The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Supervisors, Hanover Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania was called to order by Chairman John N. Diacogiannis at the Hanover Township Municipal Building, 3630 Jacksonville Road, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18017 at 7:30 P.M.

 

            Present were Supervisors Colon, Salvesen, Nagle and Walbert, Engineer Birdsall, Attorney Wendy Nicolosi for Solicitor Broughal, Manager Finnigan and Public Works Director Healy.

 

            The Pledge of Allegiance was performed.

 

            Upon motion of Mr. Salvesen, seconded by Mr. Nagle, the Board approved the Agenda with additions.

Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.

 

            Upon motion of Mr. Nagle, seconded by Mr. Salvesen, the Board approved the minutes, as written, from the meeting of the Board of Supervisors dated March 27, 2007.

Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.

 

            Upon motion of Mr. Salvesen, seconded by Mr. Nagle, the Board approved the List of Bills and Transfers dated April 10, 2007 as prepared by the Secretary/Treasurer and to enter the signed List of Bills by the Secretary/Treasurer and the Board of Supervisors as an attachment to the minutes.

Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR

            It was noted that no one wished to offer any comment.

 

REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN

            Mr. Diacogiannis had nothing to report.

 

REPORT OF THE VICE-CHAIRMAN

            Mr. Walbert had nothing to report.

 

SUPERVISOR’S COMMENTS

            Mr. Nagle reported that the Westgate area has new water as of today; and in reference to the fire next door to him, the woman injured is in an induced coma but hopefully will be fine.

            Mr. Birdsall asked if the wells are going to be shut-off and disconnected or are they going to be used as a back-up in the Westgate area.

            Mr. Nagle stated he did not know that information.

            Mr. Birdsall stated it would be helpful to know if they intend to leave those in place and he will try to look into it further.

 

PLANNING & ZONING

            Mr. Walbert stated there are two zoning variances; one is for 272 Brodhead Road in regards to a sign and the height of the letters and the other is to erect a front porch at 38 Lynnwood Drive.

Mr. Walbert moved, in regards to the sign variance for 272 Brodhead, to direct the Township Engineer and Township Solicitor to attend the Zoning Hearing Board meeting for the petition.

Mr. Colon seconded the motion.

Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.

 

            Mr. Walbert stated that in regards to the petition to erect a front porch at 38 Lynnwood Drive; the front porch does not meet the setback requirements and the applicant pointed out that neighbors have been granted similar requests, so in fairness to the applicant, we let the Zoning Hearing Board address the matter.

 

PUBLIC WORKS

            In regard to the intersection improvements at Stoke Park Road and Southland drive, Mr. Finnigan stated that there will be a small improvement to allow for a dedicated right turn lane and a dedicated left turn lane.          

It was noted the bid opening was held on April 2, 2007 at the Township municipal building. Two bids were opened; one from Telco, Inc. in Reading for $7,342.00 and the other from Lenni Electric Corp. from West Chester for $11,144. The bids were tabled for review.

Mr. Salvesen moved that the Board approve the Contract for the traffic signal at Stoke Park Road and Southland Drive to Telco, Inc., 1224 Cross Keys Road, Reading, PA 19605 for the total amount of $7,342.00 and that the Secretary notify Telco, Inc. of their awarded contract and to notify the next highest bidder of the Board’s action.

Mr. Colon seconded the motion.

Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.

 

ADMINISTRATION

            Mr. Nagle moved that the Board approve to adopt Policy 55, Capitalization, as revised and presented to the Board tonight.

 

Policy 55

Capitalization

 

In accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Hanover Township has established a capitalization threshold equal to or greater than $10,000 with a useful life of 5 or more years to be depreciated on a straight line basis using the one-half (1/2) year convention.

           

            Mr. Colon seconded the motion.

Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.

 

 

            A discussion was held on the Lehigh Valley Greenways Plan.

            Mr. Finnigan asked that the Board submit comments, if any, by April 24, 2007 so we can reply.

            Mr. Birdsall discussed where greenways are located, how they affect us; etc., Mr. Birdsall stated Hanover Township has been ahead of the game where this is concerned and that his office has no additional comments and are fine with the plan.

            Mr. Diacogiannis directed the Township Manager to send a letter stating that the Plan is fine.

 

            A discussion was held on the Release of Escrow Funds Policy Amendment, and the current procedures and our deadline.

            This policy will be adopted at the April 24, 2007 Board meeting.

 

             A discussion was held on the Record or Preliminary/Record Plan Approval Policy Amendment.

            This policy will be adopted at the April 24, 2007 Board meeting.

 

            Mr. Nagle moved that the Board approve the following Ordinance, which amends Ordinance No. 98-2, the Stormwater Management Ordinance and that the Chairman and Secretary be authorized to sign the Ordinance.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 2007-07

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE OF HANOVER TOWNSHIP, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY TO INCLUDE THE PROVISIONS OF ACT 167 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN WATER QUALITY UPDATE AS ADOPTED BY NORTHAMPTON COUNTY AND APPROVED BY THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

 

            Mr. Walbert seconded the motion.

            Attorney Nicolosi stated that there are two spelling errors in the ordinance and they will be corrected and a new copy forwarded to the Township Secretary.

Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.

 

DEVELOPMENTS

            Mr. Colon moved that the Board grant an extension to the Owner/Developer of Allentown Hotels, LLC (Holiday Inn Express) to June 15, 2007; and to notify the Owner/Developer of the Board’s action relative to this matter.

            Mr. Salvesen seconded the motion.

Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.

 

            It was noted for the record that the developer of Northgate II Lot 3/Airport Commons has granted the Board an extension of 90 days to July 15, 2007.

 

            It was noted for the record that the Developer of Northgate I/Liberty Square, Inc. has granted the Board an extension of 60 days to June 15, 2007.

 

 

 

            Mr. Colon moved that the Board grant an extension to the Owner/Developer of LVCC II Phases I, II, III and IV to July 31, 2008; and to notify the Owner/Developer of the Board’s action relative to this matter.

            Mr. Salvesen seconded the motion.

Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.

 

            Mr. Colon reported that Liberty Property Trust came to the Planning Commission meeting with plans for a 481 foot long building, which would require an 80 foot variance. The Planners all said they should stick to the ordinance and Chairman Tanczos directed them to come to the Board.

            Mr. Kuehne was present and clarified what the plans were for and what was presented at the Planning Commission meeting.

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR

            It was noted that no one wished to offer any comment.

 

ROAD REPORTS

            Mr. Walbert – Road District #1, Mr. Salvesen – Road District #2, Mr. Diacogiannis – Road District #3, Mr. Colon – Road District #4, Mr. Nagle – Road District #5 & #6 had nothing to report.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

            Attorney Nicolosi had nothing to report.

 

ENGINEER’S REPORT

            Mr. Birdsall updated the Board on the pump for the HCC II project on Hanoverville Road.

            Mr. Birdsall also updated the Board on the Jaindl construction.

 

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT

            Mr. Healy had nothing to report.

 

TOWNSHIP MANAGER’S REPORT

            Mr. Finnigan reported on the following:

·        Distributed Library Report

·        Received a letter from DEP on the Act 101 Recycling Program Performance Grant that also states the recycling performance requirements. Need the Solicitor to revise our Ordinance to be compliant with Act 101.

Mr. Diacogiannis directed the Township Solicitor to revise the recycling ordinance to be compliant with Act 101 standards.

·        Updated the Board on the Public Works Road Crew interview process

·        Advised the Board that the Fire Company used the 248 Brodhead building for drills last night.

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Diacogiannis closed the regular meeting and opened the Executive Session at 8:05 P.M.

Mr. Diacogiannis closed the Executive Session and re-opened the regular meeting at 9:13 P.M.

 

Mr. Salvesen moved to authorize the Township Manager to inform the architect to prepare the bid documents for the 248 Brodhead Road Building renovations.

Mr. Colon seconded the motion.

Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.

 

            Mr. Diacogiannis directed the Township Manager to send a letter in response to Attorney Asteak’s letter, Lawyer for Lower Nazareth Township, regarding the 248 Brodhead Road Building and the Colonial Regional Police.

 

            Upon motion of Mr. Colon, seconded by Mr. Nagle, the Board approved adjournment at 9:14 P.M.

Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                            Stacy C. Milo

                                                                                                            Secretary/Treasurer