PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

DECEMBER 17, 2007

 

      A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with all Supervisors in attendance.  The Township Manager, Planning Director, Public Services Director, Police Chief, Solicitor, and Attorney Schlottman were in attendance.   Chairman Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag. 

 

2.   APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – DECEMBER 3, 2007 AND DECEMBER17, 2007

 

      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 3, 2007, and December 17, 2007. 

 

3.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES – NOVEMBER 27, 2007

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Bruno changed the second to last paragraph on page four to read, “Bruno informed Mr. Panto that an extension of time to render a decision on the plan is also required.  Panto agreed to grant an extension until December 31, 2007”.  Bruno added to A-5 on page five, “depicting the design of the structures proposed”.  Bruno changed the second sentence under the information section on number five to read, “The township manager recommended that the township administrative policy reflect this change in policy #2-0, pertaining to carrying and announcing possession of a firearm.

 

      Tom Adams, Public Services Director, added to the motion on page six related to awarding of bids, “was approved subject to the quantities being verified by the township staff.”

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the minutes for November 27, 2007, with the above changes.

     

4.      STOP SIGN REQUEST – KATHRYN AND LIBERTY STREETS

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      See recommendation letter from the Traffic Safety Committee.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the stop sign request.

 

DISCUSSION

 

       On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board denied the stop sign request for a 4-way stop at Liberty Street and Kathryn Street as recommended by the Township Traffic Committee. 

 

5.      STOP SIGN REQUEST – FARMERSVILLE ROAD AND NORTH NULTON

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      See recommendation letter from the Traffic Safety Committee.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the stop sign request.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved replacing the existing yield sign for northbound Nulton Avenue traffic with a stop sign as recommended by the Township Traffic Committee. 

     

6.   PALMER SOFTBALL LEAGUE AGREEMENT

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The concept of this agreement was approved at the December 18, 2006 Board of Supervisors meeting.  The Board needs to authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

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

 

7.   VILLAGES AT MILL RACE, PHASE III, ESCROW RELEASE

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the escrow release.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved escrow release #7 for Villages at Mill Race, Phase III, in the amount of $97,473.75.

 

8.      FOX RUN ESTATES ESCROW RELEASE

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the escrow release.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved escrow release #6 for Fox Run Estates, in the amount of $53,583.58.

 

9.      ESTATES AT NORTHWOOD ESCROW RELEASE

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the escrow release.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved escrow release #2 for the Estates at Northwood, in the amount of $146,506.00.

 

10. PUBLIC COMMENT

 

      Jaime Morales, 231 South Kathryn Street, asked if Hay Terrace has been turned over to the township.  Jensen said it has not been turned over to the township at this time. 

 

      Patty Morales, 231 South Kathryn Street, asked if there was any resolution on what will be done regarding the drainage problems in Hay Terrace.  Morales said she has an ice skating rink on her property right now.  Jensen said she and the township engineer went out and looked at the property and it was staked out to be regraded.  Jensen said Hay Terrace representatives will be meeting with the township staff on Thursday regarding the grading issues.  Colver said because of weather nothing will happen now until spring.  Morales said she gets flooding in her basement.   Morales said we have problems inside and outside of our homes.  Morales said we understand the township can only help us with the outside problems.  Morales said this developer shouldn’t be allowed to continue building in the township with the kind of homes he builds.

 

      Kevin Gray, 1350 Tatamy Road, asked for an update on the Hollo Road project.  Colver said at this point it won’t be finished until springtime.  Colver said this is a Lower Nazareth project that spills over into Palmer.  Gray said they aren’t doing any work, even on the culvert.

 

      Nan Guzman, 230 Kathryn Street, said the developer for Hay Terrace said he would have all his problems fixed in thirty days.  Mr. Guzman presented pictures to the Board with a list of all the problems with his property.  Solicitor Bruno said a lot of the problems you have are with the construction of the building and that is a private matter that you have with the developer.  Bruno said the township is concerned about public improvements like storm water drainage, the roads, things that affect the community.  Bruno said if they are public improvement matters the township can help you.  Guzman asked how the township can allow a developer to keep building properties in your township like this.  Bruno said the township cannot withhold permits to individuals that request them because everyone has a right to develop their property.  Bruno recommended Mr. Guzman consult with an attorney to discuss what his options are.  Mr. Guzman said he was told things would be repaired after 30 days, it’s been two years.  Colver said we understand your problems but the township cannot deal with the problems inside your home. 

       

11. REPORTS

       

Solicitor

·        Bruno had an extension agreement from Frank Bubba who needs a limited amount of time to request building permits.  Bruno said Bubba is requesting an extension until February 28, 2008.  On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension agreement.

·        Bruno had a land development improvements agreement for Bethel Memorial Baptist Church.   On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the agreement. 

·        Bruno said he sent a draft conditional use letter related to Wolf’s Run to the Board for review.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the conditional use letter. 

·        Bruno had one litigation item for executive session.

 

      Manager

·        Anckaitis said the Athletic Association’s donation to the community center campaign is outstanding for 2007.  Anckaitis said they owe $10,000 this year and then their final donation of $10,000 is due in 2008. 

·        Anckaitis said he received a letter from Mike Mitchell requesting participation in the township benefit plans.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by four, Mitchell abstained; the Board approved Supervisor Mitchell participating in the township benefit plans.

·        Anckaitis reviewed a draft letter to send to Representative Grucela and Senator Wonderling related to EIT collection.  Lammi noted a few changes to be made and the Board agreed to have the Chairman sign and send the letter.

·        Anckaitis had two personnel items and one litigation item for executive session.

 

      Planning Director

·        Jensen said there is only one item on the January Zoning Hearing Board agenda, the Philly Pretzel Factory.  There were no concerns from the Board.

 

      Public Services Director

·        Adams said the repair at Walters Dam is proceeding nicely.

·        Adams said he is looking for some direction regarding the installation of water service at the Charles Chrin Community Center site.  Adams said we are looking to run a water service line to where the fields will be located.  Adams said it is about 40 feet of line.  Adams said the cost to run a 2” line would cost $18,300, for a 1-1/2” line is $12,150, and a  1” line is $6,725.  The Board agreed the 1” line would not work and at the least they would need a 1-1/2” line.

 

      Police Chief

·        Fretz said the police department will be going live with their new RMS computer system this Wednesday.  Fretz said they went through two months of training and will need to do double work from the 15th of the month until year end but will switch over to the new system January 1st.

 

Supervisors

·        Lammi said he sent the Board members a note when he saw that Larry Holmes is being inducted into the boxing hall of fame.  Lammi said he feels the Board should send a letter signed by each member of the Board in recognition of his achievement.  Colver asked whether a proclamation wouldn’t be better than a letter.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board made a motion to have the township manager draft a proclamation recognizing Larry Holmes’ achievement.

·        Colver said he will be absent at the December 26th meeting but would like to thank the Board, the administration, counsel, township employees, and volunteers that put in a lot of time to make Palmer what it is every day.

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. with two litigation and two personnel items for executive session.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager