PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING

JUNE 6, 2005

 

A regular meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, June 6, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with four supervisors present.  Robert Lammi was absent.  Also present were the Public Services Director, Township Engineer, and Solicitor.  The Township Manager was absent.  Sara Mausolf 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 – JUNE 6, 2005

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The reports will be provided at the meeting.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the disbursement of funds for June 6, 2005.

 

3.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MAY 24, 2005

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Bruno made the following changes:  the third paragraph, page two, third sentence, changed “35” to “31”; and page eight, fourth paragraph, last sentence, replaced “support this portion of the hearing” with “relate to the issues discussed in this hearing tonight”.

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the minutes of May 24, 2005, with the above changes.

 

4.   SEWER EASEMENT AGREEMENT FOR LATERAL CONSTRUCTION ON SOUTH NULTON AVENUE

 

      INFORMATION       

           

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the sewer easement agreement.

 

     DISCUSSION

 

      Bruno stated there are two things that need to be changed in the agreement.  Bruno said the Remaley Estate needs to run a sewer line across the Rau property.  Attorney Stitt stated it was down Edamy Street, not really the Rau property.  Bruno said because it is along the Rau property the Rau’s have to authorize it.  Bruno said the changes that need to be made are as follows:  under the second whereas replace “water lateral” with “sewer lateral”; and on page two, number five, it states “the cost to record this document shall be borne solely by the Township”, it should also state “and will be reimbursed by the Remaley Estate”.  Bruno said the agreement can be approved with these two revisions tonight.

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the sewer easement agreement for lateral construction on South Nulton Avenue.

                 

5.   RESOLUTION APPROVING PLAN AND ESTIMATED COST OF THE AUTHORITY’S CONSULTING ENGINEERS’ FOR THE CONSTRUCTION BY THE AUTHORITY OF A CAPITAL ADDITION TO ITS SEWER SYSTEM FOR ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS FOR ITS WASTEWATER PUMPING STATIONS PROJECT IN PALMER TOWNSHIP

 

      INFORMATION       

           

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the resolution.

 

     DISCUSSION

 

Bruno said this is coming from the Sewer Authority and he has reviewed the document.  Bruno said this gives the Authority the green light to go forward with the project.

 

On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the resolution authorizing construction by the Authority of a capital addition to its sewer system for additions and alterations for its wastewater pumping stations project.

 

6.   APPROVAL OF CONDITIONAL USE LETTER FOR EASTON SELF STORAGE

 

      INFORMATION       

           

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the conditional use letter.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Bruno said the letter confirms the decision made at a previous Board meeting.

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the conditional use letter for Easton Self Storage.

 

7.   PUBLIC COMMENT

 

      None

     

8.   REPORTS

 

Solicitor

·        Bruno had an extension agreement for Fox Run Estates to complete public improvements until January 27, 2006.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension agreement.

·        Bruno had extension agreement for Selvaggio Enterprises for Somerset Villages to complete improvements until October 4, 2005.  On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension agreement.

·        Bruno had a geo-technical engineering solutions agreement with Mr. Martin and he reviewed items he had stricken from the agreement.  On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to execute the agreement.

·        Bruno said Stowaway Self Storage is requesting a meeting with township representatives to discuss a hardship regarding their property.  Bruno said they were denied a variance regarding set back issues.  Bruno said the property was rezoned next to them (The Highlands of Glenmoor).  Bruno said the applicant feels they are not being treated fairly due to what happened with the property next to them.  Colver said he feels it would be worth meeting with them to see what they are proposing.  Colver said we understand what the hardship is.  Mitchell and Lammi will participate in that meeting. 

·        Bruno had a request from Prologis regarding credits related to their traffic and recreation fees.  Bruno said the Township Engineer letter of May 26 noted comments about their request.  Smith said he attended a previous meeting with Prologis and he didn’t see any need for credits on any issues.  Dillman said if you remember during plan approval they agreed to all of these conditions and now they want to change it.  Dillman said what is listed isn’t out of scale for what they are doing.  The Board agreed to not make any changes.

 

      Public Services Director

·        Adams said the traffic signal at Wood Avenue and 25th Street randomly goes on blink stage due to an electrical shorting problem and requires maintenance regularly.  Adams said the overhead wiring is getting older and is the cause of the problem.  Adams said he received proposals regarding repairing either overhead or underground.  Adams said the cost for underground wiring would cost $19,945 and if we do it overhead it would cost $15,694.50.  Colver said it needs to be fixed and he feels for the long term solution it would be worth the extra $4,000 to do the underground wiring.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the repair work for underground wiring for a total cost of $19,945 to Telco Inc.

 

      Police

·        Fretz said every year the Police Department hands out gadgets at Community Weekend.  Fretz said this year we have ordered 500 gun locks and he gave a sample to the Board.

 

Supervisors

·        Smith informed the Board that the 11th is Palmer Day for baseball and softball.  Smith said a meeting will be held on Wednesday at 8 p.m. with the wrestling committee to get the program running again.  Smith said he and the Township Manager have interviewed candidates for the community center director position and the Township Manager will be continuing the interviewing process.  Smith said he will need to discuss with Chief Fretz issues regarding locking the bathroom facilities at the field house.

·        Colver said he received a letter regarding a property assessment for Dean Fenstermaker’s self storage property.  Colver said his assessment was raised to $211,000 and Fenstermaker is requesting an appeal.  Colver asked the Director of Public Services to find out the old assessment amount to determine the amount of increase.

·        Colver said we received a letter from Lehigh County asking elected officials to contact State officials regarding Leaser Lake Dam.  Colver said the letter is asking for support to repair the dam to full working order and to help preserve the land.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign letters of support for the Leaser Lake Dam repairs.

·        Colver said the main steel is up at the community center and they are starting to pour the floors this week.  Colver said back in October 2004 this Board agreed to use some Recreation Fee money toward the center.  Colver said an actual amount was never determined.  Colver noted the next draw for the bond pool money isn’t until the end of June and there are some bills that need to be paid.  Colver said the Township Manager is recommending we transfer $700,000 from the Recreation Fund into the Bond fund.  On motion by Colver, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the transfer of $700,000 from the Recreation Fund for the Charles Chrin Community Center.

·        Colver had one personnel item for executive session.

 

Bruno said he wanted to revisit the resolution that was on the agenda tonight.  Bruno said the letter dated May 12 from Attorney Smith stated contracts were awarded regarding the project.  Bruno said within the resolution referred to earlier tonight there was an estimate of $790,000 for this project.  Bruno noted the actual bids that have been received are under this amount and are noted in another resolution regarding authorizing easements for the project.  Bruno said he will need a motion to authorize the Chairman to sign the second resolution regarding the easements for the project.  Smith amended his initial motion to include authorization for the Chairman to sign the resolution regarding easements for the capital addition to the sewer system for additions and alterations for its wastewater pumping stations project, Panella seconded the amended motion, and it was agreed by all.

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. with one personnel item for executive session.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager