LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH

LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Thursday, November 3, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.

SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

Chairman Richard Harris called the meeting to order at 7:34p.m. Present were Supervisors Arland Schantz and Joan Dreibelbis. Also present was Township Manager Ellen Koplin and approximately 40 others.

Citizen comments were accepted throughout the meeting.

Harris stated this meeting is to give a synopsis of events regarding re-establishing the Lower Milford Township police. He stated that it required a methodical process and could not move as fast as initially thought.

Reasons for the synopsis:

1. Phone calls from citizens inquiring the status of hiring police

2. Clarification of false rumors

3. Update information on the status of the Lower Milford Police Department

Synopsis:

1. Board re-established its desire to maintain a police department in Lower Milford Township after the resignation of the former Police Chief. The budget was maintained

2. Put new Police manual in place

3. Board of Supervisors accepted resumes for a period of 2 months

4. Research conducted to narrow down candidates from 45 resumes

5. More research and interviews conducted

6. Further research, interviews and reduction of candidates

7. Meeting with final candidate

8. Supervisors met in Executive Session to discuss issues with the final candidate

9. Supervisors met in Executive Session to discuss revealed issues from an anonymous source regarding the final candidate

10. Harris met with the final candidate to address the issues raised

11. Harris reported his answers to the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors still could not come to a 100% agreement on the final candidate.

12. At this time, the only options left are to review the remaining applicants or start the resume process all over.

13. Schantz has direction from the rest of the Board to pursue information regarding another candidate. Once done the Board of Supervisors will weigh the information and try to come to an agreement.

Donna Wright asked if Harris was satisfied with the candidate after answering the issues brought forth. He stated he had no reservations whatsoever. She asked Dreibelbis if she was satisfied to which she responded, yes. She asked if Schantz was satisfied. Schantz took exception stating he was being picked on by concluding that he was the one dissatisfied. He stated he talked with people who worked side by side with the candidate and they stated he was not the person that Lower Milford would need in this type of situation.

A resident asked if background and reference checks were performed. Harris stated there were and they

were favorable. It was also expressed that the entire board should have met to discuss the issues, rather than just Harris alone, to clear it up in each members mind. Harris said he felt comfortable with the candidate early on.

Dreibelbis added, the Board agreed to have Harris meet individually with the candidate.

Mrs. Tankred asked why the Special Meeting was held tonight and not with more notice. Harris stated it was not an option at the Board of Supervisors meeting since it was decided after that what direction they were going. He felt the public should be informed. He received at least 20 phone calls concerning the police issue within the past week.

Raymond Lapp wanted to know if we would have a “real” police department or just one man like before and if there was a time frame. Harris responded, the intent is to hire a chief, develop the policies for the department and grow as needed from there. The timeframe would depend upon the Police Chief and his experience.

Schantz stated, what he is looking for in a candidate is a strong ability to solve people problems, guidance counseling skills, mediator, personality, acknowledge how and when to arrest and write tickets, knowledge and ability to work with the fire company, strong ability to work with young people and interact with the community, critical thinking skills and the ability to work evenings and weekends.

Mr. Tankred stated he felt we already have those things with the State Police. He doesn’t think the expense is worth it and that the longer we are without our own police the more people realize we don’t need a police force.

Howard Shelly asked what Harris was comfortable with concerning the candidate. He responded he felt the candidate was a leader; he understood the policies and procedures and chain of command of a police department; he was well versed in the policies and procedures of police departments; he understood Lehigh Valley and the police command system of our area; he has the ability to deal with other police officers as well as the public. Also, as a person and officer, he excelled in what Harris was looking for in a police officer for Lower Milford Township. Harris felt more comfortable with the candidate after the individual meeting than he did before that meeting.

Shelly asked how this made the candidate feel, if not all Supervisors agreed. Harris stated the candidate requested the full consensus of the Board of Supervisors. Harris agrees that all Supervisors must agree on the candidate.

Harris said the Board was moving through the process in sync when an anonymous issue was raised and the Board became divided.

Wright asked what gave this anonymous information such weight that it threw a monkey wrench into the plans. Harris responded that as a Board they unanimously decided that the candidate should address the issues.

Dreibelbis stated her concern with costs of a police department for Lower Milford should it expand in the future.

A resident asked if a regional police force was considered.

Harris stated Upper Saucon was going to pursue the issue but it fell through.

Dreibelbis stated Lower Milford had looked into regional police years ago and found it was much too expensive for the township. She also said Red Hill had regional police but disbanded because of the costs involved.

The same resident stated he did not have success with getting a response from the state police on a personal issue. Harris responded the State Police are not designed to handle the little things and does not fault them.

When a resident stated the Zoning Enforcement Officer could handle small calls, Koplin stated he can handle ordinance violations such as traffic and fire code but not everything a police officer would.

When asked if the final candidate was still under consideration Harris stated he was dropped as a candidate but that there were a lot of other good candidates to consider.

Ken Knapp, Lower Milford Fire Policeman, stated if there is an ambulance call the state police will not respond unless specifically called. It is putting wear on a $200,000 vehicle which they will have to eventually replace. Harris understands and says that is a reason why the Board has taken the position of hiring an officer.

Lowell Linde stated a candidate can not be considered if he is associated with former Lower Milford Police Chief, Jeffrey Tapler. Harris could not speak for the Board but for himself stated he understood and he would not go back to the past by taking that position in any way.

When asked if a timetable could be set Harris responded it is the goal of each board member to do it right and have the right person in place, no matter how long it takes, to avoid higher unseen costs.

Paul Shellaway said Harris told him, over 6 months ago, that having a police dept was not written in stone. Harris stated it was decided two years ago that the police department would be re-established. The resident expressed his desire to have a separate itemized budget available for residents to view for the proposed police department. He also asked the Board to consider the liabilities and the possibility of declining a police force in Lower Milford Township in the future.

Schantz stated, in regard to the anonymous information, that it is a real person that gave the information. He knew the source but the other two Supervisors did not.

Harris adjourned the meeting at 8:36 pm.