Courtesy of the Floor: None

Approval of Minutes: ------------------ October 22, 2007 - Budget Meeting

Motion: I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the October 22, 2007 Budget Meeting and accept same as presented.

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

Old Business:

1.) Public Hearing – Continuation of Proposed 2008 Operating, Capital Reserve, Liquid Fuels, Water and Sewer Budgets (Review and Discussion).

Chairman Paulus opened the Public Hearing relative to the continuation of the discussions with respect to the proposed 2008 Budgets. The Township Manager began the discussions by advising the Board that they would be continuing with the Expenditure portion of the General Fund Budget. Mrs. Pudliner noted that Council should be aware that she had adjusted the EIT/OPT/BPT Tax Commission in the Department for Administration from the proposed figure of $51,000 to $50,500. Continuing with the Expenditure portion of the General Fund Budget, Council began a review of the Department for Municipal Building and determined that no changes would be made to the proposed Budget. With respect to the Department for Code Enforcement Expenses, the Township Manager advised the Board that CEO salaries had been set at 25 cent per hour across the board increase. Council indicated that they would discuss those salaries when they discussed salaries for all Township employees. It was further noted that the Board desired to be provided with the hourly rate for each Code Enforcement Officer. With respect to the other line items under the Code Enforcement Expenses Department, same were acceptable as proposed. With respect to the Fire Budget as well as Emergency Management Budget, Council did not review same at this time. The Fire Chief would review the proposed Budget figures with the Board at the November 12, 2007 Budget hearing scheduled for 7:00 P.M. With respect to the Department for Planning and Zoning, Council reviewed the proposed figures set forth therein and found same acceptable. With respect to the Highway Budget, Council would review those figures with the Public Works Director at the meeting scheduled for November 12, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. With respect to the Department for Recreation, Council reviewed the figures set forth therein and determined that no changes would be made to same.

With respect to the Department for Miscellaneous Expenses, a discussion ensued with respect to the line item for Rental of Hydrants. Councilman Atkinson questioned the number of Bethlehem hydrants within Hanover Township and the rate per hydrant. The Township Manager advised that she would secure that information and provide it to the Board. With respect to the line item for Garbage/Recycling, Councilman Atkinson felt that the Budget figure was inaccurate and requested that the Township Manager review that figure as same relates to the monthly charge under the five year contract. The Township Manager noted that she would review those figures and report back to the Board. There was some discussion with respect to the library contribution. Councilman Atkinson requested that the Township Manager determine from the Borough of Catasauqua the number of Hanover Township residents that utilize the Catasauqua Public Library. There was discussion with respect to securing a report from the Township’s ambulance provider, Northampton Regional Emergency Medical Services. There was also a discussion initiated by Councilman Kovacs with respect to the possibility of making a donation to the Good Shepherd Home in lieu of the fact that the Township has several categories for donations by the Township. Certain members of Council felt that those donations had been requested by those entities and that the Township has not received any request from the Good Shepherd Home. There was some discussion with respect to researching the income sources of the Good Shepherd Home. Councilman Kovacs noted that in his opinion none of the other donations were ever researched. In any event, Councilman Kovacs withdrew his suggestion that the Township consider a donation to the Good Shepherd Home.

The Township Manager noted that with respect to the Capital Reserve Budget that has been set forth in the proposed Budget for 2008 per the adopted Five Year Capital Program. Accordingly, no review was made at this time pending revisions necessary to same if the appropriations are affected by the General Fund Budget.

With respect to the Liquid Fuels Budget, Council reviewed same and determined that no changes would be made to the proposed 2008 Budget.

It was noted that the Water and Sewer Budgets would be reviewed with the Township Engineer at the next Budget Hearing scheduled for November 5, 2007 at 7:00 P.M.

At this point in the meeting, Chairman Paulus continued the Public Hearing with respect to proposed 2008 Budgets until the next scheduled meeting on Monday, November 5, 2007 at 7:00 P.M.

New Business:

Councilman Dreisbach brought to the Board’s attention a situation, which exists on Race Street at the location of Tama Manufacturing. He noted that when the employer lets out many of the people employed by Tama use the bus system. Those going towards Airport Road cross over Race Street and stand on the edge of roadway. They cannot go back any further because there is an embankment, which goes down and then there is the fence of the airport. Councilman Dreisbach noted that he has visions of someone getting hit. Chairman Paulus commented that he thought that the Township Manager should call LANTA and tell them about this situation on Race Street. He indicated that LANTA should be advised that this involves the bus transportation going east on Race Street just east of the Airgas facility right at Cascade Drive. The Township Manager advised that she would look into the matter.

Courtesy of the Floor: None

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 P.M..

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager