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, Solicitor Broughal, Engineer Birdsall, Manager Finnigan and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Lori Stranzl.
The Pledge of Allegiance was performed.
Upon motion of Mr. Walbert, seconded by Mr. Nagle, the Board unanimously approved the Agenda.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Upon motion of Mr. Colon, seconded by Mr. Nagle, the Board approved the minutes, as written, from the meeting of the Board of Supervisors dated April 11, 2006.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Upon motion of Mr. Nagle, seconded by Mr. Salvesen, the Board approved the List of Bills and Transfers dated April 25, 2006 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 yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR
It was noted for the record that no one wished to offer any comment.
REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN
Mr. Diacogiannis reported that some of the Supervisors and office staff attended the PSATS Convention in Hershey the last few days. Mr. Diacogiannis noted that it was well attended and the programs were good.
REPORT OF THE VICE-CHAIRMAN
Mr. Walbert had nothing to report.
PLANNING & ZONING
Mr. Walbert moved that the Board approve the following Ordinance for the amendment to Ordinance 02-01, Chapter 185 and that the Chairman and Secretary be authorized to sign the Ordinance:
ORDINANCE NO. 06-05
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF
HANOVER, COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA AMENDING ORDINANCE
02-01, CHAPTER 185, THE HANOVER TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE AND REPEALING ALL
ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH.
Mr. Colon
seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert
yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Nagle
moved that the Board adopt the following Policy 46-2, entitled “Background
Checks”, to be made effective May 1, 2006:
POLICY 46-2
Background Checks
It shall be the policy of the Board of Supervisors that any
athletic group or organization that leases or rents any recreation
facility/venue in the Township be required to furnish the Township a statement
that their volunteers have been screened. Screening that is acceptable: a)
Criminal Background Check through the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and b)
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare – Child Line and
Abuse Registry.
Mr. Colon
seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert
yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
DEVELOPMENTS
Mr. Colon
moved that the Board grant an extension to the Owner/Developer of Hanover Ridge
Phases I, II and III to April 29, 2007 and to notify the Developer of the
Board’s action relative to this matter.
Mr.
Salvesen seconded the motion.
Mr.
Birdsall stated that the Zawarski property is moving along and he has no
objection to the extension; but asked that two conditions be attached to the
extension; which are 1) subject to providing Letter of Credit extension to one
month beyond the deadline and 2) that the park in back of the property; any
landscaping and restoration work be completed by September 10, 2006.
Mr.
Diacogiannis asked if Mr. Colon and Mr. Salvesen who originally made the motion
and the second accept the conditions to the motion.
Mr. Colon
and Mr. Salvesen stated yes.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert
yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Attorney Plunkett
was present representing Northgate II. A discussion was held concerning the
Northgate II Development in regards to the acceptance of improvements and
commencement of the maintenance period. Attorney Plunkett stated the Developer
is asking that the Board approve deferring a small portion of the construction
of the sidewalk in the cul de sac area because construction on the next lot
will destroy or damage the sidewalk if put in before hand and the Developer is
willing to supply $5,000 or whatever the Township Engineers prefers as security
for the construction of the sidewalk.
Mr.
Birdsall stated that he has no problem deferring that portion of the sidewalk,
stated $5,000 might be cutting too short, would rather see security in the
amount of $7,000.00.
Mr. Colon
moved that the Board approve to defer the installation of the sidewalk on the
following conditions:
1.
That the Improvement
Security in the amount of $7,000.00 remains in place.
2.
That the sidewalk
deferral last for a period of eighteen months to coincide with the Maintenance
Period, that after eighteen months, the sidewalk will be installed.
Mr. Nagle seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert
yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Mr. Colon
moved that the Board, as recommended by the Township Engineer, accepts the
improvements for the GMA at Northgate Land Development Plan and begin the
eighteen month Maintenance Period effective April 28, 2006 on the following
conditions:
1.
That the Developer
completes his landscape items prior to April 28, 2006.
2.
That the Developer
provides Maintenance security in the amount of $14,186.25 with an expiration
date no sooner than November 30, 2007 prior to May 19, 2006, or the Township
Solicitor is authorized to pull on the Letter of Credit in the amount required
for the Maintenance Security
3.
That the Township
returns the Improvements Security to the Developer when items one an two have
been met; and
4.
That the Developer
adheres to Township Policy #25 (Payment of Plans and Appeals Account).
Also, to notify the Developer of the Board’s action
relative to this matter.
Mr.
Salvesen seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert
yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Mr. Colon
moved, as recommended by the Township Engineer, accepts the Improvements for
Northgate II Subdivision Plan and begin the eighteen month Maintenance Period
on the following conditions:
1.
That the Developer
completes his landscape items prior to April 28, 2006.
2.
That the Developer
provides Maintenance Security in the amount of $221,085.00 with an expiration
date no sooner than November 30, 2007 prior to May 19, 2006, or the Township
Solicitor is authorized to pull on the Letter of Credit in the amount of the
Maintenance Security.
3.
That the Developer
completes the sidewalk in accordance with the deferral motion approved by the
Board of Supervisors
4.
That the Township
returns the Improvements Security to the Developer when items 1, 2 and 3 above
have been met; and
5.
That the Developer
adheres to Township Policy # 25 (payment of Plans and Appeals Accounts).
Also, to notify the Developer of the Board’s action
relative to this matter.
Mr.
Salvesen seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert
yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Mr. Colon
moved that the Board, as recommended by the Township Engineer, take the
following actions relative to LVIP IV Lot 47 Land development Plan:
1.
That the Township
urges the Developer to complete his landscape maintenance items prior to April
27, 2006.
2.
That the Township
releases the Developer from his maintenance responsibilities upon confirmation
of the Township Engineer that the above maintenance items have been completed
and the Developer adheres to Township Policy #25 (payment of Plans and Appeals
Accounts).
3.
That the Township
returns the Maintenance Security to the Developer when items 1 and 2 have been
met.
Also, to notify the Developer of the Board’s action
relative to this matter.
Mr.
Salvesen seconded the motion.
Mr.
Birdsall stated that the Letter of Credit expires on April 30, 2006 and would
modify the motion to make sure if they do not complete all the items, that the
Solicitor is authorized to pull the Letter of Credit.
A
discussion was held on the Letter of Credit having to be pulled right away.
Mr.
Birdsall stated that he did speak with the Developer/Owner, Mr. Dunn and asked
him to bring in a certified check for $5,000.00 for good faith. The amount of
security is $2,025.00; there are just a couple of trees to plant, but we didn’t
want the Letter of Credit expiring and having no security.
Mr.
Broughal stated the security is with Embassy Bank which is local, and there
should be enough time to pull the Letter of Credit.
Mr. Colon
amended the motion to include the Board authorizes the Township Solicitor to
pull the Letter of Credit on April 28, 2006.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert
yes, Mr. Salvesen yes.
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 and Mr. Nagle – Road District #5
& 6 had nothing to report on any district.
ENGINEER’S REPORT
Mr.
Birdsall discussed the park work at Monocacy Farms.
Mr.
Birdsall updated the Board on the swale next to the pedestrian bridge.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT
Mr.
Broughal had nothing to report.
MANAGER’S REPORT
Mr.
Finnigan reported on the following:
·
Two new Public Works employees
started today
·
Advised the Board that
the reports for the Colonial Regional Police, Fire Company, and the final audit
report is in front of them tonight
·
Jacksonville/Macada
Road Intersection is moving along. Met with Jim Milot from Hanover Engineering
at the site last week and authorized some additional work. The turning lane
coming south on Jacksonville Road was added as part of the Hanover Pointe
Development and the scope of the work for the reconstruction of the
intersection and where the new turning lane is put in left about a 6-7 foot gap
and I authorized that the 6-7 feet be removed so we have total reconstructed
road in that area. The change order was $5,500 and resulted in one day having
traffic detoured in one direction.
·
Community Center
renovations contracts were signed and should start in the next day or two
·
The pool is moving
along slower than I’d like, they have till May 30th
·
Discussed the re-lamping
of the traffic lights for 11 intersections along Schoenersville Road and the
request from the City of Bethlehem that the Township pay the costs. We are down
to 8 intersections because of developments taking place. I met with the City
and their opinion is that even thought the contract we have with them calls for
the City to pay for the maintenance and the Township pays the electric; the
Township will have the “savings” on the electric bills; and that the Township
should pay for the 8 intersections. The cost to re-signal these intersections
is $47, 820 and the savings on an annual basis from an electricity standpoint
is $9,153. There is a cost reduction in the traffic lights with LED’s. Needs direction from the Board as to whether,
what if any we should pay, or what our offer should be. Considering what the
end result could be; paying 50% is reasonable.
Mr.
Salvesen stated that 50% is not reasonable. We have a contract and they should
read and follow it; why have contracts if they’re not followed.
Mr.
Finnigan stated they will exercise their 60 day opt-out and we will be at the
50% anyway.
The
Board had a discussion on their options.
Mr.
Nagle moved that the Board approve to pursue the 75-25% ratio, with the City
being 75% and 25% being the Township share.
Mr. Salvesen seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert
yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Upon
motion of Mr. Colon, seconded by Mr. Walbert, the Board approved adjournment at
8:20 P.M.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen No, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert
yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Lori
Stranzl
Assistant
Secretary/Treasurer