The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Supervisors, Hanover Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania was called to order by Chairman John J. Finnigan, Jr., at the Hanover Township Community Center, 3660 Jacksonville Road, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18017 at 7:30 P.M.

 

            Present were Supervisors Colon, Walbert and Salvesen, Engineer Birdsall, Solicitor Broughal, Manager Sterner, and Public Works Director Kevin Healy.

 

            The Pledge of Allegiance was performed.

 

            Upon motion of Mr. Walbert, seconded by Mr. Salvesen, the Board unanimously approved the Agenda.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes.

 

            Upon motion of Mr. Walbert, seconded by Mr. Salvesen, the Board approved the minutes, as written, from the meeting of the Board of Supervisors dated March 22, 2005.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes.

 

            Upon motion of Mr. Colon, seconded by Mr. Salvesen, the Board unanimously approved the List of Bills and Transfers dated April 12, 2005 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. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes.

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR

            Mr. Al Young was present to congratulate Mr. Finnigan on becoming the new Township Manager and he thinks he is a great candidate; however he thinks the process in which the Board appointed Mr. Finnigan should have been more involved. There was no nationwide search, no advertisement, and only a committee of two handling the replacement of the manager. There should have been more people involved in the process.

 

REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN

            Mr. Finnigan had nothing to report.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

            Mr. Finnigan moved that the Board approve to accept the resignation of Karen Fritz from the Planning Commission, effectively immediately and to notify the Planning Commission and Ms. Fritz of the Board’s action. Also to send Mr. Fritz a letter thanking her for her years of service.

            Mr. Colon seconded the motion.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes.

 

 

 

            Mr. Finnigan moved that the Board approve to appoint Susan Lawless, Esquire to the Hanover Township Planning Commission replacing Karen Fritz. Ms. Lawless’s term to expire January 1, 2006; and to notify the Planning Commission and Ms. Lawless of the appointment.

            Mr. Colon seconded the motion.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes.

 

PLANNING & ZONING

            Mr. Walbert moved that the Board approve to set the date for the Conditional Use Hearing for YMCA Adult Day Care for Tuesday May 24, 2005.

            Mr. Salvesen seconded the motion.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes.

 

            A discussion was held on the Shaker Hills Hospitality zoning variance.

            Mr. Finnigan directed Mr. Birdsall and Mr. Broughal to attend the Zoning Hearing Board meeting.

 

            A discussion was held concerning the parking variance for 3910 Adler Place.

            Mr. Finnigan directed Mr. Birdsall and Mr. Broughal to attend the Zoning Hearing Board meeting.

 

            A discussion was held on the letter received from Lehigh Valley Planning Commission regarding the Lehigh Valley Greenway Plan. Mr. Sterner will ask for additional information from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

 

ADMINISTRATION

            A discussion was held concerning the letter received from the Fire Company regarding the storage building and the possibility of the Fire Company purchasing the building from the Township.

            The Board authorized that a letter be sent to the Fire Company stating that the Board has directed the Township Manager and Public Works Director to obtain alternatives for storage at the Municipal Complex and that the building used by the Township at the Fire Company could be given back to the Fire Company.

 

            Mr. Finnigan moved that the Board approve the updated job descriptions for the Community Center employees.

            Mr. Salvesen seconded the motion.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes.

 

            Mr. Finnigan discussed the changes since we approved the employee handbook.

            Mr. Finnigan moved that the Board approve the modification to the continuation of health benefits in the updated employee handbook under FMLA.

            Mr. Salvesen seconded the motion.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes.

 

           

 

            Mr. Finnigan moved to modify the Paid Holiday Section to include “if a non-exempt employee is required to work on a listed holiday then the non-exempt employee will be paid for the hours worked at 1 and ½ times the employees’ standard hourly rate, in addition to the holiday pay”.

            Mr. Salvesen seconded the motion.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes.

 

DEVELOPMENTS

            Mr. Colon moved that the Board approve to grant Nicrown Corporation an extension in regards to the Improvement Plans for the property located at 4140 Airport Road to 8/31/05.

            Mr. Walbert seconded the motion.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes.

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR

            Mrs. Joan Rosenthal commented on what was said by Mr. Young earlier in the meeting. Mrs. Rosenthal stated that Mr. Young does not know Mr. Finnigan’s background and that Mr. Finnigan attended meetings before he was ever on the Board. Mrs. Rosenthal stated that Mr. Finnigan is the best person for the position and will do an excellent job.

           

            Amey Yankanich from 1524 Colgate Drive was present to discuss a recommendation made by the Planning Commission back in October of 2004 for sidewalks on the west side of Jacksonville Road north of Crawford Drive. There definitely should be sidewalks put in there. There needs to be safe access to the school and the Township Community Center. Mrs. Yankanich asked that the Board highly consider the planning Commission’s recommendation.

            Mr. Finnigan stated that some of the homeowner’s properties do not allow enough room for sidewalks to be installed. The Township does not install sidewalks; it would be the homeowner’s responsibility. In the new developments, the Developers are responsible for the sidewalk. Eventually a traffic light will be installed at Jacksonville and Crawford to make the intersection safer to cross.

 

TOWNSHIP MANAGER’S REPORT

            Mr. Sterner discussed the Crown Victoria that he used to drive. We still have the vehicle and the CRP would like to get the vehicle. Mr. Sterner recommended that the Board agree to give the vehicle to the Colonial Regional Police. The Board agreed.

            Mr. Sterner discussed the turn back program from the State regarding Hanoverville Road. Had a meeting with PennDot and they are willing to bring the road up to Township standards before accepting the road back from the state. Hanover Engineering will come up with a cost factor and get back to PennDot.

            Mr. Sterner discussed a meeting he had with Jaindl Land Development concerning road improvements for Township Line Road and Hanoverville Road. The plans as they stand right now will probably entail some closing of those roadways. The plans have not been finalized but at this point we’ll be closing Township Line Road and at some point maybe Hanoverville Road. We asked that they come up with a detour plan. They did have one but it is very sketchy and we asked that they go back and review it.

 

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT

            Mr. Healy had nothing to report.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

            Mr. Broughal had nothing to report.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

            Mr. Birdsall had nothing to report.

 

ROAD REPORTS

            Mr. Walbert – Road District #1 questioned the curbing on Jacksonville in Hanover Ridge. It was stated the curbing will continue to the S.R. 22 overpass. Lehigh Valley Corporate Center has been notified to complete the work, since the remaining area is their responsibility. Mr. Walbert discussed proposed funding for CRP.

            Mr. Salvesen – Road District #2, Mr. Colon – Road District #4 and Mr. Finnigan- Road District #5 & 6 had nothing to report.

 

            Upon motion of Mr. Finnigan, seconded by Mr. Salvesen, the Board approved adjournment at 8:17 P.M.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes.

 

 

 

                                                                                    Linda J. Sterner

                                                                                    Secretary/Treasurer