LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.

MINUTES

Vice-Chair Donna Wright called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.  Present was Supervisor Arland Schantz.  Also present were Township Manager Ellen Koplin, Township Solicitor Emil Kantra and approximately 16 others. 

The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.

Public comments were accepted throughout the meeting.

Wright announced the absence of Supervisor Harris.

Schantz asked about the website which has not been accessable.  Wright explained the change to a new service provider causing some technical problems which need to be resolved.

Regular Business:

MOTION was made by Schantz to approve the minutes of the April 16, 2009 Board of Supervisors Meeting.  Wright seconded the motion.               Unanimous

MOTION was made by Schantz to approve the minutes of the May 7, 2009 Board of Supervisors Workshop.   Wright seconded the motion.                           Unanimous

MOTION was made by Wright to accept the Treasurers Report as of April 30, 2009 as follows:

·         General Fund                                                   $579,335.00

·         Sewer Fund                                                            2,657.00

·         Park & Rec. Donation Fund                                   8,251.00

·         Park & Rec. Grant                                               24,000.00                                       

·         Capital Reserve Fund                                         137,760.00      

·         Road Projects Fund                                            347,657.00   

·         State Liquid Fuels Tax Account                                     126,131.00

·         Developer Escrows (Non Twp. Funds)                            41,339.00

Schantz seconded the motion.                                           Unanimous                     

MOTION was made by Schantz to pay the May 2009 bills.   Wright 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.

Schantz asked about the reason why the township did not receive funds that were disbursed by the state for the Limeport Sewerage project.  Koplin and Attorney Kantra explained the point system that was used and how the Limeport project ranked in points.  They also explained how stimulus funds were included causing more criteria to be met. 

Subdivisions/Land Developments:

There were no new Subdivisions or Land Developments.  There was no action due. 

Fire Co. Report:

            There was no report available. 

Lloyd Ohl, Fire Company President, said there are no Fire Co. dinners in June.  Volunteers are being sought for the June 24 through 27 Fire Co. Carnival. 

Old Business:

Schantz gave a report on the PSATS Convention held on April 20 & 21 which he attended as Voting Representative for Lower Milford.

MOTION was made by Schantz to allow rollover of the Agricultural Security Area without performing a Seven Year Review as recommended by the Agricultural Security Area Advisory Board.  Wright seconded the motion.                                                  Unanimous

A report on Clean-up Day was provided on the back table.  It reflected the participation of 68 volunteers and nearly 2 tons of trash collected.

New Business:

Wright announced the acceptance of an Agricultural Security Area Application for David & Emilie Lobach property located at 6932 Kings Highway containing 12.060 acres in Lower Milford and 1.423 acres in Upper Milford Townships.

MOTION was made by Wright to accept a Letter of Resignation from Thomas DeNave of the Zoning Hearing Board.  Schantz seconded the motion.             Unanimous

Wright asked that anyone interested in serving on the Zoning Hearing Board submit a Letter of Interest to the Board of Supervisors by July 2, 2009 Board of Supervisors Workshop Meeting. 

MOTION was made by Schantz to authorize exoneration of the tax bill for the Hate property to be rebilled under the correct value at $5.49 as per re-assessment.  Wright seconded the motion.                                                                                                  Unanimous

Wright announced the Real Estate Tax Exemption for the Edward Goehring property due to a Veterans Exemption Request granted by the Lehigh County Board of Assessment Appeals.

Correspondence:

·         Southern Lehigh Public Library agenda, minutes, reports

·         Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Park - Minutes 4/21/09

Announcements:

·         Letters of Interest are being accepted for the position of Lower Milford Representative to the Southern Lehigh Public Library Board

·         Offices closed Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2009

·         CANCELED - Geryville Materials Curative Amendment Hearing - May 26, 2009

      Hearing continued on June 30 at 7:30 pm      

·         Commonwealth Court Opinion of May 13, 2009 affirming decision of Lehigh County

Court of Common Pleas which affirmed decision of Zoning Hearing Board denying Geryville Materials Procedural Challenge to the validity of Township’s land use ordinances

Citizens Comments:

Jean Schoch questioned the Planning Commission Cancellation. 

Schoch also inquired what the township does with the anti-skid swept up off the roads in the spring.  She was interested if residents can request to have some. 

It is best to request it at the time it is being swept.

Wright adjourned the meeting at 8:28 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Ellen L. Koplin

                                                                                    Township Secretary