LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
MINUTES
Chairman Richard Harris called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. Present were Supervisors Arland Schantz and Donna Wright. Also present were Township Solicitor Emil Kantra, Township Manager Ellen Koplin; Public Works Director Richard Kinsey; Police Chief John Dondero; Edward Florentino and approximately 14 others.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.
Harris administered the Oath to Edward Florentino, Sr. to serve as part-time police officer for the township.
Citizen comments were accepted throughout the meeting.
Elected Auditor Lance Tittle, in response to a letter dated January 3, 2008 from the Township Manager advising that the Board of Supervisors assigned the elected auditors to audit the Township Tax Collector, said, according to PSATS and the Second Class Township Code it is not their duty and they would not perform an audit of the Tax Collector.
Regular Business:
MOTION was made by Schantz to approve the minutes of the Board of Supervisors January 7, 2008 Meeting with the addition of specifically identifying the nays in split votes. Wright seconded the motion.
Schantz indicated this should be the policy from now on, to include names on split votes.
Unanimous
Jean Schoch mentioned the interview of tax collectors by township was never discussed in public even though it was mentioned in the 12/20/08 minutes. Harris said it would be looked into.
MOTION was made by Wright to approve the minutes of the Board of Supervisors February 7, 2008 Workshop with a correction to the end of the second paragraph under New Business stating “Schantz mentioned a 1% local sales tax to help reduce millage on real estate tax.” Corrected it should read as follows: Schantz mentioned a 1% sales tax is being proposed by Renew Lehigh Valley to be used to fund various Valley community projects and help reduce millage on real estate tax.
Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to accept the Treasurers Report as of as follows:
· General Fund $573,176.00
· Park & Rec. Donation Fund 28.00
· Capital Reserve Fund 101,569.00
· Road Projects Fund 337,853.00
· State Liquid Fuels Tax Account 84,043.00
· Developer Escrows (Non Twp. Funds) 52,627.00
Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to pay the 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:
MOTION was made by Schantz to approve Release #2 for Phase 2 of the Maplewood Estates Improvement Escrow in the amount of $484,298.35 as recommended by the Township Engineer by letter dated 2/5/08. Such release is conditioned upon submitting to the Township a check in the amount of $19,774.30 for outstanding inspection fees totaling $14,774.30 and $5,000 to retain a balance in the engineering/legal escrow account, in accordance with the developer’s improvement agreement. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to adopt Resolution 2008-5 Sewage Facilities Planning Module prepared for Castle Development Group, LTD, the Crossroads Subdivision, prepared by Del Val Soil and Environmental Consultants, Inc. By approving this Planning Module, we endorse the responses contained in the module package to the component 4B comments made by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. Additionally, we concur with the findings of John Kortvely, SEO that the site contains marginal soils and have required replacement site testing for all lots within Lower Milford Township. When forwarding to DEP, we wish to bring to their attention that the PNDI clearance documents may have expired. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
Fire Co. Report:
Sale of address signs is picking up.
Old Business:
MOTION was made by Schantz to adopt the Ordinance establishing a Joint Building Board of Appeals. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
Schantz mentioned the notification sign-up located on the Township website homepage, in order to receive notices.
MOTION was made by Wright to authorize advertisement of the West Mill Hill Road Vehicle Restriction Ordinance. Schantz seconded the motion.
Schantz emphasized the word “local” in the ordinance is not meant to restrict or prohibit residents of Lower Milford. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to approve the Bridge and Maintenance Schedule as proposed by the memo of Richard Kinsey, Public Works Director dated 2/1/08. Schantz seconded the motion.
Kinsey reminded the Board that the remaining half of township bridges will be inspected later in 2008. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to accept the request for Veterans Exemption from municipality property tax (regarding the Linda A. Wilson property). Schantz seconded the motion.
Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to authorize Maureen Kinney, Township Treasurer, to establish a credit card for Police Chief John Dondero with a credit limit of $1,000. Wright seconded the motion. Harris mentioned other existing Township credit cards have been in use by Gina Wooler with a $500 credit limit, Richard Kinsey with a $1,000 credit limit and Ellen Koplin with a $2,000 credit limit. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to renew the State Salt Contract. Schantz seconded the motion.
Unanimous
The Township is renewing at the States 2008 contract pricing.
Schantz suggested obtaining a CPA for auditing the Tax Collector 2007 records, since Keith Hausman was replaced by Robert Myers in 2008. The other supervisors agreed.
New Business:
MOTION was made by Wright to authorize a contract with A.D. Marble & Co. to conduct a
Phase 1 Archaeological Study for the treatment plant and discharge location for the Limeport Sewer project conditioned upon approval of the Act 537 Plan by PA DEP. Additionally, legal authorization to conduct the study on the subject property is attained. Harris seconded the motion.
Unanimous
Theodore Zapach suggested getting information from PennDot since they had also contracted A.D. Marble & Co. to do a study for the wetland mitigation. Koplin stated that is why their quote came in much lower as they already had information on the area. He gave the information to the Board concerning his mortgage company in case the Township should need to utilize his property.
Schantz thought the study is premature, that we may not be able to obtain the land. Attorney Kantra said this is due diligence and should be done prior to obtaining the land in case problems are found.
MOTION was made by Wright to approve expenditure for the Ricoh copier from IKON with a booklet finisher totaling $8,330 under the Costars contract. Schantz seconded the motion.
Unanimous
Correspondence:
Solehi Public Library Board Meeting Agenda of 2/19/08, 1/15/08 with 12/18 min. and reports
Citizen Comments:
Ann Frey asked if there was any planning or discussion on the Scout Road Bridge. There was not to date and it will be placed on the workshop agenda.
She also questioned the amount in the budget for Act 537 and if the amounts paid for Act 537 in 2008 were actually 2007 expenditures. Koplin explained that there were additional expenditures to submit a Social Economic Justification to DEP for approval of the Stream Discharge System.
Jean Schoch noted there was no calendar attached to the agenda. It will be provided after the meeting.
Harris adjourned the meeting at 8:40 pm.