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 Municipal Building, 3630 Jacksonville Road, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18017 at 7:30 P.M.

 

            Present were Supervisors Colon, Walbert and Diacogiannis, Mr. Mike Schmalzer for Engineer Birdsall, Solicitor Broughal and Public Works Director Kevin Healy.

 

            The Pledge of Allegiance was performed.

 

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

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.

 

            Upon motion of Mr. Colon, seconded by Mr. Walbert, the Board approved the minutes, as written, from the meeting of the Board of Supervisors dated August 9, 2005.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.

 

            Upon motion of Mr. Diacogiannis, seconded by Mr. Walbert, the Board approved the List of Bills and Transfers dated August 23, 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. Diacogiannis yes.

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR

            Mr. Bill Dietrich of 244 Wedgewood Road,Vice-Chairman of the Westgate Concerned Citizens Committee. Mr. Dietrich invited the Board to attend the Public Meeting on Thursday at 7 PM at the Community Center.

 

REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN

            Mr. Finnigan had nothing to report.

 

REPORT OF THE VICE-CHAIRMAN

            Mr. Diacogiannis had nothing to report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEVELOPMENTS

            Mr. Rich Thulin was present to discuss Uplands Office Park, east of the Holiday Inn. It is a 3-lot Subdivision including Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn and the vacant lot for a proposed office building. That lot was approved a long time ago. They are looking for a viable user and will then come back to the Board for new approvals at that time.

            A discussion was held concerning the Improvements Agreement for the Holiday Inn 3 Lot Subdivision.

            Mr. Colon moved that the Board approve to grant an extension to the Improvements Agreement for the Holiday Inn 3 Lot Subdivision to December 31, 2006 and to notify the Developer of the Board’s action.

            Mr. Walbert seconded the motion.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.

 

            Mr. Colon moved that the Board authorize the Township Solicitor to pull the existing Letter of Credit prior to September 3, 2005 if the Developer for the John Selko Development does not obtain an extension and that the Board notify the Developer of the Board’s action.

            Mr. Walbert seconded the motion.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.

 

            Mr. Colon moved that the Board approve to grant the Developer of the Hanover Pointe Subdivision their requested release for Escrow Release No. 8 in the amount of $63,455.15 upon the following conditions:

1.                  That the Developer provides the Township with a status of the security being provided by First Star Savings Bank.

2.                  That the Developer acknowledges that the Security provided by First Star Savings bank as required by the Subdivision Improvements Agreement will remain at a minimum of $2,550,046.35 for the work remaining plus contingencies.

3.                  That the Developer adheres to Township Policy No. 25 (payment of Plans and Appeals Accounts).

4.                  That the Board notify the Developer of the Board’s action.

Mr. Walbert seconded the motion.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.

 

            Mr. Colon moved that the Board reject the improvements for Lot 7B in the Hanover Highlands Subdivision as incomplete and that the Board approve to grant a 60 day extension to complete the improvements to October 23, 2005 as requested by the Developer and that the Developer adheres to Township Policy #25 (payment of Plans and Appeals Accounts). Also, that the Board notify the Developer of the Board’s action.

            Mr. Diacogiannis seconded the motion.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.

 

            It was noted for the record that LVIP IV Lot 42 an extension to December 4, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUBLIC WORKS

            Mr. Finnigan moved that the Board authorize the Chairman and Secretary to execute the contract for the Jacksonville Road Curb and Sidewalk Improvements and to notify A.J. Trunzo, Inc. of the Board’s action.

            Mr. Colon seconded the motion.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes. Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.

 

ADMINISTRATION

            Mr. Diacogiannis moved that the Board authorize the Township Manager to scrap miscellaneous equipment at the Community Center and the Township Office including exercise equipment and computer equipment.

            Mr. Walbert seconded the motion.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR

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

 

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT

            Mr. Healy reported that the Road project in Westgate is complete.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

            Mr. Broughal discussed a release request regarding Jaindl Land Company for the work on Township Line Road and Jaindl Blvd. There is some concern as to whether we need approval from IDI before we approve the request. Mr. Broughal asked that the Board authorize him to send a letter to IDI advising them of the request and that the Board will be voting on the release at the next meeting.

            Mr. Finnigan directed the Township Solicitor to send a letter to IDI advising them of the release request.

 

            Mr. Broughal discussed the appraisal for the 1 acre of residential and 1 acre of non-residential which plays in part to the SALDO provisions which is how we establish fair market value for the recreation open space contribution. Mr. Broughal asked that the resolution setting the new rates be put on the next Supervisors agenda.

            Mr. Finnigan so directed.

 

            Mr. Broughal discussed the PORR zoning section where townhouses were removed as a permitted use. There are still dimensional requirements that deal with townhouses in that zoning section and needs authorization to advertise an amendment.

            Mr. Finnigan authorized the Township Solicitor to advertise the amendment to the PORR zoning section removing the townhouse dimensional requirements.

 

            Mr. Broughal discussed some SALDO amendments that were prepared by the Engineer and reviewed by my office that deal with items the Chairman had asked for regarding plan sizes and other engineering items. The ordinance is ready for advertisement.

            Mr. Finnigan authorized the Township Solicitor to advertise the Ordinance.

 

 

 

ENGINEER’S REPORT

            Mr. Schmalzer discussed the zoning hearing for 14 lots in Hanover Ridge.

            A discussion was held concerning the Township Zoning Ordinance.

            Mr. Broughal asked that Special Console represent the Board at this hearing.

            The Board granted Mr. Broughal’s request for Special Console representation.

            Mr. Finnigan directed the Special Solicitor and the Township Engineer to represent the Board at the Zoning Hearing Board meeting.

 

ROAD REPORTS

            Mr. Walbert – Road District #1, Mr. Diacogiannis – Road District #3, Mr. Colon – Road District #4 and Mr. Finnigan – Road District #5 & 6 had nothing to report on any district.

 

            Mr. Walbert stated he found a dead crow on the berm in the back of my property; which is a sign of West Nile virus. He called the State on Sunday and was told someone would get back to me on Monday; by that time it was gone. There are standing areas of water throughout the Township that are potential areas for West Nile.

            A discussion was held on the potential areas for West Nile within the Township.

            Mr. Finnigan directed the Secretary to send letters to Koehler Farm and PennDot advising them that effective immediately, all ponds retaining water must be treated for West Nile Virus and to provide documentation to the Township that it has taken place.

 

            Mr. Colon stated he received a call from Attorney Shoemaker who represents Ward Trucking in regards to the trailer that is being used for some type of office space.

            Mr. Finnigan stated he had also talked to Attorney Shoemaker and the only way to satisfy the Township was for the trailer to be moved.

           

            Mr. Finnigan closed the regular business meeting at 8:30 P.M. and opened the Executive Session for litigation matters.

 

            Mr. Finnigan closed the Executive Session at 8:38 P.M. and re-opened the regular meeting for adjournment.

 

            Upon motion of Mr. Walbert, seconded by Mr. Colon, the Board approved adjournment at 8:38 P.M.

Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.

 

 

 

                                                                                                Linda J. Sterner

                                                                                                Secretary/Treasurer