PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING

NOVEMBER 15, 2004

 

      A regular meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, November 15, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with four supervisors in attendance.  Ann-Marie Panella was absent.  Also present were the Township Manager, Public Services Director, and Township Solicitor.  Joe Nixon from the Morning Call and Ed Sieger from the Express Times represented the news media.  Chairman Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag.

 

2.      APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – NOVEMBER 1, 2004

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The reports will be provided at the meeting.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the disbursement of funds for November 1, 2004.

 

3.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES – NOVEMBER 1, 2004

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the minutes of November 1, 2004.

 

4.   100% PURSES, INC. PRESENTATION REQUEST FOR THE NOVEMBER 23 AGENDA

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove Joe Santana’s request to make a presentation at the November 23 meeting.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

Colver read a letter he received from Joe Santana requesting approval to make a presentation to the Board of Supervisors at their November 23, 2004 meeting.  The Board agreed to place the presentation on the November 23rd agenda.

 

5.   EAHS BONFIRE REQUEST

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove Easton Area High School’s bonfire request.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

Nina Meletiche, Senior Class President, Easton Area High School, requested permission from the Board to hold the annual Thanksgiving eve bonfire.  Meletiche said wood collection will be on November 23 with the sleep out, and the parade is scheduled for November 24 at 5:30 p.m. with the lighting of the bonfire scheduled for 6:30 p.m.  The board recommended they coordinate the event with the emergency personnel within the township.  Meletiche said she had done that.

 

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the request to hold the tradition of the bonfire at Easton Area High School on November 24.

 

6.   2004 SEWER RATE STUDY DISCUSSION

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove a sewer rate increase for 2005.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Kevin Shannon, Engineer for the Sewer Authority, and Paul Hosking, Director of Public Utilities were in attendance.  Colver said back in 1997 or 1998 the sewer rates were reduced by 20% which equated to approximately $38 a year.  Colver said due to an increase in costs it may now be necessary for an increase.

 

      Shannon reviewed a sewer rate study that he presented to the Board with projections of sewer rental increases of 0%, 10% and 15%.  After review and discussion of the information the Board agreed to increase the sewer rental rates by 10%.

 

      Lammi made a motion to increase the sewer rental fees by 10% as per recommendation in Exhibit B of the 2004 Sewer Rate Study presented by the Palmer Township Sewer Authority Engineer and Director of Public Utilities, effective January 1, 2005.  The motion was seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all.

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Township Solicitor to advertise the sewer rental fee ordinance upon his review and approval.

 

      Shannon asked for a few minutes to discuss the Act 537 Plan.  Shannon said there was a committee set up to review the Act 537 Plan and the draft plan has been sent to the township Planning Commission, the County, and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission for review.  Shannon said they expect a comment letter back from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission next week and Amanda Jensen is currently reviewing the plan for the township.  Shannon said the plan will need to be advertised with a 30 day public notice period.  Shannon said it could be published concurrent with the Planning Commission reviews.

 

      Shannon said he expected the whole process to be completed the end of this year or early in 2005.  Shannon added he believes the Schoeneck Creek interceptor permits will not be approved until the plan is approved.  Shannon requested the Board authorize approval to advertise the public notice.

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Township Solicitor to advertise the public notice regarding the Act 537 Plan.

 

7.      2005 POLICE SERVICES RATE DISCUSSION

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the police service charges for 2005.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Colver reviewed the recommendation from the Police Department regarding an increase to the 2005 police service fees charged to the Easton Area School District, Palmer Mall, or other agencies or individuals requesting police services.

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved a rate of $40 an hour for agency or individual police service requests; a rate of $33.25 for Palmer Mall police services; a rate of $26.00 per hour for traffic control services provided to the Easton Area School District; and a rate of $29.50 per hour for other Easton Area School District police services; and an additional charge of $10 per hour when the request requires the use of a police vehicle, effective January 1, 2005.

 

8.   APPROVAL OF TOWNSHIP PHYSICIAN

 

      INFORMATION

 

      Dr. Michelle Jones, and her associates at Occupational Health Services, 3601 Nazareth Road, will accept Palmer Township as a client for workers’ compensation claims and employment physicals.   The Board needs to approve/disapprove Occupational Health Services as the township physician.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Colver said this subject was discussed at the last meeting when we received a letter from the physician who took over Dr. Azain’s business.  Panella at that time recommended the township use an occupational specialist for the township physician. 

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved Occupational Health Services as the provider of physician services to the township.

 

9.   ESCROW RELEASE – SOMERSET VILLAGE

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove escrow release No. 9 for Somerset Village.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved escrow release No. 9 in the amount of $35,490 for Somerset Village.

 

10.  ESCROW RELEASE – STARLITE ESTATES

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove escrow release No. 1 for Starlite Estates.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved escrow release No. 1 in the amount of $466,162 for Starlite Estates.

 

11.  ESCROW RELEASE – VILLAGES AT MILL RACE, PHASE I

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove escrow release No. 10 for Villages at Mill Race,

Phase I.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved escrow release No. 10 in the amount of $32,819.43 for Villages at Mill Race, Phase I.

 

12.  ESCROW RELEASE – VILLAGES AT MILL RACE, PHASE II

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove escrow release No. 5 for Villages at Mill Race,

Phase II.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved escrow release No. 5 in the amount of $90,508 for Villages at Mill Race, Phase II.

 

13.  ESCROW RELEASE – VILLAGES AT MILL RACE, PHASE III

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove escrow release No. 1 for Villages at Mill Race,

Phase III.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved escrow release No. 1 in the amount of $181,067.43 for Villages at Mill Race, Phase III.

 

14.  PROPOSAL FOR GEO-TECHNICAL EVALUATION SERVICES – HOBSON STREET DETENTION BASIN

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Hobson Street detention basin sinkhole evaluation proposal by U. S. Engineering Laboratories has been reviewed by the Township Solicitor.  The Public Services Director is recommending approval.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the proposal.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Colver said there is a sinkhole in the pond area and USEL has determined fees for Task 1 not to exceed $3,000 and Task 2 not to exceed $5,000.  Adams said he didn’t believe it would require them to do Task 2.  Colver asked who would repair the sinkhole.  Adams said it could be the site contractor.  Lammi asked if the professional engineer listed in the proposal was a geo-technical engineer.  Adams said he believed he was and he would call to confirm.

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized U.S. Engineering Laboratories, Inc. to perform the geotechnical work and engineering at the Hobson Street detention basin to include Task 1 not to exceed $3,000, and if needed Task 2 not to exceed $5,000.

 

15.  PROPOSAL FOR GEO-TECHNICAL EVALUATION SERVICES – CHARLES CHRIN COMMUNITY CENTER

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Charles Chrin Community Center quality assurance testing for structural fill placement, floor slab and pavement sub-grades, and footing bearing capacities is currently being reviewed by the Township Solicitor.    The Board needs to approve/disapprove the proposal.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Colver said this is for quality assurance testing at the community center site.  Colver said we’re aware of some issues out there and we want to be assured.  Colver said this proposal is based on a daily rate of $240, plus mileage.  Colver said this figure was included in the Pidcock budget for the center.  Lammi noted the liability insurance amount needed to be changed from $50,000 to $1,000,000.

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the proposal conditioned upon satisfactory review of the Township Solicitor and the revision to the liability assurance amount.

 

16.  CCCC APPROVAL BY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF NOTICE TO PROCEED AND AUTHORIZATION OF CHAIRMAN TO SIGN CONTRACTS

 

      INFORMATION

 

      All insurance and bond documents have been received and are acceptable to the Township Engineer and Township Solicitor.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Colver said all the insurance and bond information has been received, reviewed and approved from the four low bidders.  Colver said three weeks ago the Board gave notice of intent to award the contracts and now the contracts are in the municipal building ready to be signed.

 

      On motion by Colver, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved execution of the contracts for the Charles Chrin Community Center with notice to proceed.

 

      Colver said a pre-construction meeting was held last week with all contractors where the rules and regulations were reviewed.  Colver said the topic regarding waiving fees for the physical permits was discussed.  Colver said in the past the Board talked about waiving the fees for the contractors for the community center.  Colver said the contractors would still be required to apply for the Business Privilege License and pay the associated costs.

 

      On motion by Colver, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved waiving the fees for the contractors constructing the community center but not waiving their requirement to file the township Business Privilege License and fees associated with the Business Privilege License.

 

17. PUBLIC COMMENT

 

      Ellen Canone, 3610 Northwood Avenue, asked for an update on the drainage problems in their neighborhood.  Adams said the public works department has been authorized to put an inlet on the westerly side of the road like the one that is currently on the easterly side.  Adams said he continues to search township records for the Brentwood storm sewer plans and the Mazza sewer plan and he is sending all pertinent information to The Pidcock Company for review.

 

      Richard Vorholy, 202 Oxford Street, asked if there were any plans to correct the curbing problem where the water runs off the corn field.  Vorholy said the curbing is low in this area.  Adams said he would contact Vorholy to set up a time to come out and look at the area he is questioning.

 

18.  REPORTS

 

      Solicitor

 

·        Bruno had an extension agreement for CTHL1 – Villages at Mill Race, Phase I, requesting an extension to complete public improvements through May 20, 2005.  On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the extension agreement.

 

·        Bruno had a maintenance agreement for an 18-month period for Easton Center LLC for the portion of land where the detention basin is located.  Bruno said security is set by Pidcock and when a request comes in for escrow release it should be reduced $21,000.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the maintenance agreement.

 

      Manager

·        Anckaitis said back in 2002 we received a letter from a resident urging us to not hold meetings on Jewish holidays.  Anckaitis said Monday, October 4, 2005 is Rosh Hashana and it is a night when a Board of Supervisors meeting will be held.  Anckaitis said the holiday begins at sundown.  Lammi said in early October the sun doesn’t set until after 7:00 p.m. and any resident would be able to come in at 7:00 p.m. and request to speak first on the agenda in order to be home in time for the holiday to begin.  The Board agreed.

 

·        Anckaitis said next Thursday and Friday the Municipal Building is closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday and asked if two supervisors could come in on Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning to sign paychecks.  Lammi and Smith said they would.

 

·        Anckaitis said in response to recent public inquiry the individual in charge of the Police Department is Lieutenant Jim Young.

 

Supervisors

·        Smith said Palmer Township, for the first time, won all three levels in the football championship and the cheerleaders won their competition.

 

·        Lammi asked when the grand opening was scheduled for Giant.  Adams said he believed it was February 2005.  Lammi said no work has been done at 27th Street.  Adams said they were paving today and he received an updated traffic study today outlining what needs to be done.  Adams said it’s all subject to Penndot’s approval.

 

·        Colver said the township budget meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the municipal building.

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. with no items for executive session.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager