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The North Lebanon Township Board of Supervisors met Monday to discuss topics including proposals for paving the Lenni Lenape walking trail, an updated public meeting procedure policy, and a revised fee schedule.
The supervisors heard three proposals for paving costs of the Lenni Lenape walking trail, which was partially funded by a $25,000 Marcellus Shale Grant.
The lowest proposal, which was from Nolt Paving, estimated costs at $24,636. However, state laws prohibited the supervisors from accepting at this time.
Pennsylvania township code (PDF) says that for contracts costing between $11,500 and $21,300, a township must seek three quotes from qualified contractors.
For more expensive projects, however, a township must advertise the contract twice between 10 and 45 days before bids begin. They also must have full specifications available, which can be costly to design.
The supervisors opted to table making any decisions for now. They are considering modifying their specifications such that quotes are likely to come in lower than $21,300, such as by changing the thickness of pavement or total square footage.
On a similar note, Moore Engineering provided a proposal totaling $24,246 for the design phase, bid support, and construction support for the HVAC upgrade budgeted for 2022. Bidding for the final project is expected to take place in September.
The supervisors unanimously agreed to enter the agreement with Moore. However, vice chairman Gary Heisey expressed his displeasure with the costs accrued prior to bidding, a sentiment which was echoed during discussions of the Lenni Lenape walking path.
The supervisors unanimously adopted Resolution #20-2022, which updates public meeting prcedures to comply with changes to the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act. The most notable change is the new requirement that agendas for public meetings are posted at least 24 hours in advance.
They also unanimously approved Resolution #21-2022, which includes a registration permit fee for the recently updated ordinance. It also reduces conditional use hearing fees from $2,500 to $750 for non-land development issues, like apiary registration permit hearings.
While no action was required, the board heard an update on the repair of Halfway Drive Bridge. While repair of the superstructure was initially estimated to cost around $100,000, inspection of the bridge revealed that repairs will cost around $231,000, while a total replacement, initially estimated at $300,000, would likely cost over $600,000.
Following some discussion, chairman Ed Brensinger commented that the bridge’s repair has been on the township’s radar for decades and the project should not be delayed further.
In other business, the board:
- Unanimously approved the final subdivision plan for Mapledale Estates, as well as the BMP O&M Agreement, Land Development Improvements Agreement and Escrow, and Park & Recreation Agreement and Payment. The Lebanon County Planning Department recommended approval of the proposed unit with 38 single-family residential lots.
- Swore Thomas Jones and Coryn Foster into the North Lebanon Township Fire Police.
- Unanimously approved Ordinance #6-2022 concerning stormwater management requirements following a public hearing. The primary change made by the ordinance is that stormwater management will be reviewed through the township engineer rather than the county engineer.
- Unanimously agreed to reaffirm their decision allowing the transferal of Country Garden 6-Pack’s liquor license to their new location following a period for public comment. (The establishment now does business under the name Union Beer House.) While the transferal was already approved, Country Garden 6-Pack sought township approval of their plan to rent out part of the space.
Read More: Union Beer House plans mid-2022 move to former Country Cupboard - Unanimously approved the release of $30,000 from the North Lebanon Township Fire Company Capital Reserve Fund to Glenn Lebanon Fire Company for the first payment of an apparatus arriving in August.
- Unanimously accepted the resignation of township employee Bryan Heagy.
- Unanimously approved the sale via Municibid of a 2003 Jeep Liberty for $7,650 and a 1985 Hudson Trailer for $3,100.
- Unanimously approved a tree dedication at Lenni Lenape Park.
- Unanimously approved a 2022 Drop-off Site License for the Green Education Foundation structure at the Lebanon Valley Mall.
- Announced two executive sessions held in the last month: one held June 20 with Chief Knight with regards to a personnel issue and one held July 7 with regards to litigation.
- Unanimously approved the minutes of the June 20 meeting (PDF).
- Heard the fire chief’s report and chief of police Report.
- Unanimously approved current payroll subject to audit.
North Lebanon supervisors meet at the township municipal building the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. The next meeting will be held Aug. 15. The meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.
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