PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

JUNE 27, 2006

 

      A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with all Supervisors in attendance.  Also in attendance were the Township Manager, Public Services Director, Planning Director, Township Solicitor, and Police Lieutenant.  Ed Sieger from the Express Times represented the news media.  Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag. 

     

2.   APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – JUNE 27, 2006

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The report 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 27, 2006.

 

3.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JUNE 19, 2006

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by three, the Board approved the minutes of June 19, 2006.  Panella and Colver abstained.

 

4.   CHRIN COMMERCE CENTER FINAL PLAN APPROVAL

 

      INFORMATION

 

                  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the Chrin Commerce Center final plan.

 

      DISCUSSION

     

Charles Chrin, Greg Chrin and Peter Joyce from Gannett Fleming were present with final plans for the Chrin Commerce Center.  They have received recommendation for approval by the Planning Commission.  Colver asked Dillman if there were any items outstanding or any issues and Dillman noted just the off site traffic improvements.  Joyce noted they wanted to get Penn Dot approval prior to the township.  Lammi inquired about the Van Buren Road intersection with Newlins Mill Road and if there are proposed improvements there.  Joyce noted there would be at Newlins Mill and Van Buren and also at Hollo and Van Buren Road.  They have an agreement with Prologis all the way up to Hollo Road.  They will be escrowing improvements for the street connection with Tatamy Road.  Lammi asked about the open space, the property south of the swale, noting that the property could now be building lots since the sewer is being installed.  Joyce noted there will not be any additional development to the south and they will all hook up to the industrial park pump station and in the future terminate this pump station.    

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the conditional final land development plan for Chrin Commerce Center conditioned upon the developer complying with items outlined in the June 9, 2006 Township Engineer letter; complying with township departmental comments dated May 11, 2006, the developer enter into an improvements agreement with security posted to the satisfaction of the Township Solicitor.  Bruno questioned the public improvements in Tatamy Borough and Lammi amended his motion to include this intersection as did Mitchell, vote was all aye.

 

5.      ENVIRONMENTAL STEERING COMMITTEE UPDATE

 

INFORMATION

 

Members of the ESC will present information regarding RFP’s for the garbage contract.

 

DISCUSSION

     

Tom Ganssle, Tom Dittmar and Cindy Oatis of the sub-committee were present and showed a power point demonstration on the new proposed garbage contract for  2007-2012. Bob Lammi did a presentation on the summary of waste management.  The present contract expires May 2007.  The presentation showed some options that are to be considered.  Lammi thanked the committee for their research and presentation for the township.

 

6.      MORELLO WAIVER REQUEST

 

      INFORMATION

 

                  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the Morello waiver request.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Mr. Morello asked Planning Director Amanda Jensen to present this request for him in regards to the dedicated right-of-way that was done when he built his business on Nicholas Street.  He is requesting the right-of-way be deeded back to him.  There have been other requests for this right-of-way with new approvals in the area.  Lammi motioned to authorize the dedication of the right-of-way back to the owner of five feet that was done with other recent requests.   Seconded by Mitchell.  Colver asked if there is a cost, who is responsible?    Lammi amended his motion to include all costs be paid by Morello.  Mitchell amended his second, agreed by all. 

 

7.  CGI COMMUNICATIONS DECISION

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board wanted additional time to review advertising banners in neighboring communities.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove utilizing video streaming technology provided by CGI.

 

      DISCUSSION

     

      Anckaitis noted the company will extend their offer if a decision is given tomorrow.  Do you want to do banners?  Township to make decision where they should be placed.  Some questions were asked - What does this company do;   do they get all approvals?  Board agreed that they do not want them too close together.  Jeff Young asked who picks the colors.  Colver noted the Township does and they also pick the design.  Young asked if they would change ordinance to allow for this.  Bruno stated Palmer is not bound by zoning ordinance.  Colver does not feel they should change ordinance, it could go away in a year and we are not bound by it anyway.   Board members noted all surrounding municipalities are doing this and feel it is a good idea.

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved utilizing CGI for video streaming technology which includes banner advertising in the township.

 

8.      CAHILL PROPERTY PLANNING MODULE POSTCARD EXEMPTION

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the planning module postcard exemption.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the postcard exemption for the Cahill property.

 

9.      PALMER NORTH ESCROW RELEASE

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the escrow release.

 

      DISCUSSION

     

      Jensen noted that this release is for $324,389.68 and with this release the principal in the account will be $1,193,805.32 plus interest.            On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the escrow release for Palmer North.

 

10.  APPROVAL OF SEWAGE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove Scott Beiber, SEO# 02047, as sewage enforcement officer for the township.

 

                  DISCUSSION

 

Scott Beiber is not an employee with the Pidcock Company but they would supply the Sewage Enforcement Officer when needed.

     

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved Scott Beiber, SEO#02047, as a township Sewage Enforcement Officer.

 

11.  TOWNSHIP ENGINEER CAPITAL PROJECTS STATUS REPORT

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Township Engineer will update the Board on the status of all capital projects.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Dillman stated they were currently working on Highland Park specifications.   Everything should be ready to be turned over to Tom Adams within a week.  The land acquisitions are on-going.   Negotiations are still going on with property owners and the township.   Board stated this has to get moving, Adams to keep on the property owners.  This is a real estate item that will be discussed during Executive Session.

 

12.  SINKHOLE AT BABBLING BROOK

 

INFORMATION

 

      Discussion on options for repairing sinkhole

 

      DISCUSSION

 

Anckaitis informed all of what was happening in the area.  Scott Kistler and Tim Martin were present to discuss this problem.  Anckaitis noted that the sinkhole was filled in April last year and it became active again.  It is in our roadway next to our sewer line.  Tim Martin stated he has looked at it and feels it has to be filled in a different way then it has been in the past.  He also spoke with DEP on this.  They did not feel the cement company had to fill it, and noted that they are going with the rapid response plan with Nazareth, Stockertown and Tatamy.  Hercules is willing to give material for the fixing but Martin does not agree with this type of repair.  They noted they would provide labor and material only.   Now the main concern is to keep the rain water out from the past week and the next couple of days.  Public Works Department has installed sand bags around area.  American Water Works has been contacted since their water lines are there.  They will monitor their line.  Colver asked Martin what his recommendation is.  If you don’t have the throat or any rock the fix won’t work.  Martin also felt the area residents should be informed of what is going on.  There are two occupied homes and one unoccupied home.   There is a sanitary sewer line in the active sink hole as well as a water main on the perimeter of the sink hole.  If utility collapses then there is another problem.  Board asked Kistler what he recommends for a temporary fix to protect utilities.  Board feels this should be done and instructed Kistler to do the temporary fix.  They will try to support the sanitary sewer line.   

 

13. PUBLIC COMMENT

     

Mr. Marty White of 38 Country Side Court was present with pictures of a large drainage problem he is having.  He noted the resident up the road from his home installed a pool with loads of stone and eliminated the swale.  The drain got plugged up today as well as other days with all the rain.   Jensen noted the code officer was on site today and Mr. White stated he never had water prior to this problem.  Jensen noted they were aware of this problem and she was going to discuss this with the code officer.  Board directed the Planning Director and Code Officer to definitely work on this tomorrow.

 

14. REPORTS

     

Solicitor

·        Bruno noted he has an improvements agreement for approval for Villages at Mill Race Phase Four. There was discussion on this agreement being held up due to the fields/Phase 3 not being complete.  Board feels this improvements agreement should not be held up for this reason.  Each agreement is for its own phase and if one phase is not complete then they are in violation of their agreement.  The security for this agreement has been received.  Board asked if they would be able to sell lots and Bruno stated if they get this agreement approved they would be recording their plan and be able to sell lots.   Lammi motioned to authorize the Chairman to sign the improvements agreement.  Mitchell seconded, and it was agreed by all. 

·        Estates at Northwood – Nick Pugliese submitted an improvements agreement for approval.   On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board voted to authorize the Chairman to sign the improvements agreement.

·        Improvements agreement for Prologis – Bruno asked Jensen if there were any issues on this and she noted yes they will have to discuss this. 

·        Sal Lapio, Inc. – Bruno has a request for extension of time until 2/28/07 to finish their improvements.  Board feels this is too long and would like this discussed with the developer.  No action on this request at this time.

·        Bruno asked a question on the Norwood land development plan that was before the Planning Commission.  He has spoken with their attorney and they want to know what do they have to supply to the township?  Jensen noted they have to supply a use for this proposed building.   She also noted that they will have to come before the Planning Commission for a conditional use and they could ask for the most intense type of use.  Bruno will go back to their attorney with this information.

·        One item for executive session - real estate matter.

 

Township Manager

·        Anckaitis noted Nick Tylenda asked if we were close to signing off on forms for complying with the NIMS.   The deadline is September 30th.  If you need training, Delmar Grube has a list of locations where the training is being held.  Mitchell and Smith did the program on the internet and have not received anything back as of yet.  All departments have completed their training but there are a few officials that need to complete it yet.

·        Anckaitis asked if the Board wishes to cancel Monday’s meeting, July 3rd.  There is nothing for the agenda.  Board agreed and it will be posted.

·        Anckaitis noted that the Township gets a portion of any drug money that has been confiscated.  We have about $47,000 in a special account.  The police department needs to purchase some equipment.  Anckaitis will check to see if it needs to be bid or not.   On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the purchase of a vehicle from this special account.  If it needs to be bid, then they will follow the proper procedures to do so.

·        Anckaitis distributed a letter from a woman regarding some problems at the pool.  He wanted the Board to be aware of what is going on.

 

Public Services Director

·        Adams  - nothing except we don’t need anymore rain.

 

Planning Director

·        Jensen reported Nick Pugliese’s development, Crossings Court is built out and he wants to get into the maintenance period.  He is requesting a deferral for curbing along Stones Crossing.  He had to contact the utility company to get one utility pole moved that is on the edge of his property.  Met Ed told him he had to move all four poles to get the one moved.  Pugliese is asking for deferral of curbing in this area.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the deferral at this location for Crossings Court.

·        Zoning Hearing Board legal notice – nothing for Board. 

·        One real estate item for executive session.

 

      Police Chief

·        Fretz – nothing from the Lieutenant.

 

      Supervisors

·        Smith reported that baseball is winding down and the girls ages 12-13 finished a 9-0 season and the championship is on Saturday.  Smith thanked all the volunteers and parks employees who did a fantastic job.

·        Smith - one personnel item for executive session

·        Lammi asked if Jensen saw the plan from Lehigh Valley Planning for mitigation on hazards.  Jensen received a post card to look on line. 

·        Colver reported that himself, Tim Martin, Brian Dillman, and Bob Anckaitis attended the Bethlehem Township Planning Commission meeting for a waiver on the synthetic liner in the detention pond for the Community Center.  They received conditional approval.  Colver noted we have to submit a Hold Harmless Agreement to the township. They have to appear before the Board of Commissioners.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Lammi, and Agreed by all, the Board authorized the solicitor to draw up the agreement for Bethlehem Township.

·        Colver had one personnel item for executive session.

 

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m. with three items for executive session. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager