TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING – 7:30 PM
September 13, 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.

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
August 23, 2007

Commissioner Unger declared the August 23, 2007 Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes approved as submitted.

NOTIFICATION:
Mrs. Bonaskiewich announced that the Board of Commissioners had been informed of the Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) for each of the Township’s pension plans for year 2008 and that the amounts were certified as required.

ORDINANCES
None.

RESOLUTIONS
None.

MOTIONS
(ADDITIONAL ITEM)
Consideration of a motion to approve an Eagle Scout Project at Franko Park as presented by Mr. Joe Yoder.

Mr. Khalife noted that there had been a number of successful Eagle Scout projects that have taken place in the Township. He noted that materials may be warranted that the Township could purchase to fulfill the project.

Mr. Yoder outlined the proposed Eagle Scout project to expand the garden plots at Franko Park. He noted that there would be three additional plots, one of which would be elevated for handicap accessibility, and fencing installed.

Mr. Khalife noted that the existing garden plots were put in by an Eagle Scout and was funded by the Township.

Commissioner Unger inquired if the pathways around the plots are adequate for individuals in wheelchairs.

Mr. Yoder will provide a list of materials needed to Mr. Andreas which can be purchased by the Township. Mr. Andreas will provide some of the materials that the Township currently has such as mulch and compost.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Eagle Scout Project at Franko Park as presented by Mr. Joe Yoder.

Consideration of nominations from the Eligibility List for the Full-Time Police Officer positions.

Mr. Khalife noted that there were a couple of candidates that had withdrawn from the list and the list currently contains the names of the three remaining candidates. He briefly explained the process for the Board to nominate and vote for one officer first, and if the Board desires, to nominate an additional officer.

Commissioner Brown made a motion to hire Mr. Christopher Casey. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cusick and the Board voted unanimously to hire Mr. Christopher Casey for a full-time police officer position.

Mr. Scott Walker, chairman of the Civil Service Commission, presented the list with the remaining two candidates.

Commissioner Martucci made a motion to nominate Mr. Kyle Rehatchek. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cusick and the Board voted unanimously to hire Mr. Kyle Rehatchek for a full-time police officer position.

Mr. Khalife noted that if the Board desires to hire an additional officer they may do so by vote or if not, then to express that there would be a No Vote. He noted that the list would remain in force until the Civil Service Commission either terminates the list or creates a new list.

Chief Stiles noted that the two officer candidates will be given an offer of conditional employment which will be conditioned upon them successfully completing their psychological testing. At that point, the officers will be brought before the Board of Commissioners to be sworn in.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS
Consideration of a motion to conduct Trick-or-Treat Night on Friday, October 26, 2007 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Mr. Khalife noted that the City of Allentown is also conducting their Trick-or-Treat night and there is a Salisbury High School football game being held on the same evening.

Commissioner Herman expressed a concern that it does not increase the risk for the kids Trick-or-Treating in the area of the high school during the game.

Chief Stiles noted that the games end around 9:30 p.m. He stated that there have not been any major problems and noted that additional officers will be placed around the school at the beginning of the football game, plus there is private security for the game and most of the officers will be placed in the area at the end of the game as well.

There was a brief discussion to clarify the motion.

On motion of Commissioner Martucci, seconded by Commissioner Cusick, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to designate Friday, October 26, 2007, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. as Trick-or-Treat Night.

Consideration of a motion to authorize Payments to Burkholder for the work performed to the Municipal Building HVAC system.

Mr. Tettemer explained that there are two payments due for the Municipal Building HVAC system project. The first payment is for work conducted through the end of July in the amount of $59,763.15 and the second is for work done through the end of August in the amount of $31,004.10.

Mr. Khalife noted that there are some possible change orders that would need to be considered in the near future. He noted that there is a compressor malfunctioning and fire dampering needed for some of the units.

On motion of Commissioner Herman, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize two payments in the amount of $59,763.15 and $31,004.10 to Burkholder, Inc. for work performed to the Township’s HVAC system.

OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioner Martucci asked Mr. Andreas if he had contacted Mr. Costello.

Commissioner Unger commended Officer Sabo in his efforts at the schools and on the appreciation letter received from the School District.

Mr. Andreas informed the Board that the I & I work was completed and came up with a direction for rehabilitation of the Township’s sanitary sewer system. He noted that the rehabilitation project will be prepared for bid and presented to the Board in the near future.

Chief Stiles informed the Board that Officer Sabo was involved in a number of different programs during the first week of school and also several officers were at the high school to present information to students such as seat belt safety. He noted that the officers are also doing enforcement with grants received such as the Aggressive Driver grant. He noted that they have applied for grants for the utility vehicle that was recently acquired to perform interior reconstruction and install additional equipment. He noted that they have received support from State Representative Karen Beyer. He is also working on getting cameras installed at Walking Purchase Park.

PUBLIC COMMENT
No comments were presented.

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