MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: H. Klein, D. Ascani and S. Disidore

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1 The November 20, 2017, meeting of the Lower Mount Bethel Township Board of Supervisors was held at 6984 S. Delaware Drive, Martins Creek, Pennsylvania (formerly known as Centerfield School). The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Susan Disidore at 7:01 p.m. There were approximately 3 people in the audience. MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: H. Klein, D. Ascani and S. Disidore MEMBERS ABSENT: J. Mauser and M. DeBerardinis PROFESSIONAL STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: L. Stauffer EXECUTIVE SESSION: S. Disidore announced an executive session was held prior to the meeting to discuss personnel and real estate acquisition. No action was taken on personnel. S. Disidore stated the Township has engaged in negotiations with a property owner for the purchase of Lot # 4 of the Meadow Creek Subdivision. The property owner has accepted the Township s offer of $147,000. The Township has applied for a grant in the amount of approximately $30,000 that will offset the purchase price. H. Klein made a motion to accept the agreement of sale and to authorize the Chairperson to execute the agreement on behalf of the Township. D. Ascani seconded. Motion passed (3-0). S. Newman questioned if anything has been resolved regarding access. S. Disidore stated it has not been resolved at this time. S. Newman also questioned if any progress has been made on Lots 1, 2, and 3. S. Disidore stated no progress has been made at this time and the Township is in the midst of having an appraisal done. S. Disidore stated as part of the purchase process, the Township is going to have to complete a Phase I Environmental study. She further stated a proposal has been placed before the Board by Barry Isett to complete the study for $2,000. She also stated that J. Zator wanted to disclosed that Mr. Isett is a client of the Township solicitor for unrelated matters. It was concluded that no Board member has objections. H. Klein made a motion to accept the proposal from Barry Isett & Associates for $2,000 for the purpose of performing a Phase I Environmental Study to be completed within three weeks of the signed contract. D. Ascani seconded. Motion passed (3-0). S. Disidore stated there is another agreement in front of the Board for consideration, which details that if the purchase of Lots 1, 2, and 3 come to fruition, the purchase price of Lot 4 shall be deducted from the purchase price of the other lots. D. Ascani made a motion to authorize the Chairperson to execute the agreement with John Monoghan as described. H. Klein seconded. Motion passed (3-0).

2 S. Disidore stated the Open Space Committee should do an assessment of the Tekening Trail property. S. Newman stated she will discuss the issue with the other open space committee members. MINUTES: The minutes of November 6 th, 2017, were presented for review and approval. The following changes were noted: 1. Page 2, Paragraph 3 Remove that under the temporary permit issued by PennDOT; the Township is required to place the units on existing speed limit signs. Replace with, The current device is the loaner device installed by PennDOT. 2. Page 2, Paragraph 7 Insert and a letter requesting notification of any application. 3. Page 4, Paragraph 4 Change satisfaction issues to unsatisfactory performance. H. Klein made a motion to adopt the minutes as amended. D. Ascani seconded. Motion passed (3-0). CORRESPONDENCE: S. Disidore announced all Township correspondence is on file for public inspection at the Township office. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR: Martha Posner of Little Creek Road appeared to discuss the ongoing truck issue. She stated she has a photo of a truck backing up out of Lafayette Avenue. She stated she tried to complain to the office and she was told nothing could be done. She thinks this should be a Township problem. If necessary, she s going to be the squeaky wheel until something gets done. D. Ascani recommended that Ms. Posner contact Pennsylvania State Police. H. Klein suggested she should contact the trucking company. OLD BUSINESS: Proposed Budget The draft budget was duly advertised and available to the public at least twenty (20) days in advance of the meeting as required by the Second Class Township Code. The draft budget represents $1,087,875 in revenues and $1,087,875 in expenditures. H. Klein made a motion to adopt the 2018 budget as advertised. D. Ascani seconded. Motion passed (3-0). 2. Multi-Way Stop Sign Ordinance The draft ordinance would ordain a three-way stop intersection at Upper Mud Run Road and Richard Garr Road. The ordinance has been

3 appropriately advertised for Board consideration. D. Ascani made a motion to adopt Ordinance H. Klein seconded. Motion passed (3-0). 3. Codemaster Contract S. Disidore noted the Board has received proposals from Keystone and Barry Isett to offer zoning and code services to the Township. The Board also has the contract proposed by Codemaster. The Board elected to hold off on any discussions in order to have more time to review the proposals. L. Stauffer reported that an amendment to the existing Codemaster contract has been received, which would provide an extension until March 31, H. Klein made a motion to authorize the Chairperson to execute the contract amendment with Codemaster, which grants an extension until March 31, D. Ascani seconded. Motion passed (3-0). NEW BUSINESS: 1. Planning Commission The Planning Commission is proposing to hold an additional meeting on December 5 th for the sole purpose of discussing the zoning ordinance update. D. Ascani made a motion to authorize the advertisement expense for an additional meeting on December 5 th. H. Klein seconded. Motion passed (3-0). REPORTS: L. Stauffer reported she received a phone call from Stan Rugis, Northampton County Director of Public Works, concerning a meeting at Bridge 31 with the Pennsylvania Historical Commission. Mr. Rugis stated he was exploring the possibility of obtaining funding for the bridge as it is one of the few pony truss bridges remaining in the state. F. Heitzman stated he attended that meeting and the bridge does not qualify for funding through the PHC. H. Klein requested if the Township can contact the PHC regarding the Little Creek Road bridges. L. Stauffer also reported the zoning hearing board upheld the Davison violation notice and denied him a variance. After the written opinion is issued and the 30-day appeal period expires, this matter will be ripe for the Board to proceed with legal action if the property owner fails to comply with the violation notice. L. Stauffer also reported she met with Shawn Leidy and Shannon Callouri to discuss the upcoming district court cases. She stated she provided them with case law and arguments in order to achieve a successful outcome. D. Ascani stated it s sad the Township Secretary/Treasurer has to educate the zoning officer on case law. F. Heitzman also reported the Hutchison Avenue signs have been replaced. The road department has also been actively engaged in leaf collection and preparing for the upcoming winter season.

4 H. Klein reported there is an upcoming meeting on either November 28 th or November 29 th in Plainfield Township on the proposed sludge plant. He also stated in his opinion, the Board should send another letter to Upper Mount Bethel Township to remind them to notify the Township in the event of an application submission from Gravel Hill. D. Ascani stated the Township should contact PennDOT to remove their speed radar unit as it doesn t work on a regular basis. He also stated the Township speed radar devices look good; however, he s not sure they are set up correctly. There was a discussion on the logistics of the devices. The Board also discussed the ongoing property maintenance issue at 7796 Martins Creek Belvidere Highway pertaining to the railroad ties. The Board requested L. Stauffer to inquire with the zoning officer and report back to the Board on the status. HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN H. Klein stated he attended the November 16 th meeting for the Hazard Mitigation Plan. He stated the Township has some responsibilities that need to be accomplished. The first thing that needs to be accomplished is the Township needs to fill out the worksheets. Through the course of discussion, it was determined that the worksheets have already been filled out and submitted. Secondly, attendance at the meetings is required. The Township is expected to be an active participant. D. Ascani stated J. Larrison needs to take the lead on this project as the Emergency Management Coordinator. He stated if there is something that J. Larrison doesn t understand, then he needs to ask. J. Larrison stated he would like to form a committee that includes floodplain administrator, the roadmaster and road foreman as well as a member of the Planning Commission. S. Disidore addressed J. Larrison and stated the Board will get him the resources that he needs in order to handle the responsibility; however, he needs to communicate those needs to the Township. INVOICES: Invoices in the amount of $35, were presented for authorization. H. Klein made a motion to authorize payment of the invoices as presented. S. Disidore seconded. Motion passed (3-0). PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None

5 ADJOURNMENT: S. Disidore adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lori A. Stauffer Secretary/Treasurer