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LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2005 MINUTES
PRESENT: Richard D. Harris, Chairman; Arland H. Schantz, Vice-Chairman; Joan B. Dreibelbis, Member/Treasurer; Maureen Kinney, Bookkeeper; Ellen L. Koplin, Twp. Manager; and 7 Members of the Audience
-The meeting was called to order by Chairman Harris at 7:45 pm.
-Comments were accepted throughout the meeting.
-Chairman Harris announced that agenda item #4 would not be discussed because information from the Engineer had not been received.
-Fire Company – Truck Tires The Township purchased tires for the Fire Company. The Supervisors agreed to deduct the amount from the 2005 budgeted donation.
-Dershem – Re-Zoning Request (Background for informational purpose - Received by the Township on September 8, 2005, the Board of Supervisors at their 9/15/05 mtg. referred to the Planning Commission for recommendation. Reviewed and discussed by PC 9/19/05 workshop meeting and 10/3/05 regular meeting. PC letter and memo dated 11/4/05 forwarded to the Board of Supervisors recommending the re-zoning request be looked at as part of a comprehensive zoning update when the zoning ordinance is undergoing review unless other circumstances warrant a consideration at this time.)
Jeffrey Dershem explained their request to re-zone the 200+ acre farm containing two single family dwellings, barn and other outbuildings, from the current Industrial designation to Agricultural-Rural. He described the problems they encounter when pursuing financing due to the Industrial zoning district classification. He also explained that if the Board of Supervisors approved a zoning change to A-R, they would be submitting a subdivision for review by the Planning Commission. The property is preserved by an Agricultural Conservation Easement through Lehigh County. When settlement occurred on the easement, the Dershems reserved acreage around each farmstead from inclusion with the intention of future subdivision.
A discussion took place concerning the recommendation of the Planning Commission to the Board of Supervisors expressing a preference to address the re-zoning request when the PC begins to review the entire Zoning Ordinance for updating. The PC was also concerned that the reduction in acreage zoned Industrial should be reviewed by a planning consultant before reclassifying. It was discussed that the property is unavailable currently for Industrial use because of the Agricultural Conservation Easement. The Board of Supervisors agreed that the financing problems the Dershems are encountering should warrant a re-zoning review. Emil Kantra, Esq. will be asked to review the problem in reducing the Industrial District and/or the need to include additional land.
-Capital Reserve Fund E. L. Koplin explained her proposal to create a Capital Reserve Fund before the end of 2005, transferring the $25,000 which was budgeted in 2005 for a future garage addition. The CRF must specify the use for which it is created.
Ed Matulevicius commented that the reserve fund was a good idea and the Board must decide what amount per year to transfer. Joan Dreibelbis expressed investing Township funds with PLIGT. Maureen Kinney will gather information on interest rates including PLIGT to invest the fund. This item will be placed on the December 15, 2005 Regular Meeting Agenda for action by the Board.
-Key Policy Richard Harris read through the proposed policy and described how the alarm system would work. A member of the audience asked if the keys to the building would be non-reproducible and it was responded that the keys are not non-reproducible. The policy will be considered at the 12/15/05 meeting. 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.
-Lehigh County Authority Water Service Agreement Several revisions have been made by Atty. Kantra to the agreement submitted by LCA and reviewed by the Planning Commission. The Board is reviewing the final draft.
-Schaffer Property, Limeport It was announced that a $14,426.45 distribution was received by the township representing approximately 25% of the debt incurred for removal of the structure.
-Limeport Stadium – November 9, 2005 presentation to the Board of Supervisors requesting financial support from the township.
Atty. Emil Kantra was asked to give an opinion concerning the township donating money to the stadium and he responded by letter of December 5, 2005 that provisions in the Second Class Township Code and Pennsylvania Case Law provide the authority to the Board of Supervisors to donate township funds should the Board approve.
-2006 Draft Budget Arland Schantz proposed budgeting a $5,000 donation to the Limeport Stadium and eliminating monies from item 402.311 “Accounting and Auditing Services” containing $3,000 which would not be needed for auditing services. E. L. Koplin explained that the monies were provided for consulting services on a limited basis to assist with setting up a GAAP accounting structure for the township as presented by Richard Orloff earlier this year. Discussion took place and the Board agreed to establish $5,000 for the Limeport Stadium utilizing the $3,000 from 402.311, $1,000 from item 456.00 Libraries, and $1,000 from the cash balance.
Ann Frey questioned why all monies received by the township are not listed with the General Fund. Maureen Kinney, Bookkeeper, explained that the escrow accounts are monies that do not belong to the township but belong to developers. Other discussion took place concerning the structure of fund balance accounting. Other discussion took place concerning salary adjustments for some positions. Richard Harris expressed that adjustments were necessary to bring salaries in line with the position and in line with the level of responsibility for each position. Schantz disagreed with the high percentage of increase, 15 to 28 percent of salaries, as stated in the budget.
-No further questions or comments were received.
-The meeting adjourned at 10:24 pm.
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