MINUTES OF THE TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Meeting Minutes - OCTOBER 8, 2008
Opening:
Chairman Van Noy called the Public Hearing to order at 7:09pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Donna Kenderdine was present as court recorder.
Present:
Supervisors Van Noy, Sterner, Davenport, Secretary/Treasurer Maria Wieand, Solicitor Dan Lyons, and area residents.
To consider the Amendment to Zoning Ordinance 2005-103 Article II Section 202 definition “Temporary” Solicitor Lyons noted and gave to the court recorder the following items to be entered in to evidence:
Exhibit #1 Proof of advertising
Exhibit #2 Letter to Monroe County Planning Commission
Exhibit #3 Approval letters from Monroe County Planning and Tunkhannock Twp. Planning Commission
Chairman Van Noy explained the purpose of the amendment and the reason for the change is for
Ordinances uniformity. Therefore making our Zoning Ordinance definition of temporary read as “a period of less then three (3) consecutive months.”
There being no comments or questions the Public Hearing ended on a motion by Supervisor Sterner, seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously at 7:11pm.
Called to order at 7:11pm by Chairman Van Noy.
Chairman Van Noy asked for a motion on the Proposed Hearing Amendment. Supervisor Davenport motioned to amend Township Zoning Ordinance 2005-103 Article II section 202 definition of temporary to be A PERIOD OF LESS THEN THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE MONTHS. Supervisor Sterner seconded, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
September 10, 2008 Regular Meeting
September 24, 2008 Special Public Meeting
September 24, 2008 Work Session
A correction to the Work session minutes by Marlene Coville to remove the word exceeding and replace it with at. Motion to approve the minutes by Supervisor Davenport with the correction as listed above, seconded by Supervisor Sterner, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Held prior to the September 24, 2008, Special and Regular Meeting for legal and personnel issues.
Bills presented in the amount of $160, 271.39, questions from the residents were asked and explanations were given for all. Supervisor Sterner made a motion to accept and pay the bills as presented. Supervisor Davenport seconded, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Income: $278,007.50
Expenses: $183,536.44
Includes regular monthly bills listed above, payroll, and taxes.
Balance as of October 8, 2008 $532,757.34, Treasurer Wieand explained that the balance number in the account has not been correct from previous administration and how the QuickBooks accounts were set up. We have escrow accounts set up in the general fund that shouldn’t be in the cash accounts. Escrow account should be classified differently so that they aren’t counted as cash available. Those two (2) amounts are $1430.25 and $886.48 being subtracted would leave the general fund at $530,440.61 as of October 8, 2008.
Martino Letter Re: Robert Beers moved to executive session for discussion for legal matters.
Equipment upgrade from Nextel to AT & T: Equipment and minutes were reviewed, we currently have 8 phones, 1 plan for all and a broadband card with Nextel. We average $230 per month, but have no service on the broadband card for the laptop and if we go out in the field. Our EMA acting coordinator Bill Byron did research with three (3) wireless companies for service to our area. After careful consideration and review of equipment with each company AT & T had the best service and equipment. Supervisor Davenport motioned to purchase AT & T phones and business talk plan to include 5 rugged phones, 3 V365’s, 1000 shared minutes, unlimited mobile to mobile, unlimited push to talk and free nights and weekends. Monthly rate of $189 not including taxes and service fees. Turn in all Nextel phone for a credit of approximately 800.00 and purchasing the new equipment for $573.00 leaving cash return for equipment of $226.95 to be sent by check to the Township. Seconded by Supervisor Sterner, there being no comments or questions the motion passed unanimously.
Timber Bid: Sealed bids were open at 12:00 noon today in the conference room by Secretary Wieand, witnessed by Barbara Land. Two (2) bids were received the first on October 2, 2008 at 11:15am Yard & Lawn Services Firewood Headquarters’ for $1,001.00, the second on October 3, 2008 at 11:59am by R & G Timberworks for $250.00. Supervisor Davenport made a motion that the bids were reviewed and met all requirements, but both bids are too low and made motions to rebid. Seconded by Supervisor Sterner and carried unanimously.
Crown Victoria Bid: Sealed bids were open at 12:00 noon today in the conference room by Secretary Wieand, witnessed by Barbara Land. Two (2) bids were received; the first on Oct. 3, 2008 at 9:10am from Scott Frantz in the Amount of $460.00, the second by Glen Reno in the amount of $150 a motion by Supervisor Davenport that the bids were reviewed and met all requirements, and will award the bid to Scott Frantz of Effort in the amount of $460.00, seconded by Supervisor Sterner and carried unanimously.
Budget workshops: The Board of Supervisors will hold budget work sessions to discuss the 2009 budget. Supervisor Sterner made a motion to advertise the following dates: October 22, 29, November 26 (if needed) at 5:00pm and the adoption meeting on December 17, 2008 at 7:00pm. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously.
Advertising for Certified Public Account to perform the 2008 audit of the Township finances. Motion by Supervisor Davenport, seconded by Supervisor Sterner and carried unanimously.
Proposed joinder deed for Konstantinos I. and Soraya E. Antzoulis would like to join lot 5758 & 5759 section D 1, property identification numbers 20/1C/1/381 #20634404718836 and 20/1C/1/380 #20634404718776 located in Emerald Lakes, Tunkhannock Township Monroe County. The proposed deed has been reviewed by the sewage and zoning departments, as well as the solicitor and all is in order. Motioned by Supervisor Sterner to adopt Resolution 2008-150 approving the joining of two (2) lots as follows: Lot 5758 Section D 1 parcel number 20/1C/1/380, pin #20634404718776 and lot 5759 Section D 1 parcel 20/1C/1/381, pin #20634404718836 in Emerald Lakes. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously.
Advertising for a Part Time Road Master: The board is recommending we advertise for a part time road master to deal with the day to day operation of the Department of Public Works. Motion by Supervisor Sterner to advertise for a part time road master and seconded by Supervisor Davenport. After comments and questions were addressed the motion passed unanimously.
Transfer of funds to cover open space purchase until DCNR funds are received: A motion by Supervisor Sterner to transfer from capital reserve to the general account the amount needed for the purchase of the Silver property for Open Space. The closing cost will be paid from the Open Space fund. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously.
Reports were given by Supervisor Van Noy, Sterner and Davenport and or minutes were posted for review. Mike Gillen didn’t have a police report since they didn’t have their meeting yet.
Motion by Supervisor Stern at 8:20pm to adjourn the regular meeting, and to proceed into an executive session for legal issues. Seconded by Supervisor Davenport and carried unanimously.
Public Comments:
Mike Gillen: Questioned if the Indian Mountain Lakes Sign was replaced on Route 115.
Betty Terrell-Cruz: Commented that the volunteer fire company could get out and attend local association meeting and events to promote volunteerism. Byron Witt from the fire company noted they do that already but once they tell them the required hours of training needed, when and where they must attend the volunteers are very discouraged and end up not wanting to join.
Marie Rivera commented that maybe we should contact our State Representatives and let them know or have a petition ready on Election Day to have voters sign to explain to the representatives and so forth that this is difficult for rural areas to get volunteers and requirements should be reviewed etc.
Dave Witt commented that you can do all the petitions you want but once it is on the floor don’t you think the Urban areas are going to shoot it down since they have paid fire fighters and it wouldn’t involve them.
Supervisor Sterner noted we will continue to review this and work on some ideas for the future.
There was no further business. The meeting adjourned at 8:22pm. Motion by Supervisor Davenport, seconded by Supervisor Sterner.
Maria S. Wieand
Secretary