Present: --------------- Councilwoman Hayden; Councilmen Atkinson, Kovacs, Paulus, Williams;
------------------------------- J. Jackson Eaton, III, Esquire; Ryan Christman; Sandra A. Pudliner; Vicky Roth

Absent: ------------------ Frederick W. Hay, P.E.

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

Courtesy of the Floor:

Mr. Joseph Feskanin, 1680 N. Irving St., Allentown, PA , questioned Council as to whether or not they had any knowledge of who was doing survey work in the area of his home on Irving Street. Council advised Mr. Feskanin that they had no knowledge of any survey work. Chairman Paulus questioned if it was in the area of the property owned by the developer of the proposed shopping center. No one present was aware of any such surveying. Ryan Christman in attendance at the meeting on behalf of the Township Engineer noted; that any surveying was not being done by the Township or the contractor of the road program. Mr. Feskanin noted that in front of his house there was a red mark with the lettering HBA21. Mr. Christman indicated that some inquiries could be made to try to determine to what the survey work related.

At this point in the meeting, Chairman Paulus acknowledged correspondence from Councilman Williams, in which, Mr. Williams tendered his resignation effective November 20, 2004 from his position of Councilman at Hanover Township, Lehigh County, as a result of change of residence to Hanover Township, Northampton County. Chairman Paulus noted that the Township would need to determine if there has been any interest shown for vacancies on boards and then proceed from that point forward.

Approval of Minutes: ---------- September 15, 2004 Regular Council Meeting

Motion: ------- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the September 15, 2004, Regular Council Meeting and accept same as presented.

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

Reports:

1. Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

1. The Township Manager advised Council that she has determined that the Borough of Catasauqua will be holding trick or treat on Friday, October 29, 2004 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. In accordance with prior practice, Council determined that Hanover Township, Lehigh County, would hold trick or treat at the same time.

2. With respect to the DCED Grant through Senator Boscola’s office, Council should be advised that Senator Boscola’s office has indicated that the $10,000 will be forthcoming hopefully by the middle of October, 2004

3. With respect to the scheduling of Budget hearings relative to the 2005 Budgets, the Township Manager advised the Board that such hearings would need to be scheduled at this time. After discussion, Council determined that the Budget hearings would occur on Monday evenings and the following Mondays would be designated as Budget hearings; namely, October 25, November 1, November 8, November 15, November 22, November 29 and December 6, 2004. It was further determined that the first Budget hearing would be to address the water and sewer budgets with the Township Engineer in attendance. Council noted that all Budget hearings will be held at 7:00 P.M.

A discussion ensued relative to the bidding of the used 10 Ton Dump Truck. Council inquired of the Township Manager as to what had happened with respect to the municipality that had expressed an interest in purchasing same. The Township Manager advised that said municipality had come and looked at the truck and indicated they would report back the following Monday, but, to this date, we have not heard anything further from them. Accordingly, the Township has utilized the bid process and will open bids on the purchase of the used vehicle on Wednesday, November 3, 2004, at 7:30 P.M.

Councilman Kovacs advised the Board that the mailbox that was located at Taft and Pennsylvania Avenue has been removed. He noted that he had spoken to the mailman and that possibly if enough people express their concern the mailbox could be returned. The Township Clerk noted that it was her understanding that if a mailbox location did not generate at least 25 pieces of mail per day, the post office was taking the position that they would remove those mailboxes. Councilman Kovacs noted that this is the only mailbox in the Troxell Street area with the exception of the mailbox located in the shopping center across Catasauqua Road at the CVS. Council determined that the Township Manager should write a letter to the U. S. Postal Service expressing the Township’s concern.

2. Ryan Christman

In the absence of the Township Engineer, Frederick W. Hay, Mr. Ryan Christman of Keystone Consulting Engineers was in attendance at the meeting and offered the following report.

1. With respect to ongoing work regarding the Canal Park project, Mr. Christman advised that after the cancellation of the first meeting a meeting had been held with the Pennsylvania Fish Commission. With respect to the rescheduled meeting, the representative from the Pennsylvania Fish Commission was to arrive at 11:00 A.M., but showed up at 10:00 A.M. on the date of the meeting. However, representatives of the Township did meet with him at that time. Council should be advised that another meeting has been scheduled for October 19 at 9:00 A.M. at Canal Park with representatives of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, Army Corps of Engineers, DEP, the Pennsylvania Historical Society, and National Heritage Corridor, to attend.

2. With respect to the Road Program, Mr. Christman advised that the recycling should be done by the end of the week. He noted that there is a possibility that the contractor will be doing the section coming out on Airport and Postal Rd. on Monday evening in attempt to avoid heavy traffic. Mr. Christman also noted that a Verizon manhole had been hit but that same has been repaired and that now a large concrete vault has been put in place. Irving Street has been completed and three quarters of Postal Rd. has been completed. All the inlets are fixed. With respect to the inlets on Irving Street coming up the hill from Dauphin Drive, Mr. Christman noted that they would have to come back and work that in and feather it out better.

3. J. Jackson Eaton, III, Esquire
Township Attorney

1. The Township Attorney noted that he had forwarded Council correspondence with respect to the slots issue. He noted that everything else is on the agenda. Chairman Paulus noted that with respect to slot machine legislation, it seemed apparent that there is no possibility of the Township reviving the fee to benefit off-track wagering host municipalities.

Unfinished Business: ------- None.

New Business:

1. Bill No. 2004-04, An Ordinance Amending the Statutory Code of Hanover Township, Chapter 27, Relating to zoning, in Conformity with the Municipalities Planning Code (Introduce).

Chairman Paulus introduced Bill No. 2004-04 at this time with a public hearing to be held on Wednesday, October 20, 2004, at 7:30 P.M. The Township Attorney noted that Bill No. 2004-04 represents amendments to the Township Zoning Ordinance which relate to changes to the State Municipalities Planning Code which are required by the Township in some cases and provide options for other changes. Most of the changes are required. There is an option with respect to the “hearing officer”. Attorney Eaton noted that if the Board wishes to delete that it could be done. Attorney Eaton further noted that the most significant change is for the provision of a no-impact home business as a permitted use. He noted that this is different from a home occupation use.

2. Bill No. 2004-05, An Ordinance Amending the Statutory Code of Hanover Township, Chapter 22, Relating to Subdivision and Land Development in Conformity with the Municipalities Planning Code (Introduce).

Chairman Paulus introduced Bill No. 2004-05 at this time with a public hearing to be held on Wednesday, October 20, 2004, at 7:30 P.M. The Township Attorney noted that this proposed ordinance relates to the same amendments to the Municipalities Planning Code as addressed in Bill No. 2004-04. However, these changes relate to the Township’s Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.

3. Bill No. 2004-06, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 18, Part 3 (Sewer Rates, Rents and Charges), Section 303 of the Statutory Code of Hanover Township (Introduce).

Chairman Paulus introduced Bill No. 2004-06 at this time with a public hearing to be held on Wednesday, October 20, 2004, at 7:30 P.M.

At this point in the meeting, Chairman Paulus acknowledged receipt of the Township’s Fire Company Report for August and noted that there were 25 calls. Councilwoman Hayden noted that the Secret Service indicated that they were very pleased with the accommodations of the Township’s Fire Station where they stayed during the visit from the President. Chairman Paulus noted that he would be unavailable for the October 20, 2004 Council meeting since he will be on vacation that week. Chairman Paulus further noted that Councilman Atkinson has requested an Executive Session for Council and the Manager to discuss personnel issues at the end of this meeting.

Courtesy of the Floor:

Mr. Feskanin inquired as to whether or not a recent article he had noted in the newspaper involving an industry on Race Street dumping pollutants into the Catasauqua sewer system had anything to do with Bill No. 2004-06, which represents an increase to the Township’s sewer rates. Mr. Feskanin was advised that the dumping issue was not relevant to the increase in sewer rates.

Adjournment:

Motion: --- I move we adjourn this meeting of the Hanover Township Council at 8:00 P.M.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager