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LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP of LEHIGH COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. MINUTES
Chairman Richard Harris called the meeting to order at 7:35p.m. Present were Supervisors Arland Schantz and Donna Wright. Also present were Township Solicitor Emil Kantra, Township Manager Ellen Koplin and approximately 25 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 July 20, 2006 with a change to the Yost statement from political sign to “vote for” sign. Harris seconded the motion. Wright voted nay. Motion Carried
MOTION was made by Wright to approve the minutes of the August 17, 2006 Regular Board of Supervisors meeting and September 13, 2006 Workshop. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
Treasurers Report as of August 31, 2006 was accepted as read: · General Fund $ 580,227.00 · Capital Reserve Fund 61,517.00 · Road Projects Fund 278,219.00 · State Liquid Fuels Tax Account 167,922.00
MOTION was made by Wright to set the Employee Pension Plan – Minimum Municipal Obligation Budget for 2007 as follows: · Non-uniform Employees $10,620 · Uniformed Employees 4,000 Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to pay the September, 2006 bills. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
Police Business: The PA State Police and Lower Milford Police Reports were made available to the public.
Public Works Business: The Public Works Report was made available to the public.
MOTION was made by Wright to accept Resolution 2006-31 South Hills Area Council of Governments (SHACOG) Purchasing. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Schantz to accept Resolution 2006-32 City of Harrisburg PACC Automotive and Equipment Contract Purchasing. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to accept Resolution 2006-34 Authorizing sale of Cinder Spreader, Leaf Vac & Post Pounder at Municipal Auction. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
PennDOT responded to Lower Milford’s request for a Speed Limit Study to be conducted on Spinnerstown Road. By their letter of 7/25/06, PennDOT indicated that if the speed limit were reduced to 35 mph, the Township would be responsible for the new signs. Richard Kinsey, Public Works Director, clarified with PennDOT that the Township would be responsible in perpetuity. The Supervisors agreed with Solicitor Kantra that the 5 mph decrease was not worth the liability associated with the signs or their maintenance. No further action to be taken.
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: There were no new Subdivisions or Land Developments and no action was required.
Fire Company Report: Fire Company President Lloyd Ohl stated the refurbished kitchen will be ready for a Sunday, October 1, 2006 breakfast at 9:00 am.
Wright thanked the Fire Company for the use of tables and assistance at the Fall Festival.
Other Business: MOTION was made by Wright to accept Resolution 2006-33 Authorizing DCED Grant application for Regional Plan Implementation & Authorizing Upper Milford to Administrate the Grant. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
Emmaus Borough sent notice of a Zoning Map Amendment Proposal. MOTION was made by Schantz to authorize Manager Koplin to send a response to Emmaus Borough recognizing the zoning change. Wright seconded the motion. Unanimous
MOTION was made by Wright to respond to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation Certification for 2006 stating we are moving forward with our progress. Schantz seconded the motion. Unanimous
Koplin stated we will be getting help from the County in completing the NIMS Plan.
Harris read the Festival Participant Conduct Policy developed in 2005. Wright stated there was an exception made in 2005 to that policy where the Lower Milford Residents Association was asked by Wright to not man their stand because of their endorsement of her candidacy. Ed Matulevicius was concerned about the Township’s liability should the Township claim responsibility for the Festival rather than the Festival Committee. Schantz, after giving a dictionary definition of campaign, read his own policy proposal which was discussed. It was the consensus of the Board to follow the Festival Committee’s policy of last year as it was written. The issue of a new policy was tabled to be discussed at a workshop and to be looked at by the solicitor for next years Festival rather than last minute changes for this years Festival.
Correspondence: The following were made available on the rear table for public viewing: · Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Community Park 8/15/06 Meeting Minutes · Southern Lehigh Public Library Board Meeting Minutes of 7/18/06 and 8/15/06 Agenda · Lower Milford Recreation & Open Space Board meeting minutes of 8/1/06
Citizen Comments: Don Weinberger of the Lower Milford Residents Association stated they appreciated the affirming of the current Political Policy. He cautioned using literal interpretation from a dictionary and trying to apply it out of context. He also thanked the Board members for their part in making this years festival a success.
Schoch asked what current relative issues of the township the Residents Association would be informing the public of at the Festival. That is not an issue with the Board but with the Residents Association.
Someone suggested representatives of Upper Saucon be present at the September Workshop to discuss the Limeport sewage issue. Koplin and Attorney Kantra stated this is not the proper timing for that since there are monetary issues to discuss.
A resident asked when the East Mill Road Study would be done.
A resident asked when the truck restriction signs on Kraussdale Road would be re-erected. Public Works Director Richard Kinsey will find out what happened to the signs.
Harris adjourned the meeting at 8:34 pm.
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