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, Nagle and Walbert, Engineer Birdsall, Solicitor

Broughal, Manager Finnigan and Public Works Director Healy.

 

            The pledge of Allegiance was performed.

 

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

with the addition of an Executive Session for On-going Litigation and Contract Negotiations.

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

 

           

            Upon motion of Mr. Walbert, seconded by Mr. Nagle, the Board approved the minutes,

as written, from the meeting of the Board of Supervisors dated September 22, 2007.

            Mr. Walbert explained the results of the vote at the last meeting; the vote resulted in 2 ayes and 2 abstentions and the motion was not approved.  Therefore this item is placed on tonight’s agenda.

 Mr. Colon abstains, 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 October 9, 2007.

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

 

 

            Upon motion of Mr. Walbert, seconded by Mr. Nagle, the Board approved the List of Bills and Transfers dated October 23, 2007 as prepared by the Secretary/Treasurer, and to enter the signed List or Bills by the Secretary/Treasurer and the Board of Supervisors as an attachment to the minutes.

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

 

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR

            Mr. Conrad Loch, Township resident was present to express his concerns regarding trash collection, recycling and yard waste pick-up in the Township.  Mr. Loch asked the Board for the reasoning on the change to yard waste.

            Mr. Finnigan explained that in order for the Township to continue to receive recycling grant monies from the State, we need to comply with Act 101 of 1988 and Act 140 of 2006.  This

is the first year the State made us prove that we are in compliance.

            Mr. Finnigan referred to certain sections in Act 140 and Act 101

            Discussions were held between other Township residents and the Board regarding the yard waste pickup, the compost center, clarification of yard waste, and clarification on what type of containers residents should use for yard waste pick-up.

Mr. Diacogiannis stated the Township will be working on an education program for the residents.

 

REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN

Mr. Diacogiannis announced that the Halloween Parade is this Saturday at 1:00 P.M.

 

REPORT OF THE VICE-CHAIRMAN

            Mr. Walbert had nothing to report.

 

SUPERVISOR’S COMMENTS

            It was noted that no one had any comment.

 

PLANNING & ZONING

            Mr. Walbert introduced the petition before the Zoning Hearing Board for 77 South Commerce Way.

            Mr. Diacogiannis directed the Township Engineer and Township Solicitor to attend the Zoning Hearing Board meeting for the petition for 77 South Commerce Way (LVIP IV Lot 32)

on October 25, 2007.

            It was noted that directing the Township Engineer and Township Solicitor to attend the meeting is not tor them to oppose the petition but to make sure that what was presented and discussed at the previous Board of Supervisors meeting is what is presented to the Zoning Hearing Board.

 

            Mr. Walbert moved that the Board approve to authorize the Township Solicitor to advertise the proposed amendments to the Ordinance regarding signs, including the definition of signs, advertising, business and temporary, electronic signs and regulations.

            Mr. Nagle seconded the motion.

            A discussion was held on setting the date of the hearing and December 18, 2007 was chosen.

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

 

PUBLIC WORKS

            Mr. Walbert moved that the Board approve to authorize the Township Solicitor to advertise the proposed amendments to the sewer ordinance regarding the establishments of sewer districts.

            Mr. Nagle seconded the motion.

            A discussion was held on setting the date of the hearing and November 27, 2007 was chosen.

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

 

Mr. Walbert moved that the Board, as recommended that the Township Engineer, take the following action relative to the Jacksonville Road/Macada Road Intersection Improvements:

     1.  To notify Grace Industries that they have completed their obligations as outlined in the

            Contract Documents; and

     2.   To release the Maintenance Security

 

           Mr. Nagle seconded the motion.

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

 

ADMINISTRATION

            Mr. Kurt Fisher of 1731 Lord Byron Drive was present to address the Board regarding a

letter he received on his home occupation, which is an Internet-based business.  The letter also

stated he needed to acquire a mercantile business license.

            Mr. Fisher is asking for abatement of the mercantile taxes including penalty and interest.

            Mr. Diacogiannis stated we would need something from Berkheimer Associates.

            A discussion was held and Mr. Fisher was directed to meet with the Township Manager

and the Board will make a decision at the next meeting in November.

 

Mr. Paul Kosiba from PNC Advisors was present to give the Board an update on the status of the Hanover Township Pension Plan.

 

Mr. Nagle moved that the Board approve to authorize the Secretary to advertise that the Board of Supervisors will reschedule their meeting on December 25, 2007 to December 18, 2007.

Mr. Colon seconded the motion.

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

 

            Mr. Nagle moved that the Board approve to authorize the Secretary to advertise that the

Board of Supervisors will hold their annual re-organization meeting on Wednesday, January 2, 2008.         

            Mr. Walbert seconded the motion.

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

 

            Mr. Nagle moved that the Board approve to authorize the Secretary to advertise that the Board of Auditors will hold their annual re-organization meeting on Thursday, January 3, 2008.

            Mr. Colon seconded the motion.

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

 

            Mr. Nagle noted for the record that the Employee Life Insurance will increase to two times (2x) a full-time employee’s annual wages/salary, not to exceed $200,000, effective November 1, 2007.

 

DEVELOPMENTS

            Mr. Colon noted for the record that the Developer of Traditions of America at Bridle Path

for the Land development Plan has granted the Board an extension of 30 days to December 12, 2007.

 

            Mr. Colon noted for the record that the Developer of Traditions of America at Bridle Path for the Minor Subdivision Plan has granted the Board an extension of 30 days to December 12, 2007.

 

            Mr. Colon noted for the record that the Developer of Northgate II Lot 4 has granted the Board an extension of six (6) months to May 6, 2008.

 

 

ROAD REPORTS

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

 

ENGINEER’S REPORT

            Mr. Birdsall updated the Board on Hanoverville Road and the new location.

            Mr. Birdsall stated that Sterner’s Way is moving along very nicely.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

            Mr. Broughal had nothing to report.

 

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT

            Mr. Healy had nothing to report.

 

TOWNSHIP MANAGER’S REPORT

            Mr. Finnigan reported on the following:

·         The wiring for the Traffic Light at Crawford, Jacksonville and Orchard has experienced some problems.

·         Yard Waste Policy

·         Distributed Colonial Regional Police Report and the Fire Company Report.

             

 

Upon motion of Mr. Colon, seconded by Mr. Walbert, the Board approved adjournment

of the regular meeting at 8:50 P.M. and went into the Executive session.

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

 

 

                                   

 

 

                                                                                                                        Stacy C. Milo

                                                                                                                        Secretary/Treasurer