Present: --------------- Councilmen Atkinson, Dreisbach, Kovacs, Paulus;
-------------------------------J. Jackson Eaton, III, Esquire; Sandra A. Pudliner; Vicky Roth

Absent: ------------------ Councilwoman Hayden and Frederick W. Hay, P.E.

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

Courtesy of the Floor: NONE

Approval of Minutes: ---------- May 18, 2005, Regular Council Meeting

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the May 18, 2005, Regular Council Meeting and accept same as presented.

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

Reports:

1. Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

1. The Township Manager advised the Board that she provided them with copies of correspondence recently sent out to parties in violation of Township ordinances and regulations. The Township Manager noted that she has not yet heard back from the individuals in question.

2. The Township Manager advised the Board that she has provided them with information, which appeared in the most recent PSATS publication involving a study conducted by a government consolidation expert which found that smaller government is better government. The Township Manager noted that she had thought the Board would find this of interest and when discussions are held regarding the Brookings Report which I understand the Township will be receiving in the near future for review. As Council is aware, the Brookings Report favors consolidation of government activities.

3. The Township Manager advised the Board that she has provided them with copies of correspondence from the County of Lehigh, Office of the Commissioners, seeking the Township’s support for the renovation/repair of the dam at Leaser Lake located in northern Lehigh County. The memorandum from the County indicates that Leaser Lake has greatly contributed to the recreational opportunities and quality of life enjoyed by Lehigh County residents, the entire Lehigh Valley community and that of neighboring counties of Berks, Carbon, Northampton and Schuylkill. The county is requesting that the Township contact the state legislators as well as Governor Rendell to encourage the Commonwealth to repair the Leaser Lake Dam to full working order and to help preserve this national treasure. Councilman Atkinson commented that this ties in with the voters recent approval of the Growing Greener II Bond initiative which authorized the Commonwealth to borrow up to $625,000 for the maintenance and protection of the environment, open space and farmland preservation, award of shed protection, abandoned mine reclamation, acid mine drainage, remediation and other environmental initiatives. In resolution of this matter, Council made the following motion:

Motion: --- I move that the Hanover Township Council authorizes the Township Manager to write a letter in support of the repair of the Leaser Lake Dam as requested by Lehigh County in their recent Memorandum to the Township’s elected officials regarding Lehigh County Resolution No. 2005-18.

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

Councilman Atkinson advised the Township Manager that the streetlights are out again on Marcon Blvd. near the new building being constructed. The Township Manager indicated that those street- lights have been turned into PPL for repair and that if no action is taken she will contact the Township’s customer service representative.

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

The Township Engineer was not present at the meeting and accordingly no report was offered at this time.

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

1.) The Township Attorney advised Council that recently he, the Township Manager, Township Fire Chief and Township Building Inspector met with representatives from the City of Allentown, namely, the Assistant City Solicitor, as well as representatives from the fire department and building inspection department of Allentown to discuss properties located on the border between the City and Hanover Township to clear up any problems as far as fire response, building code enforcement, etc. The Township Attorney indicated that the City representatives were very receptive to clearing up these issues and generally were in agreement that if the building located in two municipalities as in this case determined to pay real estate taxes to one of the communities then the other items would follow to that community. Attorney Eaton noted that one of the properties in question is the former Moore Lumber Company property of which only a tiny piece is located within the Township, but the property owner had elected to pay real estate taxes to Hanover Township. There was some question as to whether or not the Township could then control enforcement of the Township’s Building Code. The Township Attorney noted that Hanover Township’s Fire Department is called to respond at this location and the fire department would like to know what to expect, i.e. knox boxes, etc. The Township Attorney felt that the City understood the situation and was very receptive to resolve the problem. Attorney Eaton further noted that the other property in question is the U.S. Foodservice property. In this instance, Attorney Eaton indicated that the real estate taxes are split. He noted he is not certain if that is appropriate. The City line does not run along the line where the extension or addition was added which is located in the Township. Attorney Eaton felt that the resolution of this might result in this property being considered the City of Allentown’s. He noted that response to fire calls are handled by the City of Allentown. Chairman Paulus commented that when these issues are worked out, the resolution of same must be communicated to the Lehigh County Communications Center so that they can dispatch the appropriate fire company in case of an emergency.

2.) The Township Attorney advised the Board that he has provided them with correspondence relative to issues that arose at the most recent Council meeting. After the Board had an opportunity to review the material he would be happy to discuss same.

Unfinished Business:

1. Parks and Recreation (Review and Discussion).

The Township Manager advised the Board that she has provided them with a listing of all Canal Park reservations for the year 2005 as well as the revised Rules and Regulations per Township meeting discussions and copies of the reservation letters which are utilized at all the parks. The Township Manager noted that all Council’s requested changes were accomplished in the literature provided to them. The Township Manager did note, however, that as a result of recent discussions relative to overflow parking being available, such language was not added to the information packet. Council indicated that upon reviewing the reservations it appears that the weddings being held there are not the majority of the reservations and it also indicates that there are only two catered weddings listed. Council reviewed the changes made as requested and acknowledged that all the requested changes were made. Accordingly, no further actions will be made at this time with respect to making any additional changes involving the parks and the resolution and proposed ordinance prepared by Attorney Eaton’s office would not be acted upon at this time.

New Business: NONE

Courtesy of the Floor:

The Township Clerk advised the Board that she has provided them with information which she has received from Keystone Publishers as same relates to archiving of Township records. Mrs. Roth advised the Board that the Township has experienced problems with the current codification company and that the return of ordinances in codified form are running six plus months behind. Despite repeated phone calls, the problem has not been resolved. As the result of the PSATS Convention and speaking with a representative from the Township, Keystone Publishers wrote us a letter and a meeting was scheduled. Mrs. Roth noted that there are still some questions that need to be resolved to see if this is viable. She noted that their turnaround time would be much better. She further indicated that in addition to the codification, she thought the Township should consider putting on disk all the ordinances, resolutions, minutes, Zoning Hearing Board records and follow that up with all the Township files. She advised the Board that she had disks which the Board could view of how they handled these matters in other townships.

he thought the Township should look to see if there is anyone else out there that does this type of work for comparison purposes.

Adjournment:

Motion: --- I move we adjourn this meeting of the Hanover Township Council at 7:55 P.M.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

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