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

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

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

Opening Bids: 1.) 2006 Road Program

Chairman Paulus opened the two bids received relative to the Township’s 2006 Road Program. Results are as follows:

E. J. Breneman
West Lawn, PA 19609 10% Bid Bond Bid Amount - $271,786.57

Asphalt Paving
Hammonton, NJ 08037 10% Bid Bond Bid Amount - $257,465.14

Councilman Kovacs questioned the Township Engineer as to the work to be performed and the Township Engineer noted that work will be done on Roble Road, Hangar Place and Hayden Circle. In resolution of this matter, Council made the following motion:

Motion: --- I move we award the bid for the Township’s 2006 Road Program to Asphalt Paving of Hammonton, NJ in the amount of $257,465.14 subject to the review and approval of the Township Engineer.

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

Courtesy of the Floor: ------

Chairman Paulus acknowledged the attendance of a representative of the Whitehall Catasauqua News, Ms. Rose Dietsch and her companion and Mr. Robin Yoder.

Mr. Robin Yoder, Township Fire Chief, Emergency Management Director and Township Code Enforcement Officer approached the Board at this time. Mr. Yoder indicated that the AED has finally come in and has been mounted on the wall. Mr. Yoder indicated he would call the ambulance corps. to schedule a class during the day for training on this piece of equipment. He noted that the pads can be transferred right over to the ambulance. Mr. Yoder felt the training is approximately 4 hours and is really more CPR than anything else. He also indicated to the Board that everything the AED does it records and that the ambulance corps can take that information right to the hospital.

Mr. Yoder also noted that in his capacity as Code Enforcement Officer he has taken pictures for the Township Manager with respect to the garbage accumulation in the Township, which in his opinion has gotten way out of control. He felt that as the signage on Irving Street notes littering $300 fine, such signs should be placed in the industrial parks as well as the Township’s parks. He further noted that Valley Plaza Shopping Center is probably the worst, Carmike Cinemas second and BJ’s Wholesale Club third. With respect to Sherwood Park, Mr. Yoder noted that he felt that someone should clean out the brush at the end of Sherwood Park by the basketball courts. He indicated that the area where the brush is located is littered with booze, pallets, and provides a good hiding place for children. It was noted that the Township does not own this area but it is owned by the owners of the Valley Plaza Shopping Center. The Township Attorney commented that he did not know if the Township can require that the area be cleaned out. The Township Manager was directed to contact the owner of the Valley Plaza Shopping Center and discuss the matter.

With respect to the new Township car, the Ford Escape, Mr. Yoder advised the Board that he felt that this vehicle was the perfect choice for a Township car. Councilman Kovacs questioned him as to the status of the new truck for the fire company and Mr. Yoder noted that the chassis construction is three months behind.

Approval of Minutes: ------ April 19, 2006 Regular Council Meeting
-------------------------------------------- April 19, 2006 Special Council Meeting

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of April 19, 2006 and accept same as presented.

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

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the Special Council Meeting of April 19, 2006 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 Council that they had before them a rendering of a proposed gazebo for Canal Park to be located near the waterfall. Mrs. Pudliner indicated that Public Works has received numerous requests by individuals to be able to have seating in the area of the waterfall so they can enjoy same. Councilman Atkinson felt that the gazebo chosen by Public Works was too large and that he personally has never seen more than one couple at a time in the gazebo areas. It was the consensus of the Board that the smaller gazebo; namely, the 10’ x 14’ would be more appropriate. In that regard, the Board made the following motion:

Motion: --- I move that we authorize the purchase of a 10’ x 14’ gazebo to be placed near the waterfalls in Canal Park.

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

2.) The Township Manager advised the Board that an issue has arisen with respect to the billboards on U.S. Route 22. In this instance, there is a dispute between the current owner of two billboards whose lease has expired and another individual who wishes to replace those billboards with his own. As Council may recall, Township Manager noted that in the past the Township has allowed the rebuild or repair of billboards for safety issues, etc. for the current billboards in the Township. However, in this instance, things are a little different in that someone else’s billboards must be removed and new billboards put in place. The ordinance provides that if you alter the nonconformity you must abide by all the provisions of the ordinance which brings into play the 4,000 foot requirement between billboards. The Township initially had issued a building permit to the new lessee which was later revoked upon advice of counsel. In that regard, the Township has utilized the services of Attorney James Bartholomew due to a conflict of interest with the Township Attorney’s firm since an individual in that firm represents one of the parties in this action. The Township Manager/Zoning Officer requested that the Board allow her to utilize Attorney James Bartholomew at upcoming hearings before the Township’s Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board regarding this matter. In that regard, Council made the following motion:

Motion: --- I move that Attorney James Bartholomew represent the Township at upcoming Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board hearings as same relates to the billboard issue involving Tri Outdoor, Inc. and Adams Outdoor Advertising.

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

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

1.) The Township Engineer advised that work is being performed with respect to last year’s road program to include the Marcon Blvd. recycling and then the completion of the roadwork on Willowbrook Road.

2.) As Council may be aware, the work on the Allendale swale, which is part of the Airport Shopping Center project and the culvert which will be required, has been determined to be very costly. Unofficially, the Township has been contacted by the Developer as to whether or not the Township would be interested in contributing any monies toward this work. The Township Engineer advised that he has been thinking about this and since the cost of the work is approximately $400,000.00 it would be his recommendation that the Township contribute $100,000.00 and agree to get any easements required. He noted that the work that the Township had anticipated doing on Irving Street and the culvert would cost approximately $100,000.00. The Township Engineer was of opinion that all this work not only helps to mitigate the Developer’s impact but also the Township’s problems in that area. He indicated that he felt that a contribution would be fair since they are actually fixing a problem that already exists. Councilman Atkinson questioned what the existing problem was and the Township Engineer indicated the culvert and the swale. Councilman Atkinson noted that the swale is owned by Allendale and that Allendale must maintain it. Councilman Atkinson expressed his concern as to what Allendale is doing with respect to this problem. The Township Engineer noted that Allendale would still have to maintain the swale and that the Developer designed it to what we require for their development. The Township Attorney commented that the Township must document this so that it is clear that the Township is contributing to public works, which are the Township’s responsibility. It was noted that staff will be meeting with the Developer on Monday and that staff should report to the Developer that the Township is interested in listening to their concerns.

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

1.) The Township Attorney advised that the argument on the Airport Associates’ appeal regarding the property line setbacks has been moved to June, 2006. With respect to the Airport Tax Assessment Appeals, the Township Attorney requested an Executive Session after the meeting to discuss those matters.

Unfinished Business: NONE

New Business:

1.) Bill No. 2006-01, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 16, Part One, Section 108, Subsection Two, Regulations for Sherwood Park and Part Two, Section 209, Regulations for Chestnut Grove Park (Introduce)

Bill No. 2006-01 was introduced at this time with a public hearing on same to be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2006, at 7:30 P.M. The Township Manager noted that the purpose of this ordinance is to clarify language in the existing park regulations to include tennis courts in both Sherwood Park and Chestnut Grove Park to be posted for No Skateboarding on the courts

2.) Resolution No. 2006-26, A Resolution Designating a Reserved Handicapped Parking Space (Vote)

Ms. Rose Dietsch appeared before the Board and advised that she has requested in writing a handicap parking space designation in front of her residents. She noted to the Board that an individual had performed an illegal lane change and hit her head on. As a result of the accident, she had sustained various injuries and now has difficulty with parallel parking. She advised the Board she has a permanent blue hangtag and received her new plate in the mail. In resolution of this matter, 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. 2006-26, A Resolution Designating a Reserved Handicapped Parking Space be adopted as presented.

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

Courtesy of the Floor: None

Adjournment:

Motion: ---I move we adjourn this meeting of the Hanover Township Council at 8:40 P.M.

Paulus: Moved

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

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