TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING – 7:30 PM
February 14, 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 electronically recorded for the purpose of taking the Minutes. All public comments on agenda items would 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
January 31, 2008
Commissioner Unger declared the January 31, 2008 Board of Commissioners Reorganization Meeting Minutes approved as submitted.

ORDINANCES
None.

RESOLUTIONS
Consideration of a resolution to support Senate Bill 777, amending the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Law.

Mr. Khalife noted that the proposed amendments would benefit the Township in that it would allow the Township the flexibility of determining the manner in which it goes after claims.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution to support Senate Bill 777, amending the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Law.

MOTIONS
Consideration of a contribution request from Cedarbrook Sportsmen for stocking trout in the Laubach Park pond. ($150)

Mr. Khalife explained that $150 has been donated annually by the Township in the past to the Cedarbrook Sportsmen to stock the pond at Laubach Park.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to contribute $150 to Cedarbrook Sportsmen for stocking trout in the Laubach Park pond.

Consideration of a motion to renew the Animal Control Services Agreement for 2008 with Lehigh County Humane Society ($4,070).

Mr. Khalife noted that the Lehigh County Humane Society has performed well.

Chief Stiles explained that the Humane Society’s facility is close to the Township, it assists in taking strays off the street, treats them in a humane manner, and attempts to return strays to their owners. He noted that there is a fee for their services which is needed.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to renew the Animal Control Services Agreement for 2008 with Lehigh County Humane Society in the amount of $4,070.

PUBLIC COMMENT
No comments were presented.

OTHER BUSINESS
Chief Stiles explained that there are revolvers in the arms room that were once carried by patrol officers in the late 80’s and early 90’s that were taken out of service when semi-automatic handguns were purchased for the department. He suggested trading in the revolvers in order to reduce the price for purchasing additional semi-automatic handguns.

There was a brief discussion on the anticipated value for the revolvers and the cost to purchase semi-automatic pistols. Chief Stiles explained that the dealer would then sell the revolvers to the public at a gun store.

The consensus of the Board was to prepare a resolution for vote at an upcoming meeting.

Commissioner Cusick inquired about the recent winter storm event.

Mr. Andreas updated the Board on measures that the Public Works Department had taken to assist in the storm event.

Chief Stiles noted that there were several accidents including a police vehicle that was damaged during the storm.

Commissioner Unger suggested reviewing and possibly updating Township ordinances.

Mr. Tettemer noted that the Planning Commission is in the process of reviewing the SALDO ordinances to bring them up to conformance with the latest DEP requirements.

Commissioner Unger inquired whether residents had been notified of the curbing installation requirement for the Gilmore Street project.

Mr. Andreas explained that he spoke with a majority of the residents that their costs would be established as curbing is installed and payment plans will be made available.

Commissioner Cusick inquired about the Dauphin Street waterline installation project.

Mr. Andreas explained that the project ties in Emmaus Avenue to Montgomery Street which will allow the high side of the system to loop to the low side.

With respect to the South Filbert Street Storm Sewer Improvement Project, Mr. Andreas explained that the project will address historic icing conditions that exist because of ground water and bleeding of the mountain. He stated that the storm sewer would be extended from Emmaus Avenue south to a dead end and also reconstruct a waterline along South Filbert Street.

ADJOURNMENT
As no other business was presented, the meeting was adjourned. The Board of Commissioners went into Executive Session to discuss land purchasing matters with respect to the School District land.