PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

APRIL 2, 2007

 

      A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, April 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, Police Lieutenant, and the Township Solicitor.  Courtney Lomax from the Express Times represented the news media.  Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag. 

     

2.   APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – APRIL 2, 2007

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The report will be provided at the meeting.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the disbursement of funds for April 2, 2007.

 

3.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 27, 2007

 

      DISCUSSION

 

Lammi added to the eighth paragraph on page ten that the money budgeted would be used for improvements at the community center at Bethman and Green Pond Roads.

 

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the minutes of March 27, 2007. 

     

4.      DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF POLICE PENSION FUND ACCOUNT MANAGERS

 

INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove fund managers for the police pension fund.

 

      DICUSSION

     

Colver said a month ago we had three companies make presentations to the Board regarding managing the township police pension funds.  Smith said the night we heard the proposals he went through the information of each presenter.  Smith said he has mixed emotions on whether to stay where we are or make a change.  Smith said he’s not sure what direction to go because there are risks on both sides.  Panella said she feels we’ve been too conservative in the past and that we’ve missed opportunities to build.  Panella said she would like to see a change.  Colver said we heard a couple different things that evening and when you break it down, the cost isn’t as big of an issue as being in touch and in tune with handling the account and the use of account managers.  Colver said there is obviously a little more risk involved if we choose to get more aggressive.  Lammi said he liked that Ryan Beck and Smith Barney were more from a consultant standpoint where Fulton Financial are both consultant and investor.  Lammi said he feels Ryan Beck and Smith Barney both have a lot of pluses.  Lammi said he also liked that Smith Barney’s point person was very knowledgeable regarding the police pension act.  Lammi said that is important.  Mitchell said we held a police pension board meeting last week and the police department representatives felt Smith Barney was the provider of choice.  Mitchell said mostly because of their understanding of the police pension act.  Colver asked what type of timeframe is a contract typically for.  Lammi asked if bidding is required.  Bruno said this doesn’t need to be bid because it is a professional contract.  Bruno suggested the providers supply the township manager with the proposed terms of their contracts to be reviewed before a decision is made.  Smith said he’s in favor of making a change but we should see what the cost is going to be before we make a final decision.  Mitchell said we’ll need to go longer than a one year contract in order to see benefits.  Panella said at least three years.  Anckaitis asked if a term had to be agreed upon.  Anckaitis said we don’t have contracts with any of our professional service providers, i.e., engineer, solicitor, etc.  Bruno said there are some strong regulations regarding what these providers can do and we will just need to have a fee schedule set up.

 

Colver asked both Smith Barney and Ryan Beck to provide the township manager a fee schedule that can be reviewed by the township solicitor.  Anckaitis said to include the costs to switch over and if in the future we change to another group what will the cost be to change again.  Anckaitis asked the representatives to also include the costs to manage all the payments to our retirees, the year end reporting, 1099’s, etc.  Anckaitis said the township doesn’t process the payments or process the necessary paperwork regarding retirees, it is all currently handled by Fulton Financial.

 

5.   DISCUSSION REGARDING POTENTIAL CHANGE TO THE SERVICE INCREMENT AMOUNT IN THE POLICE PENSION ORDINANCE

 

INFORMATION       

           

      The Board needs to discuss if they would like to increase the service increment amount in the police pension fund ordinance as permitted by Act 89.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Anckaitis referred to a letter from Conrad Siegel and said the current service increment amount is set at $100 per month or a maximum payment of $1,200, and Act 89 now allows the maximum at $500 per month or a maximum of $6,000.  Anckaitis said we discussed it awhile back and the Board asked to find out what it would cost the township if we increased the service increment.  Anckaitis said Conrad Siegel said the annual increase to the MMO would be $22,500.  Colver said $22,500 is the lowest it could ever be.  Anckaitis said that is correct.  Colver said the fact is, it will go up because payroll will continue to go up.  Anckaitis said it is based on payroll, investments, and the number of officers on the force.  Colver said six months ago didn’t we feel this was a contract issue.  Anckaitis said Lieutenant Young said they don’t negotiate pension provisions because it’s by ordinance.  Young said the current $1,200 maximum is not in the contract.  It was set at $1,200 about 35 years ago.  Young said this is only for someone who stays longer than their projected retirement.  For this increase they would have to stay more than 30 years.  Young said there had to be a cost to the township when you lowered the vesting for non-uniformed employees from 12 to 6 years.  Young said this change only affects an employee who has 30 years of service.  Colver said it’s a dollar and cents issue and he’s not in favor of it.  Smith said when we changed the vesting it was to give incentive to keep employees with the township.  Smith said it’s currently $100 and could go to $500 but couldn’t we go somewhere in between.  Young said yes.  Mike Glovas, Smith Barney confirmed it could be anywhere between the $100 or $500 amount.  Officer Sipel said he agrees that everything we discuss is dollars and cents.  Sipel said but for some reason we seem to be scrutinized more.  Sipel said after we signed our contract you turned around and raised the longevity for non-uniformed employees too.  Sipel said then you decrease the vesting for non-uniformed employees.  Sipel said it’s easier to bail out with a vested benefit after six years than for someone to stay around for 12 years.  Colver said we’ve always significantly bumped up your salaries - doubled what non-uniformed employees receive.  Colver said we go through this every five years and halfway through the contract we get something like this.  Panella said $100 to $500 is a huge leap and she’s more comfortable with it increasing to $250, but not the huge leap.  Mitchell said he liked Ann-Marie’s idea of $250 after 30 years of service instead of the $500.  Lammi said he agreed since nothing has been changed for 35 years he can agree with an increase to $250.   Young said why not halfway there to $300. 

 

      Young said the original part of the ordinance will stay at $100 per month for anyone with 26 to 30 years of service and after 30 years of service it will change to $250.

 

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the solicitor to amend the police pension ordinance to reflect the $250 service increment for officers retiring after 30 years of service.

     

6.      PAVER-LAID SEAL/LEVELING COURSE, GRADUATION “B” (NOVACHIP) - MICRO-SURFACING – TYPE “A” – AND COLD RECYCLING BITUMINOUS BASE COURSE BID AWARDS

 

INFORMATION       

           

      The Public Services Director will bring bid information to the meeting.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the bids.

 

DISCUSSION

 

      Adams distributed the bid information to the Board and reviewed the numbers with the Board.  Adams recommended the bids be awarded to the low bidder of each project. 

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board awarded bids as follows:  Cold-in-place Recycling to Asphalt Paving Systems for $207,330.32; Nova Chip to Asphalt Maintenance Solutions for $106,732.91; and Type “A” Microsurfacing to E. J. Breneman for $150,168.57.

 

7.   APPROVAL OF HRP ASSOCIATIONS AGREEMENT

 

INFORMATION       

     

      The Board previously approved the agreement and the solicitor requested changes be made.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the agreement with changes and authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Bruno said HRP is the environmental company we are hiring for the Remaly property.  Bruno said this was previously discussed and the contract is now in a form to execute.

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the HRP agreement.

 

8.   APPROVAL OF HEALTHWAYS WHOLEHEALTH NETWORKS, INC. AGREEMENT

 

INFORMATION       

           

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the Healthways Wholehealth Networks agreement.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Anckaitis said this is a network where we will become one of their network organizations.  Anckaitis said it will allow seniors to come to our community center, and their insurance company will pay our fee, provided we give a 25% discount.  Anckaitis said we already give a 25% discount to seniors.  Anckaitis said the agreement states that we agree to be part of the network so individuals who have this benefit through their insurance company can participate at our community center.

     

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the Healthways Wholehealth Networks, Inc. agreement.

 

      Colver said before we jump into public comment we’ve asked the Road Department Superintendent, Scott Kistler, to come give us an update on the new sinkhole on Beaver Lane.  Kistler said back in January the water company had a water main break about 100 feet away from where the sinkhole is today.  Last week a resident reported a sag in the street, we evaluated and called the water company, the water company found no break.  Kistler said at 6:00 a.m. this morning, Easton Suburban Water Authority called to say that there was a water main break and numerous sinkholes opened up.  Kistler said there is a large sinkhole about 150 feet long by 30 feet wide across the street on an angle.  The sewer department lost their sewer main.  Kistler said Chrin was called in to stabilize and the geotechnical engineer, Tim Martin, was also on site all day.  Kistler said we are trying to find bedrock and we are working in a cost sharing effort with the water company to fix the situation.  Kistler said two eyes have been found, one probed to 25 feet and we put 30 cubic yards of concrete in.  We are now probing the second hole and are down 15 feet.  Martin feels we are near the eye and called in for 22 cubic yards of concrete.  Once filled, we will re-lay the sewer line and water main.  Kistler said all residents that had no water have now been restored.  About 14 to 16 homes were without water.  Lammi asked about the sewer service.  Kistler said they plugged a manhole and are pumping it out every couple of hours and transferring to other manholes.  Kistler said gas lines aren’t in the street in this neighborhood, it’s in the right of way.  Kistler said the gas company has no concern for their gas lines at this time.  Colver said what they have accomplished today is no small feat.  Adams said tremendous progress has been made today.  Lammi said we’ve learned to expect tremendous progress when the township’s employees and the water company are working together.  Colver thanked Kistler for all the work and for coming in with an update.

 

9.   PUBLIC COMMENT

 

      Ron Grimsby, 337 Springfield Way, asked for an update on his problem.  Bruno said an appeals board meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. on April 16 at the Palmer Library.  Bruno said letters will be mailed out tomorrow.  Grimsby said as stated in the Pennsylvania Construction Code I handed to you last week, I’m hopeful you will have the state come in and review the codes to make sure inspectors are up-to-date and trained as they are required by code.  Lammi said our code department is certified by the state.  They are in full compliance with the UCC.  Lammi said because of one issue you want us to have the state review the code.  Lammi said the process being followed is part of the code.   

 

      Bob Gumlock, 109 Berks Street, asked for an update on the Berks Street project.  Gumlock apologized he can’t make the planning meeting that is held on Tuesday nights.  Adams said April 16th  they will work between Moore and Freemansburg and a proposed detour will be set up for Berks and Carbon Streets.  Adams said they will be installing storm sewer and water lines at that time and it will last about three weeks. 

 

      Corporal Tom Cardell thanked the Board for consideration on the police pension issues discussed tonight.

                 

10. REPORTS

     

                        Solicitor

·        Bruno had a proposed resolution for acceptance of property owned by Lee and Lucille Mearhoff related to the Greenwood Avenue project.  It is to accept deed from them for 2,160 square feet of right-of-way.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the resolution. 

 

      Township Manager

·        Anckaitis had one personnel item for executive session.

 

Public Services Director

·        Adams handed out the detour plan for Berks Street.

·        Adams said we need some right-of-way and temporary easements related to the Greenwood Avenue extension from Mr. & Mrs. Gotto.  Adams said we will need authority from the Board to create the necessary paperwork.  Bruno reviewed the area where the property is located.  Bruno said this area was laid out on a subdivision plan as property used for public use.  Bruno said the laws state ownership reverts to adjoining property owners after a certain period of time but the Gotto’s don’t want to claim ownership even though they have that right.  Bruno said so we don’t have a voluntary situation where they are willing to sign.  Bruno said we will need authorization for the solicitor to start documents for taking of the property.  Bruno said after documentation is processed the township will own the property and if it is not contested within 30 days, work can then begin to take place.    On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Solicitor to begin the necessary paperwork related to the right-of-way and easements at the Gotto property.

 

      Police Lieutenant

·        Young thanked the pension board members and the Board of Supervisors for their consideration of pension issues discussed tonight.

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. with  one personnel item for executive session.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager