TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING – 7:30 PM
June 14, 2007

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
James Brown, Vice-President
Kent Herman
Robert Martucci, Jr.
Norma Cusick

Staff attending:
Gabriel Khalife, Township Manager
Carl Best, Director of Planning & Zoning
John Andreas, Director of Public Works
Allen Stiles, Chief of Police
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 meetings 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.

PAYMENT OF THE BILLS
On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize payment of the bills.

MINUTES
May 24, 2007
Mr. Tettemer noted that Page 3 should read, “Mr. Tettemer explained that 10 percent of the funds would be returned to the contractor.”

Commissioner Unger declared the May 24, 2007 Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes approved with the above noted corrections.

ORDINANCES
None.

MOTIONS
Consideration of a motion regarding the request to install a traffic signal at the intersection of East Emmaus Avenue and Dauphin Street.

Mr. Khalife noted that there was a Workshop Meeting dedicated solely to discussing the traffic signal matter. He explained that the Township Engineer had provided the Board with two estimates and design proposals for the project.

Mr. Tettemer commented that the estimates both range around $850,000 which includes the purchase of some land, roadway widening of Emmaus Avenue to put in a turning lane and the construction of the traffic light. He explained that PennDOT’s assessment is that a traffic light is only required because of the left turn onto Dauphin Street going towards the High School. The signal is not warranted for any other turns onto Dauphin Street because there is not sufficient traffic.

Commissioner Cusick expressed that she believes a traffic signal is necessary because of the magnitude of the number of cars that travel onto Dauphin Street from Emmaus Avenue.

Commissioner Martucci inquired if the matter could be placed on the voters’ ballot in November.

Commissioner Unger commented that the Board should decide whether to install the signal. He suggested still pursuing easements in the event the need for the traffic signal changes in the future.

Commissioner Brown stated that he agrees with Chief Stiles that the signal is not warranted and does not justify the cost. He commented that there are other intersections that could be improved.

Commissioner Herman cited some of the criteria he reviewed in determining whether or not to support the traffic signal installation. Those criteria include PennDOT’s assessment, the police department’s assessment, and Salisbury School District’s response. He noted that although there may be complaints about long waits for vehicles on Dauphin Street, there are other locations throughout the Township that have long waits also. He commented that even though the Township Engineer provided estimates, he believes that once the project goes out to bid it could come in as high as $1 million. He commented that if property owners do not cooperate in providing easements, then there is the unsavory possibility of condemnations.

Commissioner Herman informed the Board members of a transit study and reform commission that was performed by the Commonwealth which looked at the idea of transportation funding. He stated that the study suggests that in the future, local government is going to be looked to contribute more towards transportation funding, both in terms of roads and bridges as well as transit. He admitted that he represented LANTA for years and many local communities provide nothing for public transit. He cited some impacts of $1 million.

Henry Schraden of 2244 South Dauphin Street stated that he knows there have been more than three accidents in seven years. He expressed that he refuses to respond to any future accidents that may occur if there is no traffic signal. He noted that there is an offset intersection in Allentown on Hanover Avenue and Maxwell Street which has a traffic signal.

Janet Keim of 11 West Pine Street suggested that the Board direct the Chief of Police to meet with the residents to discuss alternatives such as having a police officer at the intersection during times when school children are crossing.

Dale Stengle of 425 East Emmaus Avenue expressed his support of the traffic signal and recalled accidents that had occurred at the intersection, including one he was involved in.

Commissioner Herman made a motion to discontinue the process relating to the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of East Emmaus Avenue and Dauphin Street.

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Brown and the Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to discontinue the process relating to the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of East Emmaus Avenue and Dauphin Street. Commissioner Cusick voted no.

Additional Item
Consideration of a motion to award the bid for emergency equipment purchase and installation for Township Police Vehicles.

Chief Stiles explained that he had obtained five quotes for the purchase and installation of emergency equipment for the police vehicles. He noted that the lowest responsible bidder was D&A Emergency located in Salisbury Township which would be very convenient to have the equipment installed and serviced if necessary.

On motion of Commissioner Martucci, seconded by Herman, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to award the bid for emergency equipment purchase and installation for Township police vehicles to D&A Emergency in the amount of $3,240.

Commissioner Unger and Mr. Khalife noted that there would be an Executive Session on legal matters and land. Commissioner Herman inquired if he would be conflicted on the land purchase.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Mrs. Janet Keim of 11 West Pine Street informed the Board about an article regarding the Allentown sewage problems and bypassing raw sewage into the Lehigh River during heavy rains. She stated that there are problems with the Lehigh County Authority interceptor which has been surcharging and overflowing during heavy rains periodically since it was installed. She explained that the Lehigh Watershed Coalition has requested that the Lehigh County Authority provide an accounting of the costs to taxpayers over the years that have been spent in attempts to correct this problem.

Commissioner Herman noted that the Township had just received a letter from DEP regarding this matter and would provide a copy to Mrs. Keim.

Mrs. Keim requested copies of correspondence on this matter.

Mr. Andreas indicated that he would make the records available.

Dick Hersh of 1095 Debbie Lane informed the Board of a neighbor with at least 10 vehicles at their home. He noted that the vehicles are an eyesore and provided pictures of the property. He noted that the Code Enforcement Officer has been to the property several times but had indicated that he could not do anything further since the vehicles are licensed.

There was a brief discussion on this item. Commissioner Herman suggested having the Board authorize the Solicitor to review the Code Enforcement Officer’s investigation measures on the matter to determine to ascertain if there are any other additional enforcement mechanisms available in the Township’s current ordinances.

The consensus of the Board was to have the Solicitor review the investigation to date with the Code Enforcement Officer to ascertain other enforcement mechanisms. The Solicitor can report back to the Board if there aren’t any and the Board will have to determine what to do at that time.

OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioner Martucci inquired about the status of the recent development on Susquehanna Street.

Mr. Tettemer stated that most of the work has been completed. He noted that a swale was put in temporarily to mitigate drainage and erosion during construction. He noted that although it was not in the position that was indicated on the plan, the residents in the area presently are happy and are not experiencing any problems. Should there come a time where Lot 5 is purchased and that owner should have problems, then the drainage easement would still exist to allow the swale to be put in to drain off Lot 5 as outlined on the plan.

Commissioner Martucci commented that he observed there were still some drainage spouts that were to be corrected.

Commissioner Cusick suggested giving the developer a deadline to complete the outstanding items.

Mr. Tettemer indicated that he would contact the developer about completing the items prior to the next Board meeting.

Commissioner Martucci noted that there was a hit-and-run accident on Emmaus Avenue at Hausman Road. He asked Chief Stiles if speed enforcement could be performed at that area.

Commissioner Martucci suggested having the Township’s planning and zoning ordinances reviewed to see if changes are necessary. He noted that he has received a number of concerns from residents that the Township grants too many waivers and various land use concerns.

There was a lengthy discussion regarding the granting of waivers. Commissioner Herman recommended that members of the various boards receive some training to better understand various planning and zoning issues. Commissioner Unger suggested having the planning and zoning boards prepare some correspondence on issues that they would like to discuss with the Board.

Commissioner Cusick informed the Board members of a patrol through the Township with Chief Stiles that she had attended.

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