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

-------------------- Councilwoman Hayden, for medical reasons, attended the meeting via telephone conference.

Absent: 0

Attendance: 1

Courtesy of the Floor:
Chairman Paulus acknowledged that the only person in attendance was a representative from the Lehigh Valley News Group.

Approval of Minutes: ------ September 6, 2006 Regular Council Meeting

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the September 6, 2006 Regular Council Meeting and accept same as presented.

Paulus, Atkinson: 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 she has provided them with copies of notices of three pending zoning hearings to be heard next Wednesday, September 27, 2006. As Council will recall, the appeal relative to the property at 2350 Schoenersville Road has previously been discussed and the Township will be opposing that application. With respect to the other two hearings, the one relates to a property at 2450 Schoenersville Rd., which is seeking a variance to allow for some outdoor display during normal business hours. The use was originally approved with all equipment being enclosed but the owner has requested the ability to display some of the equipment during business hours. The final appeal relates to a proposed freestanding sign at a property at 1540 E. Race Street. This type of signage is technically not permitted in the ordinance qualifying under the terms of no flashing, blinking, and twirling, etc. type signs. There was a discussion with respect to the signage appeal. It was noted that a previous variance had been granted for this type of electronic signage for a property on Weaversville Rd. Councilman Atkinson expressed his concern that the ordinance be reviewed to determine if changes needed to be made to allow some sort of electronic signage but still prohibit large billboard-type flashing, blinking, twirling signs. The Township Manager advised that in speaking with the sign contractor for this proposed sign, he indicated to her that there is the possibility of securing information regarding amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to allow certain types of electronic signage and that she had indicated to the gentleman that she would be interested in reviewing that information. Council indicated that the Township Manager should pursue securing information in that regard.

2.) The Township Manager advised the Board that she has provided them with a quotation for security equipment to be located in the Township Building, as well as cameras to be situated on the four corners of the building. The quote is from the Township’s current security company, which has for many years provided the Township with an effective security system. Mrs. Pudliner noted that she has not secured additional quotes. Council reviewed the quotation and found it to be acceptable and directed the Township Manager to proceed with that project.

3.) The Township Manager advised the Board that she has provided them with a memorandum with respect to the Township’s 2007 Minimal Municipal Obligation for the Municipal Pension Plan as required by law. The Township Manager further advised that this minimum municipal obligation for 2007 will be forwarded to the Township’s Pension Plan carrier.

Councilman Atkinson questioned the Township Manager as to whether or not the streetlights that have been out in the industrial park have been repaired. The Township Manager advised that they were called into PP&L some time ago. Councilman Atkinson said he would check the situation and report back to the Manager.

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

1.) The Township Engineer advised that the contractor for the Road Program will be installing reflectors on Marcon Blvd., Roble Rd., and Willowbrook Road. With respect to the signal light project at Willowbrook Road and Race Street, the Township Engineer advised that they have finished a survey and forwarded same to the traffic design engineer. After that work is finalized a submission will be made to PennDOT.

Chairman Paulus advised the Township Engineer that there are telephone poles lying on the curb at Catasauqua Road where they are to be putting lights in. The Township Engineer indicated he would look into that matter. Councilman Atkinson indicated that over on Marcon Blvd. probably 100 feet from the intersection from Postal Rd. (the west side of the road), one of the poles has been hit and should be looked at. The Township Engineer advised he would look at that also.

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

1.) The Township Attorney advised that the only thing he had is something the Township Manager and he had discussed which deals with the purchase/sale of real estate and should be handled in Executive Session. Accordingly, Council determined they would hold an Executive Session at the end of this meeting.

4. Maintenance Report (Written)

5. Fire Company Report (Written)

6. Code Enforcement Officers' Reports (Written)

7. Building Inspector's 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. There was some discussion with respect to the fact that one report was missing from the Code Enforcement Officer’s Report, namely, Mr. Lemos’ report. It was noted that Mr. Lemos had not signed the report and possibly that was the reason why it was not before the Board. There was also discussion with respect to notations in the Code Enforcement Officer’s Reports about chasing cars out of the various Township parks. Council determined that the Township Manager should check on the recently adopted ordinance to allow fines in the Township parks for parking after hours and to determine if it is in effect at the present time. If so, the Code Enforcement Officers should be ticketing those vehicles.

8. Treasurer's Report (Written)

Motion: --- I move we accept the computer printouts dated September 20, 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.

There was some discussion at this point in the meeting with respect to a notation in the Building Inspector’s Report regarding 754 Roble Rd.; namely, the Museum of Industrial History, Councilman Atkinson advised Councilwoman Hayden that the facility is for storage for the Bethlehem Works Museum and the articles will then be taken to the Steel site. There was also some discussion with respect to a property at 1751 Airport Road which site still has not been cleaned up after demolition work occurred at that location. The Township Engineer noted that they are leaving it until they get their grading plan in place. Councilman Atkinson felt that they should be advised that they should get into the Township with their signed municipal agreements or they should be cited. There was also a discussion with respect to the upcoming hearing regarding the property owner on Pennsylvania Avenue who has plead not guilty to a citation before the local magistrate. The Township Manager advised that the Township will appear with an attorney to support our citation.

Unfinished Business: None

New Business

1.) Resolution No. 2006-33, A Resolution Implementing the National Incident Management System in Hanover Township (Vote).

Motion: --- I move that Resolution No. 2006-33, A Resolution Implementing the National Incident Management System in Hanover Township be adopted as presented.

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

At this point in the meeting, Councilman Atkinson brought to the Board’s attention a discussion he had with the Public Works Director about the Catasauqua Lake. He has asked the Public Works Director to get some information on cost logistics to drain and dredge the lake to get it into shape. Councilman Atkinson noted that part of the problem goes back to when the county did some cleaning out work. The Township Engineer commented they had a sinkhole at that time. Councilman Atkinson noted they never did it right. It was noted that if the Township were to dredge the lake and do the work it would be done in late winter, early spring before the parks are going strong. Chairman Paulus questioned whether or not DEP needed to be contacted. The Township Engineer noted that it is not a natural body of water. He indicated it is private. The Township Engineer further noted that the Public Works Director will check with the County and the Boat Commission to determine if there are any permits necessary. Councilman Dreisbach commented that he thought the stream that feeds the lake doesn’t appear to be moving the water. The Township Engineer noted that it is a spring. You do not see it move, but it actually is. The Township Engineer felt that you need to get the lake to be much deeper.

Payment of the Bills:

Motion: ------- I move Council authorize payment of Payroll dated 8/25/2006; Payroll dated 9/8/2006; Voucher Nos. 12050-12056 (8/29/06 Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 12057-12061 (9/20/06 Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 12062-12123, from the General Fund Account in the amount of $281,748.17; Voucher Nos. 1682 (8/29/06 Prepaids); Voucher Nos. 1683-1689 from the Capital Reserve Account in the amount of $1,054.88; Voucher Nos. 1496-1507 (8/29/06 Prepaids); Voucher Nos. 1508-1519 (9/20/06 Prepaids); Voucher Nos. 1520-1524 from the Escrow Account in the amount of $20,698.00; Voucher Nos. 1674-1679 from the Water Account in the amount of $418.95; Voucher Nos. 2735 (8/29/06 Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 2736-2747, from the Sewer Account in the amount of $9,437.70 for a Grand Total Expenditure of $313,357.70.

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

Courtesy of the Floor: NONE

Adjournment:

Chairman Paulus adjourned the meeting 8:05 P.M.

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