PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING

JANUARY 25, 2005

A regular meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, January 25, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with all supervisors present. Also present were the Manager, Public Services Director, Planning Director, Solicitor and Township Engineer. Chairman Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag.

2. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – JANUARY 25, 2005

INFORMATION

The reports will be provided at the meeting.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the disbursement of funds for January 25, 2005.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 17, 2005

DISCUSSION

Bruno changed the motion for Villages at Mill Race - Bridge 62 discussion and Lammi corrected a typographical error on Page 1.

On motion by Smith, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board approved the minutes of January 17, 2005.

4. REZONING CONSIDERATION FOR 2250 CORRIERE DRIVE

INFORMATION

The Board needs to discuss whether they will entertain the request to rezone the property at 2250 Corriere Drive.

DISCUSSION

Bruno stated the township received a letter from Attorney DeEsch on behalf of the Rizzolino’s asking the township to consider rezoning the property located next to the current Palmer Nursery property. Bruno said it is now zoned MDR and they are requesting a zoning change to PI/C, the same zoning that the Palmer Nursery is zoned. Lammi said the American Legion is still located between these properties and the residential properties. The Board agreed to entertain their request with the applicant establishing a $3,000 escrow account.

5. PROLOGIS DISCUSSION

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the Prologis request for relief from traffic and recreation fees.

DISCUSSION

No representatives were present from Prologis. Bruno said Prologis had submitted a letter to the township requesting waivers on significant issues that were previously agreed to. After a brief discussion the Board agreed they were not willing to make any concessions and asked Bruno to inform the applicant.

Lammi said he wouldn’t be at the next meeting and he wanted the Board to know that he didn’t feel the township should be giving any concessions on any of the issues outlined in the Prologis letter. Bruno added the applicant felt they were reasonable when they accepted them.

6. RESOLUTION FOR INCREASE OF SEWER RENTAL RATES

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the resolution.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the resolution increasing the sewer rental rates by 10%.

7. PA AMERICAN WATER AGREEMENT AND SHUT OFF AGREEMENT

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the PA American Water Agreement and the PA American Water Shut Off Agreement.

DISCUSSION

Paul Hosking, Director of Public Utilities, said the PA American Water Agreement gives us the ability to purchase water meter reading data for the purpose of computing our sewer bills for the township. Hosking said this was previously handled through Blue Mountain who is now PA American Water. Hosking said the Shut Off Agreement outlines a list of items that PA American Water must comply with prior to terminating water service.

On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to execute the PA American Water Agreement.

On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to execute the PA American Water Shut Off Agreement.

8. RESOLUTION FOR 100% PURSES INC.

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the resolution.

DISCUSSION

Bruno said there was a modification made to the resolution last week by 100% Purses. Bruno reviewed the change with the Board. Bruno said his recommendation would be to go with the way he had proposed the resolution initially. Lammi asked if the Board had the power to revoke the racing license. Bruno said the Board wouldn’t have that power to revoke, but they could inform the racing commission if the applicant decided not to comply with something they had previously agreed to do. Panella said she had an issue with an applicant that came to the Board asking for a favor and then they don’t like the way we word the resolution. Panella said she had a real issue with that. Mitchell said maybe they don’t like it stated in the actual resolution but they would be willing to put it in a letter to the township, just not in the resolution that will go to the commission. Lammi said he preferred that the Solicitor go back and discuss it with their counsel. Lammi said as everyone knows he was not happy with the fact that the Act took away the power from the local municipality to begin with, and said Joe Santana was very strong at the last meeting about them complying with our land development requirements. The Board agreed to have the Solicitor revisit this with the applicants attorney and place the item back on the next meeting agenda.

9. TOWNSHIP ENGINEER CAPITAL PROJECT UPDATE

INFORMATION

Brian Dillman will update the Board on capital projects.

DISCUSSION

Dillman said last month he had given the Board a letter outlining the current status of every capital project. Dillman said there isn’t anything to report since that letter except that they are in the process of notifying the property owners related to the Greenwood Avenue project. Lammi asked for the status of the light at Sales and Northampton Streets. Dillman said the poles are expected within the next week and that will be one of the first intersection worked on. Lammi asked about the status of the Hobson Street pond. Dillman said they just received the price information regarding the modified work and they would be reporting back to the Board in the next few weeks.

10. PUBLIC COMMENT

None

11. REPORTS

Solicitor

· Bruno had an extension request for Remaley Industrial Park for an extension until March 31, 2005. On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the extension request.

· Bruno had one personnel, two real estate, and two litigation items for executive session.

Manager

· Anckaitis said at the last meeting in December the Board authorized a 1.6% cost of living increase for the retired police officers. Anckaitis said the actuarial study came back and the increase in the actuarial accrued liability is $39,848, and the minimum municipal obligation will increase annually by $3,985. Anckaitis said he notified Fulton Financial to make the increase effective January 1, 2005.

Public Services Director

§ Adams had the annual liquid fuels actual use report that shows the accounting of the money the township received and how it was used. The forms needed to be signed by the Chairman.

· Adams said bids were opened today for the 39,000 lb. GVW dump truck and only one bid was received from Horwith Trucks in the amount of $107,906. Adams said he recommended approval of the bid. On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the bid of $107,906 from Horwith Trucks for the dump truck.

Planning Director

· Jensen said she had received DEP’s approval of the final report for Victoria Square IV.

· Jensen asked if the Board had any comments regarding the Zoning Hearing Board agenda for February. There were no comments.

Supervisors

§ Smith said at the Recreation Board meeting it was mentioned that there used to be a plan in the township regarding replacing fences at the parks. Smith asked Adams to check and see if there is an actual plan.

· Smith asked if the soccer fields at Mill Race would be ready to use this year. Jensen said they cannot be used this year.

§ Smith said he attended the Recreation Board and Athletic Association meetings this past month and both boards picked their members for the 2-2-2 committee. Smith said he would be starting the 2-2-2 committee.

· Lammi showed the Board a draft of the new Palmer Township community information guide. Lammi said the printer made an error on the color and would be making the necessary change prior to publication.

· Lammi said last week County Council voted to appoint him to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission beginning next month.

· Colver said the new fire truck should hit the township the end of March. Colver said it will take about two to three months to transfer and mount equipment onto the new truck. Colver added the fire department is also in the infancy stages of discussion regarding the next vehicle that will need to be replaced.

· Colver said Delmar Grube was elected as Fire Chief and the department filled other trustee positions last evening.

· Panella said the road department did a great job with snow removal during the weekend storm.

On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. with two litigation, two real estate, and one personnel item for executive session.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager