TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING – 7:30 PM
March 27, 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:
Carl Best, Director of Planning & Zoning
Cathy Bonaskiewich, Finance Director
John Andreas, Director of Public Works
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. Best 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.

FINANCIAL REPORT AND PAYMENT OF THE BILLS
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
March 13, 2008
Commissioner Unger noted that Page 2, Paragraph 6, should be clarified to reflect that he did not want the grants to prohibit some need the Township may have in the future such as a community center, if the Township did obtain the land.”

Commissioner Unger declared the March 13, 2008 Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes approved with the above-noted changes.

ORDINANCES
None.

PROCLAMATION
To designate the month of April 2008 as Volunteer Month.

Commissioner Cusick expressed that she is proud of the volunteers and the volunteerism within the community.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the proclamation to designate the month of April 2008 as Volunteer Month.

RESOLUTIONS
Consideration of the resolutions recognizing volunteer nominees.

Mr. Best read the names of the volunteer nominees which include: Randy Moyer, Keith Cunningham, Peter Johnson, William DiGiacomo, Joseph Harakal, Cindy Bubenko, Leroy Hopper, Daniel Moyer, and Charles Beck.

Several Board members expressed their congratulations and thanks.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioners Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolutions recognizing the volunteer nominees.

Consideration of the KidsPeace Final Land Development Plan.

Present were Andrew Bohl of Hanover Engineering, and Paul Tews, representative of KidsPeace.

Mr. Bohl explained that they are seeking approval for the Final Land Development and Lot Consolidation Plans for the proposed expansion of the facilities at the Broadway Campus. He noted that the final plans are exactly the same as the preliminary plans with some minor engineering revisions that were either typographical or clarification issues. He stated that they are essentially the same as the plans that were previously approved by the Township.

Mr. Tettemer concurred that the changes were minor, housekeeping items. He cited some of his review comments related to the remaining outside agency approvals that need to be addressed.

Mr. Bohl noted that a cost estimate and best management O & M Agreement were submitted to the Township.

Mr. Tettemer explained that the agreement guarantees that the Township has the authority and the right to go onto the property if they so require in order to observe a best management practice item to make sure they are functioning properly. If not, the applicant or the owner would be notified and there are steps that could be taken a developer does not follow through with the maintenance of those items.

Mr. Bohl stated that they have received an administrative completion letter from LCCD and a PennDOT highway occupancy permit that is still under review. He noted that they are working closely with PennDOT to ensure that the plans are to their satisfaction prior to construction.

Commissioner Cusick inquired whether residents had expressed any concerns related to the project and if those concerns had been addressed.

Mr. Tews recalled one resident had expressed concern with stormwater runoff. Mr. Bohl noted that the issues were addressed in the stormwater management plan which were reviewed and accepted by the Township Engineer, LVPC, and PennDOT.

Mr. Best noted that over 100 notices were sent to residents in the area and there were nominal comments.

Mr. Tettemer noted that KidsPeace is providing detention and infiltration on the site to handle stormwater runoff.

Chief Stiles inquired if PennDOT is looking to upgrade the pedestrian crossing lights on Broadway.

Mr. Bohl commented that they are going to relocate the existing lights, but not upgrade them.

Chief Stiles noted that the lights recently failed and the LED lights would be brighter and last longer.

Mr. Bohl and Mr. Tews commented that they would bring the concerns regarding the pedestrian crossing signals to PennDOT’s attention.

Commissioner Unger noted that the Township could also send a letter to PennDOT about the Township’s concerns on the signals.

Mr. Vendel Mukics of 706 Mortimer Street expressed his concern regarding a number of streets off of Broadway where the traffic is heavy and vehicles have difficulty attempting to enter Broadway. He suggested having blinking lights and a warning sign in the vicinity of the school.

Chief Stiles noted that Broadway is a PennDOT road and they would have the authority to determine whether to make any improvements.

Mr. Tettemer noted that KidsPeace does not propose to increase traffic and PennDOT has regulations for the clear sight distances that KidsPeace has to meet.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to conditionally approve the KidsPeace Final Land Development Plan.

MOTIONS
Consideration of a motion to approve the Allentown Dog Training Club request to conduct dog training classes at Franko Park beginning April 17, 2008.

Chief Stiles noted that there have not been any problems reported about the dog training classes and the club also supports the Township’s K-9 Unit which they are not required to do.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Allentown Dog Training Club request to conduct dog training classes at Franko Park beginning April 17, 2008.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Jane Benning inquired about a meeting that several members of the Board attended with the School Board members regarding the purchase of the School District Land.

Attorney Ashley explained that he, the Township Manager, and two Commissioners met with two School Board members and their attorney. He noted that the School Board members want to review all of their options and had not discussed the matter with the full Board yet. They expect by the end of April to have a full Board discussion.

Ms. Benning requested a response letter to questions she had relating to the Uhl Subdivision. She inquired about the status of the Township’s grant applications for funding to purchase the school district land.

OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioner Martucci noted that he was contacted by a resident, Mr. Cannon, who reported observing the trash hauler mixing recycling in a trash truck.

Mr. Kelly Cannon of 1705 New York Avenue commented that the trucks should be clearly labeled “trash” or “recycling”.

Commissioner Martucci commented that he received a call from Bob Ripper at 826 Liable regarding a stormwater runoff issue. He noted that also there was a sign at Hausman and Emmaus Avenue that was knocked down years ago that needs to be replaced. He requested the status of a matter he reported previously regarding trees at the corner of Brooke and Lehigh Avenue.

Mr. Best stated that Mr. Khalife and Mr. Nicolo had gone to the property. He’ll have Mr. Khalife provide information on the visit.

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