LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP

LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - WORKSHOP MEETING

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2006

MINUTES

PRESENT:  Richard D. Harris, Chairman; Arland H. Schantz, Vice-Chairman; Donna L. Wright, Supervisor; Ellen Koplin, Manager; Richard Kinsey, Public Works Director, Zoning/Planning Administrator; Maureen Kinney, Treasurer; John Dondero, Police Chief and approximately 10 members of the audience. 

-         The meeting was called to order by Chairman Harris at 7:34 pm.

-         Lynnette Saeger, Librarian/Director of the Southern Lehigh Public Library highlighted a memo she submitted to the Board of Supervisors on 11/8/06 concerning services, programs and funding.  She requested a 7.7% budget increase over Lower Milford’s contribution of last year (an additional $1,600).  Jill Hirt, Treasurer reviewed the projected budget for the library.

-         In regard to Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan Update, Attorney Kantra reviewed the results of a meeting between Township representatives and DEP held on 10/23/06 where it was suggested to look at alternatives other than connecting with Upper Saucon.  Bill Kee of Cowan Associates discussed plant capacity and discharge standards.  He submitted and reviewed a comparison matrix between Cromaglass and Jet Tech systems.  Location of the plant was discussed, Emmaus Road vs. Hoffman Lane.

MOTION was made by Harris to authorize Cowan Associates to get costs for 35,000 gallon systems for both types of plants and Attorney Kantra and Koplin to obtain costs for properties on which to locate the plant.  Wright seconded the motion.

Discussion:

Strothers suggested checking the costs of routing the lines.

                                                                                          Unanimous

-         The second draft of the 2007 budget was discussed: 

Frey asked where the category for contribution for road improvements was located.

Sewage costs and Penn Vest loan terms were discussed.  Attorney Kantra will find out if users of the sewage system need to absorb all costs of the system or can the Township help defray the cost.  The township is paying preliminary costs, which will include land acquisition.  Reimbursement will be sought from DEP for 50% of the Act 537 Plan costs.

Schantz brought up questions on expenditures for newsletters and prescription drug costs. Schantz also questioned whether the budget for meetings and conferences included monies to reimburse Supervisors for lost wages to attend conferences.  Schantz requested a policy be written by the Manager to reimburse Supervisors and that the Township increase the Southern Lehigh Library donation the 7.7% ($1,600) as requested.  Wright and Harris felt that in an effort to keep costs down, a 5% increase would be appropriate and reimbursement for the Supervisors could be looked at later since it is not a priority .  Kinney reminded the Board that the budget will also need to reflect non-union sick leave reimbursement for unused sick leave in 2006.

Ann Frey questioned the amount budgeted for Planning Commission Attorney and Electricity.  Attorney Kantra responded that the budget should be adequate for solicitor fees.

Jean Schoch commended Kinney for the well prepared budget.  She questioned the advertising costs for Upper Saucon’s applicants to Lower Milford’s Agricurtural Security Area.  Lower Milford Township has traditionally absorbed these costs due to the area benefit of Agrictural Preservation.

-         Attorney Kantra’s revised draft copy of Road Improvement Ordinance was reviewed.

-         Lehigh County gave options for collection of the Second billing for the Township Realty Tax. 

MOTION was made by Wright to allow the County to mail the second billing for the Township Realty Tax.  Harris seconded the motion.                      Unanimous

-         A request from Lehigh County for Exoneration of Delinquent Taxes was tabled until the regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

-         An Emmaus commuter’s request for yellow line painting on Kraussdale Road was discussed.  The insurance repercussions were discussed.  Kinsey recommended not doing it.

-         A resident’s request for a  Domestic Animal Ordinance was discussed.  Harris stated other remedies should be tried instead of creating an ordinance for one specific problem.

-         Act 167 has been updated by Lehigh County for compatibility with the MS4.  Township’s in the affected watersheds need to update their ordinance by April ‘07 in order to comply with the Implementation of Global Update Watershed Stormwater Management Plan.  The Authorization to develop the Ordinance will be on November’s regular meeting agenda.

-         The 2006 version of the International Construction Code needs to be implemented by 12/31/06.

MOTION was made by Wright to authorize Attorney Kantra to review the Township’s ordinance adopting the PA Uniform Construction Code to determine if any additional action is needed.  Schantz seconded the motion.                                 Unanimous

-         MOTION was made by Schantz to authorize Attorney Kantra to review Act 40 to find out if the Township needs to take action to amend the Realty Transfer Tax Ordinance to conform to Act 40 of 2005.  Harris seconded the motion.                              Unanimous

-         Harris adjourned the meeting at 10:57 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen L. Koplin

Township Secretary