Coolbaugh Township

Board of Supervisors

March 1, 2005 - Page 1                                                                                                     

The Coolbaugh Township Board of Supervisors March 1, 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 was Township Secretary Linda Frutchey. Township Solicitor Jerry F. Hanna was absent.

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 15, 2005 Minutes

Mr. Zito made a motion to approve the February 15, 2005 meeting Minutes and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. Discussion - none. The motion carried 4-0.

Dave Kavitski of BCM Engineers will be present to discuss PADEP Compliance Inspection Report

Discussion followed regarding reports of high flows being received at the Township’s Waste Water Treatment Plant and that Daily Monitoring Reports have shown constant violations due to the high flows.

Dave Kavitski of BCM Engineers was unable to attend tonight’s meeting as planned. A meeting with Mr. Kavitski,  PA DEP representatives, Mr. Frutchey and Mr. Hutchins was scheduled for Tuesday, March 2, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. at the Township to review a new type of technology called Advanced Membrane Technology, to determine whether it would be acceptable to PA DEP, etc..  At 11:00 a.m. the group went to Representative Mario Scavello’s office in Mount Pocono to discuss the matter.

Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services Report

Mr. Zito gave the PMREMS Report from their last meeting held on February 19, 2005 at Tobyhanna Township.

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He announced that a new structure for the management team was put into place, a new Purchase Order system initiated, that there is an opening on the PMREMS Board and anyone interested in serving on the Board should submit a letter. Financially, the organization is running $12,000.00 behind, which is expected for the January revenue. They plan to catch up with upcoming fund raising, etc. The next PMREMS meeting will be held on March 19, 2005 at Tobyhanna Township at 8:30 a.m.

Minor Subdivision to join lots 530 & 531, Section H, A Pocono Country Place, Property Owners - Cono and Maria Colombo

Mr. Zito moved to approve the Minor Subdivision to join lots 530 & 531, Section H, A Pocono Country Place, Property Owners - Cono and Maria Colombo. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. Discussion - none. The motion passed 4-0.

Minor Subdivision to join lots 6 & 7, Block 1607, Section 16, Arrowhead North, Property Owners - Edward & Jill Oswald

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to approve the Minor Subdivision to join lots 6 & 7, Block 1607, Section 16, Arrowhead North, Property Owners - Edward & Jill Oswald. Seconded by Mr. Frutchey. Discussion - none. The motion carried 4-0.

Appointment to the Township Parks and Recreation Commission

Before the Board was a letter of interest from Joe O’Boyle expressing his desire to serve on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mr. Hutchins moved to appoint Joe O’Boyle to serve on the Parks and Recreation for a term ending on December 31, 2009. Seconded by Mr. Zito. Discussion - none. The motion passed 4-0.

Coolbaugh Township Volunteer Fire Company request

Fire Chief William Weimer and Assistant Fire Chief Steve Roach were present to discuss their request for: 1) the purchase of a 2002 Freightliner Emergency One 3500 gallon Tanker in the amount of $235,000.00; 2) $5,000.00 for equipment; 3) $100,000.00 to refurbish the 1981 Mack Tanker and 4) a new attack pumper to be delivered in 2006 at an approximate cost of $425,000.00. 

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to approve the purchase of a 2002 Freightliner Emergency One 3500 gallon tanker for the Coolbaugh Township Volunteer Fire Co.  Seconded by Mr. Zito.  Discussion followed about the wording in the motion. 

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Mr. Hutchins rephrased the motion to read as follows: “to approve the funds of $240,000.00 to the Coolbaugh Township Volunteer Fire Company for them to purchase a 2002 Freightliner Emergency One 3500 gallon tanker and equipment”.  No objection was heard from Mr. Zito on the rephrased motion. 

Discussion -  Mr. Washenik said he contacted PSATS and while the Board of Supervisors may appropriate moneys to fire companies for the purchase and maintenance of fire apparatus, etc., the fire company should submit an annual report of the use of the appropriated moneys, etc. Discussion followed on how much the fire company was donating towards the truck, the township carrying the insurance on the two (2) fire trucks that were bought in 1998, etc.   The motion did not carry 2-2 (Mr. Frutchey and Mr. Hutchins voted yes -  Mr. Washenik and Mr. Zito voted no). 

Mr. Zito made a motion to donate $320,000.00 as per the Township’s 2005 Budget (account code 392.010) to the Coolbaugh Township Volunteer Fire Company for them to  purchase a 2002 Freightliner Emergency One 3500 gallon tanker with the equipment and to refurbish the 1981 tanker.  The motion is conditioned upon a financial report being submitted to the Township.  Seconded by Mr. Hutchins.  Discussion followed about the request for a new attack pumper, the first payment on the new truck would not be needed until 2007, etc.  Mr. Weimer said he could be present at the March 22, 2005 Work Session.   The motion carried 3-1-0 (Mr. Washenik voted no).  When Mr. Washenik was asked why he wouldn’t support the motion, he replied that he would approve one fire truck but would not be in favor of two fire trucks.

Status Report - Grant Applications

Act 101 Recycling Program

Mr. Frutchey reported that a $410,636.00 grant application was approved for a tree, limb and leaf recycling facility in the Township. Discussion followed.

Professional Services - (Coolbaugh Township Community Partnership)

Mr. Frutchey reported that a $10,000.00 grant application submitted to the Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) by the Township was approved for professional services, and that following all necessary approvals and clearances, a contract will be forwarded for review and execution.

Township Beautification Committee

Mr. Frutchey announced that the Tobyhanna Beautification Committee, headed by Judy and Dave Keiper, received a grant in the amount of $300.00 from the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau.

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The Committee intends to use the funds to beautify the bridge that crosses the Tobyhanna Creek on Lower Main Street of Tobyhanna and for the purchase of plants and planters.

Authorization to hire a Professional Land Surveyor to do a property survey of the approximate 15 acre parcel donated to the Township by Harry and Robert Anhert

Mr. Frutchey made a motion to have Martin and Robbins do a topographic survey with a wetland delineation on the approximately 15 acre parcel recently donated to the Township.  Seconded by Mr. Zito.  Discussion followed as to why the survey was needed.   Mr. Frutchey said that there was not enough acreage at the site at the Road Department to do leaf composting as it was too close to the residential homes.  It appears that one area of the property north of Hap Arnold Boulevard contains three (3) acres which appear to be suitable for the leaf composting.   Discussion followed.  The motion carried 3-1-0 (Mr. Washenik opposed).

Adoption of Township Resolution #03-2005 re: empowering its local Tax Collector, Berkheimer to impose and retain costs of collection on delinquent taxes

Mr. Hutchins moved to adopt Township Resolution #03-2005 re: empowering its local Tax Collector, Berkheimer to impose and retain costs of collection on delinquent taxes. Seconded by Mr. Frutchey. Discussion - none. The motion carried 4-0.

Authorization to advertise a Public Hearing to consider a Proposed Amendment to the Building Code of Coolbaugh Township, Chapter 4, Buildings, Section 411, Permit

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to authorize the advertisement of a Public Hearing to consider a Proposed Amendment to the Building Code of Coolbaugh Township, Chapter 4, Buildings, Section 411, Permit. Seconded by Mr. Frutchey. Discussion followed regarding negative feedback from the public regarding the Building Codes program, an explanation was given of the steps involved and that the purpose of having building codes enforcement was to protect homeowners from shoddy work, etc. Public comment was heard from Joe Rametta who complained that the fees were too high. The motion was called and carried 3-1-0 (Mr. Washenik opposed).

Official name change from Coolbaugh Township Road Department and Maintenance Department to Coolbaugh Township Public Works Department

Mr. Hutchins moved to approve an official name change from Coolbaugh Township Road Department and Maintenance Department to Coolbaugh Township Public Works Department. Seconded by Mr. Frutchey. Discussion followed regarding the fact that personnel from the former Road and Maintenance Departments will be shared now. The motion passed 4-0.