PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

NOVEMBER 20, 2006

 

A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, November 20, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the community room of the Palmer Library with four supervisors in attendance.  Michael Mitchell was absent.  Also in attendance were the Township Manager, Public Services 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 – NOVEMBER 20, 2006

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The report will be provided at the meeting.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the disbursement of funds for November 20, 2006.

 

3.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES – NOVEMBER 6, 2006

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Colver said since he and Bob Lammi were not at the November 6th meeting and Mike Mitchell was absent tonight these minutes cannot be approved tonight.  They will be put on the next meeting agenda.

 

4.      EASD REZONING REQUEST

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove entertaining the rezoning request.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

       Bruno said he received a letter from Attorney McFall regarding three different parcels the school district has an agreement to purchase on Edgewood Avenue.  Bruno said the school district plans to use the properties for school instruction, offices, and storage of school supplies and equipment, and transportation.  Bruno said the properties are currently zoned Heavy Industrial (HI) and they are asking if the Board is willing to entertain the request to rezone.  Colver said if we agree to entertain the rezoning request then the school district will come to us with a plot plan.

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the request to entertain the rezoning request for parcels L9-4-1, L9-14-1, and L9NW1C-1-1 as outlined in a letter dated October 19, 2006 from Attorney McFall and subject to the school district establishing an escrow in the amount of $5,000.

 

5.   APPLEGATE/COOK REQUEST FOR PROPERTY LINE DELETION

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove deleting the property line.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

Linda Applegate and Ed Cook were present.  Colver said we have a letter requesting elimination of a property line at 375 Arlington Avenue.  Colver asked if the solicitor needed anything from a legal standpoint.  Bruno said he did not.  Linda Applegate said right now they receive six tax bills because the property is listed as two parcels.  Applegate said we would like to make it one parcel to make the paperwork easier to manage.  Ed Cook explained how the house was located on the two parcels.  Colver said he believes there was a variance given when the house was built and maybe it was a set back issue.  Colver said in concept he didn’t have a problem with it.  The Board agreed.

 

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved extinguishment of the lot line between lot seven and lot eight on Arlington Street into one consolidated parcel subject to the solicitor confirming the legalities and confirmation that there are no outstanding issues noted on the initial plan.

 

6.   2007 SPCA ANIMAL SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the 2007 SPCA animal services agreement.

 

      DICUSSION

 

Bruno asked for a better definition of the trapped-neuter-return policy.  Bruno said he knows this organization is a good organization but he would like to see a better definition in the agreement.  The item was tabled until the next meeting.

 

7.      POLICE PENSION CONTRIBUTION RESOLUTION

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the resolution eliminating member contributions to the police pension plan for the years 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Anckaitis said the auditor from the state is currently auditing our pension plans and he asked for the resolutions where we eliminated the member contributions to the police pension plan.  Anckaitis said we did it in 2002 but we haven’t since then.  Anckaitis said the auditor suggested we do one resolution for all the years.

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the resolution eliminating police pension member contributions for the years 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.

 

8.      STREET LIGHT UPGRADE RESOLUTION

 

      INFORMATION

 

      A resolution is attached to upgrade one street light from a 175W mercury vapor to a 100W high pressure sodium VAPOR (HPS) street light located in the front of 2910 Eldridge Avenue.  The upgrade will not cost the township and will save the township approximately $2.16 per year in electricity costs.  If approved, the resolution (2 copies) needs to be signed and dated by the supervisors.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the street light resolution upgrading the street light at 2910 Eldridge Avenue.

 

9.      HAZARD MITIGATION RESOLUTION

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the resolution.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Colver said we received a letter and resolution from the fire commissioner that says the plan was developed by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Lehigh County Emergency Services, and Northampton County Emergency Management groups.  Lammi said it was discussed several times at the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and it relates to natural disasters.

 

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the hazard mitigation resolution.

     

10.  PLANNING MODULE POSTCARD EXEMPTION FOR CROSSROADS OF NAZARETH

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the planning module postcard exemption for Crossroads of Nazareth.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the planning module postcard exemption for the Crossroads of Nazareth.          

 

11. PUBLIC COMMENT

     

      Ron Grimsby, 337 Springfield Way, said his issue has been going on since June 12.  Grimsby said he had the police come to his house to help eliminate his grandchildren from drowning.  Grimsby said we went through the snow fence stage and now we have a new fence.  Grimsby said he had a number of conversations with township employees including the code officer.  Grimsby said it was determined that the fence is illegal and not within code.  Grimsby showed pictures of the fence.  Grimsby said around July 12 the township manager told me the fence was not within code and that it would be taken care of.  Grimsby said now the owner says he’s not going to do anything.  Grimsby said the township issued a notice to the property owner stating they had 30 days to repair the fence.  Grimsby said he was told the solicitor said the township couldn’t issue a summons.  Grimsby said the code is not being enforced.  Colver asked what is not within code.  Grimsby said it’s the hand holds.  Grimsby asked why a court summons can’t be issued to make the property owner appear in court.  Grimsby asked why isn’t this being taken care of by the township.  Anckaitis said the hand holds have to be a certain distance apart and this fence isn’t at the right distance.  Grimsby said there are 35 kids in this neighborhood.  Grimsby asked why the solicitor feels it can’t be won in court.  Bruno said the opinions he’s given are related to the outcome of prior litigation cases.  Bruno said he is prepared to give the Board his opinion in executive session because we don’t know where this may go.  Bruno said notice has been given to the property owner.  Grimsby said it’s been going on for too long.  Grimsby said he feels it was incorrect interpretation by the code officer when they issued the permit.  Grimsby said he would like this taken care of as soon as possible.  Lammi said we are familiar with this situation and we will meet with the solicitor for an update.  Grimsby asked when he will receive an answer.  Grimsby said his next step will be to go to the Attorney General requesting a full investigation.  Colver said they will dig into it and get back to him in the next few days.

     

12. REPORTS

     

Solicitor

·        Bruno said regarding the Palmer Town Center we are close to resolving differences but at the risk of having to come back to the Board prior to deadline he is asking for a motion to authorize a demand on their letter of credit, if it is needed.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the solicitor to make demand against their letter of credit if the matter is not resolved prior to their deadline. 

·        Bruno had an extension agreement for VanBuren Road LLP, the developer of Fox Run Estates requesting an extension of time to complete their public improvements until January 31, 2007.  On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the extension request.

·        Bruno had an extension request for Parkview Estates, Phase 5, requesting an extension until June 30, 2007 to complete public improvements.  On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the extension request.

·        Bruno had an extension request from the Estates of Knob Hill requesting an extension until April 30, 2007 to complete public improvements.  On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the board approved the extension request.

·        Bruno said Mr. Kharecha previously received minor subdivision approval and he is requesting additional time to enter inter an improvements agreement with the township.  Mr. Kharecha is requesting an extension until January 2, 2007.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the extension request.

·        Bruno gave draft copies of the proposed emergency and municipal services tax ordinance to the Board for their review.  Bruno noted the ordinance can be on the next meeting agenda for approval to advertise for enactment.

·        Bruno had a land development improvements agreement and a check for escrow from Frank Bubba for Northwood Industrial Park.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the chairman to sign the agreement.

·        Bruno had three litigation and two real estate items for executive session.

 

      Township Manager

·        Anckaitis provided the Board with a proposal for a new copy machine.  Anckaitis said we looked at getting a new one and wanted to make a decision after the budget process.  Anckaitis said this is a quality machine that will include a fax machine so we will eliminate purchasing two different sets of supplies.  Anckaitis said since we are now networked this machine will allow the employees to send jobs directly from their computers to the copy machine.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board agreed to purchase the new copy machine in 2006.

 

      Public Services Director

·        Adams said the house on Freemansburg Avenue has been demolished.

 

      Supervisors

·        Lammi said he brought this up several times before regarding the intersection of Greenwood Avenue and William Penn Highway.  Lammi said he still feels a left turn arrow is needed when traveling south on Greenwood Avenue and turning left onto William Penn Highway.  Lammi said earlier today he sat through four lights to get through that intersection.  Lammi asked the public services director to have Penndot review it again.

·        Panella asked if anything was found out about the solicitation fee change.  Bruno said they are currently working on this item.

 

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. with three litigation and two real estate items for executive session. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager