PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

FEBRUARY 20, 2006

A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, February 20, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with four Supervisors in attendance. Robert Lammi was absent. Also in attendance were the Township Manager, Director of Public Services, Police Lieutenant, and Township Solicitor. Sara Mausolf from the Express Times and C. Georgion from the Easton News represented the news media. Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag.

2. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – FEBRUARY 20, 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 February 20, 2006.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 24, 2006

DISCUSSION

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the minutes of January 24, 2006.

4. DISCUSSION REGARDING DISABILITY INSURANCE

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the recommendation from William H. Lehr, Insurance Consultant for Palmer Township.

DISCUSSION

Anckaitis said criteria was submitted to Brown and Brown regarding disability insurance and we received five different quotes. Anckaitis said Educators Life was the best deal that came in at an annual cost of $20,410.32. Mitchell asked if we knew what disability cost the township last year. Anckaitis said he didn’t have the numbers but it was most likely higher than the $20,410. Panella asked to find out the premium for a weekly benefit at 60% rather than 66-2/3% because there is a significant change in the premium amount for the extra 6-2/3%. Anckaitis will get the information for next weeks meeting.

5. SCHOENECK CREEK INTERCEPTOR PROJECT RESOLUTION

DISCUSSION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the resolution.

DISCUSSION

Bruno said he reviewed the resolution and it requires the township grant the necessary easements and right-of-ways to the authority for the authority to complete the project. Bruno said the authority will take care of the work.

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the Schoeneck Creek interceptor project resolution.

6. STREETLIGHT UPGRADE RESOLUTION

INFORMATION

A resolution is attached to upgrade one street light from a 400W mercury vapor to a 250W high pressure sodium (HPS) vapor street light at Park Avenue and Woodlawn Avenue. The upgrade will not cost the township anything because the light is over 10 years old and will save the township approximately $16.80 per year in electricity costs. If approved, the resolution (2 copies) needs to be signed and dated by the supervisors.

DISCUSSION

Adams said the light at that intersection has burned out and needs to be replaced.

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the streetlight upgrade resolution for the street light at Park Avenue and Woodlawn Avenue.

7. 25^TH STREET SIGNALIZATION PROJECT CHANGE ORDER NO. 5

INFORMATION

The 25^th Street signalization project requires a time extension to May 15, 2006 to allow the contractor to complete the radio communication equipment installation for the traffic signals along William Penn Highway at the Milford/Hartley and Greenwood Avenue intersections. This work cannot be completed until the EASD traffic signal at the William Penn Highway and Milford/Hartley is activated. The Board needs to approve/disapprove the change order.

DISCUSSION

Adams said there is no cost to the township for this time extension.

On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved change order No. 5 for the 25^th Street signalization project.

8. TRAFFIC COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FOR NEWLINS MILL ROAD/ MILL RACE DRIVE; SOUTHWOOD DRIVE/ STONES CROSSING; AND SPRING GARDEN STREET/BROAD STREET; CENTRAL DRIVE/SADDLE LANE; AND STOCKER MILL ROAD/FIRETHORNE DRIVE

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the recommendations from the traffic committee.

DISCUSSION

Adams said they held a traffic safety committee meeting on Wednesday and two additional intersections were brought up.

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board accepted the recommendation of the traffic committee and denied the request to place a stop sign at Newlins Mill Road and Mill Race Drive.

On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board accepted the recommendation of the traffic committee and denied the request to place a stop sign at Southwood Drive and Stones Crossing Road.

On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board accepted the recommendation of the traffic committee and agreed to add a stop sign at Spring Garden and Broad Street.

On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board accepted the recommendation of the traffic committee and agreed to add a stop sign at Central Drive and Saddle Lane.

On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board accepted the recommendation of the traffic committee and agreed to add a stop sign at Stocker Mill Road and Firethorne Drive.

9. TRUPIANO FENCE AGREEMENT

INFORMATION

The Trupiano’s are requesting to install a fence in a drainage easement and the agreement is provided for the Board’s approval/disapproval. The Trupiano’s live at 366 Palmetto Drive in the Somerset Village subdivision. The fence will be an “open” style picket fence and the swale is required to be kept open and clear.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved John and Tracy Trupiano’s open style picket fence request for 366 Palmetto Drive.

10. PUBLIC COMMENT

None

11. REPORTS

Solicitor

· Bruno had an extension agreement for Hay Terrace South requesting an extension until July 7, 2006, and noted security has been extended. On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension agreement.

· Bruno had an extension agreement for Fox Run Estates requesting an extension until July 27, 2006, to complete improvements. On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension agreement.

· Bruno had an extension agreement for the Estates at Knobhill requesting an extension until August 23, 2006. On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension agreement.

· Bruno asked the Board if there were any questions regarding the draft conditional use letter for Commerce Bank. Bruno said he had the land development agreement that needed to be signed by the Chairman. On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the chairman to sign the agreement.

· Bruno had three litigation items for executive session.

Township Manager

· Anckaitis said the Meyner Center at Lafayette College is reviving the Two River Area Council of Governments and they are requesting an elected official to serve as a primary member and also would like an alternate elected official from each township. Anckaitis said Lammi has offered to be the primary representative and asked if anyone would be the alternate. Panella said she would be the alternate.

· Anckaitis said on December 27, 2005 you approved a 1.5% cost of living increase for police retirees. Anckaitis said the actuarial study came back and the minimum municipal obligation will increase annually by $4,050. Anckaitis said he will notify Fulton Financial of the increase and have them make the increase retroactive January 1, 2006.

· Anckaitis referred to a letter from the Northampton County Sheriff’s Department regarding emergency management training for staff and elected officials. Anckaitis said the training is a four hour course. Anckaitis said he and Delmar, Bruce and Scott already attended the training and Tom, Paul, and Bobby are going tomorrow at Hanover Township. Anckaitis said he attached a schedule of upcoming classes and asked them to review the list and schedule a session when they would like to attend.

· Anckaitis had one personnel item and one real estate item for executive session.

Public Services Director

· Adams said they are working on the Lehigh River bike path repairs and it is expected to take about one month for completion.

· Adams said Cindy Oatis, Scott, himself and the ESC reviewed the current fees for the yard waste facility. Adams said the fees are currently set at $5 for a small truck load, $15 for a small dump, and $25 for a large dump truck. Adams said everyone agrees the current fees are low. Adams said they talked about $5 for a small pickup or small utility trailer, $30 for a stake body truck, and $50 for a small dump truck, eliminating the large dump trucks and large trailers. Adams said there were landscaping contractors from outside the township using the yard waste facility because it was cheaper than paying fees at a landfill. Adams said they want to also eliminate stumps because they are too hard to deal with. Adams said they will continue to take 12” in diameter trunks but nothing larger. Colver suggested putting a weight class on the truck restrictions. On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved changing the yard waste fees to $5 for a car trunk, $10 for a pickup truck or small utility trailer, $30 for a stake body truck, and $50 for a small dump truck up to class 4, per the window sticker; tree trunks up to 12” in diameter will be accepted but no large dump trucks and no stumps will be accepted.

· Adams said a resident on Stones Crossing requested hidden driveway signs be posted by their property. Adams said we asked him to clear brush from the area, which he has done, but he is still asking for the signs. Anckaitis said we recommend we put them up in each direction. Adams said the township would incur the costs for putting the signs up but suggested the Solicitor put an agreement together requesting the homeowner be required to maintain the signs or replace them if damaged. On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board agreed to place two hidden driveway signs at 1419 Stones Crossing, conditioned upon the homeowner agreeing to sign an agreement that they will maintain the signs in the future.

Supervisors

· Smith had one personnel issue for executive session.

· Colver had two real estate items for executive session.

· Colver said regarding the Davison Group study of the Fire Department he would like to ask the Board’s approval to notify the Fire Department Trustees that we intend to implement the recommendations of the report and eliminate the Fire Chief and Fire Administrator positions and replace them with a Fire Commissioner position. On motion by Colver, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board agreed to notify the Fire Department Board of Trustees that the Board of Supervisors intends to move forward with the recommendation of the Davison Group study to create the position of Fire Commissioner and eliminate the current Fire Chief and Fire Administrator positions so the Trustees can make the necessary amendments to their bylaws.

· Panella asked the Township Manager to request the factors that were used to multiply the amounts for the disability insurance proposals.

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. with two personnel, three litigation, and three real estate items for executive session.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager