Present: --------------- Councilwoman Hayden; Councilmen Atkinson, Kovacs, Paulus, Williams;
------------------------------- Sandra A. Pudliner; Vicky Roth

Absent: ------------------ 0

Attendance: ---------- 1

Courtesy of the Floor: ---- None

Approval of Minutes: ----- None

New Business:

Prior to discussions involving the first item under New Business, Chairman Paulus advised the Board that on Friday, July 18, 2003, while meeting with the Township Manager at the Municipal Building, State Representative T. J. Rooney's assistant called requesting paperwork on slots and the other municipalities involved in terms of having off-track betting facilities located in their communities. The Township did not have such paperwork in their file and even though Mr. Paulus noted he had the paperwork at home, he determined to call the Township Solicitor who located the paperwork in his file and faxed the information to State Representative Rooney's office. Chairman Paulus indicated to the Board that Attorney Eaton called him at 5:30 P.M. that day to advise that State Representative Rooney had called him back. At that time, Attorney Eaton indicated that Mr. Rooney was trying to get $250,000 each year in the Bill for the townships which had off-track betting facilities in their locale, but the matter was settled for $100,000 per year for those townships involved. Accordingly, the Bill will now go to the Senate for their approval. Attorney Paulus noted that there are 21 off-track betting facilities involved with respect to this legislation. Chairman Paulus further noted that today Attorney Eaton called him and indicated that he is preparing a letter to forward to the 21 different municipalities involved with the slot machine legislation so that they can get in touch with their senators and attempt to secure their support for this legislation. Additionally, the State Association has been brought on board to support the legislation. Chairman Paulus also indicated that the Township's State Senator, Lisa Bascola, should be contacted.

1. Public Hearing - Five Year Capital Program 2004-2008 (Review and Discussion)

The Township Manager opened the discussions relative to the Township's proposed Five Year Capital Improvements Program. Council determined that they would review each program individually; and, in that regard, the first discussion involved the program for Miscellaneous Stormwater Projects. It was noted that the proposed program shows an appropriation of $35,000 each year for the years 2004 through 2008 and that currently there is approximately $203,433 in escrow. Council felt the appropriation as shown in the program was sufficient and made no changes to this program.

With respect to the program for Traffic Congestion Improvements, the Township Manager advised that as Council may recall the Township had determined not to appropriate monies in this program since the monies in escrow of approximately $191,000 appeared to be sufficient at the present time. There was discussion regarding possible improvements necessary to Irving Street and Willowbrook Road. With respect to Willowbrook Road, Councilman Atkinson indicated that he felt that unless warrants are met with respect to signalizing the intersection he did not see a reason to put any money aside at this time. Councilman Williams felt that the Township should consider putting monies aside for improvements to both Irving Street and Willowbrook Road. The Township Manager questioned the completion of the Catasauqua School currently being built in Allen Township. The Township Manager felt that the Willowbrook Road situation would be impacted by the completion of the school. She also noted that the Allen Township portion of Willowbrook Road was in a very bad state of disrepair. Councilman Atkinson commented that the school is scheduled for completion in the Spring of 2004, but noted that there have been problems with rock and matters involving the architect. Mr. Atkinson noted that the footprint for the school was off and that they had to blast for the footprint. Councilman Atkinson again reiterated that he felt that the Willowbrook Road situation should not be considered at the present time but that the Township should wait to see what traffic is generated by the school and the new residential development in that area. In conclusions of these discussions, the Board determined not to make any changes to the Traffic Congestion Improvements Program at this time.

With respect to the program for Future Road Construction Projects, a discussion ensued relative to language contained in the justification regarding setting monies aside for the future reconstruction and paving of Halstead Street. It was noted that in prior discussions in order for the reconstruction and paving to occur, it would be necessary to have the homes in that area tied to municipal water and sewer and that the cost of same would be so prohibitive that the Township Engineer seemed to feel that the reconstruction and paving may not be feasible. Council directed the Township Manager to mention this matter to the Township Engineer but felt that the language in the justification involving Halstead Street should be stricken. There was a discussion however with respect to the construction of an extra lane on the shoulder of Postal and Airport Roads. It was also mentioned that lighting at Postal Road should be reviewed since certain board members did not feel the lighting situation is adequate. Furthermore, Council instructed the Township Manager to check with the Township Engineer as to the status of the lighting at the Airport Road/Race Street intersection. Councilman Atkinson indicated that he wants to know what prohibitions, if any, would impede the additional lane at the intersection at Airport and Postal Roads. The Township Manager advised the Board that the program titled Future Road Construction Projects shows a $450,000 appropriation each year for the years 2004 through 2008. Mrs. Pudliner also indicated that depending on the budget process additional monies may be appropriated to this program at a later time. In conclusion, Council determined to leave the program for Future Road Construction Projects as is with the deletion of the language involving the reconstruction and paving of Halstead Street.

With respect to the program for Catastrophe Fund, the Township Manager advised that this program shows a $15,000 appropriation across the board for the five year span with $94,725 in escrow. Mrs. Pudliner also advised the Board that in accordance with the Township's Home Rule Charter if a program shows no expenditure for a period of three years, the funds in the program would lapse back to the General Fund. In reviewing this program, the Township Manager indicated to the Board that there had been no expenditures since the year 2001. Council directed the Township Manager to check with the Township Solicitor regarding this matter.

With respect to the program for the Canal Project, the Township Manager advised that she is showing a $100,000 appropriation in the year 2004 and $50,000 each year for the years 2005 through 2008. There was a discussion with respect to the status of the bathroom construction at Canal Park. It was noted that the Township Public Works Director was looking into preparing specs for the bathroom facility. There was a discussion with respect to securing grant monies from Lehigh County to utilize toward the bathroom project. Councilman Atkinson commented that he is well acquainted with Mr. Kenneth Mohr from Lehigh County who is involved in the grant process and that when the Township Manager discusses this matter with Mr. Mohr, he would like to be part of those discussions. Furthermore, Council determined to appropriate additional monies for the Canal Project, in particular, $150,000 in the year 2004 and $100,000 for each year from the year 2005 through 2008.

With respect to the program titled Pump Station Upgrades and Sewer Line Upgrades, the Township Manager advised that she has appropriated $200,000 in the year 2003 since the funds in this program will be deleted as a result of the construction of the upgrade to Pump Station #1. Additionally, Mrs. Pudliner indicated that the program shows an appropriation of $150,000 each year for the years 2005 through 2008. Councilman Atkinson questioned whether or not the Township's current rate structure is sufficient to support the appropriations. The Township Manager advised that she would check with the Township Engineer with respect to any need to increase sewer rates. In conclusion, Council determined to make no changes to the program for the Pump Station Upgrades and Sewer Line Upgrades at this time.

With respect to the program for the Troxell Street Area Improvements, the Township Manager advised that this ongoing project will be completed this year and will not be seen in future capital programs. It was noted that the Township Manager should check with the Township Engineer as to why the driveways in the project area have not been coldpatched. It was noted that there may be a balance left in the account of approximately $100,000 which would revert back to the General Fund if it is not necessary for completion of this project.

With respect to the program for Water System Improvements-Allendale Area, the Township Manager indicated that the proposed program shows an appropriation of $50,000 across the board for the years 2004 through 2008. Council determined to make no changes to this program.

At this point and time, Council determined to adjourn the meeting and continue the public hearing at the next scheduled meeting on Monday, July 28, 2003 at 7:00 P.M.

Adjournment:

Motion: --- I move we adjourn this meeting of the Hanover Township Council at 8:00 P.M.

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager