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, 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. Colon, the Board unanimously approved the Agenda.
Mr. Finnigan yes. Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen abstain, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Mr. Salvesen arrived at 7:35 P.M.
Upon motion of Mr. Walbert, seconded by Mr. Colon, the Board approved the minutes, as written, from the meeting of the Board of Supervisors dated February 22, 2005.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis abstain.
Upon motion of Mr. Colon, seconded by Mr. Diacogiannis, the Board unanimously approved the List of Bills and Transfers dated March 8, 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, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR
It was noted that no one wished to offer any comment.
REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN
Mr. Finnigan acknowledged that Mr. Irv Good who was a member of our Special Events Committee and an original member of the 200th Anniversary Committee passed away on March 6, 2005 at the age of 93.
PLANNING & ZONING
Mr. Walbert moved that the Board approve to set the date for the Conditional Use Hearing for Shakers Hill Hospitality Group for Tuesday April 19, 2005.
Mr. Colon seconded the motion.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Mr. Walbert closed the regular meeting and opened the public hearing for the amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map. It was noted that the Hearing had been duly advertised and the Secretary received proof of publication. A Court Stenographer was present to record all testimony.
Mr. Finnigan re-opened the regular meeting.
PUBLIC WORKS
Mr. Greg Chanitz of Kevin Drive, Chairman of the Concerned Citizens of Westgate. We formed this group for one common goal and that is to obtain City of Bethlehem water for the residents who presently receive water from Utilities Inc., previously Westgate Water. Timing is crucial right now for two reasons: #1 - Utilities Inc will soon construct a new tank at the well house and the capital investment should be stopped and we would prefer an invest in the piping distribution system and purchase water through existing connections to the Bethlehem water system and #2 – the City of Bethlehem will soon make applications to the Public Utilities Commission to increase the rates and their service area. Mr. Chanitz stated there are three options that we consider to be a way to go: #1 – City of Bethlehem could purchase Utilities Inc and make it part of the City’s system, #2 – Hanover Township can condemn the current water system and create a water authority and purchase it from the City of Bethlehem. The acquisition fee could be financed and a debt charge on top of city user rates could be set; and #3 – Utilities Inc. could abandon their well house expansion project and put their capital into distribution improvements and purchase the water from the City of Bethlehem.
Mr. Chanitz stated they’ve written a letter to the City of Bethlehem and the Bethlehem Water Authority requesting that they purchase the Westgate Water System, work with Hanover Township to acquire the system or work with Utilities Inc. to sell water. The Westgate area should be included in the City of Bethlehem water system and the Concerned Citizens of Westgate are asking that the Hanover Township Board of Supervisors actively work with the City of Bethlehem to achieve our common goal, that the Board of Supervisors not execute the Improvements Agreements with Utilities Inc. and respectively request that the Board of Supervisors issue a letter of intent to condemn Utilities Inc. stopping any capital improvements until condemnation decisions are made.
Mr. Finnigan stated that the Utilities Inc. expansion project has been approved and we are bound by the statute to sign the agreements because it was approved. Therefore that is not a viable option.
Mr. Salvesen stated that he knows that the City of Bethlehem has tried to talk with Utilities Inc. and they have not wanted to talk about a purchase. Mr. Salvesen stated the biggest item that the P.U.C. looks at is the quality of water. Individual letters of complaints of water quality are better than one petition submitted.
Mr. Diacogiannis stated we’ve tried before when it was Westgate Water to get the City to purchase the water system and it never happened.
Mr. Chanitz stated that there goal coming here tonight was to get the support of the Board in helping to acquire a better water system.
Mr. Finnigan stated the Board will do whatever they can to help the City acquire Utilities Inc.
Mr. Salvesen moved that the Board approve Resolution 05-05 regarding the plan revision for new land development for Hanover Corporate Center 2:
RESOLUTION 05-05
RESOLUTION OF THE SUPERVISORS OF HANOVER TOWNSHIP, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
WHEREAS, Section 5 of the Act of January 24, 1966, P.L. 1535, No. 537, known as the “Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act”, as amended, and the Rules and Regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (Department) adopted thereunder, Chapter 71 of Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code, require the municipality to adopt an Official Sewage Facilities Plan providing for sewage services adequate to prevent contamination of waters of the Commonwealth and/or environmental health hazards from sewage wastes, and to revise said plan whenever it is necessary to determine whether a proposed method of sewage disposal for a new land development conforms to a comprehensive program of pollution control and water quality management, and
WHEREAS, Jaindl Land Company has proposed the development of a parcel of land identified as Hanover Corporate Centers, and described in the attached Sewage Facilities Planning Module, and proposes that such services be served by: Sewer Extension. Pump Station with Force Main.
WHEREAS, Hanover Township finds that the subdivision described in the attached Sewage Facilities Planning Module conforms to applicable sewage related zoning and other sewage related municipal ordinances and plans, and to a comprehensive program of pollution control and water quality management.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Supervisors of the Township of Hanover hereby adopt and submit to the Department of Environmental Protection for its approval as a revision to the “Official Sewage Facilities Plan” of the municipality the above referenced Sewage Facilities Planning Module which is attached hereto.
Mr. Diacogiannis seconded the motion.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr.
Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Diacogiannis moved that the Board approve to adopt resolution 05-06 adopting an amended Fee Schedule for Hanover Township:
RESOLUTION 05-06
HANOVER TOWNSHIP, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
FEE SCHEDULE
Building Permit Cost
Renovations & Repairs Up to $4,999.00 20.00
Each Additional $1,000 15.00
Enclosed Additions 300.00
Fences 75.00
Patios, Decks 100.00
Patios, Decks with Roof 200.00
New Homes Computed by S.F. First 2,500 S.F. 400.00
Each Additional S.F. over 2,500 0.18
Sheds w/Electric 175.00
Sheds 75.00
ELECTRICAL PERMIT 100.00
PLUMBING PERMIT
New Homes 100.00
Alterations to existing systems 50.00
Commercial Per Drain 20.00
MASTER PLUMBERS LICENSE 25.00
HVAC PERMIT 50.00
DRIVEWAY PERMIT
Residential 30.00
Commercial 50.00
CURB CUT PERMIT
Residential 55.00
Commercial 65.00
SWIMMING POOL PERMIT
In-ground Pool 250.00
Hot Tub, Spa, Sauna 150.00
Above Ground Pool 25.00
SIGN PERMIT
Less Than 50 S.F. 50.00
DEMOLITION PERMIT
Razing Buildings or parts of Buildings 30.00
SOLICITING PERMIT 25.00
HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT 30.00
EARTH MOVING PERMIT 100.00
MOVING IN / MOVING OUT 10.00
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY 10.00
ZONING HEARING FEES 175.00
CONDITIONAL USE HEARING 750.00
Mr. Salvesen seconded the motion.
The Fee Schedule rates and Resolution to take effect March 14, 2005.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr.
Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
DEVELOPMENTS
Mr. Birdsall discussed the Hanover Crossing North request for an extension.
They are requesting an extension to the improvements and also a request for part of the improvements and not all of the improvements. Mr. Birdsall stated he does not have a problem with an extension as long as the security is in place and all the legal paperwork is in place. Mr. Birdsall recommended not phasing the improvements.
Mr. Finnigan directed Mr. Birdsall and Mr. Broughal to review the letter from Hanover Crossing North to make sure a motion for direction is properly written.
Mr. Colon
noted for the record that Hanover Corporate Center 2 has granted the Township
an extension of time to April 29, 2005.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR
Mrs. Joan Witiak from the Shade Tree Commission was present to discuss tree protective fences with new developments. The protection goes around the trees and then they are knocked down and they are not replaced. Mrs. Witiak asked who can check the new developments to see that the fencing is replaced if it is knocked down. Mr. Birdsall stated there are requirements in the zoning ordinance. Mr. Finnigan stated that we find out who is responsible to check this and to have that person follow up. Mr. Sterner stated he will find out whose responsible and if there are any complaints, they are to be registered with that person.
TOWNSHIP MANAGER’S REPORT
Mr. Sterner discussed the letter from the Shade Tree Commission for planting of 30 trees in the Township parks. This was submitted before and we asked that they go out and get more proposals, which they have done. Root’s Nursery came in the lowest at $9,098.00 for 30 trees to be planted in various Township parks.
Mr. Colon moved that the Board accept the proposal from Root’s Nursery for the planting of 30 trees in various Township parks at a price of $9,098.00 and to notify Root’s Nursery and the Shade Tree Commission of the Board’s action.
Mr. Walbert seconded the motion.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Mr. Healy had nothing to report.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT
Mr. Broughal stated he received the proposal from LVIP IV Lot 47 current owners who is Bi-Associates. They are in the process of selling their building to Dunn-Noble Development and are asking that we approve an assign an assumption agreement to the Site Plan Maintenance Agreement. Mr. Broughal reviewed the assignment and assumption agreement and it is fine. This will be coming before the Board in the near future.
Need an executive session for contract negotiation.
ENGINEER’S REPORT
Mr. Birdsall discussed the request of Mr. Valpanary for connection to sanitary sewer in Hanover Township.
ROAD REPORTS
Mr. Walbert – Road District #1, Mr. Salvesen – Road District #2, Mr. Diacogiannis – Road District #3, Mr. Colon – Road District #4 and Mr. Finnigan – Road Districts 5 & 6 had nothing to report.
Mr. Diacogiannis reported on the succession/transition plan schedule:
The succession/transition plan committee of John Diacogiannis and Glenn Walbert has developed a plan for selecting and hiring the individuals who will succeed Jim Sterner and Linda Sterner as Township Manager and Township Secretary/Treasurer respectively. The plan is to select and commence employment of these individuals before mid-year. This will allow sufficient transition time before the Sterner’s retire. We believe that specific training and acclimation of these individuals will be enhanced by the direct involvement of the Sterner’s. The early employment will also allow these individuals to be involved with the development of the 2006 budget.
These individuals will be hired into the temporary positions of Director of Administration and Assistant to the Secretary/Treasurer. These positions will be vacated when these individuals replace the Sterner’s upon their retirement.
The succession plan has projected milestone dates to complete the process by mid-year. The plan contemplates the consideration and appointment of an internal candidate for the position of Director of Administration (temporary leading to Township Manager) by March 22, 2005.
The plan also contemplates the consideration of candidates for the position of Assistant to the Secretary/Treasurer (temporary leading to Secretary/Treasurer) with appointment on June 21, 2005.
John Diacogiannis approached an internal candidate, who the committee felt had the background, experience and township involvement to be considered a viable choice for the position of Director of Administration. The person expressed interest in being considered for the position. The committee believes that the Board of Supervisors should expedite this consideration without further search. There is precedence in these actions, since Mr. Sterner was the exclusive internal candidate for Township Manager, when that position was first initiated.
Mr. Finnigan closed the regular meeting at 9:19 P.M. and opened the Executive Session.
The Executive Session was closed and the regular meeting was re-opened for adjournment.
Upon motion
of Mr. Finnigan, seconded by Mr. Walbert, the Board approved adjournment at
10:00 P.M.
Mr. Finnigan yes, Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Linda J. Sterner
Secretary/Treasurer