Monroe County, Long Pond, Pennsylvania
The July 8, 2009, regular meeting of the Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors was called to order at 7:00pm by Vice-Chairman Sterner.
Supervisors: Sterner, Davenport, Secretary Wieand, Solicitor Lyons and area residents.
Absent:
Supervisor Van Noy.
A motion by Supervisor Davenport to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2009 regular meeting and the June 24, 2009 work session/regular meeting. Seconded by Supervisor Sterner, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Held on June 24, 2009 at 12:00pm and this evening prior to the regular meeting, both for personnel issues.
None at this time pertaining to items on the agenda.
Supervisor Davenport motioned to accept the bill list as presented by Treasurer Wieand in the amount of $249,772.71, and to approve the bills to be paid. Seconded by Supervisor Sterner and passed unanimously.
Beginning Balance as of June 8, 2009 $697,884.54
Income from June 11 to July 8th $120,754.23
Totals $818,638.77
Total expenses $280,067.29
Balance to date $581,827.82
F. Old Business
Amendment to Development Agreement for Samuel and Barbara Stoltzfus granted on a motion by Supervisor Sterner seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously after comments from Marie Rivera asking what happens if they don’t complete the project by December 1, 2009. Solicitor Lyons indicated the Board can take action. Marge Nowinski stated she would like to see the Amish continue with their market and it’s good for the area.
Open Space sign quotes tabled because the information was not available for review at this meeting.
The Board would like to know how the proposed Stormwater Ordinance Amendment came to be after it was requested that the Planning Commission review and possibly come up with a plot and grading plan similar to the one Supervisor Sterner gave to Dot Trauger, Planning Secretary from UMBT for review by the Commission. Solicitor Lyons and Secretary Wieand noted this was an Ordinance that already began back in 2007 and when requesting the review of the plot and grading plan the Planning Commission had already recommended a Stormwater Amendment. The Planning Commission agreed to have the Stormwater Ordinance of 2007 go before the Board since it was similar and may be used rather than doing another type of ordinance. A review of Section 104, Items D & E of the Stormwater Amendment should be done because 500 ft² would be 25,000 sq ft and that doesn’t seem possible. George Ewald commented that he believes it was to be 5,000 sq. ft. Solicitor Lyons indicated it refers to vacant residential lots, but he agreed with George Ewald that the 500 Ft² isn’t correct either. Supervisor Sterner would like to see the plot & grading plan from UMBT be reviewed because it may satisfy the need for a tree preservation ordinance. The Saldo and Stormwater ordinance addresses the issue like in Mt. Terrace Estates. Both Solicitor Lyons and Supervisor Sterner agree previous boards never required a security bond/maintenance bond for Mt. Terrace Estates and that is what got us into this problem in the first place. The current Board is following the maintenance requirements as they did with the Stoltzfus Land Development.
PNC Loan and DCED approval has been granted. The final stages of packet completion on closing on the loan is being decided with David Bulzoni from PNC bank. Solicitor Lyons prepared his financial review letter and we await the scheduling with the bank.
EMA update and August race meeting with the County is set for July 9, here at the Township. Secretary Wieand and Guy Miller, OES will be discussing plans and changes for the August race.
Road Department list and estimates have been tabled since the information was not available at this time.
Inter-municipal agreement and UCC with Bureau Veritas was discussed and George Ewald noted he has not been getting his list of corrections to be made in a timely fashion and wanted the Board to know. It has taken Bureau Veritas over a week to get the list of issues to him for an inspection that was performed last week. Solicitor Lyons and the Board requested George put that in writing to us at his earliest convenience.
G. New Business
Motion by Supervisor Sterner to refund George Lecznar 2009 Township taxes due to a Veteran’s exemption approval for $559.67. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously.
Motion by Supervisor Sterner to refund Alexander Forbes 2009 Township taxes due to a Veteran’s exemption approval for $294.60. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously
H. Reports
Brief reports were given by those in attendance and the minutes are posted from all meetings.
I. Announcements
Secretary Wieand read the announcement from the County explaining that the meeting that is required for Act 32 by the County is scheduled for October 28, 2009. Secretary Wieand will be attending that meeting as well as a meeting already attended at COG to discuss what action the municipalities would like to take and how to proceed.
Public Comments
Marie Rivera would like a maintenance bond for two (2) years after construction to be added to SALDO and Stormwater Ordinance to eliminate the problem that happened at Mt. Terrace. The Board and Solicitor Lyons explained that this is in the requirements and why the previous Board didn’t do that they don’t know. The current Board is using that condition with developers at this time.
Betty Terrell-Cruz would like the Township to include signoff by jurisdictions before we release any bonds. The Board noted they have no jurisdiction over other agencies like DEP, MCCD, or PennDot.
George Ewald said the Engineer signed off, the Conservation District approved it to work, but a 300 year flood isn’t normal and during a 3” to 4” rain, it can work correctly. In addition, George attended a conference on electrical choice for PA commercial and residential business and noted the increases that are scheduled for 2010. He suggests that everyone begin researching their electrical choice because the increases can be from 23% to 41%. He also suggested the Board look into getting COG involved in going together to purchase electricity together and possibly get a better rate. The Chairman of the PUC said shop around.
Bob Schrocko asked if the Tree Preservation Ordinance has passed yet. The Board indicated no, but it was talked about tonight as well as considering other options.
Bernard McConville commented on what a great job the DPW is doing in Sierra View, from snow plowing to grass trimming along the Township roads in that community.
Betty Stout would like to know what is being done with Digiorgi’s property (Long Pond Road @ sharp bend before curves through Emerald Lakes) the grass is high she’s having a problem with snakes and the door is off and people are going in and out of the property. The Board will have it investigated by our Zoning Officer.
Marge Nowinski asked why Bruce Yerk’s hours were cut back and she said he does an excellent job. The Board indicated he does do an excellent job but he is part-time and we had to keep within our budget.
Greg Samsel & Lou Freeman asked why and how Sierra View Association can get away with issuing citations for illegal parking on Township roads. How can they enforce and collect a fee and not give the fee to the Township. Lou is a retired police officer and indicated as regional police and state have to give you fines collected so should they. The Board would look into this and also noted they need to discuss this matter with the Association and/or law enforcement for speeding and illegal parking. The Board advised them to attend a regional police meeting to discuss this with them or have a representative bring it up at the next meeting. Mr. Gillen was informed of the questions as the resident representative to Regional Police.
Minutes submitted by:
Maria S. Wieand
Maria S. Wieand
Secretary Approved 08/12/09