Present: ---- Councilwoman Hayden; Councilmen Atkinson, Dreisbach, Kovacs, Paulus; J. Jackson Eaton, III, Esquire; Frederick W. Hay, P.E.; Sandra A. Pudliner; Vicky Roth

Councilwoman Hayden, for medical reasons, attended the meeting via telephone conference.

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

Attendance: ---------- 4

Courtesy of the Floor: ------ None

Approval of Minutes: ------ March 15, 2006 Regular Council Meeting

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the March 15, 2006 Regular Council Meeting and accept same as presented.

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

Reports:

1. Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

1.) The Township Manager advised the Board that she has provided them with all information relative to the upcoming PSATS Convention in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

2.) The Township Manager advised the Board that she has provided them with copies of the Notices of three upcoming Zoning Hearing Hearings to be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. The Township Manager noted that the first hearing is a request of the Off-Track Betting Facility for a variance from buffer yard requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. The second Zoning Hearing relates to a Special Exception Request for a proposed residential townhouse development at 1835 North Dauphin Street. The third hearing relates to a proposed home school utilizing the Montessori educational principles at a property located at 100 Cascade Drive. The Township Manager inquired of the Board whether or not they had any questions regarding these matters and the Board had no questions regarding same.

At this point in the meeting, Councilman Kovacs advised the Board that the Township Clerk and he had attended a PennDOT meeting recently with respect to the proposed 22 Expansion. Councilman Kovacs noted that PennDOT is proceeding and there is an expectation that the project would be completed within the next 12 to 13 years. Chairman Paulus questioned whether or not a written report has been received from the Fire Marshal relative to the Township Building fire and the Township Manager advised that no report has been issued.

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

1.) The Township Engineer advised that bids for the Road Program will be opened at the first meeting of the month of May, 2006.

2.) With respect to the Traffic Study conducted at the intersection of Race and Willowbrook Roads, the Township Engineer noted that the study reveals that a traffic signal is warranted at that location. The warrant to be met is 500 trips on the major road and 150 trips on the minor. Mr. Hay noted that between 7:00 and 8:00 A.M., the trip generation was 819:371 and between 8:00 and 9:00 A.M. the trip generation was 776:270.

With respect to the Grove and Ronca Blvd. intersection in terms of a three way stop, a traffic study was conducted, the warrant being 500 on the major road and 200 on the minor road as well as a 30 second average delay. The Township Engineer noted that the counts do not meet the warrant including the 30 second average delay. Accordingly, Mr. Hay advised that the three way stop at this location could not be justified.

The Township Engineer advised the Board that he would recommend starting the design for the traffic signal at the Race St. and Willowbrook Road intersection. Once the design is completed, same should be submitted to PennDOT for the issuance of a permit. In that regard, the Board made the following motion:

Motion: --- I move that we authorize the Township Engineer to proceed with the traffic signal design for a traffic signal light at the intersection of Willowbrook Road and Race Street.

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

Upon questioning by Councilwoman Hayden, the Township Engineer advised that Pump Station 6 did not have a larger pump installed and that the pumps installed were the same size as what was previously there, but he advised Councilwoman Hayden that he anticipates taking that pump station off line in the spring.

3.) The Township Engineer advised the Board that in accordance with the current prevailing wage rate laws anything $25,000 or above has to be bid. He advised that this has been the same since 1961 and that there has been a 661% inflation rate since that time. However, the Township Engineer noted that recently PennDOT and Labor and Industry got together and came up with a new policy which would require material overlay projects costing $25,000 or more to be subject to the prevailing wage rates where previously they were considered maintenance and were not subject to same. Presently, Governor Rendell has suspended this from taking effect. The Township Engineer felt that the Township governing body should go to PSATS and the state senator and state representative asking them to support a change in the prevailing wage rate which the Township Engineer felt should be $150,000 rather than the current $25,000. Council determined that the state senator and state representative should be contacted regarding this matter and directed the Township Manager to take appropriate action.

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

1.) The Township Attorney advised that with regard to the tax assessment appeal involving the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority the various parties involved are still negotiating the refund issue. Again, Attorney Eaton noted the school district is taking the lead in this matter but the matter is moving ahead.

Councilman Kovacs took the opportunity to thank the Township Solicitor for the invitation to the opening of his firm’s new office.

4. Maintenance Report (Written)

5. Fire Company Report (Written)

6. Code Enforcement Officers' Reports (Written)

7. Building Inspector's Report (Written)

Chairman Paulus acknowledged receipt of a written Maintenance Report, written Fire Company Report, written Code Enforcement Officers’ Report and written Building Inspector’s Report and same were noted for the record. With respect to the Code Enforcement Officers’ Reports it was noted that there are continual garbage problems at the Valley Plaza Shopping Center. Councilman Atkinson felt that prevention rather than mediation would be the best course of action. Councilman Atkinson felt it was the shopping center’s obligation to police its tenants not the Township’s. The Township Manager noted that there is a question as to the property line in the area adjacent to the side of Weis Markets. The shopping center’s ownership of the bank area is approximately 15 feet and the balance of that area appears to be in the ownership of Carmike Cinemas. However, Mrs. Pudliner noted that the garbage accumulation appears to be garbage coming from the shopping center. The Township Manager questioned the Township Solicitor as to how to proceed. The Township Attorney advised that he would look at the ordinance and discuss the matter with the Township Manager in order to determine a course of action.

8. Treasurer's Report (Written)

Motion: --- I move we accept the computer printouts dated April 19, 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: NONE

New Business:

1.) Resolution No. 2006-24, A Resolution Designating a Reserved Handicapped Parking Space (Vote).

The Township Manager prefaced the discussion by advising the Board that in accordance with the ordinance adopted by the Township a handicap person may by resolution request a handicap parking space in front of their property. Accordingly, in that regard, the Board has before them this evening two such resolutions, one for the residence of Eleanore Hayden and one for the residence of Dorothy H. Bailey.

With respect to Resolution No. 2006-24, Council made the following motion:

Motion: --- I move that Resolution No. 2006-24, a resolution designating a reserved handicap parking space be adopted as presented.

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

2.) Resolution No. 2006-25, A Resolution Designating a Reserved Handicapped Parking Space (Vote).

Motion: --- I move that Resolution No. 2006-24, a resolution designating a reserved handicap parking space be adopted as presented.

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

Councilman Atkinson commented that the Township should keep track of the reserved handicap parking spaces to make sure that when an individual moves the property is restored to a normal parking space.

Payment of the Bills:

Motion: ------- I move Council authorize payment of Voucher Nos. 11746-11750 (3/30/06 Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 11751-11757 (4/19/06 Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 11758-11814; Payroll dated 3/24/06, Payroll dated 4/7/06, from the General Fund Account in the amount of $102,418.00; Voucher Nos. 1624-1628 from the Capital Reserve Account in the amount of $7,237.23; Voucher Nos. 1414 (3/30/06 Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 1415-1416 (4/19/06 Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 1417-1420 from the Escrow Account in the amount of $8,517.00; Voucher Nos. 1631-1639 from the Water Account in the amount of 1,979.34; Voucher Nos. 2665-2681 from the Sewer Account in the amount of $122,183.36 for a Grand Total Expenditure of $242,334.93.

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

Courtesy of the Floor:

Councilwoman Hayden inquired as to whether or not Mr. Joseph Feskanin in attendance at the meeting would be available to speak to her on the phone after the meeting and Mr. Feskanin indicated he would be available

Mr. John Weisenbacher of 3350 Airport Road questioned the Board as to why he is being taxed on a trailer, which is in his ownership. The Township Clerk/Tax Collector indicated that Lehigh County references the properties as trailers rather than mobile homes. However, a mobile home/trailer is real estate and accordingly taxable.e

Adjournment:

Motion: ---I move we adjourn this meeting of the Hanover Township Council at 8:10 P.M.

Paulus: Moved

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

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