PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

MAY 1, 2006

A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, May 1, 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 Director of Public Services and Police Chief. The Township Manager and Township Solicitor were also absent. Sara Mausolf 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 – APRIL 25, 2006 AND MAY 1, 2006

INFORMATION

The report will be provided at the meeting.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the disbursement of funds for April 25, 2006 and May 1, 2006.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – APRIL 17, 2006

DISCUSSION

On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the minutes of April 17, 2006.

4. PUBLIC WORKS ROAD MATERIALS BID AWARD RECOMMENDATIONS

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove awarding of contracts to the bidders summarized on the following memo from the Public Services Director.

DISCUSSION

Adams reviewed bids with the Board with his recommendations for awarding bids.

On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board awarded the road materials as follows:

ROAD MATERIALS –

F.O.B.    DELIVERED

Eastern Industries –

            Type 2 Anti-Skid 7.75/Ton 10.55/Ton           

ABE Materials -

UPM Cold Patch 84.00/Ton 88.72/Ton

            Cold Patch Regular - -    59.37/Ton

 Highway Materials –

Superpave 9.5mm Wearing* 38.00/Ton 42.35/Ton

Superpave 19.0mm Wearing* 34.00/Ton 38.35/Ton

Superpave 25.0mm Binder* 32.40/Ton 36.75/Ton

Superpave 25.0mm Base* 32.40/Ton 36.75/Ton                     

Superpave 9.5mm Wearing** 37.30/Ton 41.65/Ton

Superpave 25.0mm Base** 32.75/Ton 37.10/Ton

Superpave 19.0mm Binder** 33.50/Ton 37.85/Ton

Cold Patch Regular 60.00/Ton - -

            FABW or FJ1C 39.50/Ton 43.85/Ton

            FJ1 45.50/Ton 49.85/Ton

* 0.0 to 0.3 mil ESALS

**0.3 to 3.0mil ESALS

CRUSHED LIMESTONE –

F.O.B.  DELIVERED

Eastern Industries –

            1B 9.25/Ton 12.05/Ton

            #57 7.50/Ton 10.30/Ton

            #3 6.35/Ton 9.65/Ton

            #2A 5.25/Ton 8.55/Ton

            #3A Modified 5.60/Ton - -

            Gabion 10.35/Ton 13.65/Ton

            Rip Rap 12.00/Ton 15.80/Ton

            Surge Pile 7.00/Ton 10.30/Ton

            Screenings (#10) 8.65/Ton 11.45/Ton

ABE Materials –

            #3A - - 8.70/Ton

            1 (4 Ballest) 7.20/Ton 10.57/Ton

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board awarded the traffic line painting to A-1 Traffic Control Products, Douglasville, PA, in the amount of $39,750.

On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board awarded the paving crew with equipment bid award to PAN Companies, Inc., Tatamy, PA, for $525.00/hour and $130.00/machine move.

Adams recommended re-bidding the construction equipment rental. Adams said there were two bidders but the specifications should have included performance requirements. On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board agreed to re-bid the construction equipment rental to include performance requirements.

Adams asked to reject the slip formed curbing bid and asked to re-advertise. On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board agreed to re-advertise the slip formed curbing bid.

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board awarded the concrete work bid for curb and sidewalk to A. J. Trunzo as follows:

CURBING SIDEWALK

Remove Curb - $6.00/lf Remove sidewalk - $4.75/sq. ft.

New Curb - $28.50/lf New sidewalk - $7.25/sq. ft.

5. EASTON SUBURBAN WATER AUTHORITY/PALMER TOWNSHIP AGREEMENT

INFORMATION

The agreement is attached and is for connection of 6” pipe water lines with attached interior automatic sprinkler system and two private fire hydrants at the Charles Chrin Community Center.

The apparent standard agreement is for un-metered fire service water lines supplying flow to the two outside hydrants and the interior sprinkler system of the Community Center. Copies of the agreement have been forwarded to the Township Solicitor and the Township Fire Chief/Administrator for comments.

DISCUSSION

Adams said this is for the Community Center fire system for hydrants and the sprinkler system. Adams said he had the Fire Administrator and Solicitor review the policy. Adams said the Solicitor made two comments and reviewed them with the Board. Adams said the Authority feels their Solicitor would argue to not change the recommendation of the Township Solicitor. Smith asked if this is a standard agreement we’ve done in the past. Adams said this is the same agreement that was used for the Police Station addition.

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the agreement with Easton Suburban Water Authority, as written, for the connection of water lines at the Charles Chrin Community Center.

6. TOWNSHIP INTERNET AND ELECTRONIC MAIL POLICIES

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the policies.

DISCUSSION

Colver said this was discussed previously and we agreed to remove any reference to personal use being permitted.

On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved Policy #1-06 regarding electronic mail use on township computers.

On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved Policy #2-06 regarding Internet use on township computers.

7. ESCROW RELEASE #3 FOR ESTATES AT PENN’S GRANT

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the escrow release.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved escrow release #3 for the Estates at Penn’s Grant in the amount of $236,107.25.

8. DISCUSSION REGARDING HOUSE BILL 2550 EDUCATIONAL IMPACT FEES

INFORMATION

The Board needs to discuss Representative Rich Grucela’s House Bill 2550, Educational Impact Fees and decide if they want to send a letter in support of the bill to the chairpersons of the House Education Committee.

DISCUSSION

Colver said this was forwarded to us for review regarding charging an impact fee to developers for new development to assist school districts as a result of incoming student growth. Colver reviewed the House Bill with the Board. Colver said he feels it’s important to support since one of our hometown representatives is recommending it. Colver said he agrees to support the concept.

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved sending letters to Majority Chairperson Jess Stairs and Minority Chairperson James Roebuck, Jr. in support of House Bill 2550.

9. PUBLIC COMMENT

Robert Gumlock, 109 Berks Street, said he read the article in the newspaper regarding the drain water and it was a little different than the last meeting he attended. Gumlock said last time he was here it was said that the project was going to be done in phases. Gumlock asked for clarification. Colver said once it gets past your area and down to Anna Marie Street - where the four acre detention pond is located, it falls under the Zawarski project which is not part of this project. Colver said the township is doing the Moore and Berks Street area and the Freemansburg Avenue/Greenwood Avenue intersection. Colver said your project is still a go and will be the first portion of the project while we continue to work on easement agreements for the Freemansburg Avenue intersection portion of the project. Colver said we can get this storm water portion done this year. Gumlock asked when it will start. Colver said the Township Engineer thought we could go out for bids the end of May and award bids in June. Colver said he would suspect it to start the end of July or beginning of August.

10. REPORTS

Police Chief

· Fretz said the Lehigh Valley police departments as a whole are going after federal money for video cameras. Fretz said he’d like the Board’s approval to send a letter in support of the project. Fretz said we are looking for two and a half million dollars for the complete area. Fretz said each camera would cost $3,000 to $4,000 per vehicle. Fretz said for the whole Northampton and Lehigh County it covers a lot of vehicles. Fretz said it would certainly be a benefit to all. On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign a letter of support to solicit federal funds for video cameras in patrol vehicles.

Supervisors

· Smith asked when the Mill Race soccer fields are going to be turned over to the township. Smith said every Recreation Board meeting he is asked this question. Adams said the Planning Director would know the specifics but his understanding is at one time they wanted to split the pond and the fields but decided to keep it all as one. Adams said they can’t convert the detention basin until 75% of it is stabilized. Adams said he can’t give a date. Smith said he would contact the Planning Director.

· Smith asked about the status of the pavilion at Keystone Park. Adams said he needs to get bids out for that project.

· Smith had one personnel item for executive session.

· Colver reminded everyone that the Fire Department Banquet is going to be held May 13, 2006, at the Holiday Inn Express.

On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. with one personnel item for executive session.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager