Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes
PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 5, 2018
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 Debra Brady – Zoning Officer
Reda Briglia – Secretary-Treasurer Michael Mader – Roadmaster (Absent)
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 August 20, 2018 Board of Supervisors meeting minutes as presented.
Konrath-aye, Gonze-aye, Briglia-abstained (not present for 8/20 meeting).
Fall Clean-Up Quotes
Briglia stated that the Fall Clean-Up Quote was advertised in the Pocono Record on August 6 and 13. Briglia stated that three bidders received quote information; Palmisano Containers, Waste Management and J.P. Mascaro. Briglia stated that one quote was received from J.P. Mascaro for $30.00 per cubic yard for trash and $20.00 per cubic yard for metals. There was discussion if J.P. Mascaro was an approved waste hauler for Monroe County. Briglia stated that attached to the quote is a Monroe County Municipal Waste Management Authority 2018 Registered Waste Hauler sticker.
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Gonze to award the bid to J.P. Mascaro and that the Board of Supervisors were forewarned by the Township Solicitor that there could possibly be a problem with J. P. Mascaro being an approved waste hauler in Monroe County.
Motion carried 3-0.
Shawn Garber stated that JFR Salvage may provide dumpsters for metals at no charge to the Township. Briglia will research this for the spring clean-up.
Unfinished Business
Murray Property
The Board discussed a name for the Murray Property, a gate, parking area, playground, benches, and grill. The Board will ask the Environmental Advisory Council to suggest names for the property. The Board approved using large logs at the end of the parking area and prior to the trail to the Van Buskirk Preserve to prevent access by motorized vehicles to the back of the property and the Van Buskirk Preserve. The Lilliana Nature Discovery Area was discussed as a possible example of a natural playground. Konrath will follow up with the Monroe County Conservation District on the layout and further information on the Lilliana Nature Discovery Area. The Board agreed that if a Nature Discovery Area is installed at the property that natural type benches would be included. The Board agreed that picnic tables may be added but no grills.
New Business
October 1 Board Meeting
Konrath stated that both Gonze and Briglia are unavailable for the October 1 meeting. After discussion the Board rescheduled the October 1 Board meeting to Wednesday, October 3 at 6:00 and that no work session would be held.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to advertise the rescheduled meeting for October 3.
Motion carried 3-0.
Gary in the Morning
Briglia stated that Gary of Gary in the Morning will be hosting municipal officials on his live radio talk show at 7:00 a.m. on Thursdays to introduce themselves and their Townships. After discussion, Gonze volunteered to contact Gary to discuss a date for him to do the Gary in the Morning radio talk show.
Pa. Municipal Retirement System Minimum Municipal Obligation
Briglia stated that Act 205 of 1984, as amended, requires all municipal pension plans to inform the governing body of the municipality of the plan’s expected financial obligation for the upcoming year. Briglia stated that she has completed the 2019 Minimum Obligation Work sheet for 2019.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to approve the 2019 Minimum Obligation Worksheet showing an obligation of $55,320.00.
Motion carried 3-0.
Public Hearing – Pocono Mountain Bluestone (PMBS) Property
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Briglia to recess the regular meeting and convene the public hearing.
Motion carried 3-0.
Solicitor Prevoznik swore Briglia in. Solicitor Prevoznik had Briglia testify that the public hearing was advertised in the Pocono Record on August 29 and that the public notice was posted on the Township’s door. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the Public Notice would be Exhibit 1 and that the Pocono Record Proof of Advertisement would be Exhibit 2. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that a sign-in sheet is available for anyone wishing to be heard and would be marked as Exhibit 3. Briglia testified that the PMBS property is a 147.57 ± acre parcel located entirely in Paradise Township and that it was formerly part of a larger parcel located in Price and Paradise Township; that its unique location provides access and connectivity to other existing Paradise Township open space properties; and that the Township completed a Phase 1 Environmental Study that showed no concerns on the property. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the agreed upon purchase price is $343,043.68. Briglia testified that the purchase price was based on the average of two appraisals and is lower than the recent appraisal ordered by Paradise Township. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the public hearing was advertised to consider passing a resolution to purchase, with dedicated open space funds, 147.57± acres of vacant land located in Paradise Township to be held as Open Space. There was no public comment.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to move the three exhibits into evidence.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to close the public hearing and reconvene the regular meeting.
Motion carried 3-0.
Resolution 04-2018
Solicitor Prevoznik summarized Resolution 04-2108 (See attached).
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to adopt Resolution 04-2018 as presented.
Motion carried 3-0.
Unfinished Business (Continued)
Mt. Airy #1, LLC – Updated Matrix/Information
Konrath stated that the Township received an updated matrix on August 30 and two emails. Konrath stated that per the emails that the Mt. Airy NPDES draft permit is still under legal review and that the riparian buffer project planting would be completed in late September or early October. Solicitor Prevoznik asked approval for him to work with Jason Smith, Hanover Engineering, on reviewing the matrix.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia for Solicitor Prevoznik to work with Jason Smith regarding the updated matrix.
Motion carried 3-0.
Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he has a conference call scheduled with Jason Smith for Friday to discuss the letter previously approved by the Board to be sent to Mt. Airy #1, LLC regarding violations of their dam permit and their failure to properly regulate the dam gates to optimize water discharge conditions.
Ms. Edith Stevens was present and submitted a stream temperature chart for Forest Hills Run from August 6 to September 5. Mrs. Stevens requested that the chart be included in the letter being sent to Mt. Airy #1.
Greenway Monitoring Report
Mr. Unangst will follow-up with Jason Smith on the matrix for the Greenway Monitoring Report.
Reports
Solicitor – Solicitor Prevoznik submitted a draft license agreement for access to the Paradise Lutheran and Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Solicitor Prevoznik asked the Board to review the draft agreement and let him know if any changes are needed. Konrath will then present the agreement to the owners.
Roadmaster – Konrath summarized the Roadmaster’s report.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Konrath to approve the road crew and laborers to attend the Powell’s Annual Customer and Appreciation Show on Thursday, September 13 and that no overtime should be incurred.
Motion carried 3-0.
Gonze stated that the Pa. One Call Mapping was also on the agenda under the Roadmaster’s Report. Briglia reminded the Board that Solicitor Prevoznik was going to write a letter to Pa. One Call regarding their indemnity agreement. Briglia stated that Solicitor Prevoznik had spoken with her regarding other issues in making information available to the public. After discussion the Board agreed not to move forward with Pa. One Call mapping. Briglia will inform Mader of the Board’s decision.
Zoning Officer – Brady summarized her report. Brady also submitted an updated permit manager report showing active permits. Brady stated that the Planning Commission is making good progress on revising Chapter 160. Brady reported that the Dave Horton, Brodhead Creek Regional Authority, contacted the Township regarding the need for blasting to install the waterlines for Sanofi Pasteur. Brady has provided the Township’s ordinance regarding blasting to Dave Horton. Brady stated that Attorney McDonald cannot represent her on the enforcement action on the short-term rental.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to authorize Brady to engage an attorney for the short-term rental enforcement action, Attorney McManus is to be engaged if available and if not another qualified attorney.
Motion carried 3-0.
Gonze asked the status of the proposed fire escrow and fireworks ordinance. Brady stated that they are both being reviewed by Attorney Prevoznik. Gonze stated that there were several yard sales in the Township this past weekend (Labor Day) and asked if they had been issued permits. There was discussion on how the Supervisors would know if permits were issued. After further discussion it was agreed that the Township could place a list of permitted yard sales on the Township web page each week. Brady stated that it is a matter of education to notify residents that a permit is needed for yard sales. Briglia asked if the roads surveilled on her report was monthly or annual. Brady stated that it is monthly. Briglia asked if the junk vehicle definition was on the Planning Commission agenda. Konrath stated that the Planning Commission was to discuss and make a recommendation on the junk vehicle definition.
Engineer – Mr. Unangst stated that the Trail Monitoring Report has been received from Mt. Airy #1, LLC. Mr. Unangst stated that overall the trails are in good shape. Briglia will forward the report to the Board for review. Mr. Unangst stated that the Koerners Road Bridge has been completed and opened. Mr. Unangst reported that he has looked at the intersection at Browns Hill Road and Route 191. Mr. Unangst stated that a letter could be written to PennDOT requesting additional intersection ahead signs. The Board requested that Mr. Unangst research the cost of flashing lights for the intersection ahead signs.
Sewage Enforcement Officer – Konrath summarized the SEO report. It was noted that there are no current Discharge Monitoring Reports for Monsignor McHugh, Pocono Mountain East School District and Mt. Airy Casino and Resort.
PARC – Briglia stated that PARC did not meet in August.
Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services (PMREMS) – Gonze stated that PMREMS did not meet in August. Gonze did report that Highmark Blue Cross is considering paying for ambulance service when the patient refuses to be transported to a hospital.
Correspondence/Miscellaneous
Konrath stated that there was no correspondence/miscellaneous for tonight’s meeting.
Other Business/Public Comment
Konrath questioned if Pocono Heritage Land Trust has ever followed-up on obtaining correct addresses for their open space properties. Briglia stated that Louise Troutman,
Executive Director, is following up.
Adjournment
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Reda Briglia
Secretary