PALMER
TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
GENERAL
BUSINESS MEETING
FEBRUARY
18, 2008
A
general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held
on Monday, February 18, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer
Library with four Supervisors in attendance.
Bob Lammi was absent. Also in
attendance were the Township Manager, Director of Public Services, Police
Chief, Township Solicitor, and Attorney Christy Schlottman. Colver convened the meeting and led those
present in the Pledge to the Flag.
Colver
announced that an executive session was held on February 7, 2008 at noon in the
2. APPROVAL
OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – FEBRUARY 18, 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 18, 2008.
3. APPROVAL
OF MINUTES – FEBRUARY 4, 2008
DISCUSSION
On
motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to
approve the minutes of February 4, 2008.
4. PLANNING ITEMS DISCUSSION REGARDING
INFORMATION
See
recommendation letter from the Township Planning Director.
DISCUSSION
Dillman
said the lot grading plan has been before this Board before. Dillman said the purpose is to try and forestall
grading problems around houses where builders might alter drainage areas. Dillman gave some examples of problems over
the past few years regarding grading problems in developments. Dillman said we want to make sure this Board agrees
with the grading plan, and if so would like you to authorize the solicitor to
formalize the process. Bruno asked if
this is something you want developers to comply with when they do their
subdivision plan. Dillman said it would
need to be completed prior to them receiving building permit approval. Bruno said it may not revise the subdivision
and land development ordinance (SALDO) but be a stand alone ordinance. The Board agreed to move forward with the
ordinance.
Gil
Greene,
Dillman said regarding
security for improvements they have developed a document to give to developers
at pre-construction conferences that explains the process of receiving security
releases. Dillman said this is something
that would be added into the developer’s improvements agreement. Dillman said it formalizes an existing
process by informing the developer up-front.
Bruno said some concepts are suitable for ordinance amendments in SALDO
and some relate more to improvements agreements. Bruno said there are a couple ways to
accomplish the process. Dillman said we
are working within the framework of the MPC and want to make sure the township
is protected. The Board agreed with proceeding
in the process.
Dillman said the
third item to discuss is related to the inspection process. Dillman said we have been distributing to
developers and contractors documents regarding construction specifications and
details. Dillman said this is in a
booklet format which puts all the information out there for the developers and
contractors. Dillman said it keeps
everyone at the same level regarding all improvements needed in the township. Dillman said we are giving this document to
developers at the pre-construction conference.
Bruno said he will see what the current SALDO says related to these
documents.
Mitchell asked who will
do the inspections on the grading plans.
Dillman said we will be out at three different touch points. Dillman said with this process the developer will
know what they have to do and they will need to have the project surveyed to
show the house is at the correct location.
Mitchell asked who goes out in the field to make sure it is
happening. Dillman said his guys will be
inspecting it. Colver asked if there is
a problem, who holds the hammer – the township or the
engineer. Dillman said the building
permits and occupancy permits will not be awarded by the township if there is a
problem. Mitchell was concerned about
liability to the township. Bruno said
the township is taking on one extra step and Mitchell’s concern is the
liability it may cause the township.
On motion by Smith,
seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the solicitor to work
with the engineer’s office to make the necessary amendments to township
ordinances and resolutions regarding the above three items discussed.
5. SMITH BARNEY POLICE PENSION FUND PRESENTATION
INFORMATION
Chris
Englebert from Smith Barney will review the performance of the police pension
fund.
DISCUSSION
Mike Glovas and
Dan Reitz presented the year end performance and strategy review for the police
pension plan.
6. TOWNSHIP AUDITOR
RESOLUTION
INFORMATION
The Board needs to
approve/disapprove the township auditor resolution appointing Palmer and
Company as the township auditor for 2007 records
DISCUSSION
On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella,
and agreed by all, the Board approved the township auditor resolution.
7. SURPLUS MATERIAL BID AWARDS
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove the bid awards.
DISCUSSION
Bids were advertised and opened on
February 11, 2008 for sale of township surplus equipment: 1980 Galion Roller, 1986 Swenson Tailgate
Salt Spreader, 1997 GMC Safari Van, and 1988 Meyers 8’ Snow Plow with mounting
frame.
On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell,
and agreed by all, the Board awarded bids to the following high bidders:
1980 Galion Roller – Devino Used Truck Parts for $557
1986 Swenson Tailgate Salt Spreader – William Hunara
$10
1997 GMC Safari Van – William Hunara $120
1988 Meyers 8’ Snow Plow with mounting frame – Richard
Pfauth Jr. $105.79
Colver asked the Public Services Director
in future bids to see what amount of money the township would receive by taking
the items to a junk yard for scrap.
Colver said it seems like some of these bids are so low that we could
possibly get more money for parts.
8. FIRE
DEPARTMENT SECURITY SYSTEM BID AWARD
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove the bid to the low bidder. Bids were received February 15, 2008 and a
recommendation will be brought to the meeting.
The Township Fire Commissioner obtained a grant for $17,800 from the
State of
DISCUSSION
Bids were opened on February 15, 2008 for
the installation of a closed circuit TV monitoring system at fire station #1
and #2.
On
motion by Colver, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board awarded
bids to the following sole bidder: ICU
Security, Inc., Easton, PA, for a base bid of $17,300, and alternate bid for
extra camera for fire station #1 for $500, and alternate bid for extra camera
for fire station #2 for $500, and $600 to cover internet access for the
computer system at fire station #1, for a total cost of $18,900.
9. PUBLIC
COMMENT
None
10. REPORTS
Police Chief
·
Chief Fretz said the monthly report that the
Board received was in a new format due to the new police department computer
system. Fretz said he gave the Board a
little bit of everything which is a lot of information. Fretz told the Board if there is certain information
they are looking for to let him know.
Supervisors
·
Colver said he wanted to thank Delmar Grube,
Fire Commissioner, who took the time to go out and acquire the grant for the
security systems in the fire stations.
·
Panella said she sent an email to Tom Adams,
Public Services Director, that said the township did a great job cleaning up
the ice storm last week.
On
motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the meeting was
adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Robert G. Anckaitis
Township Manager