PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

SPECIAL/GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

JULY 8, 2009

 

            A special/general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with four Supervisors in attendance:  Bob Lammi, Bob Smith, Ann-Marie Panella and Mike Mitchell.  Chairman Colver was out of town and participated through a telephone conference call regarding the bond items on the agenda.  Also in attendance were the Township Manager, Public Services Director, Police Chief and Township Solicitor.  Tony DeMartini from the Morning Call represented the news media.  Vice Chairman Lammi convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag. 

 

2.         APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS – JULY 6, 2009

 

            INFORMATION

 

            The report will be provided at the meeting.

 

            DISCUSSION

 

            On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the disbursement of funds for July 6, 2009.

 

3.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JUNE 23, 2009

 

            DISCUSSION

 

            Bruno changed “mortgage” in the first sentence of the last paragraph on page one to “property” and “did not have” in the third to last line of the same paragraph to “does not have”.  Bruno corrected the spelling of “breach” in the first paragraph of page two and in the second to last line of the same paragraph he changed “contract” to “contact”.

 

On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the minutes of June 23, 2009 with the above changes.

           

Chairman Colver joined the meeting through teleconference.

           

4.         BOND APPROVAL / REJECTION

 

            INFORMATION       

 

            The Board needs to approve/disapprove securing bond financing for the completion of capital projects in the township.

 

            DISCUSSION

           

            Township financial consultant Gary Pulcini introduced bond counsel, Michael Gaul.  Pulcini passed out a scale comparison chart to the Board and noted Moody’s granted the township an A1 rating and Standard and Poor’s gave the township an AA rating which was an upgrade.  Pulcini said very few townships receive AA or AAA ratings.  Pulcini said the bond issue is for $3,100,000 and he reviewed the debt service schedule and wrap around information with the Board. 

 

            Mitchell asked if the money is a construction bond and if we get the construction done and there is money left over - what can it be used for.  Pulcini said other miscellaneous projects or it could be put on the bond.  Lammi asked if they needed to buy a large piece of equipment could they use left over funds.  Pulcini said yes. 

 

            Colver confirmed the $3.1 million covers the land acquisition and the Greenwood Avenue intersection project.  Colver confirmed we are not using any general fund money.  Pulcini said that is correct.  Colver asked Mr. Pulcini to explain what he meant when he mentioned a call in 2014.  Pulcini said if you were taking a mortgage you could pre-pay the mortgage at any time.  When buyers buy bonds for less than $10 million there is a call provision.  You could pre-pay the bond any time after 2014.  Colver asked if the draw down works the same as it did for the 2002 bonds.  Pulcini said yes.  Colver said a large chunk of money could be needed in August and he wants to make sure we can get that money.  Pulcini explained the procedure for the paperwork and how the money would get to the paying agent by August 11th.  Colver asked when the first payment was due.  Pulcini said the first payment would be next year, February 15, 2010 and another on August 15, 2010.  Smith asked once we receive the funds are they in an interest bearing account.  Pulcini said it is interest bearing, anything earned you keep.

 

            Michael Gaul explained the ordinance, official statement, and the paperwork required to file with DCED that he will ask to be signed tonight, if approved.  Gaul said the tax laws ask that the money be spent in three years. 

 

5.         ORDINANCE FOR BOND FINANCING

 

            INFORMATION       

 

            The Board needs to approve/disapprove the ordinance setting forth the township's intention to issue a series of General Obligation Bonds.

 

            DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Panella, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the bond financing ordinance.

 

Chairman Colver terminated his teleconference for the remainder of the meeting.

 

6.         PENNDOT SHARED USE AGREEMENT

 

            INFORMATION       

           

            The Board needs to approve/disapprove the Penndot shared use agreement.

 

            DISCUSSION

 

            Bruno deferred this item for a future meeting.

 

7.         WOODRIDGE FALLS PHASE III PLANNING MODULE

 

            INFORMATION       

           

            The Board needs to approve/disapprove the planning module.

 

            DISCUSSION

 

            On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the Woodridge Falls Phase III planning module.

 

8.                  JOSEPH I INTERMUNICIPAL AGREEMENT

 

            INFORMATION       

           

            The Board needs to approve/disapprove the Joseph I intermunicipal agreement.

 

            DISCUSSION

 

            Bruno said if the Board approves the concept tonight he would ask it be approved subject to his review because he hasn’t had a chance to look at the agreement.  The Board tabled this item to the next meeting agenda to allow the solicitor time to review. 

 

9.                  VILLAGES AT MILL RACE II ESCROW RELEASE

 

            INFORMATION       

           

            The Board needs to approve/disapprove the escrow release.

 

            DISCUSSION

 

            Steve Goffredo, President Sights-On, Inc. said the Board previously approved the release of the $351,000 with a condition to resolve the issue related to the Raub property.  Goffredo said he held a multitude of meetings with the Raub's and it’s been in the Raub’s hands for one to two months.  Goffredo said they have an illness in the family and haven’t gotten to the paperwork.  Goffredo said the only other solution would be if the township would ever have to do condemnation of the Raub property you may need to come up with an amount of money to secure to cover those costs.  Anckaitis said he and Brian Dillman met with Mr. Raub and we outlined a small square on their property, about 20 feet, around the rip rap area that was needed as township right-of-way.  Anckaitis said Anderson Raub had no problem with it at all.  Anckaitis said the plan and easement was drawn up and reviewed by all and is with the Raub’s for their signatures.  Anckaitis said the director of public services has told us he could go in between the houses if we had to.  It wouldn’t be the easiest way to do it but it could be done if the Raub’s would decide not to sign the documents.  Anckaitis said he would recommend we keep a small portion of the $351,000.  Goffredo said Attorney Charlesworth spoke with their attorney today and he was told we should have the document by the end of the week.  Lammi suggested we keep $40,000.  Goffredo said that would be excessive.  Lammi said how about $20,000.  Panella suggested we keep $51,000 and release $300,000.  Panella said we need to keep the heat on.  Goffredo said we are dealing with something that is totally out of our control.  Goffredo said all the construction is done.  Goffredo said what amount would be needed if condemnation was required.  Lammi said his recommendation of $20,000 was based on the township manager’s comments and conversations with Anderson Raub.  Panella asked if $20,000 was enough.  Bruno said it would be the property value and legal costs associated with condemning the property.  Bruno said another concept discussed was security could be shifted from another phase if the $20,000 was not found to be enough money.  Goffredo said that concept was not acceptable.  The Board agreed to keep it in phase two. 

 

            On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the Villages at Mill Race II escrow release in the amount of $331,000, keeping the balance until the outstanding Raub easement paperwork is finalized.

 

10.              VILLAGES AT MILL RACE IV SECURITY INCREASE

 

            INFORMATION       

           

            The Board needs to approve/disapprove increasing security for Phase IV.

 

            DISCUSSION

 

            Lammi said Pidcock is recommending an increase in the Phase IV escrow amount.  Lammi said he spoke with the planning director and the work should be completed in the near future.  Goffredo said the work will be done in a week.  Goffredo said they are asking for a release of some $50,000.  Smith said he can’t approve it without a letter from the planning director outlining the amount being released.  The Board agreed to not approve an increase to Phase IV since the work will be done in a week.  They will approve the release at the next meeting after they are supplied with the correct amount from the township planning director.

 

11.       PUBLIC COMMENT

 

             None

 

8.         REPORTS

             

Solicitor

·        Bruno had two litigation items for executive session.

 

            Manager

·        Anckaitis said he previously reported we received $50,000 plus a residual amount from the Pierce estate for gardens at the community center.  Anckaitis said he previously was told the residual amount would be $182,000 but now have been told it is $187,000.  Anckaitis said at the end of August the courts will approve it and we will get the additional funds.  Anckaitis said with this money we can now include perpetual maintenance of the gardens.  Anckaitis said the committee met today and we will bring the concept to the Recreation Board later this month.  Anckaitis said we are proposing the garden along the bike path on the south west corner of the property.  Anckaitis said after the Recreation Board meeting we will put the item on this Boards agenda for July 28th to see if you agree with the concept.  We will need to decide on what kind of budget we want for the garden.  Anckaitis said there has also been talk about possibly starting a garden club at the community center that could meet at the center and then work the garden. 

·        Anckaitis reported he will be on vacation next Tuesday through Friday and will be off on Monday July 20th for his birthday holiday. 

·        Lammi asked about the status of trees and plantings along the houses at the center.  Adams said the only thing he knows of is the tree vitalize grant along Green Pond Road. 

·        Smith said the Recreation Board has formed a committee that is putting together a plan for the future fields and areas outside the community center.  Lammi said the results from this committee’s study should be made part of the recreation/open space plan.

·        Smith said members of the Recreation Board completed a two day tour of township parks, bike path and open space.  Smith said the Recreation Board will be putting together a five year plan for this Board to see what needs to be budget over the next several years.  Lammi said he’d like to see an area designated for the Miracle League to become active in Northampton County through grants and donations.  Lammi said he spoke with Dan McKinney about it.  Lammi said County Executive Stoffa would like to see the Miracle League also in Northampton County.  Smith said we are also looking at whether there are teams out there that could offset our costs.

 

Police Chief

·        Chief Fretz said there are desolate areas in Riverview Park.  Fretz asked that the Recreation Board keep the police department involved so they don’t put anything in any isolated areas.  Smith said they’ve found the smartest way to come up with the plan is to have major areas of recreation all in one spot.  

·        Fretz said the township aggressive driver program will run through August. 

·        Fretz also had a plaque from the junior police academy.

 

            Supervisors

·        Lammi complimented the township manager and his staff regarding a recent Selective Insurance Company inspection where they were looking for hazards or exposures in the township.  Lammi said they only had one minor item to take care of.  Lammi complimented the township staff in keeping our children and residents safe.

 

            On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m. with two items for executive session.

           

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager