TUNHANNOCK TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS

REGULAR MEETING – APRIL 14, 2010 

In Attendance:  Chairman Maureen Sterner, Vice-Chair George Ewald, Supervisor Fran DePiano, Attorney Dan Lyons, Recording Secretary Dot Trauger and area residents. 

Chairman Maureen Sterner called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.  For the record, all the Supervisors are present. 

The minutes of the March 10 and March 24, 2010 meetings were reviewed.  Betty Terrell-Cruz had some typo corrections to the March 10 minutes as follows: 

Page 1, paragraph 5, change “discuss” to “discussed”

Page 2, last paragraph, change “she” to “who”

Page 3, paragraph 2, add the word “list” 

Fran DePiano made a motion to accept the minutes as written (with typos corrected).  George Ewald seconded the motion.  Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously. 

There was no public comment on the agenda. 

Treasurer’s Report – Maureen Sterner made a motion to table this report until Maria’s return.  Fran DePiano seconded the motion.  Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.  Bills were presented in the amount of $27,053.12.  Fran DePiano then made a motion to pay the bills.  George Ewald seconded the motion.  Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously. 

Betty Terrell-Cruz asked how Dan Lyons represents us.  He represents us on Zoning, Sewage & Board issues and that Maria breaks each area out. 

Peg Yencho asked about the Sewage Grant.  Maureen Sterner replied that only 2 people in Harrisburg work in that office and that they are two years behind. 

Old Business: 

House on Long Pond Road – We have sent a letter to the gentleman with suggestions on where to go for assistance and also asked him to let us know if he has found a new place to live.  To date there has been no response. 

Glacial Energy Cares Agreement for Fire Company Earnings – There is a donation program which will contribute a small percentage of their earnings to the fire company.  George Ewald made a motion designate Tunkhannock Township Fire Company as recipient for this donation program.  Fran DePiano seconded the motion.  Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously. 

Board Appointment for Supervisors – Maureen Sterner read the appointments as follows: 

 Maureen Sterner made a motion to appoint.  George Ewald seconded the motion.  Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously. 

Tunkfest – Fran DePiano commented that there is just not enough time to get everything together for this year and maybe we can get organized for next year.  Supervisors Sterner & Ewald agreed.  Betty Terrell-Cruz volunteered for next year and would like to get started now.  Judy DePiano also volunteered. 

Community Yard Sale – Fran DePiano is not in favor of this.  George Ewald commented that we do not have enough help this year to organize.  Maureen Sterner commented that if the fire company wasn’t interested, maybe we could offer to the ambulance.  For a fee people could set up their own tables, or donate items to the ambulance and they would set up the tables.  Mike Gillen commented that Tunkfest might be a good venue and Maureen thought possibly Bulk Trash Weekend. 

Bulk Trash Bids – Maureen Sterner reported that we received bids from four companies.  The low bidder for trash was TB disposal at $435 per container.  Low bidder for metal was CCI at $99 per container and they would keep the scrap metal.  Low bidder for tires (taking all tires, not just car tires) was Waste Management at $845 per container.  Maureen Sterner made a motion to accept bids from TB Disposal, CCI and Waste Management.  George Ewald seconded the motion.  Hearing no comments, motion passed unanimously. 

New Business: 

Lauff Rezoning Request – A letter was sent to Mr. Lauff informing him it was his responsibility to pay for the costs of advertising and the hearing.  Maureen Sterner made a motion to schedule and advertise for a public hearing on June 9, 2010 at 6:45 p.m. (before the scheduled regular monthly Supervisors meeting) on the condition that we contact Mr. Lauff and verify he will pay.  Fran DePiano seconded the motion.  Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously. 

Regional Police Appointment – Three candidates applied for that appointment, Bill Byron, Jim Davenport and Joe Warriner.  Fran DePiano made a motion to appoint Joe Warriner as the Township Regional Police representative.  George Ewald seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously. 

Hypsie Gap Bridge – Supervisor Ewald has received 3 bids to repair the damage as follows: 

Steve Oltman                            $5,000

Flaherty Masonry                      $8,000

Bob & Mike Wallingford           $4,700  

Wallingford has repaired many bridges for Jackson Township and they have been very pleased with his work.  George Ewald made a motion to award the bid to Wallingford.  Fran DePiano seconded the motion.  Hearing no comments the motion passed unanimously.  The bridge will be closed on April 26, 2010 and be closed for approximately 4 to 5 days.  Troy will get the signs from Upper Mount Bethel Township to post the road.  Notices should be placed in the Journal of the Pocono Plateau and the Pocono Record.  Notice should be posted in the Township Building & Post Office.  Jackson & Chestnuthill Townships must be notified and also the Control Center & Emergency Services.  George noted that the bridge repairs are not covered by insurance.  Hank Dannecker asked if this was reported to the police and it was.  Regional responded right away. 

Fern Ridge Bog Greenway – George Ewald reported that under the Open Space Grant agreement we had to have the buildings demolished.  Three bids were received as follows: 

J. M. Brennan                           $ 8,200

Chris Breuer                             $20, 986

BFB Excavating                        $16,000 

These bids covered demolition, hauling away the debris, grading and seeding.  The Township priced doing it with our DPW crew but we would have needed at least 10 dumpsters at $850, which would result in $8,500 for the dumpsters alone, not including labor & equipments costs. 

George Ewald made a motion ratify awarding the bid the J. M. Brennan.  Fran DePiano seconded the motion.  

Jim Davenport asked if he was licensed and where was he hauling the debris.  George responded that he is licensed with the state and that we are requiring weight slips for the disposal of the debris.  Jim commented that we could have used Coolbaugh’s excavator and felt our DPW should have been given the job.    Jim Davenport & Dave Witt both commented that we should make sure we find out where they disposed of the debris. 

George Ewald commented that the Open Space fund would pay for the demolition.  Hearing no further comments, the motion passed unanimously. 

Municipal Security System Repairs – George Ewald is looking into more security in the Township buildings.  There is an alarm system in the Municipal Building but the DPW garage & old firehouse have none.  He pointed out that most of our equipment is in those buildings.  The Supervisors are looking into bids now.  Dave Witt asked if we also were looking to do this in-house.  George said that most alarm companies, i.e. Vector Security or ADT was to sell you monitoring after the system is installed and we do not need this as we are monitored by the Control Center.  We are looking for a company just to install the system and Byron Witt has provided the Supervisors with the name of a company. 

Grant Writer – Fran DePiano & George Ewald met with a grant writer who has worked with Regional Police and Barrett Township in applying for grants.  They are looking for someone with expertise in that area since we need all the grants we can get.  We are also looking into two other grant writers before a decision is made.  Fran pointed out that they would work on an hourly basis and that we should put some money into this and go after the money that is out there.  The grant writer will work closely with Dot, who has some contacts. 

Maureen Sterner made a motion to schedule and advertise a public meeting for April 28, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss hiring a grant writer.  Fran DePiano seconded the motion.  Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.   

Agility Agreement – The resolution to update the Agility Agreement between Tunkhannock Township and Upper Mount Bethel Township was discussed.  This concerns Upper Mount Bethel sending office help to Tunkhannock Township since Maria is out.  Fran DePiano made a motion to adopt a resolution updating the Agility Agreement between Tunkhannock Township and Upper Mount Bethel Township.  Maureen Sterner seconded the motion.  Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

Pending: 

Kiesel Contract for PC Maintenance – The Supervisors have not had a chance to review this contract. 

Proposed E911 Resolution and Signs – no update at yet 

Addendum to Conservation Agreement – no update at yet 

Reports:  

Maureen Sterner reported on the Ambulance, Fran DePiano reported on the Pocono Mountain Regional Police and a short discussion on fines and hours ensued.  Bill Byron reported that at the EMA meeting on Monday they asked for the “Silver Bullet” (a 55’ trailer) for both race weekends and he reported on the FBI systems for communications. 

George Ewald reported on the road inspections held earlier today.  Birch Brier, Sierra View, Henning Road and Edgewood Estates were inspected.  They will be prioritized and DPW will try to get as much done as possible.  Sierra View has 8 to 10 deep sinkholes and Fran DePiano commented that the roads are really bad.  Jim Davenport asked is most of the work would be done in house and George Ewald responded yes and DPW has ideas on how to keep costs down.  Fran DePiano commented that in the future the Supervisors will budget a specific dollar amount for roads and develop a plan for the future. 

Public Comments: 

Mike Gillen commented on the earned income tax for race car drivers and Dan Lyons is working on this with the Attorney for Berkheimer.

Peg Yencho commented on the cost of the races to the Township and a rapport with Doc Mattioli to recover these costs.  She asked if DJ Claypool still locates an office in the track for race day.  Fran will follow up. 

Joe Warriner suggested that the Township find out how we could generate income, possibly leasing the land for the soccer field to a solar farm company or to generate electricity for our own complex.  He also commented that a grant writer would be worth it.

Jim Davenport & Dave Witt commented that the soccer might have covenants that it should only be used for recreation and we would need to find that out.

Betty Terrell-Cruz commented on the appointments made tonight and if should could get a copy of the reserve schedule.  Yes, when Maria returns.

Maureen Sterner commented that this would be a right-to-know request and there would be a charge.

Betty also commented that she would like the Supervisors consider a real Economic Development Council to see what can be done to get business in and what our infrastructure needs.

Maureen Sterner commented that this was on the Supervisors list and hopefully by the end of the year we could find some experts in this area.

Judy DePiano commented on why we did not record all meetings and Dan explained the open records policy.

Joe Warriner commented that you can bring your own recorder.

Jim Davenport commented on coordinating large equipment purchases with other municipalities.

Maureen Sterner commented that the Supervisors intended to have a meeting for just that issue.

Betty Terrell-Cruz asked for any Tunkfest information and that would be available when Maria returns.

Peg Yencho asked if there were any pending lawsuits and Fran DePiano indicated only one involving Regional Police.

Dave Witt commented on the cost of in-house insulation of the Municipal Building and Maureen Sterner indicated that is was $2,000 over last year. 

Maureen Sterner made a motion to adjourn.  Fran DePiano seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously.  Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. 

Submitted by: 

Dorothy A. Trauger

Recording Secretary