New Business:

1.) Public Hearing – Five Year Capital Program 2011-2015 (Review & Discussion).

Chairman Paulus opened the Public Hearing relative to the Proposed Five Year Capital Program. The Township Manager opened the discussions by advising the Board that in reviewing the introduction to the proposed Capital Program, they should note that the major appropriations occur in the programs titled Municipal Building and Future Road Construction Projects.

At this point in the meeting, Councilwoman Hayden questioned the status of the Chestnut Grove Towne Garden Development Sewer Line Replacement Project. The Township Manager noted that the Township has applied through Lehigh County for a CDBG Grant for said project. It appears that revenues will be available in the year 2011 for the work. The Township has completed the appropriate application and is hopeful that funding will be available. The Township Manager noted that the sewer line replacement work would be accomplished in the year 2011 and the following year repaving of the roadways would occur.

With respect to the program titled Sinkholes/Miscellaneous Storm Water Projects, the Township Manager advised the Board that this program shows an appropriation of $25,000 each year for the duration of the five year period. The Township Manager noted that the monies in Escrow for this program are in excess of $314,000 and it was the feeling of the Township Manager and the Board that the monies in Escrow plus the appropriation were sufficient at this time.

With respect to the program titled Traffic Congestion Improvements, the Township Manager noted that this program relates majorly to the Race Street/Willowbrook Rd. Signal Light Project. Currently, there is only $32,000 in Escrow, but the road work for the project has been funded through the Capital Program for Future Road Construction Projects. The Township Manager noted that she is showing a $25,000 appropriation across the Board for the duration of the five year period. A discussion ensued with respect to the lengthy project for the Race St./Willowbrook Rd. Signal Light and the excessive cost of three quarters of a million dollars for the project, the majority of the cost being the direct result of Penn DOT’s requirements. Councilman Atkinson indicated that he felt that correspondence should be sent to both the State Senator and State Representative outlining the details of the lengthy process the Township was subjected to in this instance and the Township’s displeasure over the Penn DOT requirements and the excessive cost.

With respect to the program titled Future Road Construction Projects, the Township Manager noted that revenue showing in escrow of $1.2 million dollars will be somewhat depleted as a result of costs incurred for the Race St./Willowbrook Rd. Project which currently are unpaid although some payments have been issued to the contractor, as well as the 2010 Road Program. The Township Manager noted that she is showing an appropriation of $200,000 a year across the Board during the five year duration of the program. The Board found this program acceptable.

With respect to the program titled Catastrophe Fund, the Township Manager noted that in reviewing the program, the Board will note that she is showing a transfer out of the Catastrophe Fund Program to the Municipal Building Construction Project in the amount of $150,000 leaving a balance in Catastrophe Fund of $147,000. The Township Manager advised that she felt that the monies in Escrow are sufficient and that the excess revenues could be transferred to the Township’s largest project; namely, the Municipal Building Construction. The Board agreed with that scenario.

With respect to the program titled Canal Project, a discussion ensued regarding the issue of restoring water to the Canal. Councilman Atkinson indicated his dissatisfaction that the Army Corps of Engineers has refused to cooperate and has indicated that they consider the area wetlands. Councilman Atkinson felt that the Township should look for support at the state and or federal level to get the Army Corps of Engineers to cooperate. Councilman Atkinson also commented on the Catasauqua Lake Project indicating that on the east side there is a large area which is very shallow and flat and questioned whether or not that area is going to be restored. The Township Manager advised she would look into that matter. With respect to the appropriations in the program, the Township Manger noted that this program shows a $25,000 per year appropriation across the Board. Council found the proposed program acceptable.

With respect to the program titled Pump Station Upgrades and Sewer Line Upgrades, the Township Manager advised this program shows a $350,000 appropriation in the year 2011 and a $150,000 appropriation for the years 2012 through 2015. It was noted that the appropriation in the year 2011 is set at the $350,000 figure to accommodate the proposed sewer line replacement work in the Chestnut Grove Towne Garden Development should funding under the CDBG Grant not be available. With respect to this program, the Board found it acceptable as presented.

With respect to the program titled Allentown Water System Improvements, the Township Manager advised that the program shows a $250,000 appropriation in the year 2011 and a $100,000 appropriation across the Board for the years 2012 through 2015. There was a discussion with respect to this program and the fact that the Township has historically set aside revenues for future maintenance. The Board found the program acceptable.

With respect to the program for the Municipal Building Construction, the Township Manager advised that the program currently shows an $875,000 appropriation in the year 2011, a portion of which represents the transfer in of $150,000 from the Catastrophe Fund Program. The Township Manager further noted that this program may change when figures are available toward the end of the year as to additional revenues which were not anticipated and which will become available and the appropriation may increase above that $875,000 figure. The Township Manager further noted that the program shows a $750,000 appropriation in the year 2012 and 2013 and a $500,000 appropriation in the year 2014 and 2015. The Township Manager noted that projecting it out at a high cost for the construction of $6,000,000, it appears that the funds appropriated in the five year period would be sufficient. Councilwoman Hayden raised an issue with respect to the new building construction and what would occur should the Township encounter major sinkholes in the area. After a discussion, it was determined that the Township Manager ask the Township Engineer about sinkholes being a problem for the proposed construction. Overall, the Board found the program acceptable.

With respect to the program titled Fire Apparatus Replacement, the Township Manager advised that the program shows a $125,000 appropriation for the years 2011 through 2013 and a $200,000 appropriation for the years 2014 and 2015. There was a discussion with respect to the current fire apparatus equipment being newer than most local fire companies and in good shape and the fact that the Board felt there was not an immediate need for replacement. The Board found the program acceptable to them.

At this point in the meeting, there was a discussion regarding the fact that one of the Township’s air conditioning/heating systems was not working. The system in question is the system located in the Township Clerk’s area to include the Building Inspection Office, file room, bathroom facilities and kitchen area. The Township Clerk noted that the maintenance contractor called in had indicated that a new unit may come in at a cost between $10,000 and $15,000. Councilman Atkinson commented that he thought that you could still get R22 systems. The new system proposed is most likely an R410A. Council directed the Township Clerk to secure a proposal from the contractor and then further discussion could occur.

At this point in the meeting, Chairman Paulus closed the Public Hearing relative to the proposed Five Year Capital Program. It was noted that no further meetings will be necessary and that the program can be adopted by Resolution at an upcoming Council meeting.

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager