PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING

JUNE 20, 2005

 

A regular meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, June 20, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with three supervisors present.  Dave Colver and Bob Smith were absent.  Also present were the Public Services Director, Public Utility Director, Township Manager, and Solicitor.  Sara Mausolf from the Express Times represented the news media.  Vice-Chairman Lammi convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag.

 

2.   APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – JUNE 20, 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 June 20, 2005.

 

3.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JUNE 6 , 2005

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Lammi said he had to abstain from voting to approve the minutes since he was not in attendance at the June 6 meeting.  Approval of the minutes will be placed on the June 28 meeting agenda since there was no quorum to approve this evening.

 

4.   SHANNON & SONYA HESS’ CURBING WAIVER REQUEST

 

      INFORMATION       

           

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the waiver request.

 

     DISCUSSION

 

      Mr. Hess said this request would be waiving the curb and sidewalk for the property.  Mr. Hess said it’s an old neighborhood and no one else has curb or sidewalk in the neighborhood.  Tom Adams, Director of Public Services reviewed a drawing of curbing in the area.  Adams recommended a deferral for curb and sidewalk.

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved a deferral for curbing and sidewalk for 510 Oakwood Street, until such time the township deems it necessary.

                 

5.   VILLAGES AT MILL RACE DISCUSSION

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The construction manager for the Villages of Mill Race project would like to discuss with the Board the possible elimination of a street light at Tulip Court and placing two in exchange at the park.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the request.

 

     DISCUSSION

 

Adams said Mr. Goffredo asked last fall if they could move some street lights onto the other side of the road and this Board granted their request.  Adams reviewed the plan where the street lights were to be located. Adams said this one light they couldn’t get in without tearing up driveways on either side of the location.  Adams said they are asking to place it in the park instead.

 

Lammi asked why they didn’t put the light in before they completed the driveways.  Lammi said if he was living in that area he wouldn’t want the light in his window.  Lammi said from a security perspective he feels it would be beneficial.  Lammi said they showed it on the plan and they messed up when they didn’t put the light in.  Lammi said he hates to see someone’s driveway get messed up because of it.  Lammi said he could go either way on this issue.  Lammi said he would rather they go back to the neighbors and ask them how they feel about it because they should be the ones that say whether they want it or not.  Adams will inform the developer that the Board would like to know how the neighbors feel about the location of the street light. 

 

6.   RESOLUTION DECLARING EMERGENCY IN THE CAMDEN, AVON, AND ARLINGTON STREET AREA CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTIONING CESSPOOL ON CAMDEN STREET

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the resolution.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Lammi explained that this is an emergency situation where a cesspool is overflowing and it has now become a health issue. 

 

Paul Hosking, Director Public Utilities said the Sewer Authority needs the township to authorize the authority to make repairs.  Hosking explained there are options as to how we will do the repair work and we are determining the best way to complete the repairs.

 

Lammi asked if the Sewer Enforcement Officer was involved.  Hosking said he received his comments and will be reviewing them with the Township Manager tomorrow.

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Vice-Chairman to sign the resolution declaring an emergency in the Camden, Avon, and Arlington Street area caused by a malfunctioning cesspool on Camden Street.

 

7.   AUTHORIZATION TO THE PTMSA TO RECEIVE ACT 537 GRANT

 

INFORMATION       

           

The Board needs to approve/disapprove authorization to the Palmer Township Municipal Sewer Authority to receive the Act 537 grant.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Hosking said this is a township function and the authority has already paid for the work.  Hosking said the township needs to submit a letter to the authority authorizing acceptance of the Act 537 grant.

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Township Manager to send a letter to the PTMSA authorizing receipt of the Act 537 grant.

 

8.   POLICTICAL SIGN ORDINANCE

 

      INFORMATION       

           

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the ordinance.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Bruno said the Planning Commission has recommended approval and it’s been advertised for tonight’s agenda.  Bruno said this change is a result of a lawsuit that was filed by the Northampton County Democratic party about a year ago that claimed local rules for political signs violated the First Amendment.

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the political sign ordinance.

 

9.   GASOLINE, FUEL OIL, AND CURBING, SIDEWALK BID AWARDS

 

      INFORMATION       

           

Tom Adams will bring his recommendation to the meeting.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the bid awards.

 

     DISCUSSION

 

      Adams said we received one bid for gasoline and fuel oil from Farm and Home Oil that included fluctuating and firm pricing. 

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the bid for gasoline at a firm price of $1.729, and a firm price for diesel fuel of $1.9639.

 

      Adams said we received two bids, one from A. J. Trunzo, Inc. and one from Heim Construction Company, Inc.  for curb and sidewalk.  Adams recommended A. J. Trunzo be awarded the bid.

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved awarding the bid for curb and sidewalk to A. J. Trunzo, Inc. at $25.50 a lineal foot for curbing and $6.25 a square foot for sidewalk.

 

10. GMC SIERRA 3500 BID AWARD

 

INFORMATION       

     

Tom Adams will bring his recommendation to the meeting.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the bid award.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Adams said this was surplus equipment that made its rounds through departments in the township.  Adams said we received one bid from Jeff Edwards who provided a check for 10% of the bid amount.  Adams recommended the bid be awarded to Edwards.

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the bid in the amount of $200 for the GMC Sierra 3500.

 

11. PUBLIC COMMENT

 

      None

     

12. REPORTS

 

Solicitor

·        Bruno had one litigation item for Executive Session.

 

      Manager

·        Anckaitis informed the Board that he offered the Director of Community Center position to Kemie Heckman at an annual salary of $40,000, to be pro-rated for 2005, and she has accepted.  Anckaitis said Heckman is the current Program Director at the Forks Community Center.  Anckaitis said he feels she will be a great asset to our center and she has had a lot of success at the Forks center.  Anckaitis said she has experience in all aspects of running a community center, and she will begin working for us on July 5.

 

      Police

·        Fretz informed the Board that the Police Department had a bike rodeo at Fairview Park last Friday, and on June 10 they completed the child safety seat check.  Fretz said these programs are coordinated through the Bethlehem Health Bureau.

 

Supervisors

·        Lammi asked Adams where the township stands and where the school district stands regarding Penndot and the road repairs needed by the high school.  Adams said he spoke to Hanover Engineering, who is the school district’s engineer, this afternoon and they haven’t received word back from Penndot regarding the proposed work by the school district.  Adams said last Friday was supposedly the deadline that Penndot was to notify the school district.  Adams said Bob Lynn said he would get back to us tomorrow.

 

Chief Fretz asked if both traffic signals are going to be installed at the same time or at different times.  Fretz said the one on 25th Street is the most critical.  Adams said the bid was for three components, the Taylor Wharton entrance, Milford Street, and 25th Street.  Adams said he believes the HOP will cover all three projects.  Adams said he would like to see 25th Street started first.  Adams said he will get the information to Lammi as soon as he hears back tomorrow.

 

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

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager