Back-and-Forths Abound in Toll Brothers Preliminary Plan Development Approval

In a vote that drew more jeers than cheers from attendees, the Northampton Township Board of Supervisors approved a preliminary plan for a proposed at Leehurst Farm on Hatboro Road.

Following a five minute recess and a changed vote from abstaining to yes by Vice Chairman Vincent Deon, the preliminary plan had the necessary three approvals to continue along the process of final submission. Others voting yes were Chairman George Komelasky and Secretary Eileen Silver, while Frank Rothermel and Treasurer James Cunningham voted no.

“I think I’m going to have to change my vote,” said Deon after the recess, prior to which he had abstained and received applause from attendees.

Upon returning from the recess, Township Solictor Barbara Kirk said that a 2-2-1 vote, which would have been the best possible outcome toward adopting the plan beforehand, would result in rejection of it. Komelasky then asked board members to reiterate their votes, at which time Deon changed to voting yes.

“It’s hard to believe what you just did,” Rothermel said.

Jarring from the public, and between supervisors, occurred throughout the debate over the plan. Rothermel, who voiced his disapproval of the plan, said he would not vote for a proposal that he alleges allowed Toll Brothers to have the ability to tap into the township’s sewer system at no cost.

Calling it a “bailout,” Rothermel said the total costs of improving the sewer pipelines, upgrading the pump house, and other associated fees would be more than $2 mil. Money, he said, will be covered by the township’s residents rather than the developers.

“It shouldn’t be one where you’re going to try to put the cost on us,” Rothermel said. “It’s not the community’s problem.”

He, as well as several residents during public comments, cited that the Sewer Authority has charged individual homeowners thousands of dollars to connect to the sewer system. In response, Toll Brothers representative Frank Murphy said that 30 percent of the sewer costs will be paid by the developers. In his discussion, Komelasky said that if the preliminary plan was tabled at this point, it would be deemed approved. Further, Murphy believed that if rejected, grounds for a legal appeal were apparent.

Still, the decision did not sit well with many. Several residents during public comment called this a “lame duck session” due to the , something which has never happened in Northampton Township.

“The public has elected new leaders with a new philosophy of local government,” said Marvin Gold, adding that adopting the preliminary plan would give the look of impropriety. “Give the public the respect that they deserve.”

The preliminary plan calls for 40 single family homes to be built as part of a development off of Hatboro Road.

The Board also discussed the 2012 budget for the first time during a regular Board meeting.

Township Manager Robert Pellegrino outlined his 2012 preliminary budget. It was later unanimously approved, and called for $26.8 million in expenditures, the most of which will be utilized by the general fund. Still, services and taxes will remain level.

“This budget does not call for a property tax increase,” Pellegrino said. “We made a concerted effort to hold the line.”

The budget will be available in hard copy form at the township building as of Nov. 17 and online shortly thereafter. It has to be advertised for at least 20 days before final approval, which will be discussed at the board’s next meeting and must be done by Dec. 31.

Other board approved items were a motion allowing Pellegrino to come to agreement with the Federal and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agencies for federal disaster relief as a result of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, authorizing of Bucks County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan and an application to PECO for $10,000 open space grant.