[2:33] Up. I

[2:45] Official thumbs up.

[2:56] Okay. I'm going to call to order the August

[2:59] 18th, 2026 Upper Makefield Township Board of Supervisors meeting.

[3:04] Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.

[3:11] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[3:15] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[3:22] justice for all.

[3:28] » Thank you. I note this evening Supervisor Yvette

[3:32] Taylor and Supervisor Elizabeth Thompson are joining by phone.

[3:38] Moving on to announcements, an executive session was held this evening to discuss

[3:42] land acquisitions and personnel matters. Township offices will be closed for the

[3:47] holiday on Monday, September 7th. Community Day is next month, September

[3:54] 19th from 10:00 to 2:00 at Brownsberg Park. Mark your calendars for the 19th

[3:59] to stop by the park, meet staff, volunteer volunteers, the Township

[4:04] supervisors while enjoying refreshments, live music, pumpkin painting,

[4:07] touch-a-truck, and more. Uh the rain date is the following weekend, September

[4:11] 26th. Uh a bridge update, the next meeting of

[4:15] the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission is Monday, September 28th,

[4:19] 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Uh please continue attending virtually

[4:24] or in person and monitor project updates posted by the Bridge Commission at

[4:28] washingtoncrossingbridge.com.

[4:32] And now, uh I'd like to uh give a special announcement.

[4:37] This evening marks Chief Schmidt's last Board of Supervisors meeting.

[4:42] In his official capacity as Chief of Police, he will become Chief Emeritus

[4:46] next week. And the board and the Township would

[4:49] like to take the opportunity to mark the Chief's accomplishments and and

[4:53] dedication to the Township as we wish him well

[4:56] in his retirement. >> Thanks.

[4:59] » I'm going to read a proclama- It's not done, Chief.

[5:03] » [laughter] >> Going to read a proclamation.

[5:05] Proclamation, whereas Chief Mark S. Schmidt has served as an Upper Makefield

[5:10] Township Police Officer since 1980 and as our Chief of Police since 1997.

[5:16] And whereas during his tenure, Chief Schmidt doubled the department's size to

[5:21] 18 officers, modernized the agency with advanced technology and equipment, and

[5:25] prioritized ongoing officer training and advanced education. And whereas in 2006,

[5:32] Chief Schmidt spearheaded the design and construction of a state-of-the-art

[5:35] headquarters that remains widely recognized as as among one of the finest

[5:39] in Bucks County. And whereas in 2020, Chief Schmidt successfully guided the

[5:45] department to earn accreditation from the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement

[5:49] Accreditation Commission, an elite distinction in the Commonwealth,

[5:52] demonstrating a commitment to the highest professional standards. And

[5:56] whereas Chief Schmidt's leadership extended countywide, serving with

[6:01] distinction for over 20 years as president of the Bucks County Police

[6:04] Association and for over 20 years as secretary of the Bucks Bucks County

[6:09] Police Chiefs Association. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Board

[6:14] of Supervisors does hereby proclaim August 28th, 2026 as Chief Mark S.

[6:20] Schmidt Day in Upper Makefield Township and extends its deepest gratitude for

[6:25] his 46 years of dedicated service to our community.

[6:28] Proclaimed this 18th day of August, 2026.

[6:34] » [applause]

[6:37] » Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, by the way, I took that as a personnel day, so I'm

[6:41] I'm going to be here. >> [laughter]

[6:44] » No, I'll be here. So, it was a matter of burning up the time. But, no, thank you

[6:48] very much for those kind words. So. >> Thank you on behalf of the board and the

[6:52] township, Chief.

[6:57] All right, moving on to public comment. Do we have anybody signed up? No? Okay.

[7:03] Uh then I will move on to approval of minutes and bills payable.

[7:08] Is there a motion to approve the meeting minutes of July 27th, 2026?

[7:14] » So moved. >> Thank you, Tom.

[7:16] Is there a second? >> I'll second.

[7:18] » Thank you, Brian. All in favor? >> Aye.

[7:21] » Aye. >> All right, motion passes.

[7:26] Is there a motion to approve the bills list dated August 18th, 2026 in the

[7:31] amount of $451,312.32?

[7:36] » So moved. >> Thank you, Tom. Is there a second?

[7:38] » Second. [clears throat] >> Thank you, Brian.

[7:40] All in favor? >> Aye.

[7:42] » Aye. >> Aye.

[7:43] » All right. Any other Any opposed? Okay, motion passes.

[7:48] Moving along to planning and zoning issues. The first planning and zoning

[7:52] item is a waiver request. I'd like to invite the Costigans to the podium to

[7:56] present their way their request.

[8:02] » Good evening. My name is Michael Costigan. I'm the owner of 1388

[8:07] Wrightstown Road. I'm here tonight to request the board's

[8:11] approval for a fee in lieu of

[8:15] tree reforestation in the amount of 30,900

[8:20] uh per the recommendation of the Township

[8:23] Manager, Mr. Schuster. >> Okay.

[8:27] Um does anybody have any questions?

[8:31] What is it Sorry, Michael or >> Mike Michael.

[8:34] » Mike, okay. Any Any questions for for Mr. Costigan?

[8:37] » So, just to confirm, this waves the This waves the the the requirement and a

[8:43] payment will be made in lieu of the requirement, correct?

[8:46] » Correct. >> And there's still some amount of trees

[8:49] that you are going to be planting? >> We are planning, I believe, 82 trees

[8:53] that we're able to fit on the lot. >> Um

[8:57] Any other questions? >> How big is the lot?

[9:00] » 6 acres. 6 plus acres. >> And then what How big is the dwelling

[9:05] that's going to be built on it, approximately?

[9:09] » So, the first floor footprint >> Yeah, just the footprint, I guess.

[9:14] » [sighs] >> I think it's probably around 3,000

[9:16] square feet. >> Okay.

[9:17] » With the with it it's two story. >> Mhm.

[9:21] » So, I think it's around 3,000 square feet.

[9:23] » Okay. >> Maybe a little more, not much.

[9:26] » Right. So, the reason for the waiver is because um

[9:29] primarily because you just can't fit all the trees.

[9:31] » We can't fit all the trees and the way that

[9:34] the way it's configured, we you know, we we have to remove

[9:38] quite a few trees that are in the stormwater location.

[9:41] » Right. Okay. >> So, we couldn't get around that. So,

[9:44] » Makes sense. >> Yeah.

[9:46] » I don't have further questions. >> No questions? Uh I'll just throw it out

[9:49] to uh Elizabeth or Evette on the phone, do you have any questions?

[9:55] » No. >> Okay.

[9:58] Um then uh I'll entertain a motion to waive the

[10:02] tree replacement requirement and approve the fee in lieu of reforestation in the

[10:06] amount of $30,900. >> So moved.

[10:11] » Thank you, Tom. Is there a second? >> Second.

[10:13] » Thank you, Braun. All in favor?

[10:15] » I. >> I.

[10:16] » I. >> All right. Any opposed?

[10:19] Motion passes. >> Thank you.

[10:21] » Mr. Chairman, just so you know, my intention is to deposit that into the

[10:24] tree fund. I don't think it's legally required, but I think that's obviously

[10:28] the right thing to do. >> Yeah. Appreciate that.

[10:30] All right. >> Okay.

[10:31] » Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> All right. Take care.

[10:34] » Uh moving on to item B here is at this time

[10:38] Mr. Crowley is is [laughter] invited to the podium to present his road name

[10:42] change request.

[10:46] » Hi, Mr. Chairman, supervisors. I'm John Crowley. We're the owners of the

[10:49] property on Gadwall Lane. We moved here about a year ago. It's been a real

[10:52] pleasure to be here and I think as you may realize that Rich Zaveda had

[10:56] purchased that land, subdivided into five lots. Uh we purchased all five of

[11:00] the properties and the road I think then became a private road, consolidated two

[11:05] of the lots into one. We were blessed to be able to build homes for our kids on

[11:10] those properties, so a total of four homes including where my wife and I live

[11:14] and a separate barn structure for my home office. Uh the request is to change

[11:18] the road name. I think Rich had perhaps named it a number of years ago Gad-

[11:22] Gadwall Lane. Uh two principal reasons. One, we find that uh level of confusion

[11:28] and and misunderstanding and we've had Gadwall, Gadwell, Gladwell, Glitwell.

[11:34] Uh so, to avoid any confusion, I don't think there's been any confusion with

[11:37] emergency services. Uh but, secondly, to name it uh Navy Way, I had the privilege

[11:43] to serve after 9/11 in the Navy for 12 years, and I figure if this is going to

[11:47] be a generational compound, it would be nice for our kids and grandkids to have

[11:50] that as the property name on the private road.

[11:54] Happy to take any questions. >> Any questions for Mr. Crowley on this?

[11:57] » No, I just want to say a couple things. This Mr. Crowley, it's not really for

[12:02] you as much as it is for anybody who might be listening at home. Um

[12:06] this is almost the perfect confluence of factors that lends itself towards the

[12:10] board approving something just like this.

[12:13] Um you know, you're the owner of every lot

[12:16] that fronts on this property. It has always been a private road. It is

[12:19] relatively new private road. There are no uh 911 conflicts that we're aware of.

[12:25] And And the reason I'm saying all of this is I don't want

[12:28] to be inundated with I want to be able to name my road to uh you know, whatever

[12:32] they >> it.

[12:33] » So, um just with that, the only other item I

[12:36] wanted to note um I will probably have this resolution

[12:40] recorded against the properties that you own, just so that there's

[12:44] » course. >> a road map of how we got here. Um I

[12:47] forgot to mention that I agree with you, the confusion on the name of the road

[12:52] contributes to a need to name it once and for all. But, I think it makes sense

[12:56] to record this resolution against the properties, so that somebody who's

[13:01] looking at the plan 10 years from now doesn't

[13:04] have some question about how we got here.

[13:06] » the history. Yeah. Hopefully, it'll be our kids or grandkids that look at the

[13:09] plan, Council, but appreciate it. >> You're assuming it gets approved, right?

[13:12] » Yeah, I know. I >> I I'm not There could be competition

[13:14] with the Army, you don't know. >> [laughter]

[13:17] » I don't have a vote, actually, so. >> Mr. Crowley,

[13:20] » Happy to defend the Navy any day. >> Thank you for your service to the

[13:24] country. >> Yes. Um

[13:26] do you have any Uh My only question would be I I assume

[13:30] you'll pay for the signage to be changed and all

[13:32] » Yeah, I've talked to our landscapers as well about doing that and we'll make

[13:35] sure it's in conformity with all the rules and and regulations. And my

[13:39] daughter is most concerned that Amazon is made aware of the update.

[13:43] » That's right. >> Um maybe that's one of the reasons we're

[13:44] changing it, but >> pro-Amazon or anti?

[13:48] » We're very big supporters of Amazon. Uh [laughter]

[13:51] Come by every every day there's a truck coming.

[13:53] » Yeah. >> Um okay, and uh to our supervisors on

[13:57] the phone, uh if you have any questions All right. Um so uh at this time is

[14:04] there a motion to approve resolution number 2026-10?

[14:09] » So moved. >> Thank you, Tom. Is there a second?

[14:12] » I'll second. >> Thank you, Ron. All in favor.

[14:15] » I. >> I.

[14:17] » All right. And motion passes. >> I appreciate your time and

[14:21] consideration. I do have a quick question just on the timing of the name

[14:25] change. It will have to update, I assume, emergency services will need to

[14:28] be advised, post office, and we'll take care of all the personal updates and the

[14:32] signage as well. So, any guidance you guys have on timing?

[14:35] » Yeah, um so I can't say how long it'll take the outside agencies to update

[14:42] their own >> Okay.

[14:43] » records, but um for us, once I have a copy of the resolution, I can record

[14:48] that >> Okay, very good.

[14:50] » usually it turns around within about 7 days.

[14:52] » Perfect. >> Um

[14:54] you know, that but as for the post office, I can't tell you for [laughter]

[14:58] sure. >> We'll take care of the post office,

[14:59] Council, that's fine. And we'll work on the street name. So, for now we'll keep

[15:03] with Gadwall until the street sign is up, but at least legally it'll be

[15:07] effective. Thank you. >> Yep.

[15:08] » Great. Have a good night. Thanks. >> Thank you, Ron.

[15:11] » Okay. Uh the solicitor's report, is that right? No?

[15:15] » Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh the only item on my report tonight is proposed

[15:19] joint municipal zoning ordinance number 2026-03,

[15:23] and this is a zoning ordinance creating regulations around data center uses and

[15:29] again for the folks who might be watching at home,

[15:33] we do not have a data center application. We however are in need in

[15:38] the jointure of a an ordinance that regulates data centers in the event that

[15:43] we do have an application. We don't want to be

[15:46] left without any regulations for that use.

[15:50] » [clears throat] >> Newtown Township adopted this version of

[15:53] the ordinance. Rightstown's meeting was last night, but I haven't checked their

[15:58] meeting. I'm I'm seeing some nods from the board. So we're the last

[16:02] municipality to adopt. And after this it'll become an official ordinance of

[16:07] the jointure. We've discussed at the jointure a need

[16:11] to kind of continually reinvent this ordinance and make it

[16:15] perfect, but we want to get something on the books now.

[16:19] » So just to clarify what you're saying is that right now we don't have an

[16:21] ordinance, so anyone could submit an application anytime and basically put it

[16:25] somewhere wherever they wish to without any rules or protections and this would

[16:29] give us a baseline of some protection.

[16:32] » That's fair statement. >> You have about [snorts]

[16:34] 2 minutes I would say to get that application in.

[16:37] » Yep. 2 minutes, 2 seconds. [laughter]

[16:40] » Yeah, and just also to summarize, I think the jointure was very clear that

[16:44] we were going to continue to work on this and refine it, but we needed the

[16:47] protection in the short term. Um for all three townships, so

[16:52] on that basis um

[16:55] good to go. >> Okay.

[16:57] Um then I'll ask at this time and is there a motion to adopt JMZO ordinance

[17:02] 2026-03? >> So moved.

[17:06] » Thank you, Tom. Is there a second? >> I will second.

[17:09] » Thank you, Braun. All in favor. >> I

[17:12] » I >> All right.

[17:14] » And hear everybody, motion passes. >> That concludes my report. Thank you, Mr.

[17:19] Chairman. >> Thank you, Will. Greg will now present

[17:21] the manager's report. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First item I

[17:25] have is a proposal for permitting and permit portal software. So, after a

[17:31] review internally, staff led by Denise has made a recommendation to go out and

[17:38] get Trazer. Trazer is a software which will

[17:43] one replace our aging and sunsetting current permitting software that is

[17:49] scheduled to go out of service early next year. But, also help us internally

[17:55] both with the our workflow and with the ability to have residents directly

[18:00] submit their permits and other information through an online portal.

[18:06] Some of the keys that are in there that are

[18:09] for the software are listed out in Denise's memo as well as the cost. So,

[18:15] what we're asking for this evening is permission for approval of the proposal

[18:21] to move forward and implement the system.

[18:24] » Okay. >> Any questions for Greg on this one?

[18:30] No? Okay.

[18:32] Is there a motion to approve the Trazer proposal for permitting and permit

[18:37] portal software? >> So moved.

[18:39] » Thank you, Thomas. Is there a second? >> I'll second.

[18:41] » Thank you, Ron. All in favor? >> Aye.

[18:44] » Aye. >> Aye.

[18:46] » Okay. Motion passes.

[18:49] » Thank you. The next item I have is the annual MMO, the minimum municipal

[18:54] obligation. The township has two defined benefit pension plans. One is uniform

[19:00] and one is non-uniform. The MML is a required

[19:05] function that we go through every single year to ensure that we are properly

[19:09] funding uh each of those those plans. Um you'll note that for one of the plans

[19:15] the police the uniform plan, the MMO is lower than it was last year.

[19:23] Uh the non-uniform one is higher than it was last year, but it nets out to being

[19:29] a savings overall. And that's mostly due to market performance as well as the the

[19:35] methods employed to smooth out any actuarial gains or losses. So, that I'd

[19:42] I'd request approval to

[19:45] uh execute the MMOs. >> Okay. Any questions from the board?

[19:53] So, is there a motion to authorize the [clears throat] township manager to sign

[19:56] the police MMO and the non-police MMO? >> So moved.

[20:00] » Thank you, Tom. Is there a second? >> I'll second.

[20:02] » Thank you, Ron. All in favor?

[20:04] » Aye. >> Aye.

[20:06] » All right. Motion passes. Uh

[20:11] moving on. >> Correct.

[20:12] » Yes, my most important item of the evening. Um we did have a surplus

[20:17] vehicle that was put up on Municibid, a 2015 Chevy Impala, which was with the

[20:23] police department. In fact, I heard a rumor it might have been even been the

[20:26] chief's vehicle at at one point. Uh came over to administration and

[20:31] and planning and zoning and was used there

[20:33] um and has reached the end of its useful life here. Um the bid the highest bid

[20:37] received was 4,200. Uh so, I'd request a motion to award the

[20:41] bid to Michael DePue for $4,200. >> Okay. Anybody willing to make that

[20:46] motion? >> So moved.

[20:48] » Thank you, Tom. Is there a second? >> I'll second.

[20:50] » Thank you, Ron. All in favor? >> Aye.

[20:52] » Aye. >> Aye.

[20:54] » All right. Motion passes.

[20:57] Over to Amanda for the engineer's report.

[20:59] » Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have two um releases under my report this evening.

[21:04] The first is Windrows Edge, and that is a release of the maintenance escrow. So,

[21:09] this is essentially the final release for this subdivision.

[21:14] This is a seven lot subdivision known as the Yates property that was

[21:20] It was handled by Tri-State. So, John Genovese is here from Tri-State if there

[21:24] are any project specific questions, but otherwise you can entertain a motion.

[21:29] » Okay. Any questions or comments from the board?

[21:36] Well, I hate to have you come out for nothing.

[21:38] » Well, I was out here for Mr. Costigan, so

[21:40] » Okay. All right. Well, fair enough. So, is there a motion to approve

[21:44] maintenance escrow release number one in the amount of $73,963.14?

[21:50] » So moved. >> Thank you, Tom. Is there a second?

[21:52] » I'll second. >> Thank you, Ron. All in favor?

[21:55] » I. >> I.

[21:56] » I. >> All right. Motion passes.

[22:00] Back to you, ma'am. >> And my second item is a partial payment

[22:04] for the um contractor for the streetscape project in the amount of

[22:08] $285,374.70.

[22:13] Um so, this is again a partial payment. There will be at some point some final

[22:17] reconciliation of all the contract um

[22:21] issues, I'll say. Uh but for for now there um we've

[22:25] reviewed the the work that has been at least installed and we're in agreement

[22:29] with it. >> Okay. So, so my question is there has

[22:32] not been a settlement for their missing the requirement that they agreed

[22:38] to of having it done before July 4th. >> Again, I'm keeping track of it. Uh

[22:43] there's still a sub- significant amount of money left in their contract. Um so,

[22:49] we will >> Are we

[22:50] » work that out in the next payment. >> um

[22:55] losing a negotiating position by making this partial payment?

[22:58] » Not at all. I mean, this is >> So, we anticipate some settlement.

[23:01] » Yes. yeah, absolutely. And again, there's been um

[23:05] there's been some um change orders along the way, so there's

[23:09] adds and there will certainly be deducts as well. So, we will

[23:13] um work that out in the next payment and

[23:17] I'm hoping that your the next one before you will be the final negotiation of all

[23:21] that.

[23:24] » Any other questions?

[23:27] » I I have one question. This is Elizabeth Um Brandon, uh

[23:34] do we have a time frame of the for the remainder of construction?

[23:39] » Sure, good question. I yeah, I'm told that we are supposed to uh be

[23:44] substantially complete with the project by next week. Um so,

[23:48] we will see if that holds true, but I would anticipate that most of the work

[23:52] is done by next week. >> Thank you.

[23:58] » Okay. Um So, is there a motion

[24:02] to approve payment request number one in the amount of $285,374.70?

[24:07] » So moved. >> Thank you, Tom. Is there a second?

[24:10] » I will second. >> Thank you, Bron. All in favor?

[24:12] » I. >> I.

[24:13] » I. >> I.

[24:15] » All right. Motion passes. Uh and moving on to our board and

[24:19] commission reports. In tonight's packets are minutes from the Environmental

[24:22] Advisory Council meeting on July 14th, 2026, the Park and Rec Board uh on May

[24:28] 18th, 2026, and uh also in the packets are department reports from

[24:33] Planning and Zoning Department, the Finance Department, Fire Departments,

[24:36] Emergency Services, Fire Marshal, Police Department, Public Works Department.

[24:41] And at this time, is there any additional public comment?

[24:46] No? So, I'll move for adjournment. Is Is

[24:49] there a motion to adjourn? >> So moved.

[24:51] » Thank you, Tom. Is there a second? >> Yes, I'll second.

[24:54] » Thank Thank All in favor? Aye. Aye.

[24:57] » Aye. >> Aye.

[24:58] » All right. This meeting's adjourned.

Upper Makefield Township - Board of Supervisors Meeting - August 18, 2026

Transcript