MINUTES OF THE TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’
WORK SESSION & REGULAR MEETING APRIL 22, 2009
The Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors held a work session on April 22, 2008. Those in attendance were Supervisors Van Noy, Davenport, Secretary/Treasurer Wieand, Solicitor Lyons, and area residents. Chairman Van Noy called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
The following items where reviewed and discussed:
Agricultural Security Committee properties: The Agricultural Security Areas in Tunkhannock Township consist of:
The Nature Conservancy 20632300568552 11.54 20/6/1/21
P.O. Box 55, Long Pond Road
Long Pond, PA 18334
Francis & Emma Altemose, II 20632300829204 82.47 20/5/1/30
HC 62, Box 17 20632300768744 87.00 20/6/1/21-2
Long Pond, PA 18334 20633300089322 24.00 20/5/1/3-1
20632300649352 10.00 20/6/1/21-1
20632300334589 20.70 20/6/1/17-1
20632300247093 10.00 20/6/1/17
20633300125990 10.32 20/92745
20633300022391 29.15 20/92743
Wojciech & Teresa Kurnik 20632300643992 20.39 20/6/1/21-7
85 Valentine Lane
Yonkers, NY 10705
Bethlehem Authority 20632300616360 482.79 20/6/1/28 375/117
10 East Church Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
TOTAL ACREAGE 788.36
This Committee consists of a five member Board; a Township Supervisor is usually the Chair with 3 active agricultural farmland owners and it should also consist of one citizen of the Township. The current members are Francis A. Altemose, II and Jeff Brennan. Mike Tucker is willing to serve on the board and has been contacted. Supervisor Davenport was appointed in January to serve on this committee, which leave us needing one more member. The Board will provide the names of potential members so that the Planning Administrator can contact them prior to the Supervisor appointing these members. This committee must meet at least once every seven (7) years. Our Township must do so by June 2, 2010. Secretary Wieand asked who keeps track of agricultural lands, uses, and if sold does the landowner know his/her responsibilities as agricultural landowner? The board asked solicitor Lyons to check on this information.
Proposed Resolution for Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area: A grant was submitted for the handicapped accessible dock and trails on April 20, 2009. It is required that we sign a resolution to accompany the grant within 10 days. Due to time restrictions, our grant administrator asked that we open a regular meeting to adopt this after the work session.
Proposed Fee Schedule review request: After several meetings and reviews, the board requested a complete cost analysis for our entire fee schedule be presented. The attached 2009 proposed Zoning fee schedule is attached with current fee/proposed fee/hourly rate or fee/estimated cost to perform the job, and who or what departments perform activities to complete the task. This will be placed on the 5/13/09 regular meeting. Secretary Wieand indicated the Sewage fee schedule has not been completed yet to the extent the board requested.
Inter-Municipal Agreement from Coolbaugh for Composting: Mr. Jim Frutchey contacted the Township asking our participation in a joint Inter-municipal agreement for a Composting facility. Coolbaugh Township is applying for a grant and would like our agreement to participate. Please review the attached agreement as per their request. They are looking for approval as soon as possible and signed agreements so that they can submit as soon as possible. Solicitor Lyons said an Ordinance must be passed, and Secretary Wieand will look to see if an Ordinance exists already on file.
UCC Building Codes review from solicitor: Solicitor Lyons explained that the hybrid system we (the Joint building code twps.) have been using does not work and we have to decide if we want to move forward with an Authority type Board or just an appeals board and each township has their own Building Codes inspectors. Place on the 5/13/09 agenda for Dan’s recommendations and written recommendations based on the work session review and board indicating authority.
House Bill 849 review proposed letters for approval : The letters prepared by the secretary were reviewed by the board and the letter from the residents passed through the audience for comments. Betty Terrell-Cruz indicated she would like to see our Township Name in the letter. Secretary Wieand indicated she would add that to the letter and have them ready for signatures at the 5/13/09 meeting.
Proposed Outdoor Wood Burning Furnaces Ordinance: The board has reviewed the memo from Zoning Officer Kate Lambert, they would like the zoning department to prepare a draft Ordinance to forward to the Planning Commission for their review input and recommendations to the board.
Proposed Wind Turbines Ordinance update: The board has reviewed the memo from planning administrator Dot Trauger and has asked that the zoning & planning departments review and present ordinance amendments to the planning commission for their review and recommendation to the board on vertical access turbines. Joseph O’lall asked if the board would have the planning commission review the lot size and restrictions with the current ordinance. Secretary Wieand asked Joe if he had submitted the form requesting to amend an Ordinance, and he indicated he had not.
Joinder Deed Lebron, Stephen & Kim EL 5804 & 5777: Mark Primrose submitted the request for the joinder deed on these lots, secretary Wieand indicated the joinder fee was not submitted and the property still has taxes owed from 2007 and 2008. A letter will be sent to Mark Primrose concerning these issues. If the information is received by 5/8/09, it can be placed on the 5/13/09 meeting.
Secretary Wieand reviewed two letters that came before the board:
1. Judy Kelly-Johnson requested the Township look into a dog park.
2. The LWV sent a notice of their health fair at the Hughes library 5/2/09.
Seth Eisenberg commented on the dog park, he has a group of interested residents that would like to have Tobyhanna, and Tunkhannock consider a joint venture on a dog park. The location they think would be great is the Austin T. Blakeslee Park. The board recommended he speak with the Joint Open Space Committee and attend one of their meetings. We would also have our planning administrator check with DCNR to see if that is an acceptable use with the grant funds.
Public Comments:
Betty Terrell-Cruz -Commented on the piles of dirt and obstruction on the lot located on the corner of Toll Road and Mountain Road. Secretary Wieand asked that she fill out the issues of concern form so that the DPW department can investigate this issue.
There was no further business. The work session meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
The April 22, 2009, regular meeting of the Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors, Chairman Van Noy called the meeting to order at 8:01 pm.
Supervisors: Van Noy, Davenport, Secretary Wieand, Solicitor Lyons and area residents.
New Business:
The board opened the regular meeting to review the proposed resolution needed to accompany the grant application for the Austin T. Blakeslee Park for a handicap accessible dock and trails.
Planning and grants administrator Dot Trauger has submitted the grant to DCNR and the required resolution must accompany the application within ten (10) days of submission. Because of time limitations, she has asked we open this regular meeting to pass the Resolution.
Supervisor Davenport motioned to approve Resolution 2009-163 to carry out the grant required to acquire a handicap accessible dock and trails at the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area on behalf of the Tobyhanna/Tunkhannock Joint open Space Committee. Seconded by Chairman Van Noy, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
There being no other business scheduled for the meeting a motion to adjourn made by Supervisor Davenport, seconded by Chairman Van Noy and carried unanimously at 8:03 p.m.
Maria Wieand
Secretary