Coolbaugh Township

Board of Supervisors

April 18, 2006 - Page 1

The Coolbaugh Township Board of Supervisors April 18, 2006 Regular Meeting was held in the Township Municipal Center, in building #3, at 5550 Memorial Boulevard, Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania.

Call To Order

Mr. Zito called the regular 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: Robert M. Zito, Joseph O’Boyle, James H. Frutchey, Jr., Robert B. Hutchins and Lynn Kelly. Also in attendance were Township Solicitor Jerry 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 April 4, 2006 Meeting Minutes

Mr. O’Boyle moved to approve the April 4, 2006 regular Meeting Minutes as presented and dispense with the reading.  Seconded by Ms. Kelly.  Discussion - none.  The motion carried 5-0.

Rescheduling of date to hold a Conditional Use Hearing for Project NEST

Mr. Zito explained that the Conditional Use Hearing date of May 2, 2006 is being  rescheduled to May 16, 2006 to allow the Planning Commission to review the matter at their May 8, 2006 meeting.

Ms. Kelly moved to authorize the rescheduling and the advertisement for the Conditional Use Hearing from May 2, 2006 to be held on May 16, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.    Mr. O’Boyle seconded the motion.  Discussion ensued over May 16, 2006 being Primary Election Day.  The motion was withdrawn.  

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April 18, 2006 - Page 2

Mr. Zito moved to reschedule the Board of Supervisors May 16, 2006 Regular Meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.  Seconded by Ms. Kelly.  Discussion - none. The motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Zito moved to reschedule the Conditional Use Hearing from May 2, 2006 to be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.  Ms. Kelly seconded the motion.  Discussion - none. The motion carried 5-0.

Extension request - Lowe’s Home Centers, Inc. / Pocono Star Properties, Inc. Lot Consolidation Plan and Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse Preliminary Land Development Plan

No one was present to represent the above referenced matter.

Before the Board was a letter from Attorney Ralph Matergia requesting an extension until June 20, 2006 and a memorandum from the Township Planning Commission recommending that the extension be granted.

Mr. Hutchins moved to grant an extension until June 20, 2006 on the review of Lowe’s Home Centers, Inc. / Pocono Star Properties, Inc. Lot Consolidation Plan and Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse Preliminary Land Development Plan.  Seconded by Mr. Frutchey.  Discussion - none.  The motion carried 5-0.

Minor Subdivision to join lots 110 & 111, Section E, A Pocono Country Place - Property Owner - Orval Totdahl

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

Mr. Hutchins moved to approve the Minor Subdivision to join lots 110 & 111, Section E, A Pocono Country Place - Property Owner - Orval Totdahl.  Seconded by Mr. O’Boyle.   Discussion - none.  The motion carried 5-0.

Beautification Committee request - triangle at SR 940 and Summit Avenue 

Mr. Frutchey summarized a Memo to the Board outlining requests from the Beautification Committee regarding their proposal to beautify the triangle at SR 940 and Summit Avenue.

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April 18, 2006 - Page 3

The committee asked that the Supervisors approve Township assistance in digging out a triangle within the above referenced triangle, fill it in with berm material, grade the rest of the triangle and provide woods chips for that area and consider donating $250.00 towards the purchase of flowers. It was pointed out that the committee would also be seeking donated flowers.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to approve the Beautification Committee’s request for Township assistance in digging out a triangle within the triangle at SR 940 and Summit Avenue, fill it in with berm material, grade the rest of the triangle, provide wood chips for that area and donate $250.00 towards the purchase of flowers. Seconded by Ms. Kelly. Discussion followed regarding reimbursement of mileage costs to volunteers. It was the consensus of the Supervisors that the Beautification Committee should tell the Township what they want in the way of flowers and our staff will pick them up.

Mr. Hutchins amended his motion to say the donation of money towards flowers would be approved in a not-to-exceed amount of $250.00. Ms. Kelly seconded the amended motion. A brief discussion followed. Public comment was heard from Alma I. Ruiz-Smith. The motion was called and carried 5-0.

Confirmation of the Coolbaugh Township Volunteer Fire Company current Fire Police Unit

Mr. Zito read off the names of the current Coolbaugh Township Volunteer Fire Company (CTVFC) Fire Police Unit to be confirmed by the Board of Supervisors.

Mr. Frutchey moved to approve the names of the CTVFC Fire Police Unit as presented in a letter dated April 6, 2006 from Adell Henry, CTVFC Secretary. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. Discussion - none. The motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Zito read a letter dated April 13, 2006 from Edward Rodriquez, Captain of the CTVFC Fire Police Unit, requesting that the Board give a blanket approval for the Fire Police Unit to be allowed to participate, operate or assist in Monroe County functions, such as parades, Fire Company carnivals in Coolbaugh Township or elsewhere, Monroe County private memorials, the MC Red Cross Marathon and any other such requests made by other townships, county events or fire companies for the year 2006, per Title 35, Section 1201.

Mr. Hutchins moved to approve the CTVFC Fire Police Unit to participate in Monroe County functions, per their request. Seconded by Ms. Kelly. A brief discussion followed. The motion passed 5-0.

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April 18, 2006 - Page 4

2006 Monthly Reports

Coolbaugh Township Volunteer Fire Company

The March 2006 Monthly Report for the Coolbaugh Township Volunteer Fire Company (CTVFC) was presented by Chief Bernie Harrison, as follows: 5 dwelling fires, 5 automatic fire alarms, 3 vehicle fires, 2 brush fires, 2 trees down, 3 vehicle accidents, 2 extrications, 2 miscellaneous for a total of 24 calls. A total of 207.41 man hours were expended on the 24 calls and 488.30 man hours were spent on drills and training. $771,680.00 was the estimated dollar value on buildings/vehicles involved in fire and $12,950.00 was an estimated dollar loss due to fire.

Mr. Harrison noted that 159 hours were spent cleaning up from Bingo, and, as of Saturday, April 15, 2006, the fire company had already received 105 calls. Discussion followed regarding the new truck, its lettering and when it would be put into operation, etc.

Monroe County Road Task Force

Mr. Frutchey said he was not able to go the last task force meeting, because he had to attend an important meeting being held at the Township during the same time frame.

Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services

Mr. O’Boyle reported that due to the Easter holiday, the PMREMS meeting originally scheduled for Thursday, April 13, 2006 was canceled and rescheduled for this coming Thursday, April 20, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at Tobyhanna Township. He added that if we see any of the PMREMS crew, we should tell them they are doing a good job.  Public comment was heard from Dan Ferguson.

Pocono Mountain Regional Police

Mr. Hutchins presented the summary of the March 2006 PMRPD Monthly Report as follows: 1206 complaints, 66 accidents, 107 criminal arrests, 430 traffic arrests, 283 traffic warnings, and 18 ordinance arrests for a total of 1272 calls within the area covered by the regional police, which includes Tobyhanna, Tunkhannock and Coolbaugh Townships and the Borough of Mount Pocono. He noted that the department is currently over hours due to trouble on SR 196 and a large drug bust. Public comment was heard from Alma I. Ruiz-Smith regarding the great police department we have, etc.

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April 18, 2006 - Page 5

Resolution #07-2006 re: establishing the fee per loader bucket of mulch distributed to commercial enterprises

Mr. Zito summarized the above referenced resolution.

Mr. Frutchey moved to adopt Resolution #07-2006 re: establishing the fee per loader bucket of mulch distributed to commercial enterprises. Seconded by Mr. O’Boyle.

Discussion followed regarding the procedure for collecting money, that the resolution can be amended at any time, as it is a learning experience, etc. Public comment was heard from Dan Ferguson and Robert Sciarrone. The motion carried 5-0.

Authorization to advertise the 2006 Tree Trimming Project

Mr. Zito read off the list of roads included in the 2006 Tree Trimming Project as follows: Laurel Drive - removal of three (3) trees; Falstaff Drive - trimming of entire road and removal of eleven (11) trees; Echo Lake Drive - trimming of entire road and removal of eighty-five (85) trees; Summit Pointe Development - trimming of all trees in the development.

Mr. Frutchey moved to authorize the Township Secretary to develop the Request for Proposal for the 2006 Tree Trimming Project and to advertise it. Seconded by Ms. Kelly. Discussion followed about Summit Pointe. The motion carried 5-0.

2006 Spring Township Clean Up and Trash Removal Bid

The Township Spring Clean Up and Trash Removal Bid was advertised in the Pocono Record  on March 22, 2006 and March 26, 2006 with a bid opening on April 10, 2006. The following bids were received:

ERI, Inc.

30 yard containers for General Trash      $748.00 per container

30 yd. containers for White Goods         $250.00 per container

30 yd. containers for Tires                                       $1,340.00 per container

30 yd. containers for Scrap Metal                     $250.00 per container

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April 18, 2006 - Page 6

J. P. Mascaro

30 yard containers for General Trash      $525.00 per container

30 yd. containers for White Goods         $190.00 per container

30 yd. containers for Tires                                       $1,250.00 per container off rims

40 yd. containers for Scrap Metal                     $190.00 per container

Keystone Sanitation

30 yard containers for General Trash      $540.00 per container

30 yd. containers for White Goods         $180.00 per container

30 yd. containers for Tires                                       $1,200.00 per container

40 yd. containers for Scrap Metal                     $160.00 per container

Northeast Cartage

30 yard containers for General Trash      $495.00 per container

30 yd. containers for White Goods         No Charge

30 yd. containers for Tires                                       $925.00 per container

40 yd. containers for Scrap Metal                     No Charge   

Waste Management

30 yard containers for General Trash      $465.00 per container

30 yd. containers for White Goods         $185.00 per container

30 yd. containers for Tires                                       $1,600.00 per container off rims

40 yd. containers for Scrap Metal                     $185.00 per container

Mr. Hutchins moved to award the Bid for the 2006 Spring Township Clean Up to Northeast Cartage for the pick up of general trash, white goods, tires and scrap metal. Seconded by Ms. Kelly. Discussion followed in which Ms. Kelly said that even though the Northeast Cartage bid was a little higher for general trash, it was better to have one vendor. The motion carried 5-0.

Authorization to advertise Clean Up Display Notices

Mr. Zito read off the times and dates for the Spring 2006 Clean Up in the two draft advertisements which are to appear in the Pocono Record and the Journal of the Pocono Plateau.

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April 18, 2006 - Page 7

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to authorize the Township Secretary to advertise the Display Ads, with the insertion of the cost of freon removal included, in the Pocono Record and the Journal of the Pocono Plateau. Seconded by Mr. Zito. Discussion - none. The motion carried 5-0.

Current Obligations

General Fund                                                $ 544,675.19

Building Codes Fund                             $       917.94

Sewer System Fund                              $   12,433.52 

                                                                   Total Disbursements                  $ 558,026.65

Mr. Frutchey made a motion to pay our Current Obligations in the amount of $558,026.65.  Seconded by Mr. OBoyle.  Discussion - none.  The motion carried 5-0.

Other Business

“Coolbaugh Celebrates”  Meeting

Mr. Zito reported that the first meeting for “Coolbaugh Celebrates” was held on Thursday, April 13, 2006.  He commented that there was a nice crowd, vendor applications were both received and handed out, that we are asking for volunteers, etc.  Discussion ensued over who should be appointed to be on the Steering Committee, etc.  Mr. Hutchins and Ms. Kelly volunteered to serve on the Steering Committee.

Mr. Zito moved to appoint Linda Frutchey, Jeri Inness, Bob Hutchins and Lynn Kelly to serve on the Steering Committee.  Seconded by Mr. O’Boyle.  Discussion - Alma I. Ruiz Smith asked what was in the Budget.  Discussion followed about it being $35,000.00.  The motion carried 5-0.

Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP)

Mr. Frutchey moved to authorize the WWTP Contractor to de-water and repair the SRB1.  Seconded by Mr. Hutchins.  Discussion - none.  The motion carried 5-0.

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April 18, 2006 - Page 8

Tobyhanna Conservation Association Request

Mr. Frutchey said he was in the Road Department today when Nelson Saxe from the Tobyhanna Conservation Association came in to request that the ditch from Main Street to the Children’s Fishing area be filled in with pipe and graded to allow better access and drainage.  Mr. Saxe said the Conservation Association would be responsible to get the Permit from PennDOT and pay for the inlet box.  He asked if the Township could provide the pipe and labor, do the grading, etc.

Mr. Hutchins moved to approve the Tobyhanna Conservation Association’s request for the Township to provide the pipe and do the grading, conditioned upon them paying for the inlet box and being responsible for obtaining the proper Permits prior to any work being done.  Seconded by Ms. Kelly.  Discussion - none.  The motion carried 5-0.

Township Compost Site

Mr. Frutchey said that he received the PADEP Permit for the Compost Site and that he and the Road Foreman are reviewing it for compliance. He said he is making progress on the recycling drop off site and is planning to request that the Township Engineer be authorized to go out to bid for a gate and fence and that the request should be ready for the May 2, 2006 meeting.

Monroe County Red Cross Marathon

Mr. Hutchins commented that the MC Red Cross Marathon will be held on Sunday, May 7, 2006 and to give an FYI to anyone you meet, as a lot of our roads will be closed.  Mr. Frutchey said he was contacted by Pocono Mountain Regional Police Chief, John Lamberton, who requested assistance on that day from the Township Road Crew. 

Mr. Hutchins moved to approve the road crew employees assisting the Pocono Mountain Regional Police with traffic control associated with the Red Cross Marathon on Sunday, May 7, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Zito. Discussion - none.  The motion carried 5-0.

April 25^th Work Session moved to April 27^th, 2006

Mr. Zito gave an FYI about the April 25^th Work Session being moved to April 27^th, 2006.  He said it is the Board’s intention to keep the agenda very light, as the Supervisors plan to go into an Executive Session regarding personnel issues.

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April 18, 2006 - Page 9

Public Input

Robert Sciarrone - asked the Board to amend Chapter 10, Health & Safety, Part 1 - Storage of Motor Vehicles Nuisances; Nuisances Prohibited.  Discussion followed in which it was discovered that he did not have the latest amendment that was recently adopted by the Board of Supervisors (February 21, 2006).  Mrs. Frutchey said she would mail him a copy of the amendment.  He was also directed to fill out a Service Request directed to the Zoning Officer listing his concerns.

Alma I. Ruiz-Smith - asked about the status of the letter sent to the Tobyhanna Army Depot (TAD) expressing an interest in buying the land where the Village Apartments were.  Discussion followed about TAD having plans, but they would let the Township know if the matter changed.

Robert Sciarrone  - questioned when the Township Ball Field base lines would be lowered, etc.  Mr. Frutchey advised him that the ball fields were lowered to remove the buildup last week.

Ruth Rarrick - gave a list of events that will be held on Sunday, May 28, 2006 at the 150^th Anniversary Express Celebration.  Events include groups dressed in historical costumes, tours of the train tower and Mill Pond #1 Ice House, train station talk, etc.

Robert Brunet - inquired about when “No Littering” signs would be posted along Salamanca Lane and Hemlock Drive.  Mr. Brunet was advised that the matter would be looked into.

Robert Sciarrone - asked when the next Pocono Mountain Regional Police Commission meeting would be held.

Jerry Teicher - asked questions relating to the Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse Land Development Plan.

Werner Frank - asked if we would request PennDOT to post “No Littering “

signs along State Route 196.

Dan Ferguson - commented that the Monroe County Waste Management Authority paid $32,000.00 for cameras at their blue bin recycling center, but it’s worth it, because a woman was caught dumping bags of trash behind the road department garage and is being fined $1,000.00.