PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

OCTOBER 27, 2009

 

      A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with all Supervisors in attendance:  Dave Colver, Bob Lammi, Ann-Marie Panella, Mike Mitchell and Bob Smith.  Also in attendance were the Planning Director, Public Services Director, Police Chief, Township Engineer and Township Solicitor.  The Township Manager was absent.  Chairman Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag. 

 

2.   APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS OCTOBER 27, 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 October 27, 2009.

 

3.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES – OCTOBER 19, 2009

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the minutes of October 19, 2009.

                 

4.   EAHS BONFIRE REQUEST

 

      INFORMATION       

 

      Representatives from Easton Area High School will be in attendance to request permission for the annual Thanksgiving Eve bonfire.

 

      DISCUSSION

     

      Kiara Kirakukon, a student at Easton Area High School said she was at the meeting to request permission for this year’s bonfire.

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved the annual Thanksgiving Eve bonfire at Easton Area High School.

 

5.   ESTATES AT PENN’S GRANT SECURITY DISCUSSION

 

      INFORMATION       

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the security amount and confirm the method of funding. 

 

      DISCUSSION

 

Peg Dissinger was in attendance.  Dissinger said they had asked for a release of around $44,000 and when it was reviewed by The Pidcock Company they came back with a recommendation to increase our security at that time.  Dissinger said she understands the townships need to increase the security amount to secure itself, however, she doesn’t agree with the amount of the increase.  Dissinger and the Board reviewed documents with proposed numbers from Omega Homes and from The Pidcock Company.  It was agreed that they were apart by $115,000.  Dillman told the Board to remember the improvements are private – the roads will remain private and not be turned over to the township upon completion.  Dillman said we took the numbers and applied the policy changes as we do to every project in the township.  Dillman said it is a township decision as to what you want to do.  Dillman said when Penn’s Grant South established security it was prior to the current policy.  Policy now allows an increase of 10% for each one year period which is permissible by the Municipal Planning Code.  These are all additions to the basic list of expenses.  Dillman gave an example of two numbers in Dissinger’s proposal – paving costs at $6.25 a square yard for surface course.  Dillman said when publicly bid we received numbers of $9.50 a square yard.  Dillman said her number for sidewalks is $3.50 a square foot and we received a number of $7.00 a square foot when publicly bid.  Dillman said the numbers we just received are from two bids in the past seven weeks.  Colver said plus we have legal, engineering and bonding costs to consider in additional to all that.  Colver asked the Board if they agreed with keeping the letter of credit at $412,455 and not releasing any amount until they have completed $115,000 worth of additional work.  The Board agreed with this concept.  Bruno told the Board not to put too much weight on the fact that the roads are going to be private.  You approved the plan so you have to ensure that the roads get completed even though they end up private.  Colver asked Dissinger to take the numbers back for review and to get back to the township Planning Director for final agreement at a future Board of Supervisors meeting.

 

6.      PENNSYLVANIA UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION RELIEF FROM CHARGES AND NOTICE OF SOLVENCY FEE ELECTION

 

      INFORMATION

     

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove paying the Pennsylvania unemployment solvency fee for 2010.  Last year the Board approved paying the solvency fee for 2009 in the amount of $5,562.91.  The Township Manager recommends paying the solvency fee for 2010.

 

                  DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved paying the solvency fee for 2010 in the amount of $5,722.85.

 

7.   APPOINTMENT TO THE SHADE TREE COMMISSION

 

      INFORMATION       

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the appointment of Jamie Collins to the Shade Tree Commission.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

On motion by Smith, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board appointed Jamie Collins to the Shade Tree Commission with a term expiration date of December 31, 2013.

 

8.   TOWNSHIP ENGINEER CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE

 

      INFORMATION       

     

      The Township Engineer will update the Board on the status of all capital projects.

 

                  DISCUSSION

 

      Dillman said the Greenwood Avenue sanitary sewer work is finished and the storm sewer work has been started.  Dillman said the good news is that Met-Ed has hired a subcontractor to relocate the poles, at their expense, and the work could start tomorrow.  Dillman said we held a meeting with the property owners last night at the community center.  Dillman said about 12 to 15 residents attended and the meeting went very well.  Dillman said we expect utility pole relocations and the pipe work to get finished this season.  Dillman said the pavement, signal installation and line painting are scheduled for next spring.  Dillman added the right-of-way plans have all been executed and recorded so those properties can be transferred to Penndot.

 

9.   PUBLIC COMMENT

 

      None

 

10. REPORTS

       

      Solicitor

·        Bruno had a deed for the right-of-way to Penndot from the township for the Greenwood Avenue project.  On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the deed.

·        Bruno had a resolution accepting roadways in Villages at Mill Race, Phase II, accepting Mill Race Drive South of Country Side Court, Mill Race Drive North of Country Side Court, Country Side Court and Grist Mill Lane.  On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the resolution.

·        Bruno had three storm sewer easement agreements receiving easements from the developer of Villages at Mill Race, Phase II.  On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the easement agreements.

·        Bruno had a permanent storm water maintenance agreement executed by the Raub family related to the riprap area that needs to be maintained by the township.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the storm water maintenance agreement.  Bruno noted Tom Adams and the public works department were instrumental in getting this agreement done.

·        Bruno reviewed an agreement with Official Payments that will allow electronic processing by Official Payments for payment of township sewer and garbage bills.  Colver said we discussed this before and agreed it was time to do this.  On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the agreement.

·        Bruno said he forwarded to the Board for review the Finegan conditional use letter summarizing the position of the Board for their conditional use approval for the funeral home.  On motion by Lammi, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the conditional use decision letter.

·        Bruno reported that the first payment related to Fox Run went out and the agreement has been signed.  Adams said a walk through is scheduled for Thursday and they should start the work shortly thereafter.

·        Bruno had three litigation items for executive session. 

 

      Planning Director

·        Carman asked the Board if there were any comments or concerns related to the Zoning Hearing Board agenda.  There were none.

 

      Public Services Director

·        Adams reported the bike path at the high school is pretty much completed. 

     

      Police Chief

·        Fretz reported that Detective Allshouse sang at the Phillies playoff game last week during the 7th inning.  Fretz said a representative from Majestic showed up at the station and presented Matt with a Phillies jersey of one of his favorite players.

·        Fretz said they received four computers from Penndot for their crash reporting system.

 

      Supervisors

·        Colver said the fire department met last night and unanimously approved the by-law revisions.

·        Colver noted the Fire Department Christmas party is scheduled for December 21st. Invitations will follow.  

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. with three litigation items for executive session.

     

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager