Monroe County, PA
January 14, 2009 Minutes
Chairman Van Noy called the regular meeting of the Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors to order at 7:00 pm.
Supervisors: Van Noy, Sterner, Davenport, Secretary Wieand, Solicitor Lyons and area residents.
The minutes of the December 30, 2008 year-end meeting and January 5, 2009 re-organization meeting were approved as distributed. Motion by Supervisor Sterner seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously.
Prior to and after the 1/14/09 meeting, for legal issues.
None at this time.
Motion by Supervisor Sterner to approve the bills for $43,742.07 presented by Treasurer Wieand, seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously. (See attached bill list)
Opening balance in the General account for 2009 is $64,374.53
Income $12,277.50
$76,652.03
Payroll expense $10,067.77
Payroll liabilities $4,179.92
$62,404.34
Bills approved (List attached) $43,742.27
Ending Balance as of 1/14/09 $18,662.27
Motion by Supervisor Sterner to approve the Treasurer’s report seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously. Treasurer Wieand noted that we currently pay $11 per month to Culligan to rent a hot/cold water cooler for the office and found if we purchase a counter top one for $62 not only do we now own it we also will save $70 this year in rental fees. The board approved the cancellation of the rental and purchase of the new hot/cold water dispenser.
Supervisor Sterner reviewed the year-end report, highlighted savings in areas like grounds supplies, sewage and DPW departments.
F. Old Business
2009 appointments that were tabled at the re-organization meeting:
Council of Government Road Task Force
Zoning Hearing Board Alternate member
EAC associate member
Agriculture Security Advisory Committee
EDC
At this time, we have a resident interested in serving on the Zoning Hearing Board as the Alternate member. John Virella, retired restaurant owner and resident of Tunkhannock Township for over 35 years. Supervisor Davenport motioned to appoint John Virella as alternate Zoning Hearing Board member for 2009, seconded by Supervisor Sterner and carried unanimously. The board will be tabling the other appointments at this time until they contact interested parties.
The tabletop audit for the past three (3) years on our amusement tax showed the Township due $2,399.96 from 2007, $5,505.96 from 2008 a total of $7,905.92. Treasurer Wieand noted that Berkheimer would be invoicing the businesses and forwarding payment to us once received.
G. New Business
The Board of Elections office requests the use of the Township building for the Special Election on March 3, 2009 and the primary election on May 19, 2009. The Board felt they would like to be consistent and offer the fire company the opportunity to become the new polling place for all elections. Chief Wieand will take this back to his board and discuss it at their next meeting and notify our Secretary by January 23, 2009. Secretary Wieand reviewed the PA one Call System and our charges we incur from the system. Our Township doesn’t have underground power lines, sewage lines, closed cross pipes or culvert pipes there is no need for us to renew our membership as a call before you dig site saving the Township approximately $100 per year.
Zoning Fee Schedule tabled until the work session
Sewage Fee schedule tabled until the work session
Pavilion/Boardroom use by residents or associations tabled until work session
This past year The Pennsylvania Right-To-Know law, Act 3 of 2008 was adopted and Township’s should consider adopting an open records policy that identifies who the open records officer is, specifies the contact information and office hours, and includes information about fees and how to submit requests. Townships must follow the fee structure established by the Office of Open Records. At our re-organization meeting, our Officer was appointed and Solicitor Lyons has reviewed our policy that is before the board for adoption. Supervisor Sterner made a motion to adopt Resolution 2009-156 the Right-to-know policy for Tunkhannock Township with the form attached as exhibit A and the addition of section number 901 being added to the last paragraph on responses as noted. Seconded by supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously.
Reports were given by each supervisor and minutes were posted on the bulletin board.
Secretary Wieand read the announcements as follows: Tobyhanna Township appointed Donald Moyer and Jamie Keener to serve on the Joint Code Enforcement program administrative committee. The redevelopment authority of the county has funds to assist two families for the countywide housing rehabilitation program from federal sources. Information is available by the secretary if anyone needs assistance. Monroe County approved tax exoneration for Tunkhannock Township land known as the Moyer Property for 2008 county taxes. Monroe County Public Safety center has changed its name from the Monroe county office of Emergency Services (MCOES) to Monroe County Office of Emergency Management (MCOEM). Guy Miller from the County OEM will be having a meeting on Wednesday February 4th at 10am at the Public Safety Center to begin planning for the Emergency Preparedness Planning Meeting for the upcoming NASCAR Race season. Community Workshops for the County Open Space program will be offered on January 20 at Tobyhanna Twp., February 5th at Chestnuthill Twp. and February 18 at Stroud Twp. The workshop is free and open to the Public, call 629-3061 for information.
Chairman Van Noy read the meeting schedule and Solicitor Lyons noted we decided to schedule a regular meeting prior to the work sessions in the event that we need it. This would save on advertising for the Township and if we don’t need the meeting, it will be cancelled.
Bill Byron- Asked what can the Township do for a home that is falling down and has major problems. The supervisors are aware that our zoning department has sent notices previously and we will look into our hazardous structure ordinance and have the Zoning officer follow up.
Betty Terrell-Cruz- passed
Meeting was adjourned at 8:05pm by Supervisor Sterner seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously.
Minutes submitted by:
Maria S. Wieand, Secretary Approval Date: 02/11/09