Coolbaugh Township

Board of Supervisors

November 1, 2005 - Page 1

The Coolbaugh Township Board of Supervisors, November 1, 2005 Regular Meeting was held in the Township Municipal Center, in building #3, at 5550 Memorial Boulevard, Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania.

Public Hearing - Pocono Community Church, Inc. - Proposed Amendment to Coolbaugh Township Code of Ordinances

On October 20, 2005 a Public Hearing was held at 7:00 p.m. at the Coolbaugh Elementary Center, 5800 Memorial Boulevard, Tobyhanna, PA to consider public comment on the proposed Amendment to Coolbaugh Township Code of Ordinances Number 97, Chapter 27, Zoning re:  changing the property currently listed as Industrial (I) Zoning District to Office Park (C-2) Zoning District requested by the Pocono Community Church, Inc. 

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 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 October 18, 2005 Regular Meeting Minutes

Mr. Washenik made a motion to approve the October 18, 2005 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. Discussion - none. The motion carried 4-0.

Board of Supervisors

November 1, 2005 - Page 2

Proposed Amendment to Coolbaugh Township Code of Ordinances Number 97, Chapter 27, Zoning re:  changing the property currently listed as Industrial (I) Zoning District to Office Park (C-2) Zoning District requested by the Pocono Community Church, Inc.

Mr. Zito moved to approve the Proposed Amendment to Coolbaugh Township Code of Ordinances Number 97, Chapter 27, Zoning re:  changing the property currently listed as Industrial (I) Zoning District to Office Park (C-2) Zoning District requested by the Pocono Community Church, Inc. Seconded by Mr. Frutchey for the purpose of discussion.

A lengthy discussion followed, in which each Supervisor expressed their comments and/ or concerns.  Mr. Hutchins noted that the church gave an excellent presentation of their reasons for requesting the zone change amendment; however, he had misgivings about issues of safety and how they were addressed, that the Second Class Township Code stated it was the responsibility of the Supervisors to protect the health, safety and welfare of the Township and its residents and according to the FAA Zone 3 Chart, it is not recommended that churches be in that zone, etc. Mr. Washenik expressed concerns regarding what might happen if the church could not follow through on their plans and the land had to be sold. Mr. Zito touched on the positive aspects of the church and its proposals, including a Community Center for young people, which is something that is needed in the area. Mr. Frutchey echoed the aforementioned comments. It was the overall consensus of the Supervisors that even though the church gave a very thorough presentation in support of their application, voting to approve their request for the zone change amendment was a very difficult decision. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried 3-1 (Mr. Frutchey, Mr. Washenik and Mr. Zito voted “yes” and Mr. Hutchins voted “no”).

Authorization to advertise proposed amendment to the Township Code of Ordinances #97, Chapter 10, Health and Safety - Part 1 -  Storage of Motor Vehicles Nuisances; Nuisances Prohibited

Mr. Frutchey moved to authorize the Township Secretary to advertise the proposed amendment to the Township Code of Ordinances #97, Chapter 10, Health and Safety - Part 1 -  Stoe of Motor Vehicles Nuisances; Nuisances Prohibited. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. A lengthy discussion followed. Public input was heard from Steve Planchock and Cliff Otto.

Mr. Frutchey retracted his motion and Mr. Hutchins withdrew his second. Another lengthy discussion followed. It was the consensus of the Supervisors that the matter of the proposed amendment will be taken to the January Work Session and to have the Township Engineer present for the discussion.        

Board of Supervisors

November 1, 2005 - Page 3

Authorization to advertise Budget Work Sessions

Mr. Frutchey made a motion to authorize the Secretary to advertise Budget Work Sessions to be held on Wednesday, November 16 and Monday November 21, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.  Seconded by Mr. Zito.  Discussion followed about the date that the Proposed 2006 Budget could be advertised so that it can be adopted at the Board’s December 20, 2005 meeting. The motion carried 4-0.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to advertise a Special Meeting for Monday, November 21, 2005, following the Budget Work Session for the purposes of authorizing the advertisement that the 2006 Proposed Budget is finalized and available for public inspection at the Coolbaugh Township Municipal Center. Seconded by Mr. Washenik.  Discussion followed about the Special Meeting being held at approximately 8:30 p.m.  The motion carried 4-0.

Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services Report

Mr. Zito attended the PMREMS meeting on October 13, 2005. He reported the number of incidents in Coolbaugh, Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock Townships and the Borough of Mount Pocono for the period of January 1, 2005 through October 14, 2005. Coolbaugh Township had 1765 incidents, representing a call frequency of 48.49%, Tobyhanna Township had 848 incidents/frequency 23.30%, Tunkhannock Township had 310 incidents/frequency 8.52% and the Mount Pocono Borough had 435 incidents/frequency 11.95%. Mr. Zito also discussed the PREMS projected income, project expenses, other financial data, etc. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 10, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. in the Tobyhanna Township Municipal Building.

Taxpayers Ayana & Armondo Jacques request for a refund in the amount of $85.88 due to incorrect building assessment

Mr. Frutchey moved to approve Taxpayers Ayana & Armondo Jacques’ request for a refund in the amount of $85.88 due to an incorrect building assessment. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. Discussion - none. The motion carried 4-0.

Traffic Signals - SR 940 & Summit Avenue / Commerce Street - Kuharchik Construction Incorporated request for Change Order Number 1

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to approve Kuharchik Construction Incorporated’s request for Change Order Number 1 on the traffic signal at SR 940 and Commerce Street in the amount of $2,799.00. Seconded by Mr. Frutchey. Discussion followed. Public input was heard from Steve Planchock and Joe O’Boyle. The motion passed 4-0.

Board of Supervisors

November 1, 2005 - Page 4

Current Obligations

General Fund                         -           $186,415.75

Escrow Fund                                                 -           $    2,583.50 

Sewer Fund                                       -           $    2,050.39

                                                                                    Total Disbursements -          $ 191,049.64

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to approve the Current Obligations in the amount of

$191,049.64. Seconded by Mr. Zito. Discussion - none. The motion carried 4-0.

Other Business

Authorization to advertise for a full time Waste Water Treatment

Plant Operator

Mr. Frutchey moved to authorize the Township Secretary to advertise in the Pocono Record and the Scranton Times/Tribune for a full time Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator. Seconded by Mr. Hutchins. Discussion followed in which it was determined that the ad should state that the Township is seeking a licensed WWTP Operator who will also perform other duties in the Department of Public Works (DPW). The motion passed 4-0.

Open Space - Wiley Property - Appraisal

Discussion followed regarding the Monroe County Planning Commission giving conditional approval for the purchase of the Wiley property for Open Space, that approval by the school board is also needed, etc. Mr. Washenik said he would be unable to attend the school board meeting, but Clare Colgan, a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission will attend the meeting this week, when they will be reviewing the proposed purchase.

Mr. Washenik said that a verification appraisal must also be done on the Wiley property and made a motion to get the appraisal done for a cost not-to-exceed $500.00. Seconded by Mr. Zito. Discussion followed about appraisals that were done on the Hoodak property, that the appraisal company was from Clarks Summit, etc. Mrs. Frutchey was directed to look up the name of the company and contact them. The motion carried 4-0.

Gang Awareness Seminar

Mr. Frutchey reported that he attended a Gang Awareness Seminar at the MC Safety Center, where it was stressed that it is very important to remove graffiti from traffic and street signs and structures. Discussion followed about removing graffiti on the underpass on Laurel Drive, that bridges are owned by the railroad authority, so they must be notified, etc.