Michael Schwenk

The meeting addressed several key areas, including updates from the Northern Berks Regional Police, engineering and zoning reports, and discussions on zoning hearing applications for Kitt's Café & Gandalf's Garden and 1060 Park Road. The board also addressed the adoption of Resolution #12-2024, appointing Sewage Enforcement Officers for 2024, and the consideration of adopting the Brake Retarder Ordinance. Public works matters were discussed, including repairs to the leaf vac clutch, loader hydraulic lines, and replacement of a plow. Park and Recreation plans for 2024 were reviewed, and the board discussed increasing the fee in lieu of open space contribution. The manager provided updates on various reports, plans, and financial tasks. The board also discussed future projects, including bridge repairs, truck replacements, and potential improvements to parks and infrastructure.

The board meeting included discussions and actions on several key areas. The board discussed a culvert issue on Chestnut Street and a request for a Township Manager. The Northern Berks Regional Police Department (NBRPD) provided an activity report, and the board acknowledged a reimbursement check from NBRPD. Time extensions for plan reviews for the Kopfer Subdivision and the Sunday/Davidson Annexation Plan were approved. The Chair was authorized to sign the Planning Module exemption form for 612 Barlet Road. The board directed staff to prepare a Brake Retarder Ordinance and authorized the advertisement of both the Brake Retarder Ordinance and the Act 50 Small Cell Tower Ordinance. The board did not consent to the termination or amendment to the TreeTops Trust. The board discussed the paving of Bewley Lane in conjunction with Ontelaunee Township and authorized Ontelaunee Township to include paving a 450-foot section of Bewley Lane. The board appointed a Right to Know Officer, authorized the advertisement of the 2024 Reorganization Meeting, and authorized the secretary to sign the annual contract with Safety Net Sanctuary. The board also authorized entering into a 10-year lease with the Maidencreek Township Authority. A Request for Proposals for a Pension Actuary was approved. The board approved transfers from the ARPA account to the general fund checking and adopted Resolution 33-2023 authorizing the issuance and sale of a tax and revenue anticipation note series 2024. The board also adopted Resolution 34-2023 setting the tax rates for 2024 and Resolution 35-2023 adopting the 2024 Budget.

The board discussed the results of the investigation into accusations against the township manager, the police report for December 2021, and the purchase of body and in-car cameras for officers. They also discussed the W Walnut Tree Drive culvert and a draft ordinance for a C1 zoning overlay district. The board approved the return of the original letter of credit for Berkshire Property Management Company conditional upon payment of all outstanding invoices. They adopted resolution 12-2022 appointing the law firm of E. Kenneth Nyce to serve as Township Solicitor and authorized the purchase of 150 tons of salt under state contract. The board approved the quote from Systems Design Engineering for surveying the property at 324 Main Street and hiring three individuals for equipment operator positions. They also discussed including a Public Works Director in the 2022 budget and adjusting Katelyn Gruber's rate of pay while working as acting manager.

The Maidencreek Township Board of Supervisors held a special meeting where David Franke rescinded his verbal resignation. The board accepted the resignation of Orlando Law Offices as Township Solicitor and appointed Eric Frey of E. Kenneth NYCE Law Office, LLC as the new solicitor. A motion to terminate Diane Hollenbach was not seconded, and a subsequent motion was made and passed to reinstate her as Township Manager. Katelyn Gruber was reappointed to receptionist/typist/clerk.

The board reviewed proposed changes in the 2021 budget, which included projecting lower revenue due to the impact of COVID-19, maintaining the police budget at the 2020 level pending a potential motion to dissolve the police department, and removing funds from the Township's reserves to balance the budget. Discussions also covered donations for various services, the need to replace the Township Building's front porch roof, the purchase of additional recycling bins, and the potential replacement of the Kubota mower. The budget included requests for a portable generator and a power post driver for sign installation, street sweeping, and a park and recreation project. The board also discussed road striping, sign replacement, the Buena vista Drain Project, and road work in TreeTops. The legal budget was increased due to the police issue, while truck replacement, an additional employee, the building HVAC replacement, and a fuel card system were not included in this budget. The truck and chipper grant were not included because the grant deadline was extended to December 31, 2020.