Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes
PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 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 Debra Brady – Zoning Officer
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 January 21, 2019 Board of Supervisors regular meeting minutes as presented.
Motion carried 3-0.
Work Session Items
Konrath stated that Tina Transue attended the work session at 5:00 this evening and that a succession plan for the executive secretary position was discussed.
Basic Training for Municipal Secretaries/Administrators
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to approve Tina Transue attending the Basic Training for Municipal Secretaries/Administrators on February 19 for $75.00 to be paid by the Township.
Motion carried 3-0.
Become a Notary
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath for Tina Transue to attend the First Time Notary Seminar for $359.00 to be paid by the Township.
PSATS Municipal Government Academy (PMGA)
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze for Tina Transue to enroll in the PMGA program for $75.00 to be paid by the Township.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to approve Tina Transue enrolling to attend seminars/classes as they become available up to $2,000.00 and to be ratified by the Board of Supervisors.
Motion carried 3-0.
Unfinished Business
Act 537/Update
Mr. Unangst reviewed the email from Steve Dellinger regarding updating the Act 537 Plan. Mr. Unangst reported that Todd Stires, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), has notified Steve Dellinger that the Board of Supervisors may want to wait until the final guidance is published regarding Act 26. Act 26 may include a requirement for townships’ to enact a Sewage Management Plan in order to use alternate technologies. The Board agreed to move forward with the Act 537 Plan Update. Mr. Unangst stated that Hanover Engineering would complete the mapping and prepare a draft document to submit to DEP for review.
Dirt and Gravel/Training
The Board reviewed the information on the upcoming Environmentally Sound Maintenance Trainings for Dirt and Gravel Roads. After discussion, Briglia was instructed to contact John Motz, Monroe County Conservation District, to inquire if the Roadmaster or Secretary should attend the training.
Royal Security/Camera Quote
Konrath summarized the quote from Royal Security for cameras and monitors. Konrath stated that the Township would purchase the monitors and mounting brackets. The cost without the monitors and mounting brackets is $5,069.00.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to approve the quote from Royal Security without the monitors and brackets for $5,069.00.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to approve the Township purchasing the monitors and mounting brackets up to $1,000.00
Motion carried 3-0.
New Business
Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor/Approve 2019 Rate
Briglia stated that the Zoning Hearing Board reappointed Aaron DeAngelo, Esquire, as the Zoning Hearing Board solicitor for 2019. Briglia stated that Solicitor DeAngelo’s rate for 2019 is $195.00 per hour, an increase of $10.00 per hour vs. 2018.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to approve Solicitor DeAngelo’s rate for the Zoning Hearing Board at $195.00 per hour.
Motion carried 3-0.
Monroe County Control Center/Designate Fire and EMS Providers
Konrath summarized the letter from the Monroe County Control Center requesting the Township to designate the Fire and EMS provider, if the Township chooses to do so. Konrath stated that per the letter the advantage of designating a provider is that it makes it a little easier for your residents when it comes to subscribing or joining a Fire Company or Ambulance Service.
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Gonze to appoint the Pocono Mountain Volunteer Fire Company and the Pocono Mountain Regional EMS as the providers for Paradise Township.
Motion carried 3-0.
Paradise Historical Society/Request to Waive “Roof” Rental Fee
Konrath summarized the letter from the Paradise Historical Society. Brigila stated that the Paradise Historical Society is a 501C3 and that the Township has waived the rental fee in the past.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to waive the “Roof” rental fee for the Paradise Historical Society barbeque/potluck dinner.
Motion carried 3-0.
ESSA Bank/Banking Interest Review
Briglia reviewed the banking service review prepared by ESSA Bank with their interest rates for some of the Township accounts.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to move the current PNC Bank Accounts (Detention Basin and EIT/Open Space) and the NBT Bank Accounts (Social Services and Local Service Tax) to ESSA Bank.
Motion carried 3-0.
Reports
Solicitor – Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he had no further report.
Roadmaster – Mader summarized his report. Mader also reported that PPL Utilities has contacted him regarding moving their 3-phase power lines to along Route 390 by Ice Lake. Mader stated that he has a tentative meeting with PPL Utilities on Thursday for further information.
Zoning Officer – Brady stated that the Planning Commission would be reviewing the Planning Module for the Grange Road Subdivision on February 12 and then it would come to the Board of Supervisors on February 20. Brady also reported that a Conditional Use Application has been received from Tarpon Towers II. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he has spoken with Attorney Williams regarding standing and that Attorney Williams will be providing additional documentation to establish standing. Solicitor Prevoznik recommended that the Board of Supervisors schedule the Conditional Use Hearing. The Board discussed dates for the Conditional Use Hearings.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to schedule the first public hearing for March 20 at 5:00 p.m. and a second date of March 26 at 5:00 p.m. with both hearings having a three (3) hour time limit.
Motion carried 3-0.
Brady stated that the Planning Commission has recommended enactment of revisions to Chapter 160 pertaining to Traffic Impact Studies and asked that a public hearing be scheduled.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to schedule the public hearing for Chapter 160 for April 1 at 6:30 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Gonze stated that he noticed that the ongoing surveillance of the Township is no longer on Brady’s report for last month and this month. Brady stated that she would start surveillance again. Gonze stated that he would send her a draft log sheet for her to review and use to track the surveillance of the Township.
Engineer – Mr. Unangst stated he would have a sketch for entrance security for the next Board meeting. Mr. Unangst stated that he would also have further information on the salt storage building next month. Mr. Unangst stated that he is waiting to hear from Cleveland Brothers regarding the Township generator. Mr. Unangst stated that he has called Price Brothers and that they have returned his calls but has not spoken with them regarding the Pocono Mountain Volunteer Fire Company generator.
PARC – Briglia submitted the progress report that was submitted to DCNR including a timeline for the Seven Pines Phase 1B grant. Briglia stated that the Stormwater Management Plan would be submitted to the Township Planning Commission by February 12.
Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services (PMREMS) – Gonze stated that the call volume for the region was up by approximately eleven (11%) percent. Call volume for Paradise was roughly the same as the previous year. Gonze submitted the annual audit for the Township records.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to accept the annual audit from Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services.
Motion carried 3-0.
Correspondence/Miscellaneous
Monroe County Assessment Office/Public Meetings Re: New Assessments
Konrath stated that the Monroe County Assessment Office would be holding a meeting on February 11, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pocono Mountain East High School Auditorium regarding tax reassessment notices and hearings.
Other Business/Public Comment
Brady reported that Logan Evans, Chief Pocono Mountain Volunteer Fire Company, advised her that a residence on Lower Grandview Road burned down.
Adjournment
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to adjourn the meeting at 7:09 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Reda Briglia, Secretary