The Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on June 2, 2004. Those in attendance were Supervisors Francis Altemose, II, Jim Sterrett and William Bourke, Solicitor Ed Scacchitti, Secretary Donna Verdes, and area residents. Chairperson Altemose, II called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.

The following meeting minutes were presented: May 5, 2004 regular monthly meeting and May 27, 2004 work session. Motion by Chairperson Altemose, II, to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as written. Motion seconded by Jim Sterrett. The motion carried unanimously.

Chairperson Altemose announced that Executive Sessions were held prior to and after the May 27 work session for legal and personnel reasons.

Matters Arising: Supervisor Bourke stated that at the May 5^th meeting there was no motion to pay the bills, but there was a vote approving to pay the bills. He stated that because of the questions that came about we never got around to making a motion but we said we would pay them. Therefore, Supervisor Bourke motioned to approve the May 5^th bill list. Motioned seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. Motion carried unanimously. Supervisor Bourke also said that the Supervisors had taken the public's comments from the last meeting under consideration and at this time they have decided to leave all vendors on the list with the amount, but have taken the solicitor's advice about redacting certain information in the memo area.

Supervisor Altemose, II said that next month they would be reviewing their options for heating and vehicle fuel. Anyone interested should please attend the July 1 work session at 7:30 when this subject will be discussed. Supervisor Altemose, II stated that a question was asked at the last meeting as to when the Pocono Mountain Council of Government meeting would be held at Tunkhannock Township. He stated that there was no meeting scheduled here for 2004.

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

General - Receipts $186,009.61

Disbursements $ 94,115.02

General Balance $655,748.10

Liquid Fuels - Liquid Fuels Balance $594,704.54

Motion by Supervisor Bourke to accept the treasurer’s report, motion seconded by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett. After comments, motion carried unanimously.

Bill List: Bills in the amount of $65,295.11 were presented. Supervisor Bourke made motion to pay the bills, motion seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. After comments and questions motion carried unanimously.

Announcements: Alternate Engineer position still available. Tunk Fest is July 10, the new hours are 12-4 and the volunteer sign up sheet is on the table for anyone who wants to volunteer. The letters were sent out to people who make donations to this event and also to the people who participate. The rain date is July 11. There is a petition in the lobby requesting that Monroe County Transit Authority provide bus service to the residents of the Route 115 corridor. It specifically requests that the bus service be extended from the existing stop at Mt. Effort, up Route 115 North to Blakeslee. Any one interested please sign. Clymer Library is hoping to start a book mobile visit here in the municipal parking lot. The first visit is scheduled for Friday, July 2^nd and then continue though out the year every other Friday (July 2, 16, 30, August 13, 27 etc.). Meeting procedures changes starting in July is as follows: The Supervisors will first approve the Agenda and then the public and then the public would be given an opportunity to share their comments or ask questions pertaining to only what's on the agenda. The Supervisors will be the only ones to comment or question any motion or business on the table. This will ensure motions are done correctly and hopefully make the meetings more productive. They also stated that the "Public Comments" at the end of the meeting will continue as usual. After the Pledge of Allegiance, there will be a motion to approve the agenda. One of the Supervisors will second it and then it would be open to comments and questions from the public on any items that are on the agenda only. Then the public will be able to ask all the questions they would normally ask during the meeting but now they would ask them at the beginning. After public comments, the solicitor stated that if you look back at meetings even a year or two there were a lot of things not officially passed but implemented because confusion arose with public participation during the deliberation of any matter on the agenda. From a parliamentary procedure stand point there was a technical problem on some of the things that the township has done in the past where there wasn't actually an affirmative vote or a proper motion or a motion seconded because of everyone's participation in the discussion. Resident's comments followed.

Supervisor Bourke announced that the Township received a letter from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) informing us that they are doing a survey for transportation needs for Monroe County and that a package from them should be here tomorrow and it will be posted in lobby. The package will cover the transportation improvement program for 2005 - 2008 and they are looking for public comment. The letter we received from them was posted on the window and if any one is interested please stop back to review the information.

The meeting schedule for June was read. There were corrections Terry Willard announced that the June 9 Tunkhannock Township Planning Commission was cancelled and that the June 28 Joint Open Space Meeting was at 6 p.m. not 7 p.m.

Supervisor Altemose, II mentioned that anyone who was interested in open space should attend because it's going very well and they will be moving very quickly towards one of their objectives. Someone asked if the meetings were posted on the web site and was informed that they were.

Old Business:

Perc Technician. Motion by Supervisor Altemose II to appoint John E Heller a Perc Technician on as a needed basis at the rate of $150.00 per completed perc test. Seconded by Supervisor Jim Sterrett. Someone asked if the holes were to be filled back in? The gentlemen mentioned that there were a lot of holes not filled in. Jim Weiss the SEO, asked if the holes that he was speaking of were big holes. The gentlemen answered yes, Jim stated that they were not the perc holes. He explained that the perc holes are only about 6 inches around and are not to be covered over. The septic system is to be built over them. The State requires that the big holes that are dug with a back hoe are to be covered over within 72 hours. He further stated, since he's been here, that he goes out with the backhoes and when he is finished looking at the soil they are covered over immediately. After other comments and questions. Motion carried unanimously.

Opening of Paver Bids. There were two bid and Supervisor Sterrett opened them. They were as follows:

Powell's Sales & Service Gehl Model 1648 Power Box - Asphalt Paver $38,500.00

Highway Equipment & SupplyCo. Bomag Model 3310 - 6 Ton Asphalt Pro Paver $42,855.00

Supervisor Bourke made a motion to accept the lowest bid for $38,500 based on the Roadmaster inspecting the bids and ensuring that all of the RFP information is correct. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. After comments and questions, motion carried unanimously.

New Business: Motion by Supervisor Bourke to adopt a resolution recognizing and congratulating Mark Elliott Castillo on his outstanding achievements of attaining the Boy Scout's highest rank of Eagle Scout. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. Mark Castillo couldn't attend tonight and he will be presented this in September. There being no further comments or questions motion carried unanimously.

Chief Administrative Officer. Motion by Supervisor Sterrett to appoint Donna Verdes as the Chief Administrative officer of the Tunkhannock Township Pension Plan. Seconded by Bill Bourke. There being no comments or questions motion carried unanimously.

Supervisor Altemose, II made a motion to waive the building permit fee in regard to a pavilion for the Lehigh Valley Quarter Midget Racing Club a non-profit organization. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. After comments and questions motion carried unanimously.

Following comments from the public, Solicitor Ed Scacchitti stated that this waiver does not set precedence and that each request will be decided case by case and not based on an organization being non-profit or children.

Motion by Supervisor Bourke not to waive the merchants permit fee of $300.00 for Boy Scout Troop 90 to set up a booth on Route 115 for the Race. Seconded by Supervisor Altemose, II. After comments and questions motion carried unanimously.

Supervisor Altemose, II stated that three of the four reports were posted on the door. The three posted were Township Open Space, Joint Open Space and EMA. We will post the May minutes for Council of Government when we receive them.

Supervisor Sterrett stated that the minutes and reports for the Clymer Library, Township Planning Commission and EMS were posted on door.

Supervisor Bourke stated that the Regional Comprehensive Land Use Plan will be June 28 @Tobyhanna at 7p.m, the Building Code Enforcement meeting is June 17 at Coolbaugh at 7p.m. and the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Board is on June 8, 7p.m. at Headquarters. Regarding Tunk Fest Supervisor Bourke made an appeal to the Journalists present to include Tunk Fest in their report. The Township sent out letters to the donators and participants and in that letter there is a sentence that states "No Political Agenda's will be allowed". He requested the journalists mention that in their report.

Terry Willard announced that the Tobyhanna/Tunkhannock Creek Watershed is posted.

Public Comments: Positive comments were received in respect to the Zoning Department's actions regarding properties on Route 115 and the Department of Work's construction activities at bus turn around in Indian Mountain Lakes as well their help with the posting of signs on Route 903. There were complaints pertaining to Penn Dot and the road conditions of Route 115, 903 and Long Pond Road. Other comments were the extra cost of policing during race weekend. Supervisor Bourke stated that he had met with the State Police and as a result of that meeting reduced the number of men for traffic control. Supervisor Sterrett commended Supervisor Bourke on his work with the Regional Police and handling of traffic control. There was a suggestion that the Book Mobile be invited to Tunk Fest.

There being no further comments, Vice-Chairperson Sterrett motioned to adjourn and Chairperson Altemose, II seconded. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting ended at 8:32 p.m.

Donna Verdes

Secretary