LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP

LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - WORKSHOP MEETING

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2005

MINUTES

PRESENT:       Richard D. Harris, Chairman; Arland H. Schantz, Vice-Chairman; Joan B. Dreibelbis, Member/Treasurer; Ellen L. Koplin, Twp. Manager; and 15 Members of the Audience

-The meeting was called to order by Chairman Harris at 7:32 pm.

-Comments were received throughout the meeting.

-Lynette Saeger, Director of Southern Lehigh Public Library presented the Library’s budget request to the Supervisors asking for consideration of a 5 – 10% increase over last year’s contribution.  A memo dated October 12, 2005 to the Supervisors with attached budget narrative, library usage statistics, and 2005-2006 budget was submitted.

  Vice-Chair Schantz asked how Lower Milford participation is being calculated.  Ms. Saeger explained that it is compiled from the circulation records.

  Chairman Harris thanked Lynette Saeger and Mary Jane Risch for the information presented and said that Lower Milford’s budget should be ready for adoption by the December 2005 Board of Supervisors meeting.

-Written budget requests were received by the township from the Lehigh Valley Coalition on Affordable Housing and the Greater Lehigh Valley Visiting Nurse Association.  Richard Harris suggested the items be tabled and move on.

-Arland Schantz discussed the possibility of the township contributing to the Limeport Stadium.  He said the Stadium would like to make a presentation to the Township.  Richard Harris said the Stadium should contact E. Koplin to be placed on the agenda.

-Richard Harris announced that the other agenda items would be discussed and then come back to the 2006 First Draft Budget.

-Request for engineering study of Buhman, West Mill Hill and East Mill Hill Roads.  Mr. Hate raised the request at the September 15, 2005 Board of Supervisors meeting.  It was agreed at that time that the item would be placed on the workshop agenda for discussion.  Mr. Hate was not present at the workshop.

  Lloyd Ohl suggested if the study is to benefit the group which Mr. Hate is a member of, then they should pay for the study.

  Richard Harris said there are several kinds of studies and we need to know what kind of study based on the problem.  We should re-visit the issue when more information is presented.

  Gentlemen in the audience stated that the concern was tri-axles and other large trucks on the narrow roads.

-The Board of Supervisors were in agreement that the 1994 Crown Victoria should be disposed of at the Peter Krall Action.  Date, time, and place of auction will be available at the regular meeting.

-Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy – MS4 Municipal Assistance Program.  No additional information could be gathered regarding future costs.  Arland Schantz feels the township should meet the MS4 permit requirements on its own and not be involved in a group. 

-Steve Rivers was not present to discuss the use of the township property for athletic fields as was announced at the September 15, 2005 regular meeting.

-A request was received from the Lower Milford Elementary School for use of the Fire Police to escort the children back from Dillingersville School to the elementary school on Friday, October 21, 2005.  The Supervisors acknowledged a blanket approval to the Fire Police to assist the community as requested.

-Howard Shelly requested that the township examine the driveway bridge of a property owner on Buhman Road.  During the heavy rain on Saturday, October 8, 2005, flooding occurred because the bridge is not adequate to allow the flow of floodwaters.  Also, the ditch extending along the road is overgrown.  When flooding occurs, stones are washed into his crops and water damage occurs.  E. Koplin said that the Public Works Director looked at the area that day and would contact Mr. Shelly with his recommendations.

-James Calhoun advised that the creek eroded and a tree was blocking the creek on PPL property next to Mrs. Berky.  The Public Works Director will be contacting PPL.

-Richard Harris stated that the first draft budget for 2006 is on the table and the Supervisors are looking for input.  Questions from the audience were as follows:

            -Donna Wright-Increase in Erosion and Sedimentation control (Review and inspection criteria has changed)

            -Arland Schantz-Question if escrows are in and out item (yes)

            -Joan Dreibelbis-Can totals be shown in red

            -Ann Frey-Some wages higher and some not changed (not all wages have been addressed)

            -Ann Frey-Include a line item for the Limeport Stadium

            -Joan D.-wants to increase library contribution by 5%

            -Arland Schantz-wants to decrease library contribution

            -Richard Harris-An increase to library should be extended to the Memorial Park and Community Pool

            -Ken Knapp-We should have a park

            -Joan D.-Had a Recreation Commission years ago, no interest in a park at that time

            -Evelyn Yost-Mr. Benson wanted to buy the Faust farm on Elementary Road when it was for sale but no one wanted it

            -Joan D.-A survey should be conducted regarding recreation

            -Ann Frey-Wanted to know what township was doing about health coverage should have co-pay

            -Richard H.-Health coverage is being looked at but can’t do anything with the Road Dept. until union negotiations are complete

            -Arland S.-Township is looking at health savings accounts.  He went to a seminar on workers compensation and we should look into it as well.

            -Joan D.-Inquired about garage addition fund. (created last year for future need)

            -Arland Schantz-wanted to know where other half of Richard Kinsey’s wage was listed

(half under Zoning Officer and half under Public Works Director)

            -Ann Frey-Thinks Richard Kinsey’s wage is too high

            -Richard H.-Adjusted wage from last year when job was created

            -Ann Frey-Richard Kinsey’s wage should be the low-range since he is not experienced.

            -Richard H.-Proposed wage for Richard Kinsey is the low-range.

            -Ann Frey-Questioned amount listed for union negotiations next year

            -Jean Schock-Township should do a survey and include questions and input for a comprehensive plan update.

            -Richard H.-Planning Commission would have to work up questions that are easily understood.

            -Donna W.-Suggested using contacting Lafayette College, they are looking for municipal projects for students.

            -Joan D.-Stated the people who attend the township meetings are not necessarily representative of the whole township.

            -James Calhoun-If a survey should be done for recreation, why was one not done for police service

            -Ann Frey-We had a survey

-Richard Harris announced that anyone needing a copy of the budget can come in and pick one up.

-Arland Schantz-School Board following proposed legislation providing for municipal and school impact fees

-No further questions or comments were received.

-The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.