MINUTES OF THE TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING HELD AUGUST 13, 2007
The Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors held their Regular Meeting on August 13, 2007. Those in attendance were Supervisors Richard Van Noy, Francis A. Altemose, II, Recording Secretary Maria Wieand, Solicitor Ed Scacchitti, Zoning Enforcement Officer Kate Lambert, Sewage Enforcement officer Bev Riker and area residents. Supervisor Jim Sterrett and Secretary/Treasurer Donna Verdes were absent. Chairman Van Noy called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
The following minutes were presented:
July 9, 2007 Public Hearing
July 9, 2007 Work Session & Regular Monthly Meeting
A motion was made by Supervisor Altemose, II, and seconded by Supervisor Van Noy to accept the minutes. There being no further comments or question, the motion carried.
Public Comments concerning items on Agenda: None
Matters Arising: None
Treasurer's Report: Maria Wieand read & presented the Treasurer’s report
General Fund: Receipts $300,118.49
Disbursements $139,496.95
General Fund Balance: $680,344.29
Liquid Fuels Balance: $311,375.09
Motion by Supervisor Altemose, II, seconded by Supervisor Van Noy to approve the Treasurer’s report. There being no comments or questions the motion carried.
Bill List: Bills in the amount of $209,731.67 were presented. Motion by Supervisor Altemose, II, seconded by Supervisor Van Noy to approve the bill as discussed with the appropriate transfer from Capital Reserve to Liquid Fuels. After the comments and questions the motion carried.
Comments & Questions by residents concerning the following:
Marie Rivera- Dan Lyons, K. Henning Minor Subdivision, Locust Ridge Parker Oil, Regions Credit Card, , Tu-way Communications, Interstate Road, and Selective Insurance.
John Kadany- Nextel bill and EMA Trailer.
Betty Terrell-Cruz- EMA, EMA budget, and the number people in EMA.
Announcements:
- The office will be closed Monday September 3, 2007 for Labor Day
Chairman Van Noy read the meeting schedule
Old Business:
- Proposed approval of the Henning Minor Subdivision. The Tunkhannock Township Planning Commission made a motion recommending the Supervisors approve the Henning Minor Subdivision on the condition that a copy of the recorded deed is provided to the township within 30 days. A motion by Supervisor Altemose, II, to approve the Henning Minor Subdivision with the condition that a copy of the recorded deed is provided to the Township within 30 days. Seconded by Supervisor Van Noy, after comments and questions the motion carried.
- Proposed approval of Conditional Use for Wholesale Modular, Inc. The Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors held a Public Hearing on August 13, 2007, for a conditional use to erect or construct a billboard on Route 115 adjacent to William’s pipeline to comply with Zoning Ordinance 2005-103 §707 B 4. A motion by Supervisor Altemose, II, to approve the conditional use for Wholesale Modular, Inc., to erect or construct a billboard on Route 115 adjacent to William’s pipeline to comply with Zoning Ordinance 2005-103 §707 B 4. Seconded by Supervisor Van Noy. After comments and questions the motion carried.
- Proposed advertising for the Fall Bulk Trash Weekend to be held September 7 to 10, 2007. A motion by Supervisor Altemose, II, to advertise for fall Bulk Trash weekend September 7-10 as indicated on the flyer. Seconded by Supervisor Van Noy. There being no comments or questions the motion carried.
- Proposed Ordinance Amending Realty Transfer Tax, Act 40 of 2005, effective October 5, 2005 authorized The Department of Revenue to assess, enforce, and collect delinquent Realty Transfer Tax (RTT), including interest and penalties when applicable, for all Municipalities and School Districts imposing an RTT that is identical to the Commonwealth’s. By Amending our current Rtt we will be consistent with the State.
Motion by Supervisor Altemose, II, seconded by Supervisor Van Noy to approve Ordinance 2007- 105 enacting a Realty Transfer Tax (RTT) and other Tax Related Provisions Pursuant To Article Xi-D Of The Tax Reform Code Of 1971, As Amended, Authorizing The Pennsylvania Department Of Revenue to determine, collect and enforce the RTT, interest penalties. There being no comments or questions the motion carried.
New Business:
- Review resignation letter from EDC member Ned Ramm. Ned sent us a letter of Resignation from the Economic Development Committee (EDC). A motion by Supervisor Altemose, II, seconded by Supervisor Van Noy to accept Ned Ramm’s immediate resignation from The Economic Development Committee (EDC). There being no comments or questions the motion carried.
- Possible purchase of The Silver Company Property. The Silver Companies have listed for sale approximately 91 +/- acres of land originally intended for development in Tunkhannock Township (formerly the Mears Property). After the developer’s plans were abandoned, Tunkhannock Township expressed an interest in acquiring the property using available grant funds from the State and County. A motion by Supervisor Altemose, II, seconded by Supervisor Van to authorize the solicitor and other appropriate Township representatives to explore the joint or multiple party purchase of the 91 +/- acres of the Silver Company property using grant funds from the state and Monroe County. After comments and questions the motion carried.
- Proposed Advertising for 2008 Budget Meetings. Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors will hold work sessions for the 2008 budget on October 25, November 8, November 21, November 29, and December 1, 2007.
A motion by Supervisor Altemose, II, seconded by Supervisor Van Noy to advertise the 2008 budget meetings on October 25, November 8, 21, 29 and December 1, 2007. There being no comments or questions the motion carried.
Reports: Supervisor Van Noy: Joint Building Codes Enforcement
Mike Gillen Pocono Mountain Regional Police Board –minutes posted
Pat Kager Clymer Library- looking for .75 mils from Jan to date
Annual Meeting Sept. 12
Supervisor Sterrett: EMA-no report
Department of Public Works (DPW)-no report
EDC- no report
Supervisor Altemose, II: EAC- no report
Joint Open Space Committee- minutes posted
COG- minutes posted
EMS- no report
Bruce Walder: Monroe County Task Force- no meeting
Dot Trauger: Township Planning Commission- minutes posted
Public Comments:
John Kadany- What is being dumped in the back and is it from PennDOT or Private Co., and should that material be clean fill? Pictures were submitted as evidence for follow up. Thank you for making the bill list legible.
Supervisor Van Noy is looking into the dumping and will let the residence know after his research.
Marg Nowinski- None, she spoke for Public Hearing.
Mike Gillen- A tractor trailer is parked in the back by the ballfield, a box trailer is parked in the DPW yard, why and are we getting rent for that? Research with the DPW department to review who is parking here and why, is being investigated.
Marie Rivera- Can we please have the grass cut across from the Township building to have a safe clearance? Supervisor Altemose, II and Marie will discuss after the meeting.
Tammy Mokshefski- Is filing a grievance for Township Ordinances that are in violation at neighbors home Kevin Vanderbrink. (Letter and complaint on file). Kate Lambert Zoning Officer will continue with the appropriate action and legal procedures according to our Ordinances.
Gary Verdes- Are the raceway’s new building setbacks correct? Yes, it is.
Betty Terrell-Cruz- If the public has a question and there is an answer it should be documented in the minutes. EDC should not be a dormant committee and they should be working to get something done in this Township to help with our tax burden and the Supervisors should reconsider making this a dormant committee. Last month a gentleman brought up the possibility of the Township Board of Supervisors having a five member board. Has the Township considered hiring a manager? The EDC will become active as needed; a discussion on 5 member board was on going, and as far as hiring a Manager it isn’t viable at this time.
A motion to adjourn was made by Supervisor Altemose, II, seconded by Supervisor Van Noy. There being no comments or questions the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.
Maria Wieand
Recording Secretary