Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes
PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 4, 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 Charles Unangst – Engineer
Reda Briglia – Supervisor Michael Mader – Roadmaster
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.
Executive Session
Konrath announced that an executive session was held at 5:30 to discuss municipal building security. Kevin Transue, EMC, and Charles Unangst were invited to the executive session.
Approval of Minutes
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to approve the February 4, 2019 Board of Supervisors regular meeting minutes as presented.
Motion carried 3-0.
Treasurer’s Report
Briglia submitted the Treasurer’s Report dated February 20, 2019.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to ratify the treasurer’s report as presented.
Motion carried 3-0.
Planning Commission Items
Grange Road Subdivision
Sue Kandil, P.E. from Penn Technology was present for the Grange Road Subdivision. Ms. Kandil presented the Grange Road Subdivision Plan. Ms. Kandil explained that the purpose of the plan is to subdivide the existing 34.60 acre tract into two lots. Lot 1 having 18.63 acres and Lot 2 having 14.82 acres and that the remainder area of the overall tracts boundary is made up of the Right-of-Way of Grange Road. Ms. Kandil stated that two waivers from SALDO have been requested and recommended by the Paradise Planning Commission. Ms. Kandil stated that the waivers are listed on the Subdivision Plan. Ms. Kandil stated that the Component 1 for the Sewage Facilities Planning Module has been prepared stating that a waiver from sewage facilities planning is requested for the residual tract associated with this project. Mr. Unangst confirmed that the waivers from SALDO and Sewage Facilities Planning Module are shown on the Subdivision Plan.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to approve the waiver for SALDO Section 131-38.A requesting approval to draw the plan at a scale of 1” = 100’ instead of 1” = 50’.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to approve the waiver for SALDO Section 131-38.A(7) requesting that the minor subdivision be approved without the delineation of existing wetlands.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to approve Component 1 for the Sewage Facilities Planning Module as noted on the Grange Road Subdivision Plan contingent on the proper boxes being checked on Part J of the Planning Module as being acceptable to the Planning Commission and Zoning Officer.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to approve the Grange Road Subdivision Plan as presented based on the Planning Commission and the Township’s Engineer recommendations that all items have been addressed per Hanover Engineering’s letter dated February 18, 2019 and Solicitor McManus’s letter dated January 4, 2019.
Motion carried 3-0.
Unfinished Business
Notary Class/Ratify increase for Transue’s Notary Class from $359.00 to $378.00
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to ratify the increase for Transue’s notary class from $359.00 (previously approved) to $378.00.
Motion carried 3-0.
Dirt and Gravel/Training
Briglia stated that Mike Mader and she met with John Motz from the Monroe County Conservation District to discuss the Pa. Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road Program. Briglia explained that in order to be eligible for the grants through this program that a two-day seminar and certification is required. After discussion, the Board agreed not to attend the certification program.
New Business
Seven Pines Park Phase 1B Stormwater/Request to Waive Fees
Briglia stated that Linder Engineering has submitted the Seven Pines Park Phase 1B Stormwater Plan for review by the Township. Briglia asked that the fee be waived as it is being submitted on behalf of the Township for Phase 1B of Seven Pines Park in which the Township has received a DCNR grant.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to waive the fee for the Seven Pines Park Phase 1B Stormwater Plan.
Motion carried 3-0.
PPL Electric Utilities
Mader stated that he had met with Ron Borger, PPL Electric Utilities Right-of-Way Agent, at Ice Lake and reviewed the flagging. The Board reviewed the grant of right-of-way provided by PPL Electric Utilities. There was discussion that the right-of-way has no metes and bounds and that it is very generic. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the right-of-way plan as submitted includes the right of ingress and egress, the right to cut down any and all trees within twenty-five (25) feet each side of centerline, the right to permit the attachment of wires and cables of any other person or company to said poles, and that any poles erected along a highway, whether within or outside the highway lines may be relocated to conform to new or relocated highway limits. Solicitor Prevoznik further stated that the plan attached to the proposed easements were not specifically descriptive enough to allow the Township to understand the effect of the grants of rights requested in the easement. After further discussion the Board agreed that PPL Electric Utilities need to provide a more definitive easement and possibly extinguish any existing easements on the property. Briglia stated that she would contact Ron Borger for a more definitive easement.
Monroe County Public Safety Center/Meeting on March 8 at 10:00 a.m.
Briglia stated that Kevin Transue, EMC, and herself would be meeting with Lynda from the Monroe County Public Safety Center to discuss the Emergency Operations Plan on Friday, March 8 at 10:00 a.m.
CoStars – Salt Contract/Discussion
Mader stated that he would like to participate in the CoStars Statewide Contract for sodium chloride (road salt) for the August 2019 – July 2020 Season. Mader explained that Pocono Mountain Council of Governments had to bid the road salt twice this year to receive any quotes and that the price through the PMCOG was higher than CoStars.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to participate in the CoStars State Wide Contract for sodium chloride as well as through PMCOG.
Motion carried 3-0.
Reports
Solicitor – Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the Township has received the draft wireless communication facilities ordinance from Cohen Law Group. Solicitor Prevoznik requested approval to review the draft ordinance with Solicitor McManus.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze for Solicitor Prevoznik to review the draft ordinance with Solicitor McManus.
Motion carried 3-0.
Roadmaster – Mader summarized his report. Mader presented two quotes for approval. Hunter Pocono Peterbilt quote through CoStars for a 2019 Peterbilt Model 348 truck for $93,880.00 and E. M. Kutz, Inc. quote through CoStars for the body, snow plow and hitch, spreader, hydraulics, lighting, and miscellaneous for $76,37.00.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to approve purchasing the 2019 Peterbilt Model 348 truck from Hunter Pocono Peterbilt through CoStars for $93,880.00.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to approve purchasing the snow plow and hitch, spreader, hydraulics, lighting, and miscellaneous from E. M. Kutz, Inc. through CoStars for $76,375.00.
Motion carried 3-0.
Gonze inquired if a truck would be traded or sold. Mader confirmed that Deiter’s truck would be sold.
Mader stated that he met with Suburban Propane at the EMS Building and that the system is working fine. Gonze will continue to work with EMS personnel on what appears to be high usage of the propane.
Zoning Officer – Brady was not present. The Board reviewed the report.
Engineer – Mr. Unangst submitted the quote from Cleveland Brothers to replace the H100 generator controller for $3,755.00.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to approve the quote from Cleveland Brothers to replace the H100 generator controller for $3,755.00.
Motion carried 3-0.
Mr. Unangst submitted drawings for the new salt storage building. Mr. Unangst asked for the Township to pull the previous salt storage building bid documents for information on siding and roof materials and color. Mr. Unangst stated that he met with Konrath, Logan Evans, and Price Brothers Electric at the Pocono Mountain Volunteer Fire Company to discuss the generator. Price Brothers Electric is recommending an 80 K watt diesel generator. Briglia was instructed to look into purchasing the generator through CoStars.
EAC/Open Space
Konrath stated that the EAC/Open Space would be meeting tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.
PARC – Briglia stated that PARC met on February 28.
Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services (PMREMS) – Gonze stated that he attended the finance committee meeting and that PMREMS has added depreciation to their financial reports. Gonze also reported that PMREMS would be starting transports on March 13 for three days a week and the projected profit for transports will be $75,000.00 to $100,000.00 annually.
Correspondence/Miscellaneous
Barrett Township Zoning Hearing Board/Variance Request
Konrath stated that the Barrett Township Zoning Hearing Board would be meeting on Tuesday, March 5 at 6:00 p.m. to consider a variance application seeking relief from the fifty (50’) foot lot line setback requirement for a property located at Route 390 Cresco, PA for an outdoor recreation facility.
Other Business/Public Comment
Briglia stated that the longevity bonuses for the employees were paid in December. Briglia stated that the longevity bonuses are included in the union contract but that Brady and she should have had the Board’s approval.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to ratify the longevity bonuses paid to
Brady and Briglia for 2018.
Konrath-aye, Gonze-aye, Briglia-abstained.
Executive Session
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to recess the regular meeting and go into an executive session at 7:46 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to reconvene the regular meeting at 8:08 p.m. Konrath stated that personnel issues were discussed and no decisions were made.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to accept the notice of retirement from Debra Brady with regrets.
Motion carried 3-0.
Adjournment
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Reda Briglia
Secretary