Coolbaugh Township

Board of Supervisors

December 6, 2005 - Page 1

The Coolbaugh Township Board of Supervisors, December 6, 2005 Regular Meeting was held in the Township Municipal Center, in building #3, at 5550 Memorial Boulevard, Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania.

Call To Order

Mr. Frutchey called the meeting to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. and led those in attendance in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Roll Call

Supervisors present for the meeting included: James H. Frutchey, Jr., Robert  B. Hutchins, Richard R. Lockwood, Gratz Washenik and Robert M. Zito. Also in attendance were Township Solicitor Jerry F. Hanna and Township Secretary Linda Frutchey.

Statement on the Agenda:  The Public will be given an opportunity to speak on each agenda matter.  Public Input is considered at the end of the meeting for other issues.

Approval of November 1, 2005 Regular Meeting Minutes

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to approve the November 15, 2005 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Frutchey. Discussion - none. The motion carried 4-0-1 (Mr. Lockwood abstained, as he was not present at the meeting).

Approval of November 21, 2005 Special Meeting Minutes 

Mr. Frutchey moved to approve the November 21, 2005 Special Meeting Minutes as presented and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Zito. Discussion - none. The motion carried 3-0-2 (Mr. Hutchins and Mr. Lockwood abstained, as they were not present at the meeting).

Pocono Mountain Charter School Revised Land Development Plan

Marv Walton of Niclaus Engineering was present on behalf of the above referenced plan. Discussion followed regarding the installation of a chain link fence, a note on the plan

Board of Supervisors

December 6, 2005

Page 2

limiting the age group using the field, that the Monroe County Conservation District comments were received by the Township on November 22, 2005, etc.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to approve the Pocono Mountain Charter School Revised Land Development Plan, with the condition that a note be placed on the plan indicating no equipment shall be placed in the clear sight triangle that would impede the sight view down State Route 196.  Seconded by Mr. Lockwood. Further discussion ensued regarding the chain link fence. Mr. Hutchins amended his motion to include that the field be enclosed on the east side of State Route 196 at the discretion of the owner. Mr. Lockwood seconded the amended motion. Public comment was heard from Ron Byrd. The motion passed 5-0.

Minor Subdivision / Annexation Plan - Tullio Castano & Lakeram Sahadeo

Barry Tompkins, PLS of BTT Associates was present on behalf of the above referenced plan. Discussion followed regarding water/sewer issues and a proposed church at the site.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to approve the Minor Subdivision / Annexation Plan - Tullio Castano & Lakeram Sahadeo with the condition that a secondary replacement sewage disposal area is found on Tullio Castano’s property. Seconded by Mr. Lockwood. Further discussion followed regarding sewage issues. It was the consensus of the Supervisors that the Township SEO keep the Board informed in writing regarding the replacement area for sewage on the Castano property. The motion carried 5-0.

Minor Subdivision to join lots 704 & 705, Section E, Stillwater Lake Estates - Property Owners - Jose & Victoria Miranda

Barry Tompkins, PLS of BTT Associates was present on behalf of the above referenced Minor Subdivision Plan. Following a brief discussion about a note on the plan regarding the driveway, Mr. Hutchins moved to approve the Minor Subdivision to join lots 704 & 705, Section E, Stillwater Lake Estates - Property Owners - Jose & Victoria Miranda. Seconded by Mr. Lockwood. Discussion - none. The motion passed 5-0.

2005 Monthly Report - Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services

Mr. Zito gave the PMREMS Monthly Report back through October, 2005, noting that revenues were at $956,000.00 and expenses were at $891,000.00. Further details followed regarding the membership drive, projections, the present surplus, etc. The next meeting of the PMREMS will be held at 6:30 p.m. on December 15, 2005 at Tobyhanna Township.

Board of Supervisors

December 6, 2005

Page 3

Coolbaugh Township Historical Association’s request to hold a picnic/fair on the Municipal Center grounds during the months of May or June 2006

Mr. Lockwood moved to approve the Coolbaugh Township Historical Association’s request to hold a picnic/fair on the Municipal Center grounds during the months of May or June 2006. Seconded by Mr. Washenik. A brief discussion followed by Kay Kinsley, President of the Historical Association regarding the history of train service through Tobyhanna, etc. The motion carried 5-0.

Coolbaugh Township Community Partnership Project Plan January 2006     

Dagmaris Cabezas, Director of the Coolbaugh Township Community Partnership (CTCP) was present on behalf of her project plan for the period of January - December 2006 to 2008 with a budget of $30,000.00 for 2006 and a 3.5% cost of living increase for 2007 and 2008 for her services as Project Director plus supplies at $1,500.00 for each year.  She gave a PowerPoint presentation outlining the accomplishments of the CTCP in 2005 and introduced several members of the audience who spoke on behalf of the partnership. Ms. Cabezas requested that the Board approve the CTCP project plan proposed for 2006. A lengthy discussion followed.

Mr. Hutchins moved to approve a contract in the amount of $28,000.00, plus $750.00 for supplies, for a total of $28,750.00. Seconded by Mr. Lockwood. Further discussion followed about this being a yearly contract, that the Grant Close Out Reports should be completed by the CTCP, etc. Public comment was heard from Clare Colgan and Ron Byrd. The motion was called and passed 4-1-0 (Mr. Washenik opposed).

Request for Proposal for a Certified Public Accountant to audit 2005 Township of Coolbaugh Financial Records

Mr. Hutchins moved to advertise the Request for Proposal for a Certified Public Accountant to audit 2005 Township of Coolbaugh Financial Records. Seconded by Mr. Zito. It was determined the advertisement should be placed in the Pocono Record, Scranton Times and Allentown Morning Call. Discussion followed regarding the length of the contract, etc. Public comment was heard from Lynn Kelly and Ron Byrd. The motion was called and passed 4-1-0 (Mr. Washenik opposed as he felt that the Township should not pay for the expense of advertising as the services of a CPA is considered professional services and the Secretary has already received telephone calls from interested firms). Further discussion followed about the contract with John J. Riley, Inc.

Mr. Zito made a motion to direct Solicitor Jerry Hanna to review the current contract with John J. Riley, Inc. and get back to the Board regarding any cancellation clause in the contract. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. Discussion - none. The motion carried 5-0.

Board of Supervisors

December 6, 2005 - Page 4

Women’s Resources request for continued use of office space

Mr. Washenik moved to approve the Women’s Resources request for continued use of office space at the Township. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. Discussion - none. The motion passed 5-0.

Authorization to advertise:

Notice of vacancies on various Boards, Commissions, etc.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to authorize the Township Secretary to advertise any upcoming vacancies on Township commissions, councils and boards. Seconded by Mr. Lockwood. A brief discussion followed, in which Mr. Zito asked for thoughts from the Supervisors about the number of representatives appointed to the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Commission from the Board and from the public at large. The Board decided that discussion of this matter should be an item on the next meeting Agenda. The motion carried 5-0.

Notice - Burning Ban Lifted

Discussion ensued regarding the placing of a Notice when a Burn Ban is lifted, etc. It was determined that the Township Secretary should place the advertisement that the Burn Ban is lifted effective December 21, 2005.

Notice of Public Hearing re: Proposed Amendment to the Coolbaugh Township Code of Ordinances Number 97, Chapter 5, Part 2,

Uniform Construction Code

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to advertise the Notice of Public Hearing re: Proposed Amendment to the Coolbaugh Township Code of Ordinances Number 97, Chapter 5, Part 2, Uniform Construction Code. Seconded by Mr. Lockwood. Discussion - none. The motion passed 5-0.

Notice - Township of Coolbaugh’s 2006 Proposed Budget is available for Public Inspection

Mr. Frutchey asked if the Supervisors had any problems with moving this Agenda item to the end of the meeting. No objections were heard. The Board proceeded to the next item on the Agenda.

Board of Supervisors

December 6, 2005 - Page 5

Authorization to BCM Engineers to proceed with preparing Pennvest Grant Application

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to authorize BCM Engineers to proceed with preparing Pennvest Grant Application for a not to exceed amount of $4,500.00, per their proposal dated December 2, 2005. Seconded by Mr. Lockwood.  Discussion - none. The motion carried 5-0.

Request from A Pocono Country Place Property Owners Association, Inc. for $250.00 for their Crime Watch Program 

Mr. Zito made a motion to approve the request from A Pocono Country Place Property Owners Association, Inc. for $250.00 for their Crime Watch Program. Seconded by Mr. Lockwood. Discussion - Mr. Hutchins asked that the $250.00 donation be for the cost of magnetic signs.

Mr. Zito amended his motion to approve the request from A Pocono Country Place Property Owners Association, Inc. for $250.00 to be used for magnetic signs for their Crime Watch Volunteers’ Vehicles while on patrol in the community. The amended motion was seconded by Mr. Lockwood. Discussion - none. The passed 5-0.  

Release of 2005 allocated donation of $3,500.00 to the Tobyhanna Conservation Association

Mr. Washenik moved to release the 2005 allocated donation of $3,500.00 to the Tobyhanna Conservation Association (TCA). Seconded by Mr. Zito. Discussion followed about some of the projects sponsored by the TCA. It was also noted that they had not yet submitted their Project Support Form or Final Project Support Form in compliance with the Board’s request to all organizations receiving donations from the Township. Public comment was heard from Dagmaris Cabezas and Lynn Kelly.

The motion was called and passed 3-2-0 (Mr. Hutchins and Mr. Lockwood opposed).

Authorization to Township Engineer to prepare bid specifications for electrical work at the salt shed extension

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to authorize the Township Engineer to prepare bid specifications for electrical work at the salt shed extension. Seconded by Mr. Frutchey. Discussion followed. Public comment was heard from Joe O’Boyle. The motion carried 3-2-0 (Mr. Washenik and Mr. Zito opposed).

Board of Supervisors

December 6, 2005

Page 6

Current Obligations

General Fund                                                             -                       $401,844.55

Emergency Services Fund                          -          $320,000.00

Escrow Fund                                                                        -            $    2,099.00

Sewer Fund                                                                           -                      $  24,659.14 

                                                                                                            Total Disbursements            -                      $748,602.69

Mr. Lockwood moved to pay the Current Obligations in the amount of $748,602.69. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. A brief discussion followed regarding the release of $320,000.00 to the fire company from the Emergency Services Fund. The motion carried 5-0.

Other Business

Authorization to prepare bid specifications - BCM Engineers

Mr. Lockwood made a motion to authorize BCM Engineers to prepare bid specifications for the installation of a manhole with a flow meter and recorder at the

Rte. 611 Pump Station like the one installed for Wal-Mart. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. Discussion followed. The motion passed 4-1-0 (Mr. Washenik opposed).

Notice - Township of Coolbaugh’s 2006 Proposed Budget is available for Public Inspection

The Board returned to discussion of Agenda Item #10, Coolbaugh Township’s 2006 Proposed Budget.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to advertise that the Township of Coolbaugh’s 2006 Proposed Budget is available for public inspection and adoption on December 29, 2005 at 4:30 p.m.  Seconded by Mr. Zito. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the budget, millage, issues concerning the EIT and EMS taxes, etc. Public comment was heard from Clare Colgan, Dagmaris Cabezas, Bernie Harrison, Ron Byrd and other unidentified members of the audience. The motion carried 3-2-0 (Mr. Washenik and Mr. Zito opposed).

Public Input

Dagmaris Cabezas - asked questions about possible conflicts of interest, etc.