LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP

LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - WORKSHOP MEETING

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2009

MINUTES

PRESENT:  Richard Harris, Chairman; Donna Wright, Vice-Chair;  Arland Schantz, Supervisor; Ellen Koplin, Township Manager; Richard Kinsey, Public Works Director and approximately 9 members of the audience. 

–      Chairman Harris called the meeting to order at approximately 7:30 pm.

OLD BUSINESS:

–      Scout Road Turnaround Discussion

Kinsey distributed a sketch for construction of a temporary turnaround on the property of Joseph W. Eltonhead on Scout Road.  The conditions of the landowner were explained concerning repair or replacement of the bridge.

Attorney Kantra agreed there would need to be documents signed for an easement for public use. 

Anne Frey expressed her opposition to the placement of the planned turnaround because of the impact on her home and fence.

Kinsey mentioned he is not in favor of the turnaround citing other roads that were cut off and no turnaround was created.

Harris commented that a decision would first need to be made concerning the repair or replacement of the bridge.

Kinsey said he will repair the end of Frey’s drive with stone when the weather breaks because the township is using that drive to turnaround when plowing.

Evelyn Yost said the township plow turns in her drive also but doesn’t fix it.  She said she doesn’t care as long as they clear the road of snow.

–      Draft Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1 Creation of Police Department

There is a need to revise or replace Ordinance No. 1 because of brushing up the language and amending the number of officers allowed.  It was discussed whether to leave it open-ended as to the number of officers.  Kantra thought it better to put in a specific number.  The Board consensus was to increase the number to 4 officers.  Wording should have appointment of officers according to the terms set forth in the Administrative Manual.

MOTION was made by Schantz authorizing advertisement of the draft Police Ordinance with the corrections as discussed.  Wright seconded the motion.      Unanimous

–      Yeagle Property Assessment Appeal

A Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas order reducing the assessment for the Yeagle property was announced. 

NEW BUSINESS:

–      Real Estate Tax Billing

Lehigh County cannot print the tax bills with the new Fire Tax added. 

Having the real estate bills printed by Berks County Intermediate Unit will be approximately twice the cost of having Lehigh County print them. 

MOTION was made by Wright to authorize Berks County Intermediate Unit to print the Real Estate Tax bills.  Schantz seconded the motion.                                   Unanimous

–      Public Improvements Dedication Policy Discussion

When a road is dedicated to the Township the Harrisburg office of  PENNDOT needs to receive notice of dedication by September 1st of that year in order for the road to be included in State Liquid Fuels allocation for the following year.  Koplin suggested adopting a policy where new streets could be dedicated between April 1 and July 31 and if received any other time of the year, for compensation for lack of Liquid Fuels money for that road, there would be a charge. 

The Board agreed to have Koplin draw up a policy to discuss at the First March (workshop) Meeting.

CORRESPONDENCE:

–      Lehigh Valley Chamber – asking for sponsorship of yearly $525 Scholarship.  Since it does not include students from Lower Milford the Board was not in favor of participating.

–      Harris adjourned the meeting at 8:34 pm.