PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

DECEMBER 4, 2006

 

A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, December 4, 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, 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 – DECEMBER 4, 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 December 4, 2006.

 

3.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES – NOVEMBER 6, 2006 AND NOVEMBER 28, 2006

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by three, Lammi and Colver abstained since they were not in attendance on the 6th, the Board approved the minutes of November 6, 2006.

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by four, Mitchell abstained since he was not in attendance on the 28th, the Board approved the minutes of November 28, 2006.

 

4.      REQUEST TO ADVERTISE EMERGENCY AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove advertising enactment of the ordinance.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Solicitor to advertise the ordinance for public hearing at the December 26, 2007 meeting.

 

5.   LIFE INSURANCE POLICY DISCUSSION

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove changing life insurance providers for the township employee’s life insurance coverage.

 

      DICUSSION

 

Anckaitis said the township broker said he went out and shopped the policy and he found a company willing to give us the same policy with some enhancements and it would cost $1,552 less annually.

 

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Township Manager to enter into an agreement with Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company as the township provider effective January 1, 2007.

 

6.   EASTON SUBURBAN WATER AUTHORITY AGREEMENT REGARDING HIGHLAND PARK STORM SEWER PROJECT

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the agreement.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

Bruno said he prepared this agreement and it has been signed by the water authority.  Bruno said the water authority’s portion of work was included in the bid that was advertised last month for the Highland Park project.  Bruno said the authority will establish an escrow to cover the bid costs and any soft costs associated with the project.

 

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the agreement.

 

7.   PUBLIC COMMENT

     

      Nic Pugliese said he needed some clarification regarding his Northwood Estates project.  Pugliese said he remembers an agreement he had with the Board that he would pay for his engineer’s work regarding the storm sewer and the township would pay for the township engineer to review the townships portion.  Bruno said he remembers the discussion but he didn’t believe anything was put in writing.  Bruno said in the past he spoke to Attorney DeEsch about putting something in writing.  Bruno said there was a working arrangement.  Pugliese said he’s received bills from the township for the storm sewer.  Pugliese said he’s already paid $2,900 and now he has another bill for $2,800.  Lammi said any agreement we had should be in the meeting minutes.  Bruno said it would also be documented in his decision letter.  Colver said the township will look into records to confirm the agreement. Bruno said he will contact the Planning Director and Pidcock to confirm what the bills are for.

 

      Pugliese said he also installed road and sewer at the Crossing Court project that is a private development.  Pugliese said he put money in escrow for the curbing.  Pugliese asked if the township was going to keep the 15% or if they would close it out.  Pugliese said since it is private land and the work is completed he thought the township would release the 15%.  Bruno said the township requirement for public improvements is maintenance security for an 18 month period.  Bruno said we could give him 85% of his money now.  Bruno said since some of the improvements were done on private property he will ask Pidcock if the maintenance period could be shortened from 18 months so he wouldn’t be on the hook for that long of a period.  Bruno said he thinks it can be resolved by doing this.  Bruno said the Crossing Court maintenance agreement will be discussed in his report tonight.

 

      Ron Grimsby, 337 Springfield Way, asked if the township was going to enforce the fence ordinance or not.  Bruno said the issues you raise are legitimate concerns.  Bruno said the township is following up on the concerns and how we will proceed will be determined shortly.  Bruno said in the near future you will be informed of the townships position in this matter.  Bruno said that is all he can say at this point since there is another party involved.  Grimsby said this has been going on since June 12th.  Grimsby said the first temporary snow fence was determined legal, but it was not safe; and now the final fence isn’t legal either.  Grimsby said it’s been determined that the fence isn’t within code.  Grimsby said let the court decide.

 

      Robert Gumlock, 109 Berks Street, asked when excavation would begin on the Highland Park project.  Lammi said at the last meeting it was said construction would start the beginning of January.

     

8.   REPORTS

     

Solicitor

·        Bruno had an extension agreement for Parkview Estates, Phase VI, asking for an extension until June 30, 2007 to complete public improvements.  On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension agreement.

·        Bruno had an extension request from the Rizzolino Cheerleading School, requesting a 30-day extension to complete issues related to their preliminary/final land development approval.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension request.

·        Bruno said he has a request regarding the Jenny Melham subdivision development plan that includes approximately 1.7 acres on the south side of the township off of 25th street approaching Glendon.  Bruno said their rezoning request is running parallel with their land development plan.  Bruno said the land development plan requires variances be granted even if the rezoning is granted.  Bruno said they have been to the Zoning Hearing Board and were told the Zoning Hearing Board can’t review it because they didn’t receive rezoning approval.  Bruno said they are caught in a catch 22 situation.  Bruno recommended the Board of Supervisors send a letter to the Zoning Hearing Board asking them to consider the Melham request for variances as if the rezoning was passed.  Bruno said he can write the letter on behalf of the Board of Supervisors if they agree.  Lammi said he believes it was this Board’s recommendation to the applicant that they consider rezoning because of the area.  Lammi said because it was our recommendation, he didn’t have a problem sending the letter to the Zoning Hearing Board.  The Board agreed and asked the solicitor to send the letter.

·        Bruno had a maintenance agreement for Crossing Court ready to be signed by the Chairman.  On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the maintenance agreement.

·        Bruno had one litigation item for executive session.

 

      Township Manager

·        Anckaitis had one personnel item for executive session.

 

      Public Services Director

·        Adams said December 11th will begin the final rotation of leaf collection in the township.

·        Adams said the storage shed will be delivered tomorrow at Keystone Park.

 

      Police Chief

·        Fretz said the new county emergency management van was at the bonfire last month.  Fretz said it is a great asset to have in the area if an emergency or disaster would happen in the county. 

·        Fretz said Northampton County is implementing central booking areas in the county and he distributed information to the Board to review.  Fretz said one location will be in Bethlehem and one in the City of Easton.  Fretz said this should be a benefit for everyone.  Fretz said police will no longer have to travel in the middle of the night to whatever magistrate is available to book a criminal.  Fretz gave the solicitor an agreement to review that will need to be signed by the township.

 

      Supervisors

·        Smith said he got to look at the surveillance van at the bonfire and it was amazing.  Colver said he saw that a fight broke out at the bonfire and the van picked it up almost instantly on camera.

·        Colver said the fire department Christmas dinner will be 7:30 p.m. on December 18th.

 

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. with one litigation and one personnel item for executive session. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager