Board of Supervisors Agenda

MINUTES
Upper Saucon Township Board of Supervisors
Regular Meeting
Monday, May 4, 2009 - 6:00 p.m.
Township Municipal Building

Members Present:
Stephen Wagner, Acting Chairman  
Joseph M. Horvath
John E. Gilda, Jr.
                                   
Participating Via Speakerphone:
Miro A. Gutzmirtl     
        
Staff Attending:
Thomas F. Beil, Township Manager
Robert E. Kassel, Jr., Asst. Township Manager
Thomas Dinkelacker, Township Solicitor
Dennis E. Harman, P.E., Township Engineer

CALL TO ORDER
Acting Chairman Wagner called the meeting to order at 6:00 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
Acting Chairman Wagner asked all in attendance to stand and recite the “Pledge of Allegiance.”

PUBLIC COMMENT
None

SUBDIVISIONS & LAND DEVELOPMENTS
None

PRESENTATIONS
Thomas Gettings – Environmental Advisory Council
Thomas Gettings, Chairman of the Upper Saucon Township Environmental Advisory Council, presented the Annual Report of Council Activities For Calendar Year 2008.  Key points discussed were as follows:

• Preparation of a draft Official Township Map
• Campaign to educate voters about the Open Space Referendum
• Promote the use of rain barrels
• Reviewed and commented on Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Amendment
• Planned Township Clean-up Day
• Continued efforts to inform residents about the benefits of land preservation
• Made recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on numerous properties for possible preservation or acquisition
• Sponsored preliminary inventory of historic resources
• Supported proposal to construct trail connecting the Promenade Shops to offices in Stabler Corporate Center

MINUTES
None

COMMITTEE REPORTS
None

ORDINANCES
None

RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No. 2009-28 – Collection Procedure For Review Fees Incurred by The Township In Connection With The Review And Approval Of Subdivisions And Land Developments
A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution No. 2009-28 establishing a collection procedure for review fees paid or incurred by the Township in connection with the review and approval of land development plans and the observation, inspection and approval of public improvements and common amenities contemplated by land development plans pursuant to the Municipalities Planning Code and the Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.

The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.

Resolution No. 2009-29 – Consultant Review Fees To Be Paid By Developers In Connection With The Review and Approval Of Subdivisions And Land Developments
A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution No. 2009-29 approving consultant review fees to be paid by developers in connection with the review and approval of land development plans and the inspection, review and approval of public improvements and common amenities contemplated by land development projects pursuant to the Municipalities Planning Code and the Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.

The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.

MOTIONS
Animal Control Agreement With Lehigh County Humane Society
A motion was made and seconded to approve an agreement with the Lehigh County Humane Society for animal control services during the 2009 calendar year and to authorize the Township Manager to execute said agreement on behalf of the Township.

The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.

Appointment of Special Solicitor To Represent And Advise Board In Matters Relating To Brinley Court Conditional Use Application
A motion was made and seconded to appoint Maria C. Mullane as Special Solicitor for the Township to represent and advise the Board of Supervisors in those matters relating to the Brinley Court conditional use application and to compensate the Special Solicitor in accordance with the fee schedule set forth in Attorney Mullane’s letter of April 27, 2009.

The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.

Request For Payment – Kuharchik Construction, Inc. – Certification No. 4 – Final
A motion was made and seconded to authorize final payment in the amount of $500.00 to Kuharchik Construction, Inc., for work completed on the flashing school zone warning signals at Hopewell Elementary School.

The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.

CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
None

DIRECTION / DISCUSSION ITEMS
Proposed Soccer Field On Property At 4505 E. Valley Road
Acting Chairman Wagner noted this item was removed from the agenda.

Zoning Hearing Board Agenda – May 11, 2009
Mr. Beil reviewed the three zoning appeals on the Zoning Hearing Board docket for May 11, 2009.  It was the consensus of the Board that the Township Solicitor should appear and represent the Board of Supervisors as an objector in the appeal of James Swinney and Stacy Butz concerning the property at 6916 Suter Road.  The Board authorized the Planning and Zoning Committee to rescind the Township’s opposition if Swinney and Butz agree to replant an appropriate number of trees to replace the trees they removed without a permit.

The Board expressed concerns about the appeal of Brian Billings for the property at 6131 Route 309 (Sunoco Gas Station).  The Board referred this matter to the Planning and Zoning Committee and authorized the Committee to determine whether or not the solicitor should appear at the hearing and represent the Board of Supervisors as an objector in this zoning appeal.  The Committee is to pay particular attention to the possible impact on adjoining properties when deciding whether or not to oppose the zoning appeal.

Water System Status Report – April, 2009
Dennis Harman of The Pidcock Company presented a report entitled “Water System Status Report – April, 2009”.  Key points discussed with the Board were:

• Recent improvements to the Township water system
• The need to develop additional water supply sources
• Preparation of an emergency response plan and drought contingency plan
• Recommended future improvements to the Township water system

BILLS, PAYROLLS, AND COMMISSIONS

• Prepaid Invoice List #05042009 dated 05/01/2009………$105,714.95
• Warrant List #05042009 dated 05/01/2009………………$323,735.61

A motion was made and seconded to authorize payment of the Prepaid Invoice List and Warrant List #05042009 dated 05/01/2009, with the exception of Joyce White’s requested reimbursement of PSATS Convention expenses in the amount of $389.80. 

The Board wanted additional information verifying that Joyce White actually incurred $389.80 in expenses while attending the PSATS Convention.  The Board will take action on Mrs. White’s reimbursement request at the next meeting.

The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.

ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
None

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR
None

EXECUTIVE SESSION
None

ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting.

The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.  The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:03 pm.

                                                                       
Secretary