Coolbaugh Township

Coolbaugh Township

Board of Supervisors

October 4, 2005 - Page 1

The Coolbaugh Township Board of Supervisors, October 4, 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 September 20, 2005 Regular Meeting Minutes

Mr. Lockwood moved to approve the September 20, 2005 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. Discussion - none. The motion carried 5-0.

Minor Subdivision to join lots 12 & 13, Block 1503, Section 15, Arrowhead Lake - Property Owners Michael and Joan Fink

Mr. Lockwood made a motion to approve the Minor Subdivision to join lots 12 & 13, Block 1503, Section 15, Arrowhead Lake - Property Owners Michael and Joan Fink. Seconded by Mr. Zito. Discussion - none. The motion passed 5-0.

Minor Subdivision to join lots 603 & 604, Section 1, Pocono Farms East - Property Owners - Indarjit & Radica Jailal

Mr. Zito moved to approve the Minor Subdivision to join lots 603 & 604, Section 1, Pocono Farms East - Property Owners - Indarjit & Radica Jailal. Seconded by Mr. Lockwood. Discussion - none. The motion carried 5-0.

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October 4, 2005 - Page 2

Dave Albright will be present to discuss the Lake Naomi and Timber Trails Deer Management Program

Dave Albright and Jeff Evans were present to discuss the Deer Management Program. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the Indemnification Agreement, which was found to be acceptable by Solicitor Hanna, and Mr. Albright explained the program in more detail, emphasizing that its purpose is to bring the deer population into a balance in the community, and that additional monitoring will be ongoing, etc.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to go forward with authorizing the Lake Naomi and Timber Trails Deer Management Program by proceeding with the PA Game Commission Permit. Seconded by Mr. Lockwood. Discussion followed regarding an estimate on the acreage involved, that it does not include residents’ lawns, only surrounding land, how people are chosen to perform the management tasks, and that 5300 pounds of venison are provided to the needy through the harvesting program, etc. The motion was called and passed 3-2 (Mr. Washenik and Mr. Zito opposed).

Mr. Frutchey moved to include approval of the Indemnification Agreement for Lake Naomi and Timber Trails Deer Management Program. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. Discussion - none. The motion carried 4-1 (Mr. Zito opposed).

Authorization to proceed with advertisement of a Proposed Amendment to the Township Code of Ordinances #97, Part 1, Building Code re: 2003 International Fire Code

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to proceed with the advertisement of a Proposed Amendment to the Township Code of Ordinances #97, Part 1, Building Code re: 2003 International Fire Code. Seconded by Mr. Lockwood. Discussion followed about what the amendment includes, and that it is needed for the commercial/industrial uses, etc. The motion carried 5-0.

Township Fall Clean Up Bid Award

Award of Bid

The Township Clean Up Bid was advertised in the Pocono Record on Saturday, September 10, and Wednesday, September 14, 2005, with a bid opening on Thursday, September 29, 2005. The following bids were received:

Board of Supervisors

October 4, 2005 - Page 3

Waste Management

30 yard containers for General Trash $475.00 per load

30 yd. containers for White Goods $190.00 per load

30 yd. containers for Tires $170.00/haul + $255.00 disposal per ton

30 yd. containers for Scrap Metal $190.00 per load

CCI Waste & Recycling

30 yard containers for General Trash $484.00 per container

30 yd. containers for White Goods $209.00 per container

30 yd. containers for Tires $1399 per container

40 yd. containers for Scrap Metal $209.00 per container

J. P. Mascaro

30 yard containers for General Trash $475.00 each

30 yd. containers for White Goods $175.00 each

30 yd. containers for Tires $1,100.00 per dumpster

40 yd. containers for Scrap Metal $175.00 each

It was confirmed that the Bid was advertised properly. Mr. Hutchins moved to approve the Bid from J. P. Mascaro for the 2005 Fall Clean Up for General Trash, White Goods, Tires and Scrap Metal. Seconded by Mr. Lockwood. Discussion - none. The motion passed 5-0.

Commercial Lease Agreement between Coolbaugh Township and the County of Monroe re: District Justice space

It was noted that the District Court’s current lease expires this year. Before the Board was an email from Mr. Zito with his recommendation that setting the cost of renewing the lease for the District Justice space could be based on current data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index for the Northeast Urban Area, All Urban Consumers. Mr. Zito proposed that the Supervisors consider raising the rent to $12.50 per square foot and adding an escalator clause to the new lease, which will allow the rent to be raised annually using the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index for the Northeast Urban Area, All Urban Consumers for the preceding 12 month period ending November 30^th.

Mr. Zito also gave an update on figuring the price for utilities, including heat, electric, water and sewer. Discussion followed in which is was determined that $12.50 per square foot with heat at $165.00 per month, water/sewer at the standard amount of $45.28 per month and electric at $104.00 per month (total utilities charges @ $314.28) was acceptable.

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October 4, 2005 - Page 4

It was the consensus of the Board that no action was required other than sending a letter outlining the above referenced changes to Monroe County.

Current Obligations

General Fund - $137,896.61

Sewer Fund - $ 2,606.78

Total Disbursements - $140,503.39

Mr. Lockwood moved to pay the Current Obligations in the amount of $140,503.39. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. Discussion - none. The motion carried 5-0.

Other Business

Letter from Eugenia A. Taylor, Director Voter Registration/Elections

Before the Board was a written request from Ms. Taylor asking for the Supervisors’ assistance in determining how the voting process could be improved upon in Coolbaugh Township, based on numerous problems encountered during the 2004 Presidential Election. Discussion followed in which the Board determined that Ms. Taylor should be invited to attend their Work Session on October 25, 2005 to discuss these important issues.

State Senator Robert Mellow - grants for Township projects

It was announced that grants in the amounts of $10,000.00 for the composting project and $25,000.00 for the sewer were made possible through the office of Senator Mellow. The Board directed that a Thank You letter be sent.

Title Search - Wiley Property

Mr. Washenik moved to go forward with having a Title Search conducted at the Wiley Property, with the suggestion that Pocono Area Abstract be considered for the project at an approximate cost of $1,000.00. Seconded by Mr. Lockwood. The motion carried 5-0.

Engaging a separate attorney to handle the Public Hearing for the proposed Zoning Amendments requested by the Pocono Community Church, Inc.

Solicitor Hanna said he does not feel it is necessary to engage a separate attorney; therefore, no action was taken on the matter. Discussion followed regarding attendance at the hearing, that it should be held in a area of the Municipal Center that can handle bigger crowds than the regular meeting room. Mrs. Frutchey suggested the Municipal Center Garage, and it was determined that chairs would have to be rented.

Alma I. Ruiz-Smith - reported that numerous racoons and skunks are coming to into the mountains and to spread the word to residents.

Jean Kolb - raised concerns over stormwater and drainage problems and damage to her property in A Pocono Country Place, following construction of a house on the lot behind her and the installation of culvert piping between the properties performed by Country Place employees.

She noted that she complained to the APCP Board of Directors and Property Manager to no avail, in spite of them being cited two or three times. The MCCD and PA DEP have also been called in, along with Township representatives to inspect the site. Mrs. Kolb asked why the Township Engineer is not allowed to review the problem. A lengthy discussion followed regarding diverting water onto others’ properties, laws of gated communities, etc. Public input was heard from Alma I. Ruia-Smith and other unidentified residents of APCP. The Board determined that Township Engineer Russ Kresge could be contacted for his input on the matter.

Mr. Frutchey announced that an Executive Session was held on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. re: Pending Litigation, and that an Executive Session re: Pending Litigation was held this evening at 6:00 p.m.

With no further business before the Board, Mr. Lockwood moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Zito. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:04 p.m.