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

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

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

Courtesy of the Floor: Joe Feskanin, Standard of Living Study Group

Mr. Joseph Feskanin, 1680 N. Irving Street, questioned Council as to whether or not he will have an opportunity to speak at the second Courtesy of the Floor after sitting through Council’s deliberations on the proposed Budgets. Chairman Paulus indicated that he would indeed have an opportunity to address the Board at that time.

 

Approval Of Minutes: None

New Business:

1. Public Hearing – Proposed 2004 Operating Capital Reserve, Liquid Fuels, Water and Sewer Budgets (Review and Discussion)

Chairman Paulus opened the Public Hearings with respect to the Proposed 2004 Budgets. The Township Manager advised the Board that originally it was intended that the Township Engineer appear this evening for a review of the proposed Water and Sewer Budgets. However, due to scheduling and other issues, the Township Engineer has requested that those discussions occur at the Township Council’s next Budget hearing, namely, Monday, October 27, 2003, at 7:00 P.M. The Township Manager advised Council that she has provided them with a Budget message along with proposed 2004 Budgets. The Township Manager proposed that Council begin its review with the Operating Budget and in particular the revenue portion of same.

Council reviewed the items listed under Property Taxes to include Real Estate Current, Real Estate Prior and Real Estate Interim. No changes were made at this time with respect to the proposed figures for 2004.

With respect to items listed under Other Taxes, the Township Manager advised the Board that she has provided them with copies of correspondence from the Township’s Tax Collector, BerkheimerAssociates, as same relates to Earned Income Tax, Occupational Privilege Tax and Business Privilege Tax. The Township Manager noted that there is a letter from Berkheimer dated June 10, 2003 and a follow-up letter dated September 15, 2003 which sets forth their Budget projections through the year 2003 as well as their projections for the year 2004. In reviewing the Tax Collector’s correspondence, the Township Manager advised the Board that they will note that the increase in Earned Income Tax is a result of New Jersey residents employed by Agere working at the Hanover Township, Lehigh County, facility. In this instance, the Township gets the full 1% Earned Income Tax rate since the law states in the case of nonresidents there is a use of municipal facilities but not the school district. With respect to Occupational Privilege Tax, the Township Manager noted that the increase is as a result of Agere and the entity known as T Mobile. With respect to Business Privilege Tax, the Township Manager advised the Board that it is higher this year than is predicted for the year 2004 due to the fact that one business paid 2002 and 2003 finals in 2003 and secondly a company in bankruptcy has been taken into consideration for the year 2004 even though they had paid 2002 and 2003 finals this year. It is the opinion of the Tax Collector that there is no guarantee that this business will again pay Business Privilege Tax in the year 2004. After reviewing the line items listed under other taxes, Council determined to revise the figure for Earned Income Tax from $500,000 to $525,000. Council further determined to revise the figure for the Public Utility Realty Tax to reflect the actual payment received this year which is lower than the proposed Budget amount and reduced the amount showing for Public Utility Realty Tax in 2004 from the proposed $2,600 to $2,400.

At this point in the meeting, Chairman Paulus allowed Mr. Joseph Feskanin to comment on the Budget review to date. Mr. Feskanin noted that during the hearings held with respect to the rezoning of the Witko property the expert for the developer, Mr. Gilchrist, had indicated that the airport had a tax-exempt status. However, Mr. Feskanin noted in the Budget that the Township receives a commercial parking lot tax from the airport and is proposing in the Budget that said revenue would equal $140,000. Councilman Atkinson commented that the airport is not paying those revenues but those revenues are coming from consumers utilizing their parking facilities.

At this point in the meeting, Chairman Paulus questioned the Township Manager as to whether or not the Township Engineer has been in touch with Ms. Kay Thompson with respect to her issues involving the Fuller swale. The Township Manager advised that Mr. Hay and herself had met with Ms. Thompson and reviewed all items of concern with her and that she appeared to be satisfied with that review.

At this point in the meeting, Council reviewed the line items listed in the revenue portion of the Budget under Licenses and Permits. Council determined to reduce Permits Other from $3,500 to $1,000 and create a new category for park permits to be funded in the amount of $3,500. Additionally, Council determined to revise the revenues for right-of-way permits from $1,000 to $500.

At this point in the meeting, Chairman Paulus determined to continue the Public Hearing on the proposed Budgets for the next meeting which is scheduled for Monday, October 27, 2003 at 7:00 P.M.

Courtesy of the Floor:

Mr. Feskanin approached the Board and indicated that he would wait to review the Water and Sewer Budgets with the Township Engineer at the next meeting. He further questioned the breakdown of computer expenses between the Operating Budget and the Sewer Account. In response to his questions, the Township Manager advised that the software for Budgeting and Accounting is shown in the Operating Budget whereas the software for the utility billing which the Township performs in this office is shown in the Sewer Account. There was a discussion with respect to Computer GIS and it was noted that those costs are split between the Water and Sewer Account. The information which is being utilized has been secured from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and the Township is currently in the process of developing that system.

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