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

Absent: ------------------ Councilman Paulus

Attendance: ----------2

Courtesy of the Floor: None

Approval of Minutes: ---------- Nov 10, 2003 Budget Meeting

Motion: ------- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the November 10, 2003 Budget Meeting and accept same as presented.

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

Old Business:

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

In the absence of Chairman Paulus, Vice Chairman Atkinson presided over the meeting and opened the Public Hearing with respect to the Proposed 2004 Budgets. Vice Chairman Atkinson advised all in attendance that the Township’s Fire Chief, Robin Yoder, was in attendance at this meeting to review with the Board the Proposed 2004 Fire Budget and in addition the Proposed 2004 Emergency Management Budget, since Mr. Yoder is also the Township’s Emergency Management Director. Accordingly, Council proceeded to review the Department for Fire Expenditures at this time. With respect to the line item for Firemen’s Relief, Council determined to revise the Proposed $22,000 figure to $25,500.

With respect to the Department for Emergency Management Expenses, no revisions were made to that department at this time.

At this point in the meeting, there was a discussion with Mr. Yoder regarding whether or not he felt there would be any additional expenses resulting from National Security issues. The Township’s Fire Chief indicated that the Fire Company still has not seen any money. The county has received certain funds but they still have not received all the equipment they require. Mr. Yoder indicated that the Township’s Fire Company has purchased certain equipment and that presently they are in good shape. He also advised the Board that Han-Le-Co Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 has been running a lot more mutual aid with other fire companies. He indicated that the Borough of Fountain Hill has so many high rises that even though they have recently purchased a ladder truck they still have Han-Le-Co on for mutual aid purposes. It was also noted that training of fire company personnel as EMTs is paid for by the Northampton Regional Emergency Medical Services, the Township’s ambulance service provider. Councilman Williams questioned Mr. Yoder as to whether he is aware of the increase in nuclear shipments. The Fire Chief indicated that the fire company is aware of same and that they receive bulletins regarding those matters. Councilman Williams commented that the nuclear shipments are being sent to Nevada and that there is an increase in those shipments. He also noted that there is a dome device attached to the tractor which denotes same as a carrier of nuclear material. There was also some discussion initiated by Mr. Yoder with respect to possibly utilizing Emergency Management funds to get some mapping done for the Township. Councilman Atkinson suggested that Mr. Yoder contact the Township Engineer for assistance. Mr. Yoder indicated that he would bring in a sample of what they are proposing for the Board’s review.

Mr. Joseph Feskanin, 1680 N. Irving Street, in attendance at the meeting complimented Mr. Yoder and the Fire Company for their fine services. He noted that at least two times he had to evacuate his family because of the fires at the Allendale Apartments and that the service of the Fire Company in that regard was excellent.

At this point in the meeting, Council resumed its review of the Expenditures portion of the Operating Budget beginning with the Department for Administration. In that regard, the line item for Administration/Advertising was revised from $10,000 to $12,000. It was noted that salary issues appearing in the Budget would be reviewed at a later time. Councilman Atkinson requested a brief Executive Session after the meeting to review material recently received from the Personnel Board regarding salaries.

With respect to the Department for Municipal Building Expenses, Council reviewed same and determined to make no changes at this time.

With respect to the Department for Code Enforcement Expenses, after the Board’s review it was determined that no changes would be made to the budgeted amount.

With respect to the Department for Planning & Zoning Expenses, Council reviewed same and determined to make no changes at this time.

With respect to the Department for Highway Expenses, it was noted that the Township’s Public Works Director would be in attendance at next Monday night’s Budget meeting and that the Highway Department would be reviewed at that time.

With respect to the Department for Recreation, Council reviewed same and determined to make no changes at this time.

With respect to the Department for Miscellaneous Expenses, the proposed figure for Employee Retirement was revised from $16,124 to $15,800. It was noted that the line item for Contingencies, etc., would need to be appropriated into Capital Projects and that the Board would have to review the previously adopted Five Year Capital Program and make necessary changes to same.

At this point in the meeting, Vice Chairman Atkinson continued the Public Hearing on the Proposed 2004 Budgets with the next hearing scheduled for Monday, November 24, 2003 at 7:00 P.M.

At this point in the meeting, Councilman Atkinson brought to the Manager’s attention certain issues involving PPL light standards in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park III. He indicated that at the Burron facility on Postal Road, there is a light standard lying on the ground and that in the same general area there is a pole leaning. He also indicated that he has noticed that certain of the poles are rusting away on Postal Road and Marcon Blvd. The Township Manager indicated that she would bring these matters to the attention of the Township’s Customer Service Representative for resolution.

Courtesy of the Floor:

Mr. Joseph Feskanin, 1680 N. Irving Street, questioned the Firemen’s Relief category in the Budget. Mr. Feskanin was advised that those monies go directly to the Township’s Fire Department and are simply a “pass-through”. Those funds are budgeted in the Revenue and Expenditure portion of the Budget. With respect to the monies in the Miscellaneous Department which will be appropriated into the Township’s Capital Program, Mr. Feskanin questioned the contents of the Five Year Capital Program. It was noted that most likely the largest expenditure is a program titled, Future Roads. However, Mr. Feskanin was advised that there are various other programs which make up the Township’s Five Year Capital Program. Mr. Feskanin requested a copy of the Capital Program and the Township Manager advised that she would provide same to him.

Mr. Skip Keim, 1635 N. Halstead Street, questioned the expense involved in the Township’s calendar. He noted that if Township businesses advertise in the Newsletter, the cost could possibly be reduced. The Township Manager indicated that many years ago the Township had utilized a company which sought out advertisers within the Township and produced the newsletter at no cost. However, the Township determined that they desire to have control over the contents of the newsletter and has for some time produced newsletters for the Township residents and businesses. Last year was the first year that the calendar concept was introduced and this year’s calendar will be the second of its kind. It was noted that it appears that the residents prefer the calendar concept wherein the information is organized in the yearly time frame which is appropriate and that the Township has received favorable responses from various residents on receiving the calendar from the Township. Mr. Keim also questioned the Township’s payment for rental of hydrants. He was advised that the City of Bethlehem controls the water system within Hanover Township and has always charged a fee for the rental of the hydrants.

Adjournment:

Motion: ---I move we adjourn this meeting of the Hanover Township Council at 8:15 P.M.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager