Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes
PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 9, 2020
Call to Order
Chair Konrath called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Roll Call
Officials Present:
Gary Konrath – Chair John C. Prevoznik – Solicitor
Peter Gonze – Vice Chair Charles Unangst – Engineer
Reda Briglia – Supervisor 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.”
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 Briglia to approve the August 17, 2020 Board of Supervisors regular meeting minutes as presented.
Motion carried 3-0.
Bid Proposal
Fall Clean-up – Transue stated that the fall clean-up bid was advertised in the Pocono Record on August 13 and 18. Transue stated that the only bid received was from JP Mascaro. The bid was for $37.50 per cubic yard for trash containers and $27.50 per cubic yard for metal containers. The Fall Clean-Up is scheduled for October 5-10, 2020.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to accept the bid from JP Mascaro for $37.50 per cubic yard for trash containers and $27.50 per cubic yard for metal containers.
Motion carried 3-0.
Unfinished Business
RGC Development/.50 Acres on Montenesca Rd – Konrath stated that he and Roadmaster Mader went to look at the location of the property in question and determined that the Township would not have a use for this piece of property. RGC Development was present at the August 17, 2020 meeting via GoToMeeting to offer to turn the property over to the Township as they no longer had use for the .50 acres parcel due to discontinuation of a housing development.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to decline the turnback of the .50 acres piece of property owned by RGC Development on Montenesca Road and to notify RGC Development of that decision.
Motion carried 3-0.
New Business
Juergens/Stormwater Waiver Request – Sara Bue-Morris, Bue-Morris Associates was in attendance on behalf of Albert and Gisela Juergens, who were also present. Ms. Bue-Morris requested a waiver from the entire Stormwater Management requirements of the Township. Ms. Bue-Morris proceeded to present information and documents to the Board in support of her request. After discussion, Solicitor Prevoznik noted that pursuant to his discussion with Attorney Wolfe, the Juergens were supposed to be working with the Township Engineer to minimize the number of waivers which they are requesting. It was the Township’s position that the Juergens were not entitled to obtain a waiver of the entire Stormwater Management requirement based upon the presentation made. Rather, it was suggested that the Juergens should table their request and return to the Board of Supervisors with a plan which seeks the minimum amount of waivers possible in order to construct a building on their property. Charles Unangst discussed his observations of the plans, including several inconsistencies, which were readily apparent without a thorough review.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to table discussion of the Juergen’s waiver request to the Paradise Township Stormwater Management requirements.
Motion carried 3-0.
Janine & Trevor Sopko/Zoning District Change – Residents Janine and Trevor Sopko were in attendance to discuss with the Board the possibility of having their property rezoned from R1 to B1 district. Mr. Sopko explained that he lived on Route 390 and would like to have an automotive repair shop at his residence however it is zoned R1 and automotive repair shops are prohibited in that zoning district. Mr. Sopko explained that his residence is approximately 1000’ outside of a current business district. Mr. Sopko distributed a letter stating their intentions on having their property and perhaps surrounding properties redistricted to B1. Mrs. Sopko explained that her husband took the same letter to his neighbors notifying them of his intentions and had copies of the letters with the neighbor’s signature in support of his request. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that it appeared that the Sopko’s were seeking a Zoning Map amendment. If that is what the Sopko’s were seeking to obtain, Solicitor Prevoznik noted that such a change would require the Sopko’s to go in front of the Planning Commission to seek a recommendation for that Zoning Map change. The Planning Commission would review and make a determination as to whether such a change was warranted and if it met the goals of the Comprehensive Plan. Once a recommendation is made by the Planning Commission, it would be up to the Supervisors to decide the issue after public hearing.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to refer the Sopko’s request to rezone their property from a R1 to a B1 district to the Planning Commission for evaluation on whether the request conforms with the Comprehensive Plan and also to have the Planning Commission look at redistricting Woodland Road and Route 715 as discussed in the past as part of the Comprehensive Plan.
Motion carried 3-0.
Ski Haven Lake Estates/Update from Board President – Cody Mossino, Board President was in attendance to update the Board on the progress made with repairing/replacing the dilapidated bridge leading into the Ski Haven Lake Estates Development. Mr. Mossino explained that LaBella Engineering was out in 2019 to examine the bridge and stated that one lane of the bridge was safe to traverse up to 30 tons. Mr. Mossino stated that they are moving forward with the process of having the bridge repaired/replaced. Mr. Mossino explained that they had to assess the home owners for the additional funds to go forward.
Gonze asked Mr. Mossino to furnish a copy of the report done by LaBella Engineering to the Township.
Gonzalez Letter/Route 191/Browns Hill Intersection – The Board discussed a letter received by the Township that was addressed to Senator Scavello, Senator Blake, and Representative Madden referencing the Route 191 and Browns Hill intersection. The Board discussed the status of the Traffic Calming devices to be installed on either side of that intersection. Mr. Unangst stated that they received one review back from PennDOT that stated the devices should be pushed back off the road further which would put them on private property and easements are needed to go ahead with installation. Solicitor Prevoznik is drafting the easements for three property owners. Solicitor Prevoznik suggested sending a letter to the Township’s insurance company for their input on the intersection as to whether a traffic light would be necessary for that intersection. The Board discussed that the Browns Hill Road intersection is the only ingress/egress for the Timber Hill Community due to the closing of the now defunct ingress/egress bridge that was accessible through Price Township. Briglia stated that a letter should be sent to Gonzalez once a response from the insurance company has been received and also state that the traffic calming devices will be installed in the near future. Briglia also stated that a traffic count should be done for that intersection.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to send a copy of the letter to the Township’s insurance carrier.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to have Solicitor Prevoznik send a letter to Price Township regarding the bridge located in Price Township as ingress/egress for the Timber Hill Community.
Motion carried 3-0.
Devils Hole Rd Culvert at Tank Creek/Discuss – Mr. Unangst explained the report dated August 21, 2020 discussing the review of the Devils Hole Rd Culvert at Tank Creek. Mr. Unangst will contact a contractor to get an estimate for replacing the culvert to be considered for the 2021 Budget year.
Friendly Community Center/Request for Remaining Appropriation – Konrath stated that the Friendly Community Center was requesting the remaining appropriation for the 2020 budget year in the amount of $1,970.00.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to release the remaining appropriation for the 2020 budget year of $1,970.00.
Motion carried 3-0.
Halloween Party – The Board discussed canceling the Halloween Party scheduled for October 24 due to social distancing concerns.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to cancel the 2020 Halloween Party scheduled for October 24, 2020 due to social distancing concerns.
Motion carried 3-0.
Planning Commission Items
Fowl and Small Animal Ordinance – The Board discussed the draft Fowl and Animal Game Ordinance drafted by Solicitor Prevoznik.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to forward the draft Fowl and Small Animal Ordinance to the Planning Commission for review.
Motion carried 3-0.
Junk and Abandoned Motor Vehicle Ordinance – The Board discussed the draft Junk and Abandoned Motor Vehicle Ordinance drafted by Solicitor Prevoznik.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to forward the draft Junk and Abandoned Motor Vehicle Ordinance to the Planning Commission for review.
Motion carried 3-0.
Outdoor Lighting Ordinance – The Board discussed the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance recommended to the Board by the Planning Commission from the September 8 Planning Commission meeting. The Board will revisit the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance at a future meeting when they have had more time to review the ordinance.
Wireless Ordinance – The Board discussed the Wireless Ordinance recommended to the Board by the Planning Commission from the September 8 Planning Commission meeting. The Board will revisit the Wireless Ordinance at a future meeting when they have had more time to review the ordinance. The Board discussed having Cohen Law Group format the ordinance once it has been approved by the Board. Solicitor Prevoznik suggested having Cohen Law Group also write the ad for a public hearing if the ordinance is adopted.
Reports
Solicitor - Solicitor Prevoznik stated that Seven Pines Park project went out to bid. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he was to review the bid documents by Linder Engineering.
Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he drafted the easements for the 3 properties involved in the Traffic Calming Device placement along Route 191 in the area of the Browns Hill Intersection.
Roadmaster – Konrath summarized the roadmaster’s report.
Engineer – Mr. Unangst stated that he had no further reports.
EAC – Did not meet.
PARC – Did not meet.
Correspondence/Miscellaneous
Paradise Streams/Reassessment Results – Konrath stated that the Township received notification that Paradise Streams appealed their reassessment and their assessed value was lowered collectively from $1,097,460.00 to $386,640.00. The Board discussed tax revenue for the upcoming Budget year of 2021.
Budget Work Session/Dates – The Board discussed dates for the Budget Work Sessions. The Board selected October 13, 14, and 21 at 9:30 a.m.
Other Business/Public Comment
Konrath stated that the Township received in the mail an anonymous letter complaining about an Air B&B in Swiftwater on Upper Swiftwater Road. The property in question is being addressed by Zoning Officer Shawn McGlynn regardinge complaints from neighbors.
Adjournment
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina Transue
Secretary