PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

DECEMBER 21, 2009

 

      A general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, December 21, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library with all Supervisors in attendance:  Dave Colver, Bob Lammi, Mike Mitchell, Ann-Marie Panella and Bob Smith.  Also in attendance were the Public Services Director, Police Chief and Attorney DeEsch.  The Township Manager and Township Solicitor were absent.  Ed Sieger from the Express Times and Chris Baxter from the Morning Call represented the news media. Chairman Colver convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag. 

 

      Colver noted Ron Gawlik from the Pidcock Company was attending tonight instead of Township Engineer Brian Dillman and Attorney DeEsch was attending in place of Attorney Bruno.

 

2.   APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS DECEMBER 21, 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 December 21, 2009.

 

3.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES – DECEMBER 7, 2009

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by four, the Board approved the minutes of December 7, 2009.  Panella abstained since she was absent at the December 7th meeting.

                 

4.   WOODRIDGE FALLS FINAL PLAN

 

      INFORMATION       

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the final plan.

           

      DISCUSSION

     

      Colver said these gentlemen have been before us several times over the past year and at the last meeting the land development plan seemed to be in tact but there were some storm water and recreation items outstanding.

 

      Jim Preston, Attorney for the Applicant, said they are willing to make a recreation contribution of $443,800 and will pay that in full in a combination of property, services and cash.  Preston said they will be making a $75,000 cash payment toward off-site improvements at Lieberman Street and 25th Street.  Preston said they have resolved all issues regarding the discharge of storm water from their site with the Township Engineer.

 

      Colver reviewed the storm water discharge on 25th Street.  Preston said the $75,000 payment is separate and in addition to the work they will be doing in this area.  They will build it and pay for it and will make the $75,000 donation toward resolution of other storm water concerns.

 

      Colver said regarding the recreation items - you are putting in a lot of recreation uses on-site for the private community.  You are also dedicating two acres of land on the north end of the property to the township and have agreed to build up to $50,000 worth of work on that site.  Colver confirmed in addition to this you will be making a $200,000 payment for a total of $443,800 in recreation fees.

 

Lammi said at the last meeting we didn’t discuss this, but in the past we asked for a voluntary traffic contribution from developers.  The fee is based on $1,000 per unit.  In this case there are 317 units for a total of $317,000.  Lammi said because of the significant work being done on Grandview Avenue plus the work they are doing on the regional pond – that money is being  credited toward those off-site improvements.  Lammi said due to this there will be no cash changing hands related to traffic contributions.  Colver said he believes that is only fair since there is quite a bit more work that this developer is doing related to storm water management.

 

Lammi made a motion to approve the final subdivision and land development plan for Woodridge Falls III subject to the following conditions being satisfied:

 

1.            The developers must receive final approval of the zoning ordinance text amendments submitted by the developers which are scheduled for public hearing on December 29, 2009 relative to the Traditional Village Option, HDR District, and the proposed rezoning of a portion of the property which is the subject of this application from Medium Density Residential (MDR) to High Density Residential (HDR). 

 

2.            The developers must receive final approval of all applications for conditional use relative to this project which are currently pending before the Board of Supervisors  and which are scheduled for public hearing on December 29, 2009.

 

3.            That all outstanding terms and conditions associated with the developers’ preliminary plan approval granted by the Board on September 29, 2009 and confirmed by written decision agreed to by the developers on October 27, 2009 are satisfied and completed by the developers.

 

4.            That the developers satisfactorily comply with all terms and conditions set forth in the Township Engineer’s letter dated November 6, 2009.

 

5.            That the developers shall satisfy their open space and recreational fee obligations to the Township by dedicating a combination of approximately 2 acres of land and active recreation improvements valued at $243,800.00 and further developer shall pay $200,000.00 in recreation fees to the Township in accordance with the provisions of the Palmer Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.  All recreation improvements must be constructed in a manner satisfactory to the Township.

 

6.            That all public improvements including, but not limited to, the proposed 4 ˝ acre regional storm water management detention basin proposed on the plans shall be designed and constructed to the satisfaction of the Township Engineer.

 

7.            That the developers proposal to design, obtain permits for, and construct a regional pond outlet piping system to be installed through Lieberman Terrace to a point west of the intersection with 25th Street and then diverted south along 25th Street to discharge into the existing channel is acceptable to the Board of Supervisors in concept.  However, the final design and scope of said improvements shall be subject to review and approval by the Township Engineer and PennDOT.

 

         Upon receiving final approval of the engineering design for the proposed regional pond outlet piping system, the developers shall pay $75,000.00 to the Township as a monetary contribution toward the resolution of regional storm water concerns.

 

8.            That the developers shall execute a decision letter confirming the Board’s approval and acceptance of all conditions associated with the approval.

 

9.            That the developers shall enter into a Subdivision Improvements Agreement in a form satisfactory to the Township Solicitor.

 

10.        That the developers shall post financial security for the completion of all public improvements in a form acceptable to the Township Solicitor.

 

11.        That the developers must satisfy all departmental comments dated November 9, 2009.

 

12.        The developers shall also be granted the following deferrals under the requirements of the Palmer Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance:

 

a. Section 165-75.A – regarding the requirement for curb along streets as it pertains to the single family lot proposed to exist within the subdivision;

b.      Section 165-69.C(1) – as it relates to the requirement for sidewalks within street right-of-way as it pertains to the single family lot;

c. Section 165-73.A(1) – regarding requirements for street trees within the street right-of-way as it pertains to the proposed single family lot.

 

13.    Lammi noted due to the significant amount of storm water management improvements the normal voluntary traffic contribution of $317,000 that would be collected is being credited toward on-site improvements for storm water and Grandview Avenue improvements for this project.

 

               Motion was seconded by Smith, and agreed by all.

 

5.   DISCUSSION REGARDING INCREASING THE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION FEE

 

      INFORMATION       

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove increasing the athletic association fee for 2010.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Colver said we discussed this a few months ago when the Athletic Association (AA) came to us to discuss background checks.  Colver said at that time we never took action on a fee amount.  Smith said the AA came with a request to raise fees to $50 and we discussed the background checks.  Smith said the Recreation Board was here on December 7th to discuss various issues and this was discussed again.

 

      Smith made a motion to raise the AA registration fee to $50.00 for the year 2010.  The breakdown of the fee is as follows:  $5.00 will go to the Community Center and $45.00 will stay in the AA account.  The AA will use this money to help pay for the background checks for coaches.  At the beginning of 2010 the 2-2-2 committee will be formed.  The committee will be two AA members, two Recreation Board members and two Township Supervisors.  That committee will look at the 2010 year fee structure and start to put together a list of capital improvement projects.  At the end of 2010 the committee will make a recommendation regarding fees for the year 2011.  The committee will also formulate the process of how much of the fee will go into a separate account not in the AA or in the general fund of the township, to be held for future capital improvements.  The 2-2-2 committee will make recommendations back to their respective committees and then recommendations will be brought to the Board of Supervisors.  Lammi seconded.

 

      Colver asked at the end of 2010 is the 2-2-2 committee going to come back to this Board with a recommendation.  Smith said that is right and they will be able to determine what amount of money for 2011 will be required.  Colver confirmed that the Board of Supervisors will be making the ultimate decision on any capital improvements.  The Board agreed.  Jeff Young from the Recreation Board said for 2010 that is exactly what was agreed but for 2011 we thought $10 or $15 should be targeted for the capital improvements fund.  Young said he felt that was going to be announced tonight.  Smith said he would amend his motion to set a fee of $10 for the capital improvement fund beginning in 2011.  Lammi seconded Smith’s motion and it was agreed by all.

 

6.      RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2010 BUDGET

 

      INFORMATION       

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the resolution.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the 2010 budget resolution.

 

7.      APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR JOHN KUHN

 

      INFORMATION       

 

      The Board needs to approve/disapprove the appointment of John Kuhn to auditor.  Term to begin January 5, 2010 through December 31, 2015.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Smith, and agreed by all, the Board approved John Kuhn as township auditor for a term beginning January 5, 2010 through December 31, 2015.

 

8.   STREET LIGHT RESOLUTION - WILLIAM PENN HIGHWAY AND ELWOOD STREET

 

      INFORMATION       

 

      The obsolete and malfunctioning 400 watt mercury vapor cobrahead street light at William Penn Highway and Elwood Street was replaced by a more efficient 250 watt high pressure sodium vapor light.  The Board needs to approve/disapprove the street light resolution.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved the street light resolution for William Penn Highway and Elwood Street.

 

9.      STREET LIGHT RESOLUTION - HARTLEY AVENUE

 

      INFORMATION       

 

      The obsolete and malfunctioning 400 watt mercury vapor cobrahead street light at the township garage on pole #68949-49972 was replaced by a more efficient 250 watt high pressure sodium vapor light.   The Board needs to approve/disapprove the street light resolution.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved the street light resolution for pole #68949-49972 on Hartley Avenue.

 

10.  DISCUSSION REGARDING 2010 MEETING SCHEDULE

 

      INFORMATION       

 

      The Board will be discussing possible changes to the 2010 meeting schedule.

 

      DISCUSSION

 

      Colver said the township staff looked back over the past three years and in 2009 we cancelled nine meetings, in 2008 we cancelled eight, and in 2007 we cancelled ten.  Colver said there has been some talk as to just meeting two times a month instead of three times or would we prefer the first and second Monday of each month and continue with the fourth Tuesday following the first Monday.  The Board agreed they would prefer three meetings a month because they can always cancel a meeting if there are no agenda items.

 

      On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved holding the 2010 Board of Supervisors meetings on the first and second Monday of each month and the fourth Tuesday following the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

 

11. PUBLIC COMMENT

 

      None

     

12. REPORTS

       

Solicitor

·        DeEsch said the Commonwealth Court upheld denial for the Easton Area School District bus lot at Tracy School.

·        DeEsch said the Remaley settlement took place December 11, 2009 for Lot 3 of the subdivision whereby the township took title by way of condemnation.

 

Public Services Director

·        Adams wished everyone a Happy Holiday.

     

Police Chief

·        Fretz said they were approved for the aggressive driving program for 2010.

·        Fretz said they broke their record for most accidents on one shift during the icy roads this past storm.  There were 16 accidents recorded on one shift.

·        Fretz wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

 

Supervisors

·        Smith wished everyone a Happy Holiday.

·        Lammi said he was looking through the package from PSATS noting that the Palmer Township newsletter took first place in the most improved category.  Lammi said Editor Jo-Ann Stoneback and Graphic Designer Mike Smull need to be commended on the newsletter and the award.  Lammi wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

·        Colver thanked everyone for a positive 2009.  Colver said he will be on vacation for the next meeting.  It’s been a pleasure rapping up my twelfth year on the Board and he is looking forward to beginning his next term on January 4, 2010.

·        Panella wished everyone a Happy and Health New Year and a Merry Christmas.

·        Mitchell wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

 

On motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Robert G. Anckaitis

Township Manager