MINUTES OF THE TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING AUGUST 13, 2008
The Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors' held their Regular Meeting on August 13, 2008. Those in attendance were Supervisors Richard G. Van Noy, Maureen Sterner, James Davenport, Secretary/Treasurer Maria Wieand, Solicitor Dan Lyons, and area residents. Chairman Van Noy called the meeting to order at 7:03pm.
Minutes Presented:
July 9, 2008 Regular Meeting
July 23, 2008 Work Session
Motion by Supervisor Davenport to approve the minutes and seconded by Supervisor Sterner.
There being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Executive Sessions:
Held: August 13, 2008: Prior to and after the regular meeting for personnel and legal issues.
To be held: August 27, 2008 Prior to and after if needed for Personnel and legal issues
September 10, 2008 Prior to and after if needed for Personnel and legal issues
Comments or Questions on Agenda items: None
Matters Arising:
Senator Rhoades will be here August 20, 2008, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm (Mobile district office)
He will have Pace forms, property tax rent rebate forms, Birth Certificate applications, updated transportation maps, and PHEAA.
Central Tax Bureau has been sending our residents bills that they owe earned income tax, do not pay this and you need to call Berkheimer to clarify that your W-2 forms have been correctly filed to Tunkhannock Township. Also, check your W-2 forms at tax filing time and be sure your local municipality is Tunkhannock not Tobyhanna.
Monroe County Control Center sent a letter requesting we review our unnamed private roads or private drives with two or more residents and reconsider naming those for the 911-readdressing project.
West End Community Ambulance and West End Advanced Life Support have merged. Treasurer Wieand is requesting the Supervisors review this and advise her if we need to update or change our donations.
Chairman Van Noy read a Press Release going to the commissioners and local newspapers in reference to the Presidential Election 2008.
Bill List:
Maria Wieand presented current bills for $52,268.98. A motion by Supervisor Sterner to pay the bills and seconded by Chairman Van Noy. Comments and questions were addressed and the motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer's Report:
Maria Wieand gave the financial report and the profit and loss statement is attached.
Income: 224,361.70
Expense: 101,565.79 (General Monthly expenses plus bills presented tonight total)
Balance: 635,097.11 (Balance sheet attached)
Motion by Supervisor Davenport to accept the Treasurer's Report, and seconded by Supervisor Sterner. After comments and questions, the motion passed unanimously.
Announcements: Bring your Junk to Tunk: Bulk Trash Weekend Sept. 12-15
Fri & Mon 8:30am to 3:30pm
Sat & Sun 9am to 4pm
MCMWA Household Hazardous Waste Collection Sept. 13th (8 to 4) & Sept. 14th (8 to 3) - Locations: West End Fair Grounds, Mt. Pocono Wal-Mart
Chairman Van Noy read the meeting schedule.
Old Business:
Intermunicipal Agility Agreement Upper Mount Bethel & Tunkhannock Townships: Motion by Supervisor Sterner to advertise for a public hearing to be held on August 27, 2008 at 7:00pm. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Official Map Advertise for Public Hearing: Planning/Grants Administrator Dot Trauger has mailed the proposed Official Map to the Neighboring Municipalities, the MC Planning Commission and our Planning Commission for final review. We will allow 45 days for review process and schedule a public hearing to consider the adoption of the Official Map. Motion by Supervisor Davenport to advertise for the public hearing to be held on September 24, 2008 at 7:00pm. Seconded by Supervisor Sterner, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Regional Comprehensive Plan Advertise for Public Hearing: The proposed Regional Comprehensive Plan with Tobyhanna, Coolbaugh, Tunkhannock Township and the Borough of Mount Pocono will need to be advertised for a public hearing. Motion by Supervisor Sterner to advertise for a public hearing to be held on August 27, 2008 at 7:00pm. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
P & K Developers land donated to Tunkhannock Twp/Tax Sale Notice: Solicitor Lyons noted that we passed a resolution at our last meeting to record the deeds and file the tax exemption for 2009, and since we are a rightful owner as noted on the subdivision, we are requesting the taxing authority waive the back taxes. We have notified them in the past and filed a suit in 2007 that we have an interest in the property and that’s why we have an equitable interest since it was noted on the plan. Since this was noted on the plan and recorded, it made us the owners. Supervisor Sterner made a motion to authorize Dan Lyons to commence any legal action necessary if he can’t get the property off the tax sale. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport, after comments and questions the motion passed unanimously.
Blakeslee Natural Area Brochure: The flyer has been proofed and handed out at Tunkfest and we will need to approve this. Supervisor Sterner made a motion to approve the brochure for the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area, seconded by Supervisor Davenport. There being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously. The second item is to approve the signs that have been designed and prices given from Anne Sincavage for our Townships portion in the amount of $462.11. Motion by Chairman Van Noy to approve paying for the signs in the amount of $462.11 once we have received reimbursement from DCNR on the Moyer/Kim property funds due to the Township. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously being there were no comments or questions.
Sale of Township Car (Crown Victoria): We have already approved for advertising and would like to note that we won’t set a price and will ask for bids. Since this is over $100 value, it must go out on bid.
New Business:
Surveying services for Tunkhannock Trails II: An accurate field survey to mark locations of existing markers will be needed for the first section of road being worked on in Tunk Trails II. Engineer Kevin Harrison has obtained the price and services from Martin & Robbins registered surveyors. Motion by Supervisor Davenport to approve Martin & Robbins to provide services for the first part of Tunkhannock Trails II. Seconded by Supervisor Sterner, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Line Painting for Township Roads: COG “Council of Government” has awarded the line painting to Interstate Road Management. The awarded price is $.0338 per linear foot 4” white edge line and 4” yellow centerline. Motion by Supervisor Sterner to have DPW schedule the line painting on the Township roads per the COG contract bid. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport, after comments and questions the motion passed unanimously. The cost would be approximately $7,865.00 for the project.
IMBCEP (Inter-Municipal Building Codes Enforcement Program) Authorization to hire a solicitor: The Administrative Committee of IMBCEP asked that each municipality be contacted to request they consider hiring a solicitor for the IMBCEP. The committee felt a solicitor is needed to work on language changes needed to resolve discrepancies in the Inter-Municipal Agreement. Motion by Supervisor Davenport to authorize the IMBECEP to advertise and interview for a solicitor. Seconded by Supervisor Sterner, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Alternate Sewage Enforcement Officer Rick Fisher: Tabled- need fee schedule. Motion by Supervisor Sterner to table this until next month. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Alternate Solicitor Steve Higgins: Tabled until next month (he’s on vacation and we need fee schedule) Motion by Supervisor Sterner to table this until next month. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Reports:
Supervisor Van Noy: Joint Building Codes Enforcement-minutes posted
Joint Open Space Committee-minutes posted
EAC (Environmental Advisory Committee)
COG (Council of Government) - minutes posted
Regional Open Space
Tunkhannock Township Vol. Fire Co.
Supervisor Sterner: EMA (Emergency Management)
EMS (Emergency Medical Services)-minutes posted (May)
Supervisor Davenport: Department of Public Works (DPW)
Planning Commission -
Toby/Tunk Watershed - no minutes
Agricultural Security Advisory - no meeting/no minutes
Pat Kager: Clymer Library
Mike Gillen Pocono Mountain Regional Police Board - minutes posted
Maria Wieand Tunkfest 2008
Public Comments:
Betty Terrell Cruz- Questioned the bill from Dan Lyons, Solicitor Lyons answered the first line is Planning Commission from January to June, the others are broken into each department for May and June. (Zoning, Sewage, General)
Liquid fuels funds, Betty would like an explanation again to better understand this. Supervisor Sterner answered her question and explained that we are only able to use 20% of our Liquid fuels fund for equipment. Since we over budgeted in 2007 for road work we didn’t have a carry-over leaving us less funds at 20% for equipment debit service.
Marie Rivera- How much money in capital reserve was spent last year, and don’t the supervisors have to vote on spending funds from Capital Reserve. Yes, the supervisors need to vote on any money being taken from capital reserve.
Mike Gillen- Asked about sign on Route 115, blue IML sign with arrow. Maria Wieand noted she forgot and will let DPW know.
Roxanne Apostle- Asked when will the drainage ditches will be cleaned out on Allegheny and if possible can chevron signs be posted on the sharp curves. Mr. Davenport will check with DPW on the drainage.
Perry Apostle- Serves on the board and states they have had several complaints from the community about the speed on Allegheny Drive. In the past few weeks, they have had several accidents and suffered a power outage from the last accident that involved a utility pole. Supervisor Sterner answered the request as follows: We are not permitted to use stop signs to break up the speed, and the density in the area will not allow us to lower the speed limit since this is set by state statue. It is a speed issue, we need to contact regional police to enforce the speed limit, and we can look into possible chevron signs.
Hank Dannecker- Thanks for cleaning up the BWA lot and what happened to the scrap metal (two loads). Where did the money go from that scrap and what did bulk Trash weekend actually cost the Township.
George Ewald- Questioned the Tax sale properties of the Township noted in the Journal. We addressed that earlier in the meeting on P & K properties. George would also like to know the amount of the road bond for Tunkhannock Trails II that was not renewed. Solicitor Lyons will get that information for Mr. Ewald. He would also like to know the cost to do the work by the Township.
Diane Smith- Was there any other discussion on the outcome of the audit. It is not completed yet. Do we have new road signs going up or will we? We have begun changing them over to comply with the 2010 requirements.
Marjorie Nowinski- Why don’t we have a swimming pool here for the kids? Because we have too much equipment.
Sean Stevens- Commends the fire department with only seven active members and few others who contribute to helping, that they agree to have the elections there. What do we get from our recycling bins and the dollar amount? We will get that amount for him.
A motion was made by Supervisor Sterner to adjourn at 8:52pm, seconded by Supervisor Davenport. There being no comments or additional questions the motion carried unanimously.
Maria S. Wieand
Secretary