PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

JANUARY 16, 2006

A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, January 16, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with all Supervisors in attendance. Also in attendance were the Solicitor, Director of Public Services, and Police Chief. The Township Manager was absent. Dan Hausmann from the Express Times represented the news media. Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag. Colver asked for a moment of silence in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King.

2. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – JANUARY16, 2006

INFORMATION

The report will be provided at the meeting.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the disbursement of funds for January 16, 2006.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 3, 2006

DISCUSSION

On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the minutes of January 3, 2006.

4. POLICE PENSION COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove modifying the township ordinance to include a retired police officer on the Police Pension Committee.

DISCUSSION

Mitchell said at the last pension committee meeting we discussed the request to add a retired officer to the committee. Mitchell said the committee agreed not to recommend adding a retired member to the Police Pension Committee. Chief Fretz said once you are retired you are no longer active in the pension fund. Fretz said the committee authorizes cost of living increases for the retired members but that is the only benefit a retired officer continues to receive after retirement. Fretz said the committee agreed full time officers are the only officers that should participate on the committee.

Bruno said no action or motion was needed on this item and noted the Board agreed to not change the current structure of the Police Pension Committee as recommended by the current committee members.

5. PUBLIC HEARING FOR TWO RIVERS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS ORDINANCE

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the ordinance.

DISCUSSION

Bruno said this was advertised as required. Lammi said he attends some of the meetings but the Township Manager is the township’s active member.

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve ordinance number 2006-1 regarding participation in the Two Rivers Council of Governments.

6. RESOLUTION APPOINTING TOWNSHIP AUDITOR

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the resolution appointing Palmer and Company as the township auditor.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the resolution appointing Palmer and Company as auditor of the 2005 records at a cost not to exceed $30,000.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT

None

8. REPORTS

Solicitor

· Bruno had an extension agreement for Sal Lapio Inc., Starlite Estates, requesting an extension until August 4, 2006, to complete public improvements. On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the extension agreement.

· Bruno had a resolution for the developer of Dunkin Donuts on Route 248 for dedication of right-of-way. On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the resolution.

· Bruno had a land development maintenance agreement for the developer of Dunkin Donuts, Route 248. On motion by Lammi, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the agreement.

· Bruno had two litigation and one real estate item for executive session.

Police Chief

· Fretz said after some discussion with the Township Manager he would like to recommend Ricky Umstead be appointed to the full time police officer position that was approved in the 2006 budget. Ricky Umstead was in attendance. Fretz said Umstead has been a part time officer since May 7, 2001, and it gives him great pleasure to recommend him for this position. Fretz said his official full time hire date will be January 29, 2006.

Supervisors

· Smith said they held their first meeting with representatives of the Recreation Board and the Athletic Association. Smith said they plan to meet every week for the first few weeks and then every other week after that.

· Colver said January 28 is the dedication ceremony for the community center. Colver said it will be 99% completed inside with some minor things that will need to be completed outside in the spring.

· Colver said there has been some discussion regarding a recent request from a petition requesting stop signs installed on Scotty Lane. Colver said the Traffic Committee reviewed the initial request and recommended to this Board that two stop signs be added at the intersection. Colver said a week or two later we received a letter from John Morello opposing the initial request. John Morello was in attendance. Morello said the gentleman that put in the initial request doesn’t even live on the street he lives parallel to the street. Morello said that gentleman didn’t speak to the people that live on the street. Morello said a lot of us are upset who live from the stop sign in and we feel we are inconvenienced. Morello said we don’t think that the stop sign slows anyone down. Morello said if they are making an issue of people speeding because of their children, it’s not practical, all of our children are important to us. Morello said in the eight years we’ve lived here, there has never been an accident that I’m aware of. Chief Fretz said he’s not a big proponent on stop signs but the committee felt with that many names on a petition supporting it, it needed to be looked at. Lammi said for that many people concerned about the way people are driving a stop sign can remind them to slow down in an area they normally wouldn’t. Lammi said the curve on Scotty also helped warrant the request because we know there aren’t too many residents traveling 25 mph on the township roads. Lammi said he was a proponent when it was recommended. Colver said he would ere on caution in a situation like this. Lammi said he would like to take a look at it on his own before he would consider any changes. Morello said nothing has changed since the development was put in to warrant the request now. Colver said it’s very typical to have a request like this come in after the development is completed and all the traffic is in the development.

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. with one real estate and two litigation items for executive session.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager