PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING

JUNE 28, 2005

 

A regular meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, June 28, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with four Supervisors in attendance; Mitchell was absent.  Also present were the Township Manager, Public Services Director, and Planning Director.  Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag.

 

2.   APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – JUNE 28, 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 28, 2005.

 

3.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JUNE 6 , 2005 AND JUNE 20, 2005

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by three, the Board approved the minutes of June 6, 2005, Lammi abstained since he was not in attendance on June 6.

 

      The minutes from the June 20, 2005 meeting will have to be held until the next regular meeting.  There were not three Supervisors present tonight that were present at that meeting

to be able to approve those minutes tonight.

 

4.   APPROVAL OF REPLACEMENT OF UTILITY TRUCK #54

 

      INFORMATION

     

      Paul Hosking submitted information for the replacement of this vehicle in the Public Utilities Department.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Colver reviewed the memo from Hosking regarding the replacement of the vehicle.  Hosking informed the Board of the condition of the existing vehicle.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the purchase of a vehicle from Reading Utility Body for a cost of $29,600.67 to replace a vehicle in the Public Utilities Department.

 

5.   BENECON BENEFITS PRESENTATION

 

      INFORMATION

     

            Al Loomis will make a presentation to the Board regarding moving from fully insured to an ASO/modified self-funding arrangement for medical benefits.

 

     DISCUSSION

 

      Mr. Al Loomis made a power point presentation to the Board of Supervisors reviewing proposed changes to the ASO.   Board to review proposal distributed and discuss at a later date.

                 

6.   ROMANIC WAIVER REQUEST

 

      INFORMATION       

           

            The Board needs to approve/disapprove the waiver request.

 

     DISCUSSION

 

Bruno informed the Board of the reasoning that this item is before this Board.  Mr. Michael  Romanic was present requesting a waiver from the SALDO requirements for combining two tax parcels into one parcel.  Attorney Kline submitted a letter requesting Mr. Romanic’s request be approved as he is just asking for a waiver to the one section of the ordinance.  He had been before the Zoning Hearing Board asking for the smaller lot to be approved as a buildable lot.  Zoning Hearing Board denied the request.   On motion by Lammi, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the request of the waiver for combining the two lots on Berkeley Street and that the requirements of the land development code are not required to be followed.              

 

7.   NORTHWOOD ESTATES DISCUSSION

 

      INFORMATION       

           

            Mr. Pugliese is requesting a discussion with the Board regarding Northwood Estates.

 

DISCUSSION

 

      Nick J. Pugliese, Don Frederickson and Dennis DeEsch were present with plans for The Estates of Northwood.  Bruno informed the Board that the Planning Commission has recommended approval of the preliminary plan conditioned with certain items.  Township engineer’s letter was discussed and there were only a few items that were outstanding.  The major item was the off-site storm sewerage system.   Pugliese distributed a cost proposal of pipe which was approximately $178,000.  This price is for the off-site and on-site work.  Dillman noted he and Frederickson were in compliance with the proposal.  Pugliese agreed to spend $100,000 for the project and feels with all that is needed the cost was increased.  The difference would be approximately $78,000.  The township will work with the developer to come up with a cost sharing plan. Pugliese noted he would take care of any rock.   Deadline is for the end of June for this project.  This is at the preliminary plan stage.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the conditional  preliminary plan for the Estates of Northwood Avenue with the off-site and on-site project to be worked out to the satisfaction of both parties; subdivision improvements agreement to the satisfaction of the township solicitor; security to township solicitor; engineer letter of January 7, 2005 comments being satisfied; recreation fees and voluntary traffic fees being paid, requested deferral being granted for the east of the site.  Bruno stated the subdivision improvements agreement and security are not needed at this time; they will be needed at the time of final plan approval for this project.   Lammi amended his motion to include this.  Vote was all yea.

 

8.   ORDINANCE AMENDING THE BASIC BUILDING CODE

 

      INFORMATION       

           

            The Board needs to approve/disapprove advertising of the ordinance for a future meetings agenda.

 

            DISCUSSION

 

            Colver discussed the reasoning of this code noting that this was discussed in the past.  The L & I amended the basic building code but Palmer Township noted they were amending their codes which would be more stringent.   On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized advertisement of the ordinance amending the Palmer Township Basic Building Code.

 

9.   TWO RIVERS GREENWAY RESOLUTION

 

      INFORMATION       

           

            The Board needs to approve/disapprove the Two Rivers Greenway resolution.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      This resolution was discussed at a past meeting.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the Two Rivers Greenway resolution.

 

10. VILLAGES AT MILL RACE, PHASE III, ESCROW RELEASE

 

      INFORMATION       

           

            The Board needs to approve/disapprove the escrow release.

 

     DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the Villages at Mill Race, Phase III, escrow release for category I, in the amount of $232,950.57.

 

11. TOWNSHIP ENGINEER CAPITAL PROJECT UPDATE

 

INFORMATION       

           

            Brian Dillman will update the Board on capital projects.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Dillman updated the Board on the status of all capital projects within the township.

He and Colver noted that the community center is moving along.  Colver noted what was done at this point.  Dillman noted they do have the HOP and will be headed back to Bethlehem Township. The old Campbell homestead has been torn down as well as the garage and foundations.   Construction schedule is still close; approximately a 15-30 day extension may be needed.

 

12. PUBLIC COMMENT

 

      None

     

13. REPORTS

 

Solicitor

·        Bruno noted he has conditional use opinion letters for Zawarski for Knob Hill and also Sprint Communications.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the conditional use letter for Knob Hill.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the conditional use letter for Sprint Spectrum.

·        One real estate matter for executive session.

·        One litigation matter for executive session.

 

Manager

·        Anckaitis informed the Board that Miller Memorial Bloodmobile will be at the Municipal Building on August 12. He will be sending out a memo to everyone which includes family and friends.  We need 20 participants for this.

 

      Public Services Director

·        Adams  - nothing

 

      Planning Director

·        Jensen noted she and others met with Kaare Birkeland and they discussed the overage for improvements to 25th Street.  Birkeland is responsible for paying that overage, however it may be beneficial to the township to accept a fiscally comparable amount of work performed in the township’s portion of the detention pond.  The Board stated they would be interested in that and to work out a plan.  Dillman will work on a scope of work.  The site needs to be stabilized prior to the Northampton County Conservation District releasing the permit.   Adams did report that the bids were out for the fencing around the detention pond and after this work is done the bikeway will be re-opened.

 

Police

·        Fretz informed the Board that starting July 5, 2005 Officer Rich Marshall will start as a criminal investigator; Officer Dan Monek will be returning to the road.  Also, this week an intern from a university started and will put in 120 hours.

 

Supervisors

·        Smith informed the Board that he met with Chief Fretz in regards to the process of closing the parks earlier.  They are getting something together for next Recreation Board to finalize this proposal and he noted he does support these new procedures to stop any problems in the parks before they get out of hand.  Smith also noted he had a

·        brief meeting with the Athletic Association  and Recreation Board. They had appointed a new Commissioner for wrestling -  Dave Sutton and he will review any applications he received for coaches.  The Recreation Board had asked the Board of Supervisors for their feelings to have the Recreation Board run the wrestling program.  Smith feels the Athletic Association has it under control and feels it should stay this way.  Board agrees.

·        Colver noted that inside the Community Center there is a large founder’s wall.  He showed the Board the sample of the color and insignia.

·        Colver noted that he was dealing with Design Flooring on 27th Street to have a 12 foot round township seal placed in the tile right inside the door of the Community Center.  The owner of Design Floors would like to do a contribution so there may be a small amount that has to be paid for this work.

·         Colver has one personnel matter for Executive Session.

 

·        Bruno withdrew the real estate item from Executive Session.

 

On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at  8:45 p.m. with one litigation item and one personnel item for executive session.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager