Updates from the May Lower Makefield Board of Supervisors Meetings

May 1st meeting

 Approval of Ordinance Authorizing Execution of a Cable Franchise Agreement With Verizon Pennsylvania, LLC The Electronic Media Advisory Committee approved this five-year agreement.

Approval of Resolution 24-11 Amending the Lower Makefield Township Fee Schedule. Some changes include fees around short-term lodging facilities. The Township has agreed with Granicus to monitor these facilities. This fee increase addresses that cost. The vacant and foreclosed property fee is as follows: The Township has contracted with the HERA registry to monitor this. There is also a new boarding fee to discourage windows opening, etc.

There was also an increase in pickleball fees. The approved fees are $16 for a Pickleball Club member resident, $20 for a Pickleball Club member non-resident, $24 for a non-Pickleball Club member resident, and $28 for a non-Pickleball Club member non-resident. These would be split amongst the players.

An 8 million dollar request has been submitted through the Community Project Funding Program with the support of Representative Fitzpatrick’s office.

The addendum to the Lease Agreement Between the Township and Yardley Makefield Soccer Relating to the Turf Field at Macclesfield Park was discussed and tabled due to a lack of agreement among board members.

The solicitor reported that an Amendment to the Short-Term Rental Ordinance and an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance will be brought to the Board soon. Both will also need approval from the Bucks County Planning Commission.

May 10th Meetig

The auditor, Maillie LLP, reported that the Township got a clean opinion on their audit.

Joel Winston, an attorney with Cohen Law Group, led a discussion about the Draft Wireless Facilities Ordinance. No further action was taken.

Financial policies were approved for Fund Balance, Investment, Capital Projects Funding, and Debt Management.

The Township Manager advised of the following recommendations regarding public meetings:

·      There were no proposed changes for the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, and Zoning Hearing Board.

·      A managed Zoom option will be provided for remote participation by members and the public. Meetings will continue to be uploaded to the web and broadcasted on our PEG channel. Meetings will be live-streamed, televised live, and professionally filmed.

·      The recommendation was for all other committees to meet in person at the Township Building. A Zoom option (Township Zoom account) will be provided for remote participation by members and the public, but it will be self-managed by a committee member or Township staff member if present. Meetings will be recorded via Zoom, uploaded to the web, and broadcasted on our PEG channel following the meeting. Meetings will not be live-streamed, televised live, or professionally filmed.

The Board approved these recommendations.

 The next Meeting will be June 5th.