MINUTES OF THE TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 END OF YEAR MEETING HELD DECEMBER 27, 2006

The Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors' held their End of year meeting on December 27, 2006.  Those in attendance were Supervisors Richard G. Van Noy, Jim Sterrett, and Secretary/Treasurer Donna Verdes, Solicitor Ed Scacchitti and area residents. Supervisor Altemose, II was not in attendance.  Chairman Van Noy called the meeting to order at 5:45pm. 

The following minutes were presented:

                                                December 4, 2006 Public Hearing

                                                December 11, 2006 Regular Meeting 

Motion was made by Supervisor Sterrett to accept the minutes and seconded by Supervisor Van Noy.  There being no further comments the motion passed unanimously. 

Matters Arising:  None 

Bill List: Chairman Van Noy commented that the Supervisors will provide the bill list for those who would like a copy as well as a list posted on the door.  Bills for $71,714.79 were presented, a motion by Supervisor Sterrett to pay the bills.  Seconded by Supervisor Van Noy.  After comments and questions, the motion passed unanimously.  

Announcements:  Chairman Van Noy announced the following:

-               In 2007 Ron Wieand will be the new Fire Chief, and Roger Smith will be the President.

-               In 2006 the Major purchases were: New Computer System, 450J Dozer, 2006 GMC Sierra 3500 Utility Truck, and 2007 Volvo Single Axle Dump Truck. 

The Township received the following in 2006:

Grants:                  

-               DCED Wind Turbine-the Wind Turbine was supplied at a cost of approximately 10K, plus we were reimbursed $1,542.32 for installation of the windmill.                                                    

-               DEP recycling performance grant $5,472.00      

Reimbursements: 

-               DEP Sewage Reimbursement $39,584.61

-               PEMA/FEMA: Hurricane Ivan $2,182.00               

Chairman Van Noy read the meeting schedule. 

Old Business: None 

New Business: 

-               Motion by Supervisor Sterrett to adopt Resolution #2006-126 approving the new Planning & Zoning Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2007.  Seconded by Supervisor Van Noy.  Roll call vote taken: Sterrett-yes, Van Noy-yes, Altemose, II-absent.  There being no comments, the motion passed unanimously.  

-               Motion by Supervisor Sterrett to adopt Resolution #2006-127 approving the Sewage Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2007.  Seconded by Supervisor Van Noy.  Roll call vote taken: Sterrett-yes, Van Noy-yes, Altemose, II-absent.  There being no comments, the motion passed unanimously.  

-               Motion by Supervisor Sterrett to adopt Resolution #2006-128 waiving all real estate taxes for the Henning Property Open Space Acquisition.  Seconded by Supervisor Van Noy.  Roll call vote taken: Sterrett-yes, Van Noy-yes, Altemose, II-absent.  There being no comments, the motion passed unanimously.  

-               Motion by Supervisor Sterrett to accept with regret, the resignation of Francis A. Altemose, Sr. from the Planning Commission. He served 18 years and is now resigning due to health reasons.  Seconded by Supervisor Van Noy.  Roll call vote taken: Sterrett-yes, Van Noy-yes, Altemose, II-absent.  There being no comments, the motion passed unanimously.  

-               Motion by Supervisor Sterrett to accept with regret, the resignation of Ronald A. Wieand from the Planning Commission.  He has served 21 years and is resigning due to his new obligations at the Tunkhannock Township Volunteer Fire Company.  Roll call vote taken: Sterrett-yes, Van Noy-yes, Altemose, II-absent.  There being no comments, the motion passed unanimously.  

-               The existing Tunkhannock Township Personnel Policy provides for fifteen (15) paid holidays including Flag Day.  Since Flag Day is not recognized as a paid holiday at the state level and most other municipalities don’t observe the Flag Day Holiday, the Board of Supervisors’ would like to eliminate the Flag Day Holiday as a paid holiday under the Township Personnel Policy beginning in 2007.  A motion by Supervisor Van Noy to adopt Resolution #2006-129 to amend the Tunkhannock Township Personnel Policy “Paid Holiday Schedule” section by eliminating Flag Day as a compensated Holiday.  Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett only because it will pass by majority.    Roll call vote taken: Sterrett-yes, Van Noy-yes, Altemose, II-absent.  Comments and questions where addressed by the public and supervisors.  The motion passed unanimously.  

-               Solicitor Scacchitti: Recommended to the Supervisors’ that Public Comments be addressed at the beginning of the meetings as opposed to the end.  He is suggesting that when the Supervisors reorganize in January, they have the Public Comments after the meeting is called to order.  This would eliminate disruption during the meeting.  A motion by Supervisor Sterrett to change the format of the 2007 meeting to have the Public Comment section at the very beginning of the meeting.  Seconded by supervisor Van Noy.  After comments and questions, the motion passed unanimously. 

Public Comments: 

Betty Terrell-Cruz: Public Comment Change, this is well and good if a person has a specific issue when they come to the Township.  When you look at the agenda, a person does not really understand the resolutions.  Solicitor Scacchitti explained that the work sessions are to discuss issues on upcoming votes by the Board.  By offering this comment period in the beginning, this will give the supervisors’ information for thought prior to their action on the matter.

Betty asked that Supervisors take a look at the pension program and review Township’s based on series of articles in the Pocono Record. 

There being no further public comments, Supervisor Sterrett made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Seconded by Supervisor Van Noy, motion passed unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 6:20pm. 

Donna A. Verdes

Secretary