LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Thursday, August 21, 2008 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; Cheryleen Strothers and William Kee of Cowan Associates and approximately 10 others. 

The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.

Public comments were accepted throughout the meeting.

Regular Business:

MOTION was made by Wright to approve the minutes of the July 17,2008 Board of Supervisors Meeting.   Schantz seconded the motion.                                         Unanimous

MOTION was made by Wright to accept the Treasurers Report as of July 31, 2008 as follows:

·         General Fund                                                    $711,273.00

·         Sewer Fund                                                               451.00

·         Park & Rec. Donation Fund                                     1,039.00                             

·         Capital Reserve Fund                                          102,860.00       

·         Road Projects Fund                                             342,145.00     

·         State Liquid Fuels Tax Account                            208,124.00       

·        Developer Escrows (Non Twp. Funds)                   57,540.00     

Schantz seconded the motion.                                                     Unanimous                     

MOTION was made by Schantz  to pay the August 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 inquired on the status of the proposed stream bank stabilization.  Koplin responded that Cowan Associates has been in touch with PEMA and FEMA to find out their requirements, and is in the process of preparing a cost estimate. Strothers gave a review of the requirements.  She will try to have an estimate by the September Workshop.

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:

MOTION was made by Wright to approve Maplewood Estates Escrow Release for Phase 1A & 1B in the amount of $22,947.70.  Schantz seconded the motion.          Unanimous

MOTION was made by Wright to approve Maplewood Estates Escrow Release for Phase 2 in the amount of $303,155.32.  Schantz seconded the motion.                    Unanimous 

Fire Co. Report:

            There was no report available. 

Old Business:

Limeport Sewage Project:

Harris read a 7/31/08 note from Schantz to Koplin stating that according to his sources, the Township’s proposed sewer plant stream discharge could not meet DEP’s discharge requirements. Cheryleen Strothers and William Kee of Cowan Associates were present to re-review, for the Board of Supervisors and the public, the anti-degredation report and social economic justification that was submitted to DEP in February.  Based upon that report, DEP approved Lower Milford’s Act 537 plan to allow the stream discharge as originally submitted before the creek classification was upgraded to a higher discharge standard. 

The contract between Cowan Associates and the Township for engineering services of the sewer project has been reviewed by Attorney Kantra and revised.

MOTION was made by Schantz to adopt the contract for the Limeport Sewage Project.  Wright seconded the motion.                                                                        Unanimous

Kee asked for help from the Township in getting responses to from Limeport residents to correspondence he sent them.

Resident Pouran Esrafly explained that some residents are unsure if the project is still moving forward, which is why they are not responding.  She asked if DEP is considering the economic times.  Harris said sometimes grant funding is greater during the harder times.

Strothers said the township is under Administrative Order and DEP is tracking the progress of the project.  They have given us time beyond that order date for completion. 

Harris asked if a general implementation schedule could be created to provide to residents of Limeport to show them how things are progressing.

Other Business:

MOTION was made by Schantz to approve a tax refund for the Edwin G. Schantz Estate for years 2002 through 2007, a total of $198.  Wright seconded the motion.

                                                                                                            Unanimous

MOTION was made by Wright to adopt Deer Removal Agreement 8/1/08 through 7/31/09.  Schantz seconded the motion. 

Schantz questioned the wording of the contract.  The Township will contact them for deer removal.  Attorney Kantra confirmed the wording is fine.                Unanimous

Announcements:

·         Geryville Materials Curative Amendment Hearing – Monday, September 22, 2008

at 7:30 pm

·         6^th Annual Lower Milford Fall Festival-Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 am to 5 pm

      DONATIONS ARE REQUESTED FOR THE SILENT AUCTION

Correspondence (on rear table):

·         Southern Lehigh Public Library Meeting Minutes of 6/17/08, Year-End Report, etc.

·         Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas Order re: Real Estate Assessment Appeals of PPL

·         PA Dept. of Comm. & Economic Development-August 2008 Award of $5,000 Grant for Lower Milford Community Park

·         PA Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources- Aug. 2008 Award of $48,000 Grant for Lower Milford Community Park

·         1^st Annual Emergency Preparedness Expo.-September 26, 2008 at Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink