TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING – 7:30 PM
January 31, 2008

The Public Meeting of the Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners was held on the above date at the Township Municipal Building located at 2900 South Pike Avenue, Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.

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

Staff attending:
Gabriel Khalife, Township Manager
John Andreas, Director of Public Works
Carl Best, Director of Planning & Zoning
Allen Stiles, Chief of Police
John Ashley, Township Solicitor
David Tettemer, representative of the 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 Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize payment of the bills.

MINUTES
January 7, 2008 (Reorganization)
Commissioner Unger declared the January 7, 2008 Board of Commissioners Reorganization Meeting Minutes approved as submitted.

January 17, 2008
Commissioner Unger declared the January 17, 2008 Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes approved as submitted.

ORDINANCES
None.

RESOLUTIONS
Consideration of a resolution for the KidsPeace Preliminary Land Development Plan.

Present were Attorney Jackson Eaton, counsel for KidsPeace, and Andrew Bohl of Hanover Engineering.

Mr. Tettemer highlighted the Township Engineer’s review letter dated January 31, 2008.

Mr. Bohl explained that the developer proposes to demolish four residential buildings and erect a two-story 6,668 square foot building. Improvements would entail additional parking, realignment of the right-of-way and additional straightening of the Broadway intersection. A deceleration lane is also proposed off of Broadway towards the south side of the campus.

Mr. Tettemer outlined the waivers and deferrals requested by KidsPeace. Waivers are requested to SALDO Sections 5.3.F.2.a h (contours within 500’ feet of site), 10.4.D.1 (street widening), 10.10.B.1.C (minimum 15” pipe diameter), 10.10.B.2.I (impervious basin liner). Deferrals are requested for Lot 2 to Section 10.l2 (sidewalks along Broadway and Ash Street for Lot 1).

Commissioner Cusick inquired about increased traffic and sidewalks.

Mr. Bohl indicated that there would not be an increase to traffic since they will be consolidating existing facilities. He noted that propose sidewalks for the south side of the property but not along Broadway or Ash Street.

Commissioner Martucci inquired if the turn-around area was adequate for emergency vehicles. Mr. Tettemer explained that it meets minimum requirements.

Commissioner Unger inquired if any feedback was received from PennDOT.

Commissioner Martucci asked if there is an underground detention system. Mr. Tettemer explained that there is both an underground detention system and an underground infiltration system beneath the parking areas.

The commissioners asked questions relating to the amount of impervious coverage, lighting and landscaping, and KidsPeace’s intentions for the older buildings on the property, number of buses and employee vehicles entering and leaving the property.

Commissioner Unger inquired whether there were regulations with respect to occupants that are violent offenders or if this would not be considered a secure detention facility.

Mr. Paul Tews, a representative of KidsPeace, explained that clients are admitted for mental health problems and not for incarceration.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution for the KidsPeace Preliminary Land Development Plan.

Consideration of a resolution to approve the salary increase of the Township Manager.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution to approve the salary increase of the Township Manager.

MOTIONS
Consideration of a request by Mr. Tim Siegfried to waive the building permit fees for a proposed Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Khalife noted that Mr. Siegfried provided a written summary of the Eagle Scout project which entails the construction of a handicapped ramp at Waldheim Park. He explained that Mr. Siegfried is requesting the Township waive the building permit fee.

On motion of Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Cusick, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to waive the building permit fees for the construction of a handicapped ramp at Waldheim Park.

Consideration of a motion to authorize the execution of a Partial Release, Discharge and Termination of Right-Of-Way as requested by Lehigh Valley Hospital.

Attorney Ashley and Mr. Tettemer explained that ownership of the right-of-way would be transferred to PennDOT. The right-of-way area currently exists but is not being used by the Township.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the execution of a Partial Release, Discharge and Termination of Right-of-Way to PennDOT.

Consideration of a motion to renew the polling place agreement for the Municipal Building.

Mr. Khalife asked the Board to decide whether to waive the nominal $50 fee from the County. There was a discussion on whether or not to allow election signs on the Township’s property.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to renew the polling place agreement for the Municipal Building, including waiving the $50 fee and to not allow political signs to be placed on the property.

Consideration of a motion to adopt the revised administrative policies.

Mr. Khalife explained that the policy revisions include parameters for conducting the meetings and providing allotted time for public comments.

Commissioner Unger noted that the meetings would be conducted the same although if there was a large meeting with a large attendance, then by allotting time will allow more audience members to be heard.

On motion of Commissioner Martucci, seconded by Commissioner Cusick, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the revised administrative policies, as presented.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:
Consideration of a motion to authorize payment for the Township backup generators for the Municipal and Police Buildings in the amount of $13, 917.30.

Mr. Tettemer explained that this is the final payment since the work has been completed.

On motion of Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Cusick, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize payment for the Township backup generators for the Municipal and Police Buildings in the amount of $13, 917.30.

Appointment – Planning Commission (4 year term)

Commissioner Unger nominated Mr. Charles Beck to be reappointed to the Planning Commission. On motion of Commissioner Unger, seconded by Commissioner Cusick, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to reappoint Mr. Charles Beck to the Planning Commission.

PUBLIC COMMENT
No comments were presented.

OTHER BUSINESS
Chief Stiles updated the Board on the civil service process for placing candidates on the eligibility list for police officer positions.

Commissioner Unger suggested scheduling discussions at an upcoming workshop on the Board member wish lists. He suggested beginning the volunteer nomination process.

There was a brief discussion on the volunteer nomination process. Commissioner Unger noted that nominations are not limited to any particular group.

Chief Stiles highlighted Police Department activity regarding the 2007 Police Department Annual Report, a recent joint program with Allentown Police held at Lehigh Valley Hospital regarding gangs, and recognition of 50 years of Salisbury Police Department service.

[The meeting was recessed for an Executive Session on land purchase matters. After the meeting was reconvened, the meeting was adjourned without further action.]

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