LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP

LEHIGH COUNTY,

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

SEPTEMBER 20, 2007 MEETING

MINUTES

Chairman Richard Harris convened the meeting at 7:32 pm.  Also present were Supervisors Arland Schantz and Donna Wright.  Others in attendance were Twp. Solicitor Emil Kantra, Twp. Manager Ellen Koplin, Police Chief John Dondero and approximately 16 members of the audience. 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

No citizen comments were made at this time.

Minutes of the August 16, 2007 Regular Meeting and minutes of the September 12, 2007 Workshop Meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.  Executive Sessions were announced held on August 28, 2007 September 13, 2007 and September 18, 2007 for union negotiations and September 20, 2007 for litigation.

The Treasurer’s Report as of August 31, 2007 was read and unanimously accepted at follows:

·        General Fund                                                    $659,453.00                           

·        Capital Reserve Fund                                           64,939.00     

·        Road Projects Fund                                            298,127.00   

·        State Liquid Fuels Tax Account                            99,193.00     

·        Developer Escrows (Non Twp. Funds)                     90,501.00   

Motion by Schantz, Seconded by Wright to pay the September 2007 bills.  Schantz commented upon check #10965 to the engineer for completing the Act 537 Plan.  Unanimous

The following reports were made available:  Police Reports, Public Works, Zoning, and Manager’s report

Subdivisions/Land Developments

            No new submissions. 

            Action on submissions:

                        -Emma Kleinsmith Subdivision – Motion by Harris to approve the DEP Waiver of                     Planning.  Schantz seconded and questioned if this was to approve the plan.  No,                          only a waiver of sewage planning on the residue property.     Unanimous

                        -Sorensen Subdivision, Final Plan – Correspondence of 8/23/07 from the Twp.                                     Engineer that conditions of final approval by Planning Commission have been                             addressed.  Unanimously approved.

 Fire Company Report

            Fire Chief Rich DeFiore presented a report covering Fire and Ambulance service year to-date.  The Supervisors had questions on the number of Knox Boxes in the township, brush fire calls, the spring fireworks fundraiser and FEMA grants.  Schantz reminded the Fire Chief of the fire company’s intent to work more closely with the Emergency Management Coordinator and the Police Chief.

Resolution 2007-25 Creation of Emergency Services Advisory Committee (ESAC)

            Harris read the Resolution.  Motion by Wright to adopt Resolution 2007-25, seconded by Harris.  Ann Frey questioned if the committee meetings would be open to the public.

                                                                        2 Ayes, 1 Abstention

            Motion by Harris to appoint Dr. Lois Gadek as a member of ESAC, seconded by Wright.

                                                                        2 Ayes, 1 Abstention

Motion to approve the Employee Pension Plan Minimum Municipal Obligation for 2008

                                                                        Unanimous

Multi-municipal Recreation and Open Space Plan Survey

            Wright explained the purpose of the survey.  Lois Gadek asked who is paying the costs and can we improve the questions for our township.  Wright said there is a timing problem, due back 10/12.  Harris reviewed the survey questions.

            Wright made the motion to mail.  Schantz seconded adding the return postage should be as cheap as possible.                                       Unanimous

Recreation and Open Space Board – Park Donations

            Wright explained purpose of requesting donations.  Atty. Kantra explained his research.  Okay to receive donations as long as total less than $25,000 or registration is required.  Must be accounted for separately.  He will also give language for tax disclaimer.

            Motion to authorize donations be permitted to be collected by the Rec. and Open Space Board for the park project, monies written to the Township and accounted for separately for park use.                                                                    Unanimous

Winter Maintenance Agreement from D & D Maintenance

            Motion to approve agreement with deletion of salt spreader and salt by the ton.

                                                                        Unanimous

Correspondence –

            Items listed on the agenda were available for review.  Schantz read a request for “watch children” signs on Thomson Road.  Police Chief will check.  He also read a request for a place to bring yard debris and a complaint about speeding on Limeport Pike.  The township currently accepts leaves only.  Schantz was asked to give copies of the correspondence to the Police Chief or Manager for follow up but he said they were personal.

           The Lower Macungie Township proposal to condemn an agricultural conservation easement held by Wildlands Conservancy on property known as the Leister farm was discussed.

            Motion by Wright, Seconded by Schantz to verbally discuss Lower Milford’s concerns with Lower Macungie over the considered condemnation.

                                                                        Unanimous

Citizen Comments

            Request by property owner on Wind Hill Road to open the road as soon as possible during a snow event.  Several individuals live on Wind Hill that are nurses or work at the hospital.  Koplin said she would discuss with the Public Works Dir. to reroute drivers. 

Meeting adjourned at 9:52 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen L. Koplin

Township Secretary