TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING – 7:30 PM
July 24, 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
Norma Cusick
Mary Yoder

Staff attending:
Cathy Bonaskiewich, Acting Township Manager, 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 Brown called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

NOTIFICATION
Mrs. Bonaskiewich 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 Yoder, the Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 to authorize payment of the bills. Commissioner Unger was not present for vote.

MINUTES
July 10, 2008

Commissioner Brown declared the July 10, 2008 Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes approved as submitted.

ORDINANCES
None.

RESOLUTIONS
None.

MOTIONS
[Commissioner Unger arrived.]

Consideration of motion to accept the time extension for the Glenda Pini Minor Subdivision Plan to November 30, 2008.

Mr. Best explained that the developer had applied for a zoning variance which was denied. He commented that the developer needs time to make changes and submit a new plan.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Yoder, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the time extension for the Glenda Pini Minor Subdivision Plan to November 30, 2008.

Consideration of a request by the Allentown Dog Training Club to conduct dog training classes at Franko Park starting August 5, 2008.

It was briefly discussed that the dog training club has conducted classes over the past three years at Franko Park and there have been no issues or problems.

Attorney Ashley recommended that the Township be provided with proof of the club’s insurance.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the request by the Allentown Dog Training Club to conduct dog training classes at Franko Park starting August 5, 2008.

ADDITIONAL ITEM
Consideration of a request from Paragon Transit to reserve a park pavilion and erect tent at Franko Park.

Commissioner Cusick inquired about the Township’s liability with respect to different groups requesting to conduct events at the Township’s parks.

Attorney Ashley briefly explained that liability may occur if there is a defective condition of the real estate. He cited that the law provides immunity for municipalities with a number of exceptions.

There was a brief discussion on instances where the Township may require the requester to provide insurance.

Commissioner Unger noted that the people erecting the tent should be insured.

Chief Stiles explained that the Township has allowed various individuals to reserve the pavilions or the gazebo while allowing the rest of the park to be used by the public.

He noted that large groups have been discouraged from reserving Franko Park because there is only one portalet at the site. He suggested having the group bring an additional portalet.

Attorney Ashley recommend that the motion include a condition that the organization make arrangements for an additional bathroom facility and supply the Township with a certificate of insurance from the company setting up the tent along with the contract for the tent indicating its removal.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Brown, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to conditionally approve the request of Paragon Transit to reserve a park pavilion and erect a tent at Franko Park, subject to the organization making arrangements for an additional bathroom facility and supplying the Township with a certificate of insurance from the company setting up the tent along with the contract indicating the arrangements for the tent’s removal.

PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment was presented.

OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioner Cusick inquired whether the Township has a spreadsheet report listing the various dates and stages of plans and permits and the expiration dates of the approval process.

Mr. Best noted that there is not a spreadsheet for plans, but there is a report generated for permits.

Chief Stiles updated the Board members of various police department activities.

He noted that the mobile incident command vehicle was finished having the improvements made and will be on display at the Municipal Building. He noted that a new crime tip line for anonymous tips will be implemented thanks to funding and hosting by Lehigh Valley Hospital Security.

Commissioner Cusick inquired about the Community Police Academy that Lehigh County is conducting. Chief Stiles noted that he was not involved in the process.

Mr. Best informed the Board members that the Southbury Park had received their NPDES permit and construction has begun. He noted that the two recently hired part-time clerical staff have begun training.

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