MINUTES OF THE TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING HELD JULY 10, 2006

The Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on July 10, 2006. Those in attendance were Supervisors Richard G. Van Noy, Jim Sterrett and Francis A. Altemose, II, Secretary/Treasurer Donna Verdes, Solicitor Ed Scacchitti, Zoning Enforcement Officer Kate Lambert, Roadmaster Bruce Walder, and area residents. Chairman Van Noy called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.

The following minutes were presented:

                                                                      June 15, 2006 Public Hearing

  •    June 15, 2006 Regular Meeting
  •    June 28, 2006 Work Session
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    A motion was made by Supervisor Sterrett to accept the Minutes with the following corrections to the June 15, 2006 Regular Meeting: Representative Tigue will be honored on August 16th at Murphy’s Loft (not Village Squire). Seconded by Supervisor Altemose, II. There being no further comments the motion passed unanimously.

    Supervisor Van Noy stated Executive Sessions where held prior to and after June 15, 2006 Regular Meeting for legal & personnel reasons.

    Matters Arising:

    150th Anniversary.

    - Fire Co. New Tanker Purchase, the Tanker was on display in the 150th Parade.

    The Board of Supervisors last year had approved a Capital Purchase of $163,647.00 to help the Fire Co. purchase the new tanker. The money was taken out of the General Fund for the short term. A motion was made by Supervisor Sterrett to authorize the expenditure of the Township’s share of the purchase for the Pierce Commercial Pumper and to adopt Resolution 2006-115 to replace the General Fund in the amount of $163,647.00 when the funds from DCNR grant is received for the Open Space Grant. Seconded by Supervisor

    Altemose, II. There being no further comments the motion passed unanimously.

    The Board of Supervisors on June 28, 2006 approved the Declaration of Disaster Emergency. We are ratifying that decision. A motion was made by Supervisor Altemose, II, to ratify the decision of the Board of Supervisors signing the Declaration of Disaster Emergency on June 28, 2006 due to flooding. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. There being no further comments the motion passed unanimously.

    Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Donna Verdes presented the Treasurer’s report

    General - Receipts $143,937.31

    Disbursements $268,454.99

    General Balance $657,556.90

    Liquid Fuels - Liquid Fuels Balance $501,244.28

    Motion by Jim Sterrett to accept the treasurer’s report. Seconded by Supervisor Altemose, II. There being no further comments, motion passed unanimously.

    Bills in the amount of $213,359.88 were presented. Motion by Supervisor Sterrett to approve the bill list. Seconded by Supervisor Altemose, II. After comments and questions, motion passed unanimously.

    Announcements: - July 26, 2006 - 5:00pm –PUBLIC HEARING (Angelica Homes & Pocono Raceway

    - Monroe County Hazard Mitigation Plan Letter – Plan received satisfactory rating

    - Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) Public Comment period YRS 2007-2010 on table in lobby

    - Monroe County Youth Field Day - Saturday, September 9, 2006

    - Tunkhannock Township’s 150th Anniversary was 7-8-06

    Chairman Van Noy read the meeting schedule.

    Old Business:

    - Proposed Exceptional Value Status Petition for Tunkhannock Creek involved a lengthy discussion. If the Township is going to consider this again Solicitor Ed Scacchitti advised the board that a Public Hearing would need to take place.

    - Proposed Resolution for Creation of a Special Account for Open Space Acquisitions- A motion was made by Supervisor Altemose, II to authorize the appropriate Township Officials to transfer $17,649.39 out of the General Fund (which was the loan proceeds from the refinancing of the mortgage for the new Fire House) to open a new fund titled "Tunkhannock Township Open Space Fund". This account will be to fund future expenditures of the Township's Open Space Acquisitions. Seconded by Supervisor Van Noy. After comments and questions the motion passed two in favor and Supervisor Sterrett opposed.

    - Proposed Estimated Engineering Expenditures for Open Space Grants for Moyer & Kim Properties- A motion was made by Supervisor Altemose, II to approve the expenditures of approximately $2,500 in engineering fees for each project to meet the requirements for the grants on the Kim & Moyer Open Space Projects. The expenditures are to come out of the new fund. Seconded by Supervisor Van Noy. There being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.

    - Proposed Additional Monies for the Pocono Mountain Emergency Medical Services- A motion was made by Supervisor Altemose, II to authorize the expenditure of $4,000 out of the Capital Reserve to provide additional monies for the Pocono Mountain Emergency Medical Services per their letter of request, with the understanding that this money will be used to purchase the new ambulance. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. After comments and questions the motion passed unanimously.

    - Official Map and allowing for Impact fees. – A motion was made by Supervisor Van Noy be it resolved that the Board of Supervisors of Tunkhannock Township authorize the Engineering, and purchase jointly with Monroe County for a Official Map for our Township in connection with IE: recognizing Zoning of all Classes of property in addition to us intentionally allowing or instituting Impact Fees. Seconded by Supervisor Altemose, II. After comments and question, the motion passed with two in favor and one abstention from Supervisor Sterrett.

    New Business:

    - Proposed Expenditure for Joint Open Space Peer to Peer Process – The Committee recommended to the Supervisors to move forward with the Peer to Peer process, which is to apply for the grant. The grant amount is $10,000 with a $1,000 cash match from the municipalities. Tunkhannock's share would be $500.00 if Coolbaugh doesn't join in or $333.33 if they do. A motion was made by Supervisor Altemose, II, to approve the expenditure of a maximum of $500.00 to move forward with the Peer to Peer Grant for the Joint Open Space in regard to the joint purchase of the Blue Ridge Parcel along the Tobyhanna Creek. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. After comments and questions the motion passed unanimously.

    - Proposed Addendum to Financial Assistance Program Grant agreement for the New Zoning Ordinance. This is an addendum to the original grant application to receive monies for the reimbursement of some expenses for the New Zoning Ordinance. A motion made by Supervisor Altemose, II, to authorize the addendum to the Financial Assistance Program Grant for reimbursement of some of the expenses for the New Zoning Ordinance. There being no comments, the motion passed unanimously.

    Township formerly the "Henning Property" – A motion was made by Supervisor Altemose, II to authorize the appropriate Township Officials to sign the Natural Area Conservation Agreement between Tunkhannock Township & the Nature Conservancy for the Fern Ridge Nature Preserve in Tunkhannock Township and Managed by The Nature Conservancy. The property was formerly known as the Henning property. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. After comments and questions the motion passed unanimously.

    - Proposed Borrowing Ordinance for General Obligation Fixed Rate Note for Various Capital

    Projects. Supervisor Altemose II made a motion, to adopt Ordinance #2006-104 increasing the indebtedness of Tunkhannock Township by the issue of a General Obligation Note in the amount of $300,000.00. The funds obtained from the borrowing are intended to be used for various capital projects budgeted for 2006 in the Capital Reserve and Liquid Fuels Fund, and/or to reimburse for the General Fund for the purchase of equipment already purchased. The interest rate is 4.84% per annum and the term is 5 years. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. After comments and questions the motion passed unanimously.

    Reports:

    Supervisor Van Noy: Joint Building Codes Enforcement – No report

    Pocono Mountain Regional Police Board- No report

    Pocono Mountain School Board- Reported dollars given and encouraged residents to attend the meetings.

    Supervisor Sterrett: EMA – No report

    Tunkhannock Township Armed Forces Committee- Ground breaking was completed on 7-8-06 and the Committee is hoping to have the monument ready for Veterans Day.

    Dept. of Public Works (DPW)- Supervisor read a letter addressed to the Supervisors from Road Master Bruce Walder in regards to names on the Truck. He then read a memo verifying that the names will stay on the trucks and also noted that the inside office staff is very experienced, helpful, courteous, and this was noted in the Pocono Record and they should be commended for their actions.

    Supervisor Altemose, II: EAC- Report posted Joint Open Space Committee – Report posted

    COG- Report posted

    EMS- Report posted

    Regional Comprehensive Land Use Plan – No report

    Bruce Walder: Monroe County Task Force

    Dot Trauger: Township Planning Commission - Minutes posted

    Bill Chatham: Clymer Library – Report posted

    Public Comments:

    Marjorie Nowinski - Bridge Questions and Solicitor Scacchitti explained legal responsibility. Garbage is being dumped at recycling. Supervisor Van Noy will call and have the Reach Program review video and check on garbage being dumped.

    Marie Rivera - Questioned the EMS check. Response: This was addressed earlier.

    Mike Gillen- Yellow building on 115 what is status? Response: No permit issued. Questioned Raceway store clearing property. Response: Raceway cleared property and they can clear the land.

    Patti O’Keefe- invited the public and listed summer programs for the Nature Conservancy. Brochures posted in lobby.

    Betty Terrell-Cruz – Campaign for Mr. Best signs not removed, and what is being done? Response: Zoning Enforcement Officer Kate Lambert explained these are temporary signs no bond required, no fees can be withheld. Re-questioned EMS money. Response: We covered this tonight. Road neglect and overtime? Response: Roadmaster Walder Explained and review what he does and time frames involved.

    Jim Davenport- made a statement that the Tunkhannock Township taxes are a bargain, and the money being spent for police, fire, roads, park, monument, and open space is well spent. He thanked team who worked on the open space grant.

    Diane Smith- Accountability - Response: Supervisor Van Noy reviewed the road situation and the catch-up from years past and how the past boards had to work with what they had. Now we will maintain the roads and he reminded everyone that during the flood last week we had no damage to our roads. A road drainage pipe was brought into show the disintegration of pipes under our roadways. FEMA money was utilized for overtime and supplies. We are improving systems and keeping up with the times. What is being done for gypsy moth spraying for next year? Response: We are contacting the County to review our Township again with Vector Control. The trees on Heller’s Lane haven’t been trimmed yet. Response: Road Master Walder explained workload schedule and priority to work but did assure they will get to it this year.

    Ellen Lott- Henning’s Bridge barriers down and ATV’s are going over the bridge.

    There being no further public comments, Supervisor Sterrett made motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Supervisor Altemose II. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.

    Donna Verdes

    Secretary