PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

JUNE 15, 2009

A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, June 15, 2009 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, two Police Lieutenants and the Township Solicitor. 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 – JUNE 1, 2009 AND JUNE 15, 2009

INFORMATION

The report will be provided at the meeting.

DISCUSSION

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the disbursement of funds for June 1, 2009.

On motion by Smith, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board approved the disbursement of funds for June 15, 2009.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MAY 26, 2009

DISCUSSION

Lammi noted that on page three in regards to the Easton Suburban Water Authority building addition and the credit for the work that they will be doing at the township community center site, it should state – “minus a credit based on work the authority has done for the township at the community center site…” After this change was made, on motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the minutes of May 26, 2009.

4. PLANNING COMMISSION PRESENTATION

INFORMATION

Tom Grube will update the Board on Planning Commission activities.

DISCUSSION

Grube submitted a report highlighting the activity of the Planning Commission for the year 2008. He reviewed the highlights of what they did for the year. Colver stated the Planning Commission does a great job filtering the plans before they get to this Board. Lammi noted he felt there should be more staff meetings with developers/engineers because there are too many engineering items when the plans come before the commission which he feels could be eliminated. Bruno noted he works directly with the commission and the makeup of this Board is a good combination of people from throughout the community. Lammi noted that with the different planning directors the commission has done well adjusting to the changes and the pre-planning meetings are a big help. Lammi stated there are two projects – Woodridge Falls and Charlotte Avenue that are both going to require a change in the zoning ordinance for bonuses. He noted he has a problem with everyone coming in for these changes. The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is creating a draft for density bonuses. Maybe we need to have a section in our ordinance for density bonuses. It would be a good idea to have the applicant of Woodridge Falls at a meeting to discuss this. This would not be to make any decisions, but just to discuss this issue. The Board felt this was a good idea for the first meeting in July. Colver thanked Grube and the Commission for the hard work they do during the year which makes it easier for them when the plans come before them.

5. INTERCHANGE DETOUR APPROVAL

INFORMATION

The Board needs to approve/disapprove the proposed detour route.

DISCUSSION

Board discussed the proposed detour route through Palmer Township for the State Route 33/State Route 1002 (Main Street) interchange project. Lammi noted he is very concerned with the traffic coming out at Newlins Mill Road onto Tatamy Road. That is a very bad intersection.

On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the detour route through Palmer Township to travel off of Main Street onto Van Buren Road, turning onto Newlins Mill Road and then traveling through our Industrial Park by way of McFadden Road, onto Danforth Drive and then onto Tatamy Road, eliminating traveling the full distance of Newlins Mill Road and coming out onto Tatamy Road.

6. FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCUSSION

INFORMATION

Delmar Grube will be present for a discussion with the Board.

DISCUSSION

Colver informed the Board that the Fire Commissioner submitted a letter regarding the replacing of a vehicle for next year. He asked Grube to attend tonight’s meeting to discuss this and stated the Board would not be able to make a decision on purchasing a new truck until budget time. Colver said since it takes a considerable amount of time to plan a truck he asked Grube to come to the meeting and get the consensus from the Board if he should start the planning process. Grube stated the price of a new vehicle would increase considerably, approximately $30,000 more just for the engine, if they waited until 2010 due to the new EPA restrictions. He stated they would like to get the old style engine again and they are only available in 2009. Colver noted this year is the last payment for the newest truck so it could be a good time to just continue this payment. If we continue the 20 year replacement schedule that we have done, the next truck replacement would be in 2017. Lammi had no problem with him doing the work and it won’t be a waste of time and planning because if it doesn’t get done this year it will be done in the next few years. The consensus of the Board was for Grube to start planning for the new truck and the Board will decide what to do when budget workshops start.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT

Jim Chisesi – 1320 Wayne Street – showed the Board pictures of a storm water pipe in his rear yard. There is an open drain in a 20 foot easement on the property. When Zawarski owned the Woodridge Falls property Chisesi met with him and Zawarski stated he would fix this problem. Now there is a new owner and he was told that the drain is not on Woodmont’s property. Chisesi noted that if this pipe drains onto Woodmont’s property he doesn’t want to be responsible since everyone knows of it. The Board will discuss this with the Woodmont representative at a meeting. Chisesi asked if there is any notification to the residents for any meetings between the developer and the township. Bruno stated when they hold their public hearing it will be advertised.

8. REPORTS

Solicitor

· Fox Run Estates – Bruno had a meeting with the developer’s attorney and noted that they are currently in default with their improvements agreement. Their letter of credit expires at the end of July. Bruno stated they would still like to suggest they work out an agreement and he informed the Board that the money we have is sufficient to complete the project. Bruno is asking that the Board give him the authority to make demand on the letter of credit when he feels it is necessary. Bruno said he will know which way we are going by the end of July. On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, Colver asked if there were any questions. Mitchell asked if we make the demand on the letter of credit and there would be extra costs can we go after them for the extra money. Bruno stated yes. Colver called for a vote which was approved by all.

· Authorize Chairman to enter into an agreement with Lower Nazareth Township for the property related with Mr. Chrin. An agreement has been reached and signed and this agreement assures Mr. Chrin is responsible for any necessary improvements at Route 248 and Prologis Parkway. On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved ratifying the agreement.

· Bruno has three litigation matters for executive session.

Public Services Director

· Adams stated he received a call from Brian Harman of the Pidcock Company that at the Northwood Avenue Extension and Route 248 intersection the contractor will be changing over to a temporary traffic signal and will then be working on replacing the permanent signals.

· Berks Street work – Adams reported that the Public Works Department has done the terracing work on the corner property on Berks Street.

Police Chief

· Fretz reported that they had their child safety seat check last week and had a good turnout.

Supervisors

· Smith reported that baseball/softball season is winding down. This had to be one of the hardest seasons to get games in with the weather. He noted Scott Kistler and Bob VanHorn did a phenomenal job with getting all games in with no extensions.

· Colver reported the BIP playground project at the Charles Chrin Community Center is coming to a close. The dedication will be held next Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. and will coincide with awarding of their scholarships.

· Colver reminded everyone that next Thursday at the Community Center there will be a public hearing on the interchange project from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with all seven neighboring municipalities.

· Colver noted that last Saturday was Palmer Days at the Palmer fields. This is when all the ball teams get together. They had a representative from the Phillies organization that interacted with the kids. Colver noted Bob Smith, Jeff Young and Bob Johnson did a fantastic job getting everything organized. Mr. Chrin paid for the hot dogs and drinks for all that attended the event. Colver expressed a special thank you to the Parks/Public Works departments for working the fields and getting everything ready with the unsettled weather this year.

On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. with three litigation items for executive session.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager