PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING
MAY 16, 2005
A regular meeting of
the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was
held on Monday, May 16, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer
Library with all supervisors present.
Also present were the Township Manager, Public Services Director, and Solicitor. Chairman Colver convened the meeting and led
those present in the Pledge to the Flag.
2. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT
OF FUNDS – MAY 16, 2005
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 May 16,
2005.
3. APPROVAL
OF MINUTES – MAY 2, 2005
DISCUSSION
On
motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved
the minutes of May 2, 2005.
4. DISCUSSION
REGARDING AMENDMENT TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX ORDINANCE
INFORMATION
Brenda DeLong will
be present to discuss her recommendation regarding an amendment to the current
earned income tax ordinance. The Board
needs to approve/disapprove the Solicitor amending the ordinance and authorize
advertisement.
DISCUSSION
Brenda DeLong recommended the township
increase the income amount in the township ordinance from $10,000 to $30,000 for
taxpayers to make estimated payments on earned income. DeLong said she feels $30,000 is a more
reasonable amount to require the estimates based on today’s income levels. DeLong said anyone under this amount would
pay at year end.
On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella,
and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to make the revision and
advertise the Earned Income Tax ordinance.
5. FULTON FINANCIAL
PERFORMANCE UPDATE ON THE POLICE PENSION FUND
INFORMATION
Bill Barrett and Kevin Kayser from Fulton
Financial Advisors will review performance of the Police Pension Fund for
calendar year 2004 and the first quarter of 2005.
DISCUSSION
6. REQUEST TO ADVERTISE ORDINANCE AMENDING
THE PALMER TOWNSHIP BASIC BUILDING CODE TO REQUIRE A
PERMIT FOR ALL PROPOSED
CONSTRUCTION OR CONVERSION OF RESIDENTIAL BASEMENTS INTO HABITABLE LIVING SPACE
UPON COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION R310 OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove advertising of the ordinance.
DISCUSSION
Colver
asked if this ordinance needed to be presented to Labor and Industry. Anckaitis said Jim Raudenbush would handle that. Colver said he felt this was a good change. The Board agreed.
Lammi
made a motion to authorize the Chairman to advertise the ordinance.
Bill
Webb, 3111 John Street,
asked what the process is going to be for someone who is currently doing their
basement. Colver said anyone who already
completed work or is in the process would be grandfathered.
Smith
seconded the motion, and it was agreed by all to advertise.
7. DISCUSSION REGARDING ESTABLISHING A
COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE THE RECREATION BOARD AND ATHLETIC
ASSOCIATION PROCESS
INFORMATION
Bob Smith will bring information to the
meeting regarding this matter.
DISCUSSION
Colver
said a month or two ago when the Recreation Board and Athletic Association
issues came up we agreed to put together a plan to address areas of concern
within the organizations.
Smith
said at this time the 2-2-2 Committee
isn’t what we believe we need to respond to these issues. Jim Worley at the last Recreation Board meeting
recommended establishing a committee.
Smith recommends the committee consist of two members of the Board of
Supervisors, Recreation Board members, Athletic Association members and
non-board members who are Palmer Township
residents.
Lammi
asked if there would be one or more non-board members. Smith said it would be more than one
resident. Lammi cautioned on having too
many people on the committee. Colver
said he was thinking two individuals from each category. Colver said he suggested two weeks ago that
the President of the AA, the Chairman of Recreation Board, and the Chairman of
the Board of Supervisors be on the new committee. Bruno asked if it was a temporary or
permanent committee. Smith said it would
be temporary to address current issues and hopefully it would be turned over to
the Recreation Board to administer from then on. Lammi said there is no question that issues
need to be resolved but he agreed with Bruno that it not be another permanent
committee. Colver said it’s a glorified 2-2-2 committee. Smith agreed and said it would be a little
bit broader than the existing 2-2-2
committee. Smith said the committee
would be six to eight members. Smith
will go back to the Recreation Board and then the Athletic Association to
confirm members for the committee. Bruno
confirmed that this committee will only make recommendations to the Board of
Supervisors.
Panella asked how they would get the non-board members for the
committee. Smith said he wasn’t sure yet
but there were some people who already expressed an interest. Panella said it needs to be someone with no
hidden agenda. Smith will come back to
this Board with the recommended names of individuals for the committee.
Smith
said there are also concerns about the wrestling program. Smith said he would be talking to Zeke Bellis
and Barry Schaffer about getting the wrestling program back up and running in
the township. Smith said the community
center won’t be completed for the beginning of the wrestling season so they
will start the season using the Municipal
Building. Lammi said the key issue is getting the
wrestling program back in Palmer.
Jack
Bambary, 8 Midland Drive,
said the kids and coaches are willing to come back to Palmer with the wrestling
program. Bambary said we need to clear
up the communication problems, but other than that it’s simple to get the
program going again.
Kevin
Gray, 1350 Tatamy Road, said
there are some issues related to the field house security system. Gray said there is a problem with how it is
currently being handled within the recreation organization. Gray suggested someone address the
problem. Smith said he’s aware of it and
will address it at this week’s meetings.
8. ROAD SURFACING BID AWARDS
INFORMATION
See recommendation from the Director of
Public Services. The Board needs to
approve/disapprove bid awards.
DISCUSSION
Colver
said these are for a number of different projects. Adams reviewed the
areas in the township that will be resurfaced.
Colver asked Adams to get the Board a list of the
projects that will be done this year so they can answer any questions they may be
asked.
On
motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board awarded
the Cold Recycling Bituminous Base
Course to Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc., Hammonton, NJ for $88,182.70.
On motion by Panella, seconded
by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board awarded the Micro-Surfacing – Type
“A” to Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc., Hammonton, NJ for $67,100.78.
On motion by Panella, seconded
by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board awarded the Paver-Laid Seal/Leveling
Course to Gorman Brothers, Chalfont, PA for $116,510.62.
9. CHARLES CHRIN COMMUNITY CENTER CONCRETE BID AWARDS
INFORMATION
Bids will be opened May 12. Recommendation will be provided by the Public
Services Director at the meeting. The
Board needs to approve/disapprove the bid awards.
DISCUSSION
Colver
said initially when we advertised a month ago we had no responses. Colver said we re-advertised and received two
bids.
On
motion by Colver, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board awarded the Charles
Chrin Community Center
concrete bids as recommended by the Director of Public Services to Casilio & Sons, Inc. @ $76.00/CY
delivered, (400 CY) for $30,400.00 for 3500 psi Concrete and to Casilio &
Sons, Inc. @ $79.00/CY delivered, (1800 CY) for $63,200.00 for Concrete Curb
Mix.
10. PUBLIC
COMMENT
Kenneth
Koury, 1229 Tatamy Road, said
the Keystone ball field is in the back of his house. Koury said on Saturday there was a ball game at
the field and they was very loud music and a man was changing in the parking
lot. Koury said he called the police and
reported it. Koury said the officer said
nothing could be done about the music unless it was between 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. as stated in the township noise
ordinance. Colver asked Chief Fretz to
comment. Fretz said the noise ordinance
does apply only during the hours of 11 p.m.
and 7 a.m. Fretz said if it’s excessive the police can
ask them to turn it down but they cannot be cited. Fretz said if it’s continuous it becomes a
harassment issue. Fretz said there is no
excuse for changing in public and the officer will address it. Corey said it’s not fair that I’m in my
basement of my house and I have to hear that noise. Colver said four or five years ago we put the
word out to our Recreation Board and Athletic Association that if this kind of
conduct continues the groups will not be allowed to use the fields. Smith said he will discuss it at the meetings
this week with the Recreation Board and Athletic Association.
Kevin
Gray, 1350 Tatamy Road,
said at the last meeting we discussed the road work for his project. Gray said all the paperwork was turned in to
Amanda Jensen today. Bruno said Penndot
said that the work was completed to their satisfaction and it states that from May 16, 2005, for the next
two years, you will have the responsibility of restoring the right of way if
anything should happen in that area.
Gray asked for a letter from the township stating that it’s closed out
on the township end. Bruno said he sees
no reason why the township needs to keep Gray in a maintenance period.
Dina
Reed, 1303 Lehigh Street,
said she was from Senator Wonderling’s office and was here on assignment and
thanked the Board for allowing her and her daughter to sit in on the meeting.
11. REPORTS
Solicitor
·
Bruno had an improvements agreement for Penn’s
Grant South and stated they provided security for their public improvement
agreement. Bruno said he also received
their $28,000 voluntary traffic contribution.
Bruno recommends the Board authorize the Chairman to sign the
improvements agreement. Bruno said there
is also an assignment agreement because original approval went to Hornstein and
is now turning over to Penn’s Grant LP. On
motion by Smith, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the
Chairman to execute the assignment agreement, for Penn’s Grant, L.P. On motion by Smith, seconded by Lammi and
agreed by all the Board authorized the Chairman execute the subdivision
improvements agreement with the new entity.
·
Bruno had an extension agreement for Villages at
Mill Race, Phase I, extending to November 20, 2005 in order to complete public
improvements. Bruno said security is in place, and the Township Engineer has recommended
approval. On motion by Mitchell, seconded
by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the extension agreement for
Villages at Mill Race, Phase I.
·
Bruno had an extension agreement for Dunn and
Noble requesting an extension until September 15, 2005 to complete improvements. Bruno stated they have extended their letter
of credit accordingly. On motion by
Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to
sign the extension agreement for Dunn and Noble.
·
Bruno had three litigation items for executive
session.
Public
Services Director
·
Adams said the detour
starts tomorrow around Greenwood Avenue. Mitchell asked why they put the mast arm for
the traffic light in the parking lot at Richards Drive In instead of across the
street. Fretz said Penndot dictates where
the mast arm is placed. Colver asked if
the businesses were notified in the area of the detour. Adams said for the
initial meeting Tower Products was missed.
Adams said there were two meetings and the second
meeting included Tower Products. Adams
said the businesses were informed of the changes.
·
Adams said the Traffic
Committee reviewed a request from a resident for a handicapped parking space on
Park Avenue. Adams
said the Traffic Committee recommends that a space not be approved because
there seems to be adequate parking. Adams
said we will continue to monitor this and if it appears there is no longer
adequate parking we would revisit the request.
Fretz said typically if there is adequate off street parking and
driveway parking we will not approve this type of request.
Police
Chief
·
Fretz had one personnel
item for executive session.
·
Fretz informed the Board that he would be
attending a weapons of mass destruction seminar over the next two days. Smith asked how the new radio dispatch system
was working. Fretz said the total
benefit out weighs the traffic on the frequency. Fretz said it will be beneficial to Wilson,
Tatamy, Palmer, and eventually Forks Township.
Supervisors
·
Lammi said some time ago he had set up a meeting
with Wilson Borough, Representative Freeman, Senator Wonderling, and
Representative Grucela regarding the storm water issue on South
25th Street to inquire about possible
funds for the project. Lammi said $2.7
million dollars is the estimated cost that Pidcock put together for the
necessary improvements. Lammi said he
feels our next step is to get it on the Penndot twelve year plan. Lammi said that process would include a
presentation to the Lehigh Valley Transportation Committee which is headed up
by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, and then we would need to go to Philadelphia
in August to present the case to the statewide group. Lammi said traffic on this roadway has
increased considerably. Lammi said it’s
no longer a local road for Palmer or Wilson residents but it’s more a regional
road especially for Williams Township
residents. Lammi also said we will need
strong support from surrounding area representatives in order to move
forward. Lammi said he had the Planning
Director call the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission to see what information
would be needed. Lammi said Palmer would
need to be the lead group and stated he didn’t know if we could meet the
deadlines he outlined but if this Board feels we should attempt to do it, we
will take a look at trying to meet the deadlines. Lammi said if it is not possible to meet the
deadlines for this year we should maybe wait until next year. Colver asked if Wilson
mentioned any major player for the Victor Balata property. Colver said if a major player comes to that
property they are going to reap the benefits of all the work Palmer
Town Center
has done. Colver said a private entity
could help with the necessary improvements.
Lammi said the cost to do it correctly is way above the amount of money
a private developer could be held accountable for. Lammi said the only way to fix the problem correctly
would include straightening the roadway.
Lammi said there is no question that a traffic contribution would be
made by a private developer. Lammi said
we will need to keep in touch with Wilson
on plans for the corner property.
On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella,
and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10
p.m. with three litigation and one personnel
item for executive session.
Respectfully
submitted,
Robert
G. Anckaitis
Township
Manager