The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Supervisors, Hanover Township, Northampton County 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, Engineer Birdsall, Solicitor Broughal, Public Works Director Healy and Township Manager Finnigan.
The Pledge of Allegiance was performed.
Upon motion of Mr. Salvesen, seconded by Mr. Colon, the Board approved the Agenda with an addition under Administration.
Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert
aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.
Upon
motion of Mr. Salvesen, seconded by Mr. Nagle, the Board approved the minutes,
as written, from the meeting of the Board of Supervisors dated November 13,
2007.
Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert
aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.
Upon
motion of Mr. Salvesen, seconded by Mr. Colon, the Board approved the List of
Bills and Transfers dated November 27, 2007 as prepared by the
Secretary/Treasurer, and to enter the signed List of Bills 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 announced that the Township Tree Lighting event will be held this
Friday, November 30th at 6:00 P.M. at the Community Center.
REPORT OF THE VICE-CHAIRMAN
Mr.
Walbert reported that at last night’s police meeting, the Colonial Regional
Police Commission adopted their 2008 Budget. The total budget is $2.4 million
with Hanover Township’s portion of $1,236,481.74; which is a 7.8% over the
previous year. The Department also adopted a Capital Reserve budget of
$74,628.00 for Police equipment, vehicle and office equipment.
Mr.
Walbert moved that the Board approve the Colonial Regional Police Department
2008 budget which has Hanover’s allocation of $1,236,481.74 and a Capital
Reserve Budget of $74,628.00.
Mr. Colon
seconded the motion.
Mr.
Diacogiannis directed the Township Secretary to send a letter to Eric Nagle,
Chairman of the Police Commission, that Hanover Township approved the police
budget.
Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert
aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.
SUPERVISOR’S COMMENTS
It was
noted that no one wished to offer any comment.
PLANNING & ZONING
Mr.
Walbert moved that the Board approve to set December 18, 2007 as the
re-scheduled date for the Conditional Use Hearing for Triumph Hospital Acute
Care Facility/LVCC Phase II Lots 5 and 6. The hearing was previously scheduled
for tonight’s meeting.
Mr. Nagle
seconded the motion.
Mr.
Broughal stated that since there has been some inconvenience on behalf of the
applicant, he asked if the Board would take this into consideration and consider
making a decision the same night as the hearing.
Mr.
Walbert asked that the professional staff anticipate some of the things that
could be conditions and have them ready that night.
Attorney
Joe Fitzpatrick, Counsel for Liberty Property Trust and Triumph Health Care was
present and stated that having gone through the Planning Commission, believes
that the conditions have been addressed and because of the setback on timing
this evening, he also asked that the Board consider placing the
Preliminary/Final Conditions on the December 18th agenda as well.
Mr.
Diacogiannis asked Engineer Birdsall and Manager Finnigan if that is feasible.
The answer
was yes.
Mr.
Diacogiannis directed the Township Secretary to place the Preliminary/Final
Plan conditions for Triumph on the December 18, 2007 agenda.
Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert
aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.
Mr.
Walbert moved that the Board approve the Conditional Use Application for
Traditions of America – Active Adult Community at 395 Bridle Path Road with the
following conditions:
1. Correct the
grammatical omissions/errors found in the “Conditional Use Qualification
Narrative”, received September 18, 2007.
2. Provide a
specific list of the recreational amenities that shall be provided both inside
and outside at the required community center that is satisfactory to the Board
of Supervisors.
3. Create a
Covenant running with the land which states that the land in the 25.3658 acre
Special Conservation Area shall remain open and undeveloped that is
satisfactory to the Township Solicitor.
4. Note 26 on
the Conditional Use Plan shall be revised to read in accordance with Section
185-54E.(15).(I).(5) of the Ordinance.
5. The
Conditional Use Plan shall be revised to add a note stating that “Access to the
Active Adult Tract shall be provided by one primary gated access driveway from
a collector road and one secondary, or emergency, gated access driveway from
the same or another collector road.”
6. The
Conditional Use Plan shall be revised to add a note stating that “Parking shall
only be permitted on one side of any street unless the street width is a
minimum of 28 feet, in which case parking shall be permitted on both sides of
each street. Parking shall not be
permitted on curved sections of streets.
On-street parking areas should be described on the Subdivision or Land
Development Plan. All other areas of
streets shall be posted with no parking signage.”
7. The
Conditional Use Plan shall be revised to add a note stating that “part of the
perimeter of a portion of a Qualifying Tract designated for development as an
Active Adult Residential Community adjacent to a public street shall have a
landscape planting and lawn area with a minimum width of 20 feet along the
length of each such public street. This
planting area shall be outside of any required future/ultimate street
right-of-way and outside of any drainage or utility easement but may overlap a
required setback. No buildings shall be
permitted in the planting area. The
landscaping within this planting area shall be installed and maintained in
accordance with a planting plan that is submitted to the Township for
approval. This landscaped planting area
shall be maintained by the condominium association or planned community association.”
8. The
Conditional Use Plan shall be revised to add a note stating that “Each portion
of a Qualifying Tract designated for development as an Active Adult Residential
Community that abuts a single-family detached building lot or any municipal
boundary at the time of preliminary plan application for the Active Adult
Residential Community, shall be provided with a tree and shrub screening in
accordance with Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance §67-8.A.”
9. The final
design of the intersection of Jacksonville Road/Bridle Path Road shall be
satisfactory to the Township Engineer.
10. All costs
associated with the improvements and signalization of Jacksonville Road, Bridle
Path Road intersection shall be paid by the Developer.
11. Curb,
sidewalk, storm sewer, road widening and street trees shall be provided at the
Developer’s cost for the south side of Bridle Path Road from the Monocacy Creek
to the western boundary of the Tradition of America property.
12. The design
of the storm sewer outfall at the Monocacy Creek shall be satisfactory to the
Township Engineer.
Mr. Walbert further moved to
authorize the Secretary to notify the Developer of the Board’s action relative
to this matter.
Mr.
Nagle seconded the motion.
Mr.
J.B. Reilly was present and stated the conditions are satisfactory.
Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye,
Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.
Mr.
Walbert introduced the Proposed Ordinance for Zoning Text Amendment – PORR –
Separation Distance – Acute Care Hospital and gave a background regarding this.
Mr.
Walbert moved that the Board approve to authorize the Township Solicitor to
advertise the proposed Ordinance in regards to the Zoning Text Amendment – PORR
– Separation Distance – Acute Care Hospital.
Mr. Nagle
seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert
aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.
PUBLIC WORKS
Mr.
Salvesen moved that the Board approve to adopt Ordinance 07-17 establishing
Sewer Districts as follows:
ORDINANCE 07-17
AN
ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF HANOVER, COUNTY OF
NORTHAMPTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA AMENDING ORDINANCE 02-01, CHAPTER
140, BY ESTABLISHING SEWER DISTRICTS AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF
ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH
Mr. Walbert seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle
aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.
ADMINISTRATION
I move that the Board approve
to adopt the Emergency Notification Policy, as recommended by the Township
Manager, and that it be included in the next revision of the Hanover Township
employee handbook.
POLICY 57
EMERGENCY
NOTIFICATION POLICY
It shall be a policy of the
Board of Supervisors that the Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1
and/or Colonial Regional Police Department notify the Township Manager and
Township Emergency Management Staff on any major incidents within the Township
as soon as operationally possible. Incidents include, but are not limited to:
1.)
Structure Fire –
Residential & Commercial
2.)
Motor Vehicle Accident –
Potential Fatality
3.)
Armed Robbery
4.)
Hostage Situation
5.)
Barricaded Suicide
6.)
Bomb Threats
7.)
Potential for Mass Casualty
8.)
Active Shooter
It will then be the Township
Manager’s responsibility to notify members of the Board of Supervisors
depending on the nature of the incident.
Mr.
Salvesen seconded the motion.
Mr.
Finnigan stated that this does not have to be included in the next revision of
the Township handbook.
Mr.
Nagle amended the motion to delete “and that it be included in the next
revision of the Hanover Township employee handbook”.
Mr.
Salvesen seconded the amendment.
Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye,
Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.
Mr. Nagle
opened the discussion on the 2008 Budget.
It was
noted that no one had any comments.
Mr.
Diacogiannis stated that the budget is available at the Township office and the
budget was very well done and thanked Manager Finnigan and the office staff for
putting it together and the budget will be adopted at a later date.
Mr. Nagle
noted for the record that the Township was notified on November 27, 2007 that
the City of Bethlehem Compost Center will NOT be closing for the winter and the
Center will be open their regular Friday through Monday schedule.
DEVELOPMENTS
Mr. Colon moved that the Board, as recommended by the Township Engineer, approve to grant the Developer of the Hanover Pointe Subdivision the requested release for Escrow Release Number 22 in the amount of $114,656.21 upon the following conditions:
1. 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 $755,383.24 for the work remaining, plus contingencies.
2. That the Developer provides acceptable temporary stabilization of the north slope of the noise berm by December 10, 2007.
3. That the Developer adheres to Township Policy No. 25 (payment of Plans and Appeals Accounts).
Mr. Colon further moved to notify the Developer of the Board’s action relative to this matter.
Mr. Nagle seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.
Mr. Colon moved that the Board, as recommended by the Township Engineer, release the Developer of Hanover Highlands Lot 7B from his maintenance responsibilities and return the Security upon the condition that the Developer adheres to Township Policy #25 (payment of Plans and Appeals Accounts). Mr. Colon further moved to notify the Developer of the Board’s action relative to this matter.
Mr. Nagle seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.
Mr. Colon moved that the Board, as recommended by the Township Engineer, takes the following action with respect to the GMA at Northgate Land Development Plan:
1. That the Township notifies the Owner/Developer that the Maintenance Agreement remains in force.
2. That the Township requires that the developer provide confirmation that security remains in effect.
3. That the Township urges the Owner/Developer to complete the repairs on his maintenance items prior to May 30, 2008 and requests an inspection.
4. That the Developer adheres to Township Policy #25 (payment of Plans and Appeals Accounts).
Mr. Colon further moved to notify the Developer of the Board’s action relative to this matter.
Mr. Nagle seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.
Mr. Colon moved that the Board, as recommended by the Township Engineer, take the following action with respect to the Northgate II Subdivision Land Development Plan:
1. That the Township notifies the Owner/Developer that the Maintenance Agreement remains in force.
2. That the Township requires the Developer to continue securing the sidewalk until the Northgate II Lot 3 plans are recorded and the Township has security for the improvements including the sidewalk.
3. That the Township requires that the developer provide confirmation that security remains in effect.
4. That the Township urges the Owner/Developer to complete the repairs on his maintenance items prior to May 30, 2008 and request a reinspection.
5. That the Developer adheres to Township Policy #25 (payment of Plans and Appeals Accounts).
Mr. Colon further moved to notify the Developer of the Board’s action relative to this matter.
Mr. Nagle seconded the motion.
A discussion was held on the outstanding Plans and Appeals accounts.
Mr. Diacogiannis directed the Solicitor to follow up on payment of the outstanding invoices.
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.
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 and #6 had nothing to report.
ENGINEER’S REPORT
Mr.
Birdsall had nothing to report.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT
Mr.
Broughal had nothing to report.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Mr. Healy
stated the Road Crew started working overtime to catch up on the leaf pick-up.
TOWNSHIP MANAGER’S REPORT
Mr.
Finnigan reported on the following:
·
Fire Company report
was distributed
·
Colonial Regional
Police report was distributed
·
4025 Airport Road
property will be demolished next week - Monday
·
Discussed the Harris
Software proposal and needed authorization to purchase
Mr. Colon moved that the Board authorize the Township
Manager to purchase the software payable next year, with the software being
installed and training completed this year, with the purchase amount not to
exceed $16,000.00.
Mr.
Walbert seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert
aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.
·
Discussed the single
axle Mack truck that was ordered within the 2007 budget and the truck that is
included within the 2008 budget.
·
Discussed the purchase
of the yard waste truck
Upon
motion of Mr. Nagle, seconded by Mr. Salvesen, the Board approved adjournment
at 8:12 P.M.
Mr. Colon aye, Mr. Salvesen aye, Mr. Nagle aye, Mr. Walbert
aye, Mr. Diacogiannis aye.
Lori
A. Stranzl
Assistant
Secretary/Treasurer