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LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Thursday, July 21, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. MINUTES
Chairman Richard Harris called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. Present was Supervisor Joan Dreibelbis. Also present were Township Solicitor Richard Stevens, Township Manager Ellen Koplin, Scott Stenroos of Keystone Consulting Engineers and approximately 31 others.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.
Citizen comments occurred throughout the meeting.
Gail Linde inquired to see documents from the lawsuit of Lois Gadek vs. Lower Milford Township concerning Gadek’s reinstatement to the Planning Commission. Attorney Stevens explained that the court records are confidential but she could see the judges ruling. Gail and Lowell Linde wanted to know why Linda Fetzer was not also reinstated. Harris explained that Fetzer withdrew from the lawsuit and therefore there was no ruling in her favor. Gadek stated that the judge did rule that both her and Fetzer’s dismissals were null and void. Harris stated, of the persons who filled the two positions in place of Gadek and Fetzer one of those persons has resigned and replaced by appointment. He stated Fetzer can pursue reinstatement with the judge if she so wishes but what was actually stated in the ruling is what the Board of Supervisors were ordered to act upon.
Regular Business: The Minutes of June 16, 2005 Board of Supervisor=s Meeting were approved, but because of the absence of Schantz Harris requested the comment by Donna Wright, concerning the key issue, under Citizen Comments (page 3) be removed and reinserted in the minutes of July 21, 2005 for approval at a later meeting(see Citizen Comments on page 3).
Donna Wright inquired if a key policy will be discussed at that time. Harris stated yes, he had the beginnings of a key policy in his possession.
The minutes of the July 13, 2005 Board of Supervisor’s Workshop will be addressed at the August Board of Supervisor’s meeting.
Harris announced Executive Sessions held June 21, 2005 and July 15, 2005 to discuss union negotiations.
Treasurers Report as of June 30, 2005 was accepted as read: · General Fund $724,250.61 · Road Projects Fund 29,674.28 · State Liquid Fuels Tax Account 214,549.84
MOTION was made by Harris to pay the July, 2005 bills. Dreibelbis seconded the motion. Unanimous
Police Business: Police report was made available to the public.
Harris announced a request by Joyce White, Upper Saucon Twp. Supervisor, that Lower Milford request the Department of Community and Economic Development(DCED) to conduct a Regional Police Service seminar for the Southern Lehigh municipalities. Harris stated they are not opposed to this as long as there is no cost to the township which he believes there would not be for any municipalities. Lowell Linde asked if the township is looking into regionalization. Harris stated they have no problem with getting information about it but that it will take a long time for the DCED to respond. Dreibelbis stated the DCED is shorthanded.
MOTION was made by Harris to request the DCED to conduct a Regional Police Service seminar for the Southern Lehigh municipalities provided no cost is charged against Lower Milford Township. Dreibelbis seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Harris to utilize, upon hiring a police candidate, Cedar Crest Emergi Center for medical exams and Allentown Associates in Psychiatry and Psychology for psychological exams. Dreibelbis seconded the motion. A resident asked if physical ability would be included in the policeman’s exam. Harris stated it would. Unanimous
Road Business: Road reports were made available to the public.
Scott Stenroos of Keystone Consulting Engineers reviewed the bids received on July 20, 2005 for the Schultz Bridge Road Bridge project. Four bids were received and acceptable (see attached). Bi-State Construction was the low bidder.
MOTION was made by Harris to award the bid of Bi-State Construction in the amount of $252,716 for the Schultz Bridge Road Bridge project. Dreibelbis seconded the motion. Harris stated he had informed Schantz concerning this project, keeping him up to date, and that Schantz is in favor of going ahead with this project. Unanimous
Harris stated there were four proposals received for Bog Turtle Surveying(see attached).
MOTION was made by Harris to award ENSR International the bid for Bog Turtle Surveyor. Dreibelbis seconded the motion. Unanimous
Scott Stenroos asked the Board of Supervisors to authorize someone to sign the contracts.
MOTION was made by Harris to have Ellen Koplin sign the awarded bid contracts for the Schultz Bridge Road Bridge project. Dreibelbis seconded the motion. Unanimous
Zoning Business: Zoning report was made available to the public.
Bids were opened for the John Deere 401C Tractor (see attached). MOTION was made by Harris to accept the bid of George Smith for $3,000. Dreibelbis seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Harris for the Township Manager to formulate a letter requesting PennDOT to conduct a study of King’s Highway for truck restriction. Dreibelbis seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Harris authorizing the Township Engineer to conduct a study of Schultz Bridge Road for truck restriction. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Harris to pursue a grant for a Walking Trail on the Township grounds.
Dreibelbis was concerned about vandalism. Donna Wright explained some things about the trail concerning vandalism. It was decided to table the motion until next months meeting. Motion tabled Donna Wright, Festival Committee Chairman, gave an update on the Fall Festival.
Managers Business: Managers report was made available to the public.
Subdivisions/Land Developments: There were no new Subdivisions or Land Developments. There was no action due on current Subdivisions or Land Developments.
Meeting Announcements: Zoning Hearing Board Meeting-Wednesday, July 27, 2005 – 8 pm Planning Commission Meeting-Monday, August 1, 2005 – 7:30 pm Board of Supervisors Workshop Meeting-Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005 - 7:30 pm Planning Commission Workshop Mtg-Monday, Aug. 15, 2005 – 7:30 pm Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting-Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005 -7:30 pm Curative Amendment Hrg. –Geryville Materials, Mon. Aug. 29, 2005 – 7:30 pm
Citizen Comments: Donna Wright requested of the Supervisors that there be there be a key policy, stating that her request results from an altercation with Schantz concerning the fact that she had a key. She stated she was unaware that having the key was illegal or improper since it was given to her for the purpose of opening the buildings main doors for meetings and could not access the office area. Schantz told her it was not him that told her that. She replied she had witnesses and affidavits stating such. (Stated in meeting of June 16, 2005.)
A resident informed those present of a sales person soliciting books and magazines in the neighborhood of Penns Way and Milky Way. It was believed this person was soliciting fraudulently. Koplin explained solicitors should fill out a registration form at the Township Building and have a copy of that form in their possession when in the process of soliciting. Harris emphasized residents should ask anyone soliciting to produce that form.
Residents were concerned about the Planning Commission Solicitor not being present at the Planning Commission meetings when there are things that need a solicitors opinion. Harris stated the Planning Commission is not hindered in any way from having their solicitor at the meetings but should only have him when the Chairperson decides there are items on the agenda requiring a solicitors presence. This was made clear to the Planning Commission chairperson and other members who were present at the Board of Supervisors Workshop where this was discussed.
Jean Schoch asked why taxpayer dollars are being spent on employees to perform volunteer duties in the township. Such as an employee directing traffic on Limeport Pike until the Fire Company arrived. It was explained by Kenneth Knapp a Lower Milford Fire Company member that Richard Kinsey, Public Works Director was first on the scene of an emergency where live wires were on the road. Harris stated the safety of people comes before money, and he commended the efforts of township employees helping in an emergency.
Harris adjourned the meeting at 8:31 pm. |