Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes
PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 20, 2018
Call to Order
Chair Konrath called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Roll Call
Officials Present:
Gary Konrath – Chair John C. Prevoznik – Solicitor
Peter Gonze – Vice Chair Charles Unangst – Engineer
Reda Briglia – Supervisor (Absent) Debra Brady – Zoning Officer
Tina Transue - Secretary
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 Aug 6, 2018 Board of Supervisors regular meeting minutes as presented.
Motion carried 2-0.
Treasurer’s Report
Transue submitted the Treasurer’s Report.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to approve the treasurer’s report as presented.
Motion carried 2-0.
Unfinished Business
Murray Property/Gate, Wetlands, Kiosk and Sign
Konrath stated the Township purchased the Murray property last week and questioned whether the Township wanted to install a kiosk and if there would be a gate put on the property. Konrath stated the EAC showed interest in putting a “Pocket Park” at this property but no decisions have been made. Konrath stated he would prefer to table any decisions on this property until Briglia was present at the next meeting. Mrs. Edith Stevens asked where the gate would be located if one was installed. Konrath stated no decision has been reached yet regarding the placement of a gate but it would most likely be set back from the front of the property.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to table the discussion on the Murray Property until the next meeting.
Motion carried 2-0.
Mt. Airy #1, LLC/Stream Data and Report
Konrath referenced an email from Jason Smith stating that Mt. Airy #1 LLC’s stream data report for July 2018 showed that stream flow dropped below the required stream flow for nine days in July. There was discussion on Mt. Airy #1 LLC’s actions that may have contributed to low flow stream and what could be done in the future to correct this situation. Gonze suggested that a letter should be sent to Mt. Airy #1, LLC stating that they must follow the parameters of their permit. Mrs. Edith Stevens asked questions regarding the stream temperature exceeding 66 degrees and how this issued would be addressed. A discussion ensued on this subject. Konrath stated that they would invite Jason Smith and Dr. Browne to a future meeting to discuss ways to correct the temperature and stream flow issues. Konrath stated he would notify Mrs. Edith Stevens of the date of the meeting that Jason Smith and Dr. Browne would be attending. Gonze and Konrath asked Solicitor Prevoznik to work with Jason Smith on drafting a letter to Mt. Airy #1, LLC regarding violations of it’s dam and their failure to properly regulate the dam gates to optimize water discharge conditions. Solicitor Prevoznik is to also send a copy of the letter to PA DEP and PA Fish and Boat Commission.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to have Solicitor Prevoznik send a letter to Mt. Airy #1, LLC with copies sent to PA Fish and Boat Commission, DEP, Brodhead Watershed Association and Pennfuture.
Motion carried 2-0.
New Business
Pocono Mtn. Bluestone/Ratify Public Hearing Ad
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to ratify the placement of the advertisement for the public hearing on the purchase of open space on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
Motion carried 2-0.
Public Hearing-Proposed Ordinance 252
Motion: Gonze moved seconded by Konrath to recess the regular meeting and convene the public hearing.
Motion carried 2-0.
Konrath stated that the public hearing was for proposed Ordinance 252 to reduce the speed limit on Timber Hill Rd and Station Hill Rd as requested by Timber Hill Community Association. Solicitor Prevoznik stated the public hearing was to pass the proposed Ordinance 252 to amend Chapter 142 Vehicles and Traffic that was advertised in the Pocono Record. Solicitor Prevoznik explained the purpose of the ordinance was to lower the speed limit on Timber Hill Rd and Station Hill Rd from 35 m.p.h. to 25 m.p.h. Solicitor Prevoznik called on Debra Brady, Zoning Officer of Paradise Township to explain the procedure she went through leading up to the public hearing. Brady stated that the Board of Supervisors received a request from the Timber Hill Community Association on December 4th of 2017 to have the speed limits lowered on Timber Hill Rd and Station Hill Rd. Brady presented a copy of the letter received from THCA (see exhibit 1). Brady presented a copy of Ordinance 252 (see exhibit 2) she wrote to accomplish reducing the speed limit which she then forwarded to the Paradise Township Planning Commission for the recommendation for enactment on July 10, 2018. The Planning Commission voted unanimously for enactment. Brady presented a letter from the Monroe County Planning Commission (see exhibit 3) stating they had no comment regarding the passing of this ordinance. Brady presented the Notice of Public Hearing (see exhibit 4). Brady presented Ordinance 252 (see exhibit 5). Brady presented a copy of the Proof of Publication received from Pocono Record for publication dates of Aug. 5 and Aug. 12 (see exhibit 6). Brady stated the Notice of Public Hearing was also posted at the Paradise Township building and that copies of the ordinance were taken to the Monroe County Law Library and to Pocono Record. Solicitor Prevoznik made an announcement that anyone interested could put their name and address on a sign in sheet (see exhibit 7) if they wish to participate in the discussion on Ordinance 252. No one from the public participated in the discussion.
Motion: Gonze moved seconded by Konrath to move the exhibits in to the record.
Motion carried 2-0.
Motion: Gonze moved seconded by Konrath to close the hearing and move back into the regular meeting.
Motion carried 2-0.
Motion: Gonze moved seconded by Konrath to adopt Ordinance 252 as advertised.
Motion carried 2-0.
Monroe County Control Center/Barrett Request for Space on Radio Tower
The Board discussed the request from Barrett Township to use the radio frequency currently used by Paradise Township on the Radio Tower located at Monsignor McHugh. The Board determined that they would need to know whether that would interfere with Paradise Township’s use of the frequency and if there would be additional equipment needed to be installed. The Board stated they would need more information to move forward with this request. Konrath stated he would contact Paradise Township’s Roadmaster Michael Mader to have him address these questions with Barrett Township’s Roadmaster before approaching Monsignor McHugh for their approval.
No action was taken.
Planning Commission Items
Short Term Rentals
Brady summarized issues that she is having with two properties on Williams Road that are being used as short term rentals. Jamie Schisler and Paul Parino who reside on Williams Road discussed their concerns about the disruptions in the neighborhood due to the short term rental properties.
Reports
Solicitor – Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he had items for an executive session. Solicitor Prevoznik stated he would need the file for the old church cemetery in Paradise in order to draft a licensing agreement.
EAC/Open Space – Konrath stated that the EAC did not have a quorum for their August 9th meeting so the meeting was canceled.
Engineer – Mr. Unangst reported on the progress being made on the Koerners Road Bridge. Mr. Unangst asked if contact was made with Pocono Mountain School District in reference to Koerners Road still being closed coinciding with the start of the school year on August 27. Mr. Unangst stated that he would ask Briglia to contact Monroe County to get 15 minute increment data instead of the hourly increments previously given on the traffic study that was done on the intersection of Route 191 and Route 940.
New Business (Continued)
Community Day Overtime – There was a discussion on approving overtime for employees participating in Community Day. Transue, Deiter and 2 Public Works employees will be needed.
Motion: Gonze moved seconded by Konrath to approve overtime for Transue and Deiter for the hours required and 2 employees for 2 hours per each employee to set up and clean up on Community Day.
Correspondence/Miscellaneous
Gonze stated he was contacted by Russ Horn regarding confusion due to similar road names in Paradise Township and Buck Hill Falls. Mr. Horn was concerned that the similar road names would be confusing to ambulance corps responding to a call. Gonze stated he contacted EMS and the call center and discovered that when a call goes out to the ambulance corps it is required to state what municipality it is in so there should be no confusion. No further action needs to be taken.
Other Business/Public Comment
Konrath stated the Township was looking into writing a grant to alter the Browns Hill Rd intersection and asked Mr. Unangst to look into a short term solution for signage to make motorist aware of the upcoming intersection.
Executive Session
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to recess the regular meeting and go into an executive session.
Motion carried 2-0.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to reconvene the regular meeting at 7:35 p.m. Konrath stated that real estate and personnel issues were discussed in executive session and that no decisions were made.
Motion carried 2-0.
Adjournment
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to adjourn the meeting at 7:37 p.m.
Motion carried 2-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina Transue
Secretary