LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
MINUTES
Chairman Richard Harris called the meeting to order at p.m. Present were Supervisors Arland Schantz and Donna Wright. Also present were Township Solicitor Emil Kantra, Township Manager Ellen Koplin; Treasurer/Bookkeeper Maureen Kinney; Public Works Director Richard Kinsey; Police Chief John Dondero and approximately 20others.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.
Public comments were accepted throughout the meeting.
Luanne Stauffer of the Upper Perkiomen Chamber of Commerce gave a presentation on the updated “Perk-Up” Plan initiatives.
Regular Business:
MOTION was made by Wright to approve the minutes of the October 16, 2008 Board of Supervisors Meeting. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to approve the minutes of the November 7, 2008 Board of Supervisors Workshop. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to accept the Treasurers Report as of October 30, 2008 as follows:
· General Fund $766,922.00
· Sewer Fund 251.00
· Park & Rec. Donation Fund 3,234.00
· Park & Rec. Grant 24,000.00
· Capital Reserve Fund 102,715.00
· Road Projects Fund 342,249.00
· State Liquid Fuels Tax Account 44,947.00
· Developer Escrows (Non Twp. Funds) 50,566.00
Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
Harris inquired whether the Park and Recreation Grant would come in stages. $24K was received and another $24K will be sent when the project is in progress.
MOTION was made by Wright to pay the November bills. Schantz seconded the motion.
Unanimous
Police Business:
The Police Reports were made available to the public.
Schantz questioned the grant availability for hiring a full-time police officer. Dondero explained the Safe Streets Grant program through Lehigh County.
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:
Manager’s report was made available to the public.
Subdivisions/Land Developments:
There were no new Subdivisions or Land Developments. There was no action due.
Fire Co. Report:
There was no report available.
Old Business:
Budget Discussion –
MOTION was made by Wright to budget $1,000 toward Limeport Stadium. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
Chief Dondero’s proposal of having 2 full-time and 1 part time officer was discussed which would provide 16 hours of coverage per day 7 days a week.
Jeff Tankred was not in favor of another new full time officer. Others thought taking it slower and adding on a bit at a time is better.
MOTION was made by Harris to cut part-time police officer from budget for second half of the year until 2010. Wright seconded the motion. 2 Aye – 1 Nay (Schantz)
Motion Carried
Schantz proposed dividing the difference between the Township Manager’s salary and the Police Chief salary in half and adding that amount to the Police Chief’s salary for 2009.
MOTION was made by Wright to increase the Police Chief salary in the budget currently at $51,500 by an additional $5,000 for the 2009 budget. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
A proposal was made by Schantz to increase the salary of the full-time officer from $18/hr to $20/hr.
MOTION was made by Wright to leave the salary of the full-time police officer at $18/hr as is stated in the budget. Harris seconded the motion. 2 Aye, 1 Nay (Schantz)
Motion Carried
Schantz questioned how the money generated from the Emergency Services Tax will be handled. He also questioned what the purpose of $8,000 for road improvements. Koplin said there would be drainage and overlay work done to alleviate severe erosion on Elm Road.
Schantz asked about the progress of the turn-around on Schultz Bridge Road. Koplin said there needs to be granted a temporary easement and permission from one of the landowners. Harris said it will be dealt with during a workshop since it is not part of the budget and after the property owners can be contacted.
Jean Schoch inquired about the Fire Tax in the budget. Therefore the Fire Tax discussion that was to take place later in the agenda was discussed at this time. The fire tax will take the place of the Township’s donation to the fire company. It would also go toward moving and construction of another facility.
Schoch asked if a tax could also be levied for Police expenses. Koplin, Harris and Attorney Kantra said it would not be allowed by the Second Class Township Code.
MOTION was made by Harris to adopt the Fire Tax. Schantz seconded the motion.
Harris withdrew the motion as it was premature. A resolution has to be drafted.
Lowell Linde asked if the use of the funds are regulated.
Koplin brought to the Supervisor’s attention that the Fire Company command vehicle fuel contribution was budgeted at a higher per gallon rate than is the currant price. It was decided to leave it as it is.
Harris explained the Local Services Tax is levied on those that work in the Township. Lower Milford is one of the only area municipalities that does not levy this tax. The consensus of the Board was to inform the Southern Lehigh School District of their intent to levy this tax in 2009.
MOTION was made by Wright to authorize the advertisement of the 2009 Proposed Budget including changes that were made this evening. Schantz seconded the motion.
Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to authorize the advertisement of the Local Services Tax. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
Schantz mentioned this tax is subject to a minimum wage of $12,000.
MOTION was made by Schantz to authorize preparation of a Long Range Fire Protection Plan Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
New Business:
Correspondence (made available for public viewing on the rear table):
· County of Lehigh- Tax Claim Bureau - Ott Property placed in Tax Repository
· County of Lehigh Assessment- Appeal Notice of David and Erica Dean
· Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Community Park
· Southern Lehigh Public Library Reports
Announcements:
· Township Offices will be closed November 27 and 28 for Thanksgiving
· Addition of the Barbara Heist Farm into the Lehigh County Agricultural Preservation Program. Located in Upper Hanover and Lower Milford Townships, containing 45.72 acres in Lehigh County.
· John Dondero clarified that the police department schedule is confidential for security reasons criminals and not to keep it from the public. He also expressed the need for volunteers for the Lower Milford Fire Department especially during the daytime hours.
· Wright mentioned the January date for the Curative Amendment Hearing will be changed at the December 11 hearing.