LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.

MINUTES

Vice-Chairman Arland Schantz called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.  Present was Supervisor Donna Wright, absent was Chairman Richard Harris.  Also present were Township Solicitor Emil Kantra, Township Manager Ellen Koplin and approximately 27 others. 

The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.

The Public Hearing on Agricultural Security Area applications of Richard and Elizabeth Hate and Margaret and Andrew Wright was postponed until March 16, 2006.  Since Supervisor Donna Wright would need to abstain from voting and Supervisor Richard Harris was absent there was not a quarum.

Citizen comments were accepted throughout the meeting.

Regular Business:

The Minutes of  January 3, 2006 Organization and Regular Meeting and the January 11, 2006 and February 8, 2006 Workshop Meetings were approved as submitted. 

Treasurers Report as of January 31, 2006 was accepted as read:

·         General Fund                                                    $648,125                                  

·         Capital Reserve Fund                                            25,134

·         Road Projects Fund                                               30,539

·         State Liquid Fuels Tax Account                           114,936

MOTION was made by Wright to pay the February, 2006 bills.  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.

Schantz announced sealed bids for the sale of a Cinder Spreader will be accepted until 3:00 pm on March 8, 2006 and will be opened that evening at 7:30 pm.  A copy of the notice was available on the rear table.

Zoning Business:

The Zoning Report was made available to the public.

Emil Kantra gave a report on the re-zoning request for the Dershem property.  In light of the curative amendment challenge Atty. Kantra is awaiting feedback from Attorney Sugarman to assure that it would not interfere in any way with the ongoing Curative Amendment Hearing.

Manager’s Business:

Manager’s report was made available to the public.

MOTION was made by Wright to appoint Ellen Koplin, Township Manager acting Secretary for the township.  Schantz seconded the motion.                             Unanimous

Subdivisions/Land Developments:

Schantz announced the submission of an application for the Lohr Subdivision, 2 lots located on Glen Road in the RR Zoning Dist. It was clarified that this is a new application for re-subdividing a portion of the same property which was subdivided a year ago.

Fire Company Report:

A report was given by Gerald Graham of the Lower Milford Fire Company.  He discussed equipment replacement needs within the next 5 years.  He also explained the use of the Knox Box.

Schantz and Wright agreed look into information regarding the Township purchase of a Knox Box as an example for residents in the community.

Other Business:

MOTION was made by Wright to have the Planning Commission review, and afterward advertise, the Recreation and Open Space Board draft ordinance.  Schantz seconded the motion.

                                                                                                Unanimous

Schantz stated review by the Planning Commission should be included in the Recreation and Open Space Ordinance.

Ann Frey, Planning Commission member, asked if Open Space should be part of this ordinance.  Attorney Kantra did not see any conflict with the statute in including Open Space.

MOTION was made by Wright to sign and send a letter to the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy in support of seeking a grant.  Schantz seconded the motion.  Unanimous

Schantz gave an update on Service Electric’s cable service. 

Gerald Graham asked when the contract with Service Electric would be over.  Schantz responded it keeps going until we stop it. 

Schantz stated he would like Attorney Kantra to supply a brief memo and Koplin to form a resolution on the implementation of Act 4, to cap property tax on preserved farm land. 

Announcements:

Geryville Materials Curative Amendment Hearing Scheduled for 2/28/06 is postponed until Wednesday, March 29, 2006.

Schantz brought attention to a mailing received by certain residents within a certain distance to the proposed quarry having a private water source concerning data collection on water usage and location. The mailing is from Earth Residents Group(ERG) in compliance with DEP.

Howard Shelly stated you have no recourse if you do not fill it out should the quarry ever cause well problems.

Robert Calhoun brought up that the mailings use old tax reference numbers and that the township should contact them to let them know.

Kantra suggested Koplin send a letter to a neutral solicitor to correct the problem.

Schantz announced there was a tentative agreement reached in labor relations. 

Schantz congratulated Robert Gehman for his many years of service on the Planning Commission.

Correspondence:

A copy of  the Southern Lehigh Library 1/17/06 Agenda and 12/20/05 Minutes with attachments were on the rear table for public viewing.

Citizen Comments:

Russel Reitenauer was concerned that there was not enough revenue to cover employee raises.  He expressed his need to get out early on snow days to get to work.  He would like to see the roads cleared sooner.

Lowell Linde asked what caused the employees to vote in a Union.  He stated a lot of money was wasted on negotiations because the employees felt their jobs were at stake.

Ann Frey also commented on road plowing and the union situation.

Wright pointed out literature on the back table dealing with sewage replacements low interest loans.  She also mentioned applying for a  DCED grant to help fund a Veteran’s Memorial for Lower Milford Township.  Schantz agreed to persuing the grant. 

Schantz adjourned the meeting at 9:00 pm .