PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

OCTOBER 23, 2007

A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, October 23, 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, 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 – OCTOBER 15, 2007 AND OCTOBER 23, 2007

INFORMATION

The report will be provided at the meeting.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the disbursement of funds for October 15, 2007, and October 23, 2007.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – OCTOBER 1, 2007

DISCUSSION

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the minutes for October 1, 2007.

4. VILLAGES AT MILL RACE, PHASES 2, 3, & 4, ESCROW RELEASES

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove escrow releases for Phases 2, 3, & 4 for the Villages at Mill Race.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the Villages at Mill Race, Phase II, escrow release #10, in the amount of $7,004.00.

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the Villages at Mill Race, Phase III, escrow release #6, in the amount of $25,928.69.

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the Villages at Mill Race, Phase IV, escrow release #3, in the amount of $33,029.81.

5. PENNSYLVANIA UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION RELIEF FROM CHARGES AND NOTICE OF SOLVENCY FEE ELECTION

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove paying the Pennsylvania unemployment solvency fee for 2008. Last year the Board approved paying the solvency fee for 2007 in the amount of $4,395.66.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved paying the 2008 Pennsylvania unemployment solvency fee for 2008 in the amount of $4,862.48.

6. STATE AID DISTRIBUTION AUTHORIZATION

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove deposits of $18,310.32 of state aid to the non-uniformed pension fund and $295,916.00 of state aid to the uniformed pension fund. Total state aid received September 27, 2007 is $314,226.32. 2007 MMO’s are: non-uniformed = $275,572.00 and uniformed = $295,916.00.

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved depositing $18,310.32 of the state aid check into the non-uniformed pension fund with the balance of the MMO coming out of the general fund, sewer fund, and community center fund, and $295,916.00 into the uniformed pension fund.

7. HIGHLAND PARK ROAD AND DRAINAGE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT – PROPOSED NEW AND RELOCATED TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGN LOCATIONS

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove a total of one new stop sign and three relocated stop signs at the following three intersections:

1. New stop sign at Moore Street and Grandview Drive intersection

2. Relocated stop signs at Moore Street and Carbon Street intersection

3. Relocated stop sign at Grandview Drive and Wayne Street intersection

DISCUSSION

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the board approved the new stop sign at Moore Street and Grandview Drive; relocation of the stop signs at Moore Street and Carbon Street; and relocation of the stop sign at Grandview Drive and Wayne Street.

8. 2008 POLICE SERVICE RATES

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the 2008 police service rates, Palmer Park Mall police service rates, and the Easton Area School District police service rates.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the 2008 police service rates as follows: $45.00 per hour; Palmer Park Mall police service rate $41.60 per hour; Easton Area School District police service rate $34.00 per hour; when services include the use of a police vehicle there will be an additional $12/per hour charge.

9. TOWNSHIP ENGINEER CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE

INFORMATION

The township engineer will update the Board on the status of all capital projects.

DISCUSSION

Brian Dillman was absent. Anckaitis said the final inspection of the Highland Park project was completed last week.

10. PUBLIC COMMENT

None

11. REPORTS

Solicitor

· Bruno had an extension agreement for Victoria Place Inc. requesting an extension until May 31, 2008, in order to complete their 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 agreement from NJ Pugliese Inc., Estates of Northwood, requesting an extension until May 31, 2008, to complete 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 agreement from Glenmoor Reality, Active Adult Community, requesting an extension until December 31, 2007, to complete their public improvements. On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension agreement.

· Bruno had an extension agreement from Charlotte Avenue Development LP, the Charlotte Avenue project, requesting an extension until April 23, 2008. On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension agreement.

· Bruno had four litigation items for executive session.

Manager

· Anckaitis had a signature card for one of the Lafayette Ambassador bank accounts that needed the Board member’s signatures.

· Anckaitis said a group at the Highlands of Glenmoor is holding a walk-a-thon on Veteran’s Day at 1 p.m. Anckaitis said the walk will be held within their complex and they will donate proceeds to veteran’s families in the Lehigh Valley that may be in need. Anckaitis said Representative Grucela is attending and they have extended an invitation to this Board to also participate. Anckaitis asked the Board members to let him know if anyone will be attending. Anckaitis said the walk is expected to take approximately 40 minutes and there will be a ten minute ceremony following the walk.

Planning Director

· Jensen said Strausser Enterprises, Inc. has requested the Board sign a street light resolution to have the street lights turned on in Hay Terrace South. Colver said we need to look at our ordinance to see if we can get streetlights turned on earlier, especially by the time people are occupying the homes. Bruno said we can stop granting extensions to make sure the street light process is underway. On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the street light resolution for three street lights; the intersection of 231 Hay Terrace and Kathryn Street, between 221 and 219 Hay Terrace, and at the intersection of 209 Hay Terrace and Kathryn Street.

· Jensen said the 2010 census process has started. Jensen said we had three options with option one being the most inclusive option. Jensen said we will be comparing their list to our list and note any changes. Jensen said a registration agreement needs to be signed by the Chairman of the Board.

· Jensen asked if there were any questions regarding the November Zoning Hearing Board agenda. There were none.

Public Services Director

· Adams reminded the Board about the opening ceremony for the bike path along the Bushkill Creek for this Friday at 12 noon.

· Adams said the final inspection for Highland Park took place last Friday but he wanted to note there is still about one and a half weeks of clean up work to be completed.

Police Chief

· Fretz said last week he made a presentation to the Kiwanis Club regarding upgrading and modernization of the police department. Lammi said the Chief did a great job with his presentation.

Supervisors

· Smith said the regular season of Palmer football has ended and every team is in the playoffs. Smith said the soccer program has four teams participating in playoffs.

· Lammi said at the Environmental Steering Committee (ESC) meeting last week there was discussion about the IDI warehouse development and there was concern from one resident. Lammi said the ESC sent this Board a letter that was received late today requesting a Geotechnical Engineer make a sinkhole assessment due to the IDI plan. Lammi asked if we asked Lower Nazareth to do a Geotechnical evaluation. Jensen said no. Lammi said it may be something we should ask them since it is something we would do if it was in our township. Bruno said if Lower Nazareth does not have it as a requirement in their township ordinance it may be difficult for us to request it from them. Anckaitis asked if it should be brought up by the Solicitor or Engineer at a Lower Nazareth meeting or if the board wanted a letter to be sent by the township staff. Lammi said he believes the Solicitor or Engineer could ask the question at a meeting which will make Lower Nazareth cognizant of the fact that we are concerned about the sinkhole situation across the area. Colver asked how deep Lower Nazareth was getting into planning issues since they are just in the conditional use process. Bruno said their response to planning questions is that they will comply with their township ordinance regarding all planning issues.

· Colver thanked the fire department for the mixer outing they held last night.

· Panella asked for an update on the opening of Hollo Road. Jensen said she has no new information. Jensen said she will make some telephone calls and call Panella with an update.

· Panella asked for the support of the Board of Supervisors in expressing the importance to Northampton County Council of Northampton County participating in a Regional Board of Health with Lehigh County.

On motion by Smith, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. with four litigation items for executive session.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager