LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Thursday, May 19, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.

MINUTES

Chairman Richard Harris called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.  Also present were Supervisor Arland Schantz, Township Solicitor Richard Stevens, Township Manager Ellen Koplin and approximately 50 others. 

The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.

Citizen comments were accepted throughout the meeting.

Police Business:

Police report for April was made available to the public.

Lieutenant Michelle Turk, Commander of the Fogelsville State Police Barracks; Trooper Mark Allen, Community Service Officer of Bethlehem, and Trooper Jason Troutman Community Service Officer of Fogelsville gave a presentation of the police activity in Lower Milford Township compared with surrounding municipalities.  They also presented a review of services available to the community.  Citizens questions were answered.

Harris stated the Supervisors are making significant inroads in the search for a Police Chief.  They will begin to meet with individual applicants.

Scott Stenroos of Keystone Engineering, Inc. reviewed construction plans for the Schultz Bridge Road Bridge.  DEP gave GP11 approval and construction will begin in August with completion by Thanksgiving.  In response to Stenroos’ question of how to approach the landowners with abutting properties to the bridge project Stevens stated the best would be to go in person and get written permission. Bridge width, bog turtle study and weight limits were discussed.

Regular Business:

The Minutes of April 21, 2005 Board of Supervisor=s Meeting were approved as read. 

Harris announced Executive Sessions held on April 26, 2005 for Union Negotiations and May 5,12 and 19, 2005 for personnel issues.

Treasurers Report as of April 30, 2005 was accepted as read:

·         General Fund                                                    $567,193.07

·         Road Projects Fund                                               29,666.96

·         State Liquid Fuels Tax Account                            214,080.39

MOTION was made by Harris to pay the May, 2005 bills.  Schantz seconded the motion.

Unanimous 

Road Business:

Road reports were made available to the public.

 MOTION was made by Harris to award the Road Bids as follows:

            Naceville Materials                                #10 Aggregate              FOB and Jobsite

                                                                        R-4 Rock Lining            FOB only

            Eastern Industries                                  #67 Aggregate, Type A FOB and Jobsite

                                                                        2RC Aggregate             FOB and Jobsite

                                                                        #57 Aggregate              FOB and Jobsite

                                                                        #8 Aggregate                FOB and Jobsite

                                                                        #2 Aggregate                FOB and Jobsite

                                                                        #3 Aggregate                FOB and Jobsite

                                                                        #1 Aggregate                FOB and Jobsite

                                                                        R-4 Rock Lining            Jobsite only

                                                                        R-5 Rock Lining            FOB and Jobsite

                                                                        R-6 Rock Lining            FOB and Jobsite

                                                                        R-7 Rock Lining            FOB and Jobsite

                                                                        Type 2 Anti-skid            FOB and Jobsite

            Coopersburg Materials                           9.5mm Superpave

            Asphalt Industries, Inc.                          MC-30 Oil with distributor

            Asphalt Maintenance Solutions, LLC      Crack Seal applied

            Gorman Brothers                                   Seal Coat in place

Schantz seconded the motion.                                                    Unanimous

MOTION was made by Schantz to advertise for bid the sale of the1978 John Deere Front End Loader w/ side-mounted sickle bar.  Harris seconded the motion. Unanimous

MOTION was made by Schantz to authorize the disposal of the Ford Flail Mower.  Harris seconded the motion.                                                                 Unanimous

Zoning Business:

Zoning report was made available to the public.

Managers Business:

            Managers report was made available to the public.

MOTION was made by Schantz to accept the Non-uniform Employee Handbook.   Harris seconded the motion.                                                                 Unanimous

Harris announced the MS-4 Year End Report will be filed.

MOTION was made by Schantz to adopt Resolution 2005-24 Inter-Municipal Comprehensive Plan.  Harris seconded the motion.                                             Unanimous

Schantz mentioned that an additional agreement needs to be started right away and worked on so

that in the future we can take advantage of this plan and swap different uses throughout the area that the plan covers. 

Harris stated this is not the end of the efforts to protect this township.  He said we have to revise the Township Comprehensive Plan to match the Inter-Municipal Comprehensive Plan.

Schantz stated the Plan is available for review at the Township office.

MOTION was made by Schantz to adopt Ordinance 98 Implementing the Inter-Municipal Comprehensive Plan.  Harris seconded the motion.                     Unanimous

Subdivisions/Land Developments:

            There are no new Subdivisions or Land Developments and no Action Due.

Harris read a letter from Susan Ritter resigning from the Planning Commission, of which she was Chairperson.

Harris announced the open position available on the Planning Commission.  Letters of Interest will be accepted for that position until June 3, 2005.

Fire Company Business:

Schantz gave an update on insurance coverage for Junior Fire Fighters.  Solicitor Stevens informed Schantz the Township ordinance, as written, should cover Junior Fire Fighters.  A letter was sent to Fire Chief DeFiore and inquiry made of the insurance carrier as to coverage. 

Schantz briefed a letter from Fire Marshall Terry Miller concerning at-fault fires.  

Schantz  stated the Fire Company is looking into future fire truck/equipment housing.  Also the Fire Chief vehicle will need to be replaced in the future. 

Schantz also stated the Fire Company would like to work hand-in-hand with the Emergency Management Coordinator.  They are also concerned about the quarry and emergency situations which may arise if under operation.

Donna Wright gave an update on the 2005 Fall Festival to be held Saturday, September 24, 2005.  She requested donations of Silent Auction items.

Stevens gave an update on the Cable Franchise saying the township may have to terminate the franchise with Service Electric if they do not comply with requests made to investigate franchise fees paid to the township.

Harris authorized Koplin to contact other cable companies and let Service Electric know we may terminate services if they do not cooperate.

Harris announced there will be specific quarry information discussed at the June 8, 2005 Board of Supervisors Workshop for those who are interested.

Citizen Comments:

Jean Schoch inquired what the MS-4 report was.  Koplin responded it is the NPDES Phase II, 2^nd year report.

Ann Frey asked if the meetings between Township representatives and quarry representatives were only fact finding meetings why was there a document produced as a result of those meetings.  Harris stated that was a letter produced by the LMRA attorney not the Township.

Don Weinberger stated that the LMRA is opposed to the quarry and welcomes anyone to join in the fight.

Resident asked the reasoning behind the meetings with quarry people for fact finding.   Harris explained the facts are not being discussed outside these meetings between the Supervisors or anyone else.  He stated come June at the Board of Supervisors Workshop, when the results of these meetings are revealed, it will become clear and the residents will have a better understanding as well.  The Board of Supervisors will discuss, in executive session, the legal issues of the curative amendment and at the workshop begin to form decisions.

In response to a resident’s question, it was stated by Koplin that the decision to hold the quarry meetings was made at the January 6, 2005 Curative Amendment Hearing, at which time Attorney Timothy Stevens read a written agreement.

A resident said there should be an opportunity for the resident to vote whether they want a quarry or not.  Harris told him to attend the June Board of Supervisors Workshop.

Harris made the comment that he and other residents received an unsigned letter in the mail and felt it was inappropriate using that method within the township at an election time.

Schantz had a letter from a resident concerning disrespect of a farm property.  He and Harris stated the importance to let people know that trespassing on farm property is not appropriate.

Lowell Linde inquired, concerning cable service; “How do we know if the new service we receive will be any better than what we have now.”   Harris stated we do not know, it may be the way the service is generated and not the equipment used.  He also stated the township would not leave residents without cable service.

Stevens stated we do not have the right to terminate the services of Service Electric if they provide less than adequate service but do have the right to terminate if they do not pay the franchise fees due the township as guaranteed in contract.  They will not allow us to see their books as we are entitled to. 

Harris adjourned the meeting at 10:00 pm.