Present: ---- Councilwoman Hayden, Councilmen Atkinson, Dreisbach, Kovacs, Paulus; J Jackson Eaton III, Esquire;
-------------------- Frederick P. Hay, P.E.; Sandra A. Pudliner; Vicky Roth

It should be noted for the record that Councilwoman Hayden attended the meeting via telephone conference as a result of a disability, which does not permit her attendance in person.

Absent: ---- 0

Attendance: ---- 4

Courtesy of the Floor:

Mr. Guy Tolve appeared before the Board and advised Council that he is a resident of the Township and a member of the Catasauqua Area School Board and wanted to take this opportunity to introduce himself to the Board as well as to discuss with Council the proposed Budget of the Catasauqua Area School District. He advised the Board that the Budget is currently in committee and the current proposal is to raise taxes approximately 7.2 mills. He advised Council that he is opposed to raising the millage. Councilman Kovacs questioned Mr. Tolve as to how many members are on the Board and Mr. Tolve indicated there are nine. With respect to support Mr. Tolve has on the Board he advised Council that he is of the opinion that there are four members that are in agreement with him and that he is working on the fifth. He further noted that he needs to come up with a plan to offset the expenses of the school district. Mr. Tolve noted that the school district is currently sending out 37 students at a cost of over $400,000 to charter schools. He indicated that he is proposing that the school district have their own charter school. He noted that a communications charter school could be after 3:00 P.M. and that he estimated that the revenue could be no less than $4,000,000 a year netting in at approximately $3,400,000 per year. Mr. Tolve advised Council that he is here this evening asking for the Township’s support whether it be in the form of a letter or attendance at the next Board meeting which will be held on February 8, 2010. Mr. Tolve noted that he is receiving support from Representative Joseph Brennan and Mayor Schlegel. Council indicated that Councilman Atkinson might be the person to attend the upcoming School Board meeting. Councilman Atkinson discussed what position Council wished him to convey at the upcoming meeting. He noted that his issues involved the fact that the Township has a brand new shopping center. He indicated that the Township is already paying over 70% of the revenues that make up the school district’s budget. The Township also probably has 20% of the students in the school district. In his opinion, Councilman Atkinson indicated that he felt the Township is putting at risk the Township’s ability to have the Township’s businesses prevail in the Township with the increased taxes being levied against them. Council agreed with Councilman Atkinson’s assessment and Councilman Atkinson indicated he would attend the upcoming School Board meeting.

Approval of Minutes: ------ January 20, 2010, Regular Council Meeting

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the January 20, 2010 Regular Council Meeting and accept same as present.

Paulus, Kovacs: Moved and Seconded
Atkinson, Dreisbach, Hayden, Kovacs, Paulus: ------- Aye ---------- Unan

Reports:

1. Sandra A Pudliner
Township Manager

1.) The Township Manager advised Council that she has been contacted by Mr. Lawrence Krauter of the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority with respect to the possibility of a firing range being put in place on the airport’s property at the site of the former Animals in Distress facility at the end of Fashion Drive. Mr. Krauter indicated that police departments are having trouble getting time at the existing firing range and that there has been strong interest shown by the state police as well as the Catasauqua Police Department for the airport providing such firing range for them. The Township Manager/Zoning Officer advised Council that the property in question is in the Planned Residential Zoning District and additionally there is an ordinance in the Township’s Codification which restricts firing ranges to enclosed buildings. The Township Manager indicated that this particular request would not be for the firing range to be in an enclosed building. Discussion ensued and Mr. Dean Hausman of 2080 Weaversville Rd., present at the meeting, opened a discussion with respect to what is known as angle shooting, which is a covered bridge type structure and it cuts the angle of the shooting. Councilman Atkinson questioned a noise issue which could arise and Mr. Hausman indicated that you could limit the hours used. After discussion, the Board determined that this type of situation was unacceptable and the following motion was made:

Motion: --- I move that the Township Manager be directed to respond to the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority’s request that establishing a firing range on the property referenced does not meet the Township’s Ordinance requirements and that the request to establish such firing range is denied at this point in time.

Atkinson, Dreisbach: Moved and Seconded
Atkinson, Dreisbach, Hayden, Kovacs, Paulus: ------- Aye ---------- Unan

Councilman Kovacs noted that he had been in touch with Mr. Thomas Malozi with respect to recent issues of concern by Mr. Malozi and that Mr. Malozi indicated to him that the Township Manager’s handling of the matters are totally acceptable to him.

2. Frederick W. Hay, P.E
Township Engineer

1.) The Township Engineer advised the Board that the Allendale Water Main Project has commenced as of yesterday.

2.) With respect to the Catasauqua Lake Restoration Project, the Township Engineer advised that a meeting had been held regarding the project. The pumps will be coming on Monday and work will be started next week.

3. J. Jackson Eaton, III, Esquire
Township Attorney

1.) The Township Attorney advised the Board that at the request of the Township Manager he has been researching the progress of House Bill No. 1500 involving State Police protection which states that the patrol services for municipalities would require a fee to be paid by the municipalities above 1,000 residents. Attorney Eaton noted that no action was taken regarding this House Bill last year. It is up for review by the Appropriations Committee on February 8, 2010. The Township Attorney advised he would report back to the Board regarding that matter.

2.) The Township Attorney advised that the recently adopted ordinance regarding the regulation of temporary utility trailers, storage containers, etc. will go into effect in another three weeks. He noted that a fee resolution for permit fees would need to be established. A discussion ensued and it was determined that the fee structure would basically relate to a $25 fee for temporary utility trailers, storage containers, job site office trailers, and job site sales office trailers. With respect to seasonal extension permits issued, the fee would be $25. Seasonal extension permits for residential properties would be $10.

Unfinished Business:

1.) Bill No. 2010-04, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 4, Part 2 of the Statutory Code of Hanover Township Known as the Building Code of Hanover Township to Conform with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act (Public Hearing)

Chairman Paulus opened the Public Hearing relative to Bill No. 2010-04. With respect to the resolution of this matter, the Board made the following motion:

Motion: --- I move that Bill No. 2010-04, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 4, Part 2 of the Statutory Code of Hanover Township Known as the Building Code of Hanover Township to Conform with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act be adopted as Ordinance No. 500.

Kovacs, Hayden: Moved and Seconded
Atkinson, Dreisbach, Hayden, Kovacs, Paulus: ------- Aye ---------- Unan.

New Business:

The Township Solicitor brought to the Board’s attention an issue with respect to assessment appeals. He noted that there had been a meeting of solicitor’s for the various taxing entities. It appears that there have been an overwhelming number of appeals. There is a desire to expedite the processing of these matters. There has been an indication that they would like settlements to be signed and accepted within 24 hours. Attorney Eaton indicated that he didn’t feel the Township could agree in advance. The Township Attorney indicated that we will enter our appearance but that we will not expedite the time processing the case. The county will prosecute the cases and the Township will get any settlement offers before the Board within 24 days. As in the past, if there is an outside expert brought in, the cost for same will be proportionately borne by the different taxing authorities.

Courtesy of the Floor: NONE

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

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