PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

REORGANIZATION/GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

JANUARY 2, 2007

 

      A reorganization/general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, January 2, 2007 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, and Police Chief.  The Township Solicitor was absent.  Katie Kavalis from the Easton News represented the news media.  Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag. 

 

2.      MEETING TURNED OVER TO TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN WHO WILL CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR CHAIRMAN

 

Colver turned the meeting over to Temporary Chairman Robert Lammi who called for nominations for Chairman for the year 2007.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, David E. Colver was nominated as Chairman for 2007.  On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by four, Colver abstained, nominations for Chairman were closed and David E. Colver was voted in as Chairman for 2007.

 

3.   NEWLY-ELECTED CHAIRMAN WILL CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR VICE-CHAIRMAN

 

Temporary Chairman Lammi then turned the meeting over to re-elected Chairman David E. Colver.  Colver then called for nominations for Vice Chairman.  On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, Robert A. Lammi was nominated as Vice Chairman for 2007.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, nominations for Vice Chairman were closed and Robert A. Lammi was voted in as Vice Chairman for 2007.

 

4.   APPOINT SECRETARY AND TREASURER

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Township Manager recommends he be appointed as secretary/treasurer.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board appointed Robert Anckaitis, Township Manager, as Secretary/Treasurer for 2007.

 

5.      ESTABLISH AMOUNT OF TREASURER’S BOND

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to establish the amount of the treasurer’s bond for 2007.  The current amount is $3 million.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board voted to establish the treasurer bond at $3 million for 2007.

 

6.      APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – JANUARY 2, 2007

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The report will be provided at the meeting.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the disbursement of funds for January 2, 2007.

 

7.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES – DECEMBER 26, 2006

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Lammi added “not” to the third sentence in the first paragraph under item number seven between words “were” and “separated.”

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the minutes of December 26, 2006, with the above change.

 

8.   DISCUSSION OF 2007 ASSIGNMENTS

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the following assignments:

 

Planning Liaison – Robert A. Lammi

Recreation Board Liaison – Robert Smith

Suburban EMS Liaison – Mike Mitchell

Shade Tree Commission Liaison – Ann- Marie Panella

Environmental Steering Committee Liaison – Robert Lammi

Volunteer Fire Company Liaison – Dave Colver

Township Engineer – to appoint J. Scott Pidcock as Township Engineer

Sewage Enforcement Officer – to appoint Ronald Gawlik, Jeffrey Matyus, and Scott Beiber

Township Solicitor – to appoint Charles Bruno as Township Solicitor

Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor – will be appointed by Zoning Hearing Board at a fee of $120.00 per hour.

Earned Income Tax Collectors – to reappoint Brenda DeLong as Earned Income Tax Collector and Diane DeYoung as her assistant for the year 2007.

Vacancy Board – to appoint Virginia Rickert to the Vacancy Board, said Board exists and is used to break a tie if one exists due to a vacancy on the Board of Supervisors.

Township Physician – Coordinated Health Systems, 400 S. Greenwood Avenue, Palmer, PA

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the 2007 assignments as listed above.

 

9.   DISCUSSION TO APPROVE LAFAYETTE AMBASSADOR BANK TO HANDLE ALL TOWNSHIP FUNDS

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove Lafayette Ambassador Bank to handle all Township funds.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve Lafayette Ambassador Bank to handle all township funds for 2007.

 

10. DISCUSSION TO APPOINT ALL SUPERVISORS AS ROAD MASTERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS AT A RATE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE AUDITORS

 

INFORMATION       

     

      The Board must approve/disapprove the appointment of all supervisors as road masters and superintendents at a rate to be determined by the auditors.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board voted to appoint all supervisors as road masters and superintendents at a rate to be determined by the auditors.

 

11. DISCUSSION OF REAPPOINTMENTS TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the reappointment of Thomas Grube and Anthony Rizzolino to four-year terms on the Planning Commission, term to expire 12/31/10. 

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board voted to reappoint Thomas Grube and Anthony Rizzolino to four-year terms on the Planning Commission, terms to expire 12/31/10.  

 

12. DISCUSSION OF REAPPOINTMENT TO THE ZONING HEARING BOARD

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the reappointment of Cherie Kavanaugh to a three-year term on the Zoning Hearing Board, term to expire 12/31/09.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to reappoint Cherie Kavanaugh to a three-year term on the Zoning Hearing Board, term to expire 12/31/09.

 

13. DISCUSSION OF REAPPOINTMENT TO THE RECREATION BOARD

 

INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the reappointment of Cheryl Nielsen to a five-year term on the Recreation Board, term expires 12/31/11. 

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board voted to reappoint Cheryl Nielsen to a five-year term on the Recreation Board, term to expire 12/31/11.

 

14. DISCUSSION OF REAPPOINTMENT TO THE PALMER MUNICIPAL SEWER AUTHORITY

 

INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the reappointment of Harold Kist to a five-year term on the Palmer Municipal Sewer Authority, term to expire 12/31/11.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to reappoint Harold Kist to a five-year term on the Palmer Municipal Sewer Authority, term to expire 12/31/11.

 

15. DISCUSSION OF REAPPOINTMENT TO THE SHADE TREE COMMISSION

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the reappointment of Robert Rizzolino to a five-year term to the Shade Tree Commission, term to expire 12/31/11.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board voted to reappoint Robert Rizzolino to a five year term to the Shade Tree Commission, term to expire 12/31/11.

 

16. DISCUSSION OF APPOINTMENT OF THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR

 

INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the reappointment of Delmar Grube as Emergency Management Director for 2007.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board reappointed Delmar Grube as the Emergency Management Director for 2007.

 

17. DISCUSSION OF THE MEETING DATES AND TIMES FOR THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS FOR 2007

 

INFORMATION

 

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the meeting dates for 2007 as follows:  regular meetings of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors will be held the first and third Mondays of each month at 7:00 p.m. prevailing time and also on the fourth Tuesday following the first Monday at 7:00 p.m. prevailing time. Exceptions will be made if a legal holiday observed by the township falls on the same date, the scheduled meeting will be held the next day at the same time. Any special meetings will be duly advertised as required by law. Meetings will be held in the Community Room, Palmer Branch of the Easton Area Public Library, 1 Weller Place, Palmer, PA.

 

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the 2007 Board of Supervisors meeting schedule was approved as read.

 

18. DISCUSSION OF APPOINTMENT OF VOTING DELEGATE AT 2007 STATE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONVENTION

 

INFORMATION

 

The Board needs to appoint a voting delegate for the 2007 State Association Annual Convention.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Smith, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board voted to appoint the Township Manager as the voting delegate at the 2007 State Association Annual Convention.

 

19. DISCUSSION OF HOLIDAYS

 

INFORMATION

 

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the following holidays for 2007:

 

New Year’s Day –Monday, January 1, 2007

Good Friday – Friday, April 6

Memorial Day – Monday, May 28

4th of July – Wednesday, July 4

Labor Day – Monday, September 3

Veteran’s Day – Observed Monday, November 12

Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 22

Day after Thanksgiving Day – Friday, November 23

Christmas Day – Tuesday, December 25

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the holidays as listed for the year 2007.

 

20. ANNOUNCEMENT OF REORGANIZATION MEETING OF THE BOARD OF AUDITORS AND PLANNING COMMISSION

INFORMATION

 

The Board of Auditors will meet on Wednesday, January 3, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the Small Conference Room of the Palmer Memorial Library.

 

The Planning Commission reorganization meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2007, at 7:00 p.m., in the Community Room of the Palmer Memorial Library.  All regular meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., in the Community Room of the Palmer Memorial Library.

 

21.  EMERGENCY AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES TAX ORDINANCE

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the emergency and municipal services tax ordinance. 

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the emergency and municipal services tax ordinance.

 

22.  NOTICE TO PROCEED AND AUTHORIZATION OF CONTRACTS FOR THE HIGHLAND PARK ROAD AND DRAINAGE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

 

      INFORMATION

 

The Board approved the intent to award the Base Bid, Bid 1, and Bid 3 for the Highland Park Project at the November 6, 2006 meeting.  All insurance and bond documents have been received and are acceptable to the Township Solicitor.  However, the contract documents signed by the contractor will not be forwarded to the township until December 29, 2006.  Therefore, the motion requested is for the notice to proceed and authorization of the Chairman to sign the contracts, subject to the review and approval of the contractor signed documents by the Township Solicitor. 

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Township Engineer Brian Dillman said the contracts have been signed by the contractor and need the township signature and a pre-construction conference is set for Friday at 10 a.m.  Dillman said if weather continues as is they will start work right away.  Dillman said an informational meeting is set for 7 p.m. next Monday, January 8, at the Library meeting room, for residents who live in the neighborhood.  Public Services Director, Tom Adams, said a letter was mailed to all residents informing them of the upcoming work and scheduled meeting.  Dillman said the bonds and documents have been reviewed by the Township Solicitor.

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the contracts for the Highland Park road and drainage system improvements project with notice to proceed.

 

23.  APPROVAL OF TOWNSHIP JOB DESCRIPTIONS

 

      INFORMATION

 

      Copies of all township job descriptions were previously distributed to the Board.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the job descriptions.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Panella said the Township Manager did an excellent job on all the descriptions.  Lammi said he agreed but he had just a few things he would like to discuss with the Township Manager at a later date.  Lammi said there is no need not to approve the descriptions tonight.

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the township job descriptions.

 

24. PUBLIC COMMENT

 

      Ron Grimsby, 337 Springfield Way, said 336 Palmetto Drive is still in non-compliance with township ordinance and he would like to know when the Board is going to enforce the ordinance and protect the safety of every child in the township.  Colver said unfortunately the Township Solicitor is not in attendance tonight.  Colver said the Solicitor has been working on this issue since it was brought to our attention.  Colver said pending litigation cannot be commented on.  Colver said we are all well aware of the situation and said when the time is right Mr. Grimsby will be notified of the township’s actions.  Grimsby asked why a summons couldn’t be issued to have a court decide. 

 

25. REPORTS

 

Township Manager

·        Anckaitis said we received notice last week that we received a $5,000 grant for equipment for the community center.

 

Public Services Director

·        Adams said he again wanted to mention that the Highland Park project meeting with residents is set for 7 p.m. Monday, January 8 in the Library meeting room.

 

      Supervisors

·        Colver thanked everyone for the nomination as Chairman and said he is looking forward to working with everyone again in 2007.

 

      Dillman said on behalf of the Pidcock Company he would like to thank the township for allowing them to provide engineering services and said they look forward to working with the township again in 2007.

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. with no items for executive session.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager