PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

MARCH 28, 2006

A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, March 28, 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, Director of Public Services, Planning Director, Police Chief, and Township Solicitor. Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag.

2. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – MARCH 28, 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 March 28, 2006.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 20, 2006

DISCUSSION

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the minutes of March 20, 2006.

4. MOSKELLA MINOR SUBDIVISION CONDITIONAL APPROVAL

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove conditional approval for the minor subdivision.

DISCUSSION

No one was in attendance regarding the Moskella subdivision. On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board tabled the item until the April 25 meeting.

5. ROAD SURFACING BID AWARDS

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the bids.

DISCUSSION

Adams reviewed the bidders for the projects and recommended awarding to the low bidders. Adams said there were two bidders on each project.

On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved awarding E. J. Breneman, L.P. the cold recycled, bituminous base course project for $148,706.50.

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc. the surface treatment project (paver laid seal/leveling course, micro-surfacing, line painting restoration) for $121,591.16.

6. APPROVAL OF THE COCA-COLA BEVERAGE AGREEMENT FOR THE POOL

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the Chairman signing the agreement.

DISCUSSION

Anckaitis said we looked into possibly putting in a slide at the pool and it was very costly and Coke wasn’t interested in that. Anckaitis said Coke has agreed in exchange for exclusive rights at the pool, to make a $1,000 per year donation to the pool. Anckaitis said we are thinking of possibly purchasing umbrellas, since there is little shade at our pool, and possibly purchasing lawn chairs so residents don’t need to carry their own to the pool. Colver said he thinks sturdy umbrellas are a good idea.

On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the board approved the exclusive beverage agreement with Coca-Cola Beverage for the township pool for the next five years.

7. FERRARO, L.D. – CONDITIONAL USE LETTER APPROVAL

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the conditional use letter.

DISCUSSION

Bruno said this is a straight forward letter from the conditional use hearing previously held.

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by four, the Board approved the conditional use letter regarding Ferraro, L.D. Lammi abstained because he was absent during the conditional use hearing.

8. ESCROW RELEASE FOR SELVAGGIO ENTERPRISES, INC.

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the escrow release.

DISCUSSION

Panella asked if they are going to fix the roads. Dillman said that it is the township’s responsibility to repair. Colver asked if it is on this year’s project list to repair. Adams said it is on the 2007 repair list.

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved escrow release # 11 for Selvaggio Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $32,808.

9. TOWNSHIP ENGINEER CAPITAL PROJECTS STATUS REPORT

INFORMATION

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

DISCUSSION

Dillman said the township has agreed to separate the Highland Park and Greenwood Avenue projects into two projects. Colver asked Dillman to explain the recent developments in these projects since Mr. Gumlock is in attendance. Dillman said since it is taking a great deal of time to get the permit for highway work, the township wants to go forward with the storm sewer work in Highland Park as soon as possible. Dillman said this way we can get that work out for bid as soon as possible and it can begin before the Greenwood Avenue right-of-ways are all acquired.

Mr. Gumlock asked if the township ran into any snags as far as acquiring the properties. Dillman said as far as he knows there were no snags. Colver said the storm water work is easier to get done and in lieu of timing, the Board agreed to break the projects out. Lammi asked Adams if the easements and properties related to the Highland Park project were finalized. Adams said we are pretty far along with one possible holdup.

10. PUBLIC COMMENT

Richard Barinowsky, Forks Township, said he lives across from where the duck feed is located on the Bushkill Creek. Barinowsky said the township put rocks in the creek and have dammed up the water and it’s caused all kinds of trouble. Barinowsky asked if there were engineering plans for the project. Colver said Trout Unlimited did the plan and got the necessary approval and we supplied the stone and equipment. Barinowsky asked if permits were taken out from the fish commission. Barinowsky said they now have a problem with rats in the area. Barinowsky showed photos to the Board. Barinowsky said we want to know what the township is going to do about it now. Colver said he doesn’t remember who owned the property and how it all went back then, but said the township staff will research the history and get back to him.

Timothy Siegfried, Attorney for Interstate Land Development Company and the Commerce Bank project was in attendance. Siegfried said Commerce Bank is interested in getting their project started and he recently spoke with Attorney Bruno regarding some issues that they would like to discuss with the Board. Siegfried said Commerce Bank is interested in putting the traffic signal in and in order to do it they need the township to sign an application and resolution for Penndot. Dillman said the plan was approved with the condition the applicant would put in the traffic signal. Dillman said he sees no problem with signing the resolution. Lammi said this has never come to us before with any other project. John Harder, Traffic Engineer, said if it is a Penndot road it is not required but because Park Avenue is a township road it is required from the township.

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the application that includes a resolution to install and operate a traffic signal on Park Avenue.

Siegfried said the second item they want to discuss is the township’s requirement for a letter of credit. Siegfried said Commerce Bank is willing to supply the letter of credit. Bruno said that is fine and asked for the new entity that will be used. Siegfried said with these things completed they feel they should be able to apply for building permits and get the project started.

Colver said a few weeks ago we agreed to issue permits for the demo and parking lot improvements. The Board agreed there shouldn’t be any problem with submission for a building permit.

Jensen asked the Board if they are thinking about changing the procedural process that is in place for future developers making the same kind of request. Jensen said other applicants will come with this same request in the future. Jensen said the Code Department is overloaded with the upcoming busy season and she is concerned with future requests like this and tracking them internally. Colver said he feels the Board can make the decision on a case by case basis. Lammi asked if Base Engineering will review the plans. Jensen said her concern is when plans come back from Base Engineering the Code Department needs to insure that everything is in place. Colver said the township staff needs to know that Base can review the applicants submission.

11. REPORTS

Solicitor

· Bruno asked Dillman if he was aware of an issue regarding Victoria Square V. Dillman said the attorney sent out a letter in the past few days. Bruno said they have an expiration date of March 31, 2006. Bruno said the plan had some conditions with it and there was a question regarding clarification for the conditions. Bruno said based on what I’m hearing they’re accepting the conditions.

Township Manager

· Anckaitis referred to the PSATS news bulletin that talked about the required NIMS training for elected officials. Anckaitis said Bob Lammi acquired the training online. Other supervisors asked Lammi to forward them the website.

· Anckaitis said on April 24 at the PSATS convention they are holding a legislative reception at the capital. Anckaitis asked if anyone was interested in attending. Lammi said since we have good relationships with our representatives he doesn’t see a need for us to attend.

Public Services

· Adams said he passed out the 2006 paving schedules to the Board for their information.

Planning Director

· Jensen had one real estate item for executive session.

· Jensen asked if there were any questions regarding the Zoning Hearing Board notice. There were none.

Supervisors

· Smith said at the last meeting he talked about gathering volunteers to help with field repairs at Tracy and Keystone Park. Smith said he will need to meet with Adams to get the project going. Smith said there is no grass on the soccer fields at Keystone and asked if the Mill Race fields will be available. Dillman said he understands one field is ready to go but the other field isn’t ready for dedication. Lammi said he was there today and unless when things start to grow things improve; it doesn’t look like it will be ready in time. Lammi said the pond work still needs to be completed too. Lammi asked if we can’t decouple the pond from the field so we can begin using them if they’re ready. Dillman said there is a Phase IV preconstruction conference tomorrow and we can discuss it then. Jensen said up to this point it was the Boards decision not to decouple. Anckaitis said we agreed if we use one field you won’t be able to keep kids off of the other field. Lammi asked if we have to wait until the pond is finished if the field is ready to use. Smith said as we go through these developments we continue to grant extensions but shouldn’t we have some point that they should have to put in the parks, or turn the lights on, so the residents can use the parks. Colver said we’ve had this discussion over and over again. Bruno said we can begin to think of these things for future developments and make it required as part of the first phase of the plans. Bruno said for the current plans it could be decoupled if the Board wants to do it.

· Smith said the storage area in the basement of the Municipal Building is progressing. Smith said the fence is up and the shelving is here.

· Smith said baseball tryouts have started.

· Smith said he met with the Recreation Board and they are okay with the proposed changes made by the committee and he is now waiting for feedback from the Athletic Association.

· Colver said the Fire Department banquet is scheduled for May 13 at the Holiday Inn Express.

· Colver said in the last few months there was discussion regarding purchasing the next fire truck. Colver said we all received a letter from Delmar Grube. Colver said in the near future there will be new specs required for new trucks and the costs will be significant. Colver said if we want to get the truck order in before the new requirements we will need to do it by June. Colver said he asked Grube to attend the next Board of Supervisors meeting to give the Board the details. Colver said the cost is estimated at $425,000 to $450,000 with $350,000 to $400,000 coming from the township. Colver said another thing to consider is with this truck we won’t be able to fit all the vehicles in the station. Colver said we’ll need to decide if we want to park a vehicle outside or possibly put a small garage outside the station. Colver said after this truck there is a five year gap before the next truck gets replaced.

· Colver had one real estate item for executive session.

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. with two real estate items for executive session.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager