PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

REORGANIZATION/GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

JANUARY 7, 2008

 

      A reorganization/general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with all Supervisors in attendance.  Also in attendance were the Director of Public Services and Police Chief.  The Township Manager and Township Solicitor were absent. Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag. 

 

2.      SWEARING IN OF RE-ELECTED OFFICIALS – ROBERT LAMMI AND MICHAEL MITCHELL

 

District Magistrate Ralph Litzenberger swore in re-elected Township Supervisors, Robert A. Lammi and K. Michael Mitchell to six year terms.

 

3.      MEETING TURNED OVER TO TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN WHO WILL CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR CHAIRMAN

 

Colver turned the meeting over to Temporary Chairman Robert Lammi who called for nominations for Chairman for the year 2008.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, David E. Colver was nominated as Chairman for 2008.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, nominations for Chairman were closed and David E. Colver was voted in as Chairman for 2008.

 

4.   NEWLY-ELECTED CHAIRMAN WILL CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR VICE-CHAIRMAN

 

Temporary Chairman Lammi then turned the meeting over to re-elected Chairman David E. Colver.  Colver then called for nominations for Vice Chairman.  On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, Robert A. Lammi was nominated as Vice Chairman for 2008.  On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, nominations for Vice Chairman were closed and Robert A. Lammi was voted in as Vice Chairman for 2008.

 

5.   APPOINT SECRETARY AND TREASURER

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Township Manager recommends he be appointed as secretary/treasurer.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board appointed Robert Anckaitis, Township Manager, as Secretary/Treasurer for 2008.

 

6.      ESTABLISH AMOUNT OF TREASURER’S BOND

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to establish the amount of the treasurer’s bond for 2008.  The current amount is $3 million.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board voted to establish the treasurer bond at $3 million for 2008.

 

7.   APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – JANUARY 7, 2008

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The report will be provided at the meeting.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the disbursement of funds for January 7, 2008.

 

8.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES – DECEMBER 26, 2007

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by four, the Board voted to approve the minutes of December 26, 2007.  Colver abstained because he was absent at the December 26, 2007 meeting.

 

9.   DISCUSSION OF 2008 ASSIGNMENTS

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the following assignments:

 

Planning Liaison – Robert A. Lammi

Recreation Board Liaison – Robert Smith

Suburban EMS Liaison – Mike Mitchell

Palmer Municipal Fire Department LiaisonDavid E. Colver

Shade Tree Commission Liaison – Ann-Marie Panella

Environmental Steering Committee Liaison – Robert Lammi

Township Engineer – to appoint J. Scott Pidcock as Township Engineer

Sewage Enforcement Officer – to appoint Ronald Gawlik, Jeffrey Matyus, and Scott Beiber.

Township Solicitor – to appoint Charles Bruno as Township Solicitor

Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor – will be appointed by Zoning Hearing Board at a fee of $120.00 per hour.

Earned Income Tax Collectors – to reappoint Brenda DeLong as Earned Income Tax Collector and Diane DeYoung, Sheri Young, and Nancy Mendres as her assistants for the year 2008.

Vacancy Board – to appoint Virginia Rickert to the Vacancy Board.  Said Board exists and is used to break a tie if one exists due to a vacancy on the Board of Supervisors.

Township Physician – Coordinated Health Systems, 400 S. Greenwood Avenue, Palmer, PA.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the 2008 assignments as listed above.

 

10. DISCUSSION TO APPROVE LAFAYETTE AMBASSADOR BANK TO HANDLE ALL TOWNSHIP FUNDS

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove Lafayette Ambassador Bank to handle all Township funds.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve Lafayette Ambassador Bank to handle all township funds for 2008.

 

11. DISCUSSION TO APPOINT ALL SUPERVISORS AS ROAD MASTERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS AT A RATE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE AUDITORS

 

INFORMATION       

     

      The Board must approve/disapprove the appointment of all supervisors as road masters and superintendents at a rate to be determined by the auditors.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board voted to appoint all supervisors as road masters and superintendents at a rate to be determined by the auditors.

 

12. DISCUSSION OF REAPPOINTMENTS TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the reappointment of Ron Grandinetti to a four-year term on the Planning Commission, term to expire 12/31/11. 

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board voted to reappoint Ron Grandinetti to a four-year term on the Planning Commission, term to expire 12/31/11.  

 

13. DISCUSSION OF REAPPOINTMENT TO THE ZONING HEARING BOARD

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the reappointment of Charles Roseberry to a three-year term on the Zoning Hearing Board, term to expire 12/31/10.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board voted to reappoint Charles Roseberry to a three-year term on the Zoning Hearing Board, term to expire 12/31/10.

 

14. DISCUSSION OF REAPPOINTMENT TO THE RECREATION BOARD

 

INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to appoint a new member to a five-year term on the Recreation Board, term to expire 12/31/12. 

 

      DISCUSSION

     

      Colver stated Charles Bellis resigned his position on the Recreation Board.  Smith said both applications received are from two very good people.  Smith said Mr. Webb informed him about a year ago he would be interested in an opportunity if one became available on the Recreation Board.  Smith recommended the Board appoint Bill Webb to the vacant term on the Recreation Board.

 

On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board voted to appoint Bill Webb to a five-year term on the Recreation Board, term to expire 12/31/12.

 

15. DISCUSSION OF REAPPOINTMENT TO THE PALMER MUNICIPAL SEWER AUTHORITY

 

INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the reappointment of Jack Corcoran to a five-year term on the Palmer Municipal Sewer Authority, term to expire 12/31/12.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to reappoint Jack Corcoran to a five-year term on the Palmer Municipal Sewer Authority, term to expire 12/31/12.

 

16.  DISCUSSION OF REAPPOINTMENT TO THE SHADE TREE COMMISSION

 

INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the reappointment of Gordon Santee to a five-year term on the Shade Tree Commission, term to expire 12/31/12.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board voted to reappoint Gordon Santee to a five-year term on the Shade Tree Commission, term to expire 12/31/12.

 

17. DISCUSSION OF APPOINTMENT OF THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR

 

INFORMATION       

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the reappointment of Delmar Grube as Emergency Management Director for 2008.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Colver, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board reappointed Delmar Grube as the Emergency Management Director for 2008.

 

18. DISCUSSION OF THE MEETING DATES AND TIMES FOR THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS FOR 2008

 

INFORMATION

 

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the meeting dates for 2008 as follows:  regular meetings of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors will be held the first and third Mondays of each month at 7:00 p.m. prevailing time and also on the fourth Tuesday following the first Monday at 7:00 p.m. prevailing time. Exceptions will be made if a legal holiday observed by the township falls on the same date, the scheduled meeting will be held the next day at the same time. Any special meetings will be duly advertised as required by law. Meetings will be held in the Community Room, Palmer Branch of the Easton Area Public Library, 1 Weller Place, Palmer, PA.       

 

19. DISCUSSION OF APPOINTMENT OF VOTING DELEGATE AT 2008 STATE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONVENTION

 

INFORMATION

 

The Board needs to appoint a voting delegate for the 2008 State Association Annual Convention.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board voted to appoint Robert Lammi as the voting delegate at the 2008 State Association Annual Convention.

 

20. DISCUSSION OF HOLIDAYS

 

INFORMATION

 

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the following holidays for 2008:

 

New Year’s Day – Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Good Friday – Friday, March 21

Memorial Day – Monday, May 26

4th of July – Friday, July 4

Labor Day – Monday, September 1

Veteran’s Day – Tuesday, November 11

Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 27

Day after Thanksgiving Day – Friday, November 28

Christmas Day – Thursday, December 25

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the holidays as listed for the year 2008.

 

21. ANNOUNCEMENT OF REORGANIZATION MEETING OF THE BOARD OF AUDITORS AND PLANNING COMMISSION

INFORMATION

 

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

 

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

 

22. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CENTER FOR ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE CONTRACT

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove entering into a contract with The Animal Health and Welfare Shelter for 2008.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign The Animal Health and Welfare Shelter agreement for 2008.

 

23. PUBLIC COMMENT

 

      None

 

24. REPORTS

 

      Public Services Director

·        Adams said he received a request from the Highland Park contractor, Imperial Excavating.  Adams said during bidding of the project the contractor counted inlets; however, there is a water quality inlet that is larger than a typical inlet and it was not accounted for in the contractor’s original bid.  Adams said the contractor is requesting consideration for possible payment of the additional item by the township.  Adams said the cost is $21,200.  Adams said it took the contractor two extra days to install the inlet.  Colver asked if it was installed and working properly.  Adams said yes.  Colver said he did not think the township wants to get in the habit of going back and covering things like this.  The contractors are responsible for bidding the entire project.  The Board agreed the contractor should have included the cost in their initial bid and the township cannot cover the cost at this time.

 

      Police Chief

·        Fretz said the police department went live on December 19th with their new computer system.  Fretz said the system is working well with a few bugs that they will be working through.

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. with no items for executive session.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager