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LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. MINUTES
Chairman Richard Harris called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Supervisors Arland Schantz and Donna Wright. Also present were Township Solicitor Emil Kantra, Township Manager Ellen Koplin; Public Works Director Richard Kinsey; Police Chief John Dondero and approximately 17 others.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.
Citizen comments were accepted throughout the meeting. Attorney Richard Stevens requested to make a comment. (see attachment prepared by Gina Wooler).
Regular Business: MOTION was made by Wright to approve the minutes of the May 17, 2007 Board of Supervisors Meeting. Harris seconded the motion. 2 aye, 1 nay Motion Carried
MOTION was made by Schantz to approve the June 13, 2007 Board of Supervisors Workshop Meeting Minutes. Harris seconded the motion. 2 aye, 1 abstained (Wright) Motion Carried
MOTION was made by Schantz to accept the Treasurers Report as of April 30, 2007 as follows: · General Fund $581,743.00 · Capital Reserve Fund 64,058.00 · Road Projects Fund 294,996.00 · State Liquid Fuels Tax Account 173,548.00 · Developer Escrows (Non Twp. Funds) 91,717.11 Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to pay the May bills with the exception of the Cowan Associates check for Act 537 charges. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous Schantz explained the charges from Cowan Associates are over budget. Koplin reminded the Board of the memo she distributed to the Supervisors about a month earlier suggesting we consider adjusting the budget by Resolution in July after completion of the second quarter of the fiscal year and explaining a 50% reimbursement, by the state for preparation of the Act 537 Plan, is anticipated upon DEP approval. MOTION was made by Schantz to pay the Cowan Associates bill after the second quarter. 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.
Subdivisions/Land Developments: Harris announced the receipt of an application for the Emma Kleinsmith Estate Subdivision (Theodore Dale) proposing two lots on 41.2316 acre property at School House Lane and Zionsville Rd. MOTION was made by Wright to approve the Fadil Lot Line Change. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous Fire Co. Report: Ken Knapp announced the need for Fire Co. Carnival volunteers.
Old Business: MOTION was made by Wright to advertise the Nuisance Ordinance. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to adopt the PPL Pole installation agreement. Harris seconded the motion. Schantz asked about liability with the pole on Township property. Kantra stated there is no liability unless the township creates the problem. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to authorize advertising of the July 5, 2007 Public Meeting and July 17, 2007 Public Hearing and forwarding a copy of the Act 537 Plan Draft to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. Jean Schoch asked if letters would be sent to Limeport residents. Harris responded, yes. Unanimous Schantz stated, after contacting them, the PA Game Commission does not have a deer removal policy. MOTION was made by Wright to accept the Deer Removal Agreement. Schantz seconded the motion with the stipulation that the Game Commission be called first. Unanimous
Other Business: Archaeological Conservancy’s appeal of Real Estate Tax Assessment to claim tax exempt status. The Supervisors chose not to take a position.
Announcements: · Harris announced a vacancy on the Agricultural Security Area Advisory Board. Paul Wisser, a former member, is deceased. · The Township Office will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, 2007.
Correspondence: · Southern Lehigh Public Library Board Meeting Agenda of 6/19/07 · Southern Lehigh Public Library Board Meeting Minutes of 4/17/07 · Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Community Park Meeting Minutes of 5/15/07
Citizen Comments: Ann Frey asked if there was a contractor chosen for the development of the sewer project. Harris stated there was not. The project will be bid.
ATTACHMENT:
Summary of Citizens Comments of 6/21/07 Board of Supervisors Meeting, by Gina Wooler.
Attorney Richard Stevens brought up a hearing for Arland Schantz which occurred the previous day. Stevens said Schantz believes a group of people in the township are “out to get him”. And that the newspaper reporter, who was present at the trial, obtained information from someone in the township. He noted the presence of Township Manager Ellen Koplin and Zoning Board Chairman Howard Shelly at the trial, neither of which, he said, were witnesses.
Stevens insinuated the newspaper reporter, who was also present at the trial, was getting information from someone in the township. And that there was also a photographer present at the trial. He noticed the complainant had an old Township Ordinance from 1960. He proposed the officials of the Township prohibit Schantz’s neighbor, the complainant, from building a fence on his property. And also that the Supervisors investigate improper actions of persons in the Township in order to get to the bottom of who’s “out to get” Schantz.
Kantra asked Stevens if there was a specific allegation. He said citizens are free to go to any public hearing.
Stevens responded there are not. That’s the purpose of an investigation. (Amended as per 7/19/07 BOS minutes.)
Stevens said Koplin should have been at work and again wanted the Supervisors to perform an investigation.
Kantra explained anyone is entitled to obtain a Township Ordinance if they request it.
Harris said he did get a call from a reporter but did not appreciate getting it. He also said if he were out to destroy Schantz he would have done it before the primary. He expressed that this is not a township matter, but personal and should be left as that.
Stevens said reporters don’t just show up without notification by someone. He then said the Supervisors don’t have to investigate if they don’t want to.
Harris thought there was no viable information to investigate and they would not do a “witch hunt”.
Kantra noted that there were no allegations made against anyone in the township to cause and investigation.
Stevens wanted them to investigate people from the township who showed up at the hearing.
Harris explained that Koplin had discussed with him about attending the hearing, and that he knew about it.
Koplin requested to respond to Stevens sayng her and her husband had an interest in the trial, as adjoining land owners with documentation relevant to the case. She said she was sworn in to testify but was not called upon to do so. In addition, that being a Township employee does not negate her rights as a property owner and citizen.
Harris objected to Stevens making Koplin less of a citizen, which Stevens refuted but wondered who sent the reporters.
Shelly said he has the right to go to a hearing and doesn’t need permission. He said he doesn’t think the Township needs this kind of publicity and told Stevens to be quiet.
Harris said Stevens is not defending Schantz as Supervisor but Schantz as a private citizen. That this incident has nothing to do with this government. (Harris moved the meeting forward to the next agenda item.)
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