellow boards and commissions to develop additional programming.
We have in mind a bike and hike trails video. We've purchased the camera for that. I am with delay in that. I'm trying to test the camera and make sure the thing works before we send people out on a trail with a helmet camera and try to take a video that doesn't work.
The camera has been on my desk. I'm almost done ready to turn it over. We are working on a planning commission video and we'll be meeting within the next week or so to sit down for dry run on a.
We are in what we do video that explains the planning commission function.
Joe has been stealing things from pen dot and getting more on under the guise of traffic.
And so we have a bunch of little three-minute and four-minute videos that are on the channel.
And we hope to get a lot more of that. And we have plans to work with the parks and recreation people to get some of our programs and some of the parks also on video and on the channel.
It's five of those efforts that we intend to update upgrade the amount of programming we carry.
We're also going to work with Sinclair to do something on emergency management.
And although you may not have noticed it, we this past year developed another source in the Dwarstown Historical Society.
There is a video that's up there now entitled Intrepid Explorer Henry Gile, the forgotten explorer from Dwarstown.
It's a very interesting video, the historical society put it together.
They were nice enough to allow us to put it on. It's a very interesting history of a guy who lived in this area.
It was a very famous person when he's alive and is for the most part completely forgotten today.
That runs, I think, twice a day.
Nine o'clock and 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. I believe.
Yes, you're right. So maybe this historical society has got more stuff.
Oh, I failed to mention this would relate to you.
We do intend to take that same home at camera and strap it to the head of a child going down the slide in the new kids castle.
So once the bikes and hikes people bring it back in one piece, then we'll turn it loose with the kids.
All right, so that's the programming side.
One of the ways we're going to have to make sure we make headway this way is to regularly measure the progress,
how much what our content is.
So we're going to put in place a metric by which we can review that during our meetings.
We will complete the Comcast franchise renewal negotiations, I suspect my march will be done.
We intend to look into how we expand the social media footprint.
The 360 to 180 figures we have now are interesting but not stellar.
So if there are ways that we can expand and develop more followers, we're going to see we can figure out ways to do that.
We also intend to keep working on things that have to do with this meeting and this meeting room.
We've received a variety of requests over the years about assessing people's participation in this meeting in non-traditional ways.
We've had one woman run in here, somewhere in the last year out of breath.
She was watching the program on TV.
When I would participate, I don't know if she got a ticket or not.
She didn't report that.
She can breathlessly to the podium and announce that she had just done all this because she wanted to make a point in the meeting.
Well, some people want to find me and some people want to email and some people want to participate on Twitter or Facebook.
And these are possible things we could do these days, which we hope to explore both with the supervisors as to their interest in this kind of participation.
But Mr. Garten and the supervisors as to what the rules permit and then assess the technological possibilities.
We also think we can help the back room effort.
We use software and out of produce the online version of the program and it also prepares the meeting documents.
So some of those meeting documents might be able to be prepared in a new fashion and we intend to look into that.
Maybe some of you are squinting at that type over there on the screen.
So improving the projection clarity and quality might be helpful in that regard.
We have other various things upgrade video over the way capabilities remote lighting controls.
So we don't have to come running out of the room and rip the picture off the wall to turn the lights off and on.
Just ways we could do that and somewhat smoother fashion.
This is more housekeeping to update our mission statement, which hasn't been done since I think the late 90s.
So that really needs some work.
We've implemented improved emergency management technical communications plan.
We're on the verge of doing that to improve the township's communications capabilities during an emergency.
And lastly, we really need to document all the stuff we've done so that if we get hit by a bus, somebody can figure out what it is and can keep it in operation.
So those are our objectives for 2014.
And I'd be happy to answer any questions.
I just have one.
The programming is very, very good.
And the show is the History of Guile, G-E-I-L.
If you're a Doyle's founder and you'd be amazed what this man did.
It's a 40 minute 42 minute shift.
I guarantee you will not turn it off.
Is that good?
It's color.
It's a good production value.
It's a beautifully shot.
That's the historical society needed.
Right.
I mean, it's not not perfect, but it's amazing.
This man, I mean, traveled the world, gave lectures throughout the world.
Thousands of people attended took pictures of everything he did in a time when they taking pictures of maybe you carried plates and glass around.
So nine o'clock.
Hey, I'm a piece on your sleeping schedule.
The History of Guile, G-E-I-L.
It's a test next month.
Thank you.
Yeah.
995.
Next year.
Next up is Public Water and Sur.
Advisory Committee, Mr. Ed Harvey.
My name is Ed Harvey, Chairman of the Public Literature Advisory Board.
I don't know if I'm in the show, so it's a pretty basic.
We were basically tasked to look at all the unsuward areas in the township.
Our main focus was the Pupport Ridge Pupport Wood area.
After many years and so far dead, we finally got the approval from DEP for the sewer in the Papport Ridge area.
We basically did plan with the sewer in that area. It's just going to be a pipe in the street.
The three-in-component planning was prepared by Eric Janikin. I said that right.
Janikin from CKS Engineering. We're working with the process with the township staff and the future stuff coming up.
We also are just taking a peek at the other areas in the township in the east side of 611.
We're basically getting the same kind of information that we did before.
You know, any issues and stuff like that, so it's basically all I got.
Any questions, sir?
When do you meet and you remember all the towns that did in skillful people on your committee?
That's the part I forgot. I should put my glasses on first.
We meet every third Thursday of the month at 5 p.m. We currently now have 10 members and Rick is our liaison.
When we appreciate that, you know, residents are welcome.
It's a great cross-section of people.
Everybody works really hard.
People come from all different directions, background lives. It's a good group.
They all step up to the plate and they all give 100%.
Any questions, thoughts, comments?
Good day.
Next up is planning.
Planning Commission Judy Hendrickson.
I'm Judy Hendrickson. I'm chair of the Planning Commission.
And I'm the relative who have come to this group. Tom Kelsel is a vice chair.
This year, Ed Rennfield, Rick Kallella is our liaison and George Loanstein.
And we have a new appointee.
What's your name?
I'm just a lot of the podium, right?
Who missed our January meeting because you were somewhere else, but we're very happy to have you.
We need some new blood.
Judy's Stern Goldstein is our planning consultant.
Stephanie Mason, township manager, is it every one of our meetings?
And since you're Delgado is our recording secretary.
We meet the third Monday of every month at 7 p.m.
Although, the fourth Monday.
Although it's been kind of all over lately because of the calendar.
This time of year has been over 20 holidays and things like that.
But we are an advisory board and we continue to support an ongoing and new projects and work closely with the community and other boards.
And we do have some commissions as well as the Bucks County Planning Commission plan.
We're encouraging more efficient energy use, denser development link to better open spaces and good circulations through the community with continued expansion of our bike and height network.
We have met with a representative from this new projects this past year have been Delaware Valley College.
They're proposed track expansion and lighting of the football field.
We recommended approval on that.
There's been some time restrictions along with a final land development plan for the life sciences building there.
We've reviewed and recommended the approval of preliminary minors subdivision plans for two new houses proposed by hallmark building group.
At 98 shady retreat road.
This is a minor subdivision that will divide one lot into two single family homes.
We have been reviewing the the Guzburger track, which you showed which you saw a little bit earlier across the street from the why and in the beginnings of seeing what they're doing in their sketch plans.
And hopefully that will come back and we'll be talking to them further on that.
We've had a lot of discussions regarding the pebble here, the pebble ridge would bridge sewer planning modules and we've been coordinating with that sort of thing.
I can see how that fits well into the township's comprehensive plan and there was submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection so that's in the process or.
From what I understand has reviewed.
We have a very lively and well attended group it's not so much public participation we're still trying to get more people out for that.
There have not been in last couple years it's been pretty light as far as the number of projects that come in.
So we have been trying to reevaluate some of our ongoing work during that time and develop.
Let's see navigate the planning approval process as well as design improvements that may be able to make.
Our whole process a little more attractive to people and a little more familiar.
So one of the things that we're trying to do is in our free time we're trying to work on reviewing and updating the zoning maps and codes to include the street heart hierarchy ordinance that was adapted last year.
As well as the bike and hike roots and maps.
The tree ordinance information we're also preparing a video presentation for tab and.
Trying to just write more of what we do as a planning commission.
Some upcoming things that are ongoing and upcoming things are the blueberry hill development that is over by the cold shopping center.
That is they've been into us to talk to us about the daycare center and the Verizon store that is opened up there.
Hopefully they'll be back for more ongoing discussion we would like to have.
Some design input on what they're trying to do and try to help them through that process it's kind of a white elephant property right now and we're trying to help them through that.
The pavilion at furlong with the grass or group that's been extended forever and that again is something that we're trying to.
See if something can actually happen with that property.
Pen color has been in for sketch plan to rework the subdivision of existing non-conforming parcels.
There's a number of variances that are required there and our aim is just to simplify that property and to come up with.
Something that will avoid some future confusions.
The Edison quarry property is something that's starting to make some inroads in discussing with them what potential could be there and what.
They might be up against as far as.
Variances and and other things that they might need to do if they want to do anything with that property as far as expansion but we would like to.
See something happens so we're trying to invite people in.
To to see if we can get these things to move forward a little faster possible or spurting on.
So that's about it is anybody have any questions.
Hopefully we'll be able to clarify this before presentation.
If you want to know what's happening in the township building lies.
We've got to go to some of these meetings you'll you'll you'll you know you're driving down the road and so what's going up over there and what's happening over there.
You're at the party because you know only door knobs are in there and while they're coming in and out it's really exciting to be ahead of things.
So.
Well you're just a little aside is one of the things that we had come up that had really nothing to do with planning but it showed up at our meeting was hot air balloons.
And there was a group of residents that was very hot and bothered about hot air balloons in there.
And there has over our our township and wanted to have some input about controlling hot air balloons light and landing locations.
It's not our preview it's it's part of that they are under the FAA so there wasn't really much we could do but we became a community meeting place for the balloon.
So the local blue companies and societies that that are out there and the residents to air their differences find out and educate each other about what the problems were and what the conditions are for ballooning and what it takes and all that so that was quite lively and.
Kind of interesting although it wasn't really quite up our alley but we made the best of it and tried to get both parties to talk and they came to an agreement and I think that that was something that worked out pretty well.
So anything goes almost.
Thanks, Judy and everybody's coming up here telling you when the meetings are and please come.
You're all invited to come to them too and trust me if you go to one of the meetings of another committee you'll leave there much more knowledgeable happy and have a good time in the process next is park and wreck Kathy Brown.
I'm Kathy Brown vice chair of the park of wreck board John Gray couldn't be here.
I don't have a presentation short and sweet right here.
We need the second to see the month of 530.
John Gray is the chair members are Jane Sussinger.
Blife Kelly, suit right wine.
Paul Padnella who's new I haven't met.
Sean is our liaison and we have Emily.
Ryanette who is our youth member.
If you walk through central park you'll see evidence about long term goals.
We're excited to see the game growth and I walk through today and it was really neat to see the snow piled high on the on the board on the.
I'm checking boards and obviously nobody could use it but the game growth and also the life trail stations.
Those are two things that we've had in the in the plans for a long time.
I've always been behind kids castle and the future sensory enrichment trail.
Our plans for the coming year include moving forward with our support for that sensory trail and the construction of the trail as well as support.
To secure donors for the pods that we'll go along once the trail is built.
We're supporting the needs to replace the showmobile and exploring the needs for a performing arts structure.
We will assess the needs and plan accordingly and we will continue our collaboration with kids castle committee as they move forward on their next phase.
One of the things we look forward to doing is.
A needs assessment in the parks system by visiting each of the parks and looking at the good and the bad and what needs to be done to each park.
And then come back you know make a list there and something that I didn't realize and I was a part of the joint plan and Stephanie you are part of that too.
That we did which I thought was recently that was truly year to go and by reliance is the only one on the board now who has a copy of that comprehensive plan.
So our goal was to get each supervisor a copy of that comprehensive plan as well as a master plan for central park.
So that's. And I want to do that with Sean said as far as Dick John and his crew and the fact that our parks are usable the day after we just got.
What ten inches is this now?
Certainly.
And the excellent job that they are doing with the parks and maintaining the parks and keeping them usable.
Rain, slate, snow, whatever.
So that's.
I have everything.
No because you have gender has so many things on it you guys have full plate and I know a lot of the other committees do too but.
You guys got a full plate it's always.
Always a handful of things to get done right away and.
It's working you just mentioned a couple of places.
Well it's short term long term but we're getting things done so that's important.
Okay.
Do I get to do all park or do I have to sit back there?
I'll sit back there.
No, you can do that.
Okay.
All right.
Next was a DTM A Dick.
Bob couldn't make it.
Do you have any comments or anything you want to say?
Dick, why you get a minute on the floor?
Sure.
This is the R-F-R-U-S-T-R-G-R-B-A-R.
Thank you very much for your attention. Chairman, Mr. Rodney, Vice Chair, Zade Hagey, Dickbock, is the treasurer, Ed Harvey, is in New Orleans, is our treasurer, and Frank Lewis is still working hard on the authority and the system secretary of treasurer.
Just a little background information for some of the new folks on the board, the authority was basically came about in 1976 to solve a sewer issue up in the cross-keys area, and it's kind of strange that 25 years later, they've just resolved a contaminated water issue in the cross-keys area.
And they were able to do that by obtaining several grants funded by approximately 2.6 million dollars in the past few years, which put pressure, public water in the cross-keys area and sealed most of those contaminated wells.
I think that's pretty interesting, they look full cycle in 25 years, and I'm proud to say that I've been associated with the authority and the chance of, since 1988, and have been involved in a lot of the issues the authority takes away.
One of which is to continue to provide probable water to the public by constantly upgrading and making changes to the system.
As a side-benefit, it is also trying to explain what remains throughout the tension, which is a challenging issue in itself, but they've been able to install approximately 50-60 miles of watermen throughout the tension area.
And they continue to foster a spirit cooperation between our neighbors, by having interconnections to help in times of sewerages or just general daily demand.
Four were being wine tin, your written township, plumps to township, fucking in township, and of course those town borough.
And the authority, I just realized, has had an agreement with the borough for more than 25 years to provide water back and forth between the two municipalities.
No questions, yes, government lines, not involved. We just upgraded the agreement with them, and authority this year is planning to move ahead with three structuring and rebuilding its central booster station, which is the main pumping system providing water to the doors down hospital area.
So it continues to do these things to improve its system.
It continues to look from the customers, we have approximately 2,500, with the customers today starting from zero to 2,500, 25 years later.
We do sell somewhere wholesale between municipalities, and we do pump approximately 900,000 to laying down the water a day to provide for public needs.
And many things, as I said, over 50 miles a week, over 500 fire hydrants, a normal facilities, and it's looking forward to continually trying to improve the system, trying to get water to the doors and the temperature.
I think that would bring us pretty much up the speed.
Any questions or comments? Thank you.
Next, this kids castle presenting is Rachel Ford.
The church is not coming alive.
They did something in the back.
Okay, add the projectors, not working.
There we go.
It's pretty good.
That's all right.
That's all right. We can get the started.
That's all.
So sorry, I'll have to flip.
My name is Rachel Ford.
I'm new to the kids castle advisory board, although I've been with the organization for about a year.
I'm the new chairman as of January.
And Joseph body is our vice chair.
And we also have John Beterman on our committee.
We have two available positions for the board.
And massive open space for volunteers in the organization.
And we need the third Thursday of the month at 630.
So 2013 our big goal and accomplishment was to save kids castle to really not have to have a close for forever.
We did have to close it for a little bit longer than we would have liked to refurbish.
But we're thrilled that the community really came together and we were able to reopen.
In 2013 we had a dedicated team of advisors and many wonderful volunteers that spent countless hours on our mission.
As well as a number of township staff that were really immeasurable in their help to our organization.
We raised more than $150,000 through donations fundraising events.
And very generous in kind services that enabled their apparent refurbishment.
We have a very successful arch program that refurbished all of the refurbished many of the pieces that were taken off of the castle.
And various members of the community, the students.
In many of the schools as well as a lot of the artists community were able to refurbish them to be reinstalled when the castle was finished.
We also have a meal arch program underway.
We're looking at a spring 2014 completion.
Possibly in Hague.
Take it those installed along the outside perimeter of the fence surrounding the castle.
We had a successful commemorative brick program called Save Castle brick by brick.
It's an ongoing ongoing program and it will be going for many years in the future.
It enables community members or anyone really to memorialize their gift with a personalized engraved brick that would be installed at the castle.
And the first of those should be going in sometime this year as well.
2013 we also had many, many castle events.
Started with Santa visiting the castle.
When Earth Day celebration, I'm sure many of you attended.
We had a fantastically attended egg hunt.
That kids absolutely loved it was a little crazy, but the kids loved it and that's what it was for.
We hosted the castle closing party where we wrapped the castle up and closed it for the season for the summer to do the refurbishing.
The community castle party with touch a truck was a really fun event really well attended and was a nice fundraiser for the organization as well.
And the very well attended casino night as well and I know many of you were there for a really really funny thing.
And again a great fundraiser for us.
And that took a ton of people a lot of hours and everyone really pulled through on that for a great night.
And then the crown jewel, the grand reopening ribbon cutting party and ceremony that the attendance was amazing.
The community really came out. The kids were so excited and we were thrilled to see the number of people that were able to come out for that.
It really showed that we were doing something to the community so it was wonderful.
We've had a ton of support from the schools and other local children and organizations.
They've held private events and donated funds. The different schools have held events like the dance of our play for kids castle things like that.
That they then will send us some money. In fact, do I want to mention is the school that donated $5,000 and really put us over the edge for the $150,000 mark that enabled us to open the castle.
So the schools have been a huge part of this.
In addition to the children's really the young people volunteering.
High school students were remarkable in their baking skills for many of our events.
We would put out a sign up genius and within 20 minutes it was full for all of the kids that wanted to bake items for our bake sales tables and they would come out and help with the help.
The events help with the outreach tables things like that.
And then also with a lot of the paintings, gaming, the castle, cleaning, standing things like that, cleaning up the young people in the community are really really supportive.
And actually one of the highlights here.
We have a video and I'm not sure how many of you have seen it.
And if I can't get this to work on the home, yep.
So hopefully this works relatively quickly.
And this is a video that was put together by two young people in the community, out Carter and Eli Moore.
Maybe he's gonna do it?
Okay.
Our first story is that some of those stuff is very special to both of us.
Kids Castle, it's Central Park.
Kids Castle was about 17 years ago.
By a group of volunteers in our community, we saw our alien need a place where kids could play.
Get access and use their regulations.
Volunteers, raise money, design, and build the 8 story one gives us a structure.
The design was inspired by a highly immersive, font-held castle in Doyle's Palm, and was built on input from various school children.
Kids from all around our area enjoyed kids Castle from many years.
But about a year ago, it became clear that kids Castle needed help.
They were parents were needed, and without these repairs, the castle would have to be taken down.
Last spring, the castle closed, and its future was uncertain.
Volunteers from the community stuck in and helped save kids Castle.
They raised money and volunteered their time to help repair kids Castle.
Volunteers lost and spent the castle, restored artwork, repaired broken items, and stopped many new farm features.
Thanks to the hard work of so many people in our community, kids Castle is now open again.
Let's check it out.
The more an acrylic kid castle has but cloned and stayed.
Isn't there no roofing, bucks, entrances, farm, and artwork?
To new, large, racing twisty slides in and stopped.
The grounds all around kids Castle had to take step-toes.
This new, special and renewed wood fiber, has led to make the grounds as safe as possible.
Let's go inside.
There are many farm ways to enter the castle.
Cloned rocker, cloned the steps, along the hop across the bridge.
There are safe, new cougar nuts, rocker castle, and lots of fun places to have.
Like before, while finding new different levels of castle, kids can enjoy great news to the area surrounding Central Park.
And then compete for fastest escape down the twisty slides.
Oh my god!
Well, exploring the castle, kids can use their imaginations to escape fire-breathing dragons, or become part of the castle's run-of-family.
They can run through one pass-to-twie and run, escape down the...
Fireman's call, they were just so much to see, do an explorer, kick the castle that keeps you never yet broken, and they always have a lot of fun.
If you haven't checked out the really restricted castle, don't think the central part to check it out, see.
One more thing, the friends of Kids Castle have plans to install more playground equipment for younger kids, as well as human-tapping system of pieces, so that a playground will be as impulsive as possible.
To learn more, please visit the website.
Let me know if you've got safe, peacecassel.org.
Okay now, let us talk. Let's go play! This has been Cartermore, and you are more reporting for a Doyle's Town TV.
All right, that's the best video on our cover with access channel.
It's on there, you can watch it.
Is it on, I didn't notice it on there, but I was at Kids Castle.
So we had to play that for you, because I can tell you what all we did, and what all Dick John and the team did down there, but really the kids are the ones that say it best, and the smiles are wonderful.
So yes, 2013 was a great success.
And as the boys said, we do have plans for phase two.
Our goal is to make a Kids Castle accessible to kids of all ages and abilities, so everyone can play together.
It's a tall order, but we're here to make it happen.
We've got some preliminary plans.
This first, what we're turning a kingdom here on the right side of the slide is actually coming off of Kids Castle, where the new rock wall and the fireman's pole that you saw on the video are.
So Kings and one already has a few pieces installed in it.
In addition, there's a small, hot area, a top climber that's kind of on the top of that kingdom one and some top swings kind of out towards the right.
And the big piece there is what's pictured here. It's a pirate ship.
And we actually just received commitment today from a donor that is donating that pirate ship to be installed in Kingdom 1.
So we've got a great jump start. We've got this pirate ship that we've now got commitment from a donor that's wonderfully generous.
We also had a very gracious donation of $10,000 from boils from hospital.
In addition, we've had some regular general donations coming in since the end of phase 1 and currently we stand at almost $20,000 for phase 2 and that's not including the pirate ship donation.
So really, phase 2 is underway. It's got a great jump start. It's going to be a really big undertaking.
Really the next thing that we need to do, phase 2 is a whole new project. Phase 1 was about the castle.
There was a lot of historical people that were involved with the castle in the first build and a 10 year anniversary.
It's a different kind of beast now. It's new installations. It's thinking of inclusivity.
It's thinking of playground terms. We have a big next step. It's really to build a new volunteer base for phase 2 and to structure the organization to make this happen.
We needed to find the scope and plan what we're going to do for phase 2. We need to finalize the plans for the playground.
We've met with the playground company and we've got some proposals but there's nothing set and stone.
And then the big one is fundraising. Our group really has to get some good volunteers in to help us raise the funds that we need to put this playground and place them really make the dream come true to finish the remainder of the playground.
We're asking for volunteers. We have board positions. We have lots and lots of committee positions open and anyone that's interested in the community is welcome to join us.
We would love to have you. Our website is here and our emails here and we're always able to be contacted.
Anyone have any questions?
Sure. What is that? Is that just a castle or is that through the community?
So currently it will be just at the castle. It's a program that was put in place to either get donations or to compensate for in-kind services.
So different companies based on different donation levels or in-kind service donation amount levels were given different size murals that are being custom made by artists through the community in conjunction with that business or that person.
Representing it's not going to be like a billboard or like a sign is more a mural representing a concept about the company.
Rachel, I have a certain one question for you.
You had mentioned phase one was obviously focused on the castle and you think if I heard your right phase two was more expanding the other grounds around kids castle.
So what is this committee's coordination with the park and wreck if they're looking at other activities within central park?
Right, so I should clarify and it's a point that we've had a lot we often get caught up on.
We're talking around the actual physical castle but inside that fence.
Okay.
So we're looking to go.
That's our scope, yes.
So it's far as I know parks and wreck is outside it up but absolutely will be working with them.
Yeah, we're looking to put more equipment inside the castle, new swings, new climbing equipment, new accessible equipment.
The exact pieces are not known yet the kind of the concepts are there.
So we're looking for our volunteers and our team to really put that vision in an exact plan and then be able to come raise to that.
Anything else?
I wasn't here on Sunday and that we're not climbing well if not as easy as you portray it today.
If you want to go to a committee that I would describe.
What's that?
No, never.
I'd say that.
But if you want to.
My best description in the committee would be high energy.
So if you want to go if it's a boring night and you want to have a high energy evening, please come to the kids castle meeting.
You will be energized.
Absolutely.
We wouldn't have.
I feel like you don't have that one.
Thanks Rachel.
Thanks.
Next up is the environmental advisory council and the chair is Ray Hendrick.
Everyone in this room.
Sure.
Can we remember when you were in grade school and the highlight of the day showed that?
Well, this is going to be a little show in tell.
I'm Ray Hendrick.
I'm chairman of the EAC committee and honor board.
Ray, microphone.
Excuse me.
I'm sorry.
Ray Hendrick, chairman of the EAC committee.
We meet on the third Tuesday of every month.
And in addition to myself, go away.
Sean Sabaski.
Jeanine Mitchell.
Don Richardson.
Our liaison is our new Ken Snyder.
Supervisor, which you could have.
We've had Rick and Sean both cooperating over the years and always welcome to our committee at any time.
Briefly what I like to discuss.
We have, I think, two different goals.
It seems like the paperwork committee that we do inside of our meetings.
And the field work we're up in the park and along the open space areas.
This year we were.
Intramural reviewing several development plans.
Blueberry Hill site.
The old Dublin Pike and the Hormark homes group.
We had a very successful EAC summit meeting.
With almost all of the townships in box and many in Montgomery County came to the EAC summit.
Which we hosted here at the township in cooperation with the Weston Barrel.
And we had many, many responses of people who were very happy with the cooperation.
The township gave and the issues that we addressed at the EAC summit.
We have had in conjunction with Park and Rock.
We've had several programs throughout the year.
Our Bergwops or if you'd actually need a freezing shrubs.
The summer concerts where we have a table at the dense and music facilities.
And a great deal of turnout.
And response to those programs.
We have worked to identify in the parks the sensitive areas.
Or birds and plants.
And I would like to just.
Sure you what they sample.
These are the signs that we're going to be schooling.
We're going to take a look at it.
Do you want to talk about it?
So you have to one.
The areas are going to be posted to try to establish a breeding population of these specific
endangered birds.
Or a mover.
Nest box plan on the parkway and to the attention.
We have 42 boxes up now.
Which we built and maintained.
And we had.
Almost.
There are several different species of cavity nest in bird using them.
We have a leaf and yard waste.
We have a gravel program.
Which is held on the third Saturday from March to December.
Very successful.
We've also.
After four years.
Finally submitted to the supervisors.
The proposal for the single hall or trash collection program.
It's over.
I know you've taken action on it.
I'm glad that's not on our agenda anymore.
And the.
Membership in the Audubon bird town.
Doris township is an active.
A participant in the Doris town and the county and state program.
Doris township as a bird town area.
We have also worked on the demonstration garden.
Which we are going to have a start up in March.
We're going to create a native plant wild trees, trucks and wildflowers in Central Park.
So we're very active involved in a lot of different issues.
None of it.
None of it could be done without the cooperation of Stephanie and Sandra.
Butch.
All of the maintenance people.
I mean without it.
We can't do a thing.
And you're a cooperation of all these.
Whenever I've come before the sports.
And I appreciate very much cooperation.
Look forward to doing a lot more for 2014.
Any question?
Anything else?
I know it's late.
I apologize.
This is the new bird box.
We have 42 of these.
And they've been very successful.
We've had 52 blue birds flanged from these boxes this year in the boxes.
14 of them on the parkway.
I hope when you're out on the hiking bike.
You can see them from the many people who asked about them.
They're not as much with as when into the kids castle.
But we put them in.
We're going to go that more.
As the trail, which I understand is going to be from Central Park going to be
behind the waiting goal and connect to the trail over on the Lower State Road.
So we've got elves in the forest.
Visually constructing these boxes and we'll get hot.
But it's fun and I appreciate your confidence in us to do it.
It's a labor of luck.
Exactly.
Obviously labor of you.
Because your passion comes through.
Just so you know, your efforts and old Dublin Pike finding the bats in the barn.
They've agreed to develop or agreed last week to put up to that boxes.
I can't.
Inuetiqing.
And I'll have to see.
But in scrolling through the open spaces in areas we're on the barn.
I found the background, things in the bathroom there, and they've had to successfully or they can bring
your living.
Thank you.
So much, we know that.
Thank you.
Thank you very much. And back by popular demand is Kathy Brown. Our dual-part advisory committee, chair.
Okay. Kathy Brown chair, the dual-part advisory committee. Our members are Kate and Kusin, the list of us, or A to Poepack, Deb McCombus. Members at large are Helen Newman, Scott Totten and David Hanson.
And a unique thing, well enough, which you need, but the dual-part was a combined effort of the borough and the township.
So the advisory board is a combined effort of the borough and the township. So we have members from both.
We need the fourth. I mean, we need the first Monday of the month at 6 o'clock. So the first meeting was a year ago today.
So let's see. The role of our board members is to educate the public, support the dog park and its members, and it's continued to take operation and encourage communication with all involved in the dog park.
Now one of the things with the dog park was that the friends of the dual-standard park raised the funds for the dog park and now it's part of the park system.
So it's important for the advisory committee and the friends of the dual-standard park to still work together, which we do.
We have not said our goals for this year because we meet as needed and I'm happy to say that in the slave operation part of what we discuss is dog incidents and things that happen at the dog park and we have not had any incidents recently, which is a good thing.
When we first started, we had a few. But of course, when you think of kids playing on a playground, our kids don't always get along.
So when dogs are playing out on their playground, they don't always get along.
I have to commend orientation program because the orientation program every member must attend orientation and as strong to believe that the success of the dog park is due to that orientation. It works. It's working.
I can say we have around 500 dogs registered. That doesn't mean that there are 500 households because there are households that have two or three dogs for household.
But that's a good number and I have very few incidents. It's a very positive thing.
Let's see. We encourage all interested people to check the Township Park and Rec website to review the orientation program and the dog park.
Membership application and to visit the dog park website and dog park Facebook page as well.
I think that's it. I am happy with the way things are going. I anticipate that they will continue moving as they are.
Any questions?
Yeah, I have a question for it. Of the 500 dogs that you can go there during your peak weeks.
How many? I don't know if it's 100 a day. I mean what is it?
It can, it all depends. We have the yappy hour which we have probably at one point there could be 20 small dogs in the small dog area.
They come between 330 and 5 o'clock almost every day. The large dog park area probably could max out at 20 but also it's people regulated in if it's too crowded people come back later.
So, I was going to be my next question. If you have 500, what can you go to?
It's unlimited because the owners, if it's too crowded, they'll leave them come back. We've never had a time where there have been too many dogs at the dog park.
So, it's a owner decision.
Owner decision is too crowded. I'm not staying at all.
And why are that? Again, I go back to the orientation in that we explained the good of a dog park and how it operates and the responsibilities and the owners of these sponsor owners are on, you know, biggest part.
But the dog park has also been as park hours are from basically sun up to sunset so, you know, there's plenty of time throughout a day for a member to take their dog and utilize the dog park.
Right.
And it really is encouraging to see that, you know, we have the gold mower, which is where gold retriever owners get together and they will meet.
Yeah, so it's becoming one of the goals was to obviously allow dogs to get exercise, safe exercise but also to bring people together and get people outside and exercising and walking around.
It's working.
And the memberships are supporting the maintenance of the park as far as, as far as I know, I haven't been told otherwise and membership is increasing.
We still have a good attendance of orientation and you have to attend orientation before you join the dog park.
And you're annual that was put together by Karen, his word winning.
That's right.
And the other thing with that, that manual is not only used by other dog parks but also some dog services are also using the orientation as far as the information that's provided in that for their workers to learn about dog behavior.
Yes.
It's great.
Yes.
Thanks.
Thanks Kathy.
The final presentation is Dick Patterson.
And you probably heard a couple times tonight and the presentation is a bike and height and trail and bike.
And even a presentation by the Bucks County Planning Commission.
So Dick is going to tie all of that together as for us in one neat package and tell us what his committee does.
I have Dick Patterson.
I'm representing the bike height committee and I'm also representing won't go when he was our chairman.
And Tom Castle was our vice chair and Stephanie Mason who keeps us all going.
Before I start, I want to say two things.
Mr. Gao.
There's a hiker.
Did you know that he was the first wrestler to walk the the China's Chinese well.
And he's more famous in China than he is here.
There was a delegation of Chinese or came here last year to arm him.
And if you go to the Georgetown cemetery, you can see his two.
And there's there's Chinese inscriptions there.
So hiker, great well-china.
And the other thing I wanted to find Dick as I was working, as I was coming into the, you're talking about the highways and roads.
The bike height trails are also cleared.
Which I think shows the importance of the trail system that the Georgetown township and the way you support the trail system.
So, how do you say that?
The, the Georgetown bike height committee was 1 24 years ago.
And it was a moment of, by good opinion, head by window.
And it was very concerned about the bypass.
And how the bypass is sort of cut off the bird from the township.
And so they got together and they started thinking about how we can connect it.
And they thought the best way to connect it would be through trails that kids could walk.
Kids could ride a school.
Adults could walk, they could ride their bikes.
And that was the genesis of the bike height committee.
Let's see if I can go there.
That's one here.
Nope.
Up.
Right.
Okay.
Gotcha.
So with the bike height committee and specifically the staff and the people who are involved
with it had been very successful in receiving grants.
Which is making for a very exciting time for the bike height committee for Georgetown
Township and for the Toronto System.
Because this year we're going to be doing destination piece file.
We've got a grant for $2,000.
That is the trail that we're going from.
I am here road through Parliament Reservoir.
Parliament Reservoir.
And then to kind of bridge the park.
And that's an instrument program by the township and by New Britain.
That's New Britain township.
That's New Britain, bro.
Okay.
Excuse me.
So that's pretty exciting stuff.
Construction is going to start in the far.
On the summer actually.
And it should be finished this year.
So there are existing trails that lead up to that.
On here.
Connection with Parliament Reservoir.
It comes out at the covered bridge park.
And then it will go on to the trail that does town township has now.
That goes up here the road up to piece valley.
And then eventually in the future there will be a trail that goes across the very road.
And then down into piece valley.
Hence the main destination piece valley.
Another bit of construction that's going to begin this year.
There's an in Shamity Greenway phase one.
And we heard a lot of talk about it.
We're going to Shamity Greenway so far this year.
We've gotten $13,000.
And this is the trail that will go from where the in Shamity.
I guess we're the parkway.
It goes over the in Shamity.
And we'll go from there up to upper state road.
And that will be through.
Fast, really.
Fastly.
And by the other college that they've let us go through there.
And that's going to be really exciting exciting trail.
Very beautiful.
You can almost sort of work your way through there.
You can be like way hand-making.
Call your way through there.
People don't know you're there.
And then ultimately.
When you come out of that under upper state road there will be something called
that can be greenway phase three.
And that is an award that that Shalfon got.
But it was the proposal.
And the grant was written by Charles downtownship.
You've written burrow.
Shalfon burrow.
And each one of the four municipalities are matching the $188,000 grant
that we got from DVRPC.
So the total cost of that is going to be $294,000.
So we're really excited about that.
And that one is just really in the planning stage now.
So the first two are things that have been happened in 2014.
And finally we got a grant from Pico.
And that grant for $10,000 is going to be used to establish a key ask that will be right
at the intersection of the Parkway and Lower State Road.
And that will be the main source of information for the Parkway trail and other trails in the area.
Yep.
Okay.
We'll go through a picture of what the year.
This is really, I guess the top right is the Parkway trail.
The lower left is, I believe that's an Ashane trail from Milton Staken.
Question 30.
Yeah.
And then of course there is the New Britain train station.
And ultimately we're going to have a trail that gets to the New Britain train station.
And Judy Henderson is working on that one with the neighbors of our New Bill of Park.
I'll be the cemetery.
Excuse me.
So in 2014 we're going to be applying for some more grants.
And one of them will be this connection that goes from Michael State Road to the New Britain train station.
And then there will also be a, we're also going to be applying for a grant from Pendot.
That will complete the trail down Lower State Road from the YMCA towards Road.
And we have been, we have been very successful in living these grants.
And there are two formations that make us successful.
The one is, if they're a general nerdy municipalities.
So if not just one municipality, it's three and maybe four in the state and the other organizations.
We'll have to see more than one municipality together.
And the second reason is success.
We have demonstrated success in building trails.
And people like to give money to people who are successful.
And so those two reasons are the reasons why we've really been very, very fortunate to win the grants.
We've got, when things have been tough economically.
And this is a picture that many of you will probably there.
Parkway trail is now almost a year old.
And there was a big part of there.
And how many people were there?
Definitely do you remember?
Several thousand.
Several thousand people.
It really, it really was a parkway.
It really was a parkway.
And one of the things that we have found, and the county is found, is that people really do want trails.
And there is documented evidence that when you have a trail, where you're property, your property values are going to go up.
Which is pretty different.
When the surfman started and people said, I don't want a trail with my back yard.
Guess what?
Having a trail on your back yard is a good deal.
So there's another things that we're doing.
We have special benches.
And they can be made available for a donation.
We have artwork on the two overpasses.
On the bypass.
In this info.
All we're going to have a bike ride, which is a fundraiser, and there will also be an introduction to people to learn
all the trails. Where all the trails are. So we're hoping to have a 10 mile ride and a 30 mile ride that will
go through all the trails. We'll visit sites that may be of interest for instance, that does our
farmers not, they'll unlock it. The lavender farm will be maybe shone, can you show us your
ways? But it will be that kind of thing, so it should really be funny. We'll be having information
chaos throughout the system, and then there will be a lot of wave-finding trails. A lot of people don't
know where the trails are now. There are maps, but it's hard to find maps. So with these
white wave-finding signs, we'll be able to direct people. You want to go to the center of the world
sound, you go that way. You're going to go to my room, you're going to go that way. You're going to go to
go that way. You're going to go that way. So that should be good. Here's an example of one of
the benches that the Cody family purchased in memory of Corine Cody, who was one of the original
founders, and certainly an inspiration for everybody in the trail system. She was the
teacher, or maybe the principal. She was a teacher, a principal at the time. She had her kids
baking cookies to get money to the first trail in the system, which was out at the school.
So she then left the path for her family along with Lungelman and some other dignitaries there.
So the last message is, get out and use them. And there we are, some famous people.
So thank you Stephanie for putting this little powdery side together for me. I mentioned all the
names of the people on our committee, which I can't. There are too many. And if you come to our
meetings on the food, Tuesday at 8 o'clock in the morning, you will find a very energy group as well.
Rick has been there. Sean is out of his own. Judy?
Yes.
It's one of the only committees that in some sort of temperature, temperature, and
temperature, and temperature as well. So it's well recognized for the whole area.
That's what I'm going to say. It started out as a girl in township, and now it's just expanded to include
the ones you just mentioned. And we haven't seen Buckingham or anyone so long, too.
But the election we've had more than two. We've had that option from where it
didn't come. And it was on hospital. This is a system from as well as a dollar value
college.
Right.
Minibux Institute of Technology.
They just planted the welders there.
Yes, the welders.
They're going to be three more still left.
I'm great. Okay.
This is great. They're ready to go.
They have to take one step, and they have this laser.
We'll probably go up to the same level like that.
And we'll also go up on one floor.
We'll go up to about two.
Could tell me.
That would be the code.
Should I say lunch?
Sure.
This is a big year coming up.
And it's just going to get bigger and bigger.
Get the admission that you 24 miles of bike trails.
Bike and bike trails?
Yeah.
Well, definitely we're probably coming.
But then you also mentioned you're going to be three projects that you're extending more.
Right.
And then the piece Valley, YMC, the Wells, and then the Shemin Greenwich.
Right.
What will that add to your 24?
Actually, a 24 I don't think starting to include the park where you're here.
No, it does not.
So, it says that there's more than 24 in the park.
Yeah.
What do you say in other words?
Six.
Yeah.
About six more.
You know, it's not so much the length.
It's the connectivity.
You know, we've got some trail here, some trail there.
We start connecting them.
That really starts making sense.
Right.
And so we're hoping that 30 mile bike ride will maybe take 30 miles.
Okay.
Any questions or comments?
Very nice.
Thank you.
Everybody, thank you.
We appreciate it.
It's been a long night.
But I think a very fruitful night.
Yeah.
A lot of good information.
Excellent.
We need to adjourn.
Thank you.