The Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on March 3, 2004. Those in attendance were Supervisors Francis Altemose, II, Jim Sterrett and William Bourke, Alternate Solicitor Ed Scacchitti, Secretary Donna Verdes, and area residents. Chairperson Altemose, II called the meeting to order at 7:31 PM.

The following meeting minutes were presented: February 4, 2004 regular monthly meeting, February 18, and March 1 work sessions. Motion by Chairperson Altemose, II, to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as written. Motion seconded by Jim Sterrett and carried unanimously. Supervisor Bourke announced Executive Sessions were held after the February 18^th work session and before the March 1^st work session for personnel and legal reasons.

Matters Arising: Supervisor Bourke re: Feb. 4 meeting there was a question regarding the Primrose, Lyons & Quigley bill of $2,680.00. The assumption was that it was for Peter Quigley but it was actually for Dan Lyons regarding services to the Planning Commission. Also in regards to question from Mike Gillen concerning unfinished structures in which it was stated they had 10 years to complete. Please note: Zoning Ordinance 4.7.1 Permits, states "Permits are valid for 1 year from the approval date. Work must be completed within 1 year unless an extension is requested in writing." Comments followed.

Appointment List:

Motion by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett to appoint Bruce Walder the Township Representative to the COG Road Task Force. Motion seconded by Supervisor Bourke. After comment motion carried unanimously.

Announcements: Clymer Library Representative position available as well as an Alternate Engineer. House Bill 2192- amendment of Liquor Code (1951). It's about the Poker Slots in PA. There is not much going on right now. It's not moving very quickly. Tunkhannock Township Vol. Fire Co. 2004 Coming Events Schedule is posted.

The meeting schedule for March was read.

Calendar Dates: Fall Bulk Trash September 17 - 20

Old Business: Chairperson Altemose introduced Larry Lahr from Nextel Communications. Mr. Lahr was seeking conditional approval for the Land Development Plan for Nextel Partners Inc. for the Cellular Wireless Tower on the Bankes Property. He informed the Supervisors that he received approval from the Monroe County Conservation Service and that the approval was signed off yesterday, March 2 and was told that the Dept. of Environmental Protection will sign off on March 8. While recognizing that there are still some outstanding matters to be resolved Mr. Lahr requested that the Board of Supervisors gives consideration to approving the plan conditional upon all of the outstanding issues being resolved and all relative permits obtained before any construction can begin. In the absence of any further comments a motion was put by Chairperson Altemose to approve the Land Development Plan for Nextel Partners Inc. for a Cellular Wireless Telecommunications Tower on the Bankes property on the conditions that; (a) The Emergency Use Agreement is executed. (b) As per Zoning Ordinance 3.229 E 12, a bond is posted to cover the removal of the facility in the events so described in said ordinance. (c) That the current NPDES Application is approved and all conditions of the permit are completed satisfactorily. (d) That all Zoning and Building Permits are applied for and granted (e) Receipt of appropriate letter from the FAA regarding the lighting of the tower. Motion seconded by Supervisor Bourke. Comments and questions from audience followed. Motion carried unanimously.

Vice-Chairperson Sterrett started discussion regarding converting Small Ball Field (Little League field) to a universal field so that the field could be used by boys and girls. Cost would be $1,584.00 verses the $3,600 for the Large/Adult Field. It's the Board's intention to do both fields but this year only the small field can be done due to budgetary reasons. Also Supervisor Bourke stated that the field probably would not be changed until after the Little League season due to weather.

Motion by Chairperson Altemose to modify the small ball field for $1,584.00 so that everyone would be able to use the ball field. Supervisor Bourke proposed change to motion by making it "approximately $1,584.00" amended motion. After comments motion seconded by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett. Motion carried unanimously.

Chairperson Altemose, started discussion regarding Local Government Week and Building Safety Week and suggested that we have this on Friday, April 16 and incorporate the most positive parts of Local Government Day with recommendation from Terry Willard on Building Safety week to introduce people to building codes and home safety. Following lengthy discussion and comments motion made by Supervisor Bourke to combine both events on April 16, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett. Motion carried unanimously.

New Business: Supervisor Bourke gave background on ACT 45. Motion by Supervisor Bourke to schedule and advertise a public hearing to adopt the new Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (PA UCC) Ordinance at the regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 7, 2004 in the municipal building, Long Pond Road, Long Pond, PA, motion seconded by Chairperson Altemose. There were no comments. Motion carried unanimously.

Supervisor Bourke explained the proposed amended Manufacturing Ordinance. Motion by Supervisor Bourke to schedule and advertise a public meeting on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 a 7:30 p.m. to consider a proposed amendment to the Tunkhannock Township Zoning Ordinance 2002-108 Section 3.124 Manufacturing (pending Planning Commission Approval). After comments, motion seconded by Chairperson Altemose. Motion carried unanimously.

Chairperson Altemose stated that there is a parcel in the Township that the Township Open Space Committee has recommended that we get an appraisal on to potentially look for as passive open space. Motion by Chairperson Altemose to approve John Shorten to do an appraisal on the Charles Henning property for the Open Space Committee at the cost of $2,000.00. After comments, motion seconded by Supervisor Bourke. Motion carried unanimously.

Chairperson Altemose explained that in order to complete the school bus turn-around properly in Indian Mountain Lakes, PP&L and Commonwealth Telephone have to move poles to open the school bus turn-around. There is a bill from PP&L to relocate the utilities. Motion by Chairperson Altemose to approve the Work Request Invoice in the amount of $12,441.00 from PPL Electric Utilities for relocating pole at bus turn-around at Mountain Road and Look Out Drive at Indian Mountain Lake. Seconded by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett. After comments, motion carried unanimously.

Chairperson Altemose stated that the following is to have the land surveyed for the walking trail, parking lot and basketball court. Bethlehem Water Authority will give us the land for $1.00 if we have it surveyed. Motion by Chairperson Altemose to accept Reilly Associates to survey Bethlehem Water Authority Land in the estimated amount of $2,300.00 for the property we are leasing totaling 7.36+ acres. Seconded by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett. After comments, those in favor were Supervisors Altemose and Sterrett. Supervisor Bourke abstained because Reilly Associates does work on behalf of the Waste Authority. Motion carried.

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

General - Receipts $ 56,594.06

Disbursements $228,099.85

General Balance $412,927.31

Liquid Fuels - Liquid Fuels Balance $500,845.02

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

Bill List: The bill list was presented. Bills in the amount of $67,585.52 were presented. Motion by Vice-Chairperson Sterrett to pay the bills, motion seconded by Supervisor Bourke. After comments, motion carried unanimously. There were no comments. Motion carried unanimously.

Chairperson Altemose, II gave reports on Township Open Space Committee, and announced that the next meeting would be Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. here. Last meeting was discussion of walk conducted on Charles Henning property for possible purchase for Open Space. George Ewald asked why a property that, in his view, was so wet that it would not be commercially viable to build on was being considered for open space purchase. His view was that it would be better to purchase other properties that would be more likely at risk to residential development. In response to a comment from Terry Kline, Chairperson Altemose said that he felt that at least half of the said property could be developed. He also gave the report for the Pocono Mountain Council of Government (COG) making specific reference to shortage of anti-skid material. The other main issue was the update of the Brodhead & Michaels Creek Watershed Act 167 Storm Water Management Plan and which he asked Terry Willard to comment on. Terry Willard advised that our former Township Engineer had reviewed the documents and submitted his comments to the Monroe County Planning Commission. One of the key components of the new plan is the proposed creation of 150 yard buffer zones on either side of streams. Once the final draft is in place the document would have to go in front of the Monroe County Commissioners and if approved by them each of the affected Townships would be required to adopt a new ordinance. Chairperson Altemose also gave report on Pocono Mountain Emergency Services informing the public that they are consolidating units to reduce costs and working on innovative ways to increase funding. Chairperson Altemose stated that the Clymer Library minutes were posted in the lobby for anyone who wanted to review them.

Vice-Chairperson Sterrett announced the Township Planning Commission Minutes were posted and had nothing new to report for the Planning Commission.

Supervisor Bourke gave reports on the Regional Comprehensive Land Use Plan, Building Cold Enforcement and Pocono Mountain Regional Police.

Terry Willard announced that the report for the Tobyhanna/Tunkhannock Creed Watershed was posted in the lobby.

There being no further business, Chairperson Altemose opened the floor to comments. Terry Kline passed. Debbie Parker announced that Indian Mt. Lakes and the mothers wanted to thank the Supervisors and Bruce Walder for their help with rectifying the problem with the school bus turn-around and that as soon as the weather breaks they would be replacing the Stop sign. Marjorie Nowinski commented about the Cinder Lane complaint. Richard VanNoy commented and complimented how quickly that two (2) out of three issues he brought up at the last meeting were resolved and how well everyone was working together regarding the emergency exit for Brier Crest Woods. Chairperson Altemose and Roadmaster Bruce Walder gave an update on remaining issues for said emergency exit. Mr. VanNoy wanted it to be made perfectly clear that it would only be used for emergency vehicles to enter and only an escape route for residents in case of a fire and it will be gated. Gil Werner, ELA. left.

Maureen Sterner asked for an update regarding the Mountain Terrace bond and wanted to know what was discussed at the March 1 worksession and item regarding employee increases. Chairperson Altemose stated that the bond was taken care of and Supervisor Bourke said "that the employee increase was tabled. Maureen Sterner raised a question regarding a Township Ordinance relating to the release of information and whether the policy had changed. Township solicitor Scacchitti stated that not all records are subject to disclosure and its a matter for the Township to make that decision to ensure that no one's right of privacy is violated. The only obligation is to respond to request in 5 days and that response would either the provision of the information or letter saying that the township is considering what information requested can be released. The Township has a further 30 days in which to make such decision. Solicitor Scacchitti confirmed that it was not necessary for the applicant to state the reason for the request. Maureen Sterner also suggested that the Secretary and Attorney meet and review all accounting reports to determine for the future what can and cannot be released. Other comments followed.

Betty Terrell-Cruz expressed concerns about the workload for some members of the township staff. Also she commented that the minutes did not accurately reflect her statement regarding gambling. The minutes had already been approved and therefore could not be changed therefore, the Supervisors undertook to address the issue for the next set of minutes. She also requested that sufficient copies of the bill list and minutes be made available.

Terry Kline raised the question of workload and mentioned that most of the meetings have to be attended by supervisors or staff and that there aren't enough volunteers available for the others.

Supervisor Bourke responded to a question from Mark Fischer regarding the Monroe County Control Center.

There being no further comments, Vice-Chairperson Sterrett motioned to adjourn and Supervisor Bourke seconded. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting ended at 9:20p.m.

Donna Verdes

Secretary