TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING – 7:30 PM
April 14, 2005

The Public Meeting of the Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners was held on the above date in the Township Municipal Building located at 2900 South Pike Avenue, Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.

Members attending:
Larry Unger, President
Glenn Eckhart, Vice-President
Rodger Schmoyer, Jr.
James Brown
Kent Herman

Staff attending:
Gabriel Khalife, Township Manager
Allen Stiles, Chief of Police
Carl Best, Director of Planning & Zoning
John Andreas, Director of Public Works
Cathy Bonaskiewich, Finance Director
John Ashley, Township Solicitor
David Tettemer, representative of Keystone Consulting Engineers, Township Engineer

CALL TO ORDER
Commissioner Unger called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.

NOTIFICATION
Mr. Khalife informed the attendees that all sessions of the Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners regular meeting are being electronically recorded for the purpose of taking the Minutes. All public comments on agenda items will be taken at the time of the vote. All public comments related to non-agenda items will be taken after the agenda has been satisfied. He requested that individuals who wish to speak during public comment sign in to assist in providing more information for taking of the Minutes.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

FINANCIAL REPORT AND PAYMENT OF THE BILLS
On motion of Commissioner Schmoyer, seconded by Commissioner Eckhart, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the Financial Report and to authorize payment of the bills.

MINUTES
March 10, 2005

Commissioner Unger declared the March 24, 2005 Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes approved as submitted.

PROCLAMATION
Consideration of a Proclamation to designate the month of April “Volunteer Month”.

On motion of Commissioner Eckhart, seconded by Commissioner Schmoyer, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the proclamation to designate the month of April “Volunteer Month”.

ORDINANCES
None.

RESOLUTIONS
Consideration of a series of resolutions to recognize the following individuals nominated by their peers for their volunteer work and contributions to our community:

Mr. Khalife read the names of the nominees and noted that the recognition event would be held at the Township Building on the evening of Tuesday, April 26, 2005.

Commissioner Schmoyer noted that he nominated Mr. Elmer Nemeth for his efforts to clear leaves from the inlets along Mountain Road which helps to prevent flooding down on South Bradford Street. He explained that Mr. Nemeth takes the leaves into the woods, which helps the environment as well as saves taxpayers from having to pay Township crews to be there.

Commissioner Eckhart commented that he nominated Shirley Young because she spends a lot of time in the community not only as president of the band booster club at the high school, but she also participated with the fire police, Morningside Crime Watch, and the 250th Anniversary Committee. He explained that he also nominated Jamie Shupp who is a former Air Force veteran. He commented that although he has no children of his own, he spends a lot of time working with the children throughout the community as coach for baseball, he started the soccer program with the SYA, he was the basketball director for the SYA and serves on the church council.

On motion of Commissioner Schmoyer, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolutions for the above-referenced individuals for their volunteer work and contributions to the community.

Consideration of a resolution to create an investment account with Sovereign Bank.

Mrs. Bonaskiewich explained that representatives of Sovereign Bank are proposing a very interesting account available strictly for government entities. She noted that the account acts as a savings account that keeps funds liquid and readily available. She noted that the interest rate is higher than the Township’s other similar accounts and there is no set term for the length of time the funds have to remain in the account. She stated that the Township would look to transfer funds into the account as an investment.

Commissioner Unger asked about the other investment companies that the Township utilizes.

Commissioner Herman inquired about the underlying investments and if there is risked principle if there would be a substantial spike in interest rates.

Mrs. Bonaskiewich explained that the account has a variable rate interest that would fluctuate. Mr. Khalife and Mrs. Bonaskiewich explained that just like a savings account, the only thing to fluctuate would be the rate.

On motion of Commissioner Schmoyer, seconded by Commissioner Eckhart, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution to create an investment account with Sovereign Bank.

Consideration of a resolution to recognize Mr. Randy Gillespie for his 16 years of service as the Township Code Enforcement Officer.

Consideration of a resolution to acknowledge the vesting of Mr. Randy Gillespie’s pension.

Commissioner Herman inquired about having to vote on the vesting of the pension.

Mr. Khalife explained that the resolution is a formality for PMRS so that they hold the pension until it becomes eligible for collection.

Commissioner Unger commented that Mr. Gillespie did a good job and had a good rapport with residents and was a volunteer fire police.

Mr. Khalife commented that Mr. Gillespie did more than just his inspections; he did work above and beyond his job requirements by assisting the staff and addressing issues with the building’s HVAC system. He stated that Mr. Gillespie is taking a lot of Township’s history and his certifications with him.

Mr. Andreas and Chief Stiles spoke of their impressions of Mr. Gillespie. Mr. Best stated that Mr. Gillespie took time to help residents with the permit process.

On motion of Commissioner Schmoyer, seconded by Commissioner Eckhart, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to concurrently approve the resolutions for Mr. Randy Gillespie’s recognition and pension.

MOTIONS
Consideration of a motion to contribute $150 to the Cedarbrook Sportsmen to stock Laubach Park for trout season.

Mr. Khalife noted that the Board had made a contribution last year and the Township was pleased with the work that was done and for their taking on the responsibility for stocking the park for trout season.

Commissioner Unger commented that it is good to see children fishing there.

Commissioner Eckhart suggested that the Township look to stock fish at Laubach Park. There was a discussion about how Franko Park was stocked a number of years ago and how the fish are thriving.

On motion of Commissioner Eckhart, seconded by Commissioners Schmoyer, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to contribute $150 to the Cedarbrook Sportsmen to stock Laubach Park for trout season.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Khalife announced that there would be an Executive Session held after the regular meeting or workshop regarding land.

Shirlee Lasso of 1624 Rader Avenue asked to clarify the burning law of the Township and she recalled two incidents that she had to contact police.

There was a discussion that no outdoor burning is allowed unless grilling food.

Ms. Lasso asked about ATVs driving on the road. She noted that people have been driving illegally. She also suggested using interns to assist the police department.

Chief Stiles explained that they have used a number of interns in the past, although the interns cannot be used as police officers.

OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioner Schmoyer informed the Board that there was a constituent who contacted him about a sinkhole at their property and needed assistance because the police hadn’t arrived. Commissioner Schmoyer commented that he loaned his son’s barricade and requested that the police return it to him.

Chief Stiles stated that the police had responded and also notified the Public Works department.

Commissioner Schmoyer asked Mr. Andreas if an underground drainage pipe would be able to take in the water that pools during heavy rains near the trolley car tracks on Mountain Road.

Commissioner Eckhart asked that the staff obtain more information on a $900,000 grant the Township is to receive for Broadway.

Chief Stiles stated that he would contact Congressman Charlie Dent to obtain more information.

Commissioner Unger noted that Congressman Dent is on the Transportation Committee.

Chief Stiles noted that the funds are being requested by Congressman Dent but has not been made part of the Federal budget. He noted that the request also involves improvement of the railroad grade crossing on 31st Street.

Commissioner Eckhart informed the Board members that the newly installed playground equipment at Laubach Park is being put to good use and was long overdue. He noted that there was a recent incident where someone used a pellet gun that shot out his neighbor’s window.

Commissioner Unger stated that at 6 o’clock on April 2 he was at 33rd and Lehigh Streets and observed that there wasn’t any flooding. He commended Mr. Andreas on the work that was done to the area.

Mr. Andreas commented that there were improvements that took place with the drainage at the Scott Hummer dealership, which surely helped to alleviate the flooding conditions in the area. He explained that Public Works would continue to focus on trying to control the flows upstream, keeping inlets open and trying to control the flow coming from Fox Street.

Chief Stiles stated that he would provide the Board members with a copy of a letter from Lehigh Valley Hospital regarding two Township police officers, Kevin Soberick and Ronald Patten, to recognize them for handling an extremely difficult domestic abuse case. He also informed the members of another incident that was written in the newspapers involving Detective Klimowicz and Officer Peckelen who provided assistance to Upper Saucon Township.

Commissioner Unger asked if Officer Peckelun is able to participate in neighborhood Crime Watch meetings. Chief Stiles responded that Peckelun attends meetings and assists residents with starting up crime watch groups.

Mr. Best noted that the zoning appeal case regarding the Thomas P. Williams (former Schaller) property has been remanded back to the Zoning Hearing Board and asked whether the Board wished to have the Township Solicitor attend the meeting on the Township’s behalf as an interested party.

There was a brief discussion about the property and the possibility that it could revert back to a junkyard.

On motion of Commissioner Schmoyer, seconded by Commissioner Eckhart, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize Attorney Ashley to attend the Zoning Hearing Board meeting with respect to the Thomas P. Williams zoning appeal (former Schaller property).

ADJOURNMENT
As no other business was presented, the meeting was adjourned. The Board of Commissioners went into Workshop followed by Executive Session.