TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING – 7:30 PM
March 13, 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
Cathy Bonaskiewich, Finance Director
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
Mrs. Bonaskiewich noted an additional bill for an emergency tree removal. On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize payment of the bills.

MINUTES
February 28, 2008
Commissioner Unger declared the February 28, 2008 Board of Commissioners Reorganization Meeting Minutes approved as submitted.

PUBLIC HEARING
Public comments regarding DCNR grant application for purchasing the School District property at 1108 East Emmaus Avenue. Also, the Lehigh County Growing Greener fund grant application.

Mr. Mike Briody of 742 E. Paoli Street inquired about taxpayers having to pay for the School District parcel twice and suggested that the land just be given to the Township.

John Eberhard of 1400 Constitution Drive inquired about the proposed use of the land. He asked for assurances that years down the road, the land will not be sold to a developer and built upon.

Mr. Khalife noted that there would be restrictions for the use of the land if the Township is successful in obtaining grant funds from DCNR and Lehigh County. He noted that the Township is looking to have the land used for public purposes and recreational; not for commercial or residential uses.

Commissioner Unger commented that he did not want the grants to prohibit the use of the buildable area along Emmaus Avenue where public water and sewer utilities are available. He noted that he did not want to see buildings in the wetlands or steep slope areas. He commented that he would like the Township to be able to utilize the land for public purposes and for recreational uses such as a community center or fields.

Mr. Obie Freitag of 1260 East Emmaus Avenue urged the Board to proceed with the acquisition of the School District tract and to preserve the land for open space and recreation.

Mr. Jeffrey Gehris of 780 East Paoli Street commented that he is agreeable to the grants so long as later on a developer does not come in and chop up the land.

Louise Blazusiak of 1820 Maumee Avenue encouraged the Board to pursue purchasing the land. She suggested providing education of the environmental resources to the area youth.

Betty Ross of 1825 Tweed Avenue commented that although she is agreeable to the Township pursuing the purchase of the land, she does not understand using the taxpayers’ dollars twice. She expressed that the Township should not have to pay top dollar for the land.

Commissioner Martucci commented that since the real estate market is down presently, now would be a good time to purchase; particularly if there are no other offers on the table.

Mr. Kelly Cannon of 1705 New York Avenue commended the Township in their efforts to purchase the land.

Richard Hassick of 1815 Black River Road expressed his comments regarding the cost for the purchase of the land and the effects on taxes.

RESOLUTIONS
Consideration of a resolution to authorize the execution of a DCNR grant application and grant agreement for funding the purchase of the School District property at 1108 East Emmaus Avenue.

Commissioner Martucci expressed that he would like to see the tract remain as passive recreation and open space.

Several members of the Board expressed their agreement to proceed with the grant application for funds to purchase the School District tract. Commissioner Yoder commented that as a fiscal conservative, she does not agree with purchasing the land and spending more tax dollars on a project such as this.

Mr. Zellwig Benner made a comment about how General Trexler purchased land for parks years ago.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the resolution to authorize the execution of a DCNR grant application and grant agreement for funding the purchase of the School District property at 1108 East Emmaus Avenue. Commissioner Yoder voted no.

ORDINANCES
None.

MOTIONS
Consideration of a motion to authorize the execution of a Lehigh County Growing Greener Fund grant application and grant agreement for funding the purchase of the School District property at 1108 East Emmaus Avenue.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted 4-1. Commissioner Yoder voted no.

Consideration of a motion to authorize the execution of a $5,000 grant agreement for the police utility vehicle upgrade.

Mr. Khalife noted that the $5,000 grant would be used to retrofit the utility vehicle that was recently purchased from Eastern Salisbury Fire Department.

Chief Stiles noted that the Township received a total of $10,000 in grant funds towards the vehicle.

Several members of the Board commended Chief Stiles on his grant writing efforts.

Commissioner Unger noted that the School District had written a thank you letter to the Police Department for the protection provided on February 29th regarding “229”.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the execution of a $5,000 grant agreement for the police utility vehicle upgrade.

Consideration of a motion to authorize an escrow release for the Yeker Farms Subdivision in the amount of $89,720.39.

Mr. Tettemer explained that the release would be for the completion of the installation of the underground detention basin and stabilization of the area. He noted that the work was inspected and was found to be satisfactory. He noted that after the release there would be approximately $118,000 in security remaining.

Commissioner Cusick inquired about stormwater runoff problems on Dauphin Street due to grass at the top of the inlets when the water comes across Emmaus Avenue.

Mr. Tettemer explained that there is a silt sack in the inlet to help capture debris.

He noted that the developers will be informed to keep the inlets clear.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize an escrow release for the Yeker Farms Subdivision in the amount of $89,720.39.

Consideration of a motion to renew the website maintenance agreement with Kessler Freedman.

Mr. Khalife explained that Kessler Freedman had originally created the website and provides updates and maintenance.

Commissioner Cusick inquired about whether the web designer has provided ideas for possible changes to the site to make it more interactive.

Mr. Eberhard inquired about the length of time it takes for the minutes to be put on the website. He also inquired about minutes from a recent workshop meeting.

On motion of Mrs. Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to renew the website maintenance agreement with Kessler Freedman.

Consideration of a motion to appoint a Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator.

Mr. Khalife noted that Mr. Dennis Takacs, Jr. was recommended by Mr. Charles Zeppenfeld, the Township Emergency Management Coordinator.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Dennis Takacs, Jr. as a Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator.

Consideration of a street tree removal request for 983 Flexer Avenue.

Mr. Best explained that he visited the property and although there was some slight heaving of the sidewalks, the trees appeared healthy and he would not recommend that they be removed.

Commissioner Cusick made a motion to deny the street tree removal request for 983 Flexer Avenue. Commissioner Martucci seconded the motion and the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to deny the street tree removal request for 983 Flexer Avenue.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Albert Laurilliard inquired about the Township repaving his street. The Public Works department will be contacted to find out the schedule for the road paving.

OTHER BUSINESS
Mrs. Cusick siggested that the Wildlands Conservancy be contacted for their assistance with grant writing for funding for the School District purchase.

The consensus of the Board was to have Mr. Khalife contact Wildlands Conservancy for their assistance with grant writing.

Mrs. Cusick suggested moving forward with formal discussions with the School District and the possible submittal of a written offer for purchasing the land.

Mr. Khalife noted that a meeting could be arranged with the School Board members and their attorney.

Commissioner Martucci noted that he was informed by a resident about tree damage from a recent storm at the corner of Brook and Lehigh Street. He noted that he also was notified about a street sign that was knocked down in an accident at the intersection Hausman and Emmaus Avenue.

Chief Stiles informed the Board members of several incidents that the police department responded to.

ADDITIONAL ITEM
Commissioner Cusick noted that the Valley Mountain Bikers had written a letter about a cleanup event at Walking Purchase Park.

Commissioner Cusick made a motion to approve the Valley Mountain Bikers and Chain Gang cycling clubs organizing a clean-up event at Walking Purchase Park on April 19, 2008. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Martucci, and the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Valley Mountain Bikers and Chain Gang cycling clubs organizing a clean-up event.

Commissioner Yoder commended Chief Stiles for the police protection provided to St. Thomas More for “229”.

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