PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

AUGUST 21, 2006

 

      A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, August 21, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the community room of the Palmer Library with all supervisors in attendance.  Also in attendance were the Public Services Director, Township Solicitor, and Police Chief.  The Township Manager was absent.  Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag. 

     

2.   APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – AUGUST 21, 2006

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The report will be provided at the meeting.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the disbursement of funds for August 21, 2006.

 

3.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JULY 25, 2006 AND AUGUST 7, 2006

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Panella, and agreed by three, the July 25th minutes were approved.  Mitchell and Smith abstained because they were absent at the July 25th meeting.

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by three, the August 7th minutes were approved.  Mitchell and Panella abstained because they were absent at the August 7th meeting.

 

4.   FIRE COMMISSIONER ORDINANCE

 

      INFORMATION

 

                  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the ordinance.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Colver said the ordinance was advertised for tonight’s meeting.  Lammi questioned where it states the fire commissioner will be in charge of all fires in township.  Lammi said obviously he can’t be at all the fires.  Bruno said ultimately he’s in charge but he always has the ability to designate another individual to be in charge in his absence.  Bruno stated it would be like the police chief position; he’s responsible for the police department even though he isn’t at every situation in the township.

 

      On motion by Colver, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the ordinance creating the fire commissioner position.

 

5.   RESOLUTION REGARDING DISPOSAL OF TOWNSHIP PROPERTY VALUED UNDER $1,000.

 

      INFORMATION

 

                  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the resolution.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the board approved the resolution authorizing the township manager to dispose of township property valued under $1,000.

     

6.   APPROVAL OF LETTERS TO SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING CHANGES TO THE UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE AND CABLE FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS

 

      INFORMATION

 

      PSATS is recommending townships contact their representatives and senators regarding these issues.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the chairman signing the letters.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the chairman to sign the letters regarding cable franchise agreements and changes to the uniformed construction code.

                 

7.   PENNDOT AGILITY AGREEMENT

 

      INFORMATION

 

      Penndot is requesting Palmer Township enter into an agility agreement for possibly sharing services.  The agreement is for five years and basically is a renewal of the existing agility agreement that runs from August 28, 2001 to August 28, 2006.  A copy of the agreement is attached for your review and consideration.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the agreement.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Adams said there was one of these agreements signed five years ago regarding different work tasks.  Adams said this is basically a continuation of that agreement.   

 

      Bruno said he didn’t have an opportunity to review the agreement before tonight’s meeting.  Colver suggested the item be placed on the August 29th agenda to allow the solicitor time to review the agreement. 

 

 

8.   PALMER PARK MALL POLICE RATES

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove a rate for patrolling the Palmer Park Mall for 2007.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Colver said mall management is working on putting together their budget numbers.  Colver said last year we agreed to increase the amount we charge for police coverage at the mall.  Colver said we were proposing increasing the rate from $35 to $40 per hour.  Chief Fretz said as we found in the past if we don’t patrol at the mall we are typically called there on numerous occasions anyway.

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved a new rate of $40 per hour for police officers to patrol the mall.

 

9.   PUBLIC COMMENT

     

      None

 

10. REPORTS

     

Solicitor

·        Bruno said he received signed decision letters for both the Cahill and Kharecha properties and they both agreed to the previously imposed conditions.

·        Bruno had one litigation item for executive session.

 

            Supervisors

·        Colver said every year I thank the three individuals who put community weekend together, Diane Grube, Jeff Young and Cindy Kent.  Colver said in addition to them he needs to mention the parks department, public works department, police department, fire department, ESC, and Suburban EMS. Colver asked if there was anyone he may have missed.  Smith said the cooperation from local volunteers was amazing.  Colver said all the way around we had great attendance and very few problems.  Colver said on behalf of the Board I want to thank everyone involved.  Lammi said having a small town event like this for 24 years is something we should be proud of.  Chief Fretz said we were down one K-9 officer since one of our officers is currently out of work.  Fretz said Capt. Vangelo from the Easton Police Department volunteered to come out and participate in the event because he knows what a great event it is year after year.   Colver said next year it will be the 25th community weekend and it will be the 150th anniversary of the township so we will be discussing some special events and will most likely be putting a committee together in the near future.  Bruno said he would like to commend all involved in the project.  Bruno said as a resident of the township it makes you proud to be part of the community. 

·        Lammi said he is concerned about one thing in the MPC as it relates to how we can spend recreational money.  Lammi said it says it should be spent as part of the development or the area of the development.  Lammi said as it becomes more costly to build parks and maintain them he feels we should be able to use it at our larger parks or regional parks.  Lammi said he’d like to get a resolution together to submit at the Northampton County Convention proposing a change.  Lammi said right now the way it reads it is very gray in this area and he’d like to see it clarified.  Bruno said he agreed if there is anything we can do to clarify the MPC it would be beneficial.  Bruno said he understands the reason it was put into the MPC is to protect the developer so they are not funding township recreational funds.  Lammi said the resolutions need to be submitted by September 20 to be included at the county convention.

·        Mitchell had one personnel item for executive session.

 

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager