PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

DECEMBER 26, 2007

 

      A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, December 26, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with four Supervisors in attendance.  Chairman Dave Colver was absent.  The Public Services Director, Police Lieutenant, Solicitor, and Attorney Schlottman were in attendance.   The Township Manager was absent.  Tom DiMartini from the Morning Call and Colin McEvoy from the Express Times represented the news media.  Vice-Chairman Lammi convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag. 

 

2.   APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – DECEMBER 26, 2007

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The report will be provided at the meeting.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the disbursement of funds for December 26, 2007. 

 

3.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES – NOVEMBER 17, 2007

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Bruno noted on page 3, under public comment, the first name was missing for the Guzman comment.

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the minutes for November 17, 2007 with the above change.

     

4.      DISCUSSION OF THE PALMER TOWNSHIP POLICE PENSION FUND

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board will receive a recommendation from the Palmer Township Police Pension Board regarding whether or not to give a cost of living increase to the retirees in the Palmer Township Police Pension Plan.  The Board will then discuss the recommendation and make a decision.

DISCUSSION

 

      Mitchell said the Police Pension Board met earlier tonight and agreed to recommend a 1.5% COLA increase for retirees in 2008.

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized a 1.5% cost of living increase for the police retirees effective January 1, 2008 conditioned upon a favorable actuarial evaluation.

 

5.      POLICE PENSION FUND MEMBER CONTRIBUTION RESOLUTION

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the annual resolution eliminating member contributions to the police pension plan for 2008.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the police pension resolution eliminating member contributions for 2008. 

     

6.      RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A TAX LEVY

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove a resolution fixing the tax rate for the year 2008.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the ordinance establishing the tax rate for 2008 at 5.50 mills.

 

7.      RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2008 BUDGET

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove a resolution adopting the 2008 budget.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the ordinance of the 2008 budget in the amount of $13,859,670.00.

 

8.   2008 SALARY SCHEDULE

 

      INFORMATION

 

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the 2008 salary schedule for non-uniform employees.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the 2008 salary schedule.

 

9.      BUSINESS PRIVILEGE LICENSE FEE ORDINANCE

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the ordinance changing the license fee amount to $25 and changing the annual renewal dates to run on a calendar year for all licenses. 

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the business privilege tax ordinance. 

 

10.  LOCAL SERVICES TAX ORDINANCE

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the ordinance.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the local services tax ordinance.

 

11.  ANNOUNCEMENT OF REORGANIZATION MEETINGS

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Palmer Township Board of Supervisors annual reorganization meeting will be held on Monday, January 7, 2008, at 7:00 pm, in the Community Room of the Palmer Library.

 

      The Board of Auditors will meet on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, at 7:00 pm in the Small Conference Room of the Palmer Library.

 

      The Palmer Planning Commission reorganization meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, at 7:00 pm and all regular meetings will be held the second Tuesday of each month in the Community Room of the Palmer Library at 7:00 pm.

 

      The Recreation Board meetings will be held the third Tuesday of each month, in the Community Room, of the Palmer Library at 7:30 pm.

     

      The Shade Tree Commission meetings will be held the last Monday of each month in the Community Room, of the Palmer Library at 6:30 pm.

 

      The Environmental Steering Committee reorganization meeting will be held on Thursday, January 17, 2008, at 7:00 pm and all meetings thereafter will be held on the third Thursday of the month, excluding December, in the Conference Room of the Palmer Municipal Building. 

 

      The Palmer Library is located at 1 Weller Place, Palmer, PA.

 

12.  ANNOUNCEMENT OF CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING DATES

 

      INFORMATION

 

      Christmas tree recycling will take place January 7th through January 25th.  Trees are to be placed curbside on regular trash days.

 

13.  APPROVAL OF WALKER BROTHERS CIRCUS CONTRACT

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The solicitor has reviewed the contract.  The Board needs to authorize the Chairman to sign the contract.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved and authorized the Chairman to sign the Walker Brothers Circus contract.

 

14.  DISABILITY PENSION APPROVAL

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board must approve/disapprove the monthly disability pension benefit of $2,141.24 for Officer Jill Siegfried.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the disability pension for Jill Siegfried in the amount of $2,141.24 per month.

 

15.  PARKS DEPARTMENT NEW HIRE APPROVAL

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board must approve/disapprove the hiring of the new Parks Department employee effective January 2, 2008 instead of April 1, 2008.  The new hire will work with the Road Department until April 2008 to fill in for an employee who is out on short term disability.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the hiring of the new Parks Department employee for January 2, 2008.

 

16. PUBLIC COMMENT

 

      None   

       

17. REPORTS

       

Solicitor

·        Bruno had one litigation item for executive session.

 

      Supervisors

·        Lammi said we received a recycling performance grant in the amount of $146,552.  Lammi said he believes the township can continue to improve on recycling which will continue to increase this number.

·        Lammi said since it is the last meeting of the year he would like to thank the staff for what they have done.  Lammi said he is always impressed with the employees and volunteers that work for the township.  Lammi wished his colleagues a happy and prosperous new year. 

·        Panella and Mitchell wished everyone a happy new year.

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. with one litigation item for executive session.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager