TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING – 7:30 PM
December 13, 2007

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
Kent Herman
Robert Martucci, Jr.
Norma Cusick

Staff attending:
Gabriel Khalife, Township Manager
John Andreas, Director of Public Works
Carl Best, Director of Planning & Zoning
Cathy Bonaskiewich, Finance Director
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 being electronically recorded for the purpose of taking the Minutes. All public comments on agenda items will 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
November 29, 2007
Commissioner Unger declared the November 29, 2007 Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes approved as submitted.

ORDINANCES
Consideration of an Ordinance setting and reaffirming the rates of taxation, fixing the tax rate for the year 2008 and appropriating specific sums estimated to be required for the specific purposes of the Township government during the fiscal year.

Mr. Khalife noted that the ordinance includes the property tax rate which the Board has decided to reduce by ¼ mil. He noted that the Local Services Tax was recently approved by the Board in the amount of $52 of which $5.00 will go to the School District.

Mr. Khalife thanked Mrs. Bonaskiewich for organizing and preparing the budget and he thanked the Department Heads and the Board members for their efforts.

Ms. Jane Benning made a suggestion that instead of lowering taxes, the funds be utilized to purchase additional land for open space preservation.

Commissioner Unger noted that the Township made a number of purchases of land for open space over the years.

There was a brief discussion on the purchasing of land for preservation. Commissioner Herman briefly commented that the acquisition of additional open space would necessitate a consensus among the Board members. He noted that it would be also appropriate to consider borrowing money to spread out the cost as opposed to having the full financial impact hit on a particular year.

Mr. Khalife cited some of the land purchases that were made.

Commissioner Unger noted that there were willing sellers in those purchases.

Mrs. Janet Keim of 11 W. Pine Street suggested that by purchasing additional open space on the mountain, the Township would be protecting the watershed and preventing problems for residents that live below.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Ordinance setting and reaffirming the rates of taxation, fixing the tax rate for the year 2008 and appropriating specific sums estimated to be required for the specific purposes of the Township government during the fiscal year.

RESOLUTIONS
None.

MOTIONS
Consideration of a motion to adopt the 2008 Budget.

Mr. Khalife noted that the realty transfer tax has been coming in at a healthy rate even in today’s market.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the 2008 Budget.

Consideration of a motion to set and advertise the Township Board of Commissioner’s meeting and workshop schedule for 2008 (second and fourth Thursdays of each month), Zoning Hearing Board (first Tuesdays of each month) and Planning Commission (second Tuesdays of each month).

Mr. Khalife suggested that in addition to conducting the Reorganization Meeting on January 7th, adjusting the January regular meetings to the 17th and 31st (third and fifth Thursdays) as opposed to the second and fourth Thursdays in January. The meetings would be advertised appropriately.

Commissioner Cusick inquired about the agendas and meeting minutes being placed on the Township website.

Mr. Khalife explained that the agendas are on the website. The only minutes on the website are for the Board of Commissioners and Planning Commission meetings.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to set and advertise the Township Board of Commissioner’s meeting and workshop schedule for 2008 (second and fourth Thursdays of each month), Zoning Hearing Board (first Tuesdays of each month) and Planning Commission (second Tuesdays of each month).

Consideration of Payment #2 (Final) in the amount of $10,099.63 to Mr. Rehab Inc. for the Township Sanitary Sewer Closed Circuit T.V. Inspection Project.

Mr. Tettemer noted that this is the second payment for the I&I video taping of the sanitary sewer lines in four different areas of the Township to determine what improvements would need to be made. He noted that this is the final payment that would finish out the contract.

Mr. Andreas explained that there would be further discussions in workshop regarding the rehabilitation portion of the work that was bid out and would extend into next year.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Herman, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize Payment #2 (Final) in the amount of $10,099.63 to Mr. Rehab Inc. for the Township Sanitary Sewer Closed Circuit T.V. Inspection Project.

Consideration of a motion to issue a $56.65 property tax refund for 1651 Francis Street due to assessment correction.

On motion of Commissioner Cusick, seconded by Commissioner Martucci, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize a $56.65 property tax refund for 1651 Francis Street due to assessment correction.

Additional Item
Consideration of a motion to authorize payment to Fleetwood Industrial in the amount of $54,124.61 for materials for the Flexer Avenue Water Booster Pump Station Upgrade Project.

Mr. Andreas noted that the cost for the materials was budgeted for. He explained that the project consists of increasing the pump size, motors and giving the pump station the ability to meet current and future demands on the system.

On motion of Commissioner Herman, seconded by Commissioner Cusick, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize payment to Fleetwood Industrial in the amount of $54,124.61 for materials for the Flexer Avenue Water Booster Pump Station Upgrade Project.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Jane Benning of 3111 Douglas Road suggested that the Township review its zoning laws and appoint an environmental advisory board for input on environmental issues in the Township.

She expressed concern with developments encroaching on South Mountain and possible environmental impacts. She gave a brief recitation on environmental research she conducted.

There was a brief discussion on whether to look into the possibility of establishing an environmental advisory board.

Mrs. Keim noted that there may be a constitutional law in which the Township would be exempt if it is found that the Township does not have land available or suitable for development.

She informed the Board of a law in which citizens can request that DEP hold a hearing on any discharge into a high quality/special value stream. She inquired about a DEP hearing recently held at Salisbury High School. She suggested that the Township place advertisements on these types of hearings in the newspapers.

There was a discussion about the newspapers reporting Salisbury Township news and ways of advertising information or items of interest for Township residents.

Mr. Best suggested placing links on the website to different government agencies.

OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioner Cusick suggested that the Township send out a Request for Proposals for the upcoming solicitorship and township engineer appointments. She commented that she is not dissatisfied with the status quo, but she would like to have a better understanding the hiring and appointment process.

Commissioner Herman commented that he believes that the current solicitor and engineer are professional and cost effective. He suggested that when selecting professionals, the fairest method should be an open, advertised RFP process. He noted that there are no guidelines for mandatory period re-procurement of professional positions. He suggested waiting to allow the new Board member to have input when looking into the RFP process.

Commissioner Martucci noted that he received a call from Mr. Ted Danyluk regarding an excessive number of telephone poles in his area.

Commissioner Cusick inquired about the supervision during the construction of the Myron Haydt development.

Mr. Best noted that there would be a pre-construction meeting and the Township Engineer’s firm would be present to inspect throughout the process.

Mr. Tettemer noted several organizations that are available if there is a problem with the development.

Commissioner Cusick inquired about having plans available and how to secure the Township files so that documents available for public viewing do not go missing.

Mrs. Bonaskiewich informed the Board of an impending water service termination of a residence.

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