MINUTES OF THE TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 14, 2005
The Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on November 14, 2005. Those in attendance were Supervisors Francis Altemose, II, Jim Sterrett and William Bourke, Secretary/Treasurer Donna Verdes, Solicitor Ed Scacchitti, Zoning Enforcement Officer Dot Trauger, Asst. Secretary, Zoning & Sewage Bev Riker and area residents. Chairman Altemose, II called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
The following minutes were presented: October 11, 2005 regular monthly meeting, October 26 & November 7 work sessions and October 26, 2005 budget work session. Chairman Altemose, II stated that Executive Sessions proceeded the October 26, 2005 work session and followed the November 7, 2005 work session for legal and personnel reasons. Motion by Chairman Altemose, II to approve the minutes as written. Motion seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. There being no comments. Motion passed unanimously.
Matters Arising: Selective Insurance - Donna Verdes explained that at last month's meeting there was some confusion about what the insurance bills were for. The Selective Insurance bills were for two different months Sept. & October. Last month the last page of the October bill list was for September's premium that came in late. It was paid in advance of the bill list in the amount of $5,358.00 allocated as follows: $2,644.00 for line item 411.355 for the fire co. and $2,714.00 is for the Township's share for workers comp line item 400.354. The statement Selective sends usually breaks the bill in two categories Package Policy & Workers Comp. Additionally when there is a Workman's Comp Audit premium that is reflected on the monthly statement. The actual policy is reviewed to allocate the appropriate amounts to the appropriate line items.
Page 4 of last month's bill list was October's premium for $5,358.00 allocated as follows:
Line item: 400.359 Package policy $164.00
Line item: 400.354 Worker's Comp $2,714.00
Line item: 411.355 Fire Co.'s balance of their portion of the premium taken from the Package Policy premium. I was breaking out the Fire Co.'s auto premium over two months bills.
Sept. March
Trustees Insurance (Dental) Employees $200.58 x 8 = 1,604.64 1,604.64 = $3,209.28
Dependents (3 family & 1 spouse) = 1,427.04 1,427.04 = $2,854.08
Billed Semi-Annual (2x per yr. Sept. & Mar.) TOTAL = 3,031.68 3,031.68 = $6,063.36
Dozer - Bruce Walder, Roadmaster explained that we brought the dozer in for the April 2nd storm. Which PEMA has paid close to $22,000 in reimbursements to the Township. The cost of the equipment is $82,550. There was a Federal discount because it was done through FEMA which brings the price down to $73,000. When you do your FEMA deductions from the price it would be $47,000.00. FEMA paid for the machine for a couple of months. There is Federal Pricing program when equipment is needed for emergencies.
Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Donna Verdes presented the Treasurer’s report
General - Receipts $117,532.02
Disbursements $323,432.34
General Balance $528,638.58
Liquid Fuels - Liquid Fuels Balance $370,607.78
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 $53,669.39 were presented. Motion by Chairman Altemose, II to approve the bill list. Seconded by Supervisor Bourke. After comments and questions, motion passed unanimously.
Announcements –
Supervisor Sterrett announced the following:
- Clymer Library Book Mobile is every other Wednesday 2:30 - 3:30pm at Willie's Deli at the corner of Route 115 and Mountain Road (November 9 & 23rd)
Supervisor Bourke announced the following:
- Residential trash collection – information regarding vendors is on table in lobby. Companies that have responded are as follows:
- Williams Pipeline cleaned up the graffiti and hoped this senseless act would not be repeated.
Chairman Altemose, II announced that the Supervisors sent a letter of support to Tobyhanna for the purchase of the Marconi Parcel which is adjacent to the Blue Ridge Acquisition.
Planning & Zoning Assistant Bev Riker announced that the Monroe County Planning Commission will be present at the Township Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, November 16 at 6:30 pm and any questions the public may have can be answered at that time. All are welcome.
Supervisor Sterrett read the meeting schedule. Supervisor Bourke added that November 23, 2005 there will be a budget work session following the Supervisors work session and Regional Police meets on December 13, 2005 at headquarters
Old Business:
Proposed Hussaini Auto Sales request for Partial release of monies in escrow account - Supervisor Bourke stated the Township engineer Kevin Harrison did the inspection which revealed that all improvements, except the three (3) wall-mounted lights have been completed. This additional work will have to be performed before the project can be considered complete and before a certificate of occupancy can be issued. He has recommended that the Performance Guarantee be reduced by $7,656.10. This will leave a balance of $825.00 to complete the wall mounted lights.
Supervisor Bourke made a motion to reduce the Hussaini performance guarantee escrow account by $7,656.10 leaving a balance of $825.00 plus interest to complete the wall mounted lights. Seconded by Supervisor Bourke. There being no comments motion passed unanimously.
Proposed exceptional value for Tunkhannock Creek - Chairman Altemose, II stated on March 30, 2005 there was a public hearing and Special Public Meeting to consider a Resolution supporting a petition to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by the Tunkhanna Fishing Association and Tobyhanna Creek/Tunkhannock Creek Watershed Association to change the designation of Tunkhannock Creek, including all tributaries, from High Quality-Cold Water Fisher (HQ-CWF) to Exceptional Value (EV).
Motion made by Chairman Altemose, II to adopt Resolution No. 2005-104 supporting the petition of Tunkhanna Fish Fishing Assoc. and Tobyhanna Creek/Tunkhannock Creek Watershed Assoc. to change the designation of Tunkhannock Creek, including all tributaries from High Quality-Cold Water Fishery (HQ-CWF) to Exceptional Value (EV). Seconded by Supervisor Bourke. After comments and questions. Those in favor - none, those against three. Abstentions - none. Motion was lost.
Proposed purchase for open space – Henning property - Supervisor Sterrett stated the County Commissioners has approved our grant under the natural areas/passive recreations lands category of the Monroe county initiatives for the purchase of 120 acres project title fern ridge bog- Henning et al. Property. We have a similar grant application pending for DCNR. Both grants will provide the funds for the purchase of the Henning property as well as for related costs.
Motion made by Supervisor Sterrett to authorize the Township solicitor and his firm Edmund J. Scacchitti of Olivetti & Scacchitti to take all reasonable and necessary steps to finalize the purchase of project title Fern Ridge Bog- Henning et al. Property of 120 acres. Seconded by Supervisor Bourke. After comments and questions. Those in Favor - Two, Chairman Altemose, abstained. Motion passed.
New Business:
Pocono Mountain Regional Police - Supervisor Bourke stated at the last work session there was a discussion regarding gang activity and there was some skepticism that there was any within in our Township. Therefore Chief Lamberton & Sgt. Lewis was asked to come and discuss where the gang activity is and located within our Township.
Chief Lamberton & Sgt. Lewis discussed drug and gang activity within our Township. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding monies available for drug enforcement, an overview of procedures and investigations for gang related activity in our Township as well as at the schools. They discussed how they are seeing an increase of crimes that go along with drugs and the escalating violence related to drug activity and turf wars. Also discussed was how community members and Supervisors' can help by contacting the Attorney General of the State to increase the funding level for the Monroe County Drug Task Force due to the fact that we are the second fastest growing county in the state and the current funding level is based on the early 80's.
Proposed Mountain Terrace Estates Road Dedication - Chairman Altemose, II stated that Mountain Terrace Estates has requested that the Township accept certain roads including Mountain Terrace Drive, Arthur's Way and Bruce Lane. The Township Roadmaster Bruce Walder, the Township Engineer Kevin Harrison and Solicitor Ed Scacchitti have reviewed the roads and the deed of dedication as well as the road resolution and everything is in order.
Motion by Supervisor Altemose, II to adopt resolution #2005-106 accepting roadways as shown on a plan titled "road dedication plan, Mountain Terrace Estates at Tunkhannock". The roads include Mountain Terrace Drive, Arthur’s Way and Bruce Lane. Seconded by Supervisor Bourke. There being no comments, motion passed unanimously.
Proposed Hazard Mitigation Plan - Chairman Altemose, II stated the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (p.l.106-390) requires local governments to prepare and adopt a hazard mitigation plan that meets the requirements of the act in order to be eligible for post-disaster assistance beyond debris removal and temporary public assistance. At a March 9 2004 meeting it was agreed that the County would undertake the preparation of a plan which could be adopted by the county and the individual municipalities. The County adopted the plan on September 7, 2005 following a public meeting. The Township Roadmaster Bruce Walder and the Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Gary Riley have also reviewed the plan and recommend adoption.
Motion by Chairman Altemose, II to adopt the Hazard Mitigation resolution #2005-107 as the Hazard Mitigation Plan for Tunkhannock Township in its entirety that was approved by the County. Seconded by Supervisor Bourke. There being no comments, motion passed unanimously.
Proposed purchase of Richard Kim property - Supervisor Bourke stated that the EAC proposed that the Supervisors purchase the Richard Kim property for open space. Two of the Supervisors had some reservations regarding the purchase.
Motion by Supervisor Bourke to table any action at this time and to request that the EAC pursue the possibility of swapping existing DCNR land on the Route 115 side of the tract or pursuing the possibility of swapping the Kim property with property owned by Monroe County that is further north on Route 115. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. After comments and questions, motion passed unanimously.
Proposed Thomas Neith Land Development Plan - Supervisor Sterrett explained that the proposed land development plan by Thomas Neith is to build a car window tinting business located on Route 115 in between Bencal & Berger properties and 3 down from Monaghan's on the right heading towards Blakeslee. Tunkhannock Township’s Planning Commission conditionally approved the plan on October 19, 2005 unanimously.
Motion by Supervisor Sterrett to grant Conditional Approval the Thomas Neith Land Development Plan subject to the following requirements:
Motion seconded by Supervisor Bourke. After comments and questions motion passed unanimously.
Proposed New Zoning Ordinance - Chairman Altemose, II explained that the Planning Commission has recommended to the Board of Supervisor to schedule a Public Hearing to review the proposed new zoning ordinance. The Ordinance has been submitted to the Monroe County Planning Commission for the MPC review.
Motion by Chairman Altemose, II to advertise for a public hearing for the proposed adoption of the new Zoning Ordinance #2005-103 for December 12 at 7pm prior to the Supervisor’s regular meeting. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. After comments and questions, motion passed unanimously.
Proposed Township Policy – Request For Public Records - Supervisor Bourke explained that at the last work session problems were discussed concerning email requests for public records. It was felt at that time that email problems could interfere with a timely response from the Township to a request for records. Instead the Township would adopt a policy limiting requests for public information to be made in paper format on designated forms by the Township.
Motion by Supervisor Bourke to adopt the policy of Tunkhannock Township requiring any requests for public records to be made in paper format on forms designated by the township. Requests in any other form including email will not be accepted as valid requests. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. After comments and questions, motion passed unanimously.
Proposed Appointment Of Public Accountant - Supervisor Sterrett stated that the Board of Supervisor's believes the annual township audit should be completed by a professional CPA firm with experience doing municipal audits and would like to continue this practice.
Motion by Supervisor Sterrett to advertise the proposed appointment of Kirk Suma and Company to complete the 2005 audit of the township accounts at the reorganization meeting on Tuesday, January 3, 2006. Seconded by Supervisor Bourke. A lengthy discussion followed regarding elected auditors verses appointed CPA reviewing and completing audit of township records for 2005. After comments and questions motion passed unanimously.
Reports: Chairman Altemose, II stated the EAC minutes were posted and the Joint Open Space meeting was cancelled. The COG minutes were posted. The EMA had no meeting.
Supervisor Sterrett stated that the EMS will be posted tomorrow morning.
Bill Chatham - Clymer Library is very happy with the increased attendance at book mobile since it was moved to Willie's.
Regional Comprehensive Use Plan - Supervisor Bourke stated they are moving forward with the intergovernmental agreement to do the Ordinances and SALDO's jointly amongst the four (4) municipalities. It's under review by the other municipalities.
Joint Building Codes - moving forward with a new software package/database that will put all information regarding one lot in one program, whereas now you have three different areas to find information. Guardian Inspection services has netted the Township over $51,000 therefore its worthwhile to spend the approximate $10,000 for the new software to streamline and expedite requests and make it better for the entire community.
Pocono Mountain Regional Police Board - In middle of the budget process.
Mike Gillen - we got new equipment from the Terrorist Task Force and one of our own residents Harry Robidoux was instrumental in getting us this equipment which will help our officers.
Monroe County Task Force minutes - Roadmaster Bruce Walder stated minutes are posted. They discussed paving projects and it looks like by the end of 2008 every state road that passes through the Township will be paved or would have been paved with the exception of Kuhenbeaker Road. So Long Pond Road is still scheduled, Route 80 with our Township and a section of 380 within our Township as well as Route 903.
Township Planning Commission - Dot Trauger stated the Planning Commission minutes are posted.
Public Comments:
Marie Rivera - passed
Marjorie Nowinski - Commented on the camera's over the recycling bins being a waste of money. It was explained that it was not the Township's money being spent.
Peggy Yencho - passed
Mike Gillen – Thanked the Williams Co. for removing the graffiti.
Gil Fazzino - Thanked Bruce Walder and the road crew for getting the swale cleaned up for him. After being paid off he also thanked the office staff.
Betty Terrell-Cruz - She will contact Pittershawn and offer her help with the Book Fair. Wanted to know if Hazard Mitigation was available for review. Also commented on the budget meeting the night before Thanksgiving.
Gary Verdes - Commented on the Exceptional Value and wanted to know if the Supervisors will be following up with a letter.
Bill Chatham - Wanted to know where the Kim property was.
Mr. Altemose, Sr. - Suggested the Supervisors write a letter to Penn Dot for the nice job on Long Pond Road.
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 8:53 p.m.
Donna Verdes
Secretary