LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
MINUTES
Chairman Richard Harris called the meeting to order at 7:48 p.m. Present were Supervisors Arland Schantz and Joan Dreibelbis. Also present were Township Solicitor Richard Stevens, Township Manager Ellen Koplin and approximately 50 others.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.
Citizen comments occurred throughout the meeting.
MOTION was made by Harris to amend the agenda to include in the Zoning Business the Sewer Planning Modules for the DeKrane Subdivision recently approved by the Planning Commission. Dreibelbis seconded the motion. Schantz voted nay because he was unable review the modules prior to the meeting. Motion Carried
Citizen comments concerning this were held until subdivision/land development items are discussed.
Regular Business:
The Minutes of March 17, 2005 Board of Supervisors Meeting and Minutes of April 13, 2005 Board of Supervisors Workshop Meeting were approved as read.
Harris announced Executive meetings held on March 23, 28, April 7, 11 and 21.
Treasurers Report as of March 31, 2005:
· General Fund $569,194.84
· Road Projects Fund 29,663.19
· State Liquid Fuels Tax Account 76,506.41
MOTION was made by Dreibelbis to adopt Resolution 2005-21 Amending Budget to reflect Actual Beginning Cash Balance and Increase Escrow Transfer Account. Harris seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to Authorize a Property Tax Refund to Deborah L. Dershem for overpayment in years 2000 through 2004 totaling $41.00. Dreibelbis seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to adopt Resolution 2005-22 Disposal of Township Property, 1995 Tow Broom. Dreibelbis seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to pay the April, 2005 bills. Harris seconded the motion.
Unanimous
Road Business:
Road reports were accepted as read. Copies were made available to the public.
Harris announced applications are being received for part-time summer help.
Harris explained alternatives to sharing fuel with LMT Fire Co. Schantz wanted better records kept of fuel use. Harris stated there are records being kept regularly.
Koplin reviewed a report from Keystone Engineering Inc. concerning the Schultz Bridge Road
bridge project wherein they recommended they continue with the bid specifications.
Board of Supervisors April 21, 2005 regular meeting - Page 2 –
MOTION was made by Schantz to allow Keystone Engineering Inc. to continue with the Schultz Bridge Road Bridge project through completion. Harris seconded the motion.
Unanimous
Road bids were opened. (see attached results)
Police Business:
Copies of the Police Report were made available to the public.
Harris announced a procedural snag that Attorney Stevens is looking into concerning the hiring of a police officer.
Zoning Business:
Copies of the Zoning Report were made available to the public.
Harris announced the resignation of Richard Schilling from the Zoning/Planning/Public Works position. He stated the township is actively looking for a replacement and are accepting resumes until May 2, 2005.
Schantz stated he wanted to look into replacing the full-time position with two part-time individuals. Harris stated having a part-time public works director would be more difficult.
MOTION was made by Harris to accept Schillings resignation. Dreibelbis seconded the motion.
Unanimous
MOTION was made by Harris to adopt Resolution 2005 – 1A Amending Building Permit Fees. Dreibelbis seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Harris to adopt Resolution 2005 – 2A Amending Erosion Control Review and Inspection Fee. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
Management Business:
Copies of the Manager’s Report were made available to the public.
An Employee handbook has been prepared and is ready for adoption. Revised job descriptions have also been prepared (excluding bargaining unit employees). The handbook contains standard language concerning political activity of employees; not during working hours or on Township property, but may not prohibit employees from participating in political activity as a private citizen.
Schantz suggested that additional language be added to prohibit managerial employees from any political activity that will directly effect their status of employment.
Harris stated that Schantz’s proposed language could violate Federal law. Harris suggested voting on job descriptions and tabling the handbook.
MOTION was made by Harris to accept the Job Descriptions as written. Dreibelbis seconded the motion. Unanimous
Harris stated that job descriptions can be changed anytime by resolution.
Subdivisions and Land Developments:
There were no new subdivisions or land developments.
MOTION was made by Harris to adopt Resolution 2005-23 Sewage Planning Module for the Dekrane Subdivision. Dreibelbis seconded the motion. Unanimous
Other Business:
MOTION was made by Dreibelbis to Authorize the advertisement of an Ordinance/Inter-governmental Agreement for Adoption of Southwestern Lehigh County Comprehensive Plan. Harris seconded the motion. Unanimous
Harris read a letter of interest from William Roy for the position of Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC).
Harris stated we do not appoint this position but forward a recommendation to PEMA for appointment. Tapler and Schantz expressed they were not aware of the open position. Koplin explained the open position of EMC was announced last year with no respondents. She said when she became the Township Manager she asked to be relieved as EMC, with no respondents.
Schantz suggested that applications for the open position of EMC be accepted until next meeting. It was agreed upon by the other supervisors.
MOTION was made by Schantz to adopt the Lehigh County Humane Society Agreement with the control number revision. Harris seconded the motion. Unanimous
Schantz reported on the Annual PSATS Convention.
Stevens gave an update on the Service Electric Franchise investigation. He recommended Cohen Communications write one more letter of request for information to Service Electric. If there is no response it was recommended the agreement with Service Electric be canceled in order to coerce the information requested from them.
Announcements:
· The Countryside Garden Club will be caring for the flower beds again this year
· Fire Co. Carnival – July 13th - 16th, volunteers needed
· The Supervisors Workshop, scheduled for May 11th is cancelled due to the Public Hearing scheduled that evening by the Southern Lehigh School District to consider Act 72.
· PENNDOT – Lehigh Valley Freeway Service Patrol – First Three Month Statistics
Correspondence:
· Lori Sickenberger and Don & Jane Melcher concerning the Geryville Materials application.
· PPL concerning the Geryville Materials application.
· Keystone Engineering – Blood Drive May 13 at Wescosville Office.
Meeting Announcements:
· Wednesday, April 27, 2005 Zoning Hearing Board – 7:30 pm
· Monday, May 2, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting – 7:30 pm
· Wednesday, May 11, 2005 Southern Lehigh School Dist. Public Hearing – 7:00 pm H.S. Auditorium
· Monday, May 16, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting/Workshop – 7:30 pm
· Thursday, May 19, 2005 Board of Supervisors Regular Mtg. – 7:30 pm
Citizen Comments:
Lowell Linde expressed that it is not too late to oppose the hiring of police. Dreibelbis mentioned other options.
Donna Wright asked who would be negotiating the Union contract when Schilling leaves. Harris responded that Schilling is under separate contract as negotiator, and will continue as such.
Ann Frey tried to interpret what Schantz was saying…that union negotiation fees be separate from management salary and shouldn’t it state in the job description that the Public Works Director will be responsibile for negotiating a Union Contract. Harris stated this is a unique situation and it is not part of the job description. She objected to the fact that Shilling was put in a salary position but union negotiations were not included in that salary.
Lowell Linde inquired whether the employee handbook is open to the public. Stevens stated it is not public until it is approved by the Board of Supervisors. Linde thought it should be discussed in public.
Jean Schoch inquired about the DeKrane Sewage Planning Module. Neither she nor Ann Frey recalled the module being approved at the Planning Commission Meeting as Harris stated it was. Eileen Howatt, Planning Commission Vice-Chair, stated they were approved in conjunction with the Preliminary Plan referencing the letters from the township’s SEO and Keystone Engineering.
Lance Tittle asked if the Board of Supervisors send all EMC applicant names to PEMA. Harris replied that the Board of Supervisors would pick one and send that recommendation on to PEMA.
Schoch and others thanked those who have put their land into Agriculture Preservation.
Howard Shelly spoke on the political debate held last evening. He was upset by Schantz removing the announcement posted at the Township building for the debate.
Tapler asked if the police expense could be added as a line item on the budget.
Paul Shellaway asked if there was any dialog ongoing with the State Police. All Supervisors said no. He suggested one of the Supervisors be a liaison between the township and the State Police.
Lance Tittle asked for an explanation of Resolution 2005-21. Koplin explained the return of the Markofski escrow. He also remarked on Haines and Kibblehouse submitting a bid for roadwork in the township for the first time. He also asked if there was anything in the job descriptions or handbook limiting someone on disability from working 24 hrs/day. He suggested the available volunteer EMC position be put on the township website. He remarked concerning the need for township police but also mentioned he would like to see township police set aside to save money to fight the quarry. He asked Dreibelbis if she was asked to be part of the quarry meeting. She replied that it was a joint decision who would attend. Tittle mentioned a comment which was voiced in the second of these meetings. Harris refused to comment since it was a private meeting and Tittle was not aware of the context.
Sally Tankred said she “finds the tit-for-tat is uncalled for and unprofessional”. Harris thanked her. She expressed the need for Schultz Bridge Road Bridge to be fixed and not be set aside for the sake of the quarry.
Harris adjourned the meeting at 10:05 p.m.