Hi, Neighbors. We had an Aleppo Workshop Meeting on Monday night and I wanted to tell you what happened.
It was a relatively lengthy meeting. Although the list of topics was short, several of the items were discussed in detail. If you want to watch the meeting from the beginning, click here. Otherwise, feel free to click the links below to jump to the portions of the meeting that are of interest to you.
You will see that several topics are up for a vote next week. If you have thoughts about any of these items, please watch the video from the Workshop Meeting, then share your comments with me by reply email.
OK, here’s what happened:
- Our Property Maintenance Code Enforcement Officer talked to us about the current process used in Aleppo for enforcement of the Property Maintenance Code. He told us that we currently operate reactively, which is to say he gets involved only when we have received a complaint. He said that another approach could be to periodically inspect the township for violations and attempt to be more proactive. While no motions are pending concerning this topic, we welcome community input about whether residents would appreciate a more proactive approach to code enforcement or if folks are satisfied with the status quo. (Click here to watch this portion of the meeting). #CodeEnforcement
- We heard that the bed supports on our dump truck have broken and cannot be welded back into place. Click here to see a handout detailing the problem and the proposed repairs, which would cost approximately $16,500. A motion was made to proceed with the repairs as indicated on the handout. We anticipate voting on this motion on Monday night, so please share any thoughts on this issue between now and then. (Click here to watch this portion of the meeting) #DumpTruck
- We also heard that our pickup truck currently has over 96,000 miles. It was suggested that we buy a new pickup truck. Click here to see a handout detailing the state of the current truck and the proposed replacement purchase. A motion was made to authorize the purchase of the truck specified on the handout in the color white for a price of $62,457. Again, we anticipate voting on this motion on Monday night, so please let us know if you have any thoughts on this topic. (This item was discussed in two pieces during the meeting–we talked about it, went on to another topic, then it came up again. Click here to watch the portion of the meeting where the topic was initially discussed, then click here to see the second time it came up). #PickUpTruck
- The Executive Director of the Quaker Valley Council of Governments explained a COG proposal for a shared regional Geographic Information System (“GIS”). Click here to see a handout outlining the COG GIS proposal. Exploring implementation of GIS in Aleppo is one of our goals for 2018. The COG-based approach is one route we could take. Another is to go through our township engineering firm (we anticipate hearing a proposal from them later this year). (Click here to watch this portion of the meeting). #QuakerValleyCOG #GIS
- We discussed making updates to the technology, storage, and aesthetics in our meeting room. A motion was made to create an ad hoc committee for these meeting room improvements. We anticipate voting on this motion on Monday, so if you have any thoughts or if you are interested in participating in the planning or implementation of these improvements, please send me an email. (Click here to watch this portion of the meeting). #Technology
- We discussed a resident request that the township provide or coordinate snow shoveling of driveways for elderly residents. No action was proposed in response to this request. (Click here to watch this portion of the meeting). #SnowRemoval
- We heard that we have received applications for Masonic Village to build villas on its lots along Redgate Road (in the location where it had previously proposed building a Children’s Home). Click here to see the proposed site plan. These applications are currently pending in front of the Planning Commission and will be addressed at its next meeting on 7 March 2018. (Click here to watch this portion of the meeting). #MasonicVillage #Villas
- We further discussed the Trapizona Property Sale Tax Proposal and agreed to ask for the proposal in writing. (Click here to watch this portion of the meeting). #Resident
- We talked about hiring a vactor truck for about $4,625 to clean out all of our catch basins in the summer and we discussed the details of the contract for that service. No motion was proposed, but there is some suggestion that we will vote on this issue on Monday night, so if you have thoughts about this topic, please let me know. (Click here to watch this portion of the meeting). #PublicWorks
Our next Legislative meeting will be on Monday 19 February 2018 at 7:00 PM at the Township Building. If any of these issues are important to you, please feel free to join us and voice your opinion. If you cannot attend the meeting in person, please feel free to share your thoughts with me by email and I will be sure to convey your feelings to the other commissioners.
As always, thanks for making Aleppo a great place to live.
Best wishes,
Matthew Doebler
Aleppo Township Commissioner