TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING – 7:30 PM
June 9, 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
Cathy Bonaskiewich, Director of Finance
Allen Stiles, Chief of Police
John Andreas, Director of Public Works
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.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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.

FINANCIAL REPORT AND PAYMENT OF THE BILLS
Mr. Brown inquired about funds for the newly hired police officers. Mr. Khalife noted that the funds would be drawn from the police salary line.

On motion of Commissioner Schmoyer, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the financial report and authorize payment of the bills.

MINUTES
May 26, 2005

Commissioner Eckhart requested that the Minutes be tabled until the next meeting.

On motion of Commissioner Schmoyer, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to table the May 26, 2005 meeting minutes.

EAGLE SCOUT PRESENTATION
An Eagle Scout presentation was given by Matthew Peterson. He proposed to install a scoreboard at Devonshire Park. He also proposed to remulch the areas around the playground equipment, clear out the weeds, and paint the posts and replace the chains for the swing set.

Commissioner Unger asked if there was a preference for permanent stakes to be used when erecting the scoreboard. Mr. Peterson responded that permanent stakes would be preferred.

There was a brief discussion regarding the type of mulching for the playground areas and paint to be used for the swing set.

Mr. Khalife had Mr. Peterson clarify whether he was proposing to do one project or two.

Mr. Peterson responded that he would like to do only one project.

Mr. Khalife explained that the two projects are options for the Board to consider and provide feedback as to which project would be more attractive for the Township.

Mr. Andreas noted that there had been discussions about the public works department handling the remulching and painting of playground equipment at the park, but they had not considered installing a scoreboard.

Commissioner Unger commented that the scoreboard would be preferred since the other upgrades to the park were to be addressed by the Township’s public works department and recreation committee.

Mr. Khalife and Commissioner Unger referred Mr. Peterson to contact the Recreation Advisory Committee to do the presentation for them.

Commissioner Eckhart noted that in the past, the Township covered costs and expenses for Eagle Scout projects benefiting the Township.

The consensus of the Board of Commissioners was to support both Eagle Scout project proposals as presented by Matthew Peterson, with a preference towards the scoreboard proposal for Devonshire Park and with the direction of the Recreation Advisory Committee.

Mr. Khalife briefly outlined the process for payment towards materials and noted that projects generally were between $200 and $300.

ORDINANCES
None.

RESOLUTIONS
None.

MOTIONS
Consideration of a Letter of Credit of SAR Associates (Scott Hummer dealership).

Mr. Khalife explained that the developer is required to post 15% escrow, which was received in the amount of $1,831. He commented that there was a condition that after reaching a certain point in the development, the developer is required to post 15% in escrow.

On motion of Commissioner Eckhart, seconded by Commissioner Schmoyer, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the release of the Letter of Credit of SAR Associates (Scott Hummer dealership), and to retain the amount of $1,831 in escrow.

Consideration of a motion to award the purchase of cameras and installation for Laubach Park.

Mr. Khalife noted that Chief Stiles had reviewed the proposals and Protect Alarms submitted the lowest quote. He explained that the cameras would be installed at Laubach Park and would have a remote link to the municipal police station with the possibility, in the future, of being able to remotely view the park through laptops in the police vehicles. He informed the Board that Service Electric already performed the donated gratis work of installing the lines which are ready for connection upon purchase of the equipment.

Chief Stiles stated that the lowest quote was $8,420. He stated that he would provide a detailed press release to the newspapers about Service Electric’s generous donation.

Commissioner Eckhart commented that money spent on the equipment would be well worth it compared to the amount of vandalism that occurs at the park.

Chief Stiles explained that the digital images from the cameras would be sent to the Township Police Department via the internet.

Commissioner Unger inquired if the equipment could be moved as needed to other parks in the Township.

Chief Stiles responded that they could not be moved because they would be permanently mounted. He noted that the major components of the system are to be purchased, but in the future, the Township could look to purchase additional cameras to install at the other parks. He anticipated that the installation should take place in approximately eight weeks.

On motion of Commissioner Eckhart, seconded by Commissioner Schmoyer, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to award the purchase of cameras and installation for Laubach Park.

Consideration of a motion to award the bituminous materials bid for the 2005 Road Program.

Consideration of a motion to award the stone materials bid for the 2005 Road Program.

Mr. Andreas commented that the bid is not related to a specific road program but it is to meet the needs of the Township on material supply over the course of the year.

Mr. Khalife explained that there is not a specific, pre-determined amount that the Township would buy, but instead the Township would be able to purchase materials throughout the year as needed at the rate that was bid.

Mr. Andreas explained that the contract includes that if the market would fluctuate more or less than 10% it would be reflected in the cost and the Township could buy at a lower price depending on the market. He noted that this allows the Township the ability to purchase at the best cost all year round as opposed to being tied into an elevated price based on speculating what the market is going to do for the remainder of the year. He briefly discussed Coopersburg’s quote and the accessibility of their facilities from the Township.

On motion of Commissioner Schmoyer, seconded by Commissioner Eckhart, the Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 concurrently to award the bituminous materials bid to Coopersburg Asphalt and the stone materials bid to Eastern Industries.

Mr. Khalife announced that there would not be an Executive Session. He noted that Service Electric might do highlights on their news channel from Laubach Park.

Commissioner Unger noted that the County of Lehigh requested a letter of support from the Township regarding their Growing Greener Grant application to repair Leaser Lake. The consensus of the Board was to send a letter of support for Lehigh County’s Growing Green grant application to repair Leaser Lake.

PUBLIC COMMENT
John Eberhard of 1400 Constitution Drive expressed his concerns of inappropriate activities taking place at Walking Purchase Park and the lack of police response. He commented that ATVs and jeeps ride through the park, that there are shot up police signs, potholes, and the sign for Walking Purchase Park was vandalized. He expressed his belief that all of the occurrences create a poor and unsafe atmosphere for the park. He requested that calls placed to the police be given a priority and that the Township clean up the park.

Commissioner Eckhart explained that two police officers were recently hired after a long period of time where the department was short staffed. He anticipated that there would be more presence at the park and suggested that if the cameras at Laubach Park work out well, cameras could eventually be installed at Walking Purchase park to help curtail inappropriate and criminal activities. He commended Mr. Eberhard for his efforts to clean up the park.

Commissioner Schmoyer commented that he spends a lot of time at the park and he stated his opinion that things are getting better.

Commissioner Eckhart commented that there have been occasions where he raised the issue that the Township has been unable to receive any funds from Lehigh County or Allentown towards patrolling the park. He explained that the burden is placed on the Township taxpayers to foot the bill for policing the park.

Mr. Eberhard updated the Board on his observations of the bike trails being put in at the park and informed them that the gates are left open. He pointed out that efforts to prohibit ATV’s from being on the trails have been futile. He commented that an increased police presence is needed at the park.

Commissioner Eckhart noted that the junior hunting program would be beneficial to the park to allow the police to enforce illegal firearms incidents.

Chief Stiles explained some of the limitations that the police department has with being able to respond quickly to incidents that may occur at the park. He noted that the police officers also have to prioritize which incidents require immediate attention versus an incident that may have to be responded to a short time later. He noted that with a small police force, there are times where it may take 45 minutes to 1 hour for an officer to respond when they are busy responding to other incidents.

Commissioner Unger commented about the difficulty in patrolling a secluded area such as Walking Purchase Park when it is located in close proximity to a heavily populated area.

Commissioner Eckhart remarked that he strongly feels that the cameras should be installed at Walking Purchase Park to catch people driving in to illegally dump. He explained that the Township is unable to focus all of its police resources to the park when they must attend to the whole Township, particularly with a large hospital facility that has 25,000 visitors each day. He recalled riding along with an officer on patrol and the time spent processing a parole violator that was arrested.

Commissioner Brown agreed that after the cameras are installed at Laubach Park, Walking Purchase Park should be the next park to have cameras.

Joseph Lazowicki of 302 Mountain Park Road gave his concerns about mountain bikers trespassing on his property. He commented that he saw a suggestion on the internet that homeowners should take digital pictures of the mountain bikers trespassing and advertise them so that they could be caught. He suggested that Mr. Eberhard also take pictures.

Joe Transue of 883 Municipal Road, Lehigh Township, explained his version of an incident that occurred with a landowner who felt that his mountain bike group was trespassing on private property. He noted his attempts to take proactive measures to address any concerns and to assure the Township that his group would stay on the approved areas. He noted that they are also working with the Wildlands Conservancy to mark out areas in Emmaus, bordering Wildlands property, to reduce confusion so that bikers aren’t going into inappropriate areas. He noted that parking might become an issue at Walking Purchase Park with increased activity and bikers at the park. He stated that they would also be requesting to place a stand at the park to provide maps of the trails in the park.

Mr. Lazowicki clarified that PPL does not own any property in his area, only the lines, and that no one other than PPL personnel or the property owners are allowed there, unless the property owners grant permission.

Commissioner Schmoyer suggested having mountain bikers sign in when entering Walking Purchase Park.

There was a lengthy discussion regarding trespassing on private property and criminal charges that could be brought against trespassers.

OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioner Schmoyer informed the Board members that he was approached by a representative from Upper Saucon with a form to be completed regarding the possibility of merging police departments with nearby municipalities to form a regional police department.

Mr. Khalife explained that the form appears to be a commitment from the Township to request that a study be performed on the possibility of regionalizing the local police departments. Commissioner Herman commented that he would like administrative input from Chief Stiles.

Commissioner Eckhart informed Mr. Andreas about the gravel for Scholl Avenue being washed out and inquired about a formal project list of roadway work.

Mr. Andreas briefly outlined that they would be addressing roads that have a higher priority need for repair.

There was a brief discussion regarding missed recycling collections and the hours of pickup.

Commissioner Herman commended the public works department for work performed on a resident’s berm. Commissioner Unger commended the efforts of the Township Manager and Mr. Andreas to have the contractor proceed with restoration work for the Allen/Tweed Drainage Improvements Project. Commissioner Unger inquired about areas for road repair work.

Chief Stiles informed the Board that he looks forward to getting underway on the project for the cameras at Laubach Park. He provided information regarding a traffic detour that occurred due to construction. He anticipated traffic issues when road construction at Lehigh Valley Hospital takes place and he noted the manhours spent investigating a recent homicide incident.

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