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

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

Attendance: ----------3

Courtesy of the Floor:

Mr. Joseph Feskanin, 1680 N. Irving St., appeared before the Board. Mr. Feskanin noted that he has taken some pictures as same relates to the recent 2.62 inches of rain. He advised Council that he still considers the flood plain issue in the Township a serious issue. With respect to that, Mr. Feskanin had two questions. First question involved the installation of a separate pipe right at the rounded portion where you come around Postal Rd. Mr. Feskanin noted that he believed the Public Works Director had expressed some concern about that matter. Councilman Atkinson thought that there might have been a sinkhole in that area. Mr. Feskanin’s question was with respect to whether or not that was part of the road resurfacing project. He questioned whether the work had been done after the fact. Councilman Atkinson seemed to recall that the Township had televised lines in that area and that a line had collapsed. In any event, Mr. Feskanin inquired as to whether this work was something in addition to the initial contract and also what the final cost of the entire road project was including that work. Mr. Feskanin further noted that when the Township Engineer is in attendance at Wednesday night’s meeting, he would like to discuss certain issues with him. He noted that the Township Engineer had implied that there never was a problem with water coming off the thruway. Mr. Feskanin advised the Board that he has pictures showing a virtual flooding across the tennis courts and the swimming pool at Allendale Apartments. The water is coming from the north side of the thruway. With respect to this matter, Mr. Feskanin indicated there are two issues. The first issue is where is the water coming from and the second issue involves what can be done about this. Mr. Feskanin noted that ultimately the water flows into the sewer system at Allendale and then goes into the swale. He advised Council that the recent rainfall was not a 100 year storm but that the flooding occurs on a regular basis. His final comment regarding this matter involves the fact that in this municipality as in other municipalities as a result of development, the community runs the risk of substantial erosion of public property of other property owners in the area of such development.

Mr. Feskanin also advised the Board that he has noticed a long delay in the construction of the new building in LVIP III. He indicated they have graded the property, then ungraded it and now are back to doing something else. He noted that some of the sewer lines are still on the surface. In response to these comments, Mr. Feskanin was advised that the contractor has contacted the Township Engineer with respect to inspections of the sewer lines prior to covering same.

Approval of Minutes: ---------- November 22, 2004 - Budget Meeting

Motion: ---I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the November 22, 2004 Budget Meeting and accept same as presented.

Paulus, Kovacs: Moved and Seconded

Atkinson, Hayden, Kovacs, Paulus: ------- Aye ------- Unan.

Old Business:

1. Public Hearing – Continuation of Proposed 2005 Operating, Capital Reserve, Liquid Fuels, Water and Sewer Budgets (Review and Discussion)

Chairman Paulus opened the Public Hearing relative to the Proposed 2005 Budgets. Chairman Paulus noted that they will be going into Executive Session to discuss employee wages and benefits and will return after those discussions to this meeting.

Council returned after their Executive Session at 8:20 P.M. Chairman Paulus noted that as a result of their discussions, Council has determined that for the year 2005 healthcare benefits would be fully funded by the Township. The Township Manager was advised that the prior ordinance setting forth a formula for calculating employee contribution to healthcare benefits was to be repealed. Additionally, the method for calculating cost of living would also no longer apply. Chairman Paulus further noted that the Board realizes the sacrifices made by the employees over the past three years. He noted that next year they would be looking for a cost of living index that does not include healthcare.

With respect to wages, Chairman Paulus noted that although the proposed wage increase was 4.2% for the year 2005, Township employees would receive 2%. With respect to the part-time employees, their increases at 3% would remain.

At this point in the meeting, the Township Clerk inquired of the Board as to whether or not they would prefer to have two meetings scheduled for December 15, one at 7:00 P.M. for the Budget and the regular meeting at 7:30 P.M. With respect to this matter, Council agreed that they would prefer two separate meetings. With respect to the end-of-year meeting, the Township Clerk suggested that same be held on December 30, 2004, at 4:00 P.M. and Council agreed to same.

New Business: ---------- NONE

Courtesy of the Floor:

Mr. Skip Keim, 1635 N. Halstead Street, questioned the Board as to the healthcare benefits. Council advised that they had an ordinance which set forth a calculation to define the employee contribution for same and that they were rescinding that ordinance in order to fully cover healthcare benefits for Township employees.

Adjournment:

Motion: ---I move we adjourn this meeting of the Hanover Township Council at 8:25 P.M.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager