Board of Supervisors Agenda

MINUTES
Upper Saucon Township Board of Supervisors
Reorganization Meeting
Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 7:00 P.M.
Township Municipal Building

Members Present:
Stephen C. Wagner, Chairman
Miro A. Gutzmirtl, Vice Chairman
James H. White, Sr.
Joyce V. White
Joseph M. Horvath

Staff Attending:
Thomas F. Beil, Township Manager
Robert E. Kassel, Jr., Asst. Township Manager
Jeffrey Dimmich, Township Solicitor

CALL TO ORDER
Temporary Chairman James H. White, Sr. called the meeting to order at 7:00 P. M. in the Public Meeting Room of the Upper Saucon Township Municipal Building, 5500 Camp Meeting Road, Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County, PA.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Temporary Chairman James H. White, Sr. asked all in attendance to stand and recite the “Pledge of Allegiance”.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - ELECTION OF OFFICERS
It was the consensus of the Board that James H. White, Sr., act as the Chairman Pro Tem for the purpose of conducting the election of the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

A motion was made and seconded to elect Stephen C. Wagner as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Mr. Wagner assumed the duties of Chairman.

A motion was made and seconded to elect Miro A. Gutzmirtl as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

A motion was made and seconded to appoint Thomas F. Beil as the Township Secretary.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

A motion was made and seconded to appoint Thomas F. Beil as the Township Treasurer.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

A motion was made and seconded to appoint Robert E. Kassel, Jr., as the Assistant Township Secretary.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

A motion was made and seconded to appoint Robert E. Kassel, Jr., as the Assistant Township Treasurer.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

INTRODUCTION OF newly elected officials
Chairman Wagner introduced the following newly elected officials:

• Miro A. Gutzmirtl – Supervisor
• Joseph M. Horvath – Supervisor
• Deborah A. Herstine - Tax Collector

Mr. Wagner called a brief recess in order to allow family and friends of the newly elected officials to take pictures.

Public Comment
None

REORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS
Establish Treasurer’s Bond
A motion was made and seconded to establish the Treasurer’s Bond for the year 2006 at $2,000,000.00.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Establish Assistant Treasurer’s Bond
A motion was made and seconded to establish the Assistant Treasurer’s Bond for the year 2006 at $2,000,000.00.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Appointment of Auditor – Resolution No. 2006-01
A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution No. 2006-01 appointing the accounting firm of France, Anderson, Basile and Company, PC, to perform the 2005 annual financial audit.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Depositories for Township Funds – Resolution Nos. 2006-02, 2006-03, 2006-04, 2006-05, 2006-06 and 2006-07
A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution Nos. 2006-02, 2006-03, 2006-04, 2006-05, 2006-06 and 2006-07 approving Quakertown National Bank, Wachovia Bank, Bank of America, PNC Bank, Sovereign Bank and National Penn Bank as depositories for Township Funds for the year 2006.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Appointment of Solicitor
A motion was made and seconded to reappoint the law firm of Dimmich, Guldin, Dinkelacker and Brienza, PC, as Township Solicitor, to serve at the pleasure of the Board.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Appointment of General Service Engineer
A motion was made and seconded to appoint J. Scott Pidcock as the Township General Service Engineer, to serve at the pleasure of the Board.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Appointment of Water Engineer
A motion was made and seconded to appoint J. Scott Pidcock as the Township Water Engineer, to serve at the pleasure of the Board.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Appointment of Sewer Engineer
A motion was made and seconded to reappoint the engineering firm of Schreiter Engineering Associates as the Township Sewer Engineer, to serve at the pleasure of the Board.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Appointment of Geotechnical Consultant
A motion was made and seconded to reappoint Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) as the Township Geotechnical Consultant, to serve at the pleasure of the Board.

The motion carried by a vote of 4 to 1 with Mr. Gutzmirtl voting against the appointment.

Appointment of Wetlands Consultant
A motion was made and seconded to reappoint Andrea M. Teti as Township Wetlands Consultant, to serve at the pleasure of the Board.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Appointments/Reappointments to Boards and Commissions

Zoning Hearing Board
A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution No. 2006-08 reappointing John R. Biggar to the Upper Saucon Township Zoning Hearing Board for a 3 year term expiring on December 31, 2008.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Vacancy Board
A motion was made and seconded to appoint Richard M. Nelson to the Upper Saucon Township Vacancy Board for a one year term expiring on December 31, 2006.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Police Pension Committee
A motion was made and seconded to appoint Miro A. Gutzmirtl, Joseph M. Horvath, and Joseph G. Pochron to the Upper Saucon Township Police Pension Committee for the 2006 calendar year.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Non-Uniformed Pension Committee
A motion was made and seconded to appoint Miro A. Gutzmirtl, Thomas Young and Sandra Busedu to the Upper Saucon Township Non-Uniformed Pension Committee for the 2006 calendar year.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Building Code Appeals Board
A motion was made and seconded to reappoint George J. Bloeser to the Upper Saucon Township Building Code Appeals Board for a one year term expiring on December 31,
2006.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Building Code Appeals Board
A motion was made and seconded to reappoint Robert A. Bosak to the Upper Saucon Township Building Code Appeals Board for a one year term expiring on December 31, 2006.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Building Code Appeals Board
A motion was made and seconded to reappoint David T. Howard to the Upper Saucon Township Building Code Appeals Board for a one year term expiring on December 31, 2006.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Appointment of Sewage Enforcement Officer – Resolution No. 2006-09
A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution No. 2006-09 appointing Edward J. Powell as primary Sewage Enforcement Officer for Upper Saucon Township.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Appointment of Alternate Sewage Enforcement Officers – Resolution No. 2006-10
A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution No. 2006-10 appointing Ronald J. Gawlik, P.E., and Jeffrey Matyus as Alternate Sewage Enforcement Officers for Upper Saucon Township.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Establish 2006 Regular Meeting Schedule
A motion was made and seconded to approve the following regular meeting schedule for 2006:

Board of Supervisors
(All meetings will start at 6:00 PM)

* Special Meetings (as needed) – 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM or otherwise as advertised

The motion carried by a vote of 4 to 1 with Mrs. White voting against the motion.

Committee Assignments
The Chairman announced the following committee assignments for the year 2006:

Planning and Zoning Committee - meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 8:30 AM
Miro Gutzmirtl, Chairman
Stephen Wagner

Public Works Committee - meets the 1st & 3rd Monday of each month at 9:30 AM
Joyce White, Chairperson
James White

Administration and Finance Committee – meetings scheduled on an as needed basis
Joseph Horvath, Chairman
Miro Gutzmirtl

Emergency Services Committee – meets the 4th Monday of each month at 9:30 AM
Joyce White, Chairman
Stephen Wagner

Recreation and Culture Committee – meeting the 3rd Monday of each month at 8:30 AM
James White, Chairperson
Joyce White

Open Space Study Committee – meets the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM
Joseph Horvath, Chairman
Miro Gutzmirtl

Municipal Authority Liaison Committee – meetings scheduled on an as needed basis
Stephen Wagner, Chairman
Joseph Horvath

Appointment of Voting Delegate to State Association’s Annual Convention
A motion was made and seconded to appoint James H. White, Sr., as the Township’s voting delegate to the State Association’s annual convention.

The motion carried by a vote of 4 in favor, 0 against and 1 abstention (Mr. White).

RESOLUTIONS
Police Pension Plan Contribution – Resolution No. 2006-11
A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution No. 2006-11 setting the police pension plan contribution at 2% of the plan participant’s compensation for the year 2006.

Mrs. White made an alternate motion setting the police pension plan contribution at 3% of the plan participant’s compensation for the year 2006. The motion was seconded by Mr. White.

Chairman Wagner allowed Tom Nicoletti to comment on this issue.

Tom Nicoletti, President of the Police Officers Association, asked the Board to fund the pension plan without a contribution from the employees.

The alternate motion failed by a vote of 3 to 2. Messrs. Wagner, Gutzmirtl and Horvath voted against the alternate motion. Mr. White and Mrs. White voted in favor of the alternate motion.

The original motion carried by a vote of 3 to 2. Messrs. Wagner, Gutzmirtl and Horvath voted in favor of the motion. Mr. White and Mrs. White voted against the motion.

Non-Uniformed Pension Plan Contribution – Resolution No. 2006-12
A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution No. 2006-12 setting the non-uniformed pension plan contribution at 2% of the plan participant’s compensation (W-2 wages) for the year 2006.

The motion carried by a vote of 3 to 2. Messrs. Wagner, Gutzmirtl and Horvath voted in favor of the motion. Mr. White and Mrs. White voted against the motion.

It was noted that the 2006 Budget would have to be amended to account for the reduced employee pension plan contribution.

A motion was made and seconded to re-open the 2006 Budget in order to account for the reduced employee pension contribution.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

MOTIONS
Appointments to Fill Vacancies on the Board of Auditors

A motion was made and seconded to appoint Anthony Bucha as a member of the Board of Auditors to fill an unexpired term ending January 7, 2008.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

A motion was made and seconded to appoint James T. Rouland as a member of the Board of Auditors to fill an unexpired term ending January 7, 2008.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

DIRECTION / DISCUSSION ITEMS
Zoning Hearing Board Agenda – January 16, 2006
Ms. Yeakel reviewed the appeals on the Zoning Hearing Board docket for January 16, 2006.

A motion was made and seconded authorizing the Township Solicitor to appear at the Zoning Hearing Board meeting and represent the Board of Supervisors as an objector in the appeal of Signature Homes (Appeal No.2006-01).

Motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

Procedure for Filling Vacancies on Various Boards and Commissions
It was noted that there are a number of openings on various boards and commissions. The Board discussed several different options for interviewing and evaluating the candidates interested in being appointed to a board or commission.

Motion was made and seconded to implement the following procedure for evaluating candidates interested in being appointed to a board or commission:

• Planning and Zoning Committee will interview candidates for the Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board and then make a recommendation to the full Board;
• Municipal Authority Liaison Committee will interview candidates for the Municipal Authority and then make a recommendation to the full Board; and
• Park and Recreation Committee will interview candidates for the Park and Recreation Commission and then make a recommendation to the full Board.

The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR
Tom Nicoletti, President of the Police Officers Association, thanked the Board for reducing the employee pension contribution.

Jenny Bucha of 4520 Calvert Street thanked the Township Police Department for the good work they do. She congratulated Joseph Horvath and Miro Gutzmirtl for their election to the Board. She was glad to hear the Board was opposing the Signature Homes zoning appeal.

Robert Tettemer of 5918 Glen Road commented that the Police Department needs more manpower and the police officers deserve better pension benefits.

ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting.

Motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.

______________________________
Secretary