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

Absent: ------------------ Councilwoman Hayden

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

Courtesy of the Floor: None

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

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

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

Reports:

1. Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

1. The Township Manager advised the Board that subsequent to the meeting with the City of Bethlehem’s Mayor, Public Works Director and attended by the Township Engineer, Township Manager and Chairman of Council, she had placed a call to the Public Works Director of the City of Bethlehem inquiring as to the status of the discussions regarding the Fuller (Smyth) Swale. Mr. Alkhal, the Director of Public Works for the City of Bethlehem, advised that the City Engineer has now returned from vacation and upon being advised of the meeting went back to the surveyors who did the as built plans requesting certain information. It was Mr. DiSalva, the City Engineer’s opinion that when you overlay the survey with the land development plan there really isn’t much difference. Mr. Alkhal, however, felt that could not be the case. However, the surveyors provided information to the City Engineer but did not include all the necessary information and therefore the City Engineer is currently awaiting further information. Mr. Alkhal indicated he would get back to the Township after all the information is gathered and a decision has been made. Councilman Atkinson questioned whether or not the drainage swale problem still exists especially in light of the heavy rain we have been experiencing. Councilman Kovacs commented that the church property is still experiencing the same water problems as always.

At this point in the meeting, Chairman Paulus thought it would be a good idea to advise members of Council with respect to the information provided to him by the Township’s Fire Chief after a recent meeting where the Chief had intended to speak to the Board but was called away on a fire call. Chairman Paulus indicated that after the meeting he had an opportunity to speak to the Fire Chief and that Mr. Yoder had indicated that the fire company had received a grant in the amount of $10,000 for the Township’s fire station. Mr. Yoder intends to utilize $5,000 of those monies to replace the current heating system at the fire station and $5,000 will be used for supplies for the fire company. Chairman Paulus noted that the grant was a state grant for volunteer fire companies in Pennsylvania for which the fire company had applied.

Chairman Paulus also advised the Board that the Township’s Fire Chief has advised that the airport fire department as of September 1, 2004 will respond to calls in Zone 2 (north of Rt. 22) to assist Han-Le-Co Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 in all their fire calls. Mr. Paulus noted that by doing so the airport fire department will qualify for grant money. The Township’s Fire Chief feels that this will work out very well and noted that the airport fire department has extensive equipment which could be utilized by the Township’s Fire Company. Mr. Yoder also indicated that the airport fire department will be dispatched from the COM Center.

Councilman Williams commented that he had an opportunity to speak to a police officer from the airport recently. The discussion centered around answering police calls in the Township. Mr. Williams indicated that he told the gentleman that they cannot do so because they operate under a different act. Councilman Williams further stated that it is his understanding that the only way they could leave the airport is by way of a request from a bonefide policeman outside of the airport. Mr. Williams was advised that the law has now changed and that the airport police do not need to have a policeman request their assistance. Councilman Atkinson commented that he felt the Township had to be careful because the Township does have a police force in the Township and that the State Police may not be available if the airport police operate in the Township. Councilman Williams said that is not the case and that the state police have to answer calls if no one is available.

 

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

1.) The Township Engineer advised the Board that the property monumentation has been completed in Sherwood Park.

2.) With respect to the Township’s Road Program, the Township Engineer advised that the contractor will be saw cutting around the inlets tomorrow.

3.) With respect to Creative Graphics property, which is the lot between Sure Fit and the Daycare Center, the Township Engineer advised the Board that they are boring and moving rock for development of that property.

4.) The Township Engineer advised that the Township has received development plans for the former Boyertown Casket Property. The plans were submitted for a proposed bank and restaurant. However, he noted that the Township has now been advised that there will be two restaurants going on that property rather than the mixed use.

5.) With respect to the matter involving Mr. Young on Weaversville Rd., the Township Engineer advised Council that issue has been resolved. First of all, Mr. Hay noted that Mr. Young has no problem with his septic system. He experienced some flushing problems, which the Township Engineer believes are caused by debris, which hangs up in the joints. We advised Mr. Young to get his septic system pumped out. Mr. Young noted that he has not done so for 30 years. In conclusion, the Township Engineer and Chairman Paulus, who was also in attendance, left Mr. Young with the Township’s recommendation that he get his septic tank pumped and TV his lateral. Mr. Young was informed that it was too expensive to go across the street to tie into municipal sewer.

6.) The Township Engineer advised the Board that on Roble Road there had been some sinkholes and settlements in the area. The line was televised and it was determined that the line was badly sagged. Accordingly, the Township replaced 120 feet of sewer line in that area.

7.) With respect to the meeting involving the Canal Park Project with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Township Engineer advised that he has set up a meeting for Tuesday, September 14 at 10:30 A.M. in Wilkes-Barre. He noted that he, Ryan Christman from his office, and a biologist from his office would attend the meeting. Mr. Atkinson indicated his desire to also attend and some arrangements would be made.

Chairman Paulus questioned the Township Engineer as to the status of the Pump Station 3 pumps that had been ordered and were not the correct pumps. The Township Engineer advised that he had been in touch with Seeley, the supplier of the pumps for both the pump station at the Jetport and Pump Station 3. At the time of the phone conversation, the Township Engineer advised Seeley that the Township wants to replace two pumps and add a new pump at Pump Station 3. They pulled their file for Pump Station 1. Those were the pumps that were ordered. They are now looking to see how they can restock them and get us the right pumps.

Councilman Kovacs questioned when the gas line on Troxell Street would be filled in and the Township Engineer indicated that matter would be taken care of in the near future. Councilman Williams questioned whether or not the Township has paid for the pumps, which were incorrectly supplied and the Township Engineer indicated the Township has not paid for same. He noted that the problem is that these companies now keep a zero percent inventory and that they are looking for someone to use the pumps. Councilman Kovacs advised the Township Engineer that he sometimes gets confused over the labeling of the pump stations, i.e. Pump Station 1, 2, 3, etc. The Township Engineer verbally outlined the pump station for Mr. Kovacs and the Township Manager indicated she would provide him with a written list of all the pump stations.

There was a discussion involving the potential elimination of Pump Station 6. The Township Engineer indicated that as Council will recall when the Airport Road project went in the Township ran lines under Airport Road to the other side of Lloyd Street. He further noted that it is his intent to tie into the sewer that will be run when the cemetery property in the area is developed.

 

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

1.) The Township Attorney noted that the plan, which was submitted to the Planning Commission for the land development of the former Boyertown Casket Property was submitted by someone, not the owner, not the equitable owner and not registered to do business in Pennsylvania. Attorney Eaton advised that he has called them and told them to correct the situation.

Unfinished Business: None

New Business: None

Courtesy of the Floor: None

Adjournment:

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

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

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager