PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING

AUGUST 24, 2004

A regular meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, August 24, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with all supervisors in attendance. Also present were the Township Solicitor, Township Manager, Township Engineer, Public Services Director, and Planning Director. Chairman Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag.

2. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – AUGUST 24, 2004

INFORMATION

The reports will be provided at the meeting.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the disbursement of funds for August 24, 2004.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – AUGUST 16, 2004

DISCUSSION

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the minutes of August 16, 2004.

4. PARKVIEW ESTATES, PHASE 6 – FINAL SUBDIVISION PLAN

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the final subdivision plan for Parkview Estates,

Phase 6.

DISCUSSION

Don Frederickson and Charles Chrin were in attendance. Bruno said the Planning Commission reviewed the final subdivision plan and recommended approval with one waiver and a few conditions that need to be addressed. Bruno said one is the open space and recreation issues for this phase and future phases, and bike path completion.

Colver asked for clarification on the bike path issue. Frederickson said it was agreed to be completed during this phase. Frederickson said it would be the concrete sidewalk and then change into asphalt. Colver asked if the fire hydrant was shown on the plan as noted on the township departmental comment sheet. Frederickson said it is shown at Creek Road and Crest Boulevard. Colver questioned why there was no indentation at the corner crossing for handicapped access. Frederickson said there would be a driveway near the crossing. The Board agreed that an ADA apron should be included at the intersection.

The Board and the applicant discussed recreation issues. Frederickson said future phases would include dedication of open space and include a tot lot. Bruno asked where we stood as far as the overall recreation plan that was approved at the start of the development. Lammi said in Phase I there was a 4.39 acre detention basin, Phase II the Developer paid recreation fees, Phase III included a tot lot, Phase IV and V recreation fees were paid. The Board agreed that there was no land in this phase that should be dedicated since it was one of the main entry points to the development. The Board agreed to have the Developer pay recreation fees for this phase.

Lammi made a motion to approve the final subdivision plan for Parkview Estates, Phase 6 with the following conditions: the Developer satisfy all comments and conditions set forth in the Township Engineer letter dated August 5, 2004 and the Township Solicitor’s letter dated August 17, 2004; the Developer satisfy all township departmental comments dated August 4, 2004; approval of switch from concrete to asphalt for the bike path at the right of way toward the Bushkill Park bridge; approval of waiver of final plan checklist item A.7 where cuts or fills extend beyond the right of way cross sections at 50 foot intervals; Developer to pay recreation fees at $1,400 per lot remaining consistent with previous phases of this development; Developer enter into an improvements agreement to the satisfaction of the Township Solicitor; Developer submit financial security in a form acceptable to the Township Solicitor; and all unsatisfied conditions of preliminary approval be satisfied. The motion was seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all.

Steve Cyphers, 3740 Southwood Drive, asked what the township did with the recreation fees they received. Colver said the money goes into a recreation account to be used for future park improvements like pavilions, athletic fields, etc. Lammi added it was used for capital improvements only not maintenance.

5. REMALY INDUSTRIAL PARK EXTENSION REQUEST

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove an extension request for Remaly Industrial Park until October 31, 2004.

DISCUSSION

Bruno said he had a conversation with Attorney Stitt and Stitt is requesting an extension until October 31, 2004.

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the extension request for the Remaly Industrial Park until October 31, 2004.

6. TOWNSHIP ENGINEER CAPITAL PROJECT UPDATE

INFORMATION

Brian Dillman will update the Board on capital projects.

DISCUSSION

Dillman said the contract was awarded for the 25^th Street signalization project and they anticipate it being up and running by year end. Dillman said they are currently working to reduce the scope of work on the Hobson Street detention basin. Dillman said they are on the verge of Penndot approval for the Greenwood Avenue extension project and they feel they can minimize the scope of work here also. Dillman said regarding the community center they submitted a letter to Bethlehem Township addressing Bethlehem Township’s engineering issues. Dillman added they are in the process of getting the highway occupancy permit from Penndot and they applied for the grading permit from Bethlehem Township. Dillman said they would be holding a pre-construction conference with Bethlehem Township some time next week. Dillman said the water line construction is already underway on the property and bids would be advertised on Thursday in the Express Times.

Lammi asked for an update on the light at VanBuren and Route 248. Dillman said they are getting the cost estimates together and predicted they are 90% complete in that process. Dillman said he would like to sit down with township representatives to go over the details.

Colver asked for clarification on the bid schedule for the community center. Dillman said he believes the bids are scheduled to be opened September 23. Dillman said they would then tabulate the information and he predicted it would come back to the Board some time in October for intent to award.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT

Steve Cyphers, 3740 Southwood Drive, asked if the township maintained the bike path at the far end of Bushkill Park. Colver said it was located in Forks Township but Palmer Township owns the right of way. Cyphers said there is a section that isn’t completed. Lammi said the township hopes to complete that section up through Tatamy next year.

Carl Dorsey, 19 Central Drive, said it’s unfortunate that our Governor is bringing slots to Pennsylvania. Dorsey said the average tax payer will see a $400 reduction in property taxes. Dorsey said the EASD is already spending that money. Dorsey said the Board of Supervisors will be dealing with the proposed slots and horse racing in the township. Dorsey said he believes it isn’t good for the quality of life in the township. Dorsey said you will hear some say there are benefits to the township. Dorsey said quality of life cannot be bought with tax relief. Dorsey asked the Board to use the township newsletter to communicate the benefits if they feel it’s the right thing to do for the township.

Bob Brown, 420 Wedgewood Drive, a community center committee member, said Ryan Beck & Co. has asked that the township pass a corporate resolution allowing them to manage stock donations made to the community center. Anckaitis said there is someone who wants to make a stock donation and Ryan Beck is saying this document is required. Colver said at many community center committee meetings they discussed the need to establish a 501C3 for potential donors who only make contributions to this type of organization. Bruno said he didn’t feel there was enough information provided for him to recommend the Board pass this resolution.

Colver said approximately a year ago the Board approved Ryan Beck & Co. as the brokerage house to handle any stock donations. Brown said we need a brokerage house to sell the stock and forward the money to the township. Panella asked how anyone could get a tax break if they didn’t donate to a 501C3. Brown said anyone could donate to the township and receive a tax break according to the Internal Revenue Code. Brown said the committee felt there were a few potential large donors who would only make a donation if there was a 501C3 established. Colver said the committee agreed it wasn’t worth passing up the opportunity to receive some large donations so the committee established the 501C3.

Bruno said after he reviewed the resolution that it was consistent with the relationship already in place with Ryan Beck & Co. and he didn’t see any significant problem with signing it as is.

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board adopted a corporate resolution allowing Ryan Beck & Co. to manage stock donations made to the community center.

8. REPORTS

Solicitor

· Bruno handed out information to the Board regarding the EAJSA industrial pretreatment program limits. Bruno said the documents include what the program used to include versus what the new program limits will be. Bruno is asking the Board for permission to advertise the ordinance for a future meeting. On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Solicitor to advertise the ordinance.

· Bruno said he spoke to representatives from Powell Harpstead regarding the geotechnical contract for the Hobson Street detention basin regarding increasing the liability insurance from $60,000 to $1,000,000. Bruno said Powell Harpstead said they will increase it but it will cost the township an additional $2,000. The Board agreed this should be part of their contract at no additional cost and asked the Director of Public Services to get bids from other geotechnical contractors.

· Bruno had one real estate item for executive session.

Manager

· Anckaitis said the township issued a temporary certificate of occupancy to Home Depot on Thursday with an addendum attached that was provided by Bruno. Anckaitis said it expires September 2, 2004. Bruno said the developer’s improvement agreement also expires on September 2, and the developer will need to request an extension to that and Home Depot needs the extension to the certificate of occupancy permit. Lammi said we don’t meet until September 7.

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension agreement for Palmer Town Center until November 30, 2004, upon review and approval by the Township Solicitor, and conditioned upon adequate security being posted.

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized an extension to the temporary certificate of occupancy for Home Depot until November 30, 2004.

· Anckaitis said the Lehigh Valley Insurance Cooperative that the township participates in for medical, dental, and vision benefits is proposing forming a larger cooperative with four different groups for dental and vision benefits only. Anckaitis said the new cooperative would grow from 500 members to 1500 members which should help reduce costs for these benefits. Anckaitis said if the Board is interested in participating in this new cooperative an inter-municipal agreement needs to be signed and an ordinance passed. Anckaitis said this is the same procedure that was done when we joined the Lehigh Valley Insurance Cooperative back in 2001. Anckaitis said if the Board agrees with the concept he will forward the agreement and ordinance to Bruno for review. Anckaitis said this doesn’t commit us to purchasing the benefits.

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the concept of entering into the Pennsylvania Municipal Health Insurance Cooperative to review options for dental and vision benefits.

· Anckaitis gave the Board the proposed traffic patterns for Easton Area High School. The Board and Police Chief reviewed the traffic flow and police coverage. Anckaitis said during the meeting with the school district the township and Township Engineer recommended the school district have the plan approved by Penndot.

Public Services Director

· Adams said in 2003 the pool failed a drinking water test with a minor violation. Adams said the second test in 2003 was fine. Adams said again in 2004 the drinking water failed. Adams said it was posted “no drinking” and bottled water was used. Adams said if we fail too often we are placed on a non-conformance list. Adams said after review of the best way to resolve the problem it was agreed to hook up to the Easton Suburban Water Authority. Adams said Easton Suburban Water is completing their work this week and then next week the Public Works Department will complete the project.

· Adams said he received a proposal from Trunzo where they would demolish the stone at the Hobson Street detention basin and then they would turn around and sell the product. Adams said there would be no cost to the township. Mitchell asked what the timeframe would be for completion. Adams said he’d have to find that out. The Board supported the idea.

Planning Director

· Jensen said she would be attending a Two Rivers area greenway plan public meeting August 25.

· Jensen asked the Board if there were any items on the September 8 legal notice that they had any concerns with. The Board did not.

· Jensen said she and Bob Lammi attended a meeting with the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission last week to review their comprehensive plan. Jensen said she would have her comments for the Board to review at the September 7 meeting.

Supervisors

· Colver said he’d like to thank everyone who was involved with another successful community weekend, from the public works, fire, police, etc. Colver said he’d like to specifically thank Jeff Young, Diane Grube, and Cindy Kent for all their time and effort.

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. with one real estate item for executive session.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager