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, Mr. Mike Schmalzer for Engineer Birdsall, Solicitor Broughal, Public Works Director Healy and Manager Finnigan.

 

            The Pledge of Allegiance was performed.

 

            Upon motion of Mr. Salvesen, seconded by Mr. Nagle, the Board approved the Agenda with an addition of an Executive Session for personnel matters.

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

 

            Upon motion of Mr. Nagle, seconded by Mr. Colon, the Board approved the minutes, as written, from the meeting of the Board of Supervisors dated April 10, 2007.

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

 

            Upon motion of Mr. Colon, seconded by Mr. Nagle, the Board approved the List of Bills and Transfers dated April 24, 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 reported that he, along with some other Supervisors and Township Staff attended the PSATS Convention in Hershey and stated it was very well attended.

 

REPORT OF THE VICE-CHAIRMAN

            Mr. Walbert had nothing to report.

 

SUPERVISOR’S COMMENTS

            It was noted that no one had any comments.

 

PLANNING & ZONING

            A discussion was held on the Brake Retarder Ordinance.

            Mr. Walbert moved to authorize the Township Solicitor to advertise for a public meeting on the Brake Retarder Ordinance on May 22, 2007.

            Mr. Colon seconded the motion.

            Mr. Diacogiannis directed the Township Manager to send the proposed ordinance to PennDOT for their review and comment.

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

 

ADMINISTRATION

            Mr. Nagle moved that the Board approve to adopt Policy 25, Release of Escrow Funds, as presented to the Board tonight.

 

Policy 25

Release of Escrow Funds

 

It is the policy of the Board of Supervisors that it will not consider a developers request for the release of funds held in Escrow until the developer’s Plans & Appeals Account is fully paid up to date and the Township Engineer has given his written recommendation after he has made a physical inspection.

 

The Township Secretary will notify any developer requesting such release of this policy and also inform the developer that the request will not be placed on the Board of Supervisors Agenda until the above requirements are performed.

Requests for release of Escrow Funds are due by noon the 2nd proceeding Wednesday of a regularly scheduled Board of Supervisors meeting. 

 

Funds will be released no sooner than once a month.

            Mr. Colon seconded the motion.

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

 

            Mr. Nagle moved that the Board approve to adopt Policy 38, Record or Preliminary/Record Plan Approval, as presented to the Board tonight.

 

Policy 38

Record or Preliminary/Record Plan Approval

 

It is the policy of the Board of Supervisors that any Plans being placed on the agenda of the Board for a vote of Record or Preliminary/Record Plan approval shall be complete in all aspects and must be received by the Township Secretary no later than the 2^nd preceding Wednesday prior to the next regularly scheduled semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

            Mr. Salvesen seconded the motion.

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

 

 

            Mr. Nagle moved that the Board approve the following proclamation honoring Christopher Matthews, Eagle Scout:

HANOVER TOWNSHIP

 NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

 

PROCLAMATION NO. 2007-03

 

A PROCLAMATION HONORING

CHRISTOPHER R. MATTHEWS

ON THE ACHIEVEMENT OF HIS EAGLE AWARD

 

     WHEREAS, Christopher R. Matthews has achieved a significant accomplishment in life’s path earning his Eagle Award as a member of the Boy Scouts of America; and

 

     WHEREAS, Christopher will officially receive his award during an Eagle Presentation Ceremony on April 28, 2007 as a member of Boy Scout Troop 362, East Hills Moravian Church; and

 

     WHEREAS, Christopher organized and planned for the delivery and spreading of seventy-two cubic yards of mulch donated by the Bethlehem Recycling Center along the trails of the Goetz Mine Wild Life Sanctuary in Hanover Township.  Prior to spreading the mulch over roughly one mile of trail, trails were marked, overgrown shrubs and trees were trimmed and removed and the area was sprayed for poison ivy.  The project spanned five days and two hundred and fifty combined man hours; and

 

WHEREAS, Christopher has exemplified the virtues of scouting and has exhibited leadership skills as Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, Quarter Master, Patrol Leader,  Assistant Patrol Leader, Bugler & Den Chief.

 

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT AND IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED, by the Board of Supervisors of Township of Hanover, County of Northampton, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

 

That Christopher R. Matthews is applauded and recognized on the occasion of his Eagle Award and the Board of Supervisors congratulates him for his dedication and devotion in preserving the finest virtues of American life as set forth by Scouting principals.  The Board of Supervisors also proclaim Monday, April 30, 2007 as Christopher R. Matthews Day in Hanover Township.

          Mr. Colon seconded the motion.

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

 

 

DEVELOPMENTS

            Mr. Colon moved that the Board approve, as recommended by the Township Engineer, to grant the Developer of the Dewire Estates 14 Lot R1-S Subdivision the requested release for Escrow Release Number 3 in the amount of $76,137.85 conditioned upon the following:

 

1.                  That the escrow release be held until the right-of-way of Jacksonville Road is re-stabilized and acceptable to the Township;

 

2.                  That the Developer acknowledges that the security provided by Bank of America (Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit Number 68016353) as required by the Subdivision Improvements Agreement, will remain at a minimum of $292,728.60, for the work remaining plus contingencies; and

 

3.                  That the Developer adheres to Township Policy Number 25 (payment of Plans and Appeals Accounts).

Mr. Colon further move 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 Record owner for the lots being consolidated, LNAA, has granted the Board an extension of 60 days to June 29, 2007.

 

            It was noted for the record that the Developer of Northgate II Lot 4 has granted the Board an extension of 6 months to November 6, 2007.

 

            Mr. Finnigan stated, in regard to Bennigan’s, a letter was sent in requesting that in lieu of a Letter of Credit that they supply cash security to the Township for the remaining work on their storm sewer repair.

            Mr. Schmalzer stated that they completed the storm sewer repair, but they have not done the grading and seeding in the right-of-way. Mr. Schmalzer also stated that it is not a lot of work, per say, and if the Township received 1,000 or 2,000 dollars in security, it would be okay.

            Mr. Finnigan stated that the Board could approve to authorize the Township Secretary to notify Bennigan’s that the Township will accept $1,500 cash security or renew the Letter of Credit for $1,500.00 by Noon on April 26, 2007 or the Solicitor is authorized to pull the Letter of Credit for the amount of $1,500.00.

            Mr. Colon moved that the Board approve to authorize the Township Secretary to notify Bennigan’s that the Township will accept $1,500 cash security or renew the Letter of Credit for $1,500.00 by Noon on April 26, 2007 or the Solicitor is authorized to pull the Letter of Credit for the amount of $1,500.00.

            Mr. Salvesen seconded the motion.

            A further discussion was held and the motion was temporarily tabled.

            Mr. Colon moved that the Board approve to authorize the Township Secretary to send a letter to Bennigan’s denying their request for a waiver of security.

            Mr. Nagle seconded the motion.

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

 

            The Board re-opened the original motion that was tabled for a vote.

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

 

            Mr. Colon moved that the Board approve to grant Hanover Ridge, Subdivision Improvement Agreements for Phase I, Phase II and Phase III an extension of ninety (90) days to July 28, 2007.

            Mr. Salvesen seconded the motion.

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

 

            Mr. Colon moved that the Board approve to grant the request of Attorney McCarthy on behalf of Adler Place, L.P.; owner of 3910 Adler Place an extension of six (6) months to November 9, 2007 for the improvements agreement.

            Mr. Salvesen seconded the motion.

  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.

 

ROAD REPORTS

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

 

ENGINEER’S REPORT

            Mr. Schmalzer had nothing to report.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

            Mr. Broughal had nothing to report.

 

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT

            Mr. Healy had nothing to report.

 

TOWNSHIP MANAGER’S REPORT

            Mr. Finnigan stated that the Colonial Regional Police Report, the HTVFC report, the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority and the PNC Bank – Paul Kosiba reports were distributed.

 

            Upon motion of Mr. Walbert, seconded by Mr. Nagle, the Board approved adjournment of the regular meeting and went into executive session at 7:55 P.M.

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

 

 

                                               

                                                                                                Stacy C. Milo

                                                                                                Secretary/Treasurer