TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING – 7:30 PM
September 27, 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:
James Brown, Vice-President
Kent Herman
Robert Martucci, Jr.
Norma Cusick

Staff attending:
Gabriel Khalife, Township Manager
John Andreas, Director of Public Works
Carl Best, Director of Planning & Zoning
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 Brown 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
Mrs. Bonaskiewich inquired if the Board had questions regarding the information she had provided on the collection. Commissioner Herman inquired about the types of accounts that are in collection. Mrs. Bonaskiewich explained that there are the sewer and refuse accounts only. 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
September 13, 2007
Commissioner Brown declared the September 13, 2007 Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes approved as submitted.

SWEARING IN CEREMONY
After being introduced by Chief Stiles, Police Officers Christopher Casey and Kyle Rehatchek were sworn in by Commissioner Brown.

ORDINANCES
None.

RESOLUTIONS
Consideration of a resolution to approve the Devonshire Park Apartments Land Development Plan.

Amit Mukherjee of Base Engineering was present. He briefly outlined the plan. He noted that the plan has a reduced number of residential units compared to the original plan that was presented back in 2004. He stated that they have the stormwater management approval from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

Mr. Tettemer explained that the developer appears to have addressed most of the comments. He noted that there is one waiver that the developer requested to SALDO Section 3.2.A.3 allowing the plan to be considered as a preliminary/final at one time.

Commissioner Herman inquired about the variances that were granted for the plan.

Mr. Tettemer explained that one variance was to the parking requirements and the other to the number of units.

Mr. Mukherjee explained that the original plan had previously planned more units and required a variance from the City of Allentown which was denied.

Mr. Best noted that there is a City of Allentown resident who has raised objections to the traffic and stormwater who is not present.

There was a brief discussion regarding the number of parking spaces. Commissioner Martucci inquired whether there would be a parking area created.

Mr. Mukherjee noted that an area has been designated for parking so that if the use of the property would change from age restricted to something else, there would be sufficient parking.

Commissioner Cusick inquired about the effects of the development on the objectioner’s property.

Mr. Tettemer and Mr. Mukherjee explained that the developer does not impact on the property of the Allentown resident who raised objections because her property sits higher than the development.

Commissioner Martucci inquired about the amount of impervious cover being added and whether the downspouts are to be pointed towards the detention basin.

Mr. Tettemer noted that as long as the water goes to grade, preferably into a grassy area before going into the detention basin, they will meet the requirements for an NPDES permit. He briefly explained the preliminary/final plan process and requirements.

On motion of Commissioner Martucci, seconded by Commissioner Herman, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution approving the Preliminary/Final Devonshire Park Apartments Land Development Plan with conditions.

MOTIONS
Consideration of a motion to contribute $23,600 to the Western Salisbury Fire Department for purposes of facilities maintenance.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to contribute $23,600 to the Western Salisbury Fire Department for purposes of facilities maintenance.

Consideration of a motion to renew Mr. Charles Durner’s employment and lease agreements for one year.

Mr. Khalife noted that this is an annual agreement which is up for renewal relating to Mr. Durner’s employment and utilization of the Franko Farm facilities.

Commissioner Brown highlighted the various services that Mr. Durner handles on the Township’s behalf.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to renew Mr. Charles Durner’s employment and lease agreements for one year.

Consideration of motion to exonerate delinquent real estate taxes for tax years 2005 and 2006 for 1414 E. Susquehanna St., Trailer #9.

Mr. Khalife explained that the amount of Township taxes recommended to be exonerated are approximately $80 for years 2005 and 2006 due to the removal of the trailer.

On motion of Commissioner Herman, seconded by Commissioner Cusick, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to exonerate delinquent real estate taxes for tax years 2005 and 2006 for 1414 E. Susquehanna St., Trailer #9.

PRESENTATION – State Representative Doug Reichley
Representative Reichley explained that his attendance at the meeting is an effort to make the community aware of matters taking place in Harrisburg and to provide an update of what is to come for the remainder of the year. He provided information on the newest version of the Emergency Municipal Services Tax which was renamed the Local Services Tax, house bills relating to changes to the Municipal Planning Code with respect to the notification of newly adopted ordinances and developments, building code changes, and plans to place tollbooths along I-80 to help fund mass transit transportation. He noted several major topics coming up for discussion: alternative energy, universal healthcare, smoking ban and the potential resurrection of statewide cable franchising.

Mr. Khalife inquired whether there had been any action on earned income tax collection. Representative Reichley responded that there is an interest to pursue combining the tax collection services in order to provide cost savings to municipalities.

Mr. Khalife commented that a number of area municipal managers have indicated that they are satisfied with the current system.

Commissioner Martucci inquired about obtaining printed information on the building code changes.

The several members of the Board of Commissioners and staff asked questions on each topic which Representative Reichley responded to in further detail. An additional item was raised by Chief Stiles with respect to slot machine funds target to impacts police departments.

Commissioner Martucci inquired about eliminating prevailing wage.

OTHER BUSINESS
Chief Stiles informed the Board that 93 archery hunting permits have been issued since September 10th, including 19 issued to Township residents and 7 shotgun junior hunting permits; 2 of which are Township residents.

PUBLIC COMMENT
None were presented.

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