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

It should be noted for the record that Councilwoman Hayden attended the meeting via telephone conference as a result of a disability, which does not permit her attendance in person.

Absent: ---- 0

Attendance: ---------- 5

Courtesy of the Floor:

Mr. Thomas Lerch, 2320 Grove Road, Allentown, PA 18109 appeared before the Board and advised Council that he had seen an article in the Allentown Morning Call which discussed profiling in terms of discrimination of employees on the basis of race, age, etc. He noted that in Pennsylvania it was legal to discriminate against a potential employee on the basis of family composition. Employers may ask an applicant if he/she is married and has children. An employer may opt not to hire a particular potential employee with children to avoid employee off time as a result of illness of the children, etc. Mr. Lerch indicated that since Pennsylvania does not have a prohibition for such conduct, certain municipalities have prohibited discrimination on the basis of family composition. Mr. Lerch requested that Council look into the possibility of an adoption of an ordinance to prohibit such discrimination on the basis of family composition.

LeighAnne Whitelatch representing the Iron Pigs Baseball Organization approached the Board at this time. Ms. Whitelatch noted that she is with the marketing department of the Iron Pigs Organization. She advised Council that their organization is visiting all the municipalities in Lehigh and Northampton County. The campaign is known as Pass the Ball. In attendance at the meeting, was the mascot for the Iron Pigs known as Ferrous. The Chairman of the Board threw the ball to Ferrous. Ms. Whitelatch thanked the Board for allowing them to attend the meeting. She noted that there is a time capsule that is being formulated at the present time and if the Township wished to supply a picture, etc. for said time capsule the deadline for submission would be April 11 and that the Township should contact Sarah Martin.

Approval of Minutes: ------ March 5, 2008, Regular Meeting

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the March 5, 2008 Regular Council Meeting and accept same as presented.

Paulus, Hayden: 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 corresponded with all entities in the Township affected by Township Ordinance No. 485 which prohibits parking of any truck in excess of 11,000 pounds or truck and trailer or tractor and trailer in a parking lot which is posted with a sign at each entrance way to such parking lot with the appropriate language as designated in the ordinance.

There was a discussion regarding the signage for any property wishing to post their property. Councilman Atkinson felt that possibly a uniform sign policy could be put into effect. The Township Manager noted that she has indicated in her correspondence that the Township would be happy to assist anyone in recommending sign vendors. Councilman Kovacs questioned the trailers at the Four Point’s Sheraton property and inquired of the Manager as to whether or not those trailers are still in place due to their renovations. The Manager indicated that was the case.

Councilman Atkinson brought up a matter involving recycling. He noted that there are seven grades of plastic, which can be recycled and he was of the belief that both Allentown and Bethlehem recycle all seven grades. Mr. Atkinson noted that we only accept two grades of plastic per Township Ordinance. He requested that the Township contact our hauler to determine if they will accept all the grades of plastic for recycling and if they will, then the ordinance needs to be redrafted to reflect that. Mr. Lerch commented that he knows that plastic bags, which have a symbol, are considered recyclable.

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

1.) The Township Engineer advised that he noted in reviewing the prior meeting minutes that the issue of the Catasauqua Rd. turning lanes came up again. Councilman Atkinson indicated that he acknowledged receipt of the Township Engineer’s information regarding the signage but he questioned whether or not there was a way of varying the signage in place. The Township Engineer indicated that there was no variance allowable and that the signage was based on Federal Regulations adopted by the state.

Mr. Joseph Feskanin, 1680 N. Irving Street, Allentown, PA 18109 indicated to the Township Engineer that he has noted a large sign erected on Irving Street, which states that Irving Street will be closed from March 27 through April 14, 2008. The Township Engineer advised that the road closing is going to occur and that everyone will have to work around it. It will be closed down from the culvert on up. He noted that the contractor will have to provide local traffic with access. He further indicated that the road would only be closed in the daytime and not at night. The Township Engineer also indicated that they are not looking to direct traffic around Cedar Hill Drive, but are looking to close the road at Marcon Blvd. and Middle Lloyd Street.

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

1.) With respect to the matter involving Airport Associates, the Township Attorney noted that the agreement Council approved last week still has not been signed and that it should occur within the next week.

Councilman Atkinson brought up an issue involving the new digital billboards on Route 22. In particular, Councilman Atkinson questioned the billboard of which only a portion has been digitalized and the remainder is a normal billboard. He inquired of the Township Manager/Zoning Officer if the remaining billboard area could be digitalized. Mrs. Pudliner noted that she felt you could interpret the matter to include the whole unit as a digital billboard. However, she indicated she would check with Attorney James Bartholomew regarding how to interpret the ordinance.

4. Maintenance Report (Written)

5. Fire Company Report (Written)

6. Code Enforcement Officer's Report (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.

Councilman Atkinson questioned whether or not the Township Manager had mentioned to Public Works the post and rail installation at Canal Park. The Township Manager advised that she had discussed the matter with Public Works but no determination has been made. With respect to the Fire Company Report, there was a discussion regarding fire alarms and the situation where the Fire Company fines a company the third time there is a false alarm. With respect to what revenues the fire company derives from these matters, the Township Manager noted that she is unaware of those amounts.

8. Treasure's Report (Written)

Motion: --- I move we accept the computer printouts dated March 17, 2008, for the General Fund Account, Capital Reserve Account, Escrow Account, Liquid Fuels Account, Sewer Account and Water Account subject to audit.

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

Unfinished Business:

Councilman Atkinson noted that with respect to Catasauqua Lake, in addition to deepening the lake, he felt the Township should be looking into trimming around the lake and removing growth around the rim of the lake. The Township Engineer commented that the Township is already getting questioned by the Army Corps of Engineers with respect to altering the banks of the lake. With respect to restocking the lake, upon questioning by Councilman Kovacs, it was noted that the lake will be restocked after the project is done and that the fish in the lake before it was drained were taken out.

New Business: NONE

Payment of the Bills

Motion: --- I move Council authorize payment of Payroll (02/22/2008); Payroll (3/7/2008); Voucher Nos. 13242-13246, Voucher Nos. 15620-15683, from the General Fund Account in the amount of $94,074.90; Voucher Nos. 40 from the Liquid Fuels Account in the amount of $6,066.16; Voucher No. 1806 (03/05/2008 Prepaid), Voucher No. 3452 from Capital Reserve in the amount of $5,326.05; Voucher Nos. 3190-3192 from Escrow Account in the amount of $48,794.50; Voucher Nos. 3400-3403 from the Water Account in the amount of $6,220.16; Voucher Nos. 2897-2988 (Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 4268-4278 from the Sewer Account in the amount of $5,027.97 for a Grand Total Expenditure of $165,509.74.

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

Courtesy of the Floor: NONE

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

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