The February 11, 2009, regular meeting of the Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors was called to order at 7:06 pm by Chairman Van Noy.
Supervisors: Van Noy, Sterner, Davenport, Secretary Wieand, Solicitor Lyons and area residents.
A motion by Supervisor Davenport to approve the minutes of the January 14, 2009 meeting. Seconded by Supervisor Sterner and carried unanimously
Held prior to and after the January 14, 2009 and February 11, 2009 meetings for legal issues.
None at this time pertaining to items on the agenda.
Treasurer Wieand presented the bills for this evening in the amount of $13,599.15 along with the Time sensitive bills read and listed in the amount of $24,186.12. A motion by Supervisor Sterner to approve and pay the bills, seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously. Betty Terrell-Cruz questioned why the time sensitive bills were not approved at last meeting. Treasurer Wieand explained every month we always have bills that come in after the second week of the month, which is after our regular meeting. They are considered time sensitive and are paid prior to the next months meeting and presented as time sensitive with the bill list at this months meeting. I verbally read the time sensitive bills since the copier wasn’t working.
Beginning Balance as of 2/12/09 $18,662.27
Income From 1/15/09 to 2/11/09 $90,254.69 (this includes interest earned)
Totals $108,916.96
Transfer from Capital reserve to General $100,000.00
Total working balance $218,916.96
Total expenses -$70,122.36 (includes bills presented/time/sensitive/payroll)
Balance to date $138,794.60
Treasurer Wieand explained we borrowed from Capital reserve in order to meet expenses until revenue starts to come in. A Resolution to do this is on the agenda tonight. We will repay Capital Reserve once the general fund has available dollars. I’m estimating once tax dollars arrive in April. Motion to approve treasurer’s report by Supervisor Davenport, seconded by Supervisor Sterner and carried unanimously.
F. Old Business
Maple Tract Easement: Solicitor Lyons explained this has been on going and we needed to get approval from both departments since the funds were purchased with DCNR and County Funds. The easement is for a walking path, and this is from the county, Dan was under the impression the restrictions would need to be noted. Both are of record and we are citing them but Dan would like to check that but in the mean time, it can be approved. Supervisor Sterner made a motion to approve Maple Tract Easement agreement with the Wild Lands Conservancy on the condition that Solicitor Lyons verifies the correct conditions are listed in the agreement. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously.
G. New Business
Regional Comprehensive Plan: Supervisor Sterner reviewed the items discuss at the last Regional Comp Plan meeting and the need to move forward with this project and the cost involved by the Township participating. Supervisor Sterner made a motion to approve Resolution 2009-160 with the added condition upon Mt Pocono Borough, Coolbaugh, and Tobyhanna Townships approve and adopt a resolution. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously.
Proposed resolution to borrow from Capital Reserve: The general operating fund does not have enough funds to carry the Township until Real Estate taxes begin to come in. The Treasurer is recommending we borrow 100,000.00 from the Capital reserve with the understanding that it will be tracked and repaid as income to the general account becomes available. A motion by Supervisor Davenport to adopt Resolution 2009-157, approving the borrowing from Capital Reserve to fund the General Account until such funds are available to repay Capital Reserve. Seconded by Supervisor Sterner and carried unanimously.
Proposed Resolution to close the Morgan Stanley Accounts: The Treasurer is recommending and has reviewed with the Supervisors the concerns with the Morgan Stanley investment accounts. They have not been rolled over nor placed into CD’s in the past 4 years. With interest rates falling and fees being charged to these accounts, it is recommended that we close all Morgan Stanley accounts and look at placing these funds into a CD with our local bank or another investment firm until the market improves. Motion by Supervisor Sterner to adopt Resolution 2009-159, approving the closing of the Morgan Stanley accounts 739-011567, 739-013547, and 739-011766 liquidate and place each into a high interest bearing account with one of our current banks until CD’s can be purchased for investment purposes. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously.
H. Reports
Each supervisor gave reports; minutes are on the bulletin board. Mike Gillen gave a report on the police department noting four (4) new people are currently in the academy and we are under hours by 322.36.
I. Announcements
Secretary Wieand read the letter from the County Assessment Appeals board approved the Township’s request to exempt the Silver property taxes for the 2009 tax rolls. Reported the final check from DCNR on the Silver property should arrive by early March and we are expecting approximately $23, 000. Dot Trauger Planning and Grants Administrator filed for the reimbursements for the official map project for $2,275.39. A letter was read from PSATS after Secretary Wieand explained the cinder situation with the public and how understanding everyone has been. Reading this letter will better explain to the public why we had to stop providing cinders. It explained purchased cinders for Township roads with State funds restricts us from giving them out. The same way we can’t fill fuel from our tanks or allow people to take our equipment home to use. Secretary Wieand nominated the Township for a Government Leadership Award for 2009 PA Land Conservation.
J. Public Comments
Joe Olall: Asked if the tax increase and loan for Tunkhannock Trails is a part of our Budget. Supervisor Sterner answered it is and Supervisor Van Noy noted the loan debit service will spread it out over several years. Most work will be done in house with our DPW department and the remainder of the work will be bid out for paving. The borrowed money will be placed into a special account for the Tunkhannock Trail II project to cover the expenses. When the audit process is done by the CPA and presented what do you do after it is reviewed? The current board reviews it and recommendation from the CPA are made. The 2007 year carry over was the only inconsistency and the board cut back considerable last year because of that and made changes accordingly.
Shawn Hineline: Have any funds been found for the fire company yet? We are working on it and will continue to keep everyone updated.
Gil Werner: Asked what are we out of with winter supplies. Secretary Wieand explained anti-skid is out at our contractor and we have gone to other suppliers. Can the Township fix Roads End (Twp. Road) it’s getting bad. Supervisor Davenport will have the road crew go out and determine what’s needed and repair. The reach recycling program, does the Township pay for services. No, we are a municipality and do not. Funds are changing with economy and Supervisor Van Noy recommended Gil contact Representative Siptroth and Carroll to support the grants and funds for recycling.
Betty Terrell-Cruz: The 28,000 for police reimbursements is that in our totals tonight. Treasurer Wieand answered yes. Why can’t we give that to the fire company, the Board and Treasurer both indicated we must make sure we can pay our own bills before we give money and our expenses are taken care of first. Where are the elections being held for the next two elections? Treasurer Wieand indicated at the Township Building. Cinders, why don’t we set up a stockpile, sell them, and have something set up for next year. The board indicated when using state funds to purchase winter road supplies it can only be used for that purpose as stated by the Secretary/Treasurer early under announcements.
Dave Witt: Is concerned with Route 903 & 115 “Y” and would like to know if Township could put up a video camera to catch those running the stop signs and coming onto Route 115. The board would like to ask regional to patrol that area and look at it from a safety point. Our Solicitor noted since these are both state roads we should have Regional Police send a letter for safety reason to PennDot first.
Diane Smith: Would like to know if the Township will help their community apply for gaming grants? The NEPA group indicated they should check with us. They are looking for funds to get water tanks for fire safety. The board recommended they contact fire wise or DCNR to obtain funds for water tanks.
Minutes submitted by:
Maria S. Wieand
Secretary Approved___/___/___