PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING

JULY 26, 2005

A regular meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, July 26, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with four Supervisors in attendance. Mike Mitchell was absent. Also present were the Township Manager, Planning Director, Solicitor, and Police Chief. Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag.

2. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – JULY 26, 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 July 26, 2005.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JULY 18, 2005

DISCUSSION

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the minutes of July 18, 2005.

4. ANTHONY AND LISA GUDZINAS RETAINING WALL REQUEST

INFORMATION

As per section 190-2-11E (7) (d) [1] - Engineering retaining walls to hold back slopes are permitted where determined to be necessary by the Board of Supervisors. The Board needs to approve/disapprove the request.

DISCUSSION

Attorney Brian Monahan, and Anthony and Lisa Gudzinas were present. Monahan said they are requesting permission to place a retaining wall on the Gudzinas property at 2664 Washington Street. Monahan said the township ordinance requires permission from the Board of Supervisors. Monahan reviewed photos of the property and described the retaining wall to the Board.

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the placement of a retaining wall for Anthony and Lisa Gudzinas’ property at 2664 Washington Street, to be placed approximately one foot from the property boundary line.

5. WOLFBLOCK GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AGREEMENT

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the agreement.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to execute an agreement with Michael McAuliffe Miller of Wolf, Block, Schorr, and Solis-Cohen LLP, for government relations counsel services.

6. VERIZON CABLE FACILITIES RELOCATION AT THE CHARLES CHRIN COMMUNITY CENTER SITE

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove entering into the agreement and authorizing the Chairman to sign the agreement.

DISCUSSION

Colver said this is an agreement to relocate telephone lines on Green Pond Road at the community center site. Colver said there will be road widening in this area that requires relocation of lines from the south side to the north side of the road.

On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to execute the agreement with Verizon to relocate cable facilities from the south side to the north side of Green Pond Road to allow for the road widening of Green Pond Road for an estimated amount of $49,058.

7. CTHL-1, INC. – VILLAGES AT MILL RACE, PHASE I - ESCROW RELEASE #12

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the escrow release.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved escrow release #12 for CTHL-1, Inc., Villages at Mill Race, Phase I, in the amount of $10,501.92.

8. CTHL-1, INC. – VILLAGES AT MILL RACE, PHASE II – ESCROW RELEASE #7

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the escrow release.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved escrow release #7 for CTHL-1, Inc., Villages at Mill Race, Phase II, in the amount of $56,156.10.

9. STARLITE ESTATES ESCROW RELEASE #3

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the escrow release.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved escrow release #3 for Starlite Estates, in the amount of $223,925.02.

10. PALMER ACTIVE ADULT NORTH ESCROW RELEASE #2

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 escrow release #2 for Palmer Active Adult North, in the amount of $691,233.

11. TOWNSHIP ENGINEER CAPITAL PROJECT UPDATE

INFORMATION

Brian Dillman will update the Board on capital projects.

DISCUSSION

Dillman reviewed the township capital projects with the Board.

Anckaitis said he spoke to Gary Pulcini regarding rates the township is receiving on bond money for the capital projects. Anckaitis said he will be meeting with Gary to review the rates. Lammi said the agenda for the second meeting in August should include an extension to the temporary certificate of occupancy permit for the school district.

12. PUBLIC COMMENT

Linda Beaumont, 6 Cobblestone Drive, thanked the Board for placement of the hearing impaired signs in the Villages of Mill Race. Beaumont said she is concerned about not having streetlights in her development. Beaumont said there are a lot of children in the neighborhood and animals. Beaumont said the lights are in place but aren’t turned on. Colver said he feels we should find out what needs to be done to get the lights turned on. Bruno said the developer has a responsibility to the residents in the development to put the lights on. Bruno said until the developer turns them over to the township the responsibility and liability rests with the developer. Colver asked if we have any control during the development stage, before people get certificate of occupancy permits, that street lights need to be turned on. Dillman said it could be included in agreements. Dillman said we’ve placed street signs to assist emergency services. Beaumont said in one situation there was an individual with possible congestive heart failure and the emergency services couldn’t find the house, it’s too dark. Colver said he believes the agreement is between Met Ed and the township, not with the developer. Dillman said then it’s a question of the developer reimbursing the township until it’s turned over. Lammi said from a public safety standpoint these people have lived there for two years and still don’t have lights. The Board agreed to look into this issue and find a solution.

13. REPORTS

Solicitor

· Bruno said Parkview Estates, Phase III, is prepared to go into their maintenance agreement and resolutions need to be approved accepting the following roads: Central Drive, Old Carriage Drive, Crest Boulevard, and Saddle Lane.

On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to execute the resolution accepting Central Drive as a public road.

On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to execute the resolution accepting Old Carriage Drive as a public road.

On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to execute the resolution accepting Crest Boulevard as a public road.

On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to execute the resolution accepting Saddle Lane as a public road.

· Bruno had the subdivision maintenance agreement for Parkview Estates to enter into their 18 months maintenance period. On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to execute the subdivision maintenance agreement.

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· Bruno had two litigation items for executive session.

Manager

· Anckaitis had one personnel item for executive session.

Planning Director

· Jensen asked if the Board had any concerns regarding the August Zoning Agenda. There were none.

· Jensen said the Board had previously asked the staff to evaluate cost sharing in the Northwood Estates project. Jensen reviewed figures with the Board regarding the project. Jensen said the Public Utilities Director said the sewer tapping fees could not be waived. Smith said our option is we either grant the developer a waiver on paying for permits, or he pays and the township holds the money in an account to put toward the improvements. Colver said we need to have the developer complete the work. Colver said you’re crossing a state highway. Lammi said the developer said he would pay a certain amount, and that he would also pay a portion of the fees on top of that amount. Colver said the developer would pay $100,000 toward the project which totals around $170,000. Colver said we need to work on a solution.

· Jensen said she is working on putting together a community revitalization grant with help from the Shade Tree Committee for shrubbery for the Charles Chrin Community Center site.

Police

· Fretz said as a result of the school district construction meeting last Thursday, a meeting has been set up with Mr. Kish to take place prior to school opening to evaluate how the school traffic will flow. Fretz said the school district said they could supply a security guard to assist our police officer with traffic.

Supervisors

· Lammi said he attended a Lehigh Valley Planning Commission meeting today and the 2004 population information has come out and Palmer’s population as of July 1, 2004 was 17,957. Lammi said that is a 6.8% growth over a four year period. Lammi said Forks Township went from 8,400 to 12,200 residents which is a 44.4% increase; Bethlehem Township’s population now is over 23,000, a 9.3% increase; Lower Macungie is at 24,000 and makes it almost the size of the City of Easton. Lammi said Lower Macungie Township doesn’t have a police department. Lammi said he has a problem paying for their police services and said a bill has recently been introduced in the House that if you have a population of 10,000 or more, you need to provide police protection.

· Colver said he attended the school board meeting last night and the township received approval for the gas line easement at the Charles Chrin Community Center property.

· Colver said last week the Board approved the Davidson Agreement for the fire department. Colver said Bill Davidson was present at last night’s fire department meeting and gave a presentation and also presented a questionnaire to the members for their completion. Colver said the project is a 90 day project, starting now.

· Colver said the new issue of the Tomorrow’s Palmer was mailed today to residents which includes only information regarding the community center.

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. with one personnel and two litigation items for executive session.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager