[1:05] Good evening and welcome to the
[1:06] September 23rd, 2026 meeting of the
[1:09] lower Marian Board of Commissioners. We
[1:11] have four meetings this evening. We have
[1:12] a police committee meeting, a finance
[1:14] committee meeting, a building and
[1:16] planning committee meeting, and a board
[1:17] of commissioners meeting. Before we
[1:19] start, please silence your cell phones.
[1:21] There's amplifying equipment available
[1:23] for those who are having difficulty
[1:24] hearing. This room is also equipped with
[1:26] teleil technology. And later, when the
[1:29] floor is open for public comment, we ask
[1:30] that you introduce yourself and say
[1:32] where in the township you live before
[1:34] you start your comments. And that you
[1:36] use that podium to your left. Our first
[1:38] committee meeting this evening is the
[1:40] police committee. I recognize this
[1:41] chair, Commissioner Rosman.
[1:43] >> Commissioner, Dr. Rosman. Thank you,
[1:45] President Silent.
[1:47] One item on the agenda tonight is an
[1:49] intention to refer to this evening's
[1:51] board of commissioners meeting for final
[1:52] action. Uh authorization to issue a
[1:56] conditional offer of employment for an
[1:58] open police position. The motion is to
[2:02] recommend to the board of commissioners
[2:04] authorizing the township manager to make
[2:06] a conditional offer of employment to one
[2:09] pro probationary police candidate who
[2:11] has fulfilled the civil service
[2:13] requirements for eligibility.
[2:16] May I have a second, please?
[2:19] Thank you, Commissioner Wooding. Who?
[2:22] Thank you. Commissioner McGuire.
[2:26] Uh Superintendent Black, may I have an
[2:28] explanation, please? Yes, good evening,
[2:30] Dr. Thank you. Good evening,
[2:32] commissioners. Uh it's a pleasure to be
[2:34] for you this evening. Uh to give you
[2:36] some background on this, if you recall
[2:37] back on our August 3rd meeting, we had
[2:40] reported out with uh the conditional
[2:42] offers that were issued at the time that
[2:44] had taken us to our full complement of
[2:47] 136 officers. Since that time, we've had
[2:50] two officers uh resign. actually one
[2:53] resigned who had just started with us
[2:54] and the second one did not accept the
[2:56] conditional offer of employment uh as
[2:59] they continue to engage their employer.
[3:01] So this evening we're making one
[3:03] request. We do have one candidate that
[3:05] has passed the background investigations
[3:07] uh and is ready to be uh provided the
[3:10] conditional offer of employment by the
[3:12] township manager provided to the police
[3:14] committee and the board of commissioners
[3:16] uh ratifies that. Uh this individual is
[3:19] already in the police academy, so that
[3:20] is a a plus, if you will, for the police
[3:23] department. Um if the conditional offer
[3:26] is satisfied, he will end up graduating
[3:28] with our seven other cadets that are
[3:31] attending the academy right now in
[3:33] December.
[3:34] >> Thank you, Superintendent Blank.
[3:36] >> And also, if I may, this is also uh one
[3:39] of the budgeted positions for 2026. It's
[3:41] included in our budget.
[3:43] >> Thank you. Like to open the floor for
[3:45] public comment.
[3:48] Are there any questions or comments from
[3:50] the board?
[3:55] I'd like to call for a vote. Anyone on
[3:57] Zoom?
[3:58] >> Uh, actually, no one asked for a link
[4:00] tonight, so we don't need to worry about
[4:01] public.
[4:03] >> So, I'd like to call for a vote. All in
[4:05] favor signify by raising their hands.
[4:09] Acknowledge that this is passed
[4:11] unanimously. Thank you.
[4:16] The business of the police committee is
[4:18] now completed.
[4:19] >> Thank you, Commissioner Ros. Our next
[4:21] committee is the finance committee. I
[4:22] recognize this commission.
[4:24] >> Thank you, President Sinai. There are
[4:27] four items on tonight's finance
[4:30] committee agenda.
[4:32] We will start with the finance committee
[4:35] considering uh authorization of an
[4:38] amendment to the fund balance policy. I
[4:41] will move that the finance committee
[4:43] recommends to the board of commissioners
[4:45] amending the township's fund balance
[4:48] policy to a range of 15 to 25% of
[4:52] general fund operating expenditures. Do
[4:56] I have a second? I do from Commissioner
[4:59] Courtney.
[5:02] Adam, can you tell us more about this
[5:04] item that we debated and discussed
[5:06] extensively one week ago?
[5:10] Good evening, uh, commissioners. Thank
[5:11] you, Commissioner Zelop. This is a
[5:13] continuation of the agenda item tabled
[5:15] last week to authorize an amendment to
[5:17] the fund balance policy within the
[5:18] township's overall financial policies.
[5:21] Uh, as discussed, the recommendation to
[5:23] amend the current policy would be to set
[5:25] a minimum of 15% and a recommended range
[5:27] of 15 to 25%.
[5:31] >> Are there any members of the public here
[5:33] with us this evening that have any
[5:34] questions or comments on this item?
[5:38] Seeing none, u and Jody, you have uh
[5:41] addressed the other question that is
[5:42] typically asked. Uh are there committee
[5:45] members with questions or comments? Uh
[5:48] we did discuss this extensively a week
[5:50] ago. The reason it was tabled until uh
[5:53] tonight was because it was mistakenly on
[5:56] last week's agenda for discussion only.
[5:58] It is clearly on this week's agenda uh
[6:01] for a vote and the motion has been made.
[6:04] We discussed the uh the good reasons to
[6:07] make this change to the fund balance
[6:09] policy. Um and I uh encourage my
[6:14] colleagues to be supportive. Do um other
[6:17] committee members have any questions or
[6:19] comments?
[6:22] Seeing none, the motion has been made
[6:24] and seconded. All those in favor raise
[6:26] your hand.
[6:28] Are there any opposed? Are there any
[6:30] abstensions? Madam Secretary, that item
[6:34] passes unanimously.
[6:39] Second item uh in tonight's finance
[6:42] committee agenda
[6:45] is for the finance committee to consider
[6:49] a resolution
[6:52] uh that would um get the ball rolling on
[6:57] a seriesA
[6:59] bond financing for 2026
[7:02] uh as well as a reimbursement for any
[7:07] capital expenses incurred prior to
[7:10] receipt of
[7:12] um the uh bond funds. So, I will move
[7:17] that the finance committee recommend to
[7:19] the board of commissioners adoption of a
[7:22] resolution authorizing township staff,
[7:25] financial advisor, and bond council to
[7:29] take the necessary steps to facilitate
[7:32] new money debt issuance to support the
[7:35] capital improvement plan at year end
[7:39] 2026 through 2027, plus approving
[7:44] reimbursement of capital expenses
[7:46] incurred prior to the debt issuance. Do
[7:50] I have a second? I do from Commissioner
[7:52] Courtney. Um Adam, can you tell us about
[7:56] this item?
[7:58] >> This is the first two bond related items
[8:00] on the agenda this evening. Uh this
[8:02] first is a resolution uh which as
[8:04] commissioner Zelv noted authorizes
[8:06] township staff bond council and
[8:08] financial adviser to facilitate new
[8:10] money and potentially a refunding
[8:11] issuance uh and to retain our right to
[8:14] use a portion of our next bond proceeds
[8:16] to reimburse ourselves for any capital
[8:18] costs that may incur between issuances.
[8:21] The reimbursement uh portion of this is
[8:24] common language the township has used in
[8:25] its prior bond resolutions. We expect
[8:29] our 2025 bond proceeds that we have on
[8:32] hand to be exhausted in the next two to
[8:33] three weeks. Um, so this would cover the
[8:36] gap and allow us to reimburse ourselves
[8:38] once those funds have come in.
[8:43] Do any members of the public with us
[8:45] this evening have any questions or
[8:47] comments?
[8:48] Okay, seeing none, are there committee
[8:51] members with questions or comments? Um
[8:54] Adam um will our financial advisors be
[8:57] presenting in the next agenda item?
[9:00] Okay. So this agenda item which um
[9:05] we have had in the past previous when we
[9:08] have previously issued new debt. We have
[9:10] had an agenda item like this um that
[9:13] essentially gets the ball rolling. Um
[9:16] and in the next item we'll hear a lot
[9:19] more information about what that means.
[9:22] Um, so committee members with questions
[9:25] or comments.
[9:27] Okay, seeing none, the motion has been
[9:29] made and seconded. All those in favor,
[9:32] raise your hand.
[9:34] Are there any opposed? Are there any
[9:36] abstensions? Seeing none, Madam
[9:38] Secretary, that item passes unanimously.
[9:42] Okay. Um, the third item on the finance
[9:45] committee agenda is for the committee to
[9:48] consider
[9:50] authorizing the advertisement of an
[9:52] ordinance
[9:55] that would be uh for parameters for
[9:58] general obligation bonds series A of
[10:01] 2026 and series B of 2026.
[10:07] I will move that the finance committee
[10:08] recommend to the board of commissioners
[10:11] authorizing the township bond council to
[10:14] advertise notice of intent to adopt an
[10:16] ordinance authorizing the parameters for
[10:20] the incurrence of non-electoral debt of
[10:24] the township of lower Maran series A of
[10:26] 2026 and series B of 2026.
[10:30] So there was a lot in that motion. The
[10:32] motion's been made. Is there a second?
[10:34] Commissioner Courtney seconds it. Um and
[10:37] Adam,
[10:39] uh the floor is yours.
[10:42] >> So the parameters ordinance is a little
[10:44] bit different, uh past practice for the
[10:46] township. Uh so typically the process
[10:48] would be a bond resolution authorizing
[10:51] uh township staff. It's a financial
[10:53] adviser and bond council to prepare for
[10:55] an issuance. Uh and then we would
[10:59] auction our bonds the evening of a board
[11:01] meeting. uh we would identify one date
[11:04] to to enter the market uh and then bring
[11:07] the results to you later that evening.
[11:09] Um what is more common is what's being
[11:11] uh presented before you which is a
[11:13] parameters ordinance which effectively
[11:15] pre-authorizes the parameters uh by
[11:18] which those same actors can go and uh
[11:21] enter the capital market and and borrow.
[11:24] The reason we're bringing this as an
[11:26] idea to you uh for author authorizing
[11:29] advertisement uh is because of the
[11:31] volatility in the market. It is a common
[11:33] practice and the volatility of the
[11:35] market, it will allow uh our financial
[11:37] advisor to identify certain key dates to
[11:40] target. And if uh market conditions
[11:43] worsen um in a way we believe are
[11:45] temporary uh and want to wait another
[11:47] week or two, this would provide us the
[11:49] flexibility to do that. Um rather than
[11:52] identifying one date for the issuance,
[11:54] we'd identify several and try and act on
[11:57] the best interest of the township.
[12:00] Um so our financial advisor uh
[12:03] representatives from PFM are here to uh
[12:07] provide a a a quick presentation. Uh
[12:10] I'll note uh you know so our our goal
[12:14] here is to raise 24 million of new bond
[12:17] proceeds uh to finance the needs that we
[12:19] discussed at our CIP workshop much of
[12:21] which are uh reappropriations from the
[12:24] 2026 capital improvement program uh and
[12:28] currently uh encumbered uh or uh in the
[12:31] pipeline. Um, we are also providing the
[12:35] parameters to refund series B of 2019.
[12:40] Um, recent market moves have made that
[12:44] likely not an option for us to refinance
[12:47] that from a uh from a savings
[12:49] perspective. Um, however, including it
[12:52] in the parameters ordinance at least
[12:54] retains that option for us to refund it
[12:57] if market conditions improve in the next
[13:00] month or so.
[13:02] Uh and one of the things in there is our
[13:04] typical guideline for refunding is to
[13:08] uh get gains of 3% net present value.
[13:12] That's the guideline in our financial
[13:14] policies, but it's not a hard limit. Um
[13:17] we would like to entertain the thought
[13:18] of reducing that to 2% in our uh that's
[13:21] kind of part of the slides as well. Um
[13:24] because we're already going to market
[13:25] for new money. Um, so there's not a lot
[13:27] of new issuance costs that would really
[13:29] uh require us to get that full 3%. Um,
[13:34] and uh I'll I'll kick it over to Jamie
[13:37] Slesinger uh of PFM to go over the quick
[13:40] slides and then we'll turn over to
[13:41] questions.
[13:42] >> Great. Thank you. We welcome uh PFM. If
[13:46] you would uh introduce yourselves and uh
[13:48] we welcome you back after our three-year
[13:51] absence. I think PFM was our prior
[13:53] financial adviser. uh and they uh we we
[13:56] recently re-engaged them. So, welcome.
[13:59] >> We very much appreciate being in front
[14:01] of you. Uh this is our bread and butter.
[14:03] We work with many of the local
[14:05] governments throughout the Commonwealth
[14:06] of Pennsylvania and nationally. Uh I can
[14:08] tell you my name is Jamie Slesinger. I
[14:11] serve uh many of the largest credits in
[14:13] the state uh most of the high credits as
[14:16] well. So I actively working with the
[14:19] county of Chester, Delaware County, uh
[14:22] upper Mckenry Township, all higha rated
[14:24] credits. So we're very much used to and
[14:26] very much appreciate working with uh
[14:28] facilities and working on these type of
[14:30] projects uh going forward and we're very
[14:32] much appreciative of the time and your efforts here.
[14:35] >> So if you could move the microphone up
[14:37] or hold it in your hand just
[14:38] >> I can do both of those. I can handle
[14:40] both of those. Uh well, thank you very
[14:42] much. Uh we we're going to talk about
[14:43] the how we're going to do the project
[14:45] itself. We have a plan of finance that
[14:48] Adam has uh communicated to us this
[14:50] point where we're going to have as much
[14:52] flexibility as possible when it comes to
[14:55] entering the market. Uh the township has
[14:58] uh configured a a capital improvement
[15:00] plan that includes a $24 million deposit
[15:04] need for its capital. Although we don't
[15:07] intend to have the funds in hand
[15:09] potentially uh by the time you're ready
[15:11] to start spending. Hence why we have
[15:13] what is called a reimbursement
[15:14] resolution that was considered. Uh we
[15:17] are beginning the process to go through
[15:20] a competitive internet financing that
[15:23] would allow us to receive the $24
[15:25] million as well as consider a
[15:28] refinancing opportunity.
[15:30] When a local government wants to enter
[15:33] into the capital markets, it has to
[15:34] follow certain tax rules. This page here
[15:38] uh describes how that process works. We
[15:41] have to consider debt when you are going
[15:43] to spend the money within three years
[15:45] which based on our conversations with
[15:47] the team as well as your considerations
[15:49] through the capital plan we certainly
[15:51] plan to spend those monies within three
[15:53] years that meets those standards. You
[15:55] can turn to the next page please. Or
[15:57] maybe I can.
[15:59] >> I got the skill sets here.
[16:09] » Where are we down there? It's not
[16:11] moving.
[16:13] >> Sorry.
[16:17] » It's I'm a little slow here.
[16:22] Where am I missing the
[16:25] » Oh, that's what I was doing. Sorry. I
[16:27] apologize. I've done this before.
[16:30] >> There we go. Okay. Uh, so just from a
[16:33] general market update, uh, as we've
[16:35] talked about earlier, uh, the market's
[16:37] been quite volatile. uh we've seen uh
[16:39] municipal bonds trading at uh higher
[16:43] level conditions in the front end of the
[16:44] yield curve. That's mostly due to uh the
[16:47] credit of uh certain entities across the
[16:51] United States as well as across the
[16:53] world. Uh we believe that that
[16:55] volatility as well as the uh demand and
[16:58] inflationary concern has driven the
[17:00] market up uh considerably. However, when
[17:04] we compare the market today from where
[17:06] we are from a historical trend, we are
[17:09] still near historic averages. What we
[17:11] traditionally tell our clients when
[17:13] we're considering capital needs, we let
[17:14] the project determine when we issued
[17:16] debt. In this particular case, the
[17:19] township has capital needs. We've been
[17:21] planning for these capital projects and
[17:23] these were going to be spent within a
[17:24] reasonable period of time and we would
[17:26] have the flexibility to move on the
[17:28] transaction when the time comes. We are
[17:30] anticipating entering the market within
[17:33] the next month and have the funds
[17:34] available to you uh sometime around
[17:37] Thanksgiving.
[17:40] As a summary, we have a couple of
[17:43] alternatives here. This is the concept
[17:45] of the new money as well as the
[17:47] refinancing. We have two series of bonds
[17:49] that we may consider. Uh because we're
[17:51] talking about a borrowing amount that
[17:53] includes a $24 million capital project
[17:56] deposit which would be issued over a
[17:58] 20-year period. uh that would be shown
[18:00] in uh columns three. Uh that would
[18:02] represent approximately $1,900,000
[18:05] of annual debt service starting in the
[18:07] 2028 fiscal year. Uh you would have a
[18:11] short uh stub period in the first year
[18:13] where you'd have you'd be able to phase
[18:15] in your debt service in the 2027
[18:18] calendar year, which means ultimately
[18:20] you'd pay approximately $665,000
[18:23] in annual debt service. So, it takes two
[18:25] years to uh to fill up your capital
[18:28] improvement plan for your budget and to
[18:30] allow you to plan for those. You'll
[18:31] notice on column four uh we're
[18:33] summarizing the current interest rate
[18:35] environment and the refinancing
[18:36] opportunity. Uh when we were hired to
[18:39] serve as the adviser again several
[18:41] months ago, uh that opportunity uh
[18:43] worked quite well. We received uh we
[18:45] thought we'd save close to $200,000 of
[18:48] savings at the time, but we still wanted
[18:50] to plan for this potential refinancing.
[18:52] So again, as of today, we certainly will
[18:55] not enter the market if you don't save
[18:57] any money, but we want to at least
[18:58] entertain the opportunity if the future
[19:01] uh provides us that ability to save uh
[19:03] those funds. Noted in the column on the
[19:06] right hand left hand side, uh the 3%
[19:09] representation of savings net of cost is
[19:12] about $195,000.
[19:15] we would need a change of about a half
[19:17] percent in interest rates to produce
[19:19] those savings uh to represent
[19:21] approximately 2% net of cost of
[19:23] issuance. Uh we would need a 40 basis
[19:26] point reduction. So that's 04%
[19:30] overall. So a pretty significant change.
[19:32] However, if you notice from the previous
[19:34] graph, we've seen a a a sharp increase
[19:36] in interest rates. Uh so we believe if
[19:39] the market does go back in a similar
[19:40] direction, we would jump on that and
[19:42] save those funds as expected.
[19:45] Traditionally in Pennsylvania, when
[19:47] you're considering a current period of
[19:49] funding, which is exactly what we're
[19:51] considering here, the bonds that are
[19:52] outstanding are past its call date,
[19:54] meaning you have the option to refinance
[19:56] them starting in 2024 or way past that.
[19:59] So in this case, that current period of
[20:01] funding allows you to uh refinance the
[20:04] debt and save the funds immediately
[20:06] without having to wait until the call
[20:08] date. In Pennsylvania markets and
[20:10] nationally, a 2% saving threshold is
[20:12] very normal on a current period of
[20:14] funding. So we we would suggest and
[20:16] recommend that may be the path that we
[20:17] go assuming the market comes back. Our
[20:20] goal would be to save as much money as
[20:21] possible, but we think the savings
[20:23] threshold of 2% is very common in this
[20:25] particular method of finance. Any
[20:28] questions on this page?
[20:31] Okay.
[20:34] The maximum parameters ordinance uh just
[20:37] to highlight uh what Adam had uh
[20:39] described earlier. Uh this gives the
[20:42] township maximum flexibility to
[20:44] authorize the debt issuance, move
[20:45] forward with the financing when the time
[20:47] comes and there will be no further
[20:50] action made by the commissioners after
[20:52] the ordinance is adopted. uh that would
[20:54] allow us to set us set up a savings
[20:57] threshold, a maximum borrowing amount, a
[20:59] maximum final maturity, and a maximum
[21:02] interest rate. In all of those cases, we
[21:04] certainly would not expect to go any
[21:06] further than that. And that's what the
[21:07] maximum parameters are establishing.
[21:09] Traditionally, they are much higher than
[21:12] you anticipate when it comes to the
[21:13] interest rate, and the maturity would
[21:15] never go beyond the 20-year period.
[21:20] In the ordinance that you'll notice uh
[21:23] these are the established maximum
[21:25] parameters. So we have it separated by
[21:28] the uh new money component which is the
[21:30] series A which is approximately 20 $29
[21:33] million and the series B which will be
[21:36] $8 million which represents the
[21:37] refinancing. In this particular case, uh
[21:40] that incurrence of debt of 29 million is
[21:43] a maximum amount. And as we talked about
[21:45] earlier, we would not entertain any
[21:47] financing that would produce more than
[21:50] $24 million of uh proceeds for the
[21:54] project itself, but we have a higher
[21:56] borrowing amount to give us flexibility
[21:58] to restructure the debt after the bond
[21:59] pricing occurs. I'm happy to answer any
[22:02] questions related to that. It's a little
[22:04] unique, but understand the terms and
[22:07] conditions and the parameters allow us
[22:09] to do these things, but also we will
[22:11] come back and work with the township to
[22:13] make sure it fits within the parameters
[22:14] that were originally established. We
[22:16] will not know until the market pricing
[22:19] if the bonds were sold at a premium or
[22:21] at a discount. And these parameters
[22:23] allow us that flexibility of case one
[22:25] happens versus the other.
[22:28] >> Yes.
[22:29] >> So, excuse my ignorance. So when you
[22:30] talk about series A and series B,
[22:34] >> you talk about doing it separately or
[22:36] then the maximum amount combined.
[22:41] >> It's it's one ordinance but it's broken
[22:43] up by series because for purposes of how
[22:46] the Commonwealth will accept it, we have
[22:48] it separated by what is considered the
[22:50] new borrowing, the capital needs, and
[22:52] then the refinancing portion. So in
[22:54] total there is a larger component for the total project itself but as far
[22:59] as you're concerned the new money is
[23:01] related to the $29 million and the
[23:03] refinancing is associated with the $8
[23:05] million.
[23:06] >> Okay. Um but you would be doing just one actual transaction to cover both in
[23:13] your
[23:15] >> other committee members with any
[23:17] questions at this point in the
[23:18] presentation. There'll be other there'll
[23:19] be more time to ask questions.
[23:22] >> Uh President you have a couple questions
[23:24] so far. Um, so, uh, I guess the first is
[23:29] it it looks like that you're going to be
[23:31] asking us to approve, uh, I guess up to
[23:34] a 5 and a half% yield,
[23:38] >> which is like what 100 basis points
[23:40] above where
[23:41] >> the 20 year
[23:43] >> in Pennsylvania under the Commonwealth
[23:45] of Pennsylvania, what is considered the
[23:47] maximum rate is really the coupon
[23:49] structure. Okay.
[23:50] >> Not the yield. But but you're not we're
[23:52] not pegging whether it's selling at a
[23:53] premium or discount. So we're the the
[23:55] parameters is asking us to give you
[23:57] discretion to sell it at par at five and
[23:59] a half%. That's what we're
[24:01] >> as a max parameter. What we would do is
[24:03] establish in the sales this the sale
[24:05] itself our notice of sale would have a
[24:07] maximum coupon and minimum coupon
[24:10] structure.
[24:11] >> We wanted we established a higher than
[24:13] amount in case there was any adjustment
[24:14] that we needed to make. But as far as
[24:16] you're concerned, the uh max coupon
[24:19] can't go above five and a half percent
[24:21] under these parameters.
[24:22] >> So if we take max coupon and like the the biggest, you know, like uh
[24:27] discount allowed, that's going to give
[24:29] the the a pretty large yield.
[24:31] >> It's an impossible task to do both
[24:33] sides. So if you had a 5% coupon Yeah.
[24:36] and a maximum of $29 million, that would
[24:40] give you an extreme amount of proceeds.
[24:42] So we have it established on both
[24:44] extremes. I I guess I guess my my my
[24:46] question here is you know the the the
[24:48] range in which you can execute under
[24:50] this right which is what we're trying to
[24:52] trying I'm trying to understand like the
[24:53] discretion that we're giving you um you
[24:57] know so
[24:59] uh it seems like a lot um and maybe you
[25:02] can help us understand distill it down
[25:03] to like I I I think of of bond pricing
[25:06] and and yield to maturity so you can
[25:07] give it to me that way right like what
[25:09] are you what what are we you asking us
[25:11] to improve
[25:12] >> you're not doing the process of how
[25:14] you're funding the transaction any
[25:15] differently than you did in the past.
[25:17] So, these are competitive internet
[25:19] auctions.
[25:20] >> Okay?
[25:20] >> So, we would have a competitive pricing
[25:23] >> uh that would establish the coupon and
[25:26] uh purchase price at the time. So, that
[25:28] would be the best case scenario because
[25:30] you're getting the lowest true interest
[25:31] cost associated with the transaction
[25:33] first.
[25:35] Because of the Pennsylvania guidelines
[25:37] under the local government unit debt
[25:39] act, if you are pre-authorizing a
[25:41] transaction, you have to establish these
[25:44] parameters to get an approval from them
[25:48] in advance.
[25:49] >> But again, as your fiduciary and working
[25:52] with the administration, the end result
[25:55] will be as described. So, as we get
[25:57] closer to the pricing, we will be
[25:59] utilizing our pricing group as well as
[26:02] our uh market knowledge to provide uh
[26:05] the administration the estimates of what
[26:07] the annual payments would look like as
[26:09] well as the estimates of what the
[26:10] savings could be if the refinancing were
[26:12] to occur. Prior to that, we can decide
[26:14] if we're going to enter the market at
[26:16] that time. So, we have all the
[26:17] flexibility and the township and its
[26:19] staff will have all of the decision
[26:21] points to make an an informed decision.
[26:24] So our viewpoint is although you are
[26:27] pre-approving something that is extreme
[26:29] understand prior to the entering of the
[26:31] market we would be working together to
[26:34] make sure we're fitting within the
[26:35] standards of what the township is
[26:36] looking for.
[26:36] >> Yeah. I know that either Jeremiah or I
[26:38] have to approve it anyway. So okay. So
[26:41] yeah. Yes. Uh the the uh I guess the uh
[26:46] other question is given the volatility
[26:47] in the bond market like how do you like
[26:50] what are you looking at to decide when
[26:51] to enter?
[26:52] >> Yeah. So the interesting and good part
[26:55] about working with a firm like PFM uh we
[26:58] do more bond issuance than any of the
[27:00] largest banks in the world from a debt
[27:02] issuance side on the municipal space. So
[27:05] when we enter the market we actually are
[27:07] using market knowledge from the work
[27:09] that we do in both Pennsylvania as well
[27:11] as the national presence. So we have an
[27:13] active understanding of the market
[27:16] conditions when the time comes. We're
[27:18] using the traditional types of
[27:20] information that most uh investment
[27:22] banks would utilize, which includes
[27:24] information from, you know, Bloomberg
[27:25] and other outside entities, but most
[27:27] importantly, we're understanding and
[27:30] talking to the competitive market
[27:32] pricing itself. Uh just this week, we
[27:34] did two competitive auctions, although
[27:36] not AAA credits. Uh one was a double A
[27:39] minus credit, one was an A1 credit. Uh
[27:42] the liquidity is still fantastic in the
[27:44] competitive market. we had uh multiple
[27:47] uh biders and multiple syndicates that
[27:49] uh represented those markets. So we feel
[27:52] very comfortable that right now there's
[27:54] a strong liquidity uh for this type of
[27:56] credit.
[27:57] >> That's another point you're looking at
[27:58] is like who's in the market looking to bid.
[28:02] >> We we very much know that.
[28:03] >> Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you,
[28:05] Commissioner.
[28:07] >> Other committee members
[28:09] with questions or comments at this
[28:11] point? Um Jamie, so there will be an
[28:14] auction as we have uh been been able to
[28:19] uh observe previously. So that won't
[28:21] change.
[28:22] >> Will not change.
[28:22] >> The dates in the in the calendar you've
[28:24] shown us are October
[28:27] 21-22.
[28:30] So is that is there are we going to give
[28:35] you wider parameters than that or are
[28:37] those dates that you're
[28:40] explain that is that are you targeting
[28:41] those dates?
[28:42] >> Yeah, we'll we'll work backwards. So
[28:44] first thing that we have to do of course
[28:45] is we have to handle the legal action
[28:47] which is something that we're describing
[28:48] tonight from an administrative side.
[28:51] There's two things that need to be
[28:52] completed. One is the credit rating
[28:54] process. So, we'll begin that process
[28:56] using the two credit rating agencies
[28:58] that the township has traditionally
[29:00] used. That process does take a couple of
[29:03] weeks to go through the review and the
[29:05] phone call as well as their committee
[29:08] process. That driver there allows us to
[29:11] continue to move the process forward to
[29:13] determine when to hit the market. So
[29:16] from our perspective, we're working
[29:17] toward when we think we'll get the
[29:19] credit ratings in place and when the
[29:20] earliest we think we can enter the
[29:22] market from a timing standpoint. That
[29:25] 21st 22nd is that time. Having the max
[29:29] parameters established in this
[29:30] particular case doesn't mean we will
[29:32] enter the market on the 21st or 22nd.
[29:34] It's just the time that we're building
[29:36] toward because of the time associated
[29:38] with the administrative side. Uh we
[29:41] would mark on our calendar. We're using
[29:43] our PFM auction platform which is the
[29:46] platform that would do the internet
[29:47] auction. So we do want to establish a
[29:49] date for that market. We have no
[29:51] problems conserns that we there will be
[29:54] lots of people on those days but
[29:55] understand that we do have to name some
[29:57] times for purposes of planning. If we do
[30:00] in fact decide to move forward on those
[30:02] dates, we would be having conversations
[30:04] with the team making final decisions and
[30:07] the auction would occur as it normally
[30:09] would where it traditionally be around
[30:11] 11:00. uh the auction would take about
[30:13] 15 20 minutes. If there's multiple
[30:15] biders, it could get extended, but in
[30:17] this particular case, that date in which
[30:19] you decide hasn't formally been decided
[30:22] at this point, but we think this is a a
[30:24] good uh preliminary timeline.
[30:27] >> Um up until now, the the the auction
[30:30] date has always been a Wednesday.
[30:32] With the parameters ordinance, can the
[30:34] auction date be any day of the week
[30:36] >> except for Friday? Yeah, we we
[30:38] traditionally want to find a time where
[30:40] there's uh either activity that is
[30:43] strong for the market itself. So we have
[30:46] biders that are uh from across the
[30:48] country. So we uh try to do it at a time
[30:50] where it's not following a a major
[30:52] weekend or holiday event. Uh
[30:54] traditionally we like Tuesdays through
[30:56] Thursdays. We certainly have done them
[30:58] on Mondays, certainly not Fridays, but
[31:00] we find the times in between the week
[31:02] and we of course look at the market um
[31:05] calendars. uh you feds meeting at a
[31:07] certain time, maybe there's major job
[31:08] reports or those type of things that are
[31:10] coming down the road. We kind of work
[31:11] around those time periods as well. So to
[31:14] your point, Wednesday could be a good
[31:16] day, but it may not be the right day uh
[31:18] if the market uh doesn't prevail for
[31:20] that time. Previously, our approach was
[31:22] it had to be a Wednesday
[31:25] because we meet on Wednesdays and we had
[31:27] to approve the results of the auction
[31:30] that evening. So now we don't have to do
[31:32] that because it's a pre-approval
[31:34] process.
[31:35] >> Exactly. Right. Okay, why don't you
[31:37] proceed with your presentation and we
[31:39] can continue to ask questions.
[31:40] >> No, I appreciate all are welcome to ask
[31:42] questions in the course of this
[31:43] presentation.
[31:44] >> Exactly. We're actually getting pretty
[31:45] close to the end anyway. So, uh, you
[31:47] know, just hitting through the
[31:48] highlights of where we are. We're about
[31:50] halfway done with the process. uh the
[31:52] administrative team from PFM as well as
[31:55] the township manager and finance team uh
[31:57] have been working toward getting the
[31:59] preliminary official statement prepared
[32:01] and we be be uh entertaining uh rating
[32:04] calls over the next week or so. Uh we
[32:06] would be preparing a credit rating
[32:08] presentation that would highlight all of
[32:11] the great things that are happening at
[32:12] the township within the county both on
[32:14] the economic conditions as well as the
[32:16] financials of the township. uh we we
[32:19] would also use that time to answer any
[32:21] particular questions that the credit
[32:22] rating would would have. Uh they've been
[32:25] very standard these days. They ask the
[32:27] type of similar questions, but they
[32:28] certainly focus on the things that
[32:29] matter, which is what do we think the
[32:31] township will look like in the future?
[32:33] Uh and this is a great story to tell,
[32:35] and we're looking forward to that
[32:36] conversation. uh once that uh credit
[32:38] rating uh discussion happens uh we'd be
[32:41] working with the finance team to finish
[32:42] up the preliminary official statement
[32:44] which is the document that helps uh find
[32:46] the investors and ultimately be used for
[32:48] our internet auction and as you'll see
[32:50] we have uh asked you to consider the
[32:53] parameters ordinance on the October 14th
[32:55] meeting uh that you know does allow for
[32:57] that ability to after that to enter the
[33:00] market anytime thereafter
[33:03] uh we would have some uh post
[33:04] advertisements associated with it but
[33:06] again From our perspective, we're in a
[33:09] good place. We've uh hit all of the
[33:11] highlights. The everything is looking
[33:12] very doing very well for the township
[33:14] and uh we anticipate uh moving at a at a
[33:17] good pace.
[33:19] Outside of that, once the the bonds are
[33:21] sold, about a month later is when the
[33:23] funds are available to you uh for
[33:25] settlement. And then the funds will be
[33:27] either to be reimbursed if you use that
[33:29] reimbursement resolution or deposited
[33:31] into a construction fund uh for the
[33:32] capital needs.
[33:35] So, we're routing third on the
[33:37] transaction itself, but we think we're
[33:40] uh you know, we've done all the the
[33:41] major uh highlights at this point in
[33:42] time. We feel very good about it.
[33:46] Questions? All right. Thank you. Um um
[33:49] Adam, do you have any more to present on this item? Okay. So, stay there. Um
[33:54] is there any member of the public with
[33:56] us this evening that has any questions
[33:58] or comments? Okay, seeing none, we're back to committee members with
[34:02] questions or comments. Um so
[34:07] this parameter the parameters ordinance
[34:10] going forward if we like this process
[34:15] each time we go to issue new debt it
[34:19] would take a parameters ordinance it's
[34:21] not a permanent it's unique to an
[34:23] issuance
[34:24] >> correct
[34:25] >> if we don't like it we can go back to
[34:26] our prior uh Wednesdays only we have to
[34:30] approve it that evening
[34:31] >> that's exactly right
[34:32] >> and did you say that um there are many
[34:36] municipal issuers of debt who use a
[34:38] parameters ordinance approach.
[34:39] >> Yeah, I would say most local governments
[34:41] in Pennsylvania use the parameters
[34:42] approach.
[34:44] >> Okay. Well, thank you for uh
[34:46] recommending that, but I guess that we
[34:48] we'll find out if that's the right way
[34:50] to go, but uh sounds like from your
[34:52] experience and and and that of many
[34:54] others that it is. So, okay, committee
[34:56] members with questions or comments um on
[35:00] this.
[35:02] Okay.
[35:04] Um, do we want to provide feedback?
[35:09] We've been asked whether we want to go
[35:11] have a threshold of 2% in order to
[35:15] proceed with a refunding. We typically
[35:18] have a threshold of 3%. And you said in
[35:21] your presentation
[35:23] um that the 3% would essentially
[35:28] generate 200,000 in savings. 2% net
[35:31] present value savings would be 130,000
[35:34] estimated.
[35:35] >> Yes.
[35:36] >> Um and you are you recommending 2%.
[35:39] >> I'm recommending that the threshold be
[35:42] 2%. uh the competitive sale itself will
[35:45] obviously generate the most savings as
[35:48] possible and we want to make sure it
[35:49] fits within those parameters.
[35:52] Traditionally, rule of thumb for current
[35:54] period refundings, which is what this
[35:56] is, 2% is the traditional savings
[35:58] threshold. If this was done as an
[36:00] advanced refunding, which aren't allowed
[36:02] anymore for tax exempt purposes, 3%'s
[36:04] the standard. So that is a change since
[36:06] 2017 when tax reform occurred. So we
[36:09] suggest that 2% be the threshold for
[36:11] this particular transaction. Um Adam and
[36:13] Ernie with any recommendation on this.
[36:16] >> We concur with the 2% parameter if it
[36:19] makes sense here.
[36:22] >> Other other committee members with
[36:24] thoughts on this the I think the
[36:26] recommendation of our of our FA and our
[36:29] management team um makes sense to me.
[36:33] others.
[36:36] Okay. Um I don't think that's in the um
[36:40] well I know it's not in the uh in the
[36:43] motion that was made but uh you're
[36:45] getting a a sense of the of the
[36:47] committee. Is that sufficient?
[36:49] >> It is.
[36:49] >> Okay. Um seeing no more questions or
[36:52] comments. Commissioner Bernhard,
[36:54] >> does that I apologize. Does that thing
[36:55] then go into the parameters ordinance
[36:58] itself?
[36:59] >> It does.
[36:59] >> Right. Okay.
[37:02] So, the motion has been made and
[37:05] seconded. All those in favor, raise your
[37:07] hand.
[37:08] Are there any opposed? Are there any
[37:11] abstensions? Okay. Um, that motion
[37:14] passes unanimously. Um, Jamie and PFM,
[37:18] thank you very much. Appreciate it.
[37:20] >> We will now move on to the fourth and
[37:22] final item of tonight's finance
[37:24] committee agenda.
[37:26] And that is on page
[37:30] 63 of your finance committee packet.
[37:34] That is for the committee to consider
[37:36] authorization to advertise an ordinance
[37:40] uh which would increase our solid waste
[37:43] fees for fiscal year 2027.
[37:47] I will move that the finance committee
[37:49] recommend to the board of commissioners
[37:51] authorizing the township secretary to
[37:53] advertise notice of intent to adopt an
[37:56] ordinance to amend the code of the
[37:58] township of lower Maran chapter A167
[38:01] fees to provide for a 14% increase in
[38:05] fees relating to the collection of solid
[38:08] waste from residential properties for
[38:11] each subscription level and all optional
[38:14] rear yard collection.
[38:16] service levels effective January 1,
[38:20] 2027. Do I have a second?
[38:26] I do. From Commissioner Sparrow. Okay.
[38:29] The motion has been made and seconded.
[38:31] Adam, can you tell us more?
[38:42] Can you show us more?
[38:46] I will tell and show more. Uh so
[38:49] tonight's presentation uh will review
[38:53] the solid waste fund including
[38:55] subscription and financial history as
[38:56] well as our options for the fund moving
[38:59] into 2027.
[39:09] By way of background, solid waste fund
[39:11] is an enterprise fund uh with the intent
[39:13] to uh recover full cost recovery via
[39:16] user fees and other revenues. Township's
[39:19] financial policy calls for the township
[39:21] to strive to maintain a 10% fund balance
[39:24] uh for the fund. although it's financial
[39:25] position that has been difficult in the
[39:27] last few years. Uh the refuge division
[39:30] uh provides trash and recycling
[39:31] collection uh services for over 16,900
[39:36] residential accounts uh in uh collects
[39:39] annually 15,000 tons of trash as well as
[39:42] 5,000 tons of uh recycled material.
[39:51] And this slide just shows graphically
[39:52] the history of that tonnage. uh after a
[39:55] decade of tonnage decline in refuge uh
[39:59] tonnage, it's been relatively flat since
[40:01] 2014 at that 15,000 tonnage threshold
[40:05] with the exception of the COVID spike uh
[40:08] that you see in the early 2020s.
[40:16] And the operations that it takes to
[40:18] provide these services include the
[40:20] weekly operations of six refuge crews
[40:22] and five recycling crews Monday through
[40:24] Friday, as well as smaller trucks at
[40:27] Service Township facilities. Uh the
[40:30] operations staff uh overseeing the
[40:33] operations. Uh we also have the special
[40:35] trash pickup crew on Thursdays, uh which
[40:38] is part of the the regular staff that go
[40:40] out on Thursdays for those special trash
[40:42] pickup runs as needed. We also have the
[40:45] seasonal operations of leaf collection,
[40:47] weekend cleanups, hazardous and e-waste
[40:50] events.
[40:55] So, a history of the solid waste fee
[40:58] itself is shown here uh with several
[41:01] years before and after the 2021 fee
[41:03] restructuring that occurred. Um, not
[41:06] going to belver too many of the
[41:08] individual numbers here, but just by way
[41:10] of how much these costs have grown. Um,
[41:13] since the restructuring, Minican has
[41:15] grown by about 3.2% annually or or I'm
[41:19] sorry, 3.5 a little bit higher on the
[41:22] standard 4.1% compound annual growth
[41:25] rate and the enhanced uh 5.3%.
[41:33] This is a breakdown of our 2026
[41:35] subscriptions.
[41:38] The um
[41:42] most of our subscriptions of course are
[41:43] in the minan and standard uh comprising
[41:46] 14 and 78% respectively. Um the optional
[41:52] rear yard service skews slightly the
[41:54] other way with enhanced uh subscriptions
[41:57] making up nearly 20% of this optional
[41:59] service.
[42:04] This has been changing over time. Uh so
[42:08] particularly um with rate increases
[42:11] which are the years highlighted here. We
[42:14] do see uh either new accounts, not new
[42:17] accounts but new residents maybe
[42:19] updating this subscription from the
[42:21] prior resident uh as well as people
[42:24] downsizing their subscriptions when they
[42:26] can. Uh, for example, in 2011, the
[42:30] oldest year here shown, uh, many can
[42:33] subscriptions only made up 7.6% of our
[42:36] overall subscription. Today, they're
[42:38] 14%. Enhanced subscriptions in 2011 were
[42:42] almost 1 in4 uh, subscriptions. Today,
[42:45] it's 8%.
[42:47] And the standard has grown uh, by about
[42:49] 10 percentage points during that time.
[42:58] The solid waste fund has been the fund
[43:00] most significantly impacted from various
[43:02] cost pressures that we'll explore in the
[43:03] upcoming slides. The fund started this
[43:06] year with a very minimal fund balance as
[43:08] we discussed at the end of last year uh
[43:11] and is only ending this year with
[43:12] $190,000 surplus due to the inclusion of
[43:15] a $900,000 onetime transfer in of
[43:18] unrestricted ARP interest earnings to
[43:20] help the fund this year. Without any
[43:23] action, the fund is projected to have a
[43:25] $ 1.3 million deficit due to the
[43:27] increased costs in the fund and the lack
[43:28] of one-time options for it going
[43:31] forward.
[43:37] This slide just shows a breakdown of
[43:40] those costs in the past few years and
[43:42] against budget. Um we are projecting
[43:46] slightly higher labor costs than
[43:48] anticipated uh due to um mostly needing
[43:52] to use other divisions uh for staffing
[43:55] shortages. There really are no vacancy
[43:57] savings in this fund um to provide the
[44:00] service at the level uh that we expect
[44:03] uh as well as slightly higher co-mingled
[44:05] recycling costs than were budgeted.
[44:07] revenue is projected to come in at
[44:09] budget with no notable deviations uh
[44:12] outside of some reduced recycling
[44:14] revenue grant from the state uh being
[44:16] offset by other miscellaneous revenue.
[44:19] Um not from a budget to budget
[44:22] perspective, but also note uh I'll
[44:23] discuss later the paper recycling line
[44:25] item dropping notably from over 200,000
[44:29] in 2025 to only 55,000 in 2026.
[44:39] So this graphic provides a long range
[44:41] trajectory of the solid waste fund
[44:44] revenues and expenses um from 2015
[44:48] through the current period and it really
[44:50] drives uh that the change in 2022
[44:55] that has impacted this fund uh prior to
[44:59] 2022 costs grew uh at a very low rate of
[45:04] about 1.3%
[45:06] Since then, 2022 to 2027 uh expenses
[45:09] have gone up
[45:11] 32% or just almost 6% yeartoyear.
[45:17] Uh the 2022 to 27 revenue uh increase
[45:20] without any f
[45:23] additional rate increases for 27 would
[45:25] only be 2 and a.5% during that time
[45:27] period um on an annualized basis.
[45:31] The dotted lines on the graphic uh just
[45:35] provide a visualization of the one-time
[45:38] waiverss of expenses and onetime
[45:40] revenues that we've used in the past two
[45:42] years to temporarily help the fund.
[45:50] This graphic shows uh the
[45:54] rate trajectory for our
[45:58] refues and recycling
[46:00] unit costs. So most of our costs are of
[46:03] course the red line which goes up over
[46:06] time but a much smaller pace. Uh that's
[46:09] our refuge collection which is just
[46:11] under $100 per ton this year
[46:15] and will grow by 4% uh contractually in
[46:18] the next few years each year. Recycling
[46:21] rates uh here are shown what we
[46:24] ultimately pay which is the market plus
[46:26] our haulers fixed costs. So the
[46:29] co-mingled recycling in blue uh we had a
[46:32] very good market that drove down our
[46:34] costs. We even received some revenue for
[46:36] our co-mingled recycling products uh
[46:39] during some stretches of time in late
[46:40] 2021 and early 2022.
[46:43] Excuse me.
[46:45] Um our most recent contract has helped
[46:47] somewhat. You see a small decline from a
[46:50] very high uh record high number at the
[46:52] end of 2025 into 2026 with the new
[46:55] hauler. Um but the overall recycling
[46:58] market is still not very strong. Uh
[47:02] paper also had a similar trajectory
[47:04] where we were getting uh very high rates
[47:08] uh of revenue on our paper recycling uh
[47:12] which is shown as a negative here. So
[47:13] the lower the more revenue we got. Um
[47:18] there are minimal local buyers of our
[47:21] paper and cardboard products which saw
[47:24] little competition in the last time we
[47:25] went to the market for that contract. Uh
[47:27] so much of the movement you see from 25
[47:29] to 26 uh going towards $0, it's it's uh
[47:34] you know in the $25 range currently per
[47:36] ton uh was just the change in that
[47:41] contract. We used to get a premium on
[47:43] the market price for our paper products
[47:45] and now we uh pay a slight fee uh for
[47:49] the service of uh having it hauled away.
[47:55] So overall our solid waste fee revenues
[47:59] the fees themselves represent almost 90%
[48:01] of fund revenues. Uh this total solid
[48:04] waste revenue growth is is constrained
[48:07] and uh absent additional fee increases
[48:09] or the uh growth of non fee revenue uh
[48:13] that has troubled us and actually has
[48:15] gone the opposite way in the past few
[48:17] years. As I highlight here and noted
[48:19] before, our recycling uh contract uh has
[48:23] reduced that revenue potential. Uh we
[48:26] also saw some changes to the way that
[48:28] the PAP
[48:31] uh considers multi-municipal
[48:34] uh
[48:35] solicitations for their grant award. Uh
[48:38] so we receive less in that grant money
[48:40] by about 20,000 a year. Um and charges
[48:44] from services are growth are minimal at
[48:46] best. We've already implemented
[48:48] cleanup weekend charge and have it
[48:50] increased our cost recovery fees for
[48:52] special pickup which do help uh but at
[48:54] the margins compared to the deficit that
[48:57] we are looking at ahead.
[49:00] Just to touch upon the cleanup weekend
[49:02] uh since that was discussed at the end
[49:04] of last year which entails uh a crew of
[49:06] about 16 employees on Saturday and
[49:09] Sunday uh providing that service we
[49:12] institute a $20 per entry fee for that
[49:14] weekend. Uh car counts notably declined
[49:18] uh by 60%. Tonnage declined by 40%. The
[49:21] average tonnage uh was $155
[49:27] per car. You go any other weekend and
[49:29] spend $20, that will buy you $140
[49:33] uh of of drop off. Um so this fee
[49:38] reduced our cost ultimately. We had no
[49:40] revenue against it. it turned a $86,000
[49:43] uh net cost to the township down to
[49:46] approximately 40. So considerable
[49:47] decline in the attendance really
[49:49] prevented that full cost recovery. Um
[49:51] that was probably always difficult but
[49:55] um I think we're expecting
[49:58] not quite that decline that we saw
[50:05] on the expenditure side of the ledger.
[50:07] Um the several factors have driven that
[50:12] co those costs to grow 32% from 22 to
[50:15] 27. We did add a crew that helped
[50:18] operations in 2023, but that on top of
[50:20] the overall wage growth since that time
[50:22] and healthc care cost increases have
[50:24] added up. Um you'll see on the next
[50:27] slide visually the significant increase
[50:29] in vehicle replacement costs um for
[50:32] these vehicles. Um, we also had a period
[50:35] of time in which
[50:37] we were had orders out for a year or two
[50:40] on end. So, we had to maintain aging
[50:42] vehicle. So, at the same time, we were
[50:44] trying to uh recover future costs to
[50:48] replace uh that fleet that's becoming
[50:50] more expensive. We also had the
[50:52] maintenance costs as we waited for those
[50:54] vehicles to come in.
[50:58] And this visually just shows that um
[51:00] with those vehicle charges to the fund
[51:03] growing very fast from 22 to 2025 and
[51:06] have leveled out since then now that
[51:08] we're able to get those vehicles in and
[51:10] maintenance costs have relieved and
[51:11] we're kind of in the new normal of what
[51:13] those vehicles cost uh to to get as well
[51:17] as the labor cost growth in the fund
[51:19] growing about 37% uh since 2022.
[51:28] So the need to address the large deficit
[51:30] requires a significant rate increase
[51:31] and/or subsidy from the general fund.
[51:34] this screen. There are several rate
[51:35] levels at various increases uh with the
[51:38] finance committee's recommended 14% in
[51:40] the middle uh which would constitute an
[51:42] increase uh to the many can subscription
[51:45] of $42,
[51:47] an increase to the standard subscription
[51:48] to $65 and an increase to the enhanced
[51:52] subscription of $96 for 2027.
[51:58] If we were to raise rates and not
[52:01] require any general fund subsidy, we
[52:03] would be in that we'd be talking about
[52:05] that 15 to 17.5% uh range.
[52:13] So the finance committee officers uh did
[52:16] meet to review uh the status of this
[52:19] fund and in our conversations
[52:22] we came are coming to the board this
[52:24] evening with the recommendation of a 14%
[52:28] rate increase for 2027. a general fund
[52:32] transfer in subsidy for the 2027 year,
[52:35] currently projected at 140,000 uh to
[52:37] keep this uh fund at a budget neutral
[52:41] position uh in 2027. Um and to uh review
[52:46] whether the two cleanup weekends in the
[52:48] spring are warranted with a reduced uh
[52:50] utilization of the weekend service.
[52:55] With those two recommended changes,
[52:58] uh the 2027 projected financials are are
[53:02] in front of you, uh which would retain
[53:04] an approximate $300,000 fund balance at
[53:06] year end.
[53:10] Any
[53:14] solid waste, any solid waste fee
[53:16] increase of course requires an ordinance
[53:18] that's before you for uh authorization
[53:20] to advertise tonight uh to be voted on
[53:23] uh prior to the end of October. Um,
[53:27] as past practice with fee increases, we
[53:32] will send out a mailing to go out to
[53:34] each customer to verify their current
[53:38] subscription and provide a option uh to
[53:42] switch if they do have a subscription
[53:44] level uh that's higher than they
[53:46] ultimately need at this time. And the
[53:49] 2027 solid waste bill is included on the
[53:51] tax bill which is mailed at the end of
[53:53] January.
[53:58] happy to answer any questions you have.
[54:00] >> Do any members of the public with us
[54:01] this evening have any questions or
[54:03] comments on this item? Seeing none,
[54:07] thank you very much, Adam. There's a lot
[54:09] that you have presented on this topic.
[54:12] Needless to say, it's an enormously
[54:14] challenging issue. Uh the finance
[54:17] committee officers, commissioners
[54:19] Courtourtney and Sparrow and myself
[54:21] along with staff uh went through this in
[54:25] depth at a recent meeting which was
[54:28] which followed our in-depth meeting on
[54:31] considering changes to our fund balance
[54:33] policy which we recently voted on. Um
[54:38] tonight is an authorization to advertise
[54:40] so there would be another vote in
[54:42] October.
[54:44] Volume has been flat essentially since
[54:47] 2014
[54:50] for refues. Costs are up. Other revenue
[54:54] is down.
[54:56] Um our goal
[54:59] is that this
[55:01] annual review of the solid waste fund is
[55:04] to be able to say that fees would
[55:07] increase no more than inflation. But
[55:11] we're not there because of these
[55:13] different difficult impacts
[55:16] um on this fund. We would like to get
[55:19] there. Um
[55:22] you know the changes we implemented a
[55:24] year ago. Uh we'd also
[55:27] committee recommends that we only have
[55:30] one spring cleanup weekend and not two
[55:33] pending
[55:35] uh the data that will be coming from the
[55:37] next cleanup weekend which is uh on
[55:40] October
[55:42] first weekend of October
[55:44] >> second. Yeah.
[55:46] >> Second or third.
[55:47] >> So shortly after that staff will provide
[55:51] an update for our review. But we think
[55:54] that the data is going to demonstrate
[55:56] that one cleanup weekend in the spring
[55:58] is all that is needed. So
[56:03] that's what's before us. Do committee
[56:05] members have questions or comments?
[56:08] Commissioner Bernheim.
[56:10] >> Thank you very much, Commissioner. Um I
[56:14] am sure there was, you know, a lot of um
[56:17] a lot of review to come up with a 14%
[56:20] increase.
[56:22] you know that
[56:24] in one realm that's like a sticker shock
[56:27] type number in another the actual cost
[56:31] itself and I I just look at where most
[56:34] people just at the the one camp isn't
[56:36] probably outrageous if you were to find
[56:39] other municipalities that use um private
[56:44] services to go go ahead and do it. Uh
[56:47] but the the question still comes all
[56:49] right where else might we be able to
[56:52] find some element of cost savings? If
[56:56] anybody was doing some back of the
[56:58] napkin math when we went through the
[57:01] recent budget workshop, uh they
[57:04] recognize we're talking plus or minus at
[57:08] least, you know, 5% tax increase and 14%
[57:12] um you know, solid weight waste fund.
[57:15] So, I I take a look at this and I see,
[57:18] for example, the um labor costs jumping
[57:23] um doing quick math here now about 5 and
[57:27] a half%.
[57:29] What What's the driver for that?
[57:34] >> Well, we know currently that our
[57:38] healthcare utilization is at 12% above
[57:41] expected for 2026.
[57:43] So that's a big driver of that being
[57:45] above any uh wage increase
[57:50] projections that we have in there and
[57:52] that's kind of driving it uh as well uh
[57:55] is that healthcare. We don't know what
[57:56] it is yet of course. Um so and that's part of it. We put in that 12% on
[58:04] health care because that's where our
[58:06] utilization is right now. Um, and I
[58:10] don't want to be in a position where I
[58:11] come back and say I had a pretty bad
[58:14] projection on that that it was, you
[58:15] know, I did six when I knew our
[58:17] utilization was at 12.
[58:20] >> Um, all right.
[58:21] >> Do you want to add?
[58:22] >> So, I mean, Adam, it's basically the
[58:25] combination of some kind of guess as to
[58:29] where wages will go next year
[58:31] >> and then combine in a double digit
[58:34] expected healthc care premium increase.
[58:36] the two of them combined then raise it
[58:39] >> raise it. Yeah. I mean I when I was
[58:41] looking at it maybe you know missing the insurance item I was thinking what
[58:46] my crystal ball said that that WA
[58:49] increase would be not adding the
[58:51] insurance component to it. Um yet
[58:54] hopefully that's a a higher estimate
[58:57] than reality but we won't know until
[58:58] that occurs. Um, in reference to vehicle
[59:01] charges, uh, and and the expenses there,
[59:04] we still use these also as snow plows,
[59:09] any of the trucks, we do we used to
[59:11] >> we we will bring them out in a heavier
[59:13] snow and put plows on them and we'll use
[59:16] them to plows main arteries.
[59:19] >> They're not in every snowstorm obviously
[59:21] only the only the bigger snowstorms that
[59:23] require a lot of extensive plowing. So,
[59:26] this may be more of an accounting um
[59:28] question because dollars in and dollars
[59:30] out at the end of the day um are still
[59:32] dollars. Uh since it's used then for
[59:36] public works, does some of those charges
[59:38] go over to public works budget versus um
[59:42] the solid waste fund?
[59:43] >> Yeah, Adam tracks it going both ways. So
[59:47] at times public works uh highway
[59:49] division is helping uh is helping pick
[59:52] up trash when we're short personnel and
[59:55] trash and then of course when
[59:58] refuge employees are helping the other
[1:00:00] way we track that as well.
[1:00:01] >> All right. So it's um net nothing.
[1:00:05] >> Okay.
[1:00:05] >> I'm not sure we charge I don't I don't
[1:00:07] think we charge by the day for the
[1:00:09] vehicles but certainly the labor costs
[1:00:11] go both ways when they service each
[1:00:13] other.
[1:00:13] >> Um all right. So then as opposed to me
[1:00:18] um doing some guesswork here, is there
[1:00:21] anything else that you have thought of
[1:00:23] where we might be able to trim some of
[1:00:25] the cost? So potentially the increase
[1:00:28] we're looking at would be less than 14%.
[1:00:32] One or two things that we've already
[1:00:33] done, I didn't mention in here, but we
[1:00:35] did an audit of both of our recycling
[1:00:37] contracts to make sure that we're
[1:00:39] getting paid
[1:00:41] the appropriate amount based on the
[1:00:42] market um going back a few years on our
[1:00:45] paper recycling contract and that that
[1:00:48] worked out. Um
[1:00:50] and we also did an audit recently with
[1:00:53] our comingled hauler of our um the split
[1:00:59] of our uh comingled recycling because if
[1:01:04] we saw any notable movement in the high
[1:01:08] value plastics and the aluminum that
[1:01:11] would help us because basically it's
[1:01:14] costly to do those o
[1:01:17] frequently. Um, so
[1:01:21] you your contract is basically has fixed
[1:01:24] uh split of your different coingled
[1:01:26] products based on past history. Um, we
[1:01:30] looked at that just to see if there were
[1:01:32] going to be any gains and I'm happy to
[1:01:34] say that our cost went down by 20 cents
[1:01:36] per ton uh because our numbers were
[1:01:39] pretty good and we saw a little bit of
[1:01:40] switch. The thing that we did learn in
[1:01:43] that process that certainly we're going
[1:01:45] to have with public information um is
[1:01:48] that when they receive
[1:01:51] recycling products in garbage bags,
[1:01:55] that's residue that's thrown out. It's a
[1:01:58] public it's a safety hazard for them to
[1:02:00] open up those bags um because they don't
[1:02:02] know what's in them. Um so that is
[1:02:06] something that we're going to hit on the
[1:02:08] public information side. It's on the
[1:02:10] margins, but I'd say that please do not
[1:02:12] put your recycling in trash bags. Uh
[1:02:15] save there. Um
[1:02:17] >> you you have mentioned that before and I
[1:02:18] think it's incumbent upon all of us in
[1:02:20] whatever vehicles, be it the
[1:02:23] commissioners or the township app to
[1:02:25] educate people because they just don't
[1:02:26] know.
[1:02:27] >> Yeah. So those are some of the things
[1:02:28] that we we've taken a look at. Um yeah,
[1:02:31] it's
[1:02:33] the hard thing is it's it's a hard
[1:02:35] business in this part of the state. A
[1:02:38] lot of people are dealing with these
[1:02:39] cost increases. Um, and it's always
[1:02:42] incumbent upon us to find other cost
[1:02:44] savings areas and something that we're
[1:02:46] going to be looking hard at and have
[1:02:47] looked hard at.
[1:02:48] >> And and then of course there's the paper
[1:02:50] recycling the actual for 2025 228,000
[1:02:54] and looking at 55,000 in 2026.
[1:02:59] That not going to rebound according to
[1:03:02] your crystal ball. Well, we have a a
[1:03:05] contract uh in hand. We can decide to
[1:03:08] extend it or not, but if we don't extend
[1:03:10] it, we have to go back to the market.
[1:03:11] And you know, I'll knock down every door
[1:03:13] to try and find another buyer of our
[1:03:17] uh recycling. But um in talking with our
[1:03:21] com, they were not surprised that we
[1:03:24] only got one bit.
[1:03:26] >> Okay. Thank you very much, Commissioner
[1:03:28] Zah. No other talk.
[1:03:33] Yeah.
[1:03:33] >> Well, we do need to try and find a
[1:03:35] little humor in this. So, um, other
[1:03:37] committee members with questions or
[1:03:39] comments.
[1:03:42] >> President sign off.
[1:03:43] >> Thanks, Commissioner Z. Uh, so, Adam,
[1:03:45] just a question. Um, you you had
[1:03:48] mentioned that the township
[1:03:50] um practice had been a 10% fund balance
[1:03:54] for emergencies and contingencies.
[1:03:58] I just wasn't quite sure what an
[1:04:00] emergency or contingency would be in
[1:04:01] this fund. Um
[1:04:04] you when we had looked at the uh the
[1:04:07] fund balance policy like one of the
[1:04:08] things that you had showed us was just
[1:04:09] how much volatility there was and I
[1:04:11] don't know if you have a sense of like
[1:04:13] the historic volatility in this fund so
[1:04:14] we can you calibrate.
[1:04:16] >> It doesn't really have any volatility.
[1:04:18] Okay. To be honest I think that carries
[1:04:20] more from it's in the policy along with
[1:04:22] the sanitary sewer fund which certainly
[1:04:25] could have its emergencies. um and also
[1:04:28] carries debt so it has a much more
[1:04:30] strong
[1:04:31] fund balance you know threshold in my
[1:04:33] mind.
[1:04:34] >> Okay.
[1:04:34] >> Compared to this.
[1:04:35] >> So so there there there's like there's
[1:04:37] nothing in practice there's like nothing
[1:04:38] we need to buffer against in this that
[1:04:40] >> and technically you know our compactor
[1:04:42] uh which mostly provides services to the
[1:04:45] refugees uh is not
[1:04:48] that's part of our CIP. It doesn't get
[1:04:51] put into the the the solid waste fund.
[1:04:54] So, in theory, the general fund is
[1:04:56] subsidizing uh some of that capital.
[1:04:59] >> Okay, perfect.
[1:05:01] >> Thank you. Yeah, and I I I sent a bunch
[1:05:02] of questions earlier that I'm just not
[1:05:04] going to repeat tonight. Suffice it to
[1:05:05] say that uh it was a impressive u piece
[1:05:09] of work that that you and the the uh the
[1:05:12] chairs and vice chairs of the finance
[1:05:14] committee did uh working on this and
[1:05:16] thinking it through. So, so thank you
[1:05:18] everyone. Thanks, Commissioner Zoff.
[1:05:20] Adam, just to reiterate what you said,
[1:05:22] the sanitary sewer fund does carry debt.
[1:05:25] This fund, the solid waste fund, carries
[1:05:27] no debt.
[1:05:30] >> Okay. Other committee members with
[1:05:32] questions or comments.
[1:05:36] » Commissioner Kramer, do you have your
[1:05:37] hand up? I can't tell.
[1:05:38] >> Yes.
[1:05:39] >> Okay.
[1:05:40] >> Yes, I do.
[1:05:42] Um, I have spoken about what I view as
[1:05:46] some inequities in the way in which this
[1:05:50] these fees are structured each year for
[1:05:53] a couple of years. And I'm not going to
[1:05:55] reiterate everything that I have said,
[1:05:57] but I think that
[1:05:59] it's important to realize that there are
[1:06:01] many residents
[1:06:03] who even before these proposed increases
[1:06:06] are paying more in solid solid waste
[1:06:09] fees than they are in real estate taxes.
[1:06:13] And the burden falls in my view
[1:06:17] inequitably on the the smallest um
[1:06:22] assessed homeowners.
[1:06:24] I think that this just reiterates the
[1:06:27] importance of reviewing the way in which
[1:06:30] we charge for this and I would hope that
[1:06:33] this would become a priority next year.
[1:06:36] I would also prefer to see a greater
[1:06:39] subsidy of this fund from the general
[1:06:42] fund instead of putting all of the
[1:06:44] burden on um the homeowners in this way.
[1:06:54] » Other committee members, Commissioner
[1:06:56] Courtney.
[1:06:56] >> Thank you, Commissioner.
[1:06:58] I I share some of Commissioner Kramer's
[1:07:01] concerns about the inequity of a of a
[1:07:05] fee that is mandatory. That's the
[1:07:07] equivalent of a flat tax. Uh that being
[1:07:10] said, we did debate this, wrestle this.
[1:07:13] That point came up in the conversation
[1:07:15] we had in our committee and uh the 14%
[1:07:18] was with the 140 transfer was the
[1:07:20] compromise that we arrived at. And so I
[1:07:23] agree that we should revisit this policy
[1:07:25] in the future, but for this year, uh I
[1:07:28] stand by the compromise that we made.
[1:07:30] >> Thank you.
[1:07:32] And the finance committee operates on
[1:07:34] the approach that if we're all a little
[1:07:36] bit unhappy, then we've uh accomplished
[1:07:38] uh our our mission as uh handed to us as
[1:07:41] given to us by President Sinai. Um
[1:07:45] okay, other committee members with
[1:07:47] questions or comments?
[1:07:50] Seeing none, uh this motion has been
[1:07:53] made and seconded. All those in favor,
[1:07:55] raise your hand.
[1:07:58] Are there any opposed?
[1:08:00] Are there any abstensions?
[1:08:03] >> Madam Secretary, that carries
[1:08:05] unanimously. Uh, President Sinai, before
[1:08:07] I hand the gavl back to you, I would
[1:08:10] like to uh recognize our CFO because in
[1:08:14] the month of September, we have had
[1:08:17] three meetings, all of which have
[1:08:19] included significant time for finance
[1:08:22] issues, including the debt issuing
[1:08:25] tonight, the debt issuance of new debt,
[1:08:28] the solid waste fund, two meetings on
[1:08:30] our fund balance policy,
[1:08:33] uh, a lot of work on our two collective
[1:08:36] bargaining agreements which are
[1:08:37] currently being negotiated. And finally,
[1:08:41] uh considering the options and proposals
[1:08:44] to implement an ERP system which is uh
[1:08:47] going to be a significant improvement in
[1:08:49] how our
[1:08:51] township operates uh which was discussed
[1:08:54] at the budget workshop in June. And I
[1:08:56] may have missed something but thank you
[1:08:58] Adam and uh thank you all.
[1:09:01] >> Okay. Thanks Commissioner Zeloff. Our
[1:09:02] next committee meeting for this evening
[1:09:04] is building
[1:09:05] recognize Commissioner Whan.
[1:09:06] >> Thank you, President Sinai. We have one
[1:09:08] item on the agenda this evening. Might
[1:09:11] feel like a little bit of deja vu to
[1:09:12] everyone. This is the agenda item we
[1:09:14] postponed last week to make sure we got
[1:09:16] everything buttoned up and right for
[1:09:18] this week, and I believe it is. So, this
[1:09:20] is with regard to the authorization to
[1:09:22] advertise an ordinance chapter 155
[1:09:25] zoning multiple principal buildings in
[1:09:27] the CADB
[1:09:30] Z2603
[1:09:32] district. So, I'm going to get us
[1:09:34] started by moving to recommend to the
[1:09:37] board of commissioners authorizing the
[1:09:38] township secretary to advertise a public
[1:09:41] hearing and notice of intent to adopt an
[1:09:43] ordinance to amend the code of the
[1:09:44] township of lower Maran chapter 155
[1:09:47] entitled zoning article 6 special
[1:09:51] districts table 6.8.2 2 Bala Village
[1:09:56] Dimensional Standards to add a rear
[1:09:58] setback provision for structures backing
[1:10:00] to a railroad rightway. Section 155-6.8
[1:10:06] to provide standards for entries,
[1:10:08] signage, and windows when multiple
[1:10:10] principal buildings exist on a lot.
[1:10:13] Section 155-6.6.H
[1:10:16] H to provide buffer and greening
[1:10:18] standards common driveways
[1:10:22] for common driveways serving more than
[1:10:24] one lot. Do I have a second?
[1:10:27] >> Thank you, Commissioner Wooding. Vice
[1:10:29] President Woodring. Uh Chris, can you
[1:10:31] take us away?
[1:10:32] >> Good evening. Um this evening, um
[1:10:35] bringing forward an ordinance for
[1:10:36] consideration for the building planning
[1:10:38] committee to authorize for
[1:10:40] advertisement. It's to modify
[1:10:42] dimensional standards within the Ball
[1:10:45] Village district. Um
[1:10:48] Ball Village is is a district that runs
[1:10:51] along Bow Avenue from McGomery Avenue to
[1:10:53] City Avenue and it also includes um
[1:10:56] parts of City Avenue running down a
[1:10:58] little bit past St. Joe's University
[1:11:00] from Balor Avenue. What we've seen in in
[1:11:03] Ball Village over the last few years is
[1:11:05] some of these areas are in transition.
[1:11:07] We know it has multiple character areas.
[1:11:09] area around the theater that everybody
[1:11:10] knows is a traditional downtown feel.
[1:11:12] And the area along City Avenue has a
[1:11:14] very distinct highway kind of retail
[1:11:17] feel, but there's a block between uh
[1:11:20] Union Avenue and City Avenue that is of
[1:11:24] a completely different character. It has
[1:11:26] currently has some office buildings um
[1:11:29] some kind of a a mix of uses, office
[1:11:32] buildings. There's also been some retail
[1:11:35] uh car uses, auto uses, and it's in
[1:11:37] transition. And these lots are very long
[1:11:40] and narrow and we're want to anticipate
[1:11:43] what they could be redeveloped as. And
[1:11:45] as we started to look at this and we've
[1:11:47] had conversations with people from the
[1:11:49] community, the ward commissioner, we
[1:11:51] thought that we bring forward this set
[1:11:53] of um dimensional amendments that would
[1:11:57] better that would promote better
[1:11:59] contextsensitive development on that
[1:12:01] block because as it is now, the Ball
[1:12:04] Village District in our entire code
[1:12:07] requires all buildings to front on a
[1:12:09] road. That just makes sense. You should
[1:12:10] have a building should front on a road,
[1:12:12] but it also allows multiple buildings.
[1:12:14] So what happens in Bow Village with many
[1:12:16] of the lots is they're very long and
[1:12:17] deep and you can't get a road through
[1:12:20] those areas. So you would if it was
[1:12:23] going to be redeveloped, it would be
[1:12:24] redeveloped as one very large massive
[1:12:26] building. We've seen a lot of these has
[1:12:27] come in. Many of these are residential
[1:12:29] buildings. You're seeing ground floor
[1:12:31] commercial with three or four stories of
[1:12:33] residential over top of them. The other
[1:12:36] side of this block is um zoned MDR1.
[1:12:39] It's it's twins, it's singles, it's a
[1:12:42] residential block. We're we don't feel
[1:12:45] that we'd like to give some options that type of development could take
[1:12:50] place. It could be mixeduse development,
[1:12:51] but we'd like to be able to introduce
[1:12:53] another type of development if it was
[1:12:55] just going to become residential along
[1:12:57] the way. So, what this set of
[1:12:59] dimensional standards does is it reduces
[1:13:01] the setback in the back along the
[1:13:03] railroad tracks. Currently, it can vary
[1:13:05] between 25 and zero. This gives it a 15t
[1:13:08] set. if it if it for lots that just back
[1:13:11] along re um a railroad track and it also
[1:13:15] most importantly permits buildings to
[1:13:17] front along a pedestrian way. Now, they
[1:13:20] still have to front along the the
[1:13:21] street. If there's a street edge, the
[1:13:23] buildings still need to follow along
[1:13:25] that. But then you can introduce a
[1:13:26] pedestrian way and buildings can front
[1:13:28] on that. And that would allow to have
[1:13:32] multiple buildings. And something of the
[1:13:33] form I think is very important. Instead
[1:13:35] of having one large building on these
[1:13:38] properties, you could have multiple
[1:13:40] smaller scale buildings, which is much
[1:13:41] more in context with what you see across
[1:13:43] the street. And I think you really would
[1:13:45] anticipate something like a townhouse,
[1:13:47] right? and a townhouse is very
[1:13:48] consistent with the MDR, one district on
[1:13:51] the other side of the street.
[1:13:53] The other piece of this is that we know
[1:13:55] we have multiple small narrow blocks
[1:13:57] that are all lined up next to each
[1:13:59] other. And one of the things that we
[1:14:00] would like to encourage is the reduction
[1:14:03] of curb cuts as you go along that we
[1:14:04] want this to be a walkable neighborhood.
[1:14:06] So, if we can encourage property owners
[1:14:08] to work together to share driveways, we
[1:14:11] want to do that. And some of these
[1:14:12] changes here facilitate that. Um they
[1:14:16] allow um where a shared driveway is
[1:14:19] putting in some certain greening
[1:14:20] standards that if um buildings have
[1:14:22] driveways that face onto that, they have
[1:14:24] to have a certain type of greening
[1:14:25] standard with deciduous trees and more
[1:14:27] of a traditional streetscape. But if
[1:14:29] residential um lots are along that along
[1:14:32] that edge, you can have evergreens. and
[1:14:34] it allows for a contextsensitive um
[1:14:37] solution there that would we think would
[1:14:39] work between developers to cooperate
[1:14:41] together to reduce curb cuts to create
[1:14:43] greening to create a better streetscape
[1:14:45] that would better reinforce the street
[1:14:46] across the way. So in some that's the
[1:14:49] purpose of what we're doing and that's
[1:14:51] the that's what this is before I'm happy
[1:14:53] to answer any questions in detail.
[1:14:55] >> Thank you Chris. And before we get that
[1:14:56] just one clarification I mean what we're
[1:14:58] doing here tonight I'm fully in favor of
[1:15:00] and I I think we got it right. Um, but
[1:15:04] what you just described, you know, we're
[1:15:06] doing it in Ballot Village, but it would
[1:15:08] be applicable elsewhere in the township.
[1:15:11] And so I think should should the
[1:15:12] commissioners anticipate that this may
[1:15:15] be rolled out in the future in other
[1:15:17] districts where appropriate throughout
[1:15:19] the township?
[1:15:19] >> Exactly.
[1:15:20] >> Okay. Thank you. Uh, any questions or
[1:15:22] comments from other commissioners?
[1:15:25] >> Commissioner Zoff, I want to follow up
[1:15:27] on the question you just asked. So can
[1:15:29] you explain further because we have a
[1:15:31] number of zoning districts
[1:15:34] >> uh throughout the township. So what what
[1:15:38] exactly does what does does your answer
[1:15:40] mean? So if this is successful in Ball
[1:15:43] Village, it would be considered for
[1:15:46] other districts.
[1:15:48] >> Correct. I think we would look at this
[1:15:49] in in other commercial districts. Um,
[1:15:53] one of the the things that that brought
[1:15:55] this about, um, properties with the new
[1:15:58] zoning code, our new formbbased code
[1:16:00] were that's when we were requiring the
[1:16:02] front along a street. And part of that
[1:16:05] was the vast majority of of properties
[1:16:08] in the township are single family
[1:16:09] residential. That that really is the
[1:16:11] vast majority of the area. And by
[1:16:14] fronting along a street, it really
[1:16:16] discouraged future subdivision in many
[1:16:18] ways to preserve green space, preserve
[1:16:19] the character of the neighborhoods,
[1:16:20] which was an overriding goal of the 2020
[1:16:23] zoning code. What we didn't do is we
[1:16:25] didn't, you know, we needed a little bit
[1:16:27] more time in this to be able to have
[1:16:28] time to see how that applied to
[1:16:30] commercial areas. And to your point,
[1:16:32] Commissioner Zolaf, I think we would, if
[1:16:33] this is successful in this area, it
[1:16:35] could apply to our other commercial
[1:16:37] areas along the way, particularly those
[1:16:38] that back up along railroads. We have
[1:16:41] this similar situation in other areas of
[1:16:43] the township.
[1:16:44] >> Well, I what I thought you might say is
[1:16:46] other commercial areas in which there
[1:16:48] are long
[1:16:50] >> narrow lots with limited frontage. Isn't
[1:16:53] that's what
[1:16:53] >> it's isn't that what's driving this in
[1:16:56] this zone.
[1:16:57] >> Correct. It's the long narrow lots that
[1:16:59] have a singular frontage that they would
[1:17:01] kind of terminate in the back end. Most
[1:17:03] of those are in for planners, we look at
[1:17:06] that. We call them railroad lots.
[1:17:07] They're railroad lots because most of
[1:17:09] the time that's how they were plotted it
[1:17:10] out. There's a road and they go back to
[1:17:12] a railroad.
[1:17:13] >> Yeah,
[1:17:14] it doesn't seem to me that there are
[1:17:17] many other areas of the township where
[1:17:19] that's the case and there may be and
[1:17:21] they're not thinking of them, but
[1:17:23] >> you would see a lot of there's a lot of
[1:17:25] those type of lots in this in this in the in the BV zone.
[1:17:30] >> Correct. And and B Village is in
[1:17:32] transition, so it's right on our
[1:17:33] forefront. We've been looking at it.
[1:17:35] you'll see something later on your
[1:17:36] agenda this this evening. So, Battle
[1:17:38] Village has been getting a lot of
[1:17:39] attention and it made sense to focus it
[1:17:41] there and like I say, this is very easy.
[1:17:43] We could replicate it and bring it to
[1:17:45] other districts,
[1:17:46] >> but it would be zone dependent.
[1:17:48] >> Correct.
[1:17:48] >> Great. Thank you very much.
[1:17:50] >> Thank you, Commissioner Dr. Rosman.
[1:17:55] >> As the uh
[1:17:57] commissioner for that ward, I wholly
[1:18:00] support this. I think uh this will help
[1:18:02] develop that block into a neighborhood
[1:18:04] feel and um and hope it continues
[1:18:07] because uh I think this will be a lot
[1:18:10] better than having empty retail space
[1:18:12] which was originally zoned in that area
[1:18:14] in a much different configured to that
[1:18:16] property.
[1:18:17] Thank you.
[1:18:20] >> Anyone else?
[1:18:22] >> Seeing none are any questions or
[1:18:24] comments from the public?
[1:18:27] >> Seeing none
[1:18:30] I'm sorry. If you want to talk, you have
[1:18:32] to come up to.
[1:18:35] Um, seeing none, uh, the motion has been
[1:18:39] raised and seconded, made and seconded.
[1:18:41] All those in favor, raise your hand.
[1:18:45] Jody, that passes unanimously.
[1:18:48] >> And President Sinai, we are done with
[1:18:49] building and filming.
[1:18:51] >> Thank you very much.
[1:18:53] >> You know, as you reminded me earlier, I
[1:18:55] do have a prior commitment uh this
[1:18:56] evening. Uh so vice president um
[1:19:00] Woodring is going to take over the
[1:19:01] festivities for the rest of the night.
[1:19:03] >> Thank you.
[1:19:06] >> Sorry.
[1:19:13] » All right. Um so next item on our agenda
[1:19:16] is the special board of commissioners
[1:19:17] meeting. Uh so we'll call that to order.
[1:19:19] Will the September 23rd, 2026 meeting of
[1:19:21] the board of commissioners of township
[1:19:23] of Laura Marian please come to order.
[1:19:24] All rise to pledge allegiance to the
[1:19:26] flag.
[1:19:28] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
[1:19:30] United States of America and to the
[1:19:33] republic for which it stands, one nation
[1:19:36] under God, indivisible, with liberty and
[1:19:39] justice for all.
[1:19:42] >> Madam Secretary, will you please call
[1:19:44] the role?
[1:19:45] >> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Mr. Bar,
[1:19:47] >> present.
[1:19:48] >> Mr.
[1:19:49] >> here.
[1:19:49] >> Mr. Dailyaly,
[1:19:50] >> here.
[1:19:51] >> Miss Epste
[1:19:51] >> here.
[1:19:52] >> Mr. Gregory,
[1:19:53] >> here.
[1:19:53] >> Miss Kramer
[1:19:55] >> here.
[1:19:56] Miss Miss Maguire
[1:19:57] >> here.
[1:19:58] >> Dr. Rossman
[1:19:59] >> here.
[1:19:59] >> Miss Sparrow
[1:20:00] >> here.
[1:20:00] >> Mr. Whan
[1:20:01] >> here.
[1:20:02] >> Mr. Wood
[1:20:02] >> here.
[1:20:03] >> Mr. Zilla
[1:20:04] >> here.
[1:20:05] >> Mr. Sinai not here.
[1:20:11] » Mr. Woodard, we have a farm and I failed
[1:20:13] to mention that Mr. Timberly asked to be
[1:20:16] excused this evening.
[1:20:18] >> Thank you.
[1:20:19] All right. And moving on to the approval
[1:20:22] of the minutes. I'm going to make a
[1:20:23] motion to approve the minutes of a
[1:20:24] special meeting of the board of
[1:20:25] commissioners held July 8th, 2026 and
[1:20:27] stated meetings of the board of
[1:20:29] commissioners held on July 15, 2026 and
[1:20:32] August 3rd, 2026 as distributed. Do I
[1:20:34] have a second?
[1:20:35] >> You do.
[1:20:36] >> Thank you, Commissioner Burnernheim.
[1:20:39] » Oh, I'm sorry. All those in favor?
[1:20:43] >> Um, all those in favor?
[1:20:46] >> Any obstens or opposition? Absentions.
[1:20:49] >> Sorry. Spur of the moment there for a
[1:20:51] second. You're good, Madam Secretary.
[1:20:54] That passes unanimously.
[1:20:57] The board met in executive session
[1:20:59] earlier this evening regarding the
[1:21:00] following matters: union negotiations,
[1:21:03] potential property acquisition, Amtrak
[1:21:06] real estate.
[1:21:08] The cleanup weekend is being held on
[1:21:10] Saturday, October 3rd, and Sunday,
[1:21:12] October 4th, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. until
[1:21:14] 400 p.m. each day at the township's
[1:21:16] public works complex. The agenda
[1:21:18] incorrectly indicated that it was free
[1:21:20] of charge. However, residents will be
[1:21:22] charged $20 per vehicle per per entry. U
[1:21:26] payment will be collected at the gate.
[1:21:28] Proof of residency is required.
[1:21:30] Recycling must be separated from refues.
[1:21:32] And there is no household hazardous
[1:21:34] waste will be accepted. And anything
[1:21:37] with a plug recycling event will be held
[1:21:39] on Saturday, October 10th, 2026 from
[1:21:41] 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Kegel
[1:21:44] Public Works Complex in Pen Valley.
[1:21:46] Registration is required for that ahead
[1:21:48] of time.
[1:21:50] Lastly, McGomery County will be
[1:21:51] sponsoring a household hazardous waste
[1:21:53] collection on Sunday, October 11th, 2026
[1:21:56] at the township's public works complex
[1:21:58] as well. Registration is again required
[1:22:00] for that event.
[1:22:02] This evening, we have a designation of
[1:22:03] fireweek prevention, which is October
[1:22:05] 4th to the 10th um 2026. And I'll call
[1:22:08] on Commissioner Burnernheim to present
[1:22:10] that proclamation.
[1:22:12] >> It's a drop lengthy, but um it's a
[1:22:14] proclamation for fire prevention week.
[1:22:17] Every week should be fire prevention
[1:22:19] week, but this one is titled charge into
[1:22:22] fire safety. Safe charging is a
[1:22:26] superpower.
[1:22:27] Whereas the township of lower Maran is
[1:22:29] committed to ensuring the safety and
[1:22:31] security of all those living in and
[1:22:33] visiting our community. And whereas fire
[1:22:37] is a serious public safety concern both
[1:22:39] locally and nationally. And homes are
[1:22:41] the location where people are at the
[1:22:43] greatest risk from fire. And whereas
[1:22:47] most of the rechargeable electronics
[1:22:49] used in homes daily are powered by
[1:22:51] lithium ion batteries which if misused,
[1:22:54] damaged or improperly charged can
[1:22:57] overheat, start a fire or explode. And
[1:23:01] whereas safe charging includes using the
[1:23:04] cord and charger that came with your
[1:23:06] device or one approved by the
[1:23:08] manufacturer, charging on a hard flat
[1:23:12] surface, watching for warning signs like
[1:23:15] devices that are very hot or start to
[1:23:18] swell, unplugging when fully charged,
[1:23:20] and charging larger devices like ebikes
[1:23:24] outside and away from exits. And whereas
[1:23:28] the 2006 fire prevention week theme,
[1:23:31] charge into fire safety, safe charging
[1:23:34] is a superpower, serves to remind all
[1:23:37] residents that safe charging can help
[1:23:40] reduce the risk of fires in homes and
[1:23:43] communities. Now therefore, be it
[1:23:45] resolved that the board of commissioners
[1:23:47] of the township below Marian does hereby
[1:23:50] proclaim October 4th through October 10,
[1:23:53] 2026 as fire prevention week and urges
[1:23:56] all residents to buy only listed
[1:23:59] products, charge devices safely, recycle
[1:24:03] batteries responsibly, and to support
[1:24:05] the efforts of the township fire and
[1:24:07] emergency services dated this 23rd day
[1:24:10] of September, 2026 in Ardmore. for
[1:24:14] Pennsylvania. Thank you.
[1:24:15] >> Thank you, Commissioner Burnernheim.
[1:24:17] This is now the section of the meeting
[1:24:18] for public privilege of the floor. This
[1:24:20] is a section of the meeting where
[1:24:22] members of the public may address the
[1:24:23] board on any non-aggenda items um or any
[1:24:26] other public matters in which the
[1:24:28] township has jurisdiction or authority.
[1:24:30] Uh please note that if you plan to
[1:24:32] address the board, you can line up at
[1:24:34] the podium to your left here at this
[1:24:36] time. State your name and where you live
[1:24:37] prior to giving your comments and please
[1:24:39] keep your comments to three minutes or
[1:24:41] less. Um we will be using a timer and
[1:24:44] when that beeps we ask that you yield
[1:24:45] the podium to the next person behind you
[1:24:48] um who ideally would line up in that
[1:24:50] order. Um if you are talking on behalf
[1:24:54] speaking on behalf of a group we ask
[1:24:56] that you have a a spokesperson here
[1:24:58] selected ahead of time the board and
[1:25:01] when appropriate staff will respond to
[1:25:02] comments and questions after all
[1:25:04] comments have been received. Um so if
[1:25:06] anyone here in in the room wishes to
[1:25:08] address the board please do so using
[1:25:11] this podium
[1:25:22] Craig Alaner Marian station tree canopy
[1:25:26] delights chapter 4 simply put the shade
[1:25:29] tree division is not planting enough
[1:25:31] trees to maintain shade tree canopy
[1:25:35] leadership sites three high hurdles that
[1:25:37] prevent prevent it from doing so.
[1:25:39] Resident antipathy, a manpower shortage,
[1:25:42] and a lack of capital. Previously, we've
[1:25:45] vaulted over perceived resident
[1:25:47] indifference, realizing that it was an
[1:25:50] illusion. What had been interpreted as
[1:25:53] dislike was actually unawareness.
[1:25:56] By distributing 6,300 door hangers
[1:25:59] describing the township's chade tree
[1:26:01] offerings, there's been a four-fold
[1:26:03] increase in tree request volume, proving
[1:26:07] that once residents learn about the
[1:26:09] program, many do indeed desire shade
[1:26:12] trees. Last month, we recognized that
[1:26:15] the purported workforce scarcity was
[1:26:18] caused by public works own
[1:26:20] self-defeating policy prohibiting the
[1:26:22] Shade Tree Commission from tree planting
[1:26:25] and care. The solution is to copy what
[1:26:28] every other local municipality does
[1:26:31] exercise the commission's expertise,
[1:26:34] energy, and time. The third hurdle is
[1:26:36] lack of capital. There's an acorn of
[1:26:39] truth to this. It's a tough nut to
[1:26:41] crack. After all, money doesn't grow on
[1:26:44] trees. Management maintains that
[1:26:46] although they'd like to plant a larger
[1:26:48] number of trees, there are no resources
[1:26:51] to do so. And anyway, the budget is
[1:26:53] fixed.
[1:27:00] Um about to be approved by the board. At
[1:27:04] present, Lower Mine annually plants 89
[1:27:07] thousand annually spends $89,000 to
[1:27:10] plant 200 shade trees, a mere onetenth
[1:27:13] of 1% of the township's operating
[1:27:15] budget. There are at least four ways to
[1:27:18] overcome claimed limited funding tactics
[1:27:20] I call brute force, smart and clever,
[1:27:24] all mixed up, and failsafe. Tonight,
[1:27:27] introductory remarks. The particulars to
[1:27:29] follow next month. The first is brute
[1:27:32] force. The name derived from the
[1:27:34] mid-century brutalist architectural
[1:27:37] style. Brute force doubles down on
[1:27:40] existing policy. The second is smart and
[1:27:42] clever. The goal to do more with less
[1:27:46] inspired by famed architect M Vandereo's
[1:27:48] apherism less is more. The third all
[1:27:51] mixed up is a blend of the first two.
[1:27:54] Fourth is fail safe. As the name
[1:27:57] suggests, failsafe is guaranteed to work
[1:27:59] because it doesn't require the shade
[1:28:01] tree division change its practice. To
[1:28:04] complement the division's work, Allison
[1:28:06] and I would extend an unrestricted grant
[1:28:09] of $35,000
[1:28:11] to plant as many as 350 extra trees.
[1:28:16] Although there are no stipulations, we
[1:28:18] will have suggestions to best advantage
[1:28:20] tree canopy at the lowest cost. That
[1:28:23] along with detail on the other three
[1:28:25] approaches occurs next month.
[1:28:37] Isabelle Melvin Winwood.
[1:28:40] I'm so grateful to the Lower Marian
[1:28:42] Township Board of Commissioners
[1:28:46] for the clean air, peace, and quiet I
[1:28:48] experienced this June to September.
[1:28:50] Thank you.
[1:28:53] Based on the number of complaints and
[1:28:55] the requests to add more staff, it's a
[1:28:58] good sign that folks want clean air and
[1:29:01] peaceful quality of life in Lower Marian
[1:29:04] Township.
[1:29:06] So, I'm so happy to hear there's
[1:29:07] discussion about investing in this
[1:29:09] ordinance.
[1:29:11] I have faith I have faith that Chris
[1:29:14] Lewing and his staff will find the best
[1:29:16] use of taxpayer money to enforce the
[1:29:19] leaf blower ordinance.
[1:29:22] But word on the street is we can do
[1:29:24] better.
[1:29:26] Neighbors are on the front line of
[1:29:28] enforcement.
[1:29:30] When they call to report someone
[1:29:31] breaking the law, they should be able to
[1:29:33] trust that it will be dealt with by the
[1:29:36] township accordingly.
[1:29:40] So, we I have some and I've talked to
[1:29:42] other people about this. I'm a member of
[1:29:44] Quiet Clean Lower Marian. So, we have
[1:29:46] some suggestions.
[1:29:48] All landscapers who do business in our
[1:29:50] township should be registered with Lower
[1:29:53] Marian Township.
[1:29:55] And no requirement to testify in court
[1:29:58] in order to report a violation. As uh
[1:30:00] Commissioner Magcguire said, it starts
[1:30:02] quibbling against neighbors. let the
[1:30:05] person who reported the violation feel
[1:30:07] supported by our township
[1:30:10] and the app should be much more user
[1:30:13] friendly.
[1:30:14] Thanks again commissioners for being
[1:30:17] leaders in our commonwealth of
[1:30:18] Pennsylvania and protecting the 60,000
[1:30:21] residents of lower Maran Township. And
[1:30:25] thank you to Chris Lewing and team. I
[1:30:27] have faith that you will improve on
[1:30:30] efficiently and effectively enforcing
[1:30:33] this ordinance. Thank you.
[1:30:43] » Is there anyone else for public
[1:30:44] privilege before?
[1:30:51] » Good evening. Uh my name is Michael
[1:30:53] Bonafra. Um I currently live in Htown.
[1:30:56] Um but a longtime law resident. Uh grew
[1:31:00] up went to school here. I'm uh actually
[1:31:04] on the other end of the leaf blower uh
[1:31:07] situation because I'm a local business
[1:31:09] owner with a gutter cleaning power
[1:31:12] washing business. And
[1:31:17] over the last six months or so when the
[1:31:22] leaf blower ban was passed, um
[1:31:28] I kind of did my homework on it. I just
[1:31:30] didn't want to compl like complain about
[1:31:32] it without looking into it. Um, I'm all
[1:31:36] for, you know, quiet and better air, but
[1:31:41] also I don't feel like the technology is
[1:31:44] there as a business owner that needs to
[1:31:48] use certain equipment. Um,
[1:31:52] you know, I've talked to
[1:31:54] different landscapers. I've talked to
[1:31:56] different salesmen that sell these bl
[1:31:58] these battery operated blowers and
[1:32:02] they're just not strong enough for what
[1:32:04] we're trying to do or trying to
[1:32:05] accomplish especially in fall and winter
[1:32:09] season when we're kind of fight when
[1:32:11] we're all fighting against the weather
[1:32:13] trying to get everything done. Um, you
[1:32:16] know, we lived in down south where it
[1:32:18] was weather was more consistent being
[1:32:21] warmer, I think it'd be a little bit
[1:32:23] easier to accept, but when you're
[1:32:25] fighting cold weather, um, and you need,
[1:32:28] you know, power behind that blower to
[1:32:30] try to accomplish what you're doing. And
[1:32:33] then as far as a time frame trying to,
[1:32:36] you know, I mean, my business is
[1:32:41] repeat business, a lot of repeat
[1:32:43] business.
[1:32:44] and
[1:32:47] trying to get a lot done in as quickly
[1:32:49] as possible, especially come, you know,
[1:32:53] winter months. Um, to make and that's
[1:32:56] how we make our living. Uh, I feel like
[1:33:00] with a weaker blower,
[1:33:04] it's just going to cause us uh
[1:33:08] more
[1:33:11] it's going to take longer to do things.
[1:33:14] Um, because it's the power is not there
[1:33:16] for us with the blower. Uh so I wanted
[1:33:22] to just express my frustration
[1:33:25] um about the situation
[1:33:28] also with the blowers. Uh
[1:33:31] you know I don't mind paying for the
[1:33:33] blower but it's more the batteries and
[1:33:36] from the people that are selling the
[1:33:37] batteries they kind of tell they tell
[1:33:39] you that it can only be charged a 100
[1:33:41] times and then you got to purchase a new
[1:33:43] one. Um for a small business that's a
[1:33:46] lot to take on. So, um, I just wanted to
[1:33:52] do what I could to express, uh, how I
[1:33:54] felt and, uh, hopefully it'll be changed
[1:33:58] or there can be some type of agreement.
[1:34:00] Thank you.
[1:34:02] >> Thank you.
[1:34:05] >> Did you
[1:34:10] hi, I'm Nancy Winkler from W 12.
[1:34:14] Thank you. Oh.
[1:34:18] I'll wait. You tell me when to go.
[1:34:22] >> Take your free time.
[1:34:25] >> Okay. Thanks a lot for all the work that
[1:34:28] you have invested as policymakers in
[1:34:31] listening to the science, listening to
[1:34:33] the impacted residents, and to crafting
[1:34:36] and adopting an ordinance to phase out
[1:34:38] gas-powered leaf blowers. Thank you to
[1:34:40] the staff for the countless hours you
[1:34:44] have invested over several years
[1:34:46] preparing and implementing the
[1:34:48] ordinance, creating and running
[1:34:50] trainings for landscapers and creating
[1:34:52] public information outreach initiatives
[1:34:56] to landscapers, public uh building
[1:34:59] owners and residents and and uh thank
[1:35:02] you for the many hours this first summer
[1:35:05] of uh doing the enforcement at the early
[1:35:07] stage. Many people contacted me this
[1:35:10] summer about the ban implementation, and
[1:35:12] here's what I've heard from them. One,
[1:35:15] it has been quieter and cleaner in
[1:35:18] various neighborhoods. Even though not
[1:35:20] all landscapers have complied, most
[1:35:22] have, and it has made a positive
[1:35:24] difference to the quality of life. Two,
[1:35:27] we don't want to report on our
[1:35:28] neighbors, but we will because
[1:35:30] compliance is important. The fact that
[1:35:33] you have over 400 reported violations
[1:35:36] shows how much the residents of this
[1:35:37] community want the ban and want it to be
[1:35:40] enforced. Our tax dollars will be well
[1:35:43] spent. Three people have commented that
[1:35:46] they are happy that their small mom and
[1:35:48] pop landscapers businesses have
[1:35:51] complied, but they are irritated that
[1:35:53] some of the bigger companies are getting
[1:35:55] away with flouting the law and lobbying
[1:35:57] to reverse it.
[1:35:59] Change can be bumpy and lower Marian is
[1:36:02] experiencing some growing pains. I'm not
[1:36:05] surprised at all by resistance from some
[1:36:07] quarters, but please, given the hours
[1:36:09] and hours of public dialogue and years
[1:36:12] really on this topic and the investment
[1:36:14] the township has already made, do not
[1:36:17] back down. This ordinance is improving
[1:36:20] residents quality of life. It is
[1:36:22] improving our environment, our health,
[1:36:24] and the health of township staff and
[1:36:27] private landscape workers. I remember
[1:36:30] when smoking was first banned in public
[1:36:32] places. People were furious. Smoking
[1:36:35] bans were infringing on their way of
[1:36:37] life. Economic disaster was predicted.
[1:36:40] Restaurants and bars would go bankrupt
[1:36:42] because their patrons would no longer
[1:36:43] come. Ha. Can you imagine rescending
[1:36:46] that smoking bans now? Just as we have
[1:36:50] been freed from having to breathe and
[1:36:52] smell secondhand smoke from cigarettes,
[1:36:54] lower Marian residents are going to be
[1:36:56] free of the many harms of gas powered
[1:36:58] leaf blowers. In my neighborhood, which
[1:37:01] was reszoned to LDR4, we are beset by
[1:37:04] constant construction of superersized
[1:37:06] houses on small lots and we are losing
[1:37:09] our tree canopy in an alarming level and
[1:37:11] the bird song that we used to have. So,
[1:37:14] I am doubly grateful for a township
[1:37:16] policy that has a positive impact on our
[1:37:19] neighborhood. Please support the request
[1:37:21] for enforcement funding. Thank you for
[1:37:23] considering my comments.
[1:37:28] » Anyone else like to take advantage of
[1:37:30] public privilege of the floor?
[1:37:33] >> Seeing none, close. No one's online,
[1:37:35] right? Okay. All right. So, we'll go
[1:37:37] ahead and close that out. Um, does any
[1:37:39] board member wish to respond to any of
[1:37:40] the comments?
[1:37:43] Commissioner uh Courtney,
[1:37:45] >> I'll take I'll take a quick 30 seconds
[1:37:46] only floors. Uh thank you for gratitude
[1:37:50] and the feedback. Uh we will take that
[1:37:52] into the sustainability committee. We'll
[1:37:54] work with Paloma on how we can improve
[1:37:58] before the next uh cycle of the of the
[1:38:01] prohibition and see if that should be a
[1:38:04] priority for the coming year. As far as
[1:38:06] the technology not being there, I think
[1:38:07] we've seen that that's not the case.
[1:38:09] There are many landscapers
[1:38:11] and other companies that were able to
[1:38:15] survive this summer, do well this
[1:38:17] summer, perform all their tasks with
[1:38:19] equipment that was purchased on the
[1:38:20] market. Thank you,
[1:38:23] >> Mr. Bird.
[1:38:24] >> Point counterpoint.
[1:38:25] >> I should have gone second.
[1:38:26] >> Yeah.
[1:38:27] >> Well, I think you did last time, so now
[1:38:29] we're even. Um look the one of the
[1:38:32] things that we stated when the ordinance
[1:38:34] was passed is that we would have a
[1:38:36] learning curve and we would you know
[1:38:38] take in information as to how it was
[1:38:42] impacting residents, how it was
[1:38:43] impacting landscapers and al like and to
[1:38:47] the degree that we need to make any
[1:38:49] adjustments be it in the enforcement
[1:38:50] aspect of it or in in dealing with the
[1:38:54] difficulties that some of the
[1:38:55] landscapers have have expressed and I've
[1:38:58] heard similar comments to that which we we've heard this evening that we
[1:39:02] stated that we would look at this, you
[1:39:04] know, open eyed as to what if any
[1:39:07] changes that that need to be made as we
[1:39:09] go forward. The ordinance isn't going to
[1:39:12] go away. That whether I agree with it or
[1:39:14] not, I recognize. Um, but what we can do
[1:39:17] to improve upon it is something that is
[1:39:20] incumbent upon this board to take in all
[1:39:23] the information and uh try to see that
[1:39:26] we do something that that's fair and
[1:39:28] recognize everybody as as best that we
[1:39:30] can. Um, I'll leave it at that because
[1:39:33] there are many still tentacles to be
[1:39:35] discussed I think at a later time. Thank
[1:39:37] you.
[1:39:39] >> Uh, Commissioner Zel.
[1:39:42] >> So tonight we heard from Mr. Bafra who
[1:39:44] is a small, not large, a small
[1:39:48] contractor. He told us he cleans
[1:39:50] gutters. He doesn't cut grass.
[1:39:54] He does power washing and gutter
[1:39:56] cleaning. So large large contractors
[1:39:58] have been here to complain as well as
[1:40:00] small contractors have been here to
[1:40:02] complain. I don't think we talked about
[1:40:05] cleaning gutters, but we know that
[1:40:07] cleaning gutters is a necessary
[1:40:09] function. Um, we know that right now
[1:40:12] we're in a seasonal ban, but the year-
[1:40:15] round ban is what is going to be most
[1:40:17] difficult coming up. And we we are in
[1:40:22] public comment almost every month. We
[1:40:25] hear that the technology is not there
[1:40:26] from those who are using it. So, some
[1:40:29] are successful at it and others aren't.
[1:40:33] I think it is far from a resolved issue
[1:40:36] in terms of enforcement.
[1:40:42] We have um challenges in enforcing our
[1:40:45] building code, our property code. We
[1:40:48] have challenges enforcing police
[1:40:50] citations.
[1:40:52] We have a judicial system, a local
[1:40:54] judicial system that is simply not
[1:40:57] working.
[1:40:59] We talked about it two weeks ago. I'm
[1:41:01] going to mention it again because our
[1:41:03] building department said that the
[1:41:05] average is 250 days from a township
[1:41:09] complaint to a hearing before a district
[1:41:11] justice. That's a system that's broken
[1:41:14] and not working. So, we can hire lots
[1:41:16] more people in the township, but that's
[1:41:18] not going to solve the problem. And
[1:41:21] everybody who receives a citation of any
[1:41:23] kind has the right to challenge it if
[1:41:27] they think that it's not appropriate.
[1:41:30] it's it's it wasn't issued properly or
[1:41:32] they're uh you know uh Dan and Mike can
[1:41:36] explain that much uh more effectively
[1:41:38] than I can but everybody has the right
[1:41:40] to defend themselves
[1:41:43] but getting a hearing so they can do
[1:41:45] that and having it judicially processed
[1:41:48] either their their uh the violation is
[1:41:51] upheld or or uh or not is part of the
[1:41:54] process. And so that's something that
[1:41:56] everybody in this room needs to be um
[1:41:59] fig helping to be aware of so that
[1:42:03] this issue can be addressed. So um it's
[1:42:07] not as simple as more hiring by the
[1:42:09] township. Thank you.
[1:42:11] >> Commissioners, any other comments from
[1:42:12] the board?
[1:42:15] >> It's not back and forth. I'm sorry. Um I
[1:42:18] do have a quick question just about the cath trees for our township manager.
[1:42:22] Sorry to put you on the spot here. If if
[1:42:24] our requests exceed the 200 that we
[1:42:26] typically approve every year, what's the
[1:42:28] process to then get those trees planted?
[1:42:31] Do they end up on the queue for the
[1:42:33] following year or how does that 200
[1:42:36] mark?
[1:42:36] >> I can't hear you.
[1:42:38] >> How does the 200 um mark work for the
[1:42:42] trees being planted?
[1:42:44] So we have a budget which you allocate
[1:42:46] every year and depends on how the
[1:42:49] pricing comes in when we bid the tree
[1:42:51] planting just as we have just done.
[1:42:54] While we issue a contract for 200 trees
[1:42:57] that have been subscribed by residents
[1:43:00] uh if the bids come in lower as they
[1:43:02] have this year we have some extra money
[1:43:05] that we can go back and change order the
[1:43:07] contract and add some additional trees.
[1:43:10] We are always of course working within
[1:43:12] the realm of the budget that you have
[1:43:15] allocated for that given year.
[1:43:18] Thank you. Any other comments from the
[1:43:20] board?
[1:43:22] >> Okay, so that'll close public privilege
[1:43:24] and we will move on to public comment.
[1:43:26] Uh this is the section of our meeting
[1:43:27] where members of the public may address
[1:43:29] the board on any agenda items. Um
[1:43:32] comments on all agenda items except the
[1:43:34] ballot village amendments ordinance
[1:43:36] should be made now. Um that will come
[1:43:38] later. Uh all the same rules still apply
[1:43:40] but we are now focused on agenda items
[1:43:43] specifically. So if anyone from anyone
[1:43:45] in the room wants to give public
[1:43:47] comments please come to the podium.
[1:43:51] » No extra
[1:43:55] mar station. This evening the board will
[1:43:57] consider awarding an $88,000 contract to
[1:44:01] remove 35 dead or diseased shade trees
[1:44:04] from public's rights away. That's $2,500
[1:44:08] per tree. Expensive but necessary for
[1:44:10] the trees are hazardous. In addition to
[1:44:13] the 35 contracted tree removals, the
[1:44:16] shade tree division itself is taking
[1:44:19] down roughly 300 other trees, including
[1:44:22] the 134 lost in the July micro burst
[1:44:26] event. Those 300 extra removals don't
[1:44:31] show up as a as a separate line item,
[1:44:34] but there are costs nonetheless.
[1:44:36] Personnel, training, equipment, and
[1:44:39] insurance, for example. Tonight, the
[1:44:42] board will also consider an an $89,000
[1:44:45] contract to plant 200 trees, $450 per
[1:44:50] tree, so 2500 to remove,450
[1:44:54] to plant. The result is that Lower
[1:44:57] Murray is spending tens if not hundreds
[1:45:00] of thousands of dollars more to do away
[1:45:03] with jade trees than to add them. The
[1:45:06] problem is not that removal expenditures
[1:45:08] are so high. It's that public works is
[1:45:11] spending so little on planting. And if
[1:45:15] money truly is a limiting factor, the
[1:45:17] smart and clever approach I referenced
[1:45:20] earlier results in more trees at a lower
[1:45:23] cost. or just take the 35,000 and run
[1:45:27] with it. Township code states that at a
[1:45:30] minimum shade tree planting number
[1:45:32] should equal that of removals. That's
[1:45:35] not occurring this year, counting the
[1:45:38] 134 trees lost during the micro burst.
[1:45:41] The shade tree division is more than 100
[1:45:44] short. One of Lower Murray's defining
[1:45:47] characteristics is its tree line is its
[1:45:50] uh treeline streets.
[1:45:54] Township uh township residents have long
[1:45:56] made their wishes clear. In multiple
[1:45:59] surveys, they've said they want the
[1:46:01] township to plant more trees. There's
[1:46:04] further evidence. Two dozen passionate
[1:46:08] community activists have delivered
[1:46:10] 6,300formational
[1:46:13] door hangers. The result that shade tree
[1:46:16] request volume is four-fold higher this
[1:46:19] year than last. Hundreds more property
[1:46:22] owners have applied for a shade tree.
[1:46:25] The board itself has made tree canopy at
[1:46:28] 2026 priority and yet the number of
[1:46:31] shade tree plantings has flatlined.
[1:46:36] As a result, shade tree cover is
[1:46:38] declining.
[1:46:40] The the decision not to maintain canopy
[1:46:43] is flawed. It's wrong economically,
[1:46:46] aesthetically, socially, and
[1:46:49] environmentally.
[1:46:50] My question is why?
[1:46:58] » Anyone else in the room wish to make
[1:47:00] public comment?
[1:47:02] All right, we'll close that out. Uh,
[1:47:03] does any board member wish to respend
[1:47:05] respond to any of the comments?
[1:47:09] All right. Uh we are now moving on to
[1:47:12] section eight of tonight's meeting uh to
[1:47:14] the consent calendar. I first want to
[1:47:16] ask if anyone wishes to remove an item
[1:47:18] from consent.
[1:47:20] Seeing none, uh I'll make the motion for
[1:47:22] approval of the consent calendar as
[1:47:24] presented
[1:47:26] and including items from the billing and
[1:47:28] planning committee, finance committee,
[1:47:29] and police committee meetings held
[1:47:30] earlier this evening. Uh Madam
[1:47:32] Secretary, I believe this requires a
[1:47:34] roll call vote
[1:47:35] >> for the adoption of the consent
[1:47:37] calendar. Oh, I'm sorry. I I do need a
[1:47:39] second. Commissioner Whan,
[1:47:43] thank you. Um, Madam Secretary, sorry.
[1:47:46] >> For the adoption of the consent
[1:47:48] calendar, Mr. Bernard.
[1:47:51] >> Oh, did he step out?
[1:47:52] >> Stepped out.
[1:47:53] >> Uh, Mr. Courtney.
[1:47:54] >> Yes.
[1:47:54] >> Mr. Daly.
[1:47:56] >> Hi.
[1:47:56] >> Miss Epste.
[1:47:57] >> Yes.
[1:47:58] >> Mr. Gregory. Oh, he stepped out, too.
[1:48:00] Sorry.
[1:48:01] >> Miss Kramer.
[1:48:03] >> Yes.
[1:48:04] >> Miss Magguire.
[1:48:04] >> Hi,
[1:48:05] >> Dr. Rosman. I
[1:48:06] >> Miss Sparrow.
[1:48:07] >> I
[1:48:08] >> Mr. Whan.
[1:48:09] >> Yes,
[1:48:09] >> Mr. Woodri.
[1:48:10] >> I
[1:48:10] >> Mr. Zella.
[1:48:12] >> I.
[1:48:12] >> The consent calendar is duly adopted.
[1:48:14] >> Right. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Uh we
[1:48:16] are now moving on to section 13 of
[1:48:19] tonight's meeting. Uh and you'll find
[1:48:21] that in page 20 in your packet. So, we
[1:48:24] will open up the public hearing an
[1:48:26] adoption of an ordinance chapter 155
[1:48:28] zoning Bal Village amendments Z-26-001.
[1:48:35] Um, bear with me for a second.
[1:48:38] So this ordinance uh is to amend the
[1:48:41] code of the township of lower Marian
[1:48:42] chapter 155 entitled zoning article 2
[1:48:45] definitions section 155-2.1
[1:48:48] definitions of terms to delete the
[1:48:50] definition for place of assembly and
[1:48:52] also create new definitions for
[1:48:54] commercial event and entertainment
[1:48:56] venue. Amend table 5.1 uses to provide
[1:49:00] for religious as a special exception
[1:49:03] institutional use within the CD district
[1:49:08] to amend 5.1 uses to delete any
[1:49:11] reference to place of assembly and also
[1:49:13] permit both commercial event center and
[1:49:15] entertainment venue as permitted
[1:49:17] commercial uses in the um I'll just use
[1:49:21] the abbreviations VCTCI
[1:49:24] RHR BMV limited to one three four in
[1:49:30] CAD-BV districts. Also to amend table
[1:49:34] 8.1 minimum parking requirements to
[1:49:36] delete any reference to place of
[1:49:37] assembly and any corresponding parking
[1:49:39] regulations. to also amend table 5.3 use
[1:49:43] regulations to provide for religious as
[1:49:45] an institutional use permitted by
[1:49:47] special exception in the CAD-BV district
[1:49:50] along Ballot Avenue between city a and
[1:49:53] Kimwood road subject to certain specific
[1:49:56] criteria provided herein also amend
[1:49:59] table 5.3 use regulations to allow
[1:50:02] residential uses on the ground floor of
[1:50:04] buildings facing Bella Avenue except
[1:50:06] between Montgomery Avenue and Union
[1:50:08] Avenue. This ordinance was authorized
[1:50:10] for advertisement at a stated meeting of
[1:50:13] the board of commissioners held July 15,
[1:50:15] 2026 and duly advertised in September 6
[1:50:18] and September 13, 2026 editions of the
[1:50:21] mainline times and suburban. So we will
[1:50:23] now open for public hearing.
[1:50:27] Anyone in the room wishes to make
[1:50:29] comments? Chris, do you want to
[1:50:32] >> addition
[1:50:36] at the building committee in July? It
[1:50:39] went through a pretty extensive uh
[1:50:41] public um discussion at the neighborhood
[1:50:44] club. Um so I think people are mostly
[1:50:46] familiar with it, but if there's any
[1:50:48] details, I'm happy to provide them.
[1:50:49] Okay.
[1:50:51] >> So we'll go ahead and open the public
[1:50:52] hearing if there's anyone in the room
[1:50:55] seeing none for for for comment. Um, do
[1:50:58] any commissioners have any comments or
[1:50:59] questions for Chris?
[1:51:03] >> Commissioner, uh, I'm sorry, Dr.
[1:51:04] Rossman.
[1:51:05] >> I support this holy going forward. Uh,
[1:51:07] this isn't my award and it's, uh, going
[1:51:10] to benefit the retail space
[1:51:13] by, uh, this ordinance. Thank you.
[1:51:19] >> With no uh, public comment, we'll go
[1:51:20] ahead and close the hearing.
[1:51:24] » So, I noticed that I am out of order. um
[1:51:27] on the agenda. So, we'll have a motion
[1:51:28] to adopt and then we'll go around for
[1:51:30] commissioner comments. Sorry about that.
[1:51:32] So, I'll make a a motion to adopt
[1:51:34] ordinance number 4341.
[1:51:36] Do I have a second?
[1:51:40] » Dr. Rossman. Thank you. Um so, now does
[1:51:44] the board have any questions or comments
[1:51:45] for staff? Commissioner Daly,
[1:51:48] >> I do. Thank you. So, um it's late and
[1:51:52] we've talked about this before, but
[1:51:54] refresh my memory, Chris. This is the
[1:51:56] proposed ordinance change that would do
[1:51:58] away with in our code place of assembly.
[1:52:03] Correct.
[1:52:04] >> Correct. So the right the ordinance does
[1:52:07] currently in the code
[1:52:09] we have a definition called place of
[1:52:11] assembly that captures things like movie
[1:52:12] theaters and and larger venues. Uh that
[1:52:16] could potentially be interpreted as also
[1:52:18] allowing non-commercial. It was intended
[1:52:21] to really provide for commercial spaces.
[1:52:23] What by doing this now is we're pulling
[1:52:26] that definition out of the zoning code
[1:52:28] and replacing it with two new terms. One
[1:52:31] commercial event center and
[1:52:32] entertainment venue which are clearly
[1:52:34] commercial in their orientation and
[1:52:37] putting that back in. And that's really
[1:52:38] the purpose of that. And also with this
[1:52:40] as it went through the process, one of
[1:52:42] the things that we did was we removed
[1:52:44] entertain those those specific uses from
[1:52:47] the neighborhood commercial district
[1:52:48] which is the smallest of our commercial
[1:52:50] districts.
[1:52:50] >> Okay. Thank you. So, I the problem I
[1:52:53] have with this is the same problem I had
[1:52:54] a couple of months ago, which is if I'm
[1:52:56] reading it correctly, and tell me if I'm
[1:52:59] not, there's going to be no place left
[1:53:02] in our zoning code for non-commercial,
[1:53:06] non-recreational places of assembly. So,
[1:53:09] a VFW,
[1:53:11] an American Legion, uh I mean, I can
[1:53:13] think of like a dozen organizations that
[1:53:16] fall in that bucket of non-commercial,
[1:53:19] non-denominational
[1:53:21] places of assembly and we're going to
[1:53:23] completely do away with where they exist
[1:53:26] in our zoning code.
[1:53:28] >> I don't know how we can actually
[1:53:29] provided for in the zoning code. Those
[1:53:31] uses we are zoned uh institutional
[1:53:35] civic. So your clubs like your BFW,
[1:53:37] those kind of non-commercial
[1:53:40] club type operations are zoned civic.
[1:53:45] And in many of those uses suppose you
[1:53:47] have a fire hall just in a small area.
[1:53:49] You think about small town things that
[1:53:51] we do, people gather, you need meeting
[1:53:53] space. Many of those are accessory uses,
[1:53:55] right? So if a if a fireh hall um say in
[1:53:58] Bal Kinwood, the the Union fire hall
[1:54:01] used to go in there, they open it up to
[1:54:02] the community, that's an accessory use
[1:54:04] that's used by the community for that.
[1:54:06] So it's not doesn't necessarily need its
[1:54:08] own distinct use to be called there.
[1:54:11] It's part of a larger those facilities
[1:54:12] are part of just a larger community
[1:54:14] facility that people allow you to gather
[1:54:16] in as a part of the community. So
[1:54:19] >> there would be no change for that.
[1:54:20] That's that's existing within the code
[1:54:21] today.
[1:54:22] >> So that's new information for me. So I I
[1:54:24] apologize, but what is the definition of
[1:54:26] institutional civic? Like
[1:54:28] >> I'm I apologize. I'm having a hard time
[1:54:29] hearing you all the way over here.
[1:54:30] >> Yeah, I'm I'm losing my voice. The
[1:54:32] definition of an institutional civic
[1:54:34] use, how is that defined? I I don't have
[1:54:37] that one committed to memory.
[1:54:38] >> So our institutional civics,
[1:54:41] our institutional districts are zoned
[1:54:43] that you would have um schools which are
[1:54:46] institutional educational. We have
[1:54:48] institutional health which are kind of
[1:54:49] your nursing facilities continuing care
[1:54:52] and then we have this other catchment
[1:54:55] which is civic which is kind of a
[1:54:57] catchment for those that those uses that
[1:55:00] are the fabric of our community our
[1:55:02] churches our synagogues our really our
[1:55:07] places of assembly those are those
[1:55:08] non-commercial um uses that you've
[1:55:11] described but they could be variety of
[1:55:12] scales you can have everything from a
[1:55:14] club size of the Marian cricket club
[1:55:15] which is a very large club down to a
[1:55:18] small B, you know, VFW that's a
[1:55:20] storefront that used to exist over here
[1:55:21] in Ardmore. All of those can be
[1:55:23] considered within that. It's it's a very broad distinct um category
[1:55:29] that allows a multitude of these kind of
[1:55:31] civic type uses.
[1:55:33] >> And where are those allowed currently?
[1:55:35] Is that townshipwide or
[1:55:37] >> they're township wide and it's they're
[1:55:38] on the zoning map. So if if you if we
[1:55:41] had a zoning map, we could um we could
[1:55:45] um bring it up. But essentially, if you
[1:55:48] had a club before we did the zoning, we
[1:55:50] zoned you as institutional civic and
[1:55:52] it's specific requirements for parking
[1:55:54] and for setbacks and for some of those
[1:55:56] other elements of it. It's not really a
[1:55:58] commercial use and it's not a
[1:56:00] residential use. It's this civic and
[1:56:02] that's kind of our catchment for all.
[1:56:03] >> What about not pre-existing clubs? a new
[1:56:07] club forms,
[1:56:09] >> a new club.
[1:56:10] >> Um, one thing that we've done with our
[1:56:12] institutions is
[1:56:13] >> we didn't really speculatively zone
[1:56:16] areas for institutional uses very in
[1:56:19] only a few places. So, our our new
[1:56:20] zoning code pretty much codified
[1:56:22] everything that was on the ground. So,
[1:56:24] if it if an institution was on the
[1:56:26] ground, it's really those kind of
[1:56:28] borders of that institution became the
[1:56:29] boundaries of that district.
[1:56:32] So a new one could certainly be
[1:56:34] introduced and it would just need a
[1:56:36] zoning change to do that. Stonley went
[1:56:39] through that, right? This board about a
[1:56:42] year ago, Stonley came in, acquired some
[1:56:44] additional property. Stonley is zoned
[1:56:47] institutional.
[1:56:48] It acquired a residential property next
[1:56:50] to it. They were merged together and
[1:56:53] then the boundaries were changed to
[1:56:55] allow that all to become part of
[1:56:57] Stoneley.
[1:57:01] Okay, thank you.
[1:57:03] >> Chris, I just have a quick question
[1:57:04] because uh based off that question, my
[1:57:06] wheels are kind of spinning a little
[1:57:07] bit. Does this have any effect on um
[1:57:12] early education school that is hosted in
[1:57:15] a church by chance or a place of
[1:57:17] worship?
[1:57:17] >> That does completely use nothing to do
[1:57:19] with that,
[1:57:19] >> right? Okay. Just just double checking.
[1:57:22] >> Um anyone else from the board wish to
[1:57:25] comment questions?
[1:57:28] All right. I'm seeing none. Madam
[1:57:30] Secretary, this is a roll call vote
[1:57:32] >> for the adoption of ordinance 4341.
[1:57:35] Mr. Burma,
[1:57:36] >> I.
[1:57:36] >> Mr. Courtney,
[1:57:37] >> yes.
[1:57:37] >> Mr. Taylor,
[1:57:38] >> no.
[1:57:40] >> Miss Epste,
[1:57:41] >> yes.
[1:57:42] >> Mr. Gregory,
[1:57:42] >> no.
[1:57:44] >> Miss Kramer,
[1:57:45] >> yes.
[1:57:47] >> Miss McGuire,
[1:57:48] >> hi.
[1:57:48] >> Dr. Rossmith,
[1:57:49] >> hi.
[1:57:49] >> Miss Sparrow,
[1:57:50] >> yes.
[1:57:50] >> Mr. Whan,
[1:57:52] >> yes.
[1:57:52] >> Mr. Woodri,
[1:57:53] >> hi.
[1:57:53] >> Mr. Zella,
[1:57:55] >> I
[1:57:55] >> Thank you. The ordinance is dy adopted.
[1:57:58] >> Thank you. Um, moving on to the adoption
[1:58:00] of ordinance chapter 107, official map
[1:58:04] vacation of a portion of Morris Road,
[1:58:06] Windwood. And you'll find this on page
[1:58:08] 26 in your packets.
[1:58:11] So this is an ordinance to amend the
[1:58:12] official map of streets of the township
[1:58:14] of lower Marian adopt pursuant to the
[1:58:17] provisions of the code of the township
[1:58:19] of lower Maran chapter 107 entitled
[1:58:22] official map to vacate and abandon a
[1:58:24] portion of a certain rightway being a
[1:58:26] portion of Morris Road 50t wide from
[1:58:29] Lancaster Avenue North to the distance
[1:58:31] of approximately 160 ft in the township
[1:58:34] of lower Maran. This ordinance was
[1:58:36] authorized for advertisement as stated
[1:58:38] in the meeting of the board of
[1:58:39] commissioners held on July 15, 2026 and
[1:58:42] duly advertised in the September 6th and
[1:58:44] September 13, 2026 editions of the
[1:58:47] mainline times and suburban. We'll start
[1:58:50] with a motion to adopt ordinance number
[1:58:51] 4342. Do I have a second? Uh,
[1:58:54] Commissioner Whan,
[1:58:56] there any questions from the board for
[1:58:58] the staff or comments for discussion?
[1:59:02] Uh, seeing none, Madam Secretary, it's a
[1:59:04] roll call vote. the adoption of
[1:59:06] ordinance 4342. Mr. Burnheim,
[1:59:08] >> I
[1:59:09] >> Mr. Courtney,
[1:59:10] >> yes.
[1:59:10] >> Mr. Daly,
[1:59:12] >> I
[1:59:13] >> Miss Epstein.
[1:59:14] >> Yes.
[1:59:14] >> Mr. Gregory.
[1:59:15] >> Hi,
[1:59:15] >> Miss Kramer.
[1:59:17] >> Yes.
[1:59:17] >> Miss Magguire.
[1:59:18] >> Hi,
[1:59:19] >> Dr. Ross.
[1:59:19] >> Hi,
[1:59:20] >> Miss Sparrow.
[1:59:20] >> Yes,
[1:59:21] >> Mr. Wh.
[1:59:22] >> Yes.
[1:59:22] >> Mr. Woodri,
[1:59:23] >> yes.
[1:59:23] >> Mr. Zella,
[1:59:25] >> I.
[1:59:25] >> The ordinance is dually adopted.
[1:59:27] >> Right. On to our last one. Adoption of
[1:59:30] ordinance chapter 145 vehicles and
[1:59:32] traffic left turn restrictions on
[1:59:33] McGomery Avenue from Brookway Road and
[1:59:36] North Bowman Avenue which you'll find on
[1:59:38] page 33 of your packets. Um, so this is
[1:59:41] an ordinance to amend the code of the
[1:59:44] township of Laura Marian chapter 145
[1:59:46] thereof entitled vehicles and traffic
[1:59:48] article 15 schedules uh 145-106
[1:59:53] schedule 6 intersections restricted as
[1:59:55] to turns and through traffic by
[1:59:57] restricting left-hand turns on
[1:59:59] Montgomery Avenue from Brookway Road to
[2:00:01] North Bowman Avenue. This ordinance was
[2:00:04] authorized for advertisement at a stated
[2:00:06] meeting of the board of commissioners
[2:00:07] held on August 3rd, 2026 and duly
[2:00:10] advertised in September 6th and
[2:00:11] September 13th, 2026 editions of the
[2:00:14] mainline Times and Suburban. Make a
[2:00:16] motion to adopt ordinance number 4343.
[2:00:18] Do I have a second? Commissioner
[2:00:20] Burnernheim. Uh any questions for staff
[2:00:22] or board comments?
[2:00:25] Nope. All right, Madam Secretary, that's
[2:00:28] uh calls for another roll call vote
[2:00:30] >> for the adoption of ordinance 4343. Mr.
[2:00:33] Bur,
[2:00:34] >> I.
[2:00:34] >> Mr. Courtney,
[2:00:35] >> yes.
[2:00:35] >> Mr. Dailyy,
[2:00:36] >> hi.
[2:00:36] >> Miss Epste,
[2:00:37] >> yes.
[2:00:38] >> Mr. Graham,
[2:00:38] >> hi.
[2:00:39] >> Miss Kramer,
[2:00:40] >> yes.
[2:00:41] >> Miss Magguire,
[2:00:41] >> hi.
[2:00:42] >> Dr. Ross,
[2:00:43] >> hi.
[2:00:43] >> Miss Farah,
[2:00:44] >> yes.
[2:00:44] >> Mr. Whan,
[2:00:45] >> yes.
[2:00:45] >> Mr. Wood,
[2:00:46] >> yes.
[2:00:46] >> Mr. Zilla,
[2:00:47] >> hi.
[2:00:48] >> The ordinance is dory adopted.
[2:00:49] >> All right. Thank you, Madam Secretary.
[2:00:51] Is there any unfinished business to come
[2:00:53] before the board?
[2:00:55] Any new business?
[2:00:57] All right. With that, I uh this meeting
[2:00:59] is adjourned. Thank you and have a good
[2:01:01] night.
[2:01:03] All right.
[2:01:34] Heat. Heat.