TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING – 7:30 PM
May 8, 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
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 Brown, seconded by Commissioner Cusick, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize payment of the bills.

MINUTES
April 10, 2008
Commissioner Unger declared the April 10, 2008 Board of Commissioners Reorganization Meeting Minutes approved as submitted.

April 24, 2008
Commissioner Unger declared the April 24, 2008 Board of Commissioners Reorganization Meeting Minutes approved as submitted.

ORDINANCES
None.

PROCLAMATION
To designate the week of May 12 – 16, 2008 as Salisbury Township Police Department Week and to designate Thursday, May 15, 2008 as Peace Officers Memorial Day.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Proclamation to designate the week of May 12 – 16, 2008 as Salisbury Township Police Department Week and to designate Thursday, May 15, 2008 as Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Mr. Khalife noted that there would be a brief executive session. He noted that there would be an additional executive session held after the agenda on legal matters and police contract and land acquisition matters.

EXECUTIVE SESSION. [The meeting was recessed for an executive session on personnel matters.]

*****Meeting reconvened.

MOTIONS
Consideration of candidates from the certified eligibility list to be appointed to full-time police officer positions.

Mr. Khalife announced that Mr. Scott Walker, Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, was present to provide the Board of Commissioners with the certified eligibility list of candidates as submitted by the Civil Service Commission. He noted that also present was Mr. Archie Hartzell, Vice-Chair of the Civil Service Commission.

Chief Stiles explained that the Police Department presently has two vacancies.

Commissioner Cusick made a motion to nominate Mr. Charles Whitehead to be appointed to a full-time police officer position. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Brown. The nominations were closed.

The Board of Commissioners voted to appoint Mr. Charles Whitehead to a fulltime police officer position Commissioner as follows: Yoder – yes, Cusick– yes, Brown – yes, Martucci – yes, Unger – yes.

Mr. Walker presented an updated eligibility list with the remaining candidates.

Commissioner Cusick made a motion to nominate Mr. Kevin Johnson to be appointed to a full-time police officer position. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Martucci. The nominations were closed.

The Board of Commissioners voted to appoint Mr. Kevin Johnson to a full-time police officer position as follows: Yoder – yes, Cusick– yes, Brown – yes, Martucci – yes, Unger – yes.

Commissioner Unger inquired if the Board wishes to nominate an additional police officer at this time.

Commissioner Brown stated that he would like to nominate an additional police officer once an updated certified eligibility list is available.

Mr. Walker presented an updated eligibility list with the remaining candidates. Commissioner Brown made a motion to nominate Mr. Geoffrey Hebel. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cusick. The nominations were closed.

The Board of Commissioners voted to appoint Mr. Geoffrey Hebel to a full-time police officer position as follows: Yoder – yes, Cusick– yes, Brown – yes, Martucci – yes, Unger – yes.

Mr. Khalife noted that two names remain on the eligibility list should the Board need to select an additional officer in the future.

Consideration of a motion to authorize the execution of a Stipulation of Counsel Order related to the (Singh) Assessment Appeal matter.

Attorney Ashley noted that an agreement had been reached between the property owner and the County on the Singh assessment appeal. He explained that generally, the County’s appraisers negotiate with the property owner’s appraisers until they arrive at a mutually agreeable assessment value. Once it is agreed upon, they come back to the other taxing authorities to sign off on the new assessment value.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the execution of a Stipulation of Counsel Order related to an Assessment Appeal matter.

Additional Item
Consideration of a motion to authorize Payment #1 to Muschlitz Excavating, Inc. for the South Gilmore Street Storm Sewer Installation and Road Construction project in the amount of $97,047.31.

Mr. Tettemer explained that this is the first payment of the South Gilmore Street Storm Sewer Installation and Road Construction Project.

There was a brief discussion about inspections and complaints. Mr. Andreas explained that there was a brief time where crossing Montgomery Street was inconvenienced for a few days.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize Payment #1 to Muschlitz Excavating, Inc. for the South Gilmore Street Storm Installation and Road Construction project in the amount of $97,047.31.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Ken Lightcap of 3029 Saucon Avenue inquired about the lack of trash service on his street. He noted that the road had previously been in disrepair but has since been repaired. He explained they still have not received service on the street since December and there are a number of senior citizens.

Mr. Khalife explained that he had already been in contact with Waste Management about the possibility of having them provide a smaller sized truck to service that portion of Saucon Avenue. He noted that he would contact Waste Management again about getting a small truck for Saucon Avenue.

OTHER BUSINESS
There was a brief discussion regarding the status of the Township’s proposal to purchase the School District land on Emmaus Avenue.

Commissioner Cusick inquired if a response had been received from the School District even though a formal written offer had not been submitted by the Township. She suggested that the Township now submit the offer in writing.

Commissioner Brown commented that it is common knowledge that the Township is interested in purchasing the property and the School District may choose to not respond to the Township’s offer.

Attorney Ashley and Mr. Khalife explained that the School District indicated that it is weighing all of its options and is not interested in acting on the Township’s proposal at this time.

The consensus of the Board was to send a letter to the School District stating that the Township has made a verbal offer and whether the School District is interested in pursuing the matter further.

Commissioner Martucci thanked Mr. Andreas for addressing the graffiti at Laubach Park.

Commissioner Cusick asked where animals trapped by the Animal Control Officer are released. Chief Stiles explained that the animals get released back into the woods.

Attorney Ashley informed the Board of a case recently dismissed.

ADJOURNMENT
As no other business was presented, the meeting was adjourned. The Board of Commissioners went into Executive Session on land matters, legal matters, and police negotiations, followed by Workshop.