LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.
MINUTES
Chairman Richard Harris called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Present were Supervisors Arland Schantz and Donna Wright. Also present were Township Solicitor Emil Kantra, Township Manager Ellen Koplin; and approximately 11 others.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.
Citizen comments were accepted throughout the meeting.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
MOTION was made by Wright to approve the minutes of the November 15, 2007 Board of Supervisors Meeting. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to approve the minutes of the December 12, 2007 Board of Supervisors Workshop. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to accept the Treasurers Report as of November 30, 2007 as follows:
· General Fund $644,426.00
· Park & Rec. Donation Fund 18.00
· Capital Reserve Fund 100,828.00
· Road Projects Fund 328,903.00
· State Liquid Fuels Tax Account 96,438.00
· Developer Escrows (Non Twp. Funds) 68,790.00
Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to pay the December bills. Schantz seconded the motion.
Unanimous
Police Business:
The Police Reports were made available to the public.
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 submissions.
Action was necessary on the following:
MOTION was made by Schantz to release Escrow #3 for Maplewood Estates Phases 1A & 1B. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to accept Resolution 2007-31 Deed of Deed of Dedication for the Harry Schmidt property widening Bell Gate Road and Leh Street. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to accept Resolution 2007-32 Deed of Deed of Dedication for the Harry Schmidt property widening Wind Hill Road and McFettridge Lane. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to accept Resolution 2007-33 Deed of Dedication for the Lisette Fadil and Margaret Fadil property widening County Line Road. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to accept Resolution 2007-34 Deed of Right-of-Way for the Timothy and Elizabeth Docherty property widening Bell Gate Road. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to accept Resolution 2007-35 Deed of Dedication for the Timothy and Elizabeth Docherty property widening Chestnut Hill Church Road. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to accept Resolution 2007-36 Deed of Dedication for the James and Margaret Haines property widening Kraussdale Road. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to accept Resolution 2007-37 Deed of Dedication for the Elizabeth Haines, James and Margaret Haines property widening. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
Fire Co. Report:
A copy was made available to the public on the rear table.
OLD BUSINESS:
MOTION was made by Wright to accept Resolution 2007-28 Establishing Tax Millage Rate for 2008 at 2%. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to adopt Resolution 2007-29 adopting the 2008 Budget. Schantz seconded the motion.
Schantz disagreed with nothing being budgeted to repair Scout Road Bridge and no increase in the budget amount for the Fire Department. Koplin suggested a recommendation be made by the ESAC in September of each year if they find it necessary to increase the amount for the Fire Co.
Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to adopt Resolution 2007-30 appointing Riley, Rodzianko & Clymer, LLP to conduct the annual 2007 audit of Township Accounts not to exceed $4,200. Harris seconded the motion.
Schantz felt the right of the elected auditors was being taken away. Wright pointed out it was necessary to be audited professionally for loan purposes. Vote: 2 Aye, 1 Nay
Motion Carried
MOTION was made by Wright to assign the elected Township Auditors the audit of Tax Collector 2007 Records. Harris seconded the motion.
Schantz asked Attorney Kantra if there is a problem with this. Kantra referred to Section 917 of the Second Class Township Code. The money is not part of the Township accounts until a portion is turned over to the township via check from the tax collector. The Soliditor did not feel there was any problem with assigning the audit of Tax Collector to the Elected Auditors. Koplin added that she discussed this with Dean Fernsler of DCED and he confirmed that this was not in conflict with the Second Class Township Code. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to adopt the Ordinance amending the Street Numbering Ordinance. Wright seconded the motion.
Enforcement of the ordinance was discussed and it was suggested to put an explanation in the newsletter. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to adopt the Township Personal Property Policy. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to advertise the Joint Municipal Building Board of Appeals Ordinance. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to authorize the drafting of a West Mill Hill Road Study Ordinance. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to pay the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy-Annual Municipal Membership. Harris seconded the motion.
There was discussion concerning how this related to the Geryville, Inc.quarry proceedings.
Vote: 3 Nays Motion Denied
MOTION was made by Schantz to authorize 2007 Reimbursement for the Fire Company Command Vehicle fuel usage in the amount of $1,665. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to accept the letter of resignation for Tax Collector Keith Hausman effective January 1, 2008. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
Interview of the prospective tax collectors is taking place and a recommendation will be made to the Board of Supervisors by the Township Manager and Treasurer.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Announcements:
§ December 31, 2007 expiration of terms on Boards and Commissions:
2 Planning Commission
1 Zoning Hearing Board
1 Recreation and Open Space Board
§ The Township Office will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, December 24 & 25 for Christmas and Tuesday, January 1, 2008 for New Years Day.
§ Board of Supervisors Organization Meeting-Monday, January 7, 2008 at 7:30 pm
§ Board of Auditors Organization Meeting will be held on January 8, 2007 at 7:30 pm
§ Recreation and Open Space Board Organization Meeting will be held on January 8, 2007 at 7:00 pm.
§ A letter from DCNR stating Lower Milford will receive a $48,000 grant for a Community Park on the Township grounds. The agreement will be received shortly.
Correspondence (copies on the back table for public review):
· Southern Lehigh Public Library Board Meeting Agenda 12/18/07, Minutes & Attachments of 11/20/07
· Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Park Minutes of 10/16/07
· LMT Recreation & Open Space Board Minutes of 11/6/07
Citizens Comments:
Allen Cassaday, member of the Southern Lehigh Public Library Board said he attended our meeting to answer any questions. He thanked the Board of Supervisors for the 5% increase to the library but indicated the library was anticipating a higher increase.
Harris adjourned the meeting at 8:35 pm.