TUNHANNOCK TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING – July 14, 2010
In Attendance: Chairman Maureen Sterner, Vice-Chairman George Ewald, Supervisor Fran DePiano, Attorney Dan Lyons, Secretary Maria Wieand and area residents.
Chairman Maureen Sterner called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. For the record, all the Supervisors are present.
Bid awarding for the renovation of existing stone building at Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area. After bid opening on June 28, 2010 at Tunkhannock Township, secretary Wieand prepared a bid tabulation document for review by Tobyhanna Township at their work session on July 6, 2010. Both Supervisor Ewald and Secretary Wieand attended the work session to discuss the bids with Tobyhanna Township. Grimm Construction came in at $251,486.00, Bognet $282,050.00, and Kobalt at $139,185.00. Both Townships were not comfortable with the balance remaining in the grant money and the possibility of over runs exceeding what dollars are remaining in the fund. It was unanimous to Contact Marge Ryan of DCED in the morning and inquire if we were able to revise our plan to demolish most of the building, leaving the one wall with fireplace standing and to attach an open air pavilion to that wall. It was requested by DCED that we submit a letter requesting a change of plans due to the unsafe structure. We requested pricing for a pavilion from Recreation Resource, Inc. who participates in the “COSTARS” program. The pavilion will measure 90’ X 30’ or smaller, depending on the cost. Engineering fees should be included. Our plan is to remain within the budgetary limits of the grant. The acceptance from DCED to revise the plan of action and to purchase a COSTAR building to eliminate bidding the project out in order to save engineering cost and determine if the building can be erected by both Townships or by Recreation Resources, once that is determined and pricing determined this project can move forward. With that being determined, a motion by Supervisor Ewald to reject all bids for the stone building renovation because of pricing being too high, seconded by Supervisor DePiano. There being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
The minutes of the June 9, Public hearing/Special Meeting and Regular meeting 2010 were reviewed. Motion by Supervisor DePiano and seconded by Supervisor Ewald to accept the minutes as presented, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Executive sessions were held: June 9, 22, July 8 and after this meeting tonight for personnel issues.
Announcements: Secretary Wieand read the announcements.
There was no public comment on the agenda.
Matters arising: Our Township has fallen victim to graffiti on our buildings and playground equipment this week. Our department of public works used a sample graffiti cleaner to address the markings and clean the items damaged. Supervisor Ewald will contact regional police to file a report for the record.
Treasurer’s Report – Maureen Sterner made a motion to table the reports this evening, seconded by supervisor DePiano. There being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Bills were presented in the amount of $201,893.23. Fran DePiano made a motion to pay the bills. George Ewald seconded the motion. Hearing no comments, the motion passed unanimously.
Old Business:
Municipal Security System Repairs –Secretary Wieand present the quotes from three companies to revise our current alarm system in the municipal buildings. Stanley Security presented at $10,773.83, Premier Alarm Services at $2,525.00 and Select Security at $1,433 plus $240 to inspect current system. Motion by Supervisor DePiano to award the alarm work to: Premier Alarm Service in the amount of $2,525.00, seconded by Supervisor Ewald. There being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Fern Ridge Bog Greenway – George Ewald reported that J.M Brennan completed the project at $ 8,200. All land fill slips have been submitted to the Township and copies were given to the Monroe County Municipal Waste Authority as requested. Supervisor Ewald thanked Jeff Brennan for a job well done. He will also inquire as to why the dozer is still parked on our property.
Tunkhannock Township/UMBT Agility: A review of the agility numbers were presented to the board and Supervisor Sterner would like to offer picnic tables to our Township from theirs to be utilized at our Parks. This could be our contribution to the ATB Natural area using our agility funds. Motion by Supervisor DePiano to accept five (5) picnic tables from UMBT valued at $75 each taken from our agility program, seconded by Supervisor Ewald. There being no comments or questions the motion passed with Supervisor Sterner recusing herself.
New Business:
The board recommends suspending the remainder of the year’s work sessions until further notice. Motion by Supervisor DePiano seconded by Supervisor Ewald, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Office staff work hours have been reinstated to forty (40) hours per week, motion by Supervisor DePiano seconded by Supervisor Ewald. There being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
DPW work week addendum was presented to the union to return to forty (40) hour work weeks. The union declined and will remain at thirty five (35) hour work weeks. Julie Counterman commented that the DPW department was only offered that until the last pay period in October. The board noted that the addendum also said hours may be discussed and agreed to with another written addendum.
Monroe County Tax assessment office sent notification for John L. & Theresa Saraniero Property ID #20/5B/1/4 that incorrect building information was recorded and a refund from 2006, 2007, and 2008 in the amount of $135.89 from the Township should be refunded. Motion by Supervisor Sterner, seconded by Supervisor DePiano to refund the Township portion in the amount of $135.89 from 2006 to 2008, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Price adjustment for bituminous materials for small quantities was presented and recommended from our PennDot Representative. Motion by Supervisor DePiano to adopt Resolution 2010-184 Price adjustments of bituminous materials for small quantities, and seconded by Supervisor Ewald. There being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Supervisor Ewald presented the following road bid package for advertising approval: Double bituminous seal coat on the following roads T-838 Horseshoe Dr., T845 Russell Ct., and T638 Edgewood Lane. Bids will be accepted until 12:00 pm August 9, 2010 and opened at that time. Action on the bids will take place at the board’s regular monthly meeting on August 11, 2010 at 7 pm. Motion to advertise for the above proposal was made by Supervisor Sterner, seconded by Supervisor DePiano and carried unanimously with no comments and questions.
Supervisor Sterner reviewed the permit extension act which would stipulate that any permit, agreement, or approval that was issued or would expire between 12/31/2008 and 7/2/2013 by the state or local governments in 29 different categories will be automatically extended until 7/2/2013. This includes permits under the sewage facility act, the municipal planning code, the flood plan management act, the storm water management act, the uniform construction code, and soil erosion and sediment control plans. Local Ordinances or policies that are modified during this extension period, under ACT 46 will not apply to the permit, agreement, or approval until the period ends in 2013.
Motion by Supervisor DePiano to reject the Minor Subdivision plan dated April 13, 2006 for William J. Rinaldi. The rejection was based on the letter explaining the deficiencies set forth by the Township Engineer Kevin Harrison’s letter dated May 16, 2007. Seconded by Supervisor Sterner, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Motion by Supervisor Sterner to have Engineer Kevin Harrison inspect Mr. Waltermyer’s house on Long Pond Road for a hazardous structure. Seconded by Supervisor DePiano, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Reports:
Joe Warriner gave the PMRP report and indicated our Township is over by 233.7 hours. Supervisor DePiano also indicated there was a shooting on Yellow Stone Drive in Sierra View today and this will up our hours again.
The information for the amount of officer hours at the race was indicated as 185 hours and they arrested 40 people at the June race.
Miriel Byron gave Bill Byron’s report from the race as follows: Communications and location worked out wonderfully, access to cable and satellite for media were lacking, location on site was great, no other issues at this time and they are looking into either the same location for next race or possibly EPA trailer or similar.
She also noted the e-coli issue at IML on main lake was from the foul nesting and living on that lake over the years. They had to shut the lake down at this time until further notice.
No report for the Library from Pat Kager.
Maria Wieand reported EIT TCC committee will meet again in August to vote and determine by-laws. No other business meetings have been held since June.
Public Comments:
Mike Gillen asked about the MMC Plaza land development plan.
Peg Yencho would like to see a board member attend the PMSD meetings on the fourth Wednesday of the month since the board has cancelled their work sessions.
Jim Davenport has an organization that is willing to donate 150 blue spruce for Henning Open Space (Old Silver Property).
George Ewald attended a pre construction meeting with Fran DePiano for the work on Kuhenbeaker Road. It will begin after the August race and take about a month or so to complete.
Irving Midgett asked for the cost and life span of tar and chipping.
There being no other business Supervisor DePiano made a motion to adjourn. Supervisor Ewald seconded the motion, there being no other business the motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Submitted by:
Maria S. Wieand
Secretary