January 13, 2010 Regular Meeting
In Attendance: Chairman Maureen Sterner, Supervisors George Ewald, Robert Delese, Secretary/Treasurer Maria Wieand, Solicitor Daniel Lyons and members of the general public.
Supervisor Sterner called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes
Chairman Sterner presented and entertained a motion to approve the minutes from the December 9, 2009 Public Hearing/Special Meeting. Supervisor Ewald motioned, Supervisor Delese Seconded, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Sterner presented and entertained a motion to approve the minutes from the December 9, 2009 regular meeting. Supervisor Ewald motioned, Supervisor Delese Seconded, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Sterner presented and entertained a motion to approve the minutes from the December 23, 2009 public hearing/special meeting/work session. Supervisor Ewald motioned, Supervisor Delese Seconded, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously. Chairman Sterner presented and entertained a motion to approve the minutes from the December 30, 2009 end of year meeting. Supervisor Ewald motioned, Supervisor Delese Seconded, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Sterner presented and entertained a motion to approve the minutes from the January 4, 2010 reorganization meeting. Supervisor Ewald motioned, Supervisor Delese Seconded, the following corrections were made: Joe Warner’s comment about the PSATS codes should read 2nd class township code, Betty Terrell-Cruz said her comment about requesting the District Attorney be contacted about Supervisor Delese’s residency was not present and she would like that reflected in the corrected minutes. After the comments and questions were addressed, the motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Wieand presented the balance sheet and starting balance for the New Year on all accounts:
General Account: $228,269.91
(All bills haven’t been paid yet for 2009 and adjustments will be necessary through general entries)
Income for the first half of January is $14,342.86
Payroll Expenses: $20,629.97 (Includes liabilities)
Time Sensitive beginning of the month: $18,169.30
Balance to date in the general account is: $203,813.50
Motion to accept the treasurer’s report by Supervisor Ewald, Seconded by Chairman Sterner. Comments were heard regarding carry-over and funds remaining in the general account and if we had so much carry over why are we still laying off two employees. The board noted the funds brought forward are to carry us until the end of April, early part of May when remitting real estate taxes come in from our Tax Collector. After the comments and questions were addressed the motion passed unanimously.
Bill List
Treasurer Wieand presented the bill list in the amount of $22,702.83, motion to pay the bills by Chairman Sterner, Seconded by Supervisor Ewald. There being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Old Business
After recommendations from both Planning and EAC, Chairman Sterner entertained a motion to schedule and advertise for a public hearing/special meeting for the proposed Outdoor Wood Burning Ordinance. Motion to schedule the meeting on February 24, 2010, 7:00 pm by Supervisor Ewald, seconded by Supervisor Delese. There being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Appointing of an EAC member due to the vacancy of member Steve Kager. Motion by Chairman Sterner to appoint Bernard “Bernie” McConville to the remaining term replacing the resignation of Steve Kager. Seconded by Supervisor Ewald, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Supervisor Ewald motioned to schedule and advertise for a public hearing/special meeting for the proposed Inter-municipal Cooperative Ordinance Agreement for Sewage Enforcement. Motion to schedule a meeting on February 24, 2010 at 7:00 pm., seconded by Chairman Sterner. James Lambert asked if the Ordinance was available for review and if not, how can a determination be made as to the dollar savings by switching our Sewage Enforcement Officer. The board indicated by the hourly rate comparison to what we are paying with Hanover would be much cheaper. After the comments and questions were heard the motion passed unanimously.
Stoltzfus Land Development Phase II was received on December 18, 2009. A correspondence memo was read by Secretary Wieand, from Zoning Officer Trauger indicating that prior Zoning Officer Lambert met with Mr. Stoltzfus on the 18th and he made several hand written changes to his plan. The board reviewed this and indicated to Mr. Stoltzfus at this meeting that his engineer Drumheller should send the Township a letter with the corrections and Mr. Stoltzfus must submit his fees for this plan before this can be reviewed by the Planning Commission and our engineer.
The proposed amended Junk Yard Ordinance was tabled so that the board can review and compare the old to the new, now that the old was available for comparisons.
Secretary/Treasurer Wieand indicated that Mr. Mark Evans, from LRK stopped in today and would like to present the Community Visioning proposal at our work session on 1/27/10. He feels the board will have a better understanding of the purpose and joint work required by the Regional Comprehensive plan and how this will impact those goals. This will be placed on our 1/27/10 work session for presentation.
New Business
During the re-organization meeting held 1/4/10, the Board made recommendations and requested from the Teamster Local Union 773 to reduce work hours to 35 per week. Chairman Sterner motions to approve the Addendum dated 1/13/2010 to the Teamsters Local Union Contract as presented and signed by the Steward and Assistant Steward to the Board of Supervisors for their signatures so that the addendum will continue in effect until December 31, 2010, the expiration date of the original contract. Seconded by Supervisor Ewald, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
To alleviate staff workload, the board is proposing to have the following committees appoint their own secretary, EAC, Zoning Hearing Board, Agricultural Security Area Committee and the EDC. Chairman Sterner motioned to instruct those committees to appoint their own recording secretary to take and type the minutes for their meetings, seconded by Supervisor Ewald. Comments were heard from Kevin Long, Ellen Lott, Jim Davenport, Mike Gillen, and James Lambert that they all felt it is essential to have the Township employee coordinate and take the minutes for these committees. Not only is it beneficial, it also keeps all records coordinated with the office, and volunteers are already stepping up to the plate doing more than their fair share. The board heard their concerns and after all comments and questions were heard the motion unanimously did not pass. Dot Trauger will continue to be recording secretary for the above named committees.
The agreed inter-municipal board of appeals ordinance was adopted by the board in December of 2009, and we need to appoint two members to serve on this board. Secretary Wieand checked with Robert Zipp and Ron Wieand they are both still interested in serving on the Building Codes Hearing Board for Tunkhannock Township.
Supervisor Ewald motion to appoint Robert “Bob” Zipp and Ronald “Ron” Wieand the newly formed Building Codes hearing Board. Seconded by Supervisor Delese, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
PSATS Educational Conference: Supervisor Delese motioned to send Supervisor Ewald and Secretary/Treasurer Wieand to the PSATS Educational Conference. Supervisor Ewald will be our voting delegate for the Township, seconded by Supervisor Sterner. Supervisor Ewald noted he would only require one night lodging and Secretary/Treasurer Wieand will not need lodging. Peg Yencho asked the cost, and it was noted 4 days admission with lodging is $450, but it will be less with only one night and no paid classes. Jim Lambert asked if the board felt going to the conference was necessary especially when cut backs from staff and lay offs were made. Supervisor Sterner indicated education is important, legislators are lobbying for local government and our voices need to be heard at the yearly meeting. Ellen Lott commented there are important classes that are offered and having one or two representatives from the Township would be beneficial. Jim Davenport asked if Supervisor Sterner is going with Upper Mt Bethel and the answer was yes, and that both Townships will benefit from her going. After the comments and questions were heard the motion passed unanimously.
On January 27, 2010 at 7pm there will be a work session to review the proposed re-opened budget for 2010. Preliminary budget may be available prior to the work session if they are done in advance.
Betty Terrell-Cruz asked when the carry over numbers will be available for 2010. Supervisor Ewald noted no one picked up the approved budget after the last meeting.
Public Comments:
· William Byron commented on the snow fences for Route 115 & Long Pond Roads.
· Peg Yencho commented on the liquid fuels.
· Betty Terrell-Cruz commented on Supervisor Delese and if the DA had been contacted yet. She is also asking for the information she requested on Right to know request a week ago or so.
· Fran DePiano commented on the Capital reserve and questioned if we received interest since the last statement.
· Jim Davenport commented and suggested one sitting supervisor attends the School Board meetings. He also questioned Robert Delese and why he felt the Township was in financial disaster.
· Chairman Sterner commented that’s why she ran and also agreed with Jim Davenport that major cut backs were made.
· Jim Lambert commented on the budget and financial information pertaining to the Township.
· Irving Midgett commented on address listings and how resident’s addresses are listed at voter’s registration.
Adjournment: Maureen Sterner motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:17pm, George Ewald seconds. Supervisor Sterner asked for questions or comments. There being no other questions or comments the motion passed unanimously.
Maria S. Wieand
Secretary/Treasurer