PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

MAY 5, 2008

 

      A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, May 5, 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.  Madeline Mathias from the Morning Call represented the news media.  Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag. 

     

2.   APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – MAY 5, 2008

 

      INFORMATION

 

      The report will be provided at the meeting.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the disbursement of funds for May 5, 2008.

 

3.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES – APRIL 29, 2008

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Bruno added “the then current” to the second paragraph of page two where it referred to Planning Director Amanda Jensen, since the township now has a new Planning Director.  Bruno reworded the second sentence in the motion of the last paragraph of page two to read, “obtaining approval from the township regarding changing of occupancy in the office building in the event it differs from what is represented on the plan and at the meeting”.

 

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

 

4.   PROMOTION OF SERGEANT THOMAS TRINCHERE TO LIEUTENANT

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      Chief Fretz will present newly promoted Lieutenant Trinchere with his stripes.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Chief Fretz said as everyone knows Lieutenant Young retired April 30.  Fretz said when Lieutenant Trinchere went to pick up his new stripes earlier today the business was already closed.  Chief Fretz invited Tom’s wife Lori to the front of the room to pin on her husband’s new Lieutenant badge.    

 

5.      REQUEST FOR POSSIBLE CONDEMNATION

 

      INFORMATION       

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the request for possible condemnation.

 

      DISCUSSION

     

      Bruno read the letter he received from Attorney Davis regarding Verus Partners request for possible condemnation of a small piece of right-of-way property.  Bruno said the developer and the property owner are at an impasse regarding acquiring the strip of right-of-way needed for road improvements.  Bruno said they are asking this Board to consider possible condemnation.  Bruno said the costs associated with the condemnation would be paid for by the developer.  Elkins Wetherill, Sr. Vice President for Verus Partners, reviewed a plan with the Board that showed the area needed for the improvements.  Mitchell asked when the last contact was made with the property owner.  Wetherill said a week and a half ago.  Wetherill said the property owner seems to be confused about what is really being asked and he has fired his attorney and is in the process of acquiring a new attorney.  Colver confirmed the developer is widening the road an additional three feet, not a total of eight feet.  Wetherill said that is correct.

 

      Colver said he believes this Board is okay with the concept and would be willing to weigh in on the condemnation if there remains to be an impasse.  Colver recommended the developer go back to the property owner and let him know what was discussed tonight and give the property owner one last shot at reaching an agreement with the developer.

 

6.   CHARLES CHRIN COMMUNITY CENTER ACCESS ROAD AND SIDEWALK DISCUSSION

 

                  INFORMATION       

 

      The Board needs to make a decision regarding the second access road and sidewalks at the community center.

 

                  DISCUSSION

 

      Colver said the access road we are discussing is the road going out of the center to the west onto Bethman Road.  The road is already completed out to Bethman Road with the sign and lighting but the last 10 feet needs to be connected.  Colver said in the past there were some questions as to whether that access point should be completed.  Colver said the entrance is reflected on a Penndot Highway Occupancy Permit and has been approved by Bethlehem Township.  Colver said if we decide to change that now we will need to go back to Penndot and Bethlehem Township.  Colver said the other question is the sidewalks.  Mitchell said once the fields are completed you will need the two access points in order to get traffic in and out.  Colver said before Laubach Lane was approved to be closed and turned into a bike path we suggested a stop sign could possibly be added on Bethman Road.  Colver suggested if we need to go back to Bethlehem Township, let’s just go one time regarding both issues.  Lammi said he believes a sign could be added to the roadway warning drivers of the upcoming driveway.  Lammi said he does not want to see us go back to Penndot and Bethlehem Township saying we do not want the entrance.  Colver asked if we want to go to Bethlehem Township and ask them for a deferral on the sidewalks and ask them to lower the speed limit on Bethman Road.  Lammi asked Chief Fretz for his opinion.  Fretz said he believes that traffic will slow down on Bethman Road when the housing development is built out.  Fretz said he believes the second access is definitely needed because if there is an issue at the one access there is no other way in or out.

 

Colver recommended the township staff contact the Township Engineer to begin the procedure to ask Bethlehem Township for a deferral for the sidewalks on Green Pond and Bethman Roads and to ask them to consider lowering the speed limit on Bethman Road.

     

7.   CAPITAL PROJECTS FUNDING DISCUSSION

 

      INFORMATION       

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove having the Township Financial Consultant go out for proposals for new funding for the remaining capital projects.

 

      DISCUSSION

     

      Colver said the Township Manager provided the Board numbers that will be required to complete the Greenwood Avenue extension project, the Route 248/VanBuren Road project, and the community center frontage and HOP improvements.  Colver suggested we include a proposal for the Route 248/VanBuren Road project.  Colver said we can always remove that project after we see the proposals.  Lammi said that project will depend on what Penndot says.  Colver recommended the township have the township financial consultant, Gary Pulcini of Valco Capital, go out for proposals for $3 million. 

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved having Gary Pulcini, request proposals to borrow $3 million in order to complete the capital projects. 

 

8.   ROAD MATERIAL/WORK/RESURFACING BID AWARDS

 

      INFORMATION       

 

      Bids will be opened on Friday, May 2.  The Public Services Director will bring bid information and recommendations to the meeting.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the bid awards.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board approved awarding construction equipment rental with operator to the lowest bidders:  Pan Companies, Inc. and Schmauder Excavating, Inc., as recommended by the Public Services Director, as follows:

 

EQUIPMENT RENTAL

PAN COMPANIES, INC.

 

                                                                              HOURLY                                                 WEEKLY

 

Case 210N Excavator                                                        $150.00                                         $6,000.00

Case 160CX Excavator                                                      $125.00                                         $5,000.00

Case 160CX Excavator w/Vibratory Compactor                $160.00                                         $6,400.00

Case 210N Excavator w/Hydraulic Breaker                        $175.00                                         $7,000.00

Tandem Dump Truck                                                          $70.00                                                      $2,800.00

Triaxle Dump Truck                                                            $75.00                                                      $3,000.00

Note:  Minimum four (4) hour charge for equipment rental

 

 

EQUIPMENT RENTAL

SCHMAUDER EXCAVATING, INC.

 

Track Loader 963 - $160.00 per hour

Track Loader 953 - $130.00 per hour

Case 330 Excavator 80,000 lb - $175.00 per hour

Vibra-Max 10 Ton Roller - $80.00 per hour

John-Deere Backhoe - $80.00 per hour

     

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board approved awarding construction equipment rental without operator to low bidder Plasterer Equipment Company, Inc., as recommended by the Public Services Director, as follows:

 

                                                                              DAILY                        WEEKLY             MONTHLY  

605C Track Loader (1.63 cu yd)                                        $594.00                       $1,737.00              $5,202.00

655C Track Loader (2.35 cu yd)                                        $693.00                       $2,025.00              $6,075.00

755D Track Loader (3.14 cu yd)                                        $738.00                       $2,223.00              $6,660.00

120C Excavator (29,000 lb)                                               $459.99                       $1,278.00              $3,780.00

160C/D Excavator (40,000 lb)                                           $477.00                       $1,404.00              $4,122.00

200C/D Excavator (50,000 lb)                                           $567.00                       $1,710.00              $5,058.00

240D Excavator (54,700 lb)                                               $675.00                       $1,971.00              $5,886.00

270D Excavator (63,500 lb)                                               $747.00                       $2,223.00              $6,363.00

450J Dozer                                                                                    $369.00                 $1,071.00                    $2,754.00

650J Dozer                                                                                    $441.00                 $2,826.00                    $3,204.00

410J Backhoe                                                                    $306.00                       $882.00                 $2,655.00

160C/D Excavator w/Hydraulic Tamper Plate                     $711.00                       $2,016.00              $5,778.00

160C/D Excavator w/3000 lb. rating Hydraulic Hammer     $999.00                       $2,826.00              $8,280.00

Soil Compaction (Dirt Roller)

Sakai SV-505D 84” smooth Drum Roller                           $459.00                       $1,332.00              $3,726.00

Asphalt Roller

Sakai SW800 Asphalt Roller 67” Drum Width                    $423.00                       $1,242.00              $3,726.00

 

      Trucking cost is $100.00 per hour plus permits for oversized equipment.  Average cost round trip per machine would be approximately $300.00 without permits. 

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved awarding concrete work to low bidder Schmauder Excavating, Inc., as recommended by the Public Services Director, as follows:

 

       Curbing –        Rolled Concrete Curbing – Hand Formed - $44.00 per Lineal Foot

                              Horizontally Curved Rolled Concrete Curbing – Hand Formed –

                  $46.00 Per Lineal Foot

 

      Sidewalk –       Concrete Sidewalk - $10.00 per Sq. Ft.

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved awarding paving crew with equipment to low bidder Pan companies, Inc., as recommended by the Public Services Director, as follows:

 

      IR PF-2181 Paver with Operator

      CAT CB214-D Roller with Operator

      IR DD90 Roller with Operator

      One (1) experienced Screed Operator

      Two (2) Laborers

      $600.00 per hour

      Machine Moves – Per Move - $130.00

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved awarding traffic line painting to low bidder A-1 Traffic Control Products, LLC, for a total bid amount of $35,340.00, as recommended by the Public Services Director.

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved awarding road materials and crushed limestone to low bidders, as recommended by the Public Services Director, as follows: 

 

                                                                              F.O.B.                                     DELIVERED 

 

Eastern Industries –

      1B                                                                    10.50/Ton (N)

      2A                                                                   6.25/Ton (N)

      3A Modified                                                     6.25/Ton (N)

      Screenings (#10)                                              9.75/Ton (N)

      Rip Rap – R6                                                                                                   18.63/Ton (N)

      Rip-Rap – larger than R-6                                14.25/Ton (N)                          18.63/Ton (N)

      Surge Pile                                                         7.50/Ton (N)                            11.38/Ton (N)

      #57/2B                                                             8.00/Ton (N)                            11.38/Ton (N)

      #3                                                                    7.40/Ton (N)                            10.78/Ton (N)

      Gabion                                                             11.00/Ton (N)                          14.88/Ton (N) 

 

Highway Materials –

Superpave 9.5mm Wearing*                       48.00/Ton                                52.50/Ton

Superpave 19.0mm Wearing*                     43.50/Ton                                48.00/Ton

Superpave 25.0mm Binder*                       41.00/Ton                     

Superpave 25.0mm Base*                          41.00/Ton

Superpave 12.5mm Wearing**                   45.50/Ton                                 50.00/Ton

Superpave 9.5mm Wearing**                     47.50/Ton                                52.00/Ton

Superpave 25.0mm Binder**                     40.00/Ton                   

Superpave 19.0mm Binder**                     42.50/Ton                                47.00/Ton

 

      * 0.0 to 0.3 mil ESALS

      **0.3 to 3.0mil ESALS

 

Highway Materials –

      FABW or FJ1C                                               49.00/Ton                                53.50/Ton

      FJ1                                                                  56.00/Ton                                60.50/Ton

 

ABE Materials –

      Cold Patch                                                      70.00/Ton                                74.66/Ton

      Anti-Skid                                                           8.50/Ton                                11.74/Ton

      1B                                                                                                                    12.14/Ton

      2A                                                                                                                   9.24/Ton

      3A Modified                                                                                                       9.39/Ton

      Screenings (#10)                                                                                              11.24/Ton

      Rip-Rap – R4                                                     9.50/Ton                                13.74/Ton

      Rip-Rap – R5                                                   12.00/Ton                                18.48/Ton

      Rip-Rap – R6                                                   13.00/Ton                   

      #4 Ballast                                                           7.90/Ton                                11.14/Ton

      UPM Cold Patch                                              92.50/Ton                                95.74/Ton

      Superpave 25.0mm Binder*                                                                             43.91/Ton

      Superpave 25.0mm Base*                                                                                43.91/Ton

      Superpave 25mm Binder**                                                                              43.91/Ton

     

      Public Services Director, Tom Adams, recommended that the contract for the Milling Machine and Operation Rental requirements be re-bid due to lack of bids. 

 

9.   PUBLIC COMMENT

     

      Paul Lutz, 407 Berks Street, said he owns properties at 1119 and 1121 Pike Street.  Lutz said last year when the work was done at Pike and Berks Streets he gained property but he didn’t know if he owned the property or who owned it.  Lutz said he maintains the property and he planted arborvitaes trees on the property.  Lutz said he wants to put up a shed and he does not know if he needs to take the footage of the new property into account for the shed.  Adams said there is a gas line that goes through the property and the township still owns the property as right-of-way.  Colver asked what he should use for setbacks for the shed.  Bruno said it is still township right-of-way.  Lutz reviewed a drawing of his proposed shed plan that shows the shed 60 feet from the road.  Colver said a detached shed is only required to be five feet off the line.  Bruno said if the township vacated the property to Mr. Lutz he would only have the easement requirement from the gas company.  Bruno said the township could do nothing and inform the zoning officer of our discussion tonight or the township could relinquish the right-of-way.  The Board agreed they did not see it an issue to locate the shed as proposed on Mr. Lutz’s plan.  Mr. Lutz said he would be interested in having the township turn the property over to him.  Colver said we will need to ask the Township Engineer for logistics and to come up with a dollar amount associated with turning the land over to Mr. Lutz.  Colver informed Mr. Lutz that the process of turning the property over will take some time but he could go ahead with his shed.

 

      Lutz asked about a stop sign in the WaWa/Home Depot shopping center.  Lutz said he was reprimanded by a township police officer that he went through a stop sign but he always thought the sign was for people traveling in the other direction.  Chief Fretz said Mr. Lutz is correct in his interpretation of that stop sign and he would take care of it with the police department.

 

      Linda Beaumont, 6 Cobblestone Drive, asked if the roads in Villages of Mill Race have been turned over to the township.  Beaumont said lights have only been turned on in the first phase of the project.  Adams said phase one has been turned over and phase two is pending.  Adams said a few weeks ago a resolution was approved to turn the lights on in phase two.  Beaumont said there are only four units left to be built in phase four yet we only have lights in phase one.  Beaumont said the turning on of lights does not keep up with the development.  Colver said it is an issue and has been an issue for a long time.  Bruno explained that the developer has public improvements that need to be completed before they can be accepted as public roads and until that time the lights can not be triggered to be turned on.

 

      Donald Meade, 3137 Florian Avenue, said he uses the tennis courts at Fairview Park and wanted to know if they would be painted in the near future.  Adams said he will look at the schedule for resurfacing township courts and if it is necessary it could be added to next year’s budget.

 

10. REPORTS

     

      Solicitor

·        Bruno had a follow up to last week’s discussion regarding the school districts zoning application on Edgewood Avenue.  Bruno said the school district has a current application scheduled for the May 6th Zoning Hearing Board agenda.  Attorney Schlottman said in March 2007 the school district received an approval letter that included various conditions related to the HI/Mixed Use zoning district.  Schlottman said at that time the township ordinance was amended to include an additional six to eight conditions pertaining to the conditional use for school, public or private in that zoning ordinance.  Schlottman said on page two of the school district’s application, the school district seeks relief from the requirement for loading and unloading students on the school buses and this requirement was a condition in their conditional use decision, including within the decision letter.  Schlottman said at the time of the conditional use hearing, the school district said they would comply with that section of the ordinance.  Schlottman said the other variance requests have to do with parking and were not part of the conditional use process.  Lammi said when you look at the school district plan they show the buses coming onto their property to load and unload the students.  Lammi reviewed the plan showing the bus route.  Lammi said the school district said they could not get under the walkway but according to their official plan it does not show them going under any walkway.  Bruno said the township was willing to accommodate the school district when you enacted the ordinance and at that time you said they had to meet certain requirements and this was one of those requirements.  Lammi said his concern is dropping off a whole bus load of student’s takes time, it is not just one or two kids getting on or off the bus.  Lammi said traffic will back up and have to wait until the buses are fully loaded or unloaded.  Lammi said he does not understand why they can not follow the route their engineer designed in the first place shown on their plan.  Lammi said as far as the parking setbacks – this is an old facility and he does not see the parking issues as a big deal.  Lammi said regarding the lighting issue, he would like to see lights added in the parking lots.  The Board agreed the bus loading and unloading issue is a safety issue and needs to be addressed.  Colver said eight out of the nine variance requests are reasonable requests that do not conform to today’s code.  Colver said it sounds like the Board’s only issue is the bus loading and unloading area.  Colver said he does not see us sending the Solicitor to the Zoning Hearing, but someone at the hearing has to ask the school district why they are not using their proposed plan that shows the bus route on their property.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board agreed they do not have an issue with eight of the nine variance requests, but the school district had an approved plan showing the loading and unloading of buses that should be implemented.

·        Bruno had one real estate item for executive session.

 

      Supervisors

·        Lammi reported the ESC ecycling event that was held on Saturday in partnership with the COG went very well.  Lammi said he is very proud of how the ESC and the COG pulled this thing off.  Lammi said the company we used is extremely efficient.  They estimated we collected over 75,000 pounds of recycled electronic equipment from over 700 vehicles that came through the line.  Colver said that says a lot about our residents who could put one large item curbside each week but they took the time to bring their electronics to this event. 

     

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. with one real estate item for executive session.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager