LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.

MINUTES

 

Chairman Richard Harris called the meeting to order at 7:38 p.m.  Present were Supervisors Arland Schantz and Joan Dreibelbis.  Also present were Township Solicitor Richard Stevens, Township Manager Ellen Koplin and approximately 17 others. 

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.

 

Citizen comments were accepted throughout the meeting.

 

Regular Business:

The Minutes of  the November 17, 2005 Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting were approved as submitted.  The December 7, 2005 Workshop Meeting Minutes were approved with the following addition to page 2 at the end of the key policy statement: 

This policy will be considered at the December 15, 2005 meeting.  It was suggested by Schantz that a monthly printout of activity be made part of the policy.

And the addition of the following at the end of the statement on page 3 concerning budgeted wage increases:

Schantz disagreed with the high percentage of increase, 15 to 28 percent of salaries as stated in the budget. 

 

Harris announced that Executive Sessions were held on November 30, 2005 and December 7, 2005 for personnel matters and Deember 12, 2005 for Union Negotiations.

 

The Treasurers Report as of November 30, 2005 was accepted as read:

·         General Fund                                                    $ 648,271.21

·         Road Projects Fund                                                30,352.30   

·         State Liquid Fuels Tax Account                             132,188.82

          

MOTION was made by Schantz to pay the December, 2005 bills.  Dreibelbis seconded the motion.                                                                                              Unanimous

 

MOTION was made by Schantz to set the amount of the Minimum Municipal Obligation budgeted for the 2006 Employees Pension Plan at $11,500 for Non-Uniform and $4,200 for Uniform.  Dreibelbis seconded the motion.                             Unanimous

 

MOTION was made by Schantz to adopt Resolution 2005-34 Establishing a Capital Reserve Fund.  Dreibelbis seconded the motion.                                         Unanimous   

 

 

MOTION was made by Schantz to amend the 2006 Budget reflecting a 3% wage increase, based on last years wages, with possible increase during the year.  Dreibelbis seconded the motion.                                                                                                    Unanimous

Donna Wright asked what the average of area wages for township employees compare.  Koplin provided a comparison of six area townships. 

Harris stated the adjustments to the wages in the budget were to get the salaries within a reasonable and respectable level.  He also stated there will be a mandated performance review at the end of each year starting this year.  Raises will be based upon the review in addition to cost of living.  Schantz stated each knew what their wage would be when they started the job.  Dreibelbis

stated benefits should be factored in when considering wage increases.  She suggested a 3% wage increase.  Harris stated a reduced rate health care plan is being considered which would save the township thousands of dollars.  A resident asked if the rate of increase for the total compensation package for 2006 would be greater than 3 percent.  Harris replied yes. 

Schantz stated the wage increase ranges from 15 to 28 percent.  Koplin stated the increase in her salary over the Lehigh Valley Consumer Price Index is only a 2.8 percent increase.  She inquired where Schantz got his percentages. 

 

MOTION was made by Harris to adopt Resolution 2005-35 Adopting the 2006 Budget reflecting a 3 percent increase in wages.  Schantz seconded the motion.                         Unanimous

 

Mary Jane Brisch, president of the Board of Directors of the Southern Lehigh Public Library, thanked the Board of Supervisors for their support of the library.  She stated that Lehigh Valley Hospital wants to get its senior managers on community boards, she offered to see if there was someone there from Lower Milford Township that would be able to take the place of William McGonigal, Lower Milford’s former representative.  She stated they would approach other large area businesses to offset some of their operating expenses.

Harris announced that letters of interest will be accepted by the township for the open board position at Southern Lehigh Public Library.

 

MOTION was made by Dreibelbis accepting the amount of $1,620,000 for the Tax Collectors Surety Bond.  Schantz seconded the motion.                                                     Unanimous

 

Police Business:

The Police Report was made available to the public.

 

Public Works Business:

The Public Works Report was made available to the public.

 

MOTION was made by Schantz to adopt Resolution  2005-36 designating the name of Stauffer Bridge.  Harris seconded the motion.                                         Unanimous

 

MOTION was made by Dreibelbis to adopt the building security and key assignments.  Schantz seconded the motion.                                                                        Unanimous

 

MOTION was made by Schantz to obtain a print out of (building security) activity on a monthly basis.  Dreiblebis seconded the motion. Harris voted nay.               Motion Carried

 

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.  No action was due.

 

Other Business:

Lloyd Ohl, vice-president of the Fire Company, gave a monthly report with the results of the recent election of Fire Company officials.  He announced the forthcoming Christmas events, the opening of the kitchen and dinner dates (see calendar). 

 

Dreibelbis requested a financial report from the Fire Department.  Mr. Ohl will look into that.

Schantz said he gets the financial reports when he is able to attend the meetings.

 

MOTION was made by Schantz designating the January 3, 2006 Organization Meeting to be held in the Township Building at 7:30 pm.  Dreibelbis seconded the motion.

                                                                                                Unanimous

Harris announced the regular meeting would also be held on that night.

 

Donna Wright asked if there would be a Workshop held in January.  That will be decided at the January 3rd meeting and will be advertised.

 

Announcements:

Receipt of a letter from Donna Wright announcing her resignation from the Zoning Hearing Board.

 

Letters of interest will be received for positions on the Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board as well as on the Board for the Southern Lehigh Public Library.

 

Schantz announced the organization meeting for the Board of Auditors on January 4, 2006. 

 

Commemoration:

The presentation of a clock/plaque was made to Joan Dreibelbis commemorating her 20 years of service on the Board of Supervisors of Lower Milford Township.

 

Citizen Comments:

            A resident inquired if Richard Kinsey was part-time.  Harris stated he was hired as full time.

 

Mr. Calhoun asked about the Dershem request of having land rezoned and the impact to the township of the industrial zoning area.  The Planning Solicitor is looking into the rezoning of the Dershem property.  Harris stated not much land is zoned industrial and that which is, is not useful for industrial development anyway.

 

Mr. Calhoun also stated “in regard to this issue of payment of our township employees, I don’t know whether you would entertain thought to forget about a police department in favor of paying the people who make this township tick.” 

 

Harris adjourned the meeting at 8:50 pm.