Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes
PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 17, 2018
Call to Order
Chair Konrath called the meeting to order at 6:07 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 December 3, 2018 Board of Supervisors regular meeting minutes as presented.
Motion carried 3-0.
Treasurer’s Report
Briglia submitted the Treasurer’s Report.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to approve the treasurer’s report as presented.
Motion carried 3-0.
Work Session Items
Konrath stated that David Osborne and Attorney Belardi attended the work session held at 4:00 this evening. Mr. Osborne stated that the Operations and Maintenance Plan and the revised Greenway Monitoring Report would be sent to the Township and Jason Smith at Hanover Engineering by January 7, 2019.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to place Mt. Airy #1, LLC on the agenda for January 21 to review the Operations and Maintenance Plan and the revised Greenway Monitoring Report.
Motion carried 3-0.
Unfinished Business
2019 Budget
Konrath stated that the 2019 budget has been completed, advertised, and available for review as required by the second-class township code. It was noted that the Board of Supervisors extended the time for public review of the Budget an additional fourteen (14) days from what is required by law.
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Gonze to adopt the proposed 2019 budget.
Gonze stated that the general fund budget shows a small carry-over and that there was no tax increase.
Motion carried 3-0.
New Business
NPDES Workshop
Brady stated that she is interested in attending the NPDES Workshop scheduled for February 5 and 6 at Northampton Community College Monroe Campus. Brady stated that both workshops are the same and presented the agenda to the Board.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to approve Brady attending one of the NPDES Workshop and for the Township to pay the $40.00 registration fee.
Motion carried 3-0.
Generator
Konrath stated that Cleveland Brothers submitted a quote to repair the Olympian 35KW Generator for $11,895.00 without an emergency standby generator and $14,066.00 with a standby generator. The quote was obtained due to the generator using oil. Mr. Unangst stated that he did some research on generators and that there usually is a rebuild schedule. After further discussion the Board agreed that Mr. Unangst should review the problems with the generator with Michael Mader before moving forward with any repairs. Solicitor Prevoznik reminded the Board that any work over the $10,900.00 limit requires three quotes.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze for Mr. Unangst to work with Michael Mader on the repairs recommended by Cleveland Brothers.
Motion carried 3-0.
Reda Briglia-Vacation Hours
Konrath stated that Briglia has requested to carry-over 15 hours of vacation time over the 40 hours permitted due to extenuating circumstances.
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Gonze to approve Briglia’s request to carry-over 15 additional vacation hours based on the set of circumstance confronted by the Township until April 30 of 2019.
Konrath-aye, Gonze-aye, Briglia-abstained.
Public Hearing Proposed Ordinance 256
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to recess the regular meeting and open the public hearing for proposed Ordinance 256 at 6:30 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Proposed Chapter 1 – Definitions
Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the purpose of Ordinance #256 is to add the definition for “Display Fireworks”. Solicitor Prevoznik summarized the advertised public notice for proposed Ordinance #256 (See Exhibit 1). Solicitor Prevoznik called Debra Brady to testify. Brady submitted the following Exhibits:
T-1 – Proposed Ordinance #256
T-2 – Public Notice
T-3 – Proof of Public Notice from Pocono Record
T-4 – Paradise Township Planning Commission Comments dated October 9, 2018
T-5 – Monroe County Planning Commission courtesy review dated December 17, 2018
T-6 – Memo stating that the proposed ordinance was delivered to the Monroe County Planning Commission, Monroe County Law Library, Pocono Record, and posted at the municipal building.
T-7 – Sign-in Sheet
Solicitor Prevoznik asked if the Board had any questions. The Board had no questions. Solicitor Prevoznik asked if any member of the public wished to discuss the Ordinance. No one participated or signed the sign-in sheet.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to move Exhibits 1 – 7 into the record. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to close the public hearing and reconvene the regular meeting at 6:33 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to adopt Ordinance #2567 as advertised.
Motion carried 3-0.
New Business (Continued)
Pocono Rug
Konrath stated that a quote was received from Pocono Rug to install a new carpet and wall base in the front office for $691.46.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to approve the quote from Pocono Rug for $691.46.
Motion carried 3-0.
Act 537 Plan
Konrath stated that an email was received from Nathan Staruch, Monroe County Planning Commission, stating that the only municipality that mandates septic pumping in Monroe County is Pocono Township. Mr. Unangst stated that Coolbaugh Township has also updated their Act 537 Plan to include mandated septic pumping. Briglia stated that she would recommend updating the Township’s Act 537 Plan without mandating septic pumping.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to notify Steve Dellinger, Hanover Engineering, to move forward with updating the Township’s Act 537 Plan without mandating septic pumping.
Motion carried 3-0.
Reports
Solicitor – Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he had forwarded a draft letter to be sent to PennFuture to the Board of Supervisors for review. The Board agreed that the letter was fine and asked Solicitor Prevoznik to finalize the letter for signature by Chair Konrath.
EAC/Open Space – Konrath stated that the December meeting had been cancelled.
Engineer – Mr. Unangst stated that he met with Logan Evans regarding the requirements for a generator at the Pocono Mountain Volunteer Fire Station.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath for Mt. Unangst to continue to work with Logan Evans on the requirements for a generator at the Pocono Mountain Volunteer Fire Station on Route 191.
Motion carried 3-0.
Mr. Unangst submitted a draft map of the location of the radar speed signs for route 191. Mr. Unangst stated that Hanover Engineering would be doing a site visit to the proposed sites for additional information.
Mr. Unangst also reported that Hanover Engineering would be working on the location of the new salt storage building at the beginning of next year.
Mr. Unangst submitted a copy of the letter sent to McMahon Associates regarding the inspection report for the Koerners Road Bridge.
Public Hearing Proposed Ordinance 257
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to recess the regular meeting and open the public hearing for proposed Ordinance 257 at 6:46 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Proposed Chapter 64 – Fireworks
Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the purpose of Ordinance #257 is to replace Chapter 64 to provide standards for the discharge of Display Fireworks and Consumer Fireworks in accordance of Act 43 of 2017. Solicitor Prevoznik summarized the advertised public notice for proposed Ordinance #257 (See Exhibit 2). Solicitor Prevoznik called Debra Brady to testify. Brady submitted the following Exhibits:
T-1 – Proposed Ordinance #257
T-2 – Public Notice
T-3 – Proof of Public Notice from Pocono Record
T-4 – Paradise Township Planning Commission Comments dated November 13, 2018
T-5 – Monroe County Planning Commission courtesy review dated November 7, 2018
T-6 – Memo stating that the proposed ordinance was delivered to the Monroe County Planning Commission, Monroe County Law Library, Pocono Record, and posted at the municipal building.
T-7 – Sign-in Sheet
Solicitor Prevoznik asked if the Board had any questions. The Board had no questions. Solicitor Prevoznik asked if any member of the public wished to discuss the Ordinance. No one participated or signed the sign-in sheet. Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to move Exhibits 1 – 7 into the record. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to close the public hearing and reconvene the regular meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to adopt Ordinance #257 as advertised.
Motion carried 3-0.
Correspondence/Miscellaneous
J. Osipowicz – Request to Waive Penalty on Real Estate Taxes
Briglia stated that a letter was received from J. Osipowicz requesting the Township to waive the penalty for the real estate tax. The Board agreed that the amount for the Township would be deminimus and did not agree to waive the penalty as it would also set a precedent for future requests. Briglia was instructed to write a letter to J. Osipowicz stating the same.
Pocono Mountain Council of Governments
Briglia stated that an email was received today from Michael Dwyer, President PMCG, that a special meeting would be held on January 3 2019 at the Monroe County Control Center at 9:00 a.m. to discuss enhancing security at township buildings. Gonze stated that he would attend. The Board also discussed setting up a meeting with Kevin Transue, Charles Unangst and others to discuss security at the Paradise Township Municipal Building.
Other Business/Public Comment
Route 191 Tunnel Bridge Closing
Shawn Garber questioned when Route 191 would be closed for the Stites Tunnel Bridge repairs. Mr. Unangst stated that the last report was that it would be closed in March.
Adjournment
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to adjourn the meeting at 7:07 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Reda Briglia
Secretary