April 13, 2020 Exeter Board Of Supervisors Meeting

CLICK ON "READ MORE" TO SEE AGENDA AND TIMES BELOW

This was the first internet meeting for the Exeter Supervisors. It went off fairly well. Although,  they did the meeting on Zoom (ironically the servers are in China) they presented it to us on YouTube.

The agenda was too long, 21 agenda items. They were advised earlier to reduce the number but of course they never take anyones advice and what I have noticed is that once they commit/make a decision they rarely if ever will change even if it is a reasonably good idea. So, they decided as they went through the agenda items to determine if the agenda item was critical or if it could wait to a later date, this extended the meeting times and long discussions. 

They tabled 4 items and modified the agenda item for golf equipment approving the first item and holding the other two for later. 

Most of the agenda items were fairly routine but they did table the discussion on RFP's on the Promenade. Seems they think they should have architects working on the project before they get the input from the public. Seems backwards to me, what does the public want? Turn it into the township Taj Mahal or fix it up/ get in retailers and put it back on the tax rolls or something else? Then you might bring in the architects, right? But not Simone Collins....John Grangers associate!

What this meeting should be famous for is not the Agenda items presented but the one major item missing and never mentions: THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL AUDIT AND THE FINANCIAL REPORT THAT IS REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH THE DCED. Not one comment the whole night! 

Understand the Annual Audit for 2019 was to be completed and the summary of Revenue and Expenses and our General Fund balance published in the local newspaper no later than April 1, 90 days after the year end.

You may have seen other municipalities publish theirs over the last several weeks. But not Exeter. This board forgot all about it. They will tell you they didn't, in fact the chairperson David Speece told me the PSATS told them the date was relaxed. But he must have misinterpreted this information because it was quite clearly in the information that the deadline was NOT relaxed and the deadline of April 1 was firm, but DCED would waive the late penalties due to the Corona Virus situation. This report was to be made available to all Exeter Township residents no later than April 15. Of course this will not happen, Mr. Speece has informed me that the audit will be completed by the end of April. This time because of the current situation it will not cost our taxpayers any money. But it is another indicator of the disorganization within the township office and the lack of oversight  our township supervisors display . Certainly other townships were able to meet the deadline with much smaller staff. 

See the image above in which Mr. Speece has so kindly  provided. The deadline is not waived but penalties will be waived this time. I have a serious concern when we miss our financial commitments it has been my experience that multiple issues with sloppy performance indicates serious issues with any organization. Proper planning would have prevented this from happening   You decide. AGAIN BELOW CLICK ON "READ MORE" FOR AGENDA AND TIMES

AGENDA:
David Hughes: Opinion @. 00:01
Hear the birds: @ 20:44
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Comments on Agenda Items @ 23:46
REGULAR APPROVALS @ 34:22
1. Minutes – March 9, 2020
2. Ratification of Disbursements – March 23, 2020
3. Disbursements – April 13, 2020
4. Treasurer’s Report – February

OLD BUSINESS @ 41:57
1. Monthly Golf Report – March
§Available on the Township’s website.
2. Monthly Right to Know Request Report – March
§ Available on the Township’s website.
3. Discussion on Wastewater Treatment Plant Sale Proceeds Fund-TABLED 4. Discussion on RFP responses of Architect for the Promenade Shopping Center-TABLED
§ To select three candidates to interview.
5. Adopt Short-Term Lodging Ordinance-TABLED
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve Ratification of the Declaration of Emergency @ 53:05
§ The Township Manager declared a disaster emergency on 3/23/20 due to the COVID- 19 public health crisis. This declaration allows the Township to address the essential needs of its residents in the safest, fastest, and most efficient means possible. The declaration also may create eligibility for certain grants available in such emergencies.

2. Authorize Cohen Law Group to Negotiate Cable Franchise Agreement with Comcast @54:35 TABLED
§ The existing Cable Franchise Agreement will expire in 2022. The Cohen Law Group is negotiating the cable franchise agreement

3. Approve Contract with Asphalt Maintenance Solutions LLC in the amount of $96,900 for the 2020 Bituminous Seal Coat Project @ 56:38
§ One bid was received for the 2020 Bituminous Seal Coat Project. This project includes Moyer Road, Wegman Road, Hartman Road, and Sadowski Drive.

4. Discussion on Stormwater Matter on Hilldale Road @ 58:00
§ A Township owned swale is no longer functioning properly and requires action

5. Authorize Advertisement of Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Daniel Boone Homestead Master Plan @ 1:02:08 TABLED
§ The Township has received a $50,000 grant to complete a Master Plan from DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnership’s program.

6. Approve Study Committee for the Daniel Boone Homestead Master Plan Process
§ A member of the Board is being asked to participate on the committee. @ 1:04:43
7. Consider Authorizing Purchase of Equipment for the Reading Country Club Golf Course @ 1:06:05
§ A prioritized list of equipment has been provided by the Fleet Manager for review by the supervisors. The Reading Country Club Golf Committee to provide input on immediate need versus future purchase plans.
Priority #1: John Deere 2500B PrecisionCut Gas Riding Tee Mower - $32,981.25 o Used for mowing tees, collars, and approaches. Will replace a 2003 model
Priority #2: Kubota 4WD Tractor w/ extended warranty - $30,890.13 o Used primarily to pull large rough mower during golf season. To replace worn 1999 model in need of over $4,000 in repairs.
Priority #3: Ventrac 4500Z Tractor - $46,510.14 o Purchase to replace 2005 model for which parts are no longer made. The 2005 will be kept and used as a parts source for another tractor of the same model that is in better working condition.

8. Authorize Purchase of 2020 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor for $48,400.00 @ 1:10:14
§ This is a budgeted item to replace a 2014 Ford Explorer that will be re-purposed as a training vehicle.

9. Authorize Purchase of 2020 Ford F150 Police Interceptor for $53,035.90 @ IN WITH #8
§ Budgeted item to replace a 1996 Ford F350 Police traffic truck.

10.Resolution Forgiving April 2020 Rent Payments to Township for Promenade Tenants @ 1:17:03
§ Consider forgiving April 2020 rental payments otherwise owed to the Township for those tenants at the Promenade Shopping Plaza who are being adversely impacted by the Pandemic.

11. Letter of Support for Berks Nature’s Application to the NFWF Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund for Carsonia-Crystal Lake Restoration Project @ 1:20:05

12. Approve Contract with Safe City Solutions to conduct Sergeant Promotional Testing in amount of $2,200 @ 1:21:15
§ Testing is part of the department’s succession planning as two Sergeant’s will be retiring at the end of the year.

13. Authorize Settlement of an Assessment of Business Privilege Taxes @ 1:23:01
§ Business Privilege Tax is subject to the strict protections of taxpayer confidentiality. Details on this item are confidential.

14. Update on Community Communications Committee @ 1:24:29

15. Update on Reading Country Club Clubhouse Committee @ 1:29:07
§ Committee leadership will provide an update on Reading Country Club restaurant operations.

16. Approve Contract for the 2019 Traffic Signal Upgrades Project – @ 1:31:20
§ Traffic signal upgrades at the intersections of Perkiomen Avenue (SR0422) and DeMoss Road\W. 47th St, and Perkiomen Avenue (SR0422) and Lorane Road (SR2019), and East Neversink Road (SR2039) and Hearthstone Drive.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS @ 1:32:43
PUBLIC COMMENT – General Non-Agenda Items @ 1:37:00
​SUPERVISOR REPORTS @ 1:42:36