Motion: I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the November 7, 2005 Budget Meeting and accept same as presented.

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

Old Business:

1. Public Hearing – Continuation of Proposed 2006 Operating, Capital Reserve, Liquid Fuels, Water and Sewer Budgets (Review and Discussion).

Chairman Paulus opened the Public Hearing relative to the Proposed 2006 Budgets. The Township Manager advised the Board that she has provided them with a revised Budget Preparation Worksheet showing all the changes made during the Budget Hearings to the proposed Budget figures. In that regard, Council reviewed all the revisions to the Proposed Budget. Of particular interest, there were discussions involving the creation of a category for salary of Recreation Directors, as well as additional monies in Minor Equipment Purchase for Supplies for a Recreation Program. It was noted that correspondence would be sent to the Township residents in early 2006 to determine if there are sufficient children interested in such a program. The Township Manager noted that it was her opinion that unless a response of at least 40 interested parties is received she felt the program should not continue. There were also lengthy discussions with respect to the purchase of a new Township vehicle. In that regard, Council was provided with various quotations regarding vehicle availability. The Board expressed interest in the proposal for a Ford 500. There were discussions relative to the fact that through the state program the amount allowed for a trade-in was $3,500. Council felt that amount was too low. There were discussions about securing at least $4,000 or bidding the sale of the car. In any event, no adjustment was made to the Budget categories regarding this matter. With respect to the category for Highway Pagers, Council was advised that the cost for additional equipment for all Township Maintenance employees was approximately $2,400 per year. Council had no problem purchasing the additional phones, but wanted it made specifically clear that overages in the Township’s bills directly resulting from Township employee personal use would be charged to the Township employee responsible.

It was noted that the Capital Reserve for Future Road Program which is listed at $800,000 would need to be reduced and monies put into a category created in the General Fund to fund Capital Sewer System Improvements. The Township Manager advised that there was currently approximately $175,000 in the Capital Program for Sewer System Improvements. Mrs. Pudliner also indicated that the Township Engineer has indicated that approximately $500,000 would be necessary to do the project resulting in the elimination of Pump Station 6. Accordingly, the Township Manager noted that the money to fund the Capital Program would be derived from reducing the appropriation for Future Roads in the Capital Reserve Account and also using the excess monies in the Miscellaneous Contingencies Department to come up with at least $500,000 for the Sewer System Improvements Project. The Township Manager also requested that Miscellaneous Contingencies be left with $15,000 minimum for the 2006 Budget.

Council reviewed the Liquid Fuels Budget which had been adjusted to reflect the correct State Allocation for the year 2006 of $43,340. Council also reviewed the Capital Reserve Budget and it was noted that adjustments would be made to same to accommodate the funding necessary from the General Fund to the Capital Reserve Sewer System Improvements Program.

At this point in the meeting, the Township Manager provided the Board with the breakdown of fourth quarter 2005 sewer billings. The Township Manager noted that there is a discrepancy between the Bethlehem and Catasauqua Usage. The Catasauqua Usage should be higher than the Bethlehem Usage, but same is not reflected in the figures. The Township Manager advised that the Township Engineer and staff are looking into the matter with the City of Bethlehem and are looking at a breakdown of records going back a period of at least two years. It was noted that the Water and Sewer Budgets would be addressed at the next Special Meeting to be held on Monday, November 28, 2005 at 7:00 P.M.

New Business:

Councilman Kovacs advised the Board that the Township Clerk had been in touch with the Election Board advising them of the condition of the Township chairs in the main meeting room as a result of the election process. As Council is aware, the Governing Body’s chairs had been left in disrepair with stains covering some of the chairs. Subsequent thereto, staff has had the chairs cleaned but in the future those chairs would not be available at election time.

Courtesy of the Floor: None

Adjournment:

Motion: --- I move we adjourn this meeting of the Hanover Township Council at 8:05 P.M.

Hayden: Moved.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager