The Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on March 14, 2005. Those in attendance were Supervisors Francis A. Altemose, II, Jim Sterrett and William Bourke, Secretary/Treasurer Donna Verdes, Solicitor Ed Scacchitti and area residents. Chairman Altemose, II called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.

The following minutes were presented: February 14, 2005 public hearing, February 23, 2005 and March 7, 2005 work sessions. Motion by Chairman Altemose, II to approve the minutes as written. Motion seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. There being no comments. Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Altemose, II stated the February 14, 2005 regular monthly meeting minutes were not available due to the file on the computer being corrupted and they would be available next month. There was an Executive Session following the March 7, 2005 work session to discuss legal matters.

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

General - Receipts $103,452.43

Disbursements $135,760.46

General Balance $323,348.69

Liquid Fuels - Liquid Fuels Balance $459,874.08

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

Bills in the amount of $133,631.36 were presented. Motion by Supervisor Bourke to approve the bill list. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. After comments and questions, motion passed unanimously.

The meeting schedule was read.

Supervisor Bourke stated that in regard to the 911 re-addressing the Township has basically completed renaming all the roads that were similar sounding or duplicated. He thanked the effort put forth by all the developments that participated and they willingly worked together and changed the names themselves.

Old Business: Mt. Terrace Estates Letter of Credit Reduction - Chairman Altemose, II explained that based on the Roadmaster and Township Engineer doing on-site inspections, the Roadmaster recommended a reduction of $155,099.23. Chairman Altemose, II made a motion to reduce the Mountain Terrace Estates Letter of Credit from $297,650.10 to $142,550.87 as per letter of recommendation by Township Roadmaster, Bruce Walder. Seconded by Supervisor Bourke. After comments, the motion passed unanimously.

New Business: Proposed Ordinance to adopt new SALDO – Chairman Altemose, II made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2005-101 governing all subdivision and land development within the Township and repealing all prior Ordinances or parts of Ordinances which are inconsistent with the new SALDO. Seconded by Supervisor Bourke. There being no comments, motion passed unanimously.

Proposed Ordinance amending Section 111, Permit sub-section 111.1 of Ordinance #2002-105 - Chairman Altemose, II read "A permit shall be obtained before beginning construction, alteration or repairs, other than ordinary repairs, using application forms furnished by the building official. A permit is required for all residential alterations and renovations including, but not limited to, re-roofing, decks, electrical service, replacements, furnaces and hot water boilers. A construction permit is required for garages, carports, greenhouses and sheds accessory to a single family dwelling, which are greater than 200 square feet."

Chairman Altemose, II made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2005-102 amending Section 111, Permit sub-section 111.1 of Ordinance # 2002-105 requiring a Permit for certain accessory uses greater than 200 square feet. Supervisor Bourke seconded the motion. After comments and questions, the motion passed unanimously.

Supervisor Sterrett read a letter from Governor Rendell regarding a new IRS Ruling that stated that disaster relief funds received from FEMA would be considered taxable income. The Supervisors decided to send a letter of protest.

Proposed Kepler Joinder Deed - Supervisor Bourke stated that Robert D. Kepler and Kimberly A. Kepler are requesting permission to join lots 526 and 527, Section D of the Indian Mountain Lakes Development. The proposed deed has been reviewed by the solicitor and both the sewage and zoning departments and all is in order. Supervisor Bourke made a motion to adopt Resolution 2005-103, approving the joining of lots 526 and 527, Section D of the Indian Mountain Lakes Development for Robert D. Kepler and Kimberly A. Kepler. Seconded by Chairman Altemose, II. There being not comments, motion passed unanimously.

Old Phone System - Supervisor Bourke stated that if anyone had called the office in the last week may have realized we have a new automated phone system. The Supervisors would like to take the old Meridian Phone System and donate it to the fire company. Supervisor Bourke made a motion to donate the old Meridian Phone System to the Tunkhannock Township Volunteer Fire Company. Seconded by Chairman Altemose, II. After comments, motion passed unanimously.

Silver Companies Petition – Supervisor Sterrett made a motion to refer the Petition of the Silver Companies and supporting documentation to the Planning Commission for a recommendation. Supervisor Bourke seconded the motion. Solicitor Scacchitti explained that they were requesting a series of amendments to the existing Zoning Ordinances to facilitate their planned residential development. The proposal involves the request that the Township make some wholesale amendments to the Zoning Ordinances in order to make the project viable from a zoning stand point. He also made a recommendation that the Supervisors state in the referral letter to the Planning Commission to ask that the Planning Commission solicitor and the Township engineer keep the time separate so that the Township could be reimbursed and to establish an amount for an escrow account for reimbursement. After comments and questions the motion passed unanimously.

Proposed Liquid Fuels Fund Investment – Supervisor Bourke stated that there is $459,874.08 in the Liquid Fuels account which is held in a PLGIT account and is drawing about 1% interest. What they are proposing to do is to put some of it in CD’s with Morgan Stanley. Of the almost $460,000 they would like to invest $300,000. Supervisor Bourke made a motion to authorize the Secretary/Treasurer to invest $300,000.00 of the Liquid Fuel Fund in the following manner with Morgan Stanley: $150,000.00 in a 1 year CD at approximately a 3.45% interest rate, a $100,000.00 in a 6 month CD at approximately 3.00% interest rate and $50,000.00 in a 3 month CD at approximately a 2.55% interest rate and this money would be able to be pulled out at anytime without restrictions or penalties. It was further stated at a work session the road projects were reviewed and there is enough money said aside for the road projects for this year. The investment also complies with regulations. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett, after comments and questions motion passed unanimously.

Bulk Trash – Chairman Altemose, II made a motion to advertise for bulk trash bids for the Spring Bulk Trash Weekend, May 21 – May 24, 2005. Motion seconded by Supervisor Bourke. After comments, motion passed unanimously. It was also announced that we would be accepting trees, limbs and branches at bulk trash but no stumps.

Supervisor Sterrett read a letter from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural Development – Section 504 Home Repair Program – The program consists of 1% interest, long term loans or grants designed to remove health and safety hazards in order to bring eligible homes up to certain minimum livable conditions, and in some cases provide minor improvement to the homes. Grants up to $7,500 may be available to qualifying elderly applicants who don’t have repayment ability for a 1% loan to remove identified safety/health hazards. Typical repairs would be heating/cooling systems, plumbing and electrical repair, roofing systems, sewer repair or emplacement and security issues. The letter and enclosures will be made available in the lobby. The Supervisors suggested the information be placed in the Township newsletter.

School Board Open Public Forum Meetings - Supervisor Sterrett read an announcement from the Pocono Mountain School District which invited the public to attend a second Public Forum Meeting to educate the general public on how the Homeowner Tax Relief Act (Act 72 of 2004) – which may provide property tax relief to homeowners with state gaming revenues – could affect the tax structure of different demographic groups and answer questions that residents may have about this new piece of legislation. This meeting will occur on Wednesday, March 30, at 7pm in the West High School Auditorium.

Proposed Advertising of Public Hearing and Special Meeting Public Meeting – Chairman Altemose, II made a motion to advertise for Public Hearing followed by a Special Public Meeting to consider a Resolution to support the petition of the Tunkhannock Fishing Association and Tobyhanna Creek/Tunkhannock Creek Watershed Association to change the water quality designation of Tunkhannock Creek to Exceptional Value (EV). The Public Hearing will be scheduled for March 23, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. followed by the Special Public Meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m. Seconded by Supervisor Bourke. After comments and questions motion passed unanimously.

Reports: Chairman Altemose, II reported that there was not an EAC meeting in February therefore there were no minutes. The Joint Open Space minutes were posted. The COG meeting was cancelled due to the weather. The EMA meeting minutes were posted as well as the maps corresponding to the minutes were posted as well.

Supervisor Sterrett reported that Bill Chatham was not available and he requested minutes from the library. The EMS minutes were posted.

Supervisor Bourke reported that there was no meeting of the Regional Comprehensive Land Use Planning Committee but there is one scheduled for March 21^st following the Open Space meeting starting at 7:00 pm. The Joint Building Codes Committee didn’t have a meeting but we took action tonight on what they suggested at their last meeting. The Pocono Mountain Regional Police had a meeting last Tuesday and they introduced a new camera system for plotting out accident investigations. The new camera would cut down on the amount of time spent reconstructing the accident.

Roadmaster Bruce Walder reported that the Monroe County Road Task Force meeting was not cancelled but due to no one attending the meeting because of the snow event there were no minutes.

Zoning Officer Dot Trauger reported that the Planning Commission meeting was cancelled due to lack of business.

Public Comments: Peggy Yencho – passed.

Dick VanNoy welcomed back Marge Nowinski stating that she was missed.

George Ewald commented on the Tunkhannock Fishing Association and Tobyhanna Creek/Tunkhannock Creek Watershed Association Petition. He suggested that people come to the Public Hearing that it was extremely important.

Marge Nowinski – commented on the five positions that the Chairman holds. Supervisor Bourke stated that the other Supervisors are appointed to other various committees as well.

Betty Terrell-Cruz commented on a dream she had regarding the roads on her way to a Township meeting and how bad they were. On her way to the meeting tonight she confirmed that her dream was actually a nightmare. The Roadmaster informed her that Long Pond Road is scheduled to be re-engineered from 940 to Kuhenbeaker Road in August after the races. Mountain Road's bid specs are being put together right now for complete overlays to be done this summer. Regarding Kuhenbeaker he received a letter from Harrisburg that stated they have already tarred and chipped so they spent the money on that road already. She also commented on the EV Petition. She would like the Supervisors to consider a joint meeting with planning, zoning and EAC to review the Silver Companies Plans.

Jim Weiss also commented on the EV Petition.

There being no further public comments, Supervisor Bourke made motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Donna Verdes

Secretary