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

Absent: ------------------ Frederick W. Hay, P.E., Vicky Roth

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

Courtesy of the Floor: NONE

Approval of Minutes: ------ September 7, 2005 Regular Council Meeting

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the September 7, 2005 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 in accordance with legal requirements, she has provided them with a copy of the 2006 Minimum Municipal Obligation for Hanover Township, Lehigh County’s Municipal Pension Plan. The Township Manager noted that this must be done prior to the last business day in September of a given year. Council acknowledged receipt of the 2006 MMO and requested that the minutes reflect such acceptance.

A discussion ensued at this time relative to various issues raised at a previous meeting with respect to the former slag manufacturing property on Dauphin Drive. The Township Manager advised that she has been attempting to contact the property owner regarding the truck storage on that property. She did advise the Board that in the flood hazard zoning district in which this property is situated the storage of trucks and trailers is permitted by a special exception which would require zoning relief. In any event, the Township Manager noted that she would keep the Board advised as this matter progresses.

With respect to the issue involving the property behind the Microtel overgrown with weeds, the Township Manager advised that Township records indicate that a weed letter had not been sent to the property owner and that is being done at the present time.

With respect to the cleanout of the Allendale swale, the Township Manager advised Council that the Township Engineer has inspected the site and acknowledges that the swale has been cleaned by Allendale, the property owner in control of the site. With respect to questions involving erosion, etc. the Township Manager deferred those issues to the Township Engineer.

With respect to the property on Irving Street with junked car storage on the residential property, the Township Manager advised that she had spoken with the property owner and that the Code Enforcement Officers have also spoken with the property owner. Most recently, it was indicated that if a call was not received from the property owner tomorrow and a procedure set in place for removal of the junked vehicles, the Township Manager has indicated that she will cite the property owner for the violation.

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

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

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

The Township Attorney advised that he had no report to offer at this time.

A discussion ensued at this time relative to a meeting being scheduled by the City of Allentown relative to a briefing regarding the American Parkway N.E./New England Avenue projects. Councilman Atkinson noted that the Dauphin Street interchange has been eliminated and in its place a collector road constructed on the east side of the American Parkway down to Dauphin Street. His concern is that this may push more traffic up onto Irving Street. In that regard, Councilman Atkinson felt the Township should voice their concerns and if they are ignored look into other legal ramifications we have. Councilman Atkinson felt that more traffic on Irving Street could be a major problem.

Chairman Paulus suggested that correspondence be sent to the City of Allentown addressing the Township’s concerns. The Township Attorney felt there were some alternatives. Councilman Atkinson indicated that just a ramp going from Dauphin Drive South into the American Parkway would help. Traffic then would go down the Irving Street Hill and turn south on Dauphin Drive. It was noted that the letter to the City should probably go out before the meeting. The Township Attorney noted that the letter could indicate that if no accommodations can be made the Township would consider changing traffic patterns on Township roads. Chairman Paulus noted that after all this accomplished, then maybe the Township could sit down with the City and discuss these issues. It was further determined that a representative from the Township Engineer’s office should attend this meeting on behalf of the Township and the Township Manager was instructed to advise the Township Engineer that attendance at the meeting from someone from his firm is requested.

4. Maintenance Report (Written)

5. Fire Company Report (Written)

6. Code Enforcement Officers' Report (Written)

7. Building Inspector's Report (Written)

Chairman Paulus acknowledged receipt of a written Maintenance Report, written Fire Company Report and written Code Enforcement Officers’ Reports and same were noted for the record. No Building Inspector’s Report was received.

With respect to the Maintenance Report, Councilman Atkinson questioned the many entries involving replacing water in the Township’s pond and the Township Manager advised that there was no leak but that the water was replaced just because of dissipation. With respect to the Code Enforcement Officers’ Reports, there was discussion with respect to the Witko property. It was noted that the trailers had been removed but there are still weeds on the property. Chairman Paulus commented that he and staff members had talked to the developer at a meeting and that they had advised that the next day they would be beginning a process to remove the trailers first from that property and after that has been accomplished then the weeds would be cut down.

7. Treasurer's Report (Written)

Motion: --- I move we accept the computer printouts dated September 21, 2005, 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:

The Township Manager advised the Board that Bill No. 2005-6 dealing with the Zoning Amendments to allow signage on the rear of buildings within 100 feet of an expressway has been forwarded to both the Planning Commission and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. The Planning Commission met the previous evening and a motion was made recommending the adoption of this proposed ordinance.

New Business:

Councilwoman Hayden expressed her opinion regarding the Township’s request for a private tour of the new Catasauqua High School facility. Councilwoman Hayden felt that the Township should have been provided such a tour as a courtesy. It was noted that Hanover Township is the major revenue provider for the school district and that correspondence should be sent to the Superintendent of the School District indicating the Township’s dissatisfaction in terms of the way the Governing Body was treated. Despite two requests for a private tour and assurances that something could be worked out, the Township never received a private tour of the high school prior to the public opening which was held.

Payment of the Bills:

Motion: --- I move Council authorize payment of Voucher Nos. 11315-11321 (Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 11322-11372; Payroll dated 8/26/05, Payroll dated 9/9/05 from the General Fund Account in the amount of $131,213.15; Voucher Nos. 1577-1579 (Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 1580-1583 from the Capital Reserve Account in the amount of $22,810.73; Voucher Nos. 1345-1352 (8/30/05 Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 1353-1354 (8/30/05 Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 1355-1364 (9/21/05 Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 1365-1369 from the Escrow Account in the amount of $10,502.38; Voucher Nos. 1563-1570 from the Water Account in the amount of $498.80; Voucher Nos. 2576-2586 from the Sewer Account in the amount of $2,443.10 for a Grand Total Expenditure of $167,468.16.

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

Courtesy of the Floor: NONE

Adjournment:

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

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

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

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