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PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 6, 2012
Call to Order
Chair Flood called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Roll Call
Officials Present:
Michael Flood – Chair John C. Prevoznik – Solicitor
Louise Troutman – Vice Chair (6:20) Debra Brady – Zoning Officer
Reda Briglia – Secretary-Treasurer Robert Safin – Roadmaster
Pledge of Allegiance
Flood led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Public Comment Statement
Flood read the public comment statement “Ladies and gentlemen, before the Board of Supervisors votes on any matter, the Board will allow for public comment on that particular item. If you wish to be heard at that time, please raise your hand, and you will be recognized. A public comment period will be held at the end of the regular agenda for any other business.”
Approval of Minutes
Motion: Flood moved and seconded by Briglia to approve the July 16, 2012 Board of Supervisors regular meeting minutes as presented.
Motion carried 2-0.
New Business
Township Water Testing Budgeted/Motion to approve – Briglia stated that the Board budgeted for water testing for Township residents but a motion should be made.
Motion: Flood moved and seconded by Briglia for the Township to pay $15.00 and the resident $5.00 for standard water testing.
Motion carried 2-0.
Computer Budgeted/Motion to approve – Briglia stated that the Board budgeted for a new computer for Kathleen Kelly.
Motion: Flood moved and seconded by Briglia to replace Kathleen Kelly's computer for a total of $827.50.
Motion carried 2-0.
Monroe 2020 Comprehensive Plan Update/Comments – Neither the Board nor the Zoning Officer had any comments on the draft policies for the Monroe 2020 Comprehensive Plan Update.
PMREMS/Request add'l $5,000. for Toughbooks (computers) – Scott Topping, Managing Director, was present for PMREMS. Mr. Topping explained the need for Toughbooks to input patient and insurance information. Mr. Topping presented a quote for five Toughbooks for $6,475.00. Solicitor Prevoznik verified that all programs used on Toughbooks is HIPPA compliant.
Motion: Flood moved and seconded by Briglia to contribute an additional $6,475.00 to PMREMS for the Toughbooks.
Discussion: Solicitor Prevoznik stated that Briglia sits on the Board of PMREMS, appointed as the Township's representative, and that no pay or benefits are received from PMREMS. Solicitor Prevoznik stated since only Flood and Briglia are present that Briglia can vote on this.
Motion carried 2-0.
Route 390 Closure/Discussion – The Board discussed the traffic on Peterson Hill Road, which is a one-way road. The Township has placed barricades and additional signage to prohibit southbound use of Peterson Hill Road to no avail. The Township contacted PennDOT to request additional detour signage. Troutman arrived during this discussion. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the Township could close the road per the second-class township code.
Motion: Troutman moved and seconded by Briglia to temporarily place barriers and close Peterson Hill Road at the south end by Bolock's Funeral Home on Route 940. Safin will properly sign the closure including no outlet and/or dead-end signs. Peterson Hill Road will be open to residents of Peterson Hill Road only.
Motion carried 3-0.
The Board discussed permanently closing one end of Peterson Hill Road to alleviate use of Peterson Hill Road in both directions after the traffic light has been installed.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Troutman to have Hanover Engineering review the situation and make a recommendation to the Board.
Motion carried 3-0.
Briglia will notify the homeowners on Peterson Hill Road, emergency services, post office, and Monroe County Control Center.
Little League Meeting Room 1st Tuesday/Discussion – Flood read the email from Jim Wagner requesting to use the meeting room on the first Tuesday of each month for Little League meetings.
Motion: Troutman moved and seconded by Briglia to approve the use of the meeting room for Little League meetings on the first Tuesday of the month as long as the Township does not need to schedule any Township meetings. If the Township needs the meeting room for township business Little League will be notified.
Motion carried 3-0.
Community Day Baseball Caps/Discussion – Flood reviewed the information from Kathleen Kelly regarding ordering baseball caps for Community Day. The Board discussed that not everyone attending would use or wear a baseball cap and decided it was not a necessary expense.
Community Day Overtime – Safin requested approval of overtime for two men for a few hours to set up for Community Day.
Motion: Troutman moved and seconded by Briglia to approve up to four hours for two men to set up for Community Day.
Motion carried 3-0.
Resolution/Non-CDL testing – Briglia stated that the Non-CDL Drug and Alcohol Testing policy for the public works department needs to be adopted. Briglia stated that James Wheeler, PSATS CDL Program Manager, stated that employees that drive Township vehicles and equipment on a regular basis may be put on the Non-CDL Drug and Alcohol Testing Program, but does not recommend that employees that infrequently use Township vehicles be included. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he agreed. Safin stated that the union agreed with adopting the Non-CDL Drug and Alcohol Testing policy.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Troutman to adopt Resolution 05-2012, Non-CDL Drug and Alcohol Testing policy.
Motion carried 3-0.
Unfinished Business
Electronics Recycling Facilities/ Requested MC Municipal Waste Mgmt. Authority's Certification – Briglia stated the Township needs to have a copy of MCMWMA certification per DEP requirement for electronic recycling. Briglia stated that she requested the certificate from Mr. Lambert at the MCMWAMA and received a letter sent to Mr. Lambert from the DEP approving MCMWMA's registration for electronic recycling. After discussion, Briglia was instructed to follow up on obtaining a copy of the certification.
Working Woodlands, The Nature Conservancy – Briglia stated that she has spoken with Josh Parrish, The Nature Conservancy, regarding a work session to explain the Working Woodlands program. Briglia stated that Paradise Township owns several properties with other municipalities and recommended that the other municipalities be invited to the work session. The Board agreed. Mr. Miller recommended that property owners of large parcels should also be invited. The Board recommended holding the work session on October 15 after the Township's fall newsletter is mailed in mid-September .
Reports
Solicitor – Solicitor Prevoznik stated he had executive session items. Solicitor Prevoznik
stated that he is working on the Mt. Airy issues and with Debra Brady on ordinances.
Roadmaster (attached) – Safin read his report.
Zoning Officer (attached) – Brady stated her report is self-explanatory, however, she did note that Bureau Veritas has provided the Township all closed building permits both residential and commercial. Brady stated she is waiting for an open permits list from Bureau Veritas.
Engineers Report – Unangst reported that a Mt. Airy Trail meeting will be held this coming Thursday. Unangst reported that Mt. Airy will be submitting a revised combined/final as-built plans. Unangst stated that the type, , and location studies are being completed for Browns Hill, Cranberry Creek, Hulbert Hill and Koerners Road. Unangst stated that the Township may want to consider replacing the Koerners Road bridge instead of repair. Unangst reported that the weight restriction studies for Hunter Farm, Cranberry Creek, Henry's Crossing, Clark's, and Devils Hole Roads have been completed. Safin requested that the bridge on Devil's Hole Road also be inspected by Hanover Engineering.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Troutman for Hanover Engineering to inspect the bridge on Devil's Hole Road.
Motion carried 3-0.
PMREMS – Scott Topping reported on PMREMS call volume, reported that 129 residents have purchased subscriptions and invited the Supervisors to the Monroe County Ambulance Association business meeting. The meeting will be held at Studebaker's on Route 611 on August 14 at 8:30 a.m.
PARC – Solicitor Prevoznik stated that Deb Borger from Riley's office called him regarding a PARC audit. After discussion, Briglia was instructed to check with the Township's auditor if an audit is necessary for PARC and to obtain a quote. Troutman stated that Attorney McManus submitted a consent and waiver for the Board's review. The Board agreed to sign the consent and waiver as presented by Attorney McManus regarding PARC (aka BMPP). (See Exhibit 1.)
EAC/Open Space – Flood reported that the EAC discussed open space acquisitions. The EAC is recommending that bridge planters be installed on Carlton Road and Devils Hole Road bridges. Flood inquired if Brady is working on the color-coded map of open space properties, Act 319, etc. Briglia stated that the Monroe County Planning Commission is compiling the map.
Flood also inquired about a Welcome to Paradise Valley on the railroad overpass. Mr. Donald Miller was present and informed the Board that the Welcome to Mt. Pocono sign on the railroad overpass is not painted but is a flex sign. (A flex sign is a sign fabric that is durable and flexible material that is painted and then hung up). Mt. Pocono Borough recently asked if painted panels would be permitted on the railroad underpass bridge abutment. The rail authority would only permit the abutments to be painted.
Mr. Miller was here to discuss Fieldstone Farm and another recently purchased property on Devils Hole Road. Mr. Miller was present and stated that the gate is unlocked at Fieldstone Farm and can be opened for parking. Mr. Miller stated that the new acquisition will also be open for parking but that a driveway permit will be needed from the Township. Mr. Miller reported that the Kurmes Preserve parking lot is open, the kiosk installed, and the trails are marked.
Correspondence/Miscellaneous
Monroe County Veterans Association/Request for donation – Flood stated that the Monroe County Veterans Association is requesting a donation to bring back the Veterans Day Parade. Briglia verified with Solicitor Prevoznik that the Township could appropriate money to the Veterans Association.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Troutman to appropriate $250.00 to the Veterans Association for their parade.
Motion carried 3-0.
MC Municipal Waste Authority/Meetings and vacancy – Flood summarized the email from the MCMWMA. Mr. Miller volunteered to represent the Township on the Litter Prevention, Control and Cleanup Committee.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Troutman to send a letter to MCMWMA stating the Mr. Miller is a member of good standing on the Township's Environmental Advisory Council and that the Board of Supervisors support Mr. Miller as the representative for Paradise Township on the Litter Prevention, Control and Cleanup Committee.
Motion carried 3-0.
Other Business/Public Comment
Williams Road – Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the title search has been completed on Williams Road and that easement of the turn-around needs to be completed.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Troutman for Solicitor Prevoznik to take the necessary action to clean-up the recording of the turn-around on Williams Road as shown on the Kubalak subdivision plan.
Motion carried 3-0.
Mr. Miller questioned the pond being built on Devils Hole Creek. Brady stated that the owners are working with Martin and Robbins to submit a plan and that the Monroe County Conservation District is also involved.
Mr. Miller also reminded the Board that the River Ramble is this Sunday, August 12, at the Brodhead Parks - Stroud Township.
There was no other business or public comment.
Executive Session
Motion: Flood moved and seconded by Briglia to recess the regular meeting and go into an executive session at 7:58 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Flood to reconvene the regular meeting at 8:48 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Flood stated that personnel issues and real estate matters were discussed.
Adjournment
Motion: Flood moved and seconded by Briglia to adjourn meeting at 8:49 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Reda Briglia
Secretary
