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 participated in the meeting via telephone.

Absent: 0

Attendance: ---------- 1

Courtesy of the Floor:

Mr. Robin Yoder, the Township’s Emergency Management Director, appeared before the Board at this time to review the information he had provided them relative to Pandemic Influenza Planning. He advised the Board that a representative of the Allentown Health Bureau had spoken at a recent Emergency Management meeting regarding this issue. He noted that what it boils down to is trying to be prepared. He noted that the information contained in the guide which he provided to the Board gives you a way the people in the Township can do certain things to plan for such a disaster. The guide also contains information on how to build a kit of supplies which could be useful to have on hand for an extended stay at home. Mr. Yoder discussed with the Board the possibility that you could get to a point in time where your work force is down to ½ or less. He felt the Township should have a plan as to what would transpire in that event and how valuable services such as snow plowing, etc. would be provided. Council felt it was a good idea for the Township to assemble the contents of the kit described in the literature provided to them and make same available for the Township for public display

Approval of Minutes: ------ June 7, 2006 Regular Council Meeting

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the June 7, 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 the Hanover Township Zoning Hearing Board will meet on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. to hear the appeal of Airport Associates. The Township Manager advised that the appeal is with respect to freestanding signage for the proposed shopping center. A shopping center is permitted two free standing signs and the one proposed for Airport Road meets the Township’s requirements. However, the additional freestanding sign, which is proposed for Route 22 exceeds the freestanding signage allowance. The Township Manager noted that the free standing sign which requires a variance would be more than double the allowable size. After discussing the matter, Council determined they would not take a position before the Zoning Hearing Board regarding this appeal.

2.) As Council is aware, as a result of the violent thunderstorms in the area, the Township’s cupola was blown from the roof area and demolished. The Township is in the process of securing an estimate for repair and possible submission to the Township’s insurance carrier.

3.) Council should be advised that the fountain at the Township Memorial at Canal Park will be completed upon securing the sections that have now been shipped and should be in the Township’s hands in the near future. Council should decide when to schedule a dedication for the memorial as well as Council’s intent to honor Councilwoman Hayden for her lifetime achievements in the Township. The Township Manager suggested holding the Memorial dedication some time near the end of August. Council discussed the matter and determined that possibly the middle to the end of September would be more appropriate. It was noted that further discussions would take place and plans would be finalized in the near future.

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

1.) The Township Engineer advised the Board that the Road Program has been completed with the exception of milling out a trench on Cascade Drive. Mr. Hay noted that the Township had not received many complaints. There was a complaint from a lady who had damage to her car but likely was going at a high speed on the roadway. Liberty Property Trust had called with concerns over Hangar Place, but that was worked out. Councilman Atkinson questioned whether or not the Township would be restriping the crosswalk that serviced the Sure Fit property and the Township Engineer noted that would be done.

Councilman Dreisbach questioned the Township Engineer with respect to the power outage that occurred during the recent thunderstorm affecting the signal light at Airport Rd. and Lloyd Street. Mr. Dreisbach indicated that he was told that if the signal light had a generator plug, there would have been no problem. The Township Engineer indicated that they would look into that matter and if necessary contact Signal Service to install such generator plug to avoid further problems.

The Township Engineer advised the Board that with respect to a back drop to shield signal lights he has become aware that PennDOT will allow a certain type of back drop which is available and that same could be installed at Airport and Schoenersville Roads.

Mr. Yoder advised the Township Engineer and Council that after the repaving of Hangar Place someone had driven a car through the macadam. The Township Engineer said he would look at that.

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

1.) The Township Attorney advised the Board that the judge in the Airport Associates case reached a decision and dismissed the appeal filed by Millhouse and Salim. They have 30 days from June 15 to file an appeal.

2.) The Airport Tax Assessment Appeal case has been settled. The issues between the airport and the school district have been resolved. The only thing that remains for the Township and the airport is to agree on the amount of the refund and we are waiting confirmation regarding that. The Township Attorney noted that the Township’s figure had been secured through the assessment office which has a list of all the assessments (what was paid and what was not) and went through the numbers.

3.) Councilman Dreisbach questioned the Township Attorney regarding the appeal taken involving Airport Associates. The Township Attorney noted that they could take the case to the Commonwealth Court and if the decision is not favorable, they could then file a petition to be heard by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The developers of the shopping center also have the ability to require the objectors to post a bond as a result of the matter being a frivolous appeal. They can require a bond equal to the amount the developers will lose if the case goes through the appeal and ultimately the developer is successful. The objectors would have to pay for that. The Township Attorney also noted that he has been advised that the developers would petition the court and ask for a bond.

4. Maintenance Report (Written)

5. Fire Company Report (Written)

6. Code Enforcement Officers' Report (Written)

7. Building Inspectors' Report (Written)

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.

Council entered into discussions relative to the various reports at this time. Councilwoman Hayden questioned Mr. Yoder as to what has transpired with respect to the fire on Suzanne Way. Mr. Yoder noted that the Township’s Fire Marshal had investigated the incident and that it is now in the hands of the state fire marshal.

Councilman Dreisbach offered his thanks and appreciation to Mr. Yoder and the fire department and fire police and public works staff for the fine job done by all with respect to the severe thunderstorm which occurred on Monday night and the action taken by all the parties during that time.

Councilman Kovacs noted an entry on the Code Enforcement Officer’s Report by Mr. Yoder with respect to a drunk driver. Mr. Yoder noted that the gentleman had been spotted, by him, driving radically and that the driver had fallen asleep at a stop light. He had called the state police and they arrested the gentleman. There was a discussion involving another notation in the Code Enforcement Officer’s Report with respect to an individual who had curbed his dog right in front of the sign in the park indicating that you could not do so. There was also discussion initiated by Councilman Atkinson with respect to tires that were left all over Hoover Avenue. Mr. Yoder noted that they were junk tires that someone had dumped all over the roadway. Councilman Atkinson questioned a notation in the report regarding a hill being washed out on Middle Lloyd Street. Mr. Yoder noted that it is the area near the Ransome Lift Company. It had been cleaned up after the incident. There was also a discussion initiated by Councilman Atkinson with respect to a truck which is parked at Allendale in an area where it is blocking site clearance. It was determined that the Township should put a No Parking sign at that location. There was also a discussion regarding signage to not allow truck traffic between Marcon Blvd. and Lloyd Street except for local deliveries. The Township Attorney commented that you can put the signs up but you don’t have the ability to cite. There was a discussion with respect to the possibility of limiting weight class and the Township Engineer noted that in order to do that you have to do a study. Councilman Dreisbach noted that during the thunderstorm on Monday evening, the Township Code Enforcement Officer, John Lemos, and he were also involved with a stop sign that blew over and that the Public Works Director and Crew Chief had also come out and helped.

8. Treasurer's Report (Written)

Motion: --- I move we accept the computer printouts dated June 21, 2006, for the General Fund Account, Capital Reserve Account, Escrow Account, Liquid Fuels Account, Sewer Account and Water Account subject to audit.

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

Unfinished Business: None

New Business

Councilman Kovacs noted that he wished to apologize to Councilman Atkinson and Councilwoman Hayden with respect to his initial reaction to the development of Canal Park. He noted that he realizes now that he was wrong and that the park has been developed beautifully and is an asset to the Township. In that regard, it was noted by the Board that much of the credit for the development of the park should go to the Township’s Public Works Director, Bruce Pudliner. Councilman Kovacs also noted that at a recent Board meeting of the Lehigh County Association of Township Officials he had agreed to make a ½ hour presentation about Canal Park at the Summer Convention and that he would like Bruce Pudliner to come along with him.

At this point in the meeting, there was a discussion with respect to Canal Park and the issue of having water in the Canal bed. The Township Engineer noted that the Army Corps of Engineers is still taking the matter under consideration as to whether or not the area is wetlands and that we are currently awaiting a written reply. The Township Engineer also noted that he did not feel political pressure was the way to go and that he would make some calls to try and determine the status of this matter.

Payment of the Bills:

Motion: --- I move Council authorize payment of Voucher Nos. 11858-11863 (5/31/06 EOM Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 11864-11870 (6/21/06 Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 11871-11927; Payroll dated 5/19/06, Payroll dated 6/2/06, and Payroll dated 6/16/06 from the General Fund Account in the amount of $702,111.52; Voucher Nos. 1644-1646 (Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 1647-1663 from the Capital Reserve Account in the amount of $482,113.64; Voucher Nos. 1431-1436 (5/31/06 EOM Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 1437-1445 (6/21/06 Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 1446-1448 from the Escrow Account in the amount of $7,081.50; Voucher Nos. 1650-1656 from the Water Account in the amount of $1,787.57; Voucher Nos. 2697-2706 from the Sewer Account in the amount of $16,684.87 for a Grand Total Expenditure of $1,209,779.10.

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

Courtesy of the Floor:

Mr. Robin Yoder commented that he thought that the Township Manager and Township Clerk did an excellent job in deciding not to pay for the chassis for the squad truck beforehand. The Township Manager noted that they had consulted the Township Attorney regarding that matter.

Adjournment:

Motion: --- I move we adjourn this meeting of the Hanover Township Council at 8:30 P.M.

Paulus: Moved

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