TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING – 7:30 PM
August 23, 2007

The Public Meeting of the Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners was held on the above date at 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
John Andreas, Director of Public Works
Cathy Bonaskiewich, Finance Director
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.

FINANCIAL REPORT AND PAYMENT OF THE BILLS
Commissioner Brown inquired about the fire hydrant fees from Emmaus Borough.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the Financial Report and authorize payment of the bills.

MINUTES
August 9, 2007
Commissioner Unger declared the August 9, 2007 Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes approved as submitted.

ORDINANCES
None

RESOLUTIONS
Consideration of a resolution and promulgation to adopt the updated Emergency Management Plan.

Commissioner Cusick noted a typo relative to the Vice President.

Mr. Khalife noted that the Emergency plan is updated every two years per Federal and State requirements.

Commissioner Unger inquired about equipment that would be kept at the Township building for the Emergency Management Department.

Mr. Khalife spoke briefly about Mr. Charles Zeppenfeld and his expertise in emergency management including his work experience prior to retiring from the Lehigh County Emergency Management Office.

Chief Stiles suggested adding people from the community to the Emergency Management Committee to learn and gain knowledge and experience in the future years.

Commissioner Cusick inquired if the School District receives a copy of the Township’s emergency management plan.

Mr. Khalife explained that the School District and other organizations, such as senior living facilities, day cares, and malls, have to submit a copy of their emergency management plans which are filed with the Township’s emergency management office and may be subsequently filed at the County.

Commissioner Martucci inquired about recruiting more people to be involved with the Township’s emergency management.

Mr. Khalife explained that individuals are not placed on a committee, but would instead be assigned individuals. He noted that Mr. Zeppenfeld is paid as the Emergency Management Director and there are two individuals who were assigned as his assistants. He explained that the Board could seek out other individuals to be assigned as emergency management assistants to Mr. Zeppenfeld and would be part of the team for Emergency Management, knowing the plan, and obtaining ongoing training.

The consensus of the Board was to ask Mr. Zeppenfeld to consider recruiting one or two other individuals to orient them to the Township’s Emergency Management Plan procedures for future involvement.

On motion of Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Cusick, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution and promulgation to adopt the updated Emergency Management Plan.

MOTIONS
Consideration of a motion to allow the Allentown Dog Training Club to utilize an area of Franko Farm Park for dog training classes starting September 8, 2007.

Commissioner Martucci inquired about how the classes have been working out.

Chief Stiles indicated that there have been no complaints or problems and the program appears to be working out fine.

Commissioner Brown noted that the program is worthwhile and that the Police K-9 unit receives a donation from the Club.

Commissioner Unger inquired if the Dog Club utilizes the newly fenced-in area.

Chief Stiles stated that the club is able to use it, but he is not aware if they currently are.

He noted that one night he observed the class and the class did not use the fenced-in area, although they were close to it.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Allentown Dog Training Club request to utilize an area of Franko Farm Park for dog training classes starting September 8, 2007.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS
Consideration of a motion to authorize the Solicitor to represent the Township in seeking to not have taxes assessed on the cell tower located on a portion of Franko Park.

Commissioner Herman explained that the County may be assessing the non-exempt economic activity at the facility where there is a profit making enterprise. He noted that although the underlying real estate is exempt similar to the office facilities at the Hospital, they are on taxexempt property but their commercial profit-making uses may be taxable.

Commissioner Herman inquired about the value that the County assessed on the property at Franko Park and recommended performing calculations and reviewing the lease to see if the tax could be passed to the lessee.

On motion of Commissioner Herman, seconded by Commissioner Cusick, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the Solicitor to represent the Township in seeking to not have taxes assessed on the cell tower located on a portion of Franko Park.

Consideration of a motion to award the bid for the Devonshire Road resurfacing project.

Mr. Andreas explained that for the type and size of project, two bids were received for the Devonshire Road resurfacing project. He noted that the project requires special machinery to apply the material and he briefly explained the micro-surfacing process. He noted that some of the areas to be resurfaced are the Devonshire development, 33rd Street, including several main arterial streets. The remainder of the work to be done in that area would be completed in next year’s budget and possibly some additional work. He noted that the Township Engineer estimated the project to cost $64,000. The low bid received was $66,000 and the higher was approximately $93,000. He explained that the resurfacing process would extend the life of the road surface. He recommended awarding the bid to Asphalt Paving Systems in the amount of $64,049.60.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to award the bid for the Devonshire Road resurfacing project to Asphalt Paving Systems for $64,049.60.

OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Khalife noted that there would be an upcoming presentation on the Master Plan for Walking Purchase Park.

Commissioner Cusick inquired about whether a walk-through of the park had occurred.

Mr. Khalife explained that the plan is not at a point of being drafted. He noted that he has been meeting with the County, a consultant, and Wildlands Conservancy regarding the plan. He noted that a committee would need to be formed to provide ideas for the plan.

Commissioner Martucci informed the Board that he received a call from a resident regarding stormwater runoff pooling out on Emmaus Avenue and the problems occurring on his property that appears to be stemming from a neighboring property that is currently in foreclosure.

Mr. Andreas explained that there is a storm inlet that was installed by the state on Emmaus Avenue and was extended from the area of Bull Dog Beverage and eventually runs to the creek on the north side of Emmaus Avenue.

Commissioner Martucci clarified that the resident had indicated that the water is coming from a property.

Mr. Andreas commented that he would contact the resident and visit the property to determine if there are any remediation measures.

PUBLIC COMMENT
No comments were presented.

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