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

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

Attendance: ---------- 0

Courtesy of the Floor: None

Approval of Minutes: ---------- December 3, 2003 Regular Council Meeting
-------------------------------- November 19, 2003 Regular Council Meeting
-------------------------------- November 19, 2003 Special Council Meeting

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the December 3, 2003, Regular Council Meeting and accept same as presented.

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

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the November 19, 2003, Regular Council Meeting and accept same as presented.

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

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the November 19, 2003, Special Council Meeting and accept same as presented.

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

 

Reports:

1. Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

1. The Township Manager advised the Board that reservation for the Lehigh County Association of Township Official’s Convention will be due shortly and inquired as to which Board members would attend. Councilman Kovacs and Chairman Paulus indicated they would be attending the convention and directed the Township Manager to so advise the Lehigh County Association of Township Officials.

2. The Township Manager presented the Board with the information relative to the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisor’s Convention to be held in April, 2004, in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The Township Manager indicated that she desired to know which Board members would attend so that the appropriate arrangements could be made.

3. The Township Manager advised Council that she has provided them with a copy of correspondence recently sent to Carmike Cinemas directly related to the maintenance of the property issue. As noted in the letter, Carmike is being advised that Anthony Properties has advised that under the lease all property maintenance of property associated with Carmike Cinemas is Carmike Cinemas’ responsibility. As Council will recall this issue arose as a result of a tree which is partially/completely down on the area of the property directly adjacent to 1813 Sherwood Street. Accordingly, if arrangements are not made to correct the situation appropriate citations will be issued against Carmike before the local magistrate.

Discussions arose with respect to the issues involving PPL and various lights which are not functioning properly in the Township. Councilman Atkinson questioned the Township Attorney as to the Township’s rights with respect to going after PPL under the Township’s contract with them. Attorney Eaton noted that as a general matter the Township did have that right. It was noted that the Township should review its contract with PPL and that the Township Manager should contact the Township’s customer service representative regarding this matter. A question also arose as to how any refund for malfunctioning lights would be calculated and the Township Manager was directed to look into that matter as well.

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

1. The Township Engineer advised the Board that as they will recall at one of the Township’s prior meetings Mr. Joseph Feskanin brought to Council’s attention the fact that his neighbor’s driveway sits so low that water is entering onto the property. In conversations with the Public Works Department, Mr. Hay noted that these issues arose about 10 years ago when the property owner tried to get the problem fixed. At that time, the Township took the position that it was a private property matter. The concept of placing rolled curb in the area would not work Mr. Hay noted since the snow plowing would just take that out. Councilman Atkinson commented that he felt the only real way to solve the problem would be to put storm sewer in that area. It was noted that this property is the first single family residence past the Allendale Apartments and the Township Engineer indicated that the house sits too low. The Township Engineer further indicated that the property gets runoff from everywhere. Mr. Hay also felt that there is no runoff coming from Rt. 22 since the state had new storm sewer installed.

2. With respect to the Road Program, Council should be advised that we have walked the entire area. All of the project area has been sealed. The only difference being that there were two types of seal used and one is of a better grade and more noticeable when viewed. The Township Engineer further advised that there is still some problem up at Taft and Troxell but that the Township can get that under the maintenance in the spring. There is also a big box on Troxell by Catasauqua Road which is a gas company box. The Township Engineer advised the Board that he would have to get UGI in to look at that situation. The Township Engineer also noted that he has recommended payment of $210,000 to Breneman on the contract and after the water valves are done he will recommend the processing of their final payment. With respect to issues regarding some of driveways, the Township Engineer indicated to the Board that he and his inspector walked the entire area and he did note that the contractor did not go up and over the driveways because they didn’t want to slop tar on the driveways. Councilman Williams commented that with respect to his driveway they did the bottom edge on the street but the top edge wasn’t done. The Township Engineer indicated he would look at the problem. Councilman Williams indicated the same problem exists with his neighbor across the street and that the Township Engineer should also look at that at the same time.

Councilman Atkinson also questioned the status of the sinkholes in LVIP. The Township Engineer noted that letters had been sent to the two property owners and the Township is waiting for their action. Councilwoman Hayden brought up the timing of various signal lights in the Township, in particular, the one at Industrial Drive. The Township Manager indicated to the Township Engineer that those issues are set forth in minutes and were discussed at a meeting when the Township Engineer was not in attendance. The Township Manager advised the Township Engineer that she would provide him with a copy of those minutes for his review.

3. J. Jackson Eaton, III, Esquire
Attorney's Report

1. Council should be advised that with respect to the Airport Tax Appeal the matter was argued before the Commonwealth Court last Tuesday. The Court seemed receptive to the Township’s arguments. Attorney Eaton noted that they actually interrupted very little and that’s generally taken to mean that they may let the decision of the Lower Court stand.

Councilman Atkinson questioned the Township Attorney as to whether he has heard anything with respect to any appeal of the Township’s zoning change involving the Witko property. The Township Attorney indicated that he has heard nothing. Councilwoman Hayden questioned how many people are still residing in Witko Mobile Home Park. The Township Clerk noted that some people show up there and then are absent for a period of time. However, she noted that there are still 18 moving permits which need to be issued. Mrs. Roth further noted that she has spoken to Lehigh County to see if they can just be removed but was advised that could not occur. With respect to those individuals who appealed the magistrate’s eviction, the appeal is to be heard by Judge Reibman in late January or early February. The Township Attorney noted that the judge must hear the case before throwing it out of court.

4. Maintenance Report

5. Fire Company's Report

6. Code Enforcement Officer's Report

7. Building Inspector's Report

Chairman Paulus acknowledged receipt of a written Maintenance Report, written Fire Company Report, written Code Enforcement Officers’ Reports and written Building Inspector’s Report and same were noted for the record.

With respect to the Maintenance Report, Councilman Atkinson questioned the item listing of leaf collection at Saylor’s Mobile Home Park. Mr. Atkinson’s concern was whether or not the Township is going on the private road or picking up the leaves in the front of the property. The Township Manager indicated she would check on same. It was also noted that she check to determine if the Township picks up leaves on Halstead Street. With respect to the Fire Company Report, Councilman Atkinson noted that there are various entries with respect to the Township’s Fire Department assisting in Fountain Hill. Councilwoman Hayden indicated that Han-Le-Co only responds when Lehigh County Com Center calls them. With respect to the Code Enforcement Officers’ Reports, it was noted that there were entries with respect to Sherwood Park spray painting of the tables and also spray painting the ceiling of the pavilion area and also graffiti on the Carmike fence. Council commented that possibly there is a homeless person living on the Valley Plaza property and the Township Manager was directed to check with the shopping center’s maintenance personnel regarding same.

8. Treasure's Report:

Motion: --- I move we accept the computer printouts dated December 12, 2003 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, Hayden, Kovacs, Williams, Paulus: ------- Aye ------- Unan.

At this point in the meeting, Councilman Atkinson questioned where the Township had secured $500 for the sale of equipment. The Township Clerk advised that the sale of the old computer system generated the $500.

Unfinished Business: None

New Business:

1. Resolution No. 2003-04, Budget Transfers (Vote).

Motion: --- I move that Resolution No. 2003-43, Budget Transfers, be adopted as presented.

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

Payment of Bills:

Motion: --- I move Council authorize payment of Voucher Nos. 10031-10032 (11/30/03 Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 10033-10036 (12/17/03 Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 10039-10081, BC/BS Wire Transfer (December), Payroll dated 11/21/03, Payroll dated 12/5/03, from the General Fund Account in the amount of $60,706.56; Voucher Nos.1399-1407, from the Capital Reserve Account in the amount of $7,867.03; Voucher Nos. 1157-1161 from the Escrow Account in the amount of $6,449.18; Voucher Nos. 1388-1392 from the Water Account in the amount of $907.96; Voucher Nos. 2240- 2250 from the Sewer Account in the amount of $4,315.68 for a Grand Total Expenditure of $80,246.41.

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

Courtesy of the Floor: None

At this point in the meeting, Chairman Paulus advised all present that tonight’s meeting represents the last Regular Meeting of the year 2003. He indicated he has had an opportunity to reflect on the year just passed and would like to thank everyone including staff, employees and fellow Councilmembers for making the year a very productive one. He noted that we had two incumbents re-elected to the Board this year and that he looked forward to working with everyone in the year 2004.

Adjournment:

Motion: --- I move we adjourn this meeting of the Hanover Township Council at 8:20 P.M.

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

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