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

Courtesy of the Floor: NONE

Approval of Minutes: ------------------ October 20, 2008 Budget Meeting

Motion: I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the October 20, 2008 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 2009 Operating, Capital Reserve, Liquid Fuels, Water and Sewer Budgets (Review and Discussion).

Chairman Paulus opened the Public Hearing relative to the Proposed 2009 Budgets. Council began its review of the Operating Budget by addressing the Department for Highway at this time. The Public Works Director was in attendance and Council reviewed the proposed 2009 Highway Budget. Upon review, Council determined to make no revisions to the Proposed Budget at this time.

With the Public Works Director in attendance, Council determined to review the Recreation Department Budget. There was considerable discussion relative to the installation of cameras at Sherwood Park. A discussion ensued with respect to the camera system currently existing at Canal Park and the fact that the image being sent over the internet is not a good image. It was noted that RCN Cable is utilized and that the installer had indicated that he would talk to the engineer of this system to have a booster put on it. However, nothing has been done as of this time. Council requested that the Public Works Director continue to make efforts to improve the security system at Canal Park. And, additionally, Council revised the Recreation Department Budget, in particular, Minor Equipment Purchases/Supplies from $5,000 to $17,000 to allow for the potential installation of a camera security system at Sherwood Park. There was also a discussion with respect to the portable toilets that are utilized at the different parks and that possibly by chaining them together, the Township could prevent them from being knocked over. The Public Works Director indicated he would look at that matter. The Public Works Director also advised the Board that he is looking into renovations at the Catasauqua Lake area. Steps would be placed and a handicap ramp would be installed right up to the dock.

At this point in the meeting, Council resumed their review of the Operating Budget with the Department for Municipal Building. No changes were made at this time. With respect to the Department for Code Enforcement, upon review no changes were made with the exception of the heading of the line item for Code Enforcement – Pagers being revised to Code Enforcement – Cell Phone.

With respect to the Department for Fire, Council reviewed same and made no revisions at this time. With respect to the Department for Planning and Zoning, Council reviewed the proposed figures for 2009 and made no revisions at this time. There was a discussion relative to a recent article in the Township News Magazine indicating that there may be legislation which would allow Townships to advertise on the web. Council directed the Township Manager to keep abreast of the status of this legislation. With respect to the Department of Emergency Management, upon review no revisions were made at this time.

Council determined to review the Department for Miscellaneous Expenses at the next Budget Meeting which is scheduled for Monday, November 3, 2008 at 4:00 P.M.

Chairman Paulus closed the Public Hearing on the Proposed 2009 Budgets.

Courtesy of the Floor: NONE

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 P.M.