Present: ---- Councilwoman Hayden; Councilmen Atkinson, Dreisbach, Kovacs, Paulus; Andrew Ralston, Jr., Esquire;
--------------------- Vicky Roth

Absent: ------------------ Sandra A. Pudliner; J. Jackson Eaton, III and Frederick W. Haye, P.E.;

At this point in the meeting, Attorney Ralston stated for the record that Councilwoman Hayden would be participating via telephone conference. He then asked Councilwoman Hayden to state the reason she would be participating via telephone. Mrs. Hayden said she is now a paraplegic and unable to attend meetings. Attorney Ralston noted his office had investigated this matter and under Pennsylvania Law telephone conferences are legal.

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

Courtesy of the Floor:

Thomas Lerch, 2320 Grove Road, appeared before the Board questioning a newspaper article on high definition billboards in the Township. He requested that the Board address this type of sign and consider a proactive response to same. He also requested investigating through the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission how adjoining municipalities are addressing this issue. Councilman Atkinson stated there is a high definition billboard on the old road to nowhere near Reading near Route 183 Exit. He was not aware of any in our immediate area. He also stated that our ordinance does not allow flashing and blinking billboards.

Approval of Minutes: ------ February 1, 2006 Regular Council Meeting

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the February 1, 2006 Regular Council Meeting and accept same as presented.

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

Reports:

1. Vicky Roth
Township Clerk

Mrs. Roth noted the Zoning Officer had given a copy of a Liquor License Application to the Board and the meeting will be held for the Ruby Tuesday Liquor License Application on March 1 at 7:00 P.M.

2. Frederick W. Hay, P.E.
Township Engineer

1.) Chairman Paulus stated the Township Engineer would not be attending this evening’s meeting. The engineer has started the traffic counts for Race St. and Willowbrook Road. This would continue through the end of this week.

2.) The Engineer will do a new noise study in the Troxell Street area concerning U.S. Foods in the near future.

3. Andrew Ralston, Jr. Esquire
Attorney's Report

In the absence of the Township Attorney, an associate, Andrew Ralston, appeared at the meeting and offered the following report.

1.) Concerning the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority Tax Appeal, the Township is continuing to meet with the County and the School District as well as the airport to arrange a settlement of the tax matter.

2.) With respect to the billboard issue, Attorney Ralston noted this type of blinking and flashing lights on said billboards is covered under our present Zoning Ordinance.

Councilman Atkinson noted that although our ordinance does not allow this type of billboards, an applicant may request a variance before the Zoning Hearing Board. Mrs. Hayden stated should an applicant apply for a variance that the Township should have our attorney represent us in this matter.

Councilman Kovacs stated that the Board had received a letter concerning the fire protection issue at 1635 Airport Road. Since Township will be protecting the entire building we should also be following our codes and inspections for said property..

4. Maintenance Report (Written)

Councilman Atkinson questioned the Township Clerk as to the date of arrival of the new Township car. Mrs. Roth said we had just received correspondence concerning same and the delivery of the Township car should be within the next week or two

5. Fire Company Report (Written)

6. Code Enforcement Officers' Reports (Written)

Councilman Dreisbach questioned Mrs. Roth as to the number of tickets that were given out a few weeks ago at the Sheraton Four Points. He reported that the Township Manager had written a letter previously to the Sheraton Four Points concerning this matter. It was again noted that we felt the Township had an agreement with the Sheraton concerning having two large functions at the same time and the absence of available parking spaces. Mrs. Roth will bring this matter to the Township Manager’s attention. Also noted was the number of tickets that had been given in the Allendale area. The Board instructed Mrs. Roth to research whether these were individual offenders or repeat offenders in the Township and give a report to the Board.

7. Building Inspector's Report (Written)

Councilman Atkinson noted they had been given correspondence from the Zoning Officer concerning an upcoming Zoning Hearing for the property at 1665 E. Race Street. After further discussion concerning the parking issue and the existing deli at that site, the Board made the following motion:

Motion: --- I move the Township send the Township Attorney to represent the Township to oppose any variance of the parking on this site.

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

8. Treasurer's Report (Written)

Motion: --- I move we accept the computer printouts dated February 15, 2006, for the General Fund Account, Capital Reserve Account, Escrow Account, Liquid Fuels Account, Sewer Account and Water Account subject to audit.

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

Unfinished Business:

At this point in the meeting, Councilwoman Hayden questioned the report of the Code Enforcement Officer relative to street lights being out and needing repair. She felt the Township should be reimbursed for the lack of lighting along the Irving Street, Marcon Blvd. and Postal Rd. locations. The Township Clerk will speak to the Township Manager concerning this issue. We will notify our representative at PPL and request same.

Mr. Atkinson noted that there is a string of lights out on the north side of Roble Road where the train display was located during the holidays. He requested we investigate this and notify PPL of this needed repair.

New Business

Councilman Dreisbach again thanked Mr. Lerch for his report to the Board concerning the high definition billboards. He also brought in a copy of the newspaper article concerning same.

The Township Manager advised that this Resolution deals with the Township’s reinspection on a five-year basis of various properties within the Township. This area of compliance includes the property of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority. In resolution of this matter, the Board made the following motion:

Motion: ------- I move that Resolution No. 2006-20, A Resolution Designating an Area of Compliance in Accordance with Chapter 4, Part 4, Section 402, 104.3.2(B) of the Property Maintenance Code of Hanover Township be adopted as presented.

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

Payment of the Bills:

Motion: ------- I move Council authorize payment of Voucher Nos. 11634-11636 (2/15/06 Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 11637-121682; Payroll dated 1/30/06, Payroll dated 02/13/06, from the General Fund Account in the amount of $75,314.78; Voucher Nos. 1615-1620 from the Capital Reserve Account in the amount of $6,890.84; Voucher Nos. 1404-1409 from the Escrow Account in the amount of $10,239.00; Voucher Nos. 1614-1623 from the Water Account in the amount of $39,004.71; Voucher Nos. 2640-2653 from the Sewer Account in the amount of $52,193.95 for a Grand Total Expenditure of $183,643.28.

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

Courtesy of the Floor:

Mr. Bernard Nauroth of 2049 Troxell Street approached the Board at this time and indicated what he considered a serious problem involving a property owner on Pennsylvania Avenue who has shrubbery located at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Clarence Street, which presents a serious visibility problem at that intersection. Mr. Nauroth noted that it makes it extremely difficult for cars pulling out into the intersection and that serious accidents could occur as a result thereof. It was noted that numerous complaints have been received regarding this property and the Township Manager was directed to correspond with the property owner and advise the property owner that the shrubbery must be removed. It was further noted that said shrubbery is within the Township’s right of way and should the property owner not remove the shrubbery the Township could do so. Mrs. Joan Nauroth of 2049 Troxell Street advised Council that with respect to Valley Plaza Shopping Center, several of the dumpsters have been moved away from the building and requested that the Township contact the owner and asked that the dumpsters be placed next to the building.

Adjournment:

Motion: --- I move we adjourn this meeting of the Hanover Township Council at 7:57 P.M.

Hayden: Moved

Respectfully submitted,

Vicky Roth
Township Clerk

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