MINUTES OF THE TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 13, 2006
The Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors' held their regular meeting on November 13, 2006. Those in attendance were Supervisors Richard G. Van Noy, Jim Sterrett and Francis A. Altemose, II, Secretary/Treasurer Donna Verdes, Solicitor Ed Scacchitti, Road Master Bruce Walder, Zoning Enforcement Officer Kate Lambert, and area residents. Chairman Van Noy called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
The following minutes were presented: October 10, 2006 regular meeting
October 25, 2006 budget work session
October 25, 2006 work session
November 6, 2006 budget work session
November 6, 2006 work session
Motion was made by Supervisor Altemose, II to accept the minutes and seconded by Supervisor Sterrett. After a correction to the Regular Monthly Meeting of October 10, 2006 was made, the motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Van Noy stated an Executive Session was held prior to October 25th work session for legal reasons.
Matters Arising:
Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Donna Verdes presented the Treasurer's report
General Fund: Receipts $86,126.68
Disbursements $325,891.44
General Fund Balance: $431,722.79
Liquid Fuels Balance: $316,382.49
Motion by Supervisor Sterrett to accept the Treasurer's Report. Seconded by Supervisor Altemose, II. There being no further comments, motion passed unanimously.
Bills in the amount of $118,707.47 were presented. Motion by Supervisor Sterrett to approve the bill list. Seconded by Supervisor Altemose, II. After comments and questions, motion passed unanimously.
Announcements:
Chairman Van Noy, congratulated Supervisor Sterrett and the Tunkhannock Township Armed Forces Monument Committee for their outstanding Monument Dedication Ceremony that was held on Saturday November 11, 2006.
A Notice from Penn Dot regarding removal of snow & ice from vehicles, and the fines involved if snow or ice dislodges or falls from a moving vehicle and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian.
New site procedures as of November 1, 2006 that the Zoning & Sewage Departments have implemented in regard to a site review for all new construction before a zoning permit will be issued.
Chairman Van Noy welcomed Pat Kager as Clymer Library Representative. Pat asked if the Supervisors had any questions or concerns for the Library. Chairman Van Noy asked if she could get the mill amount that Tobyhanna pays?
Chairman Van Noy read the meeting schedule.
Nov. 15 - 4:30 p.m. Tunkhannock Township Supervisors Budget Work Session
Nov. 15 - 7:00 p.m. Pocono Mountain School Board* @ Pocono Mt. East Campus
Nov. 20 - 6:00 p.m. Joint Open Space* @ Tobyhanna Municipal Bldg.
Nov. 21 - 4:00 p.m. Environmental Advisory Council (EAC)
Nov. 22 - 5:30 p.m. Tunkhannock Township Supervisors Work Session & Budget Work Session
Nov. 27 - 6:30 p.m. Emergency Management Services (EMS)* @ Tobyhanna Muni. Bldg.
Nov. 29 - 5:00 p.m. Tunkhannock Township Budget Work Session
Nov. 30 - 7:00 p.m. Tunkhannock Township Economic Development Committee (EDC)
Dec. 2 - 8:00 a.m. Tunkhannock Township Budget Work Session
Dec. 4 - 6:30 p.m. Tunkhannock Township Public Hearing – Conditional Use
Dec. 4 - 7:00 p.m. Tunkhannock Township Supervisors Work Session
Dec. 6 - 7:00 p.m. Pocono Mountain School Board* @ Pocono Mt. East Campus
Dec. 11 - 7:00 p.m. Tunkhannock Township Supervisors Regular Meeting
Dec. 12 - 7:00 p.m. Regular Pocono Mountain Regional Police* @ Headquarters
Dec. 13 - 6:30 p.m. Tunkhannock Township Planning Commission Work Session
Old Business:
- Proposed DCNR Moyer Property Grant Resolution. One of the requirements from DCNR is to submit a resolution for the Moyer Property. The property consists of approximately 67 +/- acres.
Motion by Supervisor Altemose, II to adopt Resolution No. 2006-121 whereas Tunkhannock Township desires to apply to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for a grant carrying out this project titled “Moyer Property Acquisition” for open space. Seconded by Supervisor Sterret. There being no comments, the motion passed unanimously.
New Business:
- Guy Miller Director of Emergency Services Monroe County was unable to attend this meeting and will be here December 11, 2006.
- Proposed Conditional use Application by Pocono Raceway Village. The Supervisors must conduct a public hearing to consider the Pocono Raceway Village Conditional use Application. The letter from the Planning Commission was read that included their recommendations. Motion by Supervisor Sterret to advertise for a Public Hearing to consider the Pocono Raceway Village Conditional Use Applications on December 4, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. Seconded by Supervisor Altemose, II, there being no comments the motion passed unanimously.
- Proposed Ordinance for the Blue Ridge Cable Franchise Agreement. Over the last couple of years, the Township has used the serves of Cohen Communications to negotiate a cable franchise agreement with Blue Ridge Cable. Last month the Township received a new proposed 6-year cable franchise agreement, which provides for increased revenues to the Township. A motion by Supervisor Altemose, II to advertise the adoption of an ordinance (at the December 11 Supervisors regular meeting) authorizing the appropriate Township Representatives to sign the Blue Ridge Cable Franchise Agreement. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
- Proposed appointment of Public Account. The board of Supervisors 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. A motion by Supervisor Altemose, II to advertise the proposed appointment of Kirk Summa and Company to complete the 2006 audit of the Township accounts at the reorganization 2007 meeting on Tuesday January 2, 2007. Seconded by Supervisor Sterrett, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
- Proposed CTCO payphone agreement. The Township has an existing agreement with Commonwealth Telephone Company to receive a share of the monies collected for the pay phone outside the building. Commonwealth Telephone has asked the Township to change the terms so that we will only receive a check for an amount in excess of $5.00. A motion by Supervisor Sterrett to authorize the appropriate Township representative to sign the CTCO’s Payphone Agreement Amendment. Seconded by Supervisor Altemose, II, there being no comments or questions the motion pasted unanimously.
Reports:
Supervisor Van Noy: Joint Building Codes - No meeting
Pocono Mountain Regional Police Board – Meeting tomorrow night. Mike Gillen reported that as of today we are over 455.53 hours. We should consider buying some hours off another Township. November 4, the new officers will be tested and on November 18, the PE test will be performed.
Pocono Mountain School Board - Dick announced meeting dates prior and noted the student attendance is down by 500 students per the newspaper.
Supervisor Sterrett: EMA - No meeting
Tunkhannock Township Armed Forces Committee - Had dedication Ceremony on November 11, 2006. Jim thanks all Township workers, volunteers, and committee members.
Dept. of Public Works (DPW) - Summer work is wrapping up and getting everything ready for the winter months.
EDC- No report, but noted the Supervisors will be attending their meeting this month.
Supervisor Altemose, II: EAC – No Report, and noted there will be a meeting with the Supervisors to determine the roll of the EAC and the direction it will go in the future.
Joint Open Space Committee: Report Posted
COG - Report posted
EMS - Report posted
Regional Comprehensive Land Use Plan - No meeting
Bruce Walder: Monroe County Task Force - Report posted and Bruce noted there is a graffiti problem with the new traffic signed posted in the Township. If anyone sees this please notify the police. These signs are new and we must be federally compliant by January.
Dot Trauger: Township Planning Commission - Minutes posted
Public Comments:
- Supervisor Van Noy answered the question from Marge Norwinski from last month regarding the Sites that were visited by Monroe County Waste Authority and our Zoning Enforcement Officer. A board displayed the sites that were visited and Supervisor Van Noy noted that the Township is working with the residents.
- Marge Norwinski commented on the resident’s situation, and Kate Lambert reviewed what is on the property and why the Township and the county must protect all residents of the Township.
- Mike Gillen as a veteran and resident of the Township, he was very proud to attend the Monument Dedication on Saturday and commended Jim Sterrett.
- Betty Terrell-Cruz asked if when the Audit is finished would it be made public. Response: yes, a request can be made once it is available sometime in May & June.
- Emily Daily resident of Tunkhannock Trails asked when the trees would be cut on Heller’s Lane, and to what extent will be removed. Response: Bruce Walder noted it would be to trim trees that are in the road or trees that are in the normal right away. Question (2 ) what is going on in the back ball field and why is there garbage back there? Response from Bruce Walder: DEP was just there for inspection and all items that are there are clean fill and material. It will be used to bring the field up to level for soccer field for the kids. Steel will be picked up crushed and recycled.
There being no further public comments, Supervisor Sterrett made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Supervisor Altemose, II, motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:39pm.
Donna A. Verdes
Secretary