The Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors held a reorganization and regular monthly meeting on January 5, 2004 at 7:00pm in the Municipal Building, Long Pond Road, Long Pond, PA. Those in attendance were Francis Altemose 11, William Bourke, and Jim Sterrett, and area residents. Supervisor William Bourke called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

Motion By William Bourke to nominate Terry Willard as acting Chairperson of the Board. There were no comments. Motion seconded by Francis Altemose 11. Motion carried unanimously.

The meeting was turned over to acting Chairperson Willard.

Motion by Jim Sterrett to nominate Francis Altemose 11 as Chairperson. There were no comments. Motion seconded by William Bourke. Motion carried unanimously.

The meeting was handed over to Chairperson Altemose.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11 to nominate Jim Sterrett as Vice-Chairperson. Following comments from the floor, motion seconded by James Sterrett. Motion carried, two votes to one with William Burke voting no.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11 to nominate Edmund J. Scacchitti of Olivetti and Scacchitti as Solicitor. After comments, motion seconded by Jim Sterrett. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11 to nominate Armund E. Olivetti Jnr. of Olivetti and Scacchitti as Alternate Solicitor. There were no comments. Motion seconded by Jim Sterrett. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11 to nominate Donna Verdes as Secretary/Treasurer. After comments, motion seconded by Jim Sterrett. Motion carried, two votes to one with William Bourke voting no.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11 to nominate Bruce Walder as Roadmaster. After comments, motion seconded by Jim Sterrett . Motion carried, two votes to one with William Bourke voting no.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11 to nominate Patricia Waag as Clerk. There were no comments. Motion seconded by Jim Sterrett. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11 to nominate Berkheimer Associates as Amusement Tax Collector. There were no comments. Motion seconded by Jim Sterrett. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11 to nominate Berkheimer Associates as Earned Income Tax Collector. There were no comments. Motion seconded by Jim Sterrett. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11 to nominate James Weiss as Sewage Enforcement Officer. There were no comments. Motion seconded by Jim Sterrett. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11 to nominate Terence Willard as Alternate Sewage Enforcement Officer. Motion seconded by William Bourke. After comments, Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11 to nominate Donald Siegfried as Alternate Sewage Enforcement Officer.

After comments, Motion by William Bourke, seconded by Jim Sterrett to amend the above the previous appointment of Terence Willard from Alternate to Assistant Sewage Enforcement Officer. With no comments the motion passed unanimously.

Following further comments;

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, seconded by William Bourke to nominate Dorothy Trauger as Zoning Officer. There were no comments, Motion carried unanimously.

At this point, resident Richard Guinan announced his resignation from the Zoning Hearing Board.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, seconded by Jim Sterrett to nominate Terence Willard as Assistant Zoning Officer. There were no comments. Motion carried unanimously

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate Jack Jolly of HRG as Township Engineer. Jack Jolly asked that they be withdrawn from the nomination.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate Kevin Harrison as Alternate Engineer. Motion seconded by Jim Sterrett.

On a point of order, Solicitor Olivetti suggested that Kevin Harrison be appointed Acting Engineer rather than the Alternate.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate Kevin Harrison. Following comments the motion was passed unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate Dan Lyons as Planning Commission Solicitor. After comments the motion was seconded by William Bourke and passed unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate Terence Willard as Planning Commission Secretary. After comments the motion was seconded by William Bourke and passed unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate Ronald Wieand as Planning Commission Member. After comments the motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett and passed unanimously.

Before the next motion was put William Bourke asked Richard VanNoy if he had withdrawn his application for the vacant Planning Commission position. Mr. VanNoy responded no. Following further discussion a motion was made by Jim Sterrett, seconded by William Bourke, to Table the nomination for the second Planning Commission Member vacancy.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate Ned Flynn as Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor. After comments the motion was seconded by William Bourke and passed unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate Richard Guinan as Zoning Hearing Board Member. Mr. Guinan reminded the Board that he had resigned. Appointment deferred to a future meeting.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate May Kline as Vacancy Board Officer. After an explanation of the position and other comments, the motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett and passed unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate Francis Altemose 11 as Representative to the Pocono Mountain Regional Police. After comments, the motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett and passed unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate Bruce Walder as Resident at Large to the Pocono Mountain Regional Police. After comments the motion was Tabled.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate Francis Altemose 11 as Representative to the Pocono Mountain Council of Government. There were no comments. The motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett and passed unanimously.

Motion by William Bourke, to nominate the following to the Building Hearing Board;

Ken Wierich one year term

Terry Kline two year term

E. John Baab three year term

John Schwanhausser four year term

Stanley Johnson five year term

Robert Zipp Alternate Member for five year term

Claude Pope Alternate Member for five year term

After comments, the motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett and passed unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate Jim Sterrett as Grievance Officer. There were no comments. The motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett. Following questions as to the role, the motion was Tabled.

Motion by Jim Sterrett, to nominate Francis Altemose 11 as Chairman of the Agriculture Security Area Advisory Committee.

After comments, the motion was seconded by William Bourke and passed unanimously.

Motion by Jim Sterrett, to nominate Francis Altemose 11 as Chairman of the Township Open Space Committee.

There were no comments. The motion was seconded by Francis Altemose 11 and passed unanimously.

Motion by Jim Sterrett, to nominate Francis Altemose 11 to the Regional Open Space Committee. After comments. The motion was seconded by William Bourke and passed unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate Jim Sterrett as Representative to the Township Planning Commission. After comments it was agreed to scrap the motion.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate William Bourke to the Tobyhanna Creek/ Tunkhannock Creek Watershed Association. With no comments, the motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett and passed unanimously.

Following a point of order from Betty Terrell-Cruz, a motion was put by Francis Altemose 11, to withdraw the motion to nominate Jim Sterrett as Representative to the Township Planning Commission. With no comments, the motion was seconded by William Bourke and passed unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate William Bourke as representative to the Regional Comprehensive Land Use Plan Committee. Following comments, the motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett and passed unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to nominate William Bourke as representative to the Building Code Enforcement Committee. Following comments, the motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett and passed unanimously.

Motion by Jim Sterrett, to appoint PLGIT Intergovernmental Fund, The First National Bank of Palmerton, PNC Bank and Morgan Stanley as depository for checking, money market, savings accounts and CD`s for all funds. Following comments, the motion was seconded by William Bourke and passed unanimously.

Motion by Jim Sterrett, to appoint Donna Verdes and a Supervisor as the representatives to draw down by resolution any drafts, bonds or other obligations that may come before the Board. With no comments the motion was seconded by William Bourke and passed unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose11 to Authorize Edmund Scacchitti of Olivetti and Scacchitti Law Firm to hire experts on regulatory items that may come before the Board. Following comments, an amendment was put by William Bourke so that the motion would read " to Authorise Edmund Scacchitti of Olivetti and Scacchitti Law Firm to hire experts on regulatory items approved by the Board that may come before the Board ". The amendment was seconded by Jim Sterrett and passed unanimously.

Solicitor Olivetti suggested that the authorization should be "subject to prior approval of the Board of Supervisors". This was accepted.

The amended motion was made by Jim Sterrett and with no comments, seconded by William Bourke and passed unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to authorize the Board of Supervisors and the Secretary/Treasurer to attend the Pennsylvania State Convention to be held in April. Following comments, the motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett and passed unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11, to set the Bond for the Secretary/Treasurer at $2,000,000.00. Following comments, the motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett and passed unanimously.

Motion by Jim Sterrett, to set the Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors regular monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm in the Municipal Building, Long Pond Road, Long Pond, Pennsylvania. With no comments the motion was seconded by William Bourke and passed unanimously.

Motion by William Bourke, to set the Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors work sessions on the Monday preceding the regular monthly meeting at 7.30pm and the third Wednesday of each month at 5.30pm in the Municipal Building, Long Pond Road, Long Pond, Pennsylvania. With no comments the motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett and passed unanimously.

Motion by William Bourke to set the 2004 Salaries as follows;

Roadmaster $18.67 per hour

Heavy Equipment Operator #1 $16.78 per hour

Heavy Equipment Operator #2 $15.70 per hour

Maintenance and Groundskeeper (part time) $12.45 per hour

Clerk (part time) $12.39 per hour

Secretary/Treasurer $16.83 per hour

Zoning Officer $16.32 per hour

Planning/Zoning and Sewage Assistant $13.26 per hour

Sewage Enforcement Officer $20.56 per hour

Percolation Test Technicians $175.00 per test

Following comments, the motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett and passed unanimously.

Motion by Francis Altemose 11 announcing the office closings for 2004.

Monday, January 19 - Martin Luther King Day Tuesday, January 20

Monday, February 16 - President’s Day Tuesday, February 17

Friday, April 9 - Good Friday Monday, April 12

Tuesday, April 27 - Election Day Wednesday, April 28

Monday, May 31 - Memorial Day Tuesday, June 1

Monday, June 14 – Flag Day Tuesday, June 15

Monday, July 5 - Independence Day Tuesday, July 6

Monday, September 6 - Labor Day Tuesday, September 7

Monday, October 11 - Columbus Day Tuesday, October 12

Tuesday, November 2 - Election Day Wednesday, November 3

Thursday, November 11 - Veteran’s Day Friday, November 12

Thursday, Nov 25 & Friday, Nov 26 - Thanksgiving Monday, November 29

Friday, December 24 - Christmas Monday, December 27

Friday, December 31 - New Year’s Day Monday, January 3, 2005

With no comments the motion was seconded by William Bourke and passed unanimously.

There being no further reorganisation business, the board went directly into the January regular meeting.

A motion to take the minutes of the December 29, 2003 public hearing and the December 29, 2003 end of year meeting as read and adopt as written was put by William Bourke. With no comments, the motion was seconded by Francis Altemose 11 and passed unanimously.

The treasurer`s report was presented as follows; Receipts $96,887.10

Disbursements $116,625.00

General Fund Balance $557,476.86

Liquid Fuels Fund Balance $500,193.87

Motion by William Bourke to approve the treasurer`s report. There were no comments. The motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett and passed unanimously.

Motion by William Bourke to pay the bills in the amount of $189,645.70. After comments, the motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett and passed unanimously.

Announcements: Clymer Library Representative position available

The meeting schedule for January was read.

Old Business: Questions were asked about the work to be undertaken on Mountain Road and it was confirmed that the road would not be closed. A question was also asked about roads in Tunkhannock Trails. Although private roads, the Township is in contact with PennDot to obtain "millings" that could be delivered to the development for the residents to then use on their roads. PennDot provides this material free to anyone that asks. Questions were also asked about the SBA/ Cingular Wireless cell tower off Hellers Lane and about the turnaround area at Indian Mountain Lakes.

New Business: Pennsylvania Municipalities Pension Trust Fund. At the request of the Trustees, a Motion by Francis Altemose 11 to approve the nominations of Edward C. Goodhart 111, 3 year term, Jack Walter, 6 year term and William Groves, 6 year term, was put. After comments the motion was seconded by William Bourke and passed unanimously.

Motion by Jim Sterrett to re-open the 2004 Budget. After comments a Motion was put by William Bourke to schedule and advertise a public meeting on Wednesday January 21, 2004 at 5.30pm to re-open the Budget. The motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett and with no comments was passed unanimously.

Job Opening: Motion by Francis Altemose 11 to announce a job opening for a heavy equipment operator class A CDL. Deadline for applications Monday January 12, 2004 at Noon. After comments the motion was seconded by Jim Sterrett and passed unanimously.

Maureen Sterner Compensation : Motion by Jim Sterrett to pay compensation in lieu of vacation days and comp time. $5,613.53. With no comments the motion was seconded by William Bourke and passed unanimously.

William Bourke announced that a Building Code Enforcement meeting would be held on January 22, 2004 at 7.00pm at Coolbaugh Township.

The reading of reports was dispensed with.

There being no further business, Chairperson Altemose opened the floor to comments. Peggy Yencho passed.

Pat Moore asked about the Supervisors continuing to attend the Pocono Mountain School District Board meetings. Also enquired about a list of meetings of various bodies and asked if there were any other changes to the road crew.

Debra Parker asked to be able to work closely with the Supervisors on the entrance and turnaround area of Indian Mountain Lakes. She also thanked Maureen Sterner for all the help and assistance the IML Association has received.

Marie Rivera passed

Kevin Long wished everyone a healthy and happy new year.

There were no comments from Mike Gillen or Marjorie Nowinski and Betty Terrell-Cruz had left the meeting.

There being no further comments, motion by Jim Sterrett, to adjourn.

William Bourke formally welcomed Jim Sterrett to the Board.

The meeting ended at 10.02pm.

Terry Willard