LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP

LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - WORKSHOP MEETING

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2005

MINUTES

PRESENT:       Richard D. Harris, Chairman; Arland H. Schantz, Vice-Chairman; Joan B. Dreibelbis, Member/Treasurer; Ellen L. Koplin, Twp. Manager; and 26 Members of the Audience

-The meeting was called to order by Chairman Harris at 7:36 pm.

-Comments were accepted throughout the meeting.

-Chairman Harris announced that agenda items would be addressed out of order.

-King’s Highway – Truck Restriction Update

As a follow-up to residents’ request for a PENNDOT road study of King’s Highway, Richard Harris read the PENNDOT response dated October 14, 2005 stating that conditions do not exist on King’s Highway which would warrant a truck restriction.

A resident asked if this is a separate issue from the request for a study on East and West Mill Hill and Buhman roads and Richard Harris indicated that it was a separate request for King’s Highway only.

-Forestry Management

John Nissen of Antietam Forestry Consultants reviewed the services of his company as a timber broker.  He indicated that he and township staff walked the eight acre township tract located on East Mill Hill Road and he also walked the 6 acre tract located off of Churchview Road to identify if mature hardwood trees were present and suitable for harvest.  He indicated that there are trees that should be harvested on both tracts.  If his company is contracted to broker the timber, they receive a 15% commission and their service includes an inventory and competitive bidding process.  He will supply a list of municipalities that they have served along with resumes for the company’s foresters. 

-Limeport Stadium, Inc.

Tom Fulton, President of the Limeport Stadium made a presentation highlighting the history and revitalization of the stadium.  Operated entirely by volunteers with an operating budget of $8,000 to $10,000.  This does not include special projects such as the current need for roof replacement at $6,000.  The organization is non-profit and would appreciate monetary or in-kind assistance from the township. 

-Steve Rivers presented a proposal to the Supervisors for use of the township property as an athletic practice field for soccer and lacrosse.  Questions from the audience included property maintenance, liability insurance, has the elementary school been contacted for use,  and who supplies equipment.  The elementary school is currently being used, the equipment is donated by a sports equipment supplier, the township would only be responsible for the grass, and the issue of additional liability will be researched.  Mr. Rivers serves on the Park and Recreation Board for Upper Saucon Township and as a resident of Lower Milford, would like to start a board for our township.

-2006 Draft Budget

A revised draft will be available for the November 17, 2005 meeting.  Richard Harris announced suggestions from the public for the Fire Company, Stadium, etc. are welcome.  Arland Schantz stated that the township assisted the Fire Company last year in replacing their roof and we could donate the same amount of $5,000 to the Stadium.  Ann Frey questioned if the $2,000 budget for the Township Festival accurately reflected the employee wages due to the road dept. mowing and barricading the festival parking area.  A resident commented that the Festival Committee will find two additional volunteers to cover the last minute preparations handled by two road dept. persons if their wages presented a problem.

-It was announced that the Zoning Hearing Board will meet on November 16, 2005 due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

-The remaining Agenda Items: Dershem re-Zoning Request, Banking Options, and the Lehigh Authority Agreement will be addressed at the December 7, 2005 Workshop Meeting.

-No further questions or comments were received.

-The meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.