TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REORGANIZATION MEETING – 6:00 PM
January 7, 2008

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.

OATH OF OFFICE – Anthony Rapp, District Justice
1. Robert Martucci
2. Norma Cusick
3. Mary Yoder

Members attending:
Larry Unger
James Brown
Robert Martucci, Jr.
Norma Cusick
Mary Yoder

Staff attending:
Gabriel Khalife, Township Manager
Cathy Bonaskiewich, Finance Director
John Andreas, Director of Public Works
Allen Stiles, Chief of Police

CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Khalife called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.

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.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
1. President
Commissioner Unger explained that he would step down as President during the vote for President.

Mr. Khalife noted that after the vote for president is completed, the President may preside over the remainder of the meeting.

Commissioner Cusick made a motion to nominate Commissioner Unger for President of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Brown made a motion to close the nominations for President. A roll call vote was taken: Commissioner Cusick – yes, Commissioner Brown – yes, Commissioner Yoder – yes, Commissioner Martucci – yes, Commissioner Unger – yes. The Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the nomination of Commissioner Unger to President of the Board of Commissioners.

2. Vice-President
Commissioner Unger, who stepped down, made a motion to nominate Commissioner Brown to Vice-President of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Cusick seconded the nomination. Mr. Khalife noted that the nominations were closed for Vice-President. The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the nomination of Commissioner Brown as Vice-President of the Board of Commissioners.

APPOINTMENTS
1. Township Solicitor
Commissioner Martucci made a motion to reappoint Attorney John Ashley as Township Solicitor.

On motion of Commissioner Martucci, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Attorney John Ashley as Township Solicitor. Commissioner Cusick expressed that she would like the Township to seek proposals next year for professional services.

2. Township Engineer
Mr. Khalife noted that Mr. David Tettemer would continue to represent on behalf of Keystone Consulting Engineers as the Township Engineer.

Commissioner Brown made a motion to reappoint Keystone Consulting Engineers as the Township Engineer, seconded by Commissioner Martucci. The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Keystone Consulting Engineers as the Township Engineer.

3. Alternate Township Engineer
Mr. Khalife noted that an alternate Township Engineer is sometimes utilized when the Township Engineer’s firm has a conflict in a matter. He noted that Hanover Engineering has been serving as the alternate for the past year and one-half and are interested in continuing their services.

Commissioner Cusick made a motion to nominate Hanover Engineering to serve as the Alternate Township Engineer. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Brown and the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the nomination of Hanover Engineering as the Alternate Township Engineer.

4. Sewage Enforcement Officer and Alternates
Mr. Khalife recommended reappointing Mr. John Burkhardt of Certified Inspection Service as the primary sewage enforcement officer. Also, he recommended reappointing alternate sewage enforcement officers from Keystone Consulting Engineers to perform sewage enforcement and inspections as required with subdivision and land development plans as well as reappointing alternates from Hanover Engineering Associates if a conflict arises.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners concurrently voted unanimously to appoint Mr. John Burkhardt of Certified Inspection Services as the primary Sewage Enforcement Officer, representatives of Keystone Consulting Engineers and representatives of Hanover Engineering as Alternate Sewage Enforcement Officers.

5. Planning Commission (4 year term)
a. Second Ward
No nominations.

b. Third Ward (Alt.)
Commissioner Cusick nominated Mr. Steve McKitish to the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Martucci, and the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the nomination of Mr. Steve McKitish to the Planning Commission.

6. Zoning Hearing Board (5 year term)
a. Fourth Ward
Commissioner Brown thanked and Mr. Moyer’s service on the Zoning Hearing Board. Commissioner Brown nominated Rodney Conn to serve on the Zoning Hearing Board. Commissioner Cusick seconded the nomination. The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Rodney Conn to the Zoning Hearing Board.

7. Civil Service Commission (6 year term)
a. First Ward
Commissioner Martucci thanked Mr. Falcone for his service to the Township. Commissioner Martucci nominated Mr. Archie Hartzell to be appointed to the Civil Service Commission. Commissioner Cusick seconded the nomination. The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Archie Hartzell to the Civil Service Commission.

8. Vacancy Board (one year term)
a. Fifth Ward
No nominations.

9. Building Code Board of Appeals (5 year term)
Mr. Khalife explained that Mr. Best has submitted his recommendations of the individuals to serve on the Building Code Board of Appeals. Mr. Khalife noted that the individuals need to qualify to some degree by having some building background. The names of the individuals are Tom Grello and Chet Diromualdo.

On motion of Commissioner Martucci, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to reappoint Mr. Tom Grello to the Building Code Board of Appeals.

On motion of Commissioner Martucci, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to reappoint Mr. Chet Diromualdo to the Building Code Board of Appeals.

10. Lehigh County to handle real estate tax billing services
Mr. Khalife explained that the County would continue to print and distribute the Township’s real estate tax bills.

On motion of Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Cusick, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize entering into an agreement with County of Lehigh for real estate tax bill printing and distribution services.

APPROVAL OF THE BILLS
Mr. Khalife noted that the Township’s internet service had been down for the past week. On motion of Commissioner Martucci, seconded by Commissioner Cusick, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize payment of the bills.

OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioner Cusick informed the Board members of a fire incident at a property on East Emmaus Avenue and the fire fighters’ efforts. She expressed that the fire fighters deserve to be recognized and complimented for their efforts.

Commissioner Unger noted that the Board members put together a wish list of things that they would like to see accomplished in the next two years. The consensus of the Board was to have a discussion on those items at an upcoming workshop.

Commissioner Cusick announced that the Walking Purchase Park Planning Committee will be holding a public hearing at the Municipal Building on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. to receive public input and comments on the development of a Master Plan for Walking Purchase Park.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. John Eberhard of 1400 Constitution Drive asked a number of questions regarding meetings that had taken place on the Walking Purchase Park master plan development. He asked if the Committee had given directions to have an ATV park.

Mr. Khalife explained that there will be concepts presented at the public hearing on the 22nd. He noted that there are no plans etched in stone at this point, just ideas and concepts.

Mrs. Keim congratulated the Board members and thanked Commissioner Cusick for taking leadership in the efforts to obtain an appraisal of the School District property on Emmaus Avenue.

Jane Benning thanked the Board for looking into an appraisal of the School District land.

Mrs. Keim noted several grant sources to assist in funding the purchase of the land.

Jane Benning recommended an environmentalist to assist in establishing an environment advisory board.

ADJOURNMENT
As no other business was presented, the meeting was adjourned.