MINUTES OF THE TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING FEBRUARY 13, 2008
The Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors' held their Regular Meeting on February 13, 2008. Those in attendance were Supervisors Richard G. Van Noy, Jim Sterrett, Maureen Sterner, Secretary/Treasurer Maria Wieand, Solicitor Dan Lyons, and area residents. Chairman Van Noy called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
An Executive Session will follow this February 13, 2008 meeting for personnel & litigation reasons
Minutes presented:
January 23, 2008 Combined Work Session & Regular Meeting
Motion by Supervisor Sterner to approve the minutes and seconded by Supervisor Sterrett.
Sean Stevens would like to know why the minutes are not posted to the web. Postings take place after approval.
After questions and no additional comments, the motion passed unanimously.
Comments or Questions on Agenda items: None
Matters Arising: None
Treasurer's Report:
Balance brought forward 1/23/08 $220,408.57
Pay period 1-11-08 $22,378.84
Pay period 1-25-08 $20,993.08
Pay period 2-8-08 $19,802.92
Income $39,971.10
Bill to be paid (proposed bill list) $77,651.91
Balance as of 02/13/08 $119,552.92
Motion by Supervisor Sterrett, to accept the Treasurer's Report was made and seconded by Supervisor Sterner, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Bills for $77,398.72 were presented and revised to reflect time sensitive bills, one addition and a correction to $77,651.91. Those being Larry Aceves for time clock installment to computers at $250.00 and corrected the Berkheimer with an increase of $3.19 to equal reported amount from Treasurers report of $77,651.91.
Sean Steven questioned the T-shirts from last month’s bill list and why he wasn’t given an answer. Supervisor Sterrett informed him that he did have the answer for him the next morning by 11 a.m. however, Mr. Stevens did not show up to pick up the letter so he will read it now.
Mike Gillen questioned the bill from Olivetti & Scacchitti for West End Development, who are they and what is it for? Litigation cases that O & S handled for us that are billed separately from monthly retainer.
Chairman Van Noy noted the following changes to the bill list:
$8,154.53 for Cargill Salt, $6,885.09 for Wilkes Barre Truck Center will come out of Liquid Fuels and $15,996.14 for Cleveland Brothers will be paid from the equipment fund, changing our amount to $46,616.15 for out going bills this month in the general fund. Supervisor Sterrett made a motion to pay the bills, seconded by Supervisor Sterner, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Announcements:
* February 18, 2008 the Offices will be closed for President’s Day
* March 13, 2008 Monroe County Emergency Management will participate with a All Hazards Severe Weather Exercise
Chairman Van Noy read the meeting schedule.
Old Business:
- Guardian Inspection review of insurance was conducted and the board advised to have a certificate of insurance on file for Guardian and that our policy does have coverage for this type of activity.
- Land Development approval for Niharika Route 115 (old Gulf Station)
The Planning Commission has recommended the approval of the Land Development with recommendations to waiver from the SALDO Sections 402.3 (Existing Resource & Site Analysis plan), 402.3 (Preliminary Resources Impact & Conservation Plan) and 403.4.1 (Erosion Control Plan). Because the site is already developed, and the owner is not proposing alterations that would impact the site’s existing resources and the revised plan shows no new earth disturbance.
In addition, to conditionally approve the plan with the condition being that any permits that are required from the State/or Federal Agencies with Jurisdiction over fuel storage and disbursement are provided to the Township. Motion by Supervisor Sterner to adopt RESOLUTION 2008-123 to grant The Niharika Land Development waivers and grant conditional approval as listed previously, seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. There being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
- Buyers Agreement for the Silver Company Property
The Board would like to make an offer to drive the sale of the Buyers Agreement with the Silver Company for the property on Route 115 and Deppner’s Road for 91 (+/-) acres. Chairman Van Noy made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 2008-125 to make an offer through a buyer’s agreement for the Silver Company Property with the stipulations on the buyer’s agreement that it is contingent on the Grants being approved from County and state. Seconded by Supervisor Sterner, after comments and questions the motion passed unanimously.
- Supervisor Committee Representative Positions.
Supervisor Sterner reviewed that there are still supervisor positions that have not been filled. She asked Supervisor Sterrett if he would reconsider his decision and fulfill his obligation as an elected Supervisor to share the responsibilities.
Supervisor Sterrett responded that he was stripped from his duties and can not reconsider. Chairman Van Noy feels this is not a good choice by Supervisor Sterrett and the burden being added to both he and Supervisor Sterner are unfair.
Supervisor Sterrett asked to comment normally when someone resigns it’s because of ill health, moving or going to another job. He is not resigning, he is quitting as of 7:22 p.m., and here is my cell phone, charger and key to the Township. Supervisor Sterner and Van Noy asked Solicitor Lyons if this could be done this way. Solicitor Lyons commented that with his verbal announcement we would accept that as his resignation and make a motion. Chairman Van Noy made a motion to accept Supervisor Sterrett’s resignation as of 7:22 p.m. today February 13, 2008. Supervisor Sterner seconded the motion. After comments and questions, the motion passed unanimously.
Joe Olall asked what the procedure is to fill the vacancy.
Supervisor Sterner made a motion to allow Secretary Wieand to advertise for the vacancy of Supervisor, seconded by Chairman Van Noy. There being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
- Tunkhannock Trails Litigation
Solicitor Lyons reviewed with the board that he did send an opinion letter for them on both Tunkhannock Trails litigation and P & K Developers (Mt Terrace) Litigation. He can review some information and would suggest we hold an executive session to review these issues with the board either now or later. The board decided after the meeting.
Mike Gillen asked if Dan Lyons is now our Solicitor, the board indicated he is our interim Solicitor.
Irving Midgette asked if he would be handling the litigation and Supervisor Sterner reviewed with the public that we did appoint him litigation attorney for both cases at a previous meeting.
New Business:
- Appointment of Hanover Engineering as Interim Alternate SEO
Jeryl Rinehart has informed the board that she will no longer be our alternate sewage enforcement officer. The Board must appoint an interim alternate until advertising an interviewing for an Alternate SEO can take place. Chairman Van Noy made a motion to adopt Resolution 2008-122 to appoint Hanover Engineering Associates, Inc. as our Interim Alternate Sewage Enforcement officer for 2008 and fee schedule as listed. Supervisor Sterner seconded the motion, and there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
The following certified Officers are appointed
Scott J. Brown -01715
Jacob A. Schray -03134
Christopher A. Taylor -03138
Pamela J. Kemescy -03662
- Advertising for Alternate SEO
Supervisor Sterner made a motion to advertise for the position of alternate SEO, seconded by Chairman Van Noy. There being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
- Policies on Accounting Procedures
The Board of Supervisors has developed a policy on accounting procedures to streamline the internal paperwork and to be accountable for all Township finances. A copy for each person was made to follow along, while the board reviewed the policies. (attached) A motion by Supervisor Sterner to adopt RESOLUTION 2008-124 adopting the Policies and Accounting Procedures January 2008 as listed on attachment to minutes (read and presented to the public). Seconded by Chairman Van Noy, after comments and questions the motion passed unanimously.
- Bulk Trash Weekend May 16-19, 2008 & Bid proposals
The board would like to propose the Spring & Fall bulk trash weekends and advertise for bid proposals. Motion by Supervisor Sterner to announce our spring bulk trash weekend will be May 16-19 and our fall bulk trash will be September 12-15, 2008 and to advertise for bid proposals.
Hank Dannecker asked who will work the heavy equipment in the yard. Supervisor Sterner reviewed that propane tanks will no longer be accepted, and our list needs to be updated accordingly. The public asked about TV’s, and that too may need to be revised prior to advertising. Seconded by Chairman Van Noy, after comments and questions the motion passed unanimously.
- Letter of support for House Bill 1189 (Police)
Chairman Van Noy noted this bill needs to be reviewed further until any action is taken. A concern of the board was where the money would be allocated and for how long. A motion to table this item was made by Supervisor Sterner, seconded by Chairman Van Noy and carried unanimously.
- Temp office person
The Board of Supervisors feels the need to hire a temporary office person to help with the workload during the absence of personnel and with the transition of responsibilities on the current staff. A motion by Supervisor Sterner for temporary office staffing for internal assistance with the day-to-day operations was made, and seconded by Chairman Van Noy.
Sean Stevens commented and said the community should volunteer to answer phone, go for coffee, clean the bathroom, file etc. and he is volunteering his services at this time. After comments and questions, the motion passed unanimously.
Reports:
Supervisor Van Noy: Joint Building Codes – minutes posted
Pocono Mountain Regional Police Board – minutes posted
Pocono Mountain School Board – No report
Tunkhannock Twp. Vol. Fire Co.-No report
Supervisor Sterner:
Emergency Management- no report
Emergency Medical Services- The inter-municipal agreement for financial obligations from municipalities was reviewed at the last meeting. The committee needs to do an Ordinance first to authorize an agreement, rather then doing the agreement first. This agreement will take effect for the 2009 year and would be for a three (3) year agreement.
Ron Wieand, Fire Chief said they are not the only ambulance service in the Township.
Kevin Long commented that whenever you look at a long-term agreement, you should think about what would happen if another provider came into the area. He also commented that according to the county they dispatch the closest ambulance to the emergency. Also, note that this was an issue in the past when an independent ambulance was running from Sierra View. Supervisor Sterner reviewed what Kevin was stating: we can not designate a particular company and we would be paying Regional while someone else is doing the service.
Dept. of Public Works (DPW) – has been very busy, we had two (2) trucks down and they worked very hard to get them back up and running for the recent storm. Supervisor Sterner thanked them and commended them for a good job.
Pat Kager
Clymer Library- no report
Mike Gillen
Pocono Mountain Regional Police- Reviewed our numbers for this month, and noted we are now up to 824 hours over from 700 last month. The meeting was canceled due to weather but Mike called to have this available for our meeting.
Bruce Walder
Monroe County Task Force - Report Posted
Dot Trauger
Township Planning Commission - No report, minutes posted
The following Committees have openings: Building Codes Hearing Board Appeals Committee
Economic Development Committee
Environmental Advisory Committee Associate Member
Public Comments:
Jim Davenport- Complimented the Board on the Open Space projects, and said when he looks at the front table it is a breath of fresh air.
John Kadany- passed
Marjorie Nowinski- Asked when did the Township go into a Pension Fund? Supervisor Sterner said approximately 1996-97. She wanted to know how the previous board enabled Tom Delese to collect for eighteen (18) years of service when the plan wasn’t started until 96 or 97.
Mike Gillen- Do we collect a right to work tax or emergency tax in our Township? No, but supervisor Sterner said most people pay it. She commented that she pays it and since we don’t have it, it goes to her working Township. We will investigate it since it would be a source of income for the Township rather then raising taxes.
Chairman Van Noy also noted about the EIT 1% tax that is misdirected and we should double check our reports.
Sean Stevens- Commented he was sorry for Mr. Sterrett resignation. He did get involved and joined the Fire Company. He would like to request the Agenda and bill list in advance and/or if it can be published on the web.
Peggy Yencho- Does the vacancy for Supervisor need to be replaced before the next meeting? It would need to be completed with in 30 days.
Hank Dannecker- Answer to Marjorie Nowinski’s question for the Pension year is 1998. Behind the salt shed on Township property are containers from Municipal Waste Authority, what are they doing there and why. They are there temporarily and will be removed soon. We should be getting a storage fee for $5,000 and as Chairman Van Noy stated the containers will be removed soon.
Joseph Olall- Question from last meeting with the Emergency road off Route 115 was that done through a special assessment through Brier Crest Woods. This was done by prior Supervisors and the current board can’t answer your question.
There being no further public comments, Supervisor Sterner made a motion to adjourn the meeting and to go into executive session for legal and personnel reasons. Seconded by Chairman Van Noy, motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:45pm.
Maria S. Wieand
Secretary