PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

AUGUST 6, 2007

 

      A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, August 6, 2007 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, Police Chief, Township Solicitor and Attorney Christy Schlottman.  The Township Manager was absent.  Chairman Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag. 

 

2.   APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – JULY 24, 2007 AND AUGUST 6, 2007

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The report will be provided at the meeting.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the disbursement of funds for July 24, 2007 and August 6, 2007.

 

3.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JULY 16, 2007

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by three, the Board approved the minutes for June 26, 2007.  Colver abstained since he was absent for the July 16th meeting.

     

4.   FIRE DEPARTMENT REQUEST

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the request.

     

      DISCUSSION

     

      Fire Commissioner Grube and Captain Carr were present.  Carr said they are interested in getting trading cards for the fire department.  Carr said they would use them for PR for the department, for fire prevention sessions with kids, etc.  Carr said businesses will be able to advertise on the back of the cards as sponsors.  Carr said they will start with the main trucks and maybe have four or five different cards.  Carr said it will cost businesses about $175 to advertise on the cards.

 

      On motion by Colver, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the fire department to participate in the trading card program and authorized them to solicit businesses as sponsors of the cards. 

 

5.      MAPLE SHADES ESTATE – PLANNING MODULE

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the planning module.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the planning module for Maple Shade Estates as recommended by the Director of Public Utilities.

 

6.   VILLAGES AT WOLF’S RUN – PLANNING MODULE POSTCARD EXEMPTION

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the planning module postcard exemption.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the planning module postcard exemption as recommended by the Director of Public Utilities.

 

7.      MEADE SHED AGREEMENT

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Meade’s own a residence at 3137 Florian Avenue and are requesting to locate a shed in an existing utility and drainage easement.  The Director of Public Services has reviewed the request and has determined it is acceptable provided the attached shed agreement is signed by the owners, then approved by the Board of Supervisors, and then recorded.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved placing a shed in the utility and drainage easement at 3137 Florian Avenue as recommended by the Director of Public Services.

 

8.   PUBLIC COMMENT

 

      Robert Gumlock, 109 Berks Street, asked when Berks Street will be reopened.  Adams said a letter went out from the township stating Berks Street was supposed to be opened by this week.  Adams said he believes the contractor has lagged behind a little.  Gumlock said at the end of his property there is a utility pole that looks to be in the middle of where the sidewalk will be.  Adams said the utility company moved the poles for the township at no charge and it appears some weren’t put in the proper location.  Adams said we will put the sidewalk around the pole.

 

      Ron Grimsby, 337 Springfield Way, said his neighbor is still not in compliance with his fence.  Grimsby said now there is an illegal fence along with another illegal fence.  Grimsby said there are two fences out of code.  Grimsby gave a copy of an email he sent to Fence Center.com asking if the fence met code.  They replied the fence does not meet BOCA code.  Grimsby said the fence needs to be 45 inches between horizontal rudders and you have four inches.  Grimsby said he will file charges against the Board.

     

9.   REPORTS

     

Solicitor

·        Bruno had an agreement for the Easton Area School District regarding the purchase of property at the Palmer Elementary School complex.  Bruno said the agreement of sale is ready to be signed.  Bruno reviewed the agreement with the Board.  On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the agreement of sale. 

·        Bruno had a waiver request from subdivision requirements from Anthony Ramunni, prepared by Attorney Backenstoe.  Bruno said the Ramunni family over the years has acquired three parcels that are designated as one parcel number at 1516 Tatamy Road.  Bruno said they are proposing to sell two parcels 2.02 acres and 4.09 acres and sell it as a merged lot.  They are asking for a waiver from subdivision requirements so they will not have to submit subdivision plans.  Bruno said they will continue to own the third lot.  Bruno said his recommendation to the Board would be to make it contingent upon satisfactory review by the Planning Director and Township Engineer.  On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the board approved the waiver request for Anthony Ramunni and his properties on Tatamy Road, contingent upon satisfactory approval of the concept by the Planning Director, Township Engineer and the Township Solicitor.

·        Bruno had three litigation items for executive session and recommended the Board not adjourn the meeting until after the executive session.

 

      Public Services Director

·        Adams said the work on Greenwood Avenue between Northampton Street and Green Pond Road has been delayed.  Adams said UGI asked to replace gas lines in the area.  Adams said the project should still be completed prior to the start of school. 

 

      Police Chief

·        Fretz said the community weekend committee asked that Fairview Avenue be closed during the fireworks.  Fretz said he was concerned with people being backed up to the roadways.  Fretz said they spoke to Scott Kistler in the road department to see if they have the barricades that will be needed.  Fretz said the road department will borrow barriers from other municipalities and we feel it will be safer to close off Mine Lane Road and Fairview Avenue, just while the fireworks are going off. 

·        Fretz had one personnel item for executive session.

 

Supervisors

·        Colver said at the fire department meeting last week it was reported the new truck will be completed the end of August and shipped to Glick.  Colver said it should make it to our firehouse sometime in September.  Colver said the truck is paid in full and since we paid up front and the money is put into an interest bearing account we should get a few thousand dollars refunded.

·        Colver said the group working on the possible expansion of fire station two decided to put off any expansion for a period of three years, until they see what happens after moving some trucks around.

·        Colver said during the planning process for Parkview Estates the Recreation Board and Planning Commission recommended a bike path be constructed down toward Bushkill Park.  Colver said the connection was made.  Colver said a day later Neil Fehnel, owner of Bushkill Park, called him and said it was a nice job but the path was on his property.  Colver said after investigating we found it is shy of his property by a few feet.  Colver said Fehnel asked if he could have the Bushkill Park sign remade and put up down there by the bike path.  Zoning told him it has to be approved by this Board.  Colver said he agrees with approving the concept of a sign with the size and location needing to be approved by the Zoning Department.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the concept of placing the Bushkill Park sign on the park property near the bike path, subject to approval from the zoning department.

·        Colver said this year there has been a lot of extra planning required for community weekend, mostly due to the fireworks display.  Colver said it requires mutual aid from area fire departments, extra police work is required, along with more for the public works and parks departments.  Colver said he would like to thank everyone involved for their participation.

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board entered into executive session to discuss three litigation and one personnel item. 

 

      At 8:25 p.m. Panella made a motion, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, to reconvene the public meeting. 

 

      Bruno read a letter from James Raudenbush, Township Code Enforcement Officer that stated the Trupiano fence was inspected by him and also reviewed by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and the fence appears to be within guidelines of the Uniform Construction Code.  Bruno recommended the Board approve a motion to withdraw the pending lawsuit against the Trupiano’s and also withdraw the order of injunction.  On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Solicitor to withdraw the pending lawsuit against the Trupiano’s regarding their fence and also withdraw the order of injunction. 

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager