MINUTES OF THE TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING HELD JUNE 11, 2007
The Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors held their Regular Meeting on June 11, 2007. 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 7:02pm.
The following minutes were presented: May 14, 2007 Regular Meeting
June 4, 2007 Work Session
Supervisor Altemose, II made a motion to accept the minutes with the following amendment, Supervisor Sterrett did not agree to the expenditures for Kevin Harrison to visit Sierra View. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. There being no further comments the motion passed unanimously for May 14, 2007 regular meeting and Chairman Van Noy abstained from voting on the June 4, 2007 work session since he was not present at the meeting.
Chairman Van Noy announced that Executive Sessions were held after the May 14, 2007 Regular Meeting & June 4, 2007 Work Session for personnel & legal reason.
Public Comments concerning items on Agenda:
Betty Terrell-Cruz asked if the bill list has two pages or three. It is three pages double sided; her copy had a duplicate page.
Matters Arising: None
Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Donna Verdes presented the Treasurer’s report
General Fund: Receipts $365,310.02
Disbursements $263,683.36
General Fund Balance: $518,310.64
Liquid Fuels Balance: $319,988.80
Motion by Supervisor Altemose, II to approve the Treasurer’s report. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. There being no comments the motion passed unanimously.
Bill List: Bills in the amount of $70,290.41 were presented. Motion by Supervisor Sterrett approve the bill list. Seconded by Supervisor Altemose, II. After questions and comments, the motion passed unanimously.
Announcements:
* Tunk Fest June 30, 2007 – free event Sponsored by Time Reality 12 – 5 pm
* Pocono Mountain Book Fair August 11, 2007 –free event open to the public. Book, art, & food vendors needed see flyers in lobby for reserving a vendor spot.
* Office Closed Wednesday, July 4th for observance of Independence Day
* Patty O’Keefe presented summer programs for the Nature Conservancy and highlighted nature walks, stargazing, bird watching, and kids program every Thursday morning 10-11:30 $2 per child. Registration required a week in advance. Patty mentioned that on July 1st they will have their flyers out and ready for the public.
Chairman Van Noy read the meeting schedule.
Old Business:
- Proposed Agreement with the PA Game Commission to Patrol and Enforce Law on the Fern Ridge Nature Preserve Property formerly known as the Henning Property. A motion by Supervisor Altemose, II, to adopt Resolution 2007-109 approving the PA Game Commission “Public Access Program Cooperative Agreement” including all of the terms and conditions and does hereby authorize the execution of such agreement. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. There being no further comments the motion passed unanimously.
- Proposed Management Agreement with the Nature Conservancy on the Fern Ridge Nature Preserve Property. A motion by Supervisor Altemose, II, to adopt Resolution 2007-110 approving the Fern Ridge Nature Preserve Cooperative Management Plan with the Nature Conservancy, including all of the terms and conditions and does hereby authorize the execution of such agreement. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. There being no further comments the motion passed unanimously.
- Proposed Kim Option, the Solicitor has prepared an option agreement to purchase 50 acres +/- from Kim Suk Hee for the sum of $275,000.00. The option will expire on July 18, 2007 unless it is exercised. A motion by Supervisor Altemose, II, to exercise the option with Kim Suk Hee to Purchase her property under terms of the option agreement. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. There being no further comments the motion passed unanimously.
- Proposed Advertising of a Public Notice to consider a Transfer of Liquor Licenses in regard to the Stonecrest Restaurant, formerly The Villa Virella. A motion by Supervisor Sterrett to advertise public notice at the request of Alicia Sebring to consider an Ordinance for the approval of the transfer of a liquor license to Stonecrest Restaurant. This transfer will be considered at the July 9, 2007 Supervisors’ Regular Meeting at 7 PM. Seconded by Supervisor Altemose, II. There being no further comments the motion passed unanimously.
New Business:
- Bid Letting – Awarding of Paving Bid. This afternoon in front of Donna Verdes/Secretary-Treasurer and Maria Wieand/Township Clerk, the Roadmaster Bruce Walder opened and read the bids. They were as follows:
1.) Pennsy Supply Inc, dba Slusser Brothers $314,833.05
2.) Hanson Aggregates $294,752.45
3.) Locust Ridge Quarry $310,357.05
A motion by Supervisor Sterrett to award the paving bid to Hanson at the cost of $294,752.45. Seconded by Supervisor Altemose. After comments and questions, the motion passed unanimously.
- Bid Letting – Awarding of Line Painting bid. On Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 2:30pm the line painting bids for Tunkhannock Township were opened at Coolbaugh Township (Coolbaugh Township was the lead Township in bidding out all of the other Township’s line painting in order to get the lowest possible price, the other Townships involved were Borough of Mount Pocono and Tobyhanna Township) the Roadmaster Bruce Walder was in attendance. The bids were opened and were as follows:
1.) Alpha Space Control $9,482.12
2.) PSX, Inc. $9,032.76
3.) Interstate Road Management $9,017.59
The Roadmaster, Bruce Walder reviewed the bids and all is in order, his recommendation, and lowest bid is Interstate Road Management. A motion by Supervisor Sterrett to award ratify the line-painting bid to Interstate Road Management at the cost of $9,017.59. Seconded by Supervisor Altemose, II. There being no further comments the motion passed unanimously.
- Proposed Wolfe Joinder Deed for lots 76 & 77 Section 6 Brier Crest Woods. Jeffrey and Belle Wolfe are requesting permission to join two (2) lots in Brier Crest Woods. The proposed deed has been reviewed by the Sewage and Zoning departments, as well as the solicitor and all is in order. A motion by Supervisor Altemose, II to grant Jeffrey & Belle Wolfe permission to join lots 76 (section 6, Tax ID No. 20/13B/3/33) and lot 77 (Section 6, tax ID No. 20/13B/3/34) in Brier Crest woods. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. There being no further comments the motion passed unanimously.
- Proposed Economic Development Appointment. A motion by Supervisor Altemose, II to appoint Kevin McLaughlin to the Economic Development Committee to complete the remaining term of one year expiring December 2007. Thereafter, if reappointed the term would be for three (3) years. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. There being no further comments the motion passed unanimously.
- Proposed Procedure to use Resolution when hiring and/or appointing an Employee –A discussion was held to require the use of resolution to employee a person for a position at Tunkhannock Township. After a lengthy discussion, Motion failed - Chairman Van Noy was in favor and Supervisors’ Sterrett and Altemose against.
- Proposed Employee Replacement for DPW. The Roadmaster Bruce Walder interviewed and has recommended a replacement employee for the open position in the DPW Department. A motion by Supervisor Sterrett to hire Clifford Capuano to replace an employee in the DPW department. Seconded by Supervisor Altemose, II. After comments and questions, the motion passed unanimously.
Reports: Supervisor Van Noy: Joint Building Codes Enforcement –no meeting
Pocono Mountain Regional Police Board – no report
Mike Gillen Commented on article in paper re: vacation homes/security
Pocono Mountain School Board –No report
Pat Kager Clymer Library- no report
Supervisor Sterrett: EMA- Report read
Department of Public Works (DPW) - Report Read
EDC- Minutes posted
Supervisor Altemose, II: EAC- Minutes posted
Joint Open Space Committee- Minutes posted
COG- Minutes posted
EMS- Minutes posted
Bruce Walder: Monroe County Task Force- no report
Dot Trauger: Township Planning Commission- Minutes posted
Public Comments:
A thank you to those who did the gardening, weeding, and flower planting around the office complex.
Marge Nowinski- no comments
Marie Rivera- Would like to know what roads are having lines painted. Requested to have hay cut at corner of Clearview and Long Pond Rd by owner. When Roadmaster works race weekend are we required to pay.
Betty Terrell-Cruz- Regional police do they have radar detectors, or how do they check speed?
Tunkfest, are volunteers needed? Who is selling T-shirts? Kim property where are the funds coming from to purchase? Announcement to let everyone know there will be a Mess Call for all Veterans at the American Legion East Stroudsburg on June 23, 2007 11:30am to 6 pm rain or shine. Raffle tickets are being sold 6 for $5 or $1 each, and all funds will go to cover the cost of the gathering.
Helen Witt- Would like to thank Penn Dot for the paving of Long Pond Road (and suggests we send a thank you), and the Township for keeping Stoney Hollow open during the race (meaning the new ordinance posting no parking during events). A thank you will be sent to Penn Dot, Mike Carroll, and Local Resident Francis Altemose, Sr.
Steve Malaico- Does the Township issue permits for businesses in this Township. The development of Sierra View doesn’t allow businesses. Vacant properties in Sierra View that aren’t sold or developed mainly corner lots can they be cut down? Why do we have a crown Victoria interceptor vehicle?
Mike Gillen- Planet Pocono signs did they get a permit? Real Estate signs, are they allowed at entrance and/or flags?
Motion to adjourn by Supervisor Sterrett seconded by Supervisor Altemose, II. There being no further comments the motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:59 pm.
Donna A. Verdes
Secretary