PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING
A
general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held
on
2. APPROVAL
OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS –
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
3. APPROVAL
OF MINUTES –
DISCUSSION
Bruno changed “now” to “not” in the first paragraph under item nine, second sentence, on page six.
On
motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by four, the Board voted to
approve the minutes of
4. DISCUSSION
REGARDING RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS PARTICIPATING IN ANNUAL WEAPONS QUALIFICATION
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove allowing township retired police officers to
participate in our annual weapons qualification which will allow them to carry
a concealed weapon.
DISCUSSION
Colver said this request was reviewed by the Township Solicitor and he found that the township can not be held liable for engaging in this practice since recent federal law allows retired officers to be qualified to carry concealed firearms. Lammi asked what we are approving if President Bush said it can now be done. Anckaitis said the President said it can be done but the township needs to approve qualification of the officers. Chief Fretz read a publication that stated the municipality must put some steps into place for this to work. Fretz said the legislation says law enforcement agencies may obtain qualification cards as long as the individuals meet qualification requirements. Fretz said identification and qualification cards will be good for one year. Retired police officer Barry Portz said they agree to pay for the ammunition that will be needed for qualification.
On
motion by Colver, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board authorized
retired township police officers to obtain qualification training through the
township.
5.
DISCUSSION REGARDING A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER
PARTICIPATING ON THE TOWNSHIP POLICE PENSION BOARD
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove having a retired police officer placed on the
Police Pension Board.
DISCUSSION
Colver said this was discussed at
the
Barry Portz said we feel when you retire you’re done and out the door. Portz said we would like an opportunity to help guide how money is being invested and have say in future COLA increases. Portz said it would also give retired officers first hand information to pass along to other retired officers. Portz said the committee only makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and you make the final decision. Lammi asked Portz if he couldn’t call a representative of the committee to make a recommendation. Portz said he tried this in the past but it didn’t go anywhere. Panella said the Police Pension Board meeting is a public meeting and anyone can attend it. Colver said he didn’t feel any retired officer needed to be on the committee. Anckaitis said the committee hasn’t made any decisions regarding investing funds, only the Board of Supervisors make those decisions. Colver asked if the retired members could be notified of the meeting. The Board agreed to have letters sent to retired officers of the date and time of the Police Pension Board meetings and to not add a member to the committee.
6. PROPOSED TRAFFIC
SIGNS FOR INTERSECTIONS
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove the traffic signs.
DISCUSSION
Tom Adams, Public Services Director, said
this was brought up at one of our safety committee meetings.
On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the recommendation of the Traffic Committee and authorized the placement of traffic signs at the following locations in the township:
SIGN ON CROSS SIGN
STREET STREET TYPE CORNER
Carousel Old Carriage
Carousel Central Dr. Stop SW
Arch St.
*Except Right Turn
Juniper Rd. Tamarack Path Yield SW
**Remove – Dunkle @ Guyton Stop Sign on NW corner
7.
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove the
DISCUSSION
Lammi said there are still some easement
and right-of-way issues that he feels if the project is kept as one large
project it could take much too long to get underway. Lammi said this Board agreed to get started in
spring. Lammi said after talking to Tom Adams
and
Bruno said easement agreements have been
sent out to property owners. Bruno said
he is requesting the Board authorize the Chairman to sign the three agreements
in their packets tonight, as well as, three temporary construction easements
for the D’Angelo properties on
On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the Right-of-way/easement agreements/offers, township #2, #44, and #55, #26, #28, #62, for the Greenwood Avenue extension and Highland Park storm sewer project
8. BIKE PATH CONTRACT
AWARD – BUSHKILL CREEK ALIGNMENT
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove awarding the contract to low bidder, Grace
Industries.
DISCUSSION
Colver
said this item was removed from the agenda tonight and will be placed on a
future agenda.
9. NON-UNIFORMED PENSION RESOLUTION
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove the resolution changing the vesting
requirement for non-uniformed employees.
DISCUSSION
On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the resolution to change the vesting requirement to six years for non-uniformed employees.
10. MANUFACTURING/DISTRIBUTION
WAREHOUSE –
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove the planning module postcard exemption.
DISCUSSION
On motion by Lammi, seconded by Panella,
and agreed by all, the Board approved the planning module postcard exemption
for
11. PUBLIC
COMMENT
None
12. REPORTS
Solicitor
·
Bruno had a resolution accepting right-of-way
from Palmer Park Mall related to Carabba’s Restaurant. On motion by Mitchell, seconded Panella, and
agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the resolution.
·
Bruno had a land development maintenance
agreement for Palmer Park Mall for the Carabba’s Restaurant. Bruno noted security had been posted. On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella,
and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the land
development maintenance agreement.
·
Bruno had an extension request for Crossing
Court-Stones Crossing requesting an extension until
·
Bruno had one litigation item for executive
session.
Police Chief
· Chief Fretz said due to a breakdown in our phone system at the beginning of the month, a new system has now been put in place. Fretz said you will receive prompts where you can choose the department or individual you would like to reach.
· Fretz said a few weeks ago the Board approved hiring Tyson Unangst as a part-time police officer. Fretz introduced Unangst to the Board. The Board congratulated Unangst.
Supervisors
·
Smith said last Wednesday he held a joint
meeting with the Athletic Association and the Recreation Board. Smith said he asked them to go back to their
Boards with the committee’s recommendations.
·
Smith said at
·
Panella said the Ambassador Club, a golden age
group, met at the Community Center for the first time, about 180 attended. Panella said they met in the multi-purpose
room. Panella said there are no handicapped
accessible entrances other than at the two main doors to the building. Panella said these individuals need to walk
all the way down to the other end of the building. Panella said there is another large senior
group meeting at the center tomorrow that will run into the same problem. Panella said this is something we may want to
think about.
On motion by Mitchell,
seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Robert G. Anckaitis
Township Manager