Present: --------------- Councilwoman Hayden, Councilmen Atkinson, Kovacs, Paulus, Williams,
--------------------------------J. Jackson Eaton, III, Esquire, Sandra A. Pudliner

Absent: ------------------ Frederick W. Hay; Vicky Roth

Attendance: ---------- 3

Courtesy of the Floor:

Ms. Nancy Peretti of 2774 Suzanne Way, appeared before the Board questioning whether or not individuals were allowed to walk in the cemetery located on Grove Road. Ms. Peretti indicated that there are signs posted for no trespassing purposes. Council was of opinion that there was no problem with walking in the cemetery property. Councilman Atkinson noted that the cemetery is posted for legal purposes if prosecution should become necessary. However, the Board did not feel there would be any problem with an individual walking through the cemetery property.

Approval of Minutes: ---------- February 18, 2004 Regular Council Meeting

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the February 18, 2004, Regular Council Meeting and accept same as presented.

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

Reports:

1. Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

1. The Township Manager indicated that she had no items on which to report but if the Board had any questions she would be more than happy to address them. In that regard, Councilman Atkinson brought before the Board the copy of correspondence from the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors dated February 12, 2004, wherein the association is asking for support for the scholarship program established in recognition of Kenneth Greider’s nearly 36 years of service to the Commonwealth’s townships as Executive Director of the State Association. Council discussed the scholarship program and felt it was a good idea. They directed the Township Manager to advise PSATS that the Township, although not budgeted for contribution in the year 2004, would consider such a contribution in the year 2005.

2. Additionally, there was discussion with respect to incidents, which occurred at the bus stop at the Grove Road Towne Garden Development involving a suspicious looking person with a car parked on Ronca Blvd. It was noted that the State Police had investigated the matter. Councilwoman Hayden commented that as President of the Homeowner’s Association in Chestnut Grove she is aware of the entire situation. The Board took note of the brief memorandum but took no further action at this time.

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

1. The Township Engineer was not in attendance at the meeting and no report was offered at this time.

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

1. As Council is aware, the opinion has been received from the Commonwealth Court in the Airport Tax Assessment Appeal’s case. Attorney Eaton noted that he feels the Township is very fortunate and that there are a number of important issues as he noted in his letter, a copy of which the Board received which will have a positive effect in the future. Also, Attorney Eaton indicated that he would like to say that most of the effort in this case was made by the attorney for the school district, Attorney David Knerr. The Commonwealth Court had decided all the issues in favor of the Township and the other taxing authorities. The airport has 30 days to appeal. Councilman Atkinson questioned whether or not the Township Attorney felt an appeal would take place and Attorney Eaton noted that may occur since the airport has viewed this case as a test case. Attorney Eaton noted that there was an issue involving the airport waiving their rights by accepting Judge Young’s prior decision relating to serving the public in Lehigh County as opposed to serving the public in New York. It was determined that serving the public in New York does not qualify. Later the question arose as to whether that part of Judge Young’s analysis had been intended to be waived and the airport claimed they had not waived that issue. The judge had ruled that out, however.

2. The Township Attorney advised the Board that he is doing some research to determine the history of Hayden Circle in order to get the roadway onto the Liquid Fuels program. Attorney Eaton noted that they are now trying to confirm the ownership of the roadway. It appears that the property was that of Northeast Jet and that they ultimately went into bankruptcy. He noted that the Township actually reconstructed that road. The Township Attorney advised that his people are trying to find out who owns the road now. He indicated that he thinks it is the airport since the airport took over the property after the Northeast Jet bankruptcy.

 

Unfinished Business:

Councilman Atkinson questioned what additional work PPL was doing as a result of the issues of the street light maintenance in the industrial park. He had noticed the equipment in the area. Mr. Joseph Feskanin, in attendance at the meeting, advised Mr. Atkinson he feels that they are now done and that the equipment has been removed. Councilman Atkinson requested that the Township Manager ask the Township Engineer to check the status of the sinkhole repair at Lehigh Valley Service Campus. There was also a discussion with respect to the signal light at Airport and City Line Road. Councilman Atkinson felt that what really should happen there is that the light should have a green arrow both ways. Additionally, Councilman Atkinson noted that the signal light at Catasauqua and Denny’s Restaurant may have a problem since the left hand turn arrow goes on all the time even if there is no traffic in that lane. There was also a discussion about the intersection of Airport and Catasauqua Rds. Council felt that the shoulder of Catasauqua Road should be striped with the word No placed on same to avoid people using the shoulder as an additional lane and Council also felt that a sign should be placed in the one lane indicating Route 22 Only. Council felt that the Township Manager and Township Engineer should schedule a meeting with PennDOT to address the Township’s concerns.

New Business: None

Courtesy of the Floor:

Mr. Joseph Feskanin of 1680 North Irving Street approached the Board and advised that he had noticed a crew out in the area of the proposed 2004 Road Program, namely, Postal Rd. and the reconstruction of the road at Dauphin Street and North Irving. Attorney Eaton commented that the engineer writes the specs and then the project would go out for bid. It was the general consensus of Council that the crew is most likely from Keystone Consulting Engineers, the Township Engineering Firm doing the preliminary work prior to the preparation of specs and the bidding of the Road Program.

Mr. Feskanin also commented that he had read Attorney Eaton’s response in the newspaper regarding the Concept Sciences explosion. Attorney Eaton noted that he knew that an article was being written and that he had reviewed his file prior to speaking to the press. He did note, however, that the quotation contained therein was not correct. Mr. Feskanin expressed his concern that since the time of that incident and in accordance with the article he is under the impression that the Township does now have additional security measures in place to protect the Township from such entities coming in to the Township. Attorney Eaton noted that there are a couple of issues. In the Concept Sciences matter, HAZMAT documents were filed. Our Building Inspector was there. What we did not have and what the Township still does not have is a chemical engineer who can look at the process and make some determination as to whether a particular process would pose a threat. Now the Township has developed an internal procedure, which is handled by the Township Engineer and primarily by the Building Inspector for someone who comes into the Township as a proposed tenant. Councilman Atkinson commented that he felt the Township Attorney is referring to the local Emergency Management Agency, which can offer assistance to the Township in making such an interpretation. Secondly, it was noted that the Township could engage someone if they felt it was necessary in terms of making a determination as to a particular use being permitted in the Township. Attorney Eaton noted that prior to commenting to the press, he had gone back to the Township’s Building Inspector who has indicated that since the time of the CSI matter no such entity has made application to come into the Township. Councilman Atkinson noted that there is still no county or statewide system in place for this. Mr. Feskanin noted that in has past work experience he has been a plant engineer and was exposed to this type of situation. His recollection was that the fire departments made routine inspections as to the placement of chemicals in buildings. Council advised Mr. Feskanin that the Township’s fire department has been set up to do that for years and does have those records. Chairman Paulus commented that in the Concept Sciences matter they had provided a list of chemicals but then they went one step further by mixing those chemicals together and one-step further yet by adding heat, which made the materials combustible.

Mr. Feskanin also apprised the Board of the fact that he is aware of the real estate transfer of the cemetery property to the proposed developers of the Airport Center, L.L.C. Mr. Feskanin questioned whether or not there are any plans before any of the Boards with respect to this development and the Township Manager advised that there were none.

Adjournment:

Motion: --- I move we adjourn this meeting of the Hanover Township Council at 8:00 P.M.

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

Return to Top