LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Thursday, September 15, 2005 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 Joan Dreibelbis.  Also present was Township Manager Ellen Koplin and approximately 24 others. 

The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.

Citizen comments were accepted throughout the meeting.

Regular Business:

MOTION was made by Schantz to approve the Minutes of the July 21, 2005 and August 18, 2005 Regular Board of Supervisor’s Meetings and the September 7, 2005 Board of Supervisor’s Workshop Meeting with a correction to the date due to a typing error on the workshop minutes.  Dreibelbis seconded the motion.                                                                                     Unanimous

Harris announced Executive Sessions which were held on September 1, 2005, September 7, 2005, and September 14, 2005.

MOTION was made by Schantz to approve the Treasurer’s Report as of August 31, 2005 as follows:

·         General Fund                                                    $737,389.81

·         Road Projects Fund                                              30,115.30

·         State Liquid Fuels Tax Account                            140,742.65

Harris seconded the motion.                                                       Unanimous

MOTION was made by Schantz to pay the September, 2005 bills.   Harris seconded the motion.

Unanimous

MOTION was made by Schantz to increase the Mileage Allowance according to the IRS Standard Mileage Rate to 48.5 cents per mile.  Dreibelbis seconded the motion.

                                                                                                Unanimous

Harris made request for a motion to appropriate Budget funding for Greater Lehigh Valley Visiting Nurse Association and the Lehigh Valley Coalition on Affordable Housing. 

Schantz suggested tabling the issue until more information can be gained.  Harris agreed.

Dreibelbis was interested in how many people are serviced in the Lower Milford area by these organizations.

Police Business:

The Police Report was made available to the public.

Public Works Business:

The Public Works report was made available to the public.

MOTION was made by Schantz to allow Base Engineering to do a Truck Length Study for         Schultz Bridge Road.  Harris seconded the motion.                                             Unanimous

MOTION was made by Schantz to proceed with the Grant application for a Township Walking Trail.  Harris seconded the motion. 

Schantz was concerned what was involved in the grant application.  Dreibelbis stated it was not a matching grant. 

Donna Wright explained what information was requested on the application. It was clarified that there would be an opportunity to accept the grant after the application is processed.

                                                                                                Unanimous

It was suggested by the Planning Commission that the township establish a Parks and Recreation Sub-committee for the Walking Trail Project.  Harris asked the Planning Commission to appoint that sub-committee.  Whether this committee continues after the establishment of the walking trail may be addressed at a later date. 

Steve Rivers gave a proposal for the township to consider modifying the land behind the township building for use by Southern Lehigh Sports for athletic fields, perhaps tying that in at the time the walking trail is established.  Harris suggested putting it on the agenda for the next Workshop.

MOTION was made by Schantz to pursue a Grant for a Township Vehicle.  Harris seconded the motion.

Schantz stated he does not wish to put out any funds for the vehicle.  It was clarified that there would be an opportunity to accept or reject the grant after the application is processed.

Jean Schoch shared information she acquired on Trailblazer prices and gas mileage.  She did not look at State Contract pricing.                                                               Unanimous

Zoning Business:

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 Dreibelbis to adopt Resolution 2005-30 granting Conditional Final Approval for High Meadows Subdivision as recommended by the Planning Commission.  Seconded by Schantz.                                                                                   Unanimous

The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy has developed a program to assist municipalities with meeting their MS4 permit requirements.  The contract does not specify total costs to participate in the program.  The Board of Supervisors stated more information on costs is needed.

Other Business:

            Solicitor Stevens was not present for a Cable Television Update.

Donna Wright spoke concerning Verizon DSL service.  She advised residents to call Verizon and ask for the Engineering Department and request them to replace the copper wires with fiber optics in the telephone pole box near their home if they wish DSL service. 

Announcements:

            Fall Festival – September 24, 2005

Donna Wright made a request for the donation of Silent auction items to benefit the Lower

Milford Fire Company and participation in the Classic Car display.

Discount Prescription Drug cards from the Lehigh County program are available in the lobby of the township building.

Correspondence:

A letter from Ann Frey was read by Arland Schantz concerning Act 153 – Farm preservation property tax cap, requesting the township to entreat the School Board to approve the Act and have the township solicitor follow up on it.

MOTION was made by Schantz to send a letter to the Southern Lehigh School District, Upper Saucon and Coopersburg Borough in support of Act 153.  And to have the Township Solicitor follow up on the response from the School Board to the Township’s letter.  Harris seconded the motion.                                                                                     Unanimous

Discussion took place on the tax structure for preserved farmland. 

.

Jeffrey and Deborah Dershem request for Zoning District change on a portion of their property.

MOTION was made by Schantz to place the Dershem request for change of Zoning District before the Planning Commission for review and recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.  Dreibelbis seconded the motion.                                                                               Unanimous     

Koplin added that a zoning change must go before a public hearing and there are requirements in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.

Citizen Comments:

Richard Hate read a letter presented to the Board of Supervisors concerning a request for an engineering study to investigate safety concerns on Buhman, West Mill Hill and East Mill Hill Roads regarding truck traffic.

Harris stated there was no engineering study initiated.  It will be put on the Workshop agenda for discussion. 

Ann Frey announced a meeting of the Historical Society on September 26, 2005 at 7:30 pm.

Harris suggested also announcing Schoolboard Meetings.  Koplin suggested making a separate category of Other Meetings.  Schantz suggested a calendar should be made and included in the agenda.

Meeting Announcements:

·       Planning Commission Workshop Mtg-Monday, Sept. 19, 2005 – 7:30 pm

·       Curative Amendment Hrg. –Geryville Materials, Thurs. Sept. 22, 2005 – 7:30 pm

·       Zoning Hearing Board Mtg. – Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005 – 8:00 pm

·       Planning Commission Meeting-Monday, Oct. 3, 2005 – 7:30 pm

·       Board of Supervisors Workshop Meeting-Wednesday, Oct 12, 2005 - 7:30 pm

·       Planning Commission Workshop Mtg.-Monday, Oct. 17, 2005

·       Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting-Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005 -7:30 pm

Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.