Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes
PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 19, 2020
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 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 October 5, 2020 Board of Supervisors regular meeting minutes as presented.
Motion carried 3-0.
Treasurer’s Report
Transue read the Treasurer’s Report.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to approve the October 19 Treasurer’s Report.
Motion carried 3-0.
Unfinished Business
Juergens/Stormwater Waiver Request – Attorney Wolfe and Sara Bue-Morris, Bue-Morris Associates was in attendance on behalf of Albert Juergens, who was also present. Attorney Wolfe stated that Ms. Bue-Morris previously submitted a letter dated September 23, 2020 requesting a waiver from certain sections of the Stormwater Management Ordinance. Attorney Wolfe also stated that the Township’s Engineer Charles Unangst reviewed the request and sent the Board a review letter. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he spoke with Attorney Wolfe and if everything was in order the Board could approve the drafting of a Stormwater Management Agreement that would carry the details and provisions as agreed upon. The Stormwater Agreement would then be forwarded to the Zoning Hearing Board for consideration in the upcoming continuation of the Zoning Hearing Board hearing on October 29, 2020. Mr. Unangst summarized his letter to the Board and stated that based on the minimal post construction stormwater runoff and installation of the proposed stormwater improvements, the Hanover Engineering office does not object to granting the requested waivers. The Board discussed the details of the Stormwater Plan.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to draft a Stormwater Management Agreement in accordance with the Township Engineer’s review letter dated October 19, 2020 and to submit the agreement as a joint exhibit to the Zoning Hearing Board with the understanding that if the variances are granted that the Township would execute the agreement.
Motion carried 3-0.
Other Business/Public Comment
LTS Homes/Special Exception for Sewer Permits – Steven Argen was present on behalf of LTS Homes to discuss a special exception for a sewer permit needed for a home it was building on Lot 37, Henryville Acres which is located in the wellhead protection Zone 3. LTS Homes stated that it was proposing to build approximately 12 homes in the Township and was looking to streamline the sewage permit process as to not need a special exception for each property. LTS pointed out that no specific criteria for a special exception exists under the Ordinance. Konrath stated that the Board would need time to look into the issues raised as the Township Supervisors did not have time to conduct research into this issue prior to the meeting. Konrath stated that he would talk to the Zoning Officer Shawn McGlynn and the SEO Jake Schray for background on this issue. Solicitor Prevoznik suggested that Mr. Argen bring his concerns to the Planning Commission.
Unfinished Business (Continued)
Richard Mosher/Executive Secretary/Price Twp./Response to Letter Regarding Timber Hill Egress - Konrath stated that he was contacted by Richard Mosher, Price Township Executive Secretary, regarding the letter sent to Price Township about a secondary entrance and exit from the Timber Hill Community. Konrath stated that Mr. Mosher explained that the road and bridge leading into and out of the Timber Hill Community was a privately owned road and bridge. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he was contacted by Attorney Corveleyn, Price Township Solicitor. Mr. Corveleyn stated that he would be forwarding a letter explaining that the road and bridge are privately owned therefore Price Township accepts no responsibility to make any improvements to the road and bridge in order to provide a secondary access to the Timber Hill Community.
Clean Up/Road Crew Overtime – Konrath stated that the Board overlooked approving overtime for the Road Crew for the Fall Clean Up when the Clean Up quote was approved.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to ratify the Road Crew overtime wages associated with Fall Clean UP.
Motion carried 3-0.
Clean Up/Procedure Changes – The Board discussed making some changes in the Clean Up process. Gonze stated that there have been issues arising from Clean Up such as residents who may not qualify for senior pickup calling to be put on the list, residents bringing in multiple loads, business/commercial refuse brought in (which is stated in the newsletter as not allowed), Paradise seniors calling after the deadline for senior pickup, and non-residents bringing in refuse. The Board acknowledged that the cost of providing clean up service has continued to increase over the last few years. Quote prices have also been hampered by the fact that the Township is only receiving one quote per Clean Up from haulers. The Board discussed possible solutions to the issues raised. The Board will meet with the Road Crew for their input on changes that need to be made and revisit this issue before the next Clean Up.
New Business
Friendly Community Center/Appropriation Request – Konrath stated that The Friendly Community Center sent a letter requesting that their yearly appropriation be raised from $7,500.00 to $9,000.00. Briglia stated that at a 2021 Budget Work Session the Board budgeted $7,500.00 for the 2021 appropriation.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to send a letter to The Friendly Community Center stating that the 2021 appropriation will be $7,500.00 stating that due to the Township being unsure of the toll the COVID-19 Pandemic will take on our incoming revenues and also to inquire what Barrett Township gives to The Friendly Community Center as a yearly appropriation.
Motion carried 3-0.
Open Space/Reimbursement – The Board discussed the reimbursement from the Open Space account to the General Fund for dedicated Open Space expenses. The reimbursement would include such expenses as payroll expenses, equipment expenses, the installation of two kiosks on Open Space properties, as well as other miscellaneous expenses expended solely in connection with Open Space properties.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to approve the reimbursement of Open Space expenses from the Open Space Fund to the General Fund as prepared by the Township Secretary/Treasurer.
Motion carried 3-0.
Paradise Streams/Reassessment Refund – The Board discussed the reassessment refund notice received on October 14, 2020 for Paradise Summit, LLC. The refund amount from the Township is $724.47 and also $174.16 from the Barrett Paradise Friendly Library. Konrath stated that he would contact the Barrett Paradise Friendly Library to see how they want to refund the monies to the Township.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to refund Paradise Summit, LLC in the amount of $724.47/Township and $174.16/Barrett Paradise Friendly Library for a total amount of $898.63.
Motion carried 3-0.
Reports
Solicitor - Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he had no further report.
Engineer – Mr. Unangst stated he was waiting for a call back from Russell Horn in reference to placement approval of the Traffic Calming Devices near the Paradise Falls Lutheran Association. Russell Horn was in attendance and agreed that the PFLA was okay with the placements as last discussed with Mr. Unangst and he would have the easement signed with the new locations once they were drafted by Solicitor Prevoznik. Mr. Unangst stated that he met with Ms. Martens-Cooper’s husband regarding the easements and he thought that they would come into the Township to also sign the easement in the near future. Mr. Unangst stated that he received a copy of a letter addressed to the Township from WBCM dated September 30, 2020 regarding the bridge replacement over Forest Hills Run stating that the Township had authorization to proceed with the engineering on the subject property however this project was not a Township project so no further action was required.
Roadmaster – Konrath summarized the roadmaster’s report.
Zoning Officer – The Board briefly discussed the report submitted by the Zoning Officer. Gonze stated that he received an email back in April of this year from the Zoning Officer regarding some inconsistencies in some of the ordinances. Gonze suggested the Board look at the list of inconsistencies to decide whether to forward the Zoning Officer’s concerns to the Planning Commission to put on their agenda along with possibly moving Stormwater Management from Zoning into SALDO.
Planning Commission Items
Wireless Communication Ordinance – Gonze questioned whether the Planning Commission needed to recommend the last version of the Wireless Communication Ordinance received from Cohen Law Group back to the Board for enactment. Gonze stated that the Planning Commission did not have a quorum at their October meeting so therefore could not recommend enacting the ordinance. Gonze suggested a joint GoToMeeting with the Planning Commission. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he would suggest waiting to hear back from the Monroe County Planning Commission on their recommendations prior to setting up a meeting.
Gonze asked Transue to list on the website that there will be openings on the Planning Commission as of January 1, 2021.
Reports (Continued)
PMREMS – Gonze stated that PMREMS revenue numbers are coming back up. The call volume is down slightly versus a year ago. They are looking at a capital plan to plan for future vehicle replacement needs.
Correspondence/Miscellaneous
Konrath stated that he would be meeting with Cheryl Phillips and Chris Merli at the Firehouse to go over Election Day set up and procedures. Konrath stated that Logan Evans would be bringing tables and chairs down from the Mount Pocono Firehouse.
Konrath asked Mr. Unangst if the Township wished to replace the Devils Hole Road Culvert at Tank Creek in 2021, should Hanover Engineering start working on the easements and permits needed to accomplish that. Mr. Unangst stated that yes they should start the process in order to replace the culvert in 2021.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to have Hanover Engineering start the processes needed such as easements, permits and PennDOT approval to replace the Devils Hole Road Culvert at Tank Creek in 2021.
Motion carried 3-0.
Other Business/Public Comment
Adjournment
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to adjourn the meeting at 7:18 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina Transue
Secretary