Coolbaugh Township

Board of Supervisors

November 15, 2005 - Page 1

The Coolbaugh Township Board of Supervisors, November 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 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, Gratz Washenik and Robert M. Zito. Richard R. Lockwood was absent. Also in attendance wasTownship 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 November 1, 2005 Regular Meeting Minutes

Mr. Zito made a motion to approve the November 1, 2005 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. Discussion - none. The motion carried 4-0.

John Woodling, Planning Director for the Monroe County (MC) Planning Commission will be present to discuss the MC Final Hazard Mitigation Plan

John Woodling presented an overview of the County’s Final Hazard Mitigation Plan, explaining that the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (P.L.106-390) required local governments to prepare and adopt a Hazard Mitigation Plan that meets the requirements of the Act, in order to be eligible for post-disaster assistance beyond debris removal and temporary public assistance and for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which provides a potential source of funds for identified hazard mitigation activities.

Mr. Woodling went on to say that at the initial meeting on the Hazard Mitigation Plan held on March 9, 2004, it was agreed that the County would undertake the preparation of a plan which could be adopted by the County and the individual municipalities.

Board of Supervisors

November 15, 2005 - Page 2

The MCPC worked with FEMA and PEMA and their consultants to prepare the plan that is now before the Board for consideration and adoption. He noted that the County adopted the plan on September 7, 2005 following a public meeting, and urged the Board to do the same.

a)                  “Draft” Resolution # 09-2005 re: approval of the MC Hazard Mitigation Plan

Mr. Frutchey made a motion to adopt Resolution # 09-2005 re: approval of the MC Hazard Mitigation Plan. Seconded by Mr. Washenik. Discussion - none. The motion carried 4-0.

Scavello Route 940 Minor Subdivision / Lot Combination Plan

Before the Board was a letter from Marv Walton of Niclaus Engineering Corporation dated November 9, 2005 requesting that the Supervisors grant an extension on the above referenced plan until January 17, 2006.

Mr. Hutchins moved to grant an extension on the Scavello Route 940 Minor Subdivision / Lot Combination Plan, per the applicant’s request, until January 17, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Frutchey. Discussion - none. The motion passed 4-0.

2005 Monthly Reports

Coolbaugh Township Volunteer Fire Company

No one was present on behalf of the Coolbaugh Township Volunteer Fire Company.

Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services

Mr. Zito requested that the PMREMS Report be tabled until the next meeting.

Pocono Mountain Regional Police

Mr. Frutchey read the Summary of Activities for the PMRPD for the month of October 2005 as follows: 1251 complaints, 88 accidents, 113 criminal arrests, 248 traffic arrests, 182 traffic warnings, 16ordinance arrests for a total of 1339 calls within the area covered by the regional police, which includes Tobyhanna, Tunkhannock and Coolbaugh Townships and the Borough of Mount Pocono.

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November 15, 2005 - Page 3

Authorization to advertise notice of intent to appoint a Certified Public Accountant at the Board of Supervisors’ Annual Organization Meeting

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to authorize the Township Secretary to advertise the notice of intent to appoint a Certified Public Accountant at the Board of Supervisors’ Annual Organizational Meeting. Seconded by Mr. Zito. Discussion followed in which Mr. Washenik asked why we advertise this when we have a three year contract. It was noted that this advertisement is placed annually according to the guidelines of the Second Class Township Code. The motion carried 4-0.

Current Obligations

General Fund                         -           $369,338.39

Building Code Fund                                      $    4,383.33 

Sewer Fund                                       -           $    9,505.55

                                                                                    Total Disbursements -          $383,227.27

Mr. Frutchey moved to pay the Current Obligations in the amount of $383,227.27. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. Discussion followed in which it was noted that a large payment was made to the GO Bond. Public comment was heard from Ron Byrd regarding the Sewer Fund. The motion carried 4-0.

Other Business

Civil Enforcement - David Dones

Before the Board was a Memo dated November 10, 2005 from Township Zoning Officer Todd Schollhammer submitted to the Supervisors in accordance with §1201(J), regarding a Township resident, David Dones, building without a permit in violation of §1201(3). Discussion followed.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Township Zoning Officer be empowered to take whatever action is necessary for the enforcement of zoning matters for as long as he serves as Zoning Officer. Seconded by Mr. Washenik. Discussion followed regarding the role of Guardian Inspection Services. It was the consensus of the Supervisors that Guardian should issue stop work notices as necessary.

Mr. Washenik made a motion that Township Engineer Russ Kresge or Solicitor Jerry Hanna look into amending the Ordinance to include language that no zoning permit may be issued if the applicant owes any fees to the Township. Discussion - none. The motion carried 4-0.

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November 15, 2005 - Page 4

Pocono Mountain Public Library - Use of Township Land for New Library

Before the Board was a letter from Ann C. Shincovich, Director of the PMPL requesting a meeting on November 22, 2005 with the Supervisors, the Library’s building consultant Rich Bowra, representatives of the Library Board and herself, in order to discuss the possible use of Township land for a new library building. The Secretary was directed to send a letter to Ms. Shincovich advising her that the Supervisors can meet with them at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22nd.

Public Input

Ron Byrd - expressed concerns regarding regional police service in private communities. Mr. Frutchey and Mr. Hutchins discussed the issue of budgeting for the purchase of extra police hours in the Township, the positive reasons for having a regional police force, etc. Further discussion followed.

Werner Frank - asked about the status of clean up efforts at Centennial Court, and he was informed that the matter had been referred to Monroe County Vector Control.

Mr. Washenik - asked the Township Secretary about the old upstairs copier that was in the meeting room on the second floor.

Board of Supervisors Executive Sessions

Mr. Frutchey announced that the Supervisors held an Executive Session on Tuesday, October 26, 2005 at 5:30 p.m. re: Pending Litigation. No subsequent Executive Sessions were presently scheduled.

Adjournment

With no further business before the Board, Mr. Washenik moved to adjourn the meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Zito. The motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:48 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:

Linda Frutchey                                                 James H. Frutchey, Jr.

Township Secretary                                         Board Chairman