Coolbaugh Township

Board of Supervisors

May 2, 2006 - Page 1 

The Coolbaugh Township Board of Supervisors May 2, 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 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 April 18, 2006 Meeting Minutes 

Mr. O’Boyle moved to approve the April 18, 2006 regular Meeting Minutes as presented and dispense with the reading.  Seconded by Ms. Kelly.  Discussion - none.  The motion carried 5-0. 

Presentation of a plaque of appreciation from the Coolbaugh Township Volunteer Fire Company  

CTVFC President Jim Frutchey and Fire Chief Bernie Harrison presented the Board with a plaque of appreciation. It was explained that the fire company members thanked both this Board, as well as past Boards of Supervisors, for their ongoing support of the Fire Company over the last twenty years.

Board of Supervisors

May 2, 2006 - Page 2 

Prior to the meeting, the 1983 refurbished Mack, the 2004 Freightliner Tanker and the 2006 KME Attack truck were on display in front of the Municipal Center Garage, showing how the donations from the Board of Supervisors were spent on vehicles and equipment. 

Coolbaugh Township Community Partnership (CTCP) - request for Board’s support of CTCP Advisory Group’s recommendation to require entities receiving donations to attend their annual meetings

CTCP Director Dagmaris Cabezas was present to represent the above referenced matter.  Ms. Kelly summarized the April memorandum from Ms. Cabezas.   

Ms. Kelly moved to approve the CTCP mission statement as follows: “that the Coolbaugh Township Board of Supervisors endorse the mission of the Coolbaugh Township Community Partnership (CTCP) and strongly recommend that groups receiving financial or in-kind support from the Township send a representative to the four yearly meetings so that they may benefit from the services provided by the CTCP and from being a CTCP member”.  Seconded Mr. O’Boyle. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the wording of the statement. Ms Kelly said she supported the CTCP, but did not think people volunteering their time should be required to attend meetings.  Public input was heard from Dagmaris Cabezas and Wayne Meyers. The motion carried 4-1-0 (Ms. Kelly opposed). 

Minor Subdivision to join lots 11 & 2, Block 2013 & 2112, Section 20 & 21, Arrowhead North, Property Owners - Luis & Yuette Negron  

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

Mr. OBoyle moved to approve the Minor Subdivision to join lots 2013 & 2112, Section 20 & 21 in Arrowhead North for Luis & Yuette Negron.  Seconded by Mr. Frutchey.  Discussion - Ms. Kelly raised the question that one of the deeds did not have the wife’s name.  Solicitor Hanna felt that there was nothing improper as they both notarized the application and plans, etc.  The motion carried 5-0. 

Minor Subdivision to join lots 13 & 14, Block A-67, Section 12, Arrowhead Lake - Property Owner - Luz Peterman - Bogaski 

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

Board of Supervisors

May 2, 2006 - Page 3 

Mr. Frutchey moved to approve the Minor Subdivision for joining lots 13 & 13, Block A-67, Section 12, Arrowhead Lake for Luz Peterman - Bogaski.  Seconded by Mr. Hutchins.  Discussion - none.  The motion carried 5-0. 

Members of the Township Parks and Recreation Commission will be present to discuss hiring a Director for the Summer Program 

Clare Colgan, Chairman of the Township Parks and Recreation Commission, was present to discuss hiring a Director for the Summer Program.  She explained that the resume from Courtney Tigue was the only response received. The Parks and Recreation Commission  recommended that Courtney Tigue be hired as the Director for the Summer Program. 

Discussion followed about the Director’s responsibilities, activities planned for the children, length of the Summer Program, $4,800.00 is budgeted, but will not be totally spent, as the number of hours will be less, due to shortening the number of weeks to have the program, etc.    

Mr. O’Boyle moved to hire Courtney Tigue as the Director for the Summer Program at a rate of $10.00 per hour for a period of seven (7) weeks as per the recommendation of the members of the Parks and Recreation Commission.  Seconded by Ms. Kelly.  Public input was heard from Alma I. Ruiz-Smith and Harry Smith. The motion carried 4-0-1 (Mr. Frutchey abstained). 

Tunkhannock Township Board of Supervisors request participation in their Sesquicentennial parade 

Mr. Zito read the April 9, 2006 letter from Tunkhannock Township requesting to have one of our vehicles in Tunkhannock Township’s parade to celebrate its Sesquicentennial Anniversary.  Mr. Frutchey explained that they wanted the Beast and the 20 ton trailer for a static display.  Fire Chief Bernie Harrison said that the fire company was going to send one of their trucks.   

Mr. Hutchins moved to approve sending the Beast and the 20 ton trailer to be displayed at Tunkhannock’s 150^th  Anniversary Celebration.  Seconded by Mr. O’Boyle.  Discussion - none.  The motion carried 5-0. 

Board of Supervisors

May 2, 2006 - Page 4 

Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services (PMREMS) request for monetary support to help with the financing of a new ambulance  

Mr. Zito turned the matter over to Mr. O’Boyle, as he attends the PMREMS meetings.  Mr. O’Boyle explained that in January he had requested  financial assistance, which is above what is in the Township’s budget, to refurbish the ambulance. Since January, the ambulance that was going to be refurbished was in an accident.  PMREMS decided to go forward with the award of a bid for a mid-size ambulance truck in the amount of  $82,000.00.   Discussion followed about the money being available through the Emergency Services Fund which would not have to be taken out of the fund until the truck is expected to be delivered, which is approximately 180 days away.  

Mr. O’Boyle moved to grant the donation of $26,000.00 from the Emergency Services Fund to PMREMS  to help finance the new ambulance truck.  Seconded by Ms. Kelly.  Discussion followed about waiting to see what support is given from the Townships of Tobyhanna, Tunkhannock and the Borough of Mount Pocono.  Mr. O’Boyle withdrew his motion.   

Current Obligations 

General Fund                                         $ 82,019.90

Escrow Fund                                          $   1,465.00

Sewer System Fund                              $ 32,084.24  

Total Disbursements                             $115,569.10 

Mr. Frutchey moved to pay the Current Obligations in the amount of $115,569.10.  Seconded by Mr. Hutchins.  Discussion - none.  The motion carried 5-0. 

Other Business 

Mr. Zito made the following announcements: 

·                    A Conditional Use Hearing to receive public comment for a “Planned Business Center” was rescheduled for May 17, 2006 at the last meeting.  Due to the applicants not being able to attend that evening, the hearing was moved to Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.  A Special Meeting will follow and then the Board will hold their regular Work Session. 

Board of Supervisors

May 2, 2006 - Page 5 

·                    The Township received a postcard from Ray Owens, one of our soldiers from Tobyhanna, who is stationed in Ramadi, Iraq. He sends a big hello to everyone and says he can’t wait to come home. The post card has been posted on our bulletin board as you come in the front door.

·                    We received a Memo from the Coolbaugh Township Community Partnership reporting on the encouraging level of their volunteer support to spruce up our Township and participate in a county program to clean up litter on the roadsides.  Irene Reed of PennDOT said that Coolbaugh Township has had the most direct Township involvement in this project, thanks to the coordinated efforts of our dedicated volunteers. 

·                    The Board of Supervisors would like to take this opportunity to personally thank and commend all of our volunteers who give their time in service to the Township and its residents. 

Dagmaris Cabezas Director for the CTCP was in the audience and spoke about the efforts received from volunteers in cleaning up the area.  The Beautification Committee is planning on planting flowers in the triangle at the entrance to Main Street, at the triangle in  Pocono Summit and in front of the Tobyhanna Post Office. 

Ms. Cabezas introduced  Keith Hudson and Roderick Chapelle who were very active along with residents from A Pocono Country Place in cleaning up State Route (SR) 196. Mr. Hudson and Mr. Chapelle are willing to pick up the tree branches and pile them along the side of the road, but they do not have a truck to remove them and asked if the Township could assist in any way.  Discussion followed.  Mr. Frutchey said he would look into seeing if he could get someone to help with  the removal of the trees and discuss it at the May 23, 2006 Work Session. 

Mr. Hudson asked if the fire company could burn down the abandoned building that is located on SR 196. Discussion followed.  Mrs. Frutchey was asked to direct the Zoning Officer to contact the owner about having the building removed, etc.   

Scranton/Pocono Council - request for the use of the Township Park Pavilion 

Mr. Zito read the letter dated May 2, 2006 from Dawn Weiss of the Scranton/Pocono Council requesting the use of the Township Park Pavilion (Tobyhanna House) on May 30, 2006 between the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The letter explained that they are a non-profit organization and would greatly appreciate any help.

Board of Supervisors

May 2, 2006 - Page 6 

Mr. Zito moved to grant the Scranton/Pocono Council - Mountain Service Unit, Junior Troop 346 and Brownie Troop 136 the use of the Township Park Pavilion on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and to waive the fees, with the condition that they provide a Certificate of Insurance naming Coolbaugh Township as Additional Insured.  Seconded by Ms. Kelly.  Discussion followed about having the Secretary check to ensure that no other groups have requested the pavilion for the same date.  The motion carried 5-0. 

Decant Pump - Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) 

Mr. Frutchey gave a brief description of the problems that were encountered at the WWTP today with the decant pump failing.  Kenny Fulford, Contractor for the WWTP suggested getting a new one and having the existing one re-built. The new one is approximately $3,610.00 plus the cost of repairing the existing one. It was the consensus of the Supervisors that a Purchase Order would be signed as this was considered an emergency repair. 

Display of Voting Machines at Coolbaugh Celebration 

Mr. O’Boyle and Mr. Frutchey were at the Township building on Saturday, April 29, 2006 for the display of the new voting machines and talked to Bob Gress about having the new voting machines on display at the Coolbaugh Celebration.  The Supervisors agreed that this was an excellent idea. 

Public Input 

Joseph Rametta - brought up the matter of trash build-up at Centennial Court. Discussion followed.  He said that shingles have been dumped at the Main Section of A Pocono Country Place between Section J and the Emergency Access Road, and he is concerned that it could become another Centennial Court.  Discussion followed about the maintenance of the Emergency Access Road being the responsibility of A Pocono Country Place and the PA Game Commission. It was the consensus of the Supervisors to have the Secretary write a letter to the PA Game Commission and A Pocono Country Place Board of Directors regarding the concerns.  Alma Ruiz-Smith asked that Senator Robert Mellow be copied on the letter as he was a big part in getting the emergency access road for A Pocono Country Place.