Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes
PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 5, 2019
Call to Order
Chair Konrath called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call
Officials Present:
Gary Konrath – Chair John C. Prevoznik – Solicitor
Peter Gonze – Vice Chair Michael Mader – Roadmaster
Reda Briglia – Supervisor
Pledge of Allegiance
Konrath led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Public Comment Statement
Konrath 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.”
Konrath stated that the meeting is being recorded for the limited purpose of preparing the official minutes.
Approval of Minutes
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to approve the July 15, 2019 Board of Supervisors regular meeting minutes as presented.
Konrath-aye, Briglia-aye, Gonze-abstained (due to not attending the meeting).
Work Session Items
Solicitor Prevoznik requested that the Board review the Zoning Officer’s job description and let him know if they would recommend any changes/additions.
Unfinished Business
Recodification – The Board discussed the contract options provided by American Legal. Konrath stated that the services selected included:
1. Five year supplemental service plan, ($19.00 per reprinted single column page),
2. Code on Internet at $450.00 per year,
3. Flash-drive or CD-ROM with complete instructions and a copy of a manual for $500.00,
4. Definition Links Service-defined term links at $95.00 an hour,
5. Archived Codes Online Service at $45.00 per year/maximum of $300.00 per year.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to enter into the American Legal contract as outlined above.
Motion carried 3-0.
Water Testing – The Board discussed the coliform bacteria water testing that has been done in previous years. The Board agreed to offer to reimburse any residents up to $15.00 per coliform bacteria testing performed by a DEP licensed laboratory during the month of October upon proof of paid receipt. The total amount set aside for the proposed testing is $1,500.00. The water testing kits picked up and returned to the Laboratory will be the residents’ responsibility. The Township will not distribute water testing kits or transport water testing kits to the Laboratory.
Pocono Mountain Bluestone Preserve – The Board discussed renaming the Pocono Mountain Bluestone Preserve to Browns Hill Preserve as recommended by the Paradise Township Environmental Advisory Board. Briglia also stated that a kiosk should be ordered.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to rename the preserve to Browns Hill Preserve and to order the kiosk.
Motion carried 3-0.
Planning Commission Items
Proposed Ordinance/Chickens-Fowl – Briglia presented a new definition for Animal, Husbandry, Home Use and a proposed ordinance for keeping of chickens/fowl.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to forward the proposed definition and ordinance to the Paradise Township Planning Commission and the Monroe County Planning Commission for review.
Motion carried 3-0.
New Business
Spotted Lanternfly – Briglia stated that the USDA has stopped into the office and left several informational flyers on the Spotted Lanternfly. Briglia also reported that the USDA is requesting that a Treatment Release Form be signed by the Township for all properties owned by the Township. Gonze stated that the treatment is triclopyr herbicide for small trees and with dinotefuran insecticide for large trees. Gonze questioned the effect of the treatments on other insect species. Gonze will follow-up with Tammy L. Craig, Supervisor Plant Protection and Quarantine Officer at the USDA. The Board also agreed that Andy Faist, Mount Airy Casino, should be provided the information on the Spotted Lanternfly.
Fall Clean-Up – Briglia stated that she has placed the ad in the Pocono Record for fall Clean-Up on August 5 and 12.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Gonze to ratify placing of the ad for Fall Clean-Up.
Motion carried 3-0.
Citizen-of-the-Year – Konrath stated that one nomination has been received for the Layton Family.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to honor the Layton Family as Citizen-of-the-Year for 2019.
Motion carried 3-0.
Community Day – Konrath stated that Community Day would be held on September 8 and that overtime for Transue, DeWitt and the public works department would be necessary on an “as needed” basis.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to approve the overtime for the above referenced individual on an “as needed” basis for Community Day.
Motion carried 3-0.
Alpine Road Closure – Mader explained that he would need to close Alpine Road for a day or two pending on the weather to install pipes. Mader is waiting on the delivery of the pipes. The road closure would need to be advertised and posted per the Second-Class Township Code.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to close Alpine Road to install drainage pipes upon Mader receiving the pipes and notifying Briglia to advertise the closure per the Second-Class Township Code.
Motion carried 3-0.
Monroe County Tax Appeal Hearings – Briglia stated that the Monroe County Board of Assessment Revision has informed the Township of several tax assessment appeals. The tax assess appeals hearing are open to the public.
Monroe County Planning Commission-Short-Term Rental Model Ordinance – The Monroe County Planning Commission has provided a model Short-Term Rental Ordinance. Several provisions in the model Short-Term Rental Ordinance should be reviewed by the Paradise Township Planning Commission.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to forward the model Short-Term Rental Ordinance to the Paradise Township Planning Commission for review.
Motion carried 3-0.
Reports
Solicitor – Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the revisions to the Timber Harvesting Ordinance has been sent to the Office of the Attorney General for review for compliance of ACRE. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the revisions to the Timber Harvesting Ordinance should be reviewed by the Paradise Township Planning Commission and the Monroe County Planning Commission.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to forward the revisions to the Timber Harvesting Ordinance to the Paradise Township Planning Commission for review.
Motion carried 3-0.
Roadmaster – Mader summarized his report.
EAC – Konrath stated that the Board has received the minutes from the July 17 EAC meeting and asked if there were any questions. There were none.
PARC – Briglia reported that PARC met on July 25 to approve accounts payable.
Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services (PMREMS) – Gonze reported that on July 4 when Mount Airy Casino held their fireworks that PMREMS had several traffic issues including blocking the driveway, parking in the EMS parking lot, and pedestrian walking/running through the parking lot and unable to drive down Woodland Road due to parked vehicles on the road. Solicitor Prevoznik recommended that a letter be sent to Mount Airy Casino stating that the special event agreement is not being followed and that a remediation plan for future events be forwarded to the Township or that the Township may not be able to issue any further special event permits for fireworks. Briglia stated that she would draft a letter to Mount Airy Casino for Solicitor Prevoznik’s review. Gonze also reported that PMREMS would be holding their annual Regional Roundup on August 22 at Skytop Lodge. Gonze stated that the Township previously made a $1,000.00 donation to PRMEMS for the Regional Roundup.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to make a donation of $1,000.00 to PMREMS for the Regional Roundup.
Motion carried 3-0.
Mader stated that the PMREMS building needs a spring replaced on one of the garage doors and that a small leak from the air conditioning unit has been fixed.
Correspondence/Miscellaneous
Gonze asked Mader if the union members have any information for the Board regarding renewal of the Union Contract. Mader stated that he would provide the Board the union members requests.
Other Business/Public Comment
There was no further business or public comment.
Adjournment
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Gonze to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Reda Briglia, Secretary