LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
MINUTES
Chairman Richard Harris called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. Present were Supervisors Arland Schantz and Donna Wright. Also present were Township Manager Ellen Koplin; Township Solicitor Emil Kantra and approximately 20 others.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.
Harris announced an Executive Session took place prior to tonight’s meeting.
Public comments were accepted throughout the meeting.
Regular Business:
MOTION was made by Wright to approve the minutes of the May 21, 2009 Board of Supervisors Meeting. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to accept the Treasurers Report as of May 31, 2009 as follows:
· General Fund $615,430.00
· Sewer Fund 387.00
· Fire Fund 6,739.00
· Park & Rec. Donation Fund 8,254.00
· Park & Rec. Grant 24,000.00
· Capital Reserve Fund 137,760.00
· Road Projects Fund 348,663.00
· State Liquid Fuels Tax Account 124,262.00
· Developer Escrows (Non Twp. Funds) 40,627.00
Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to pay the June 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.
Schantz asked when the School House Lane Dirt and Gravel Road Project would be completed. Koplin responded, funding was for drainage and more will be completed as funds through the Lehigh County Dirt and Gravel Road Program are available.
Zoning Business:
The Zoning Report was made available to the public.
Manager’s Business:
Manager’s report was made available to the public.
Subdivisions/Land Developments:
There were no new Subdivisions or Land Developments. There was no action due.
Fire Co. Report:
There was a report available to the public on the rear table.
Schantz mentioned a letter placed on the rear table commending the local fire departments for their work.
Old Business:
Bids for the Lower Milford Community Park were opened, (See attached.)
Humane Society charges for 2008 services were discussed. It was agreed to pay for the animals which were assigned a control number.
Koplin mentioned turning over assignment of control numbers to the Police Department. The Board of Supervisors agreed.
MOTION was made by Wright to pay $175 toward the 2008 invoice charges of $217 to the Lehigh County Humane Society. ($42 unpaid for lack of control number.) Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to adopt the 2009 Lehigh County Humane Society contract as written. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
Those persons who sent Letters of Interest to be considered for the Lower Milford Representative on the Southern Lehigh Public Library Board were asked by Harris to give a synopsis of themselves. These included Deborah Shalders, Arthur Roth. Joan Dreibelbis(current representative) was not present. Harris also stated the expectations of the Board to receive regular reports from the representative at the Township BOS meeting. Koplin retrieved the by-laws of Southern Lehigh Public Library, returning after consideration of Resolution 2009-13. Continuing with Attorney Kantra interpreting the library’s by-laws saying only one representative is allowed from Lower Milford Township.
MOTION was made by Wright to appoint Arthur Roth as representative of Lower Milford Township to the Southern Lehigh Public Library Board. Unanimous
Resolution 2009-13 for the appointment of a Representative and Alternate Representative to the Earned Income Tax Committee was tabled until the next meeting of the Board of Supervisors on 7/2/09 in order to discuss with Tax Collector Robert Myers if he would like to be considered as alternate.
New Business:
MOTION was made by Wright to adopt Resolution 2009-14 Authorizing the Recreation and Open Space Board to solicit funding donations for the Lower Milford Community Park project. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
Considering the timetable for the PennVest Application for funding for the Limeport Sewerage Project, the Supervisors needed to address the adoption of the following resolutions:
MOTION was made by Wright to adopt Resolution 2009-15 Acquisition of Zapach land easement for Limeport Sewerage project discharge area. Harris seconded the motion.
Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to adopt Resolution 2009-16 for acquisition of land easements for the various properties involved in the Limeport area sewer project. Harris seconded the motion. 2-Aye, 1-Nay (Schantz) Motion Carried
Pouran Esrafily questioned if an updated budget will be sent regarding the Limeport Sewage costs. Attorney Kantra explained that the easement agreement documents will be sent and have to be obtained for the PennVest loan application deadline and that the interest rate would not be known until the loan is obtained. Costs depend on interest rates and grants received.
The proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment for Macungie Borough was tabled until the July Workshop.
The Proposed Zoning Ordinance and Official Map for Upper Milford Township were tabled until the July Workshop.
Correspondence (made available for public viewing on the rear table):
· Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Park
· Emergency Preparedness Announcement-Summer 2009
· PA Department of Labor and Industry Bulletin of 5/21/09
· Natural Lands Trust Spring/Summer 2009 Newsletter
· PA Deptartment of Revenue Bulletin - Property Tax/Rent Rebates
· PA Association for Sustainable Ag. Bulletin: Food Safety
· Lehigh County Humane Society: Loss of County Funding
· County of Lehigh, Office of Fiscal Affairs: Elimination of Tax Collection System
· Bill Seasholtz: Thank You Letter
Announcements:
· Township Office is closed on Friday, July 3 for Independence Day
· Geryville Materials, Inc. Curative Amendment Hearing on 6/30/09 at 7:30 pm
Citizens Comments:
Pouran Esrafily would like the Township to apply for stimulus funds for a Waste-to-Energy plant. Wright explained that funds are only being designated for “shovel ready” projects. Discussion ensued. Options will be explored.
Jean Schoch asked why the agenda was not on the Township website. The reply was that the Administrative Assistant, who updates the website, was on vacation. She also asked if the Recreation & Open Space Plan was advertised. The reply was that it is not ready for advertisement.
Schantz commended the Fire Co. and Police Dept. for their actions in the hail storm. Koplin included the Public Works Department and Emergency Management Coordinator for commendation also.
Richard DeFiore, Fire Chief, mentioned the need for more safety cones and barricades. Koplin reminded him that most of the Township barricades were at the Fire Co. for their carnival. Since the Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) responded to Monday evening’s storm event the Fire Co. could have requested the EMC locate more barricades from neighboring municipalities.
Harris adjourned the meeting at 9:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen L. Koplin
Township Secretary