Coolbaugh Township

Board of Supervisors

February 15, 2005 - Page 1                                                                                                         

The Coolbaugh Township Board of Supervisors February 15, 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 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, Gratz Washenik and Robert M. Zito. Richard R. Lockwood was absent.  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 February 1, 2005 Minutes

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to approve the February 1, 2005 meeting Minutes and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Zito. Discussion - none. The motion carried 4-0.

Minor Subdivision to join lots 19-28, Block 22,  Pocono Gardens (Pocono Forest) Property Owners - Gerald and Kathleen O’Connor

No one was present on behalf of the above referenced Minor Subdivision. Mr. Frutchey moved to approve the Minor Subdivision to join lots 19-28, Block 22,  Pocono Gardens (Pocono Forest) Property Owners - Gerald and Kathleen O’Connor. Seconded by Mr. Washenik. A brief discussion followed about the notarization of statements on the plan, the Pocono Gardens/Pocono Forest name, etc. The motion carried 4-0.

Minor Subdivision to join 412 & 413, Little Billy Lane (Top of the Mountain Association), Property Owner Janet N. Ettelman

No one was present on behalf of the above referenced Minor Subdivision.

Board of Supervisors

February 15, 2005 - Page 2

Mr. Washenik made a motion to approve the Minor Subdivision to join 412 & 413, Little Billy Lane (Top of the Mountain Association), Property Owner Janet N. Ettelman, conditioned upon receipt of necessary documentation and notarized paperwork. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. Discussion - none. The motion passed 4-0.

Extension requests  - (time expires on February 15, 2005)

Pocono Mountains Industries Minor Subdivision

Mr. Hutchins moved to approve the extension request for the Pocono Mountains Industries Minor Subdivision from February 15, 2005 to April 19, 2005. Seconded by Mr. Frutchey. Discussion - none. The motion carried 4-0.

Route 196 Storage Buildings Land Development Plan

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to approve the extension request for the Route 196 Storage Buildings Land Development Plan from February 15, 2005 to April 19, 2005. Seconded by Mr. Zito. Discussion - none. The motion carried 4-0.

Authorization to advertise five appointments to serve on the Coolbaugh Township Community Partnership (CTCP) Advisory Group

Mr. Zito made a motion to advertise five appointments to serve on the Coolbaugh Township Community Partnership Advisory Group with two (2) terms ending December 31, 2005 and three (3) terms ending December 31, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Washenik, who said the appointments should just be advertised as openings. Discussion followed in which Dagmaris Cabezas, Director of CTCP, questioned the length of the terms, as the CTCP has an annual contract with the Township. Public comment was heard from John Eden. The motion carried 4-0.

Community Development Block Grant

Dagmaris Cabezas discussed the process of applying for the County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), noting that funds were available for capital construction to make structures handicapped accessible and to construct Nonprofit Incubator Social Services Space. Because the Township is considering renovations at the Municipal Center, Mr. Frutchey made a motion to have a letter sent to the County Commissioners expressing the Township’s interest in CDBG funds available for capital construction to make structures handicapped accessible and to construct Nonprofit Incubator Social Services Space. Seconded by Mr. Zito. Public comment was heard from Alma I. Ruiz-Smith. Discussion followed. The motion carried 4-0.

Board of Supervisors

February 15, 2005 - Page 3

2005 Monthly Reports:

Coolbaugh Township Volunteer Fire Company

Chief Bill Weimer was present to go over the January 2005 Monthly Report for the Coolbaugh Township Volunteer Fire Company (CTVFC). Mr. Weimer read the report and noted that there were 137 calls for that month and emphasized the hours spent during the ice storm. He also noted that 230 certificates were obtained by the firemen in 2004.

Monroe County Road Task Force

            Request for a prioritized list of specific projects needed

Mr. Frutchey announced that the Road Task Force was asking for a prioritized list of projects needed in local municipalities. Possible projects on the Township’s list include drains on State roads that need cleaning and shoulder work on SR 196. Mr. Frutchey also noted that SR 611 will be paved with a coating from Steam Shovel Bridge down to the Five Points Intersection in Mount Pocono. Public comment on the project was heard from Joe O’Boyle.

Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services

Mr. Zito announced that the last meeting of the PMREMS was canceled and the next one will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2005 at 8:30 a.m. at Tobyhanna Township. He asked that the PMREMS be included on the Board’s March 1, 2005 meeting Agenda and that their new Manager may be able to attend that meeting.

Pocono Mountain Regional Police

Mr. Frutchey read the summary of the January 2005 PMRPD Monthly Report as follows: 1633 complaints, 92 accidents, 94 criminal arrests, 163 traffic arrests, 127 traffic warnings, 21 ordinance arrests for a total of 1725 calls within the area covered by the regional police, which includes Tobyhanna, Tunkhannock and Coolbaugh Townships and the Borough of Mount Pocono. It was noted that January had over 200 calls above normal.

Appointment to the Township Parks and Recreation Commission

There were no letters of interest received for an appointment to the Township Parks and Recreation Commission. Mr Washenik asked if John Eden, present in the audience, would be interested in serving on the commission. Mr. Eden said he may attend the Parks & Rec meeting scheduled for March 9, 2005.

Board of Supervisors

February 15, 2005 - Page 4

Request from the Monroe County Municipal Waste Management Authority re: to provide container for corded electronics at the Township Clean Up

Mr. Washenik made a motion to decline the Monroe County Municipal Waste Management Authority’s request to provide a container for corded electronics at the Township Clean Up. Seconded by Mr. Zito.

Discussion followed in which Mr. Frutchey explained that there would be no cost to the Township, but since computer monitors and televisions are considered Hazardous Household Waste and must be handled in an approved way, there would be a $5.00 per plug fee for individuals dropping off televisions and computer monitors. If the Township was not able to handle the collection of the money, the authority would provide someone to do so.  Mr. Washenik said he thought people not wanting to pay the $5.00 would end up illegally dumping TVs, etc., and that they can dispose of these items with the vendors servicing the Clean Up. Public comment was heard from Joe O’Boyle. The motion carried 4-0.

Alma I. Ruiz-Smith brought up the matter of a property on SR 196 that was becoming an unsightly dumping ground. She was advised to fill out a Service Request.

Authorization to advertise Tree Trimming & Selective Tree Removal Services Bid

Mr. Frutchey moved to advertise the Tree Trimming & Selective Tree Removal Services Bid. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. Discussion followed and the list of roads proposed for tree trimming and tree removal were read off. Mr. Hutchins reported that he rode with Road Foreman Neil Hay to look over the roads on the list. Mrs. Frutchey asked if Township Engineer Russ Kresge could look over the Bid Specs. It was agreed that Mr. Kresge could do so. Mr. Washenik expressed concern over the amount budgeted, etc. The motion carried 4-0.

Current Obligations

General Fund                         $ 86,250.39

Escrow Fund Account          $   2,094.80

Sewer System Fund             $   2,569.78

Total Disbursements            $ 90,914.97

Mr. Zito moved to pay the Current Obligations in the amount of $90,914.97. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. A brief discussion followed. The motion passed 4-0.

Board of Supervisors

February 15, 2005 - Page 5

Other Business

Letter to Volunteer Groups re: Project Support Forms

Mr. Washenik read portions of a letter signed by Supervisor Richard Lockwood and CTCP Director, Dagmaris Cabezas, and sent to groups receiving project support from Coolbaugh Township. Discussion followed in which Ms. Cabezas explained that the form provided organizations with the ability to provide accountability to the Township for their use of services and donations, that the information will help in writing grants, etc.

Public Input

Alma I. Ruiz-Smith asked about polling places and any progress with the letter sent to the Voter Registration Office. Discussion followed.

John Eden expressed his concern over a Supervisor missing too many meetings. He suggested exploring the removal of a Board member who misses 25% of the meetings.

Joe O’Boyle asked why only one (1) officer is in a patrol car, not two (2). Discussion followed.

Board of Supervisors Executive Sessions

Mr. Frutchey announced that an Executive Session was held tonight, February 15, 2005, at 6:30 p.m. re: Personnel Issues, that the Board will hold another Executive Session re: Personnel Issues following this announcement. The meeting will remain open.

The Board adjourned to an Executive Session at 8:05 p.m. The meeting re-opened at 9:20 p.m.

Short Term Disability

Mr. Zito made a motion to add an addendum to the Personnel Policy Manual stating that after an employee has taken twenty-six (26) weeks of Short Term Disability, his/her medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances will not be covered by the Township and that COBRA will be offered where applicable. The wording of the actual amendment is contingent upon research on the subject and drafting of the amendment by Township Solicitor Jerry Hanna. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. The motion carried 4-0.