PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

JANUARY 27, 2009

 

      A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with all Supervisors in attendance.  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. 

 

2.   APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – JANUARY 19, 2009

 

      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 January 27, 2009.

 

3.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 19, 2009

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board voted to approve the minutes of January 19, 2009. 

 

4.      DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE VILLAGES AT MILL RACE, PHASES 1, 2,

      AND 3

 

      INFORMATION       

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the request to release the letter of credit issued by Lafayette Ambassador Bank related to Phase 1.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the request that the township accept the public improvements and release the Lafayette Ambassador Bank letter of credit in the amount of $351,923.75 related to Phase 2.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the request that the maintenance period begin now or retroactively from October 2008 related to Phase 3.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Interim Planning Director, Ralph Russek, said Mr. Goffredo’s letter was just forwarded to the township yesterday and his recommendations regarding Phases 1 and 3 are falling in line with the normal routine of maintenance inspections.  Russek said he will get back to the developer and schedule the inspections and continue with the normal process.

 

      Russek said the Phase 2 improvements were completed in December 2006 but it was the off side drainage project that pushed this off.  Russek said he would like to look into this request further before making any recommendation to the Board.

 

5.      STREET LIGHT RESOLUTION FOR VAN BUREN AND MAIN STREET AND WINDING WAY

 

                  INFORMATION       

           

      The obsolete 175 watt mercury vapor street light at Van Buren Road and Main Street has been replaced by a more efficient 100 watt high pressure sodium vapor light.  Also, an obsolete 250 watt mercury vapor street light at 3206 Winding Way has been replaced by a more efficient 150 watt high pressure sodium vapor light.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the street light resolution.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board approved the street light resolution for bulb replacement at Van Buren Road and Main Street and at 3206 Winding Way.

     

6.      STREET LIGHT RESOLUTION FOR NULTON AVENUE AND GREEN POND ROAD AND RIDGEWOOD DRIVE AND           NULTON AVENUE

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The obsolete 175 watt mercury vapor street light at Nulton Avenue and Green Pond Road has been replaced by a more efficient 100 watt high pressure sodium vapor light.  Also, an obsolete 175 watt mercury vapor street light at Ridgewood Road and Nulton Avenue has been replaced by a more efficient 100 watt high pressure sodium vapor light.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the street light resolution.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the street light resolution for bulb replacement at Nulton Avenue and Green Pond Road and Ridgewood road and Nulton Avenue.

 

7.      TOWNSHIP ENGINEER CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The township engineer will update the Board on the status of all capital projects.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Dillman said they are now focusing on the Greenwood Avenue extension project.  Dillman said Penndot is going to issue our Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP).  Dillman said initially Penndot said they would not award the project HOP until all the individual driveway highway occupancy permits in the construction zone (17 different properties) were signed off by the property owners.  Dillman said we have nine of the 17 returned and signed.  Dillman said they will follow up with the people who have not responded.  Dillman said all the HOP’s for the individual property owners need to be signed by the end of the project.  Dillman said Tom Adams bid the tree removal for the area.  Dillman said the relocation of poles is ready to get started.  Dillman said we are close to getting construction plans out to bid but we will need to have the Penndot permit approved before bidding. 

 

8.   PUBLIC COMMENT

 

      Ray and Maureen Miller, 9 Kings Avenue, introduced Brian Gulliford, 7 Kings Avenue, all from the Knobhill development.  Ray said the street signs are finally up, but they are not certain they are completely correct.  Maureen said one is not correct.  It doesn’t say Hillside South it only says Hillside.  Russek said the contractor put a sign on the opposite side of the street that says south and they will now have a sign on each side, one for south and one for north.  Maureen said Mr. Zawarski said he would have curbside trash pickup, which is what the majority voted for in the homeowners association.  Maureen said Mr. Zawarski recently said the request was denied for curbside pickup.  Maureen said she emailed Cindy Oatis and she received a request to come in for a meeting at 3 p.m. tomorrow to meet with Cindy and a code department official.  Township Manager, Bob Anckaitis, said he asked Dan Lichtenwalner from the code department to set up a meeting with a Zawarski representative, a representative from the homeowners association and Cindy Oatis to address the situation with everyone in attendance.  Ray said the dumpster gets dumped every Sunday morning and by Sunday afternoon it is overflowing.  Ray said they just received a bump in their maintenance fee anticipating a third garbage pickup.

 

      Ray Miller said one other issue is our gates.  Anckaitis said we were told everything is in line to proceed with the gates and that the homeowners association has to set up distribution of codes and remotes.  Gulliford said they sent out costs for the remotes and setup costs.  Gulliford said we bought into working gates and we should not have to pay for the setup costs.  Ray said the gates are not aesthetically finished.  They are rusted.  Bruno said the developer is asking for an  extension of time to complete their public improvements.  Bruno read a letter sent by Mr. Ciccone that stated that the American Fence Company is waiting for the Fire Commissioner to enter codes for their system.  Bruno reviewed outstanding items per the township engineer’s letter.  Dillman said the remaining houses may not be constructed for some time so they could convert the basin now and then make changes when the houses are constructed at a later date.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the extension request for Knobhill until June 30, 2009.

 

      Brian Gulliford said when they bought into the community there were 40 units to be built that were exactly the same and they were aesthetically pleasing.  Gulliford said now the developer changed what the future buildings will look like.  Gulliford asked if the developer needed to get approval to change the look of the buildings.  Dillman said the developer provided elevation views of the proposed buildings.  Dillman said if he is constructing something other than the elevations proposed on the plan the township has a right to look into it.  Maureen said the new units are now called the Reserve.  Colver asked the interim planning director to look into the new design.

 

9.   REPORTS

 

      Solicitor

·        Bruno had an extension request from the Norwood Company who received approval in May 2004 and they have not made progress in getting their plan recorded.  Bruno said Tim Siegfried now represents Norwood and a letter received from them says the economy has affected their plans.  Since they do not have a proposed user it would be premature to execute the agreement and post security.  Bruno said they are requesting an extension until June 30, 2010.  Bruno said if you are not inclined to give the extension he would ask that the Board give them the opportunity to be heard at a later date.  Lammi asked if changes would be made to our zoning ordinance prior to June 2010, would they have to adhere to the new zoning ordinance.  Bruno said an extension would preserve their approval and would not subject them to new ordinance changes.   Lammi said they are trying to protect themselves for future changes.  Colver said there are other plans out there that are not moving either.  Lammi said this has not gone through the conditional use process yet so we have that protection.  Dillman said if there are any new storm water management guidelines they would be required to address them. Bruno read their letter that addressed Dillman’s concern; storm water changes would need to be addressed by the developer.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension agreement until June 30, 2010, as long as all applicable storm water management ordinances in affect are met.

·        Bruno had an extension agreement for the Crossroads of Nazareth, Dr. and Mrs. Salib, asking for a 90-day extension of time.  Bruno said per their letter they are anticipating this will be their last extension request.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension request.

·        Bruno had an extension agreement for Atlantic Van Buren Road L.P., the Fox Run development, asking for an extension until May 31, 2009 to complete public improvements.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension request.

·        Bruno had an extension agreement from N. J. Pugliese Inc. for the Estates at Northwood requesting an extension until May 31, 2009 to complete public improvements.  Dillman said they have not constructed more than a handful of houses and it is unlikely the road will be topped by May of this year.  Dillman said it’s an unrealistic request to ask for an extension only until May 31, 2009.  Colver said they still need to build about sixteen more houses.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension request.

·        Bruno had an extension agreement for the Bethel Memorial Baptist Church requesting an extension until October 31, 2009, to complete their public improvements.  On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension request.

·        Bruno had an extension agreement for Victoria Square 4, N. J. Pugliese, requesting an extension until May 31, 2009, to complete their public improvements.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension request.

·        Bruno had an extension agreement for Parkview Estates, Phase IV, requesting an extension until December 31, 2009.  On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension request.

·        Bruno had an extension agreement for Parkview Estates, Phase V, requesting an extension until December 31, 2009.  On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension request.

·        Bruno had an extension agreement for Parkview Estates, Phase VI, requesting an extension until December 31, 2009.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension request.

·        Bruno had an extension agreement for Parkview Estates, Phase VII, requesting an extension until December 31, 2009.  On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the extension request.

·        Bruno had an agreement they reviewed from F. A. Bartlett Tree Company for the Greenwood Avenue Extension project that requires the Chairman’s signature.  On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the agreement. 

·        Bruno had an environmental covenant related to the Remaly Industrial Park pertaining to the neighboring property currently owned by Palmer Township that states we are not going to put any water wells on our existing property.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the covenant.

·        Bruno had one real estate item for executive session.

 

      Manager

·        Anckaitis said an internal candidate applied for the new position in the sewer department and we will be moving Pete Kirchgassner from the parks department over to the sewer department effective February 9th.  Anckaitis said at this time the plan is not to hire a replacement for Pete in the Parks Department since we recently combined staff within the road and parks department.  Anckaitis said instead of a full time hire we may add one additional seasonal employee over the summer months. 

·        Anckaitis said there is money available through an H2O grant from the state for storm water projects and sewer projects.  Anckaitis said he asked the township engineer if he could segregate the storm water and sewer portion of the Greenwood Avenue Extension project that we could apply for the matching grant.  Dillman said the Greenwood Avenue project will not qualify because of the costs but he asked us to consider the Highland Park project which would qualify.  Anckaitis said they go back to January 1, 2007 projects, so any work done on that project after January 1, 2007 could be submitted for the grant.  Anckaitis said Ron Gawlik took a quick look at it and he believes the cost is about $2 million dollars.  Anckaitis said the application needs to be submitted by February 13th and he asked Pidcock what it would cost to put the grant together on behalf of the township.  They estimated it to cost between $3,000 and $4,000.  Anckaitis said there is no guarantee we will get the grant so we could lose the $3,000 to $4,000, but he would recommend we do it because there is a good chance we could get something.  Smith asked about the work at the community center regarding field topping for future runoff.  Dillman said it has to be a project already underway.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved authorizing the Pidcock Company to put the grant application together on behalf of the township at a cost of $3,000 to $4,000.

·        Anckaitis said he met with Diane Grube and Cheryl Nielsen to bat around numbers on what to charge for the summer recreation program.  Anckaitis said our expenses last year were $14,300 which consisted of salaries, bus cost for the field trip, pizza party, t-shirts for the counselors, supplies for crafts, etc.  Anckaitis said if we try to recoup the entire amount it would be too expensive.  Anckaitis said he believes it is a valuable program.  Diane has told me it averaged 30 kids last year, maybe 20 families.  Anckaitis said we got it down to as low as $150 dollar fee for the 1st child, and $75 for the second child with more children being free.  We also cut the program from eight weeks to six weeks and we will reduce the counselors by one.  It calculates to $2 an hour to come to the program.  Anckaitis said this year we will ask the participants to pay for the bus fees as well as the field trip.  Last year they only paid for the field trip.  Colver said he feels we will  lose the program if we charge $150.  Mitchell said kids have to pay a fee to go out for football or baseball.  Anckaitis said Bethlehem Township charged $15 for the first child and $10 for each additional child last year but are proposing this year to charge $25 for the first child and $15 for each additional.  Smith suggested we link it into the community center.  Anckaitis said then you have families that only send their kid to the local park that can not get their kids to the center.  Anckaitis said some kids only go to their neighborhood park and they ride their bikes to and from the playground.  Colver asked what was budgeted.  Anckaitis said he budgeted for the whole program this year.  Lammi asked what is Bethlehem Township doing to attract 500 kids and we only have 30 kids.  Smith asked to table the item to look into further.  Anckaitis said it needs to go into the newsletter in March and the editor is waiting for the article.  Mitchell said he does not think it is worth spending for only 30 kids.  Lammi said he liked Smith’s idea to put it at the community center.  Anckaitis said Dan McKinney would like to have all recreation at the center but the problem at the center is we would lose kids because of the ones that walk or ride a bike.  Colver said you could advertise it and have them brown bag a lunch.  Colver said since it is budgeted this year why don’t we just go in with a fee like they pay for sports.  Lammi said he prefers to scrap the program this year and work on a program for next year.  Colver said the kids do not get out of school until June, we can figure something out before then.  Anckaitis said you also need to let the college kids that are committed to working know if they will have a job or not.  They could be out getting other positions.  Panella asked how it was publicized in the past.  Colver said in the township newsletter and flyers at the schools.  The Board agreed to publicize that the program will be held one day at the community center, people will have to sign up for the program in advance, if we do not get 50 registrations the program will not be run this year, charge the same amount that kids pay to participate in a township sport which is $35 per child.  Fretz said he wanted to remind everyone that they run their cadet program the third week of June at the community center.  The Board agreed on the $35 per child and to leave it as is at the parks and reconfigure a whole new program for next year at the center.  Panella said to make sure you include the program will not run if there are less than 50 kids enrolled.  Smith said to have Dan McKinney fire out an email to all the participants at the center.  Colver said to send it to Tracy and Palmer Schools and to post it at the center now while the kids are still inside at the center.

                                

      Public Services Director

·        Adams had the annual liquid fuels report that needed signatures of three supervisors. 

 

      Interim Planning Director

·        Russek said he will be assisting the new planning director who starts on Monday.  Anckaitis said Ralph has done a great job and is a pleasure to work with.

 

      Police Chief

·        Fretz said last week we had a hostage situation on Tatamy Road.  Fretz said the response was handled very professionally as far as our officers were concerned.  Fretz said we called the State Police to assist due to the cold weather and the length of the situation.  Fretz said 24 troopers assisted and some came from a school in Maryland.  Fretz said everything worked out well. 

 

      Supervisors

·        Colver said the fire department added two new members last night who passed their probationary period.

·        Colver said he received a phone call from Roger Mellin, Chrin Companies.  Colver said the Chrin Commerce Center is applying for a grant and has obtained letter of support from Representative Grucela and Senator Wonderling.  Colver said Mellin asked if the township would send a letter of support.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign and send a letter of support.

 

      Anckaitis said a representative from Rob Wonderling’s office called this morning.  They want to come out two Tuesday’s a month and set up a field office in the township where residents can get information from them.  Anckaitis said he said they could set up in the lobby of the municipal building and maybe switch between the municipal building and the library.

 

      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