LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2006 AT 7:30 P.M.

MINUTES

Chairman Richard Harris called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.  Present were Supervisors Arland Schantz and Donna Wright.  Also present were Township Solicitor Emil Kantra, Township Manager Ellen Koplin and approximately 17 others. 

The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.

Citizen comments were accepted throughout the meeting.

Evelyn Yost stated Schantz said, in a previous meeting, he was not riding a truck in a parade before the election.  Upon viewing taped parades through Service Electric,Yost said she saw Arland Schantz on a truck with his wife and Jeffrey Tapler who was Police Chief at that time.  Schantz stated the truck was not marked with any “vote for” signs.  Yost stated she did indeed see an “Arland Schantz” sign.

Regular Business:

MOTION was made by Schantz to approve the minutes of the June 15, 2006 Regular Meeting, minutes of the July 12, 2006 Workshop meeting, and minutes of the June 29, 2006 special joint meeting with the Planning Commission.  Wright seconded the motion.    

Unanimous

Harris announced an Executive Session held July 20, 2006.         

Treasurers Report as of  June 30, 2006 was accepted as read:

·         General Fund                                                    $          569,358.00       

·         Capital Reserve Fund                                                      60,950.00

·         Road Projects Fund                                                       276,713.00

·         State Liquid Fuels Tax Account                                      252,636.00

·                                    

MOTION was made by Wright to pay the July, 2006 bills.  Schantz seconded the motion.

Unanimous

Police Business:

The Police Report was made available to the public.

MOTION was made by Schantz to adopt Resolution 2006 - 28 - Police Policies and Procedures Manual.  Seconded by Wright.                                                         Unanimous

Public Works Business:

The Public Works Report was made available to the public.

Harris stated there will be no steps taken to repair Scout Road Bridge at this time.  The structure will continue to be monitored.  The option to repair was not cost effective but Harris will look again at the engineer’s recommendations and it can be discussed at the August workshop.

MOTION was made by Wright to begin Road Study on East Mill Hill Road.  Harris seconded the motion.                                                                                                Unanimous

A resident mentioned the Hosensack Creek is encroaching near Schultz Bridge Road.  Koplin stated it is located on PPL property and they were notified last year.  Attorney Kantra will look at the site and contact PPL. 

A resident asked why, when West Mill Hill Road is in worse condition, is the road study not being done there first.  Harris stated it has nothing to do with road repairs and that a study will be done there in the near future.

MOTION made by Schantz to have the engineer do a study on the School House Lane culvert.  There was no second.

Wright questioned the cost.  It was decided to find out the cost of doing a study and then discussing it in a workshop. 

MOTION was made by Schantz to sign the Deer Removal Contract with a change requiring the township to be notified before picking up a road kill deer.           Unanimous

MOTION was made by Wright to adopt Ordinance No. 102, Amending Ordinance 82 – Kraussdale Road Vehicle Restriction.  Schantz seconded the motion.

Resident Ken Knapp objected to each vehicle, over 19 feet, being restricted.  He thinks it should be limited to trucks.  Attorney Kantra stated the statute does not allow townships to differentiate the type of vehicle.  Koplin stated the restriction comes from the recommendation of the engineer who determines the length restriction by doing calculations and  a survey.

Koplin asked the opinion of Police Chief John Dondero who stated he will not site someone with a longer car who is traveling on that road but will enforce the intent of the ordinance and the applicable state statute.

Planning Commission member Ann Frey suggested straightening the road.  Harris stated that would entail condemning a portion of someone’s property.  Ann Frey felt that condemnation could be considered.  Wright stated that the property is also in the Agricultural Security Area. 

Unanimous

Zoning Business:

The Zoning Report was made available to the public.

Manager’s Business:

Manager’s report was made available to the public.

Township Treasurer Maureen Kinney explained the options for the Employee Pension Plan.  She stated it will cost approximately $1,000 to update the Plan.

MOTION was made by Wright to authorize expenditure to revise the Employee Pension Plan.  Seconded by Schantz.                                                                        Unanimous

Subdivisions/Land Developments:

            There were no new Subdivisions or Land Development applicants.

MOTION was made by Schantz to execute the Final Plan for Campbell Subdivision.  Wright seconded the motion.                                                                        Unanimous

Other Business:

            There was no Fire Company report given.

The cost of retaining Brandywine Conservancy as a consultant to the Planning Commission would be $18,000.  An available grant would cover 50%.

MOTION was made by Wright to retain Brandywine Conservancy as Regional Planning

Consultant.  Schantz seconded the motion.                                 

Ann Frey and Lois Gadek of the Planning Commission were in favor of holding off with the motion until the August Board of Supervisors meeting to give the Planning Commission a chance to go over the proposal and get feedback from Charles Schmehl of Urban Research and Development.                                                                         Motion Tabled

            Wright said the option of membership could be discussed at the workshop.

Adoption of Resolution 2006 – 29 Authorizing DCED Grant application for Regional Plan Implementation was held off pending the above motion.

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s proposal for Access Management Assistance was by-passed since the Board of Supervisors, in agreement with Cheryleen Strothers of Cowan Associates, determined that Lower Milford does not have the traffic volume to warrant it.

Lois Gadek presented the plans for the proposed Farmland Preservation Appreciation Plaque with an estimated cost of approximately $280 to $350. 

MOTION was made by Schantz to finance the Farmland Preservation Appreciation Plaque in the amount not to exceed $500.  Wright seconded the motion.         Unanimous

MOTION was made by Schantz to authorize Supervisors to attend the Summer LCATO Convention.  Wright seconded the motion.                             Unanimous

Correspondence:

Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Community Park 6/20/06 Meeting Minutes and

Southern Lehigh Public Library Board Meeting Minutes of 5/16 and 6/20 Agenda were available for public viewing on the table at the rear of the room.

Citizen Comments:

            Jean Schoch mentioned the Historical Society meeting is changed from July 24 to July 31, 2006.

She also thanked the Board of Supervisors and Lois Gadek for initiating the Farmland Preservation Appreciation Plaque saying it is long overdue.

A resident questioned whether Trout Unlimited’s request for support of the Upper Perkiomen Watershed classification would be discussed.  Harris stated it would not be discussed at this time.

Meeting Announcements:

            A calendar of meetings and events was attached to the agenda and made available to the public.

Harris adjourned the meeting at 9:17 pm.