PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

FEBRUARY 4, 2008

A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, February 4, 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, Police Chief, Township Solicitor, and Attorney Christy Schlottman. The Township Manager was absent. Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag.

2. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – FEBRUARY 4, 2008

INFORMATION

The report will be provided at the meeting.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the disbursement of funds for February 4, 2008.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 29, 2008

DISCUSSION

Bruno submitted his corrections to the Board prior to the meeting and they were approved. Colver asked to clarify the last paragraph on page two to read as follows: “Jensen said Base Engineering did the site plan and The Pidcock Company inspects the site plan. Jensen said an independent architect did the building plan and Base Engineering will inspect that work”. Colver corrected the amount of the grant he reported in his supervisor report to $17,800, and also added he thanked Commissioner Grube for obtaining the grant.

On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the minutes of January 29, 2008, with the above changes.

4. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PALMER TOWNSHIP POLICE PENSION FUND

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the ordinance amending the Palmer Township Police Pension ordinance.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the police pension ordinance increasing the service increment benefit for retired police officers with 30 years of service.

5. DESTRUCTION OF RECORDS RESOLUTION

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the resolution for destruction of old township records .

DISCUSSION

On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the resolution to destroy old township records.

6. PUBLIC COMMENT

Art Feinberg, 4040 Green Pond Road, said before the community center was built he attended a meeting where they discussed placing a berm with trees to protect the neighboring homes. Feinberg asked if it would be built. Colver said the center took a little longer, cost a bit more, and the public fundraising fell short of what was expected. Colver said the next projects the township must complete are the road improvements required by Penndot. Colver said we have publicly bid the project and it will be started this spring. Colver said a grant was applied for last year for planting of trees at the center and we were awarded that grant. Colver said he believes the grant was for $10,000 and the planting will be completed this year. Colver said things are in motion but not as quickly as you would hope. Colver said work should begin in April. Feinberg asked how may trees would be planted and asked where they would be placed. Colver said he was told it would cost about $250 per installed tree and he would estimate about 30 to 40 trees. Feinberg asked if there was a minimum height of the trees. Colver said he did not know that.

7. REPORTS

Solicitor

· Bruno said the roads in Somerset Village have been completed, inspected, and approved for some time now. Bruno said the developer is running into a problem where they want to go into their maintenance period but they have not been able to get information from the Diocese of Allentown. Bruno said we met with the developer last week and reviewed some issues with snow removal and a knocked down street light that was removed from the development. Bruno said the developer would like to ask the township to consider allowing them to enter into their maintenance period with a retroactive date of April 1, 2007, since the roads were inspected and approved back in April. Bruno read a letter from Attorney Margle outlining their request. Bruno said if the Board is okay with this concept he would put the necessary resolutions together for the next Board of Supervisors meeting. Panella said this would set precedence for other developers. Colver said there are many developers that drag their feet on completing their requirements and it takes years to get into their maintenance period. Colver said every other developer has the same issues. Colver and Mitchell said they did not like allowing it to be retroactive. The Board agreed. Bruno asked if the Board would like it placed on the next Board of Supervisors planning meeting. The Board said that would be fine. Bruno said he would have information for that meeting.

Public Services Director

· Adams said the doors and frames at the Palmer field house are rotting out and he feels they need to be repaired. Adams presented a proposal to the Board and said the repair work was not included in the budget. Adams said it would cost $1,900 for labor and $1,830 for materials, for a total of $3,730. On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the repair.

· Adams had HVAC preventative maintenance contracts that needed to be signed. Adams said one contract is from Metz for the Municipal Building and the other township buildings would be done through Landmark. Colver ask why two different contractors. Adams said Landmark came in high for the municipal building and Metz has been our sole contractor in municipal building since day one. Adams said the totals are under budget for 2008. No motion was necessary since it was a budgeted item.

Police Chief

· Chief Fretz said he attending a meeting last week with the school district regarding a memorandum of understanding with surrounding municipalities related to mutual agreement of policies and procedures between police departments and the school district. Fretz said this is standard protocol and the last time it was done was in 2001. Fretz said it is revisited every few years. Colver asked how it would work if we helped the Wilson School District. Fretz said there is state statute that covers mutual aid.

Supervisors

· Smith had one personnel issue for executive session.

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. with one personnel item for executive session.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager