LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.

MINUTES

 

Chairman Richard Harris called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.  Present were Supervisors Arland Schantz and Joan Dreibelbis.  Also present were Township Solicitor Timothy Stevens, Township Manager Ellen Koplin and approximately 30 others. 

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.

 

Citizen comments were accepted throughout the meeting.

 

Regular Business:

The Minutes of the September 15, 2005 Regular Board of Supervisor’s Meeting and the October 12, 2005 Workshop Meeting were approved as submitted. 

 

Harris stated an Executive Session was held October 18, 2005 for union negotiations.

 

Treasurers Report as of September 30, 2005 was accepted as read:

·         General Fund                                                    $608,907.74

·         Road Projects Fund                                               30,193.48

·         State Liquid Fuels Tax Account                            139,908.81

                      

MOTION was made by Schantz to pay the October, 2005 bills.  Harris seconded the motion.                                                                                                       Unanimous

 

Deviating from the agenda, representatives Attorney Chris Spadoni and Larry Kisslinger from Service Electric appeared for a presentation upon invitation by Attorney Stevens. 

            Spadoni stated Service Electric serves 958 residences of 1,070 homes passed for service.

13.4 subscribers/mile is required through contract.  He had copies of checks in payment of  franchise fees available for years 2000 - 2005.  Municipalities may audit their books at Service Electric’s facilities as stated in the contract. 

Their services were explained and an invitation to view the facilities was extended.  Mr. Kisslinger is in charge of service problems. 

Stevens requested records be sent to Cohen Telecommunication in Pittsburg.  Mr. Kisslinger requested the records be viewed at the Service Electric facility.  He stated audits that were done by other municipalities have been unproductive. 

Schantz inquired about new cable being installed in the township.  They are in the process of installing Fiber Optic cable, the state-of-the-art cable for today.  Schantz asked for a projected timeframe for internet service to the entire township.  They replied, in their best interest, more concentrated areas will be done first.  They offered to produce a map showing where which type of cable is present. 

In response to inquiries by Ann Frey, they stated, franchise fees are a pass-through fee which the customers ultimately pay. There is only a franchise fee on Cable TV, not on telephone or internet services since they are not required by the FCC.  Should they eventually be required, they will pay them but the customers ultimately will absorb the costs.

 

 

Police Business:

The Police Report was made available to the public.

 

Public Works Business:

The Public Works Report was made available to the public.

 

Zoning Business:

The Zoning Report was made available to the public.

 

Manager’s Business:

The Manager’s report was made available to the public.

 

Subdivisions/Land Developments:

            There were no new Subdivisions/Land Developments, and no action due.

 

Other Business:

            Agricultural Security Area:

·         Harris announced the receipt of an Agricultural Security Area application from Margaret Ann Wright and Andrew Wright tax parcel 549088540476 consisting of 13.62 acres located on Kings Highway in Lower Milford Township for inclusion into the Agricultural Security Area of Lower Milford Township

·         MOTION was made by Schantz to accept the property of  Tarzian Family Trust, tax parcels 640028883584 and 640029890330, the total consisting of 57.16 acres located on County Line and Baus Roads in Lower Milford Township into the Agricultural Security Area of Lower Milford Township.  Dreibelbis seconded the motion.        Unanimous

Fire Company Report:

·       A representative of the Lower Milford Fire Co. No. 1 was not available to discuss the Knox Box as was intended.

School District Report:

John Quigley, Southern Lehigh School Board Director stated a new School for 4th,5th and 6th grades located by the Middle and High Schools, estimated in the low to mid $30 million range is proposed, meaning increased taxes.  Plans are available to view and are being submitted to the state.  There will be an estimated 3-4 mill tax increase annually over the next 5 years. 

The school board originally dismissed acting on any Tax Relief under ACT 153 for our school district because the budget and finance committee felt that there was little to be gained to the school district in granting such tax relief.  After receiving Ann Frey’s letter and subsequent comments at a school board meeting, members of the budget and finance committee promised to review the ramifications of such tax relief and re-examine its implementation.  

He stated, land preservation incentives are necessary and need to be addressed.  There is a bill in review, with the state, for impact fees on developers.  Act 72 is a more lasting solution to contain expenses.  The current school tax is set at 39.5 mills and probably going up to 50 mills in a few years.  Budgeting is necessary.

Donna Wright said the state is considering putting the decision for Act 72 into the hands of the voters rather than the School Boards giving the schools the chance to opt in after funds are available.  They are also considering taking the power to raise school taxes away from School Boards across the state. 

            Recognition:

·       Harris awarded the Countryside Garden Club with a plaque in recognition of their contribution in caring for the township gardens.

·       Harris awarded the Festival Committee with gift certificates for the work they performed in organizing the Lower Milford Third Annual Fall Festival.

Festival Final Report:

·       Donna Wright gave a final festival report.  She also awarded the Lower Milford Fire Company and Fire Police checks from the proceeds of the Fall Festival Silent Auction.

 

Announcements:

·         Harris announced Lower Milford is selling the 1994 Crown Victoria Police Car at the Peter Krall Auction-November 5 at 10:00 am at Northampton Boro Garage

·         Solehi Living Memorial Community Park – September 20 meeting minutes were on the back table for public viewing.

 

Meeting Announcements:

(See the attached calendar.)  The Zoning Hearing Board meeting listed for November 23, 2005 is subject to change.

 

Citizen Comments:

Lowell Linde asked when the police officer will be hired, though he is against it.  Harris stated he has an interview scheduled next week with the prospective Police Chief after which the Board of Supervisors will have to make a decision.

 

Paul Shellaway stated, with the number of incidents listed on the police reports it is not justifiable for the township to hire a policeman.   Jeff Tankred concurred with that statement.

 

Resident asked if Schultz Bridge Road Bridge is complete.  Koplin stated the guide rails need to be installed.

 

With no further comments, Harris adjourned the meeting at 8:36 pm.