LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Thursday, January 5, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
ORGANIZATION MEETING
MINUTES
Present were Donna Wright, Arland Schantz, Township Solicitor Emil Kantra, Township Manager Ellen Koplin, Treasurer Maureen Kinney, Public Works Director Richard Kinsey, and approximately 18 others.
Attorney Emil Kantra opened the meeting at 7:30 pm. He asked for a motion to appoint a temporary Chair and temporary Secretary.
MOTION was made by Wright to appoint Attorney Kantra as temporary Chair. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to appoint Ellen Koplin as temporary Secretary. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.
Kantra prodeeded with the agenda items.
There were no public comments at this time. Comments were accepted throughout the meeting.
MOTION was made by Wright to appoint Richard Harris as Chair of the Board of Supervisors. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to appoint Donna Wright as Vice-Chair of the Board of Supervisors. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to appoint Ellen Koplin as Township Secretary. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to appoint Maureen Kinney as Township Treasurer. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
Wright took over as Vice-Chair in the absence of Chair Richard Harris.
MOTION was made by Wright to establish the Treasurer’s Bond for $600,000 for 2009 and file it with the Board of Auditors. Schantz seconded the motion.
Schantz questioned if the amount was adequate. Koplin read the section from the Second Class Township Code. Unanimous
Schantz inquired about the amount of the Township Manager’s Bond. Attorney Kantra replied he did not hear from the insurance carrier yet. Kantra recommended setting the bond at a minimal amount until a recommendation from the insurance carrier is received, if action is taken. Schantz requested to table the issue until the regular meeting on January 15.
MOTION was made by Wright to appoint Emil Kantra as Township Solicitor for 2009. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to appoint Emil Kantra as Planning Commission Solicitor for 2009. Schantz seconded the motion.
Schantz said he still thinks it would be better to have a separate solicitor for the Planning Commission.
Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to authorize the Supervisors to work on Township roads in 2009. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to have the Board of Supervisors regular meeting on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to set the Board of Supervisors Workshop meetings for the first Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Schantz said he has a problem with holding business at workshop meetings by making motions. He suggested changing the name of the meeting so that people are more aware that action can take place at these meetings.
Motion was changed to reflect a change in the name of the meeting to the First Board of Supervisors meeting. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to authorize the advertisement of the meetings. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to designate Schantz as voting delegate to the 2009 PSATS Convention in Hershey, PA. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to appoint Cowan Associates as Township Engineer. Motion was not seconded. The appointment of Township Engineer was tabled until the January 15 regular meeting
MOTION was made by Wright to appoint Cowan Associates as Township Engineer until the January 15 regular meeting. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to appoint Cowan Associates as Building Code Official and Building Inspector to enforce the PA Uniform Construction Code until the January 15 regular meeting. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz designating Sovereign Bank as depository for Lower Milford Township for 2009. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to appoint John Kortvely and Guy Beiber as Township Sewage Enforcement Officers for 2009. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to appoint William Roy to the Vacancy Board for 2009. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to appoint William Roy to the Planning Commission, term to expire on December 31, 2012. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to appoint Lori Sickenberger to the Recreation & Open Space Board, term to expire on December 31, 2013. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to adopt Resolution 2009-1 appointing Raymond Lapp to the Zoning Hearing Board for a 5 year term to expire on December 31, 2013. Schantz seconded the motion.
Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to establish wages for 2009 as follows:
· Part-time Bookkeeper/Township Treasurer $19.00/hr.
· Part-time Administrative Assistant 15.50/hr.
· Director of Public Works/Zoning Officer & Planning Admin. 48,410/salary
· Township Manager/Township Secretary 62,800/salary
· Police Chief 56,500/salary
· Patrol Officer 18.00/hr.
· Public Works Dept. – (2008-2012 union contract - 3 members) 19.66/hr.
Schantz seconded the motion.
Schantz inquired if the new police position wage should be included. It was agreed to wait until the grant is approved and for the Police Chief’s recommendation. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to establish reimbursement for employees using their personal vehicle for township business at the rate of 55 cents per mile (IRS rate). Schantz seconded the motion.
Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to appoint Paul Bauer as Earned Income Tax Officer for Lower Milford Township, Southern Lehigh School District. Wright seconded the motion.
Unanimous
A resident questioned the change in the name of the workshop. It was explained by Wright that at times action may need to be taken because of a deadline. The meeting will still be conducted the same as it was in the past, to discuss issues that will be taken up at the meeting held on the third Thursday of the month where most of the action will take place.
J. Howard Shelly said there are two roads in his area that need repair, West Mill Hill and Buhman Roads, containing very large potholes. Kinsey said the weather conditions are a major factor this time of year. He said the road department is aware of it and working on it as best they can along with plowing and equipment maintenance.
Wright adjourned the meeting at 8:20 pm.