Courtesy of the Floor: None

Approval of Minutes: ------------------ October 23, 2006 - Budget Meeting

Motion: I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the October 23, 2006 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 2007 Operating, Capital Reserve, Liquid Fuels, Water and Sewer Budgets (Review and Discussion).

Chairman Paulus opened the Public Hearings relative to the Proposed 2007 Budgets. With the Township Engineer in attendance, Council began a review of the Proposed 2007 Water Budget and after reviewing same determined that no changes would be made with the Proposed Budget.

Council then reviewed the Proposed 2007 Sewer Budget and determined to make no changes to same. Councilman Atkinson questioned the Township Engineer as to the line item for GIS and whether or not that expenditure will at some point come to an end. The Township Engineer noted that the Township has just received aerials from Lehigh County. The Township Engineer felt that GIS would be an ongoing process, but would most likely become less costly over time. The Township also advised the Board that he would be working on one sewer rate for all Township customers. He noted that he will be preparing those figures and get back to the Board in the near future. Councilwoman Hayden questioned whether or not customers would be charged only for usage. The Township Engineer indicated that he did not feel that would be the way to go and that there always should be a minimum charge and then you go from there. Councilman Atkinson commented that there are fixed costs in any system and that is where the minimum comes from. It was noted that the current minimum is 11,000 gallons and after considerable discussion, Council determined that they would lower that to 9,000 gallons.

The Township Engineer also advised the Board that with respect to the proposed lighting for the intersection of Airport Road and Race Street light, back in February of 2006, the FAA sent a letter to an individual in his office indicating their approval of the lighting project. However, he had not been aware of same. He advised Council that his office will expedite the matter and that they already have a call into PennDOT to place the lights on the pole standards. Councilman Atkinson questioned the Township Engineer as to the status of the towne house development proposed on Dauphin Street. The Township Engineer advised that the Developer was proposing gravity sewer on the site on Dauphin Street in the area of our towpath. He indicated the pipes would have been higher than the road in some places. It was the Developer’s intent to gravity feed the sewer to Pump Station 5. Mr. Hay advised the Board that he found this unacceptable. It would have resulted in taking out part of the Township’s towpath. There would have been wetland encroachment. Also, there would be a loss of a lot of trees that would have to be removed to accommodate this. Mr. Hay noted that he and the Township’s Public Works Director had met down there with the Developer’s engineer and Developer’s representative. We looked at the site and advised the Developer of all the problems the Township had with this gravity flow system and indicated to the Developer’s representatives that the Township did not find it acceptable and they should consider a private pump station. Additionally, Mr. Hay advised the Board that there are recreation requirements which would have to be met and the Township Engineer did not feel that the project would move forward.

At this point in the meeting, Council reviewed the Proposed 2007 Liquid Fuels Budget. After discussion initiated by Councilman Atkinson, it was determined that the Township should expend the Liquid Fuels monies, which have been held for several years toward the 2007 Road Program. Accordingly, in the Receipts portion of the Budget, Interest Earnings was reduced from $4,800 to $2,500. With respect to the Expenditures portion of the Budget, Road Construction was increased from zero to $190,000. The Ending Balance in the Liquid Fuels Account would then be revised from $192,500 to $200.

At this point in the meeting, Council continued its review of the General Fund Budget with respect to the Expenditure portion of same and in particular the Department for Administration. It was noted that the line item for Administration-Building Inspections set at $15,000 appeared to be high and the Township Manager was directed to check with the Township’s Building Inspector regarding same. It was also noted that a change may be necessary to the line item for EIT/OPT/BPT Tax currently shown at $50,000 to reflect the changes made by the Board to the Revenue portion of the Budget for such taxes.

It was noted that at the next meeting, the Township’s Fire Chief and Public Works Director would be requested to attend to review their Budgets. At this point in the meeting, Council closed the Public Hearing relative to the Proposed Budgets and continued same until the next hearing date which is Monday, November 6, 2006 at 7:00 P.M.

New Business: None

Courtesy of the Floor: None

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager