Chairman Van Noy called the regular meeting of the Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors to order at 7:00 pm.
Motion by Supervisor Sterner to approve the minutes of the November 12, 2008 Regular Meeting, November 26, 2008 Budget Work Session, and the November 26, 2008 Public Hearing/Special Meeting and Work Session. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously.
B. Executive Sessions
Were held after the November 12, 2008 Regular Meeting and after the November 26, 2008 Public Hearing/Special Meeting & work session for legal and personnel issues.
At this time there were no public comments concerning items on the agenda.
Motion to accept the bills in the amounts of $24,930.37 and $49,908.80 for $74,839.17 by Supervisor Davenport, seconded by Supervisor Sterner and carried unanimously.
Purchases are on a freeze and only emergency purchases and general expenses are allowed at this time. Our DPW department (thanks to Cliff Capuano) returned several overstocked items to obtain a credit for emergency purchases and that totaled $688.37 our monthly income is $41,948.87 and expenses are $49,908.80 with a general ledger balance of $218,314.38. Supervisor Sterner motioned to accept the treasurers’ report, seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously.
F. Announcements
The U.S. Census will have job openings for the 2010 census work anyone interested can obtain the information from our office or check our web site. A letter from the Department of the Army clearing the land we lease from the BWA and noting no violations had occurred.
The monthly meetings are listed on the agenda and, in addition to the Regular meeting, there is a Public Hearing/Public Meeting 12/17/08 at 6:45pm to discuss the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment to 2005-103. The Special meeting to adopt the 2009 budget and general mills will be at 7pm 12/17/08 and the year-end meeting will be held at 9:00am on 12/30/08.
H. Old Business
The Fern Ridge Bog Continuing Greenway (the old Mears/Silver Property) monies from DCNR were received for $234,000.00 and the funds borrowed from Capital Reserve were returned today. The final payment for $15,000 is expected in 8 to 12 weeks, signs will need to be erected on all open space properties obtained by the Township.
I. New Business
Motion by Supervisor Davenport, seconded by Supervisor Sterner to advertise for the year-end meeting on December 30, 2008 at 9am and carried unanimously.
Motion by Supervisor Davenport seconded by Supervisor Sterner to advertise for the Re-organizational Meeting on January 5, 2009 at 7:00am and carried unanimously.
The 2009 Meeting schedule, Holiday schedule presented and reviewed the November 2009 meeting change was noted and this will be placed on the re-organization meeting agenda to adopt.
J. Reports
The Supervisor gave their reports as listed on the agenda; Pat Kaeger was not present for the Library or Mike Gillen for Regional Police. Peg Yencho and Chairman Van Noy reviewed regional report and noted we are under hours approximately 618. We will hopefully be able to sell these extra hours next year.
K. Public Comments
Peg Yencho- Questions the deficit and asked if this was over a period of time and how did it occur. Chairman Van Noy and Supervisor Sterner noted it isn’t a deficit and that the previous Board allowed expenditures beyond what was budgeted and the fund balance carry over of $387,556.00 didn’t exist last year.
Gil Werner- Commented that they used general funds, capital reserve and loans to smoke screen the way the funds were used.
Marie Rivera- Questioned the salaries of those being paid in the Township and commented that both combined is too large of a number for those working in such a small community.
George Ewald- Asked how much is the Tunkhannock Trails II estimated cost and what time frame has the Township allowed for it to be done. Supervisors commented it’s a three (3) year project and has been estimated by our engineer to cost $355,000 using Township employees and materials. George suggested we have it priced out and possibly bid the project, this may cost more then anticipated.
Kevin Long- Spoke on behalf of the Tunkhannock Township Volunteer Fire Company, as President of the Board of Directors and is opposing the ¾ mill reduction to the Fire Department. He noted they are an all-volunteer group of dedicated men and women putting their lives on the line for public safety and equipment is a priority for their duties to protect the residents of the Township. He is hoping the Supervisors will reconsider their decision to take away these funds.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:03pm Motioned by Supervisor Sterner seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously.
Minutes submitted by:
Maria S. Wieand, Secretary/Treasurer