PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING
NOVEMBER 5, 2007
A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, November 5, 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. Colin McEvoy from the Express Times represented the news media. Chairman Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag.
2. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – November
5, 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 November 5, 2007.
3.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – OCTOBER 23, 2007
DISCUSSION
Bruno noted the word “information” was spelled incorrectly on page two.
On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the minutes for October 23, 2007, with the above change.
4. MANDY
PARTNERS REZONING REQUEST
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove entertaining the rezoning request.
DISCUSSION
Bruno said a letter was received from the
developer requesting the Board consider rezoning approximately 30 acres on
Marty Cohen, a partner in Mandy Partners,
and Marc Brookman a partner with the law firm of Duane Morris were present. Brookman said the total acreage is a little
under 36 acres. Brookman said one parcel
is 30.31 acres and the other is 5.5 acres.
Brookman reviewed a plan of the parcels and explained the location. Brookman said they are requesting the Board
consider 186 garden units for the property and 28 of the units would have
garage spaces. Brookman said the
property would include a 3,000 square foot clubhouse with tennis courts and
outdoor lawn activities. Brookman said
the site has not been engineered yet, but it has been reviewed by an
engineer. Brookman said Mandy Partners
has owned the property for 20 years and they believe rezoning the property to HDR
would generate less traffic than if a retail center went in. Brookman said they also believe it would
transition well from the retail site to HDR and then the property to their east
is MDR. Brookman also noted that a sewer
interceptor is on site and public water is readily available.
Colver asked if their site plan shows the
Schoeneck Creek. Colver said in the past
there was some issue about crossing the creek.
Brookman said there will still be a creek crossing with minimal
impact. Lammi said he believes the creek
crossing is more of a drainage swale.
Colver asked if
On
motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board agreed to entertain
the petition to rezone the property of Mandy Partners, parcels K8-10A5-0324 and
K8-11-3-0324, conditioned upon the developer setting up an escrow account in
the amount of $10,000 and the developer submitting a land development plan
setting forth their intended development to run concurrent with the rezoning
request.
5.
DISCUSSION REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL STEERING
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove the ordinance.
DISCUSSION
Lammi said at the Environmental Steering
Committee (ESC) meeting last month Ms. Jodz was in attendance who is a resident
from the
Ginger Buchser, Newburg Road, thanked
everyone for being here and for helping the residents. Buchser said we need experts to question
Richard Tucker,
Colver asked if there has been any
discussion with Tim Martin, our geotechnical expert, about what they could
offer us on this situation. Lammi said
not to his knowledge. Lammi said he
feels the township staff should do this.
Buchser said
Pat McPherson,
Manus Smith, 2723 Newburg Road, said he is
concerned about air pollution from exhaust of the trucks. Smith said he asked the
Bonito Jodz,
Colver said the township staff will
contact our township geotechnical engineer to see what he suggests. Lammi asked the township planner to set up a meeting
with our geotechnical engineer to give him information and see what he can add.
6.
ORDINANCE TO APPROVE, ADOPT, AND ENACT CODIFICATION
OF TOWNSHIP CODE
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove the ordinance.
DISCUSSION
Anckaitis
said this ordinance ratifies the codification of the township ordinances.
On
motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the
ordinance to codify the township code.
7. LA
INFORMATION
The Board needs to approve/disapprove the planning module postcard exemption.
DISCUSSION
On
motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the
planning module postcard exemption for LA Fitness Center.
8. RESOLUTION TO
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove the street light resolution.
DISCUSSION
On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella,
and agreed by all, the Board approved the resolution to upgrade the street
light at
9. WALTER’S DAM AND
CONCRETE BID AWARDS
INFORMATION
Bids were opened on November 1. The Director of Public Services will bring
bid information to the meeting. The
Board needs to approve/disapprove the bid recommendations.
DISCUSSION
On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell,
and agreed by all, the Board awarded the bid for the Walter’s Dam Repair to low
bidder Grace Industries, Inc., in the amount of $22,910.
On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella,
and agreed by all, the Board awarded the bid for concrete curbing to low bidder
Northeast Concrete of Stroudsburg, PA, for $20 per lineal foot.
10. TWO RIVERS COUNCIL
OF GOVERNMENTS PUBLIC SERVICE EMERGENCY AGREEMENT
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove the agreement.
DISCUSSION
Lammi
said some time ago we entered into an agreement with the City of
On
motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the
Chairman to sign the Two Rivers Council of Government Public Service Emergency
Agreement.
11. REQUEST TO
ADVERTISE NO HUNTING ORDINANCE
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove advertising the ordinance.
DISCUSSION
Anckaitis
said the Board should discuss whether you want to do this in the township. Anckaitis said every year we get four or five
people who complain they see someone with a rifle or bow along the bike path,
and there is concern about people hunting on township property. Anckaitis said we posted no hunting signs in the
area but feel an ordinance should be enacted to support our postings. Lammi asked wouldn’t our ordinance not
allowing firearms to be discharged in the township cover this. Fretz said we cannot regulate hunting with a
firearm. Archery is different. Fretz said you can restrict hunting on your
property and the game commission establishes safety zones around buildings and
houses. Mitchell asked who authorized the
posting. Anckaitis said he had it posted
since we had residents express concern.
Colver said we are talking about township land along the bike path down near
On
motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized
the Solicitor to advertise the “no hunting on township property” ordinance.
12. PUBLIC COMMENT
Susan and Catherine Wright, 110 Blenheim, said
they live in Old Orchard and see many deer in their backyard. Wright said there is not just small game back
there.
Dr. Taverna,
13. REPORTS
Solicitor
·
Bruno had an extension request from Prologis asking
for an extension of time until October 31, 2008, to be able 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 request.
·
Bruno had an extension request from Charles
Chrin regarding Parkview Estates, Phase 3, requesting an extension of time
until November 30, 2007 to enter into their maintenance period. On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell,
and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension
request.
·
Bruno had four litigation items for executive
session.
Manager
·
Anckaitis had one personnel item for executive
session.
Public Services Director
·
Supervisors
· Smith said the football teams will be playing in their super bowl games. Smith said the soccer program entered seven teams into the soccer playoffs this past weekend and four teams made it into the finals.
· Smith said the soccer program would like to run an instructional program in the winter at the community center when there will be no conflict with other program scheduling. Smith said they will use a low bounce Brazilian soccer ball. Smith said in the past this Board said no soccer balls kicked in the gyms. Smith said the ball will not damage the walls. Anckaitis said he saw the ball and kicked it around. Anckaitis said if adults were kicking it in the gyms he would not recommend it, but the oldest kids will be 10 years old and he didn’t think a kid that age could kick it and make any damage. Anckaitis said this only approves this one program. Smith made a motion to approve the instructional soccer program for kids 10 years and under, using a low velocity ball. The motion was seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all.
· Lammi said he had the opportunity to take some pictures walking down the Bushkill Creek bike path and he was blown away at how beautiful it is. Lammi said the job the contractor, public works department, and parks department did on the path is great.
On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m. with one personnel and four litigation items for executive session.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert G. Anckaitis
Township Manager