LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP

LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - WORKSHOP MEETING

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2005

MINUTES

PRESENT:       Richard D. Harris, Chairman; Arland H. Schantz, Vice-Chairman; Joan B.                                             Dreibelbis, Supervisor/Treasurer; Ellen L. Koplin; and Approximately Twenty members of the Audience

-The meeting was called to order by Chairman Harris at 7:35 pm.

-Comments were received throughout the meeting.

-Landis Property (off of East Mill Hill Road) – Ingress and Egress

            Arland Schantz outlined the circumstances of the pending legal proceeding by the owner of the Landis property, which is a landlocked parcel of approximately 2+ acres, against Josephine Paulo to establish an access easement across the Paulo property.  The Paulo property is preserved through an agricultural conservation easement and Lehigh County is also represented in the proceedings.  Arland stated that he was approached concerning utilizing the township property, an eight acre parcel, which is located nearby and he would like the Board of Supervisors to be aware of it.

            After some discussion and questions from the residents concerning how the Landis parcel became landlocked, where the Paulo driveway is located, the proximity of the township land, and whether Lehigh County would receive payment for an access easement from Landis due to the conservation easement on the Paulo property, Chairman Harris expressed that the Board of Supervisors will have no input unless the township is approached to provide access across the township property.

-Schultz Bridge and Buhman Roads-Request for truck restriction

            E. Koplin explained that residents have contacted the township expressing concern for truck traffic, specifically, tri-axle trucks, utilizing Schultz Bridge Road and Buhman Road due to the 18 ton weight limit on the PENNDOT bridge located on King’s Hwy in Hosensack.  An engineering study would need to be done before a restriction could be placed.  The Board of Supervisors would need to authorize the expenditure.

            Mr. Weinberger and the Lower Milford Residents’ Association submitted a letter dated April 13, 2005 to the Board of Supervisors requesting that an engineering study be done to restrict truck traffic on East and West Mill Hill Roads and Buhman Road. 

-Announcements:

            -Mr. Harris announced that the Board of Supervisors has met twice this month in executive session to review the police resumes and they will be meeting again this month.  He stated that there are a variety of labor laws and laws specifically for police candidates that must be followed when hiring and therefore, the process is lengthy.

            -A question was raised from the audience concerning the status of reviewing Service Electric’s cable service to the township.  Arland Schantz said Atty. Stevens said nothing is happening and any further pursuit would require additional legal services.

            -Chairman Harris announced that the Board met in executive session on the quarry.  The committee has met several times and in light of the curative amendment which was filed by the landowner, the Supervisors must be careful how they discuss the issue in public.  He also said that it has been expressed that we shouldn’t have had provision for quarries in the zoning ordinance.  Under the state laws governing townships zoning and land development ordinances, we have to provide for quarries.  In hind sight, we could have chosen a different area, but state law mandates that it must be provided for somewhere.

            -A question was raised by a member of the audience asking how much the Victorian Village Landowner Curative Amendment cost the township.  We will provide the figure for the next meeting.

            -Mr. Weinberger announced that the Lower Milford Resident’s Association would hold a meeting on Monday, April 18, 2005 at 7:00 pm at the Fire Company.

            -Mr. Shelly announced a Republican candidate’s night has been scheduled for April 20, 2005 at the Fire Company for the upcoming primary election.  The Democrat candidate is also welcome to participate.

            -Arland Schantz announced that the Southern Lehigh School Board would be holding a public hearing on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 to consider Act 72.  This is the Board of Supervisors normal workshop meeting night.  The conclusions of the committee formed to review the impact of Act 72 presented their findings to the school board on April 25, 2005.

             Some discussion took place concerning the merits of Act 72.

-The meeting adjourned at 8:52 pm.