The Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on February 4, 2004. Those in attendance were Supervisors Francis Altemose, II, Jim Sterrett and William Bourke, Alternate Solicitor Armand Olivetti, Secretary Donna Verdes, and area residents. Chairperson Altemose called the meeting to order at 7:29 PM.

The following meeting minutes were presented: January 5, 2004 reorganization and regular monthly meeting, January 21 and February 2, 2004 work session. Motion by Francis Altemose, II, to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as written. Motion seconded by Jim Sterrett and carried unanimously. Also announced Executive Sessions were held on January 7, 12, 15 and 21^st, regarding personnel and possibility of reopening budget. Discussion and comments followed.

Resignation Letters:

Letter of resignation from Supervisor Bourke as an attendee to Tobyhanna/Tunkhannock Creek Watershed Association. Jim Sterrett made motion to accept resignation, motion seconded by Francis Altemose, II. Motion carried unanimously.

Letter of Resignation from Francis Altemose, II as Representative to Pocono Mountain Regional Police Board. Vice-Chairperson Sterrett made motion to accept resignation, motion seconded by Supervisor Bourke. Motion carried unanimously.

Amend tabled motion 1/5/04 for Grievance Officer. Chairperson Altemose, II amended the tabled motion by replacing Vice-Chairperson Sterrett with Supervisor Bourke as Grievance Officer. No objections.

Motion to amend by Chairperson Altemose, II to appoint Supervisor Bourke as Grievance Officer, motion seconded by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett. There were no comments. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Chairperson Altemose, II to appoint Supervisor Bourke as Grievance Officer, motion seconded by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett. There were no comments. Motion carried unanimously.

Appointment List:

Motion by Chairperson Altemose, II to appoint the following people to the following positions:

Donald Siegfried as Alternate Sewage Enforcement Officer

Kevin Harrison as Engineer

Open.....Alternate Engineer

Richard VanNoy as Planning Commission Member

Richard Guinan as Zoning Hearing Board Member

Michael Gillen, Sr. as Zoning Hearing Board Member

Supervisor William Bourke as Representative to Pocono Mountain Regional Police

Geoff Garrett as Representative to Pocono Mountain Regional Police -Resident at large

Gary Riley as Emergency Management Coordinator

Michael Keegan as Emergency Medical Services Representative

Terry Willard as Regional Comprehensive Land Use Plan Representative

Terry Willard as Tobyhanna Creek/Tunkhannock Creek Watershed Association Representative

Motion seconded by William Bourke. There were no comments. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Chairperson Altemose, II to authorize Edmund J. Scacchitti of Olivetti & Scacchitti Law Firm to hire experts, subject to the prior approval of the Board of Supervisors, on regulatory items that may come before the board, motion seconded by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett. There were no comments. Motion carried unanimously.

Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Donna Verdes presented the Treasurer’s report

General - Receipts $ 76,870.86

Disbursements $239,572.64

General Total Balance $401,396.25

Liquid Fuels Total Balance $500,530.74

Motion by Supervisor Bourke to accept the treasurer’s report, motion seconded by Vice-Chairperson Jim Sterrett. After comments, motion carried unanimously.

Bill List: The bill list was presented. Bills in the amount of $71,302.01 were presented. Motion by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett to pay the bills, motion seconded by Supervisor Bourke. After comments, motion carried unanimously.

Announcements: Clymer Library Representative position available as well as an Alternate Engineer.

The meeting schedule for February was read.

Calendar Dates:

Work Session: Motion by Supervisor Bourke to reschedule Work Session from Monday, May 31 to Thursday, May 27 at 7:30 pm, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett. There were no comments. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Supervisor Bourke to reschedule Work Session from Monday, July 5 to Thursday, July 1 at 7:30 pm, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett. There were no comments. Motion carried unanimously.

Local Government Day: Motion by Supervisor Bourke to make Local Government Day, April 9, 2004 at 10 am, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett. After comments regarding 4/9/04 being a holiday and the office would be closed the date for Local Government Date will be discussed at a later time, motion was rescinded by Supervisor Bourke, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett. There were no comments. Motion carried unanimously.

Bulk Trash: Spring date set for May 21-24, 2004. Supervisors wanted more time to discuss fall dates due to conflict with Finnegan's Wake being on September 12.

Theme: Tunk Fest 2004

Rules: Use only 2 colors (different color for border constitutes three colors).

Includes: Words Tunk Fest 2004

Winner Receives: $50 Savings Bond

Deadline for Entries: March 26, 2004

Tunk Fest: Set for Saturday, July 10, 2004

Old Business: Pat Moore, requested resume for Secretary/Treasurer to be provided. Supervisor Bourke stated that resumes are personnel issues and not to be given to the public. Regarding qualifications Supervisor Bourke responded that the supervisors determine if the person is qualified.

New Business: Amended and new Zoning Ordinances recommended by Tunkhannock Township Planning Commission for acceptance (3.122 LOT & 3.233 Occupancy). Motion by Chairperson Altemose, II to schedule a public meeting on March 4, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. to consider a proposed amendment to the Tunkhannock Township Zoning Ordinance 2002-108, Section 3.122.7 LOT, a new Zoning Ordinance under Section 3 Definitions and Standards, to provide a definition of "OCCUPANCY" and a Township Ordinance establishing an Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) Ordinance, seconded by Supervisor Bourke. After comments motion carried unanimously.

Mountain Terrace Estates: A letter was sent to P & K Developers requesting that they extend their Letter of Credit with Wachovia Bank in the amount of $619,944 for a period of two (2) years (February 21,2004 to February 21, 2006.

Letters were received granting time waivers in respect to land develop plans for Samuel Stoltzfus & Chris Gulliksen.

Chairperson Altemose, II read letter received from Tunkhannock Township Vol. Fire Co. referencing a meeting that was held to discuss a request from the Indian Mountain Lake Association dispatching the Penn Forest II Volunteer Fire Company to assist the Tunkhannock Township Vol. Fire Co. on any fire type responses in Indian Mountain Lakes in the Tunkhannock Township section. The Fire Dept. representatives concluded that the current dispatch protocols were adequate and it was agreed by all in attendance to maintain the current protocol at this time.

Chairperson Altemose, II paraphrased a letter from The Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services regarding their 2004 unbalanced budget with a short fall of $60-70,000. Worse case scenario is they would need approximately an additional $10,000 from Tunkhannock Township. Chairperson Altemose, II had requested that a detailed proposal be provided listing problems and future expenditures to enable the supervisors to reach an informed opinion. Comments from residents supported this position and suggested researching grant opportunities. Copy of their P&L was supplied. Michael Keegan spoke regarding his appointment as the Emergency Medical Services Representative and said that he will be reviewing their financial situation and he plans to talk to other successful ambulance services groups for ideas.

Mike Keegan said he and his wife would like to develop a Township CPR Program. He and his wife are certified instructors and will donate their time. It is a way to also get more people in the community trained as first responders.

Chairperson Altemose, II paraphrased a letter from Jacqueline Ocker, on behalf of the Monroe County Historical Association asking the township to become a Corporate Sponsor and making an annual contribution of $250.00. Chairperson Altemose, II suggested writing a letter explaining that we do not have money in our budget for this expense this year. Motion by Supervisor Bourke to write a letter back to them instructing that if they are going to request donations from us out of our annual budget that the request come to us no later than October 15, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett. Motion carried unanimously.

Supervisor Bourke read letter from Redevelopment Authority of the County of Monroe making us aware that funds are available to help low-income township homeowners repair their homes. Attached were low-income guidelines or they can call 570/421-4300. Copies to be posted on one of the tables

Supervisor Bourke announced school bus turn-around on Rt.903 at the County Line Ski Shop will now be cindered by township.

Mike Keegan/Softball Director for Pocono Mt. West Little League also Vice President of Pocono Mountain Pride Girls Softball Team regarding the 6 girls team operating off of one ballfield. There are 7 ballfields for the boys to utilize. He asked the supervisors to consider changing one or more of our underutilized ballfields to universal dirt infields. This way the field could be used for boys, girls, with a multitude of levels as well as adult T-ball and softball. All club teams carry their own insurance and the township would be covered under their general liability policy. He stated changing the field and having tournaments would also have a significant economic impact on township due to the amount of teams, players and parents coming. He also suggested that the firehouse could have a fund raiser by setting up a concession stand. The supervisors directed Bruce Walder to investigate how much it would cost to change two of the fields to a universal field. Mr. Keegan also stated that he has been to premier parks all over Florida and that we had one here and that with minor changes we could have one right here.

Vice-Chairperson Sterrett stated that our premier park status was thanks to Pat Moore.

Chairperson Altemose, II gave reports on Township Open Space Committee, and announced that the next meeting would be Tuesday, February 17 at 7:00 p.m. here. He also announced that the Joint Open Space Committee had no meeting in January but the next scheduled meeting would be Monday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Tobyhanna Township Building. He also gave the report for COG.

Vice-Chairperson Sterrett gave report on the Planning Commission.

Supervisor Bourke gave reports on Pocono Mt. Regional Police Board (he stated Police Commission), Regional Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Building Code Enforcement meeting last month was cancelled due to weather.

Terence Willard gave report on the Tobyhanna/Tunkhannock Creek Watershed Association.

Peggy Yencho read minutes and then read corrections to those minutes for the Clymer Library. She also read the Clymer News and schedule of activities.

Supervisor Bourke advised that we have reached our goal in respect to tons recycled per month and that we have significantly increased the percentage of materials recycled from 12 to 27%.

Supervisor Bourke also announced that he picked up a book of Dog License Applications and that they will be available at the township building.

Vice-Chairperson Sterrett thanked the road crew for a job well done during the last two weeks without sleep and a lot of vehicle maintenance.

The floor was opened for comments.

Terry Kline mentioned that the Supervisors look like they are working together. Firehouse had a lot of calls this month and mentioned that resident's should have on hand a regular phone in case the power goes out because the portables will not work.

Marge Nowinski commented on Regional Police regarding their contract and would like us to pull out because it costs too much.

Mae Kline thanked Bruce Walder and road crew for an excellent job with the roads.

Pat Moore asked who prepared W2's and 1099 documents. Secretary Verdes stated herself and the auditor. She wanted to know when it became policy for township employee to take township vehicle home. Supervisor Bourke said it was taken care of. She also wanted to know, why was it necessary to have Mrs. Francis Altemose, II in the office preparing documents for the township. She stated that she did not feel it was right and would preclude people from coming into the office for help & info. She commented that personnel didn't need a babysitter. She also volunteered her assistance to Mike Keegan as certified CPR/ADD. She also wanted to know was going to be the representative to the COG Road Task Force to replace Jack Jolly. Chairperson Altemose, II said Bruce Walder but would check minutes to see if formally appointed.

Maureen Sterner commented that the January meeting was motioned to adjourn but it was never seconded or finalized therefore technically has not been adjourned. Supervisor Bourke moved to adjourn the January 5^th meeting. The motion was seconded by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett and passed unanimously. Maureen asked if Julian was helping with the payroll, 1099 & W2's and if so how much are we paying him. Chairperson Altemose, II responded and said yes and that we had saved so far about $1,300 and that we were paying him $52/hour. That we need him because computer info was wiped out. Maureen stated it was not and Vice-Chair Sterrett and Secretary Verdes agreed and stated it was because of the payroll tax increase as well as new employees.

Richard Van Noy sought the Township assistance with PP&L regarding a fallen tree on power lines and a catch basin that continually clogs. Additional assistance was also sought regarding a secondary, emergency access/exit road to and from Brier Crest Woods. Chairman Altemose advised that discussions had already taken place with the Game Commission regarding the road and that the Township would do whatever it could regarding this and the other two issues.

Paul Wieand commented regarding the continuance of the Regional Police Dept. the supervisors confirmed that they had no intention of withdrawing from Regional police.

Other comments:

Responding to a question from Mike Gillen, Zoning Officer Dot Trauger stated that a court date was pending regarding the apparent used car lot on the Hassani property on Route 115. Continuing action is also under consideration regarding Dick's Auto. In respect to half built structure in Mr. Brewer's mini mall, Mr. Brewer said that the zoning ordinance only requires that construction commence within one year and that if he wanted to he could leave uncompleted for up to 10 years.

Betty Terrell-Cruz suggested that the township should support gambling legislation in controlled locations, that would replace the loss of the amusement tax income. The Supervisor stated that they were researching the two different gambling bills. She also raised the issue of the potential future ownership of the County Control Center.

Comments also received from Marge Nowinski and Mark Fisher regarding properties on Rt. 115.

There being no further comments, Vice-Chairperson Sterrett motioned to adjourn and Supervisor Bourke seconded. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting ended at 9:45 pm.

Donna Verdes

Secretary