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

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

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

Courtesy of the Floor:

Mr. Joseph Feskanin, 1680 N. Irving Street, was present at the meeting and again brought to the Board’s attention the fact that his review of the proposed 2004 Budgets reveals large increases in certain departments in the Operating Budget. He questioned the Board as to whether any determination has been made about those various concerns which he had raised. Chairman Paulus informed Mr. Feskanin that the Board has not as yet reviewed those departments of the Operating Budget and at the time that the review occurs questions regarding those matters will be addressed. Councilman Atkinson commented that if you would go back in prior year budgets you would see that some of the departments are all over the place. He indicated to Mr. Feskanin that the Township Council receives a proposed Budget from the Township Manager a period in a given year of the purchase of a piece of equipment for maintenance use or a piece of equipment for office use might drive that particular department’s budget up for one particular year but then when reviewing the next year’s Budget the Board would determine that the Budget could be reduced because such expenditures are not being made in that year. Councilman Atkinson noted that the Township system of budgeting is different from other Municipalities. Councilwoman Hayden noted that the Township under its Home-Rule Charter cannot carry a Slush Fund.

Approval of Minutes: --- November 3, 2003 - Special Budget Meeting

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

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

New Business:

1. Bill No. 2003-14, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 18, Part 8 of the Statutory Code of Hanover Township to Conform Standards of Wastewater Discharge into the Catasauqua Sewer District with Ordinances of the Borough of Catasauqua (Introduce)

It was noted that Bill 2003-14 merely adopts changes which have occurred with respect to the standards of waste were to discharge into the Catasauqua Sewer District as adopted by Ordinance in the Borough of Catasauqua. The Township is merely incorporating those changes into the Township Sewer Ordinance. A Bill 2003-14 was introduced at this time with a Public Hearing on same to be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 7:30 P.M.

2. Bill No. 2003-15, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 18, Part 7 (B) of the Statutory Code of Hanover Township to Conform Disposal and Discharge On Industrial Waste Regulations Applicable to the Bethlehem Sewer District to Such Regulations of the City of Bethlehem (Introduce)

As noted in the prior Bill introduced at this meeting a Bill 2003-15 provides for the adoption of regulations applicable to the Bethlehem Sewer District which would be incorporated into the Township Sewer Ordinance. Bill 2003-15 was introduced at this time with the Public Hearing on same to be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 7:30 P.M.

Old Business:

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

Chairman Paulus opened the Public Hearing relative to the proposed 2004 Budgets. Chairman Paulus noted that on tonight’s agenda there will be a discussion of Employee Salaries and Benefits. Such discussions are held in Executive Session. The Township will enter into an Executive Session and will not return to the meeting this evening with any decisions. Accordingly the Public Hearing on the proposed 2004 Budgets was closed with the continuation of same to be held on Monday, November 17, 2003 at 7:00 P.M.

Courtesy of the Floor

Budget Hearings are recommended and not approved until the adoption of the Budget which occurs by December 15 of a given year.

Chairman Paulus advised of the Board members that he would be unavailable for the Monday, November meeting as well as the Wednesday, November 19 meeting since he will be on vacation. Mr. Feskanin commented that Chairman Paulus had indicated to him at prior meetings that he would allow him to speak one time during the Budget Discussions. Chairman Paulus commented that anyone has the right to speak under the First or Second Courtesy of the Floor. However during the Budget Discussions the Board does not have to recognize questions from the audience until after those discussions are concluded and those questions can then be addressed under the Second Courtesy of the Floor.

Adjournment:

Motion: --- I move we adjourn this meeting of the Hanover Township Council at 7:15 P.M.

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

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