Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes
PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 21, 2019
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 (Absent) 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. 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.
Executive Session
Solicitor Prevoznik stated that an executive session was held to discuss union negotiations and personnel matters. No decisions were made.
Approval of Minutes
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Briglia to approve the October 7, 2019 Board of Supervisors regular meeting minutes as presented.
Motion carried 2-0.
Planning Commission Items
Tarpon Towers Land Development Plan
Attorney Williams, Dale Kellman, NB+C and Michael Oser, NB+C were present representing Tarpon Towers. Attorney Williams stated that at the October 8, 2019 Planning Commission meeting Tarpon Towers received conditional recommendation to the Board of Supervisors subject to compliance with items set forth by a letter dated October 4, 2019 from Hanover Engineering. Mr. Kellman presented an overview of the plan and explained to the Board how the conditions set forth by Hanover Engineering were met. Attorney Williams explained to the Board that Tarpon Towers are requesting two waivers from the Board. The first waiver is in reference to a Stormwater Management Plan. Charles Unangst, Hanover Engineering, explained that the waiver was discussed at the Planning Commission and it was found that they would not need a waiver for Stormwater because it was shown on the plan and also provided the calculations needed.
The second waiver being requested was in regards to section 131-34 which requires buffering at the property line that is adjacent to a residential property. Attorney Williams stated that due to the property being heavily wooded in the area between the tower site and that property line Tarpon Towers is requesting a waiver from that requirement and instead would plant seven deer resistant shrubs on all four sides of the tower compound with a double row at the entrance side. The shrubs would be 5 to 6 foot at planting. The Board also discussed the color choice for the tower, settling on a color comparable to Sherman Williams’ Storm Cloud number SW6249/HGSW3363.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Konrath to waive section 131-34 in regards to the buffering requirement as it is already a heavily forested area and instead plant seven 5’ evergreens on three sides with a double row on the driveway side. It is also required this change must be shown on the plan.
Motion carried 2-0
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Briglia that the paint color to be used on the tower would be a color similar to the paint chip from Sherman Williams known as Storm Cloud with the number of SW6249/HGSW3363.
Motion carried 2-0
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Konrath to table adopting a resolution approving the Tarpon Towers’ Land Development Plan.
Motion carried 2-0
Treasurer’s Report
Briglia read the Treasurer’s Report.
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Briglia to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented.
Motion carried 2-0.
Work Session Items
Friendly Community Center Agreement - Modifications by Solicitor Prevoznik and the Friendly Community Center to the FCC Agreement was discussed earlier at the Work Session held at 5:00 p.m. this evening.
Motion: Briglia moved to accept modifications to the Friendly Community Center Agreement made by the Friendly Community Center and also by Solicitor Prevoznik.
Motion carried 2-0
SFM Consulting Update - Shawn and Jenn McGlynn from SFM Consulting appeared at the Work Session earlier to update the Board on their progress as Zoning Officials for the Township. The Board discussed the procedure regarding legal counsel in the event SFM Consulting should need counsel as part of enforcement actions.
Motion: Briglia moved and Konrath seconded notifying SFM Consulting if they require legal counsel as part of an enforcement action that they seek guidance from the Board of Supervisors for approval.
Motion carried 2-0
Unfinished Business
2018 Audit – Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he is waiting to receive back from Ellen Gnandt, CPA a revised audit with her definition for the word “materiality” as used in the 2018 Audit and also she would capitalize that word so that it would be clear as to what she meant by what is or is not material.
Kiosks – Briglia questioned whether Kiosks should be ordered for both Browns Hill Preserve and Paradise Discovery Park. It was determined that a kiosk for each park would be ordered.
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Briglia to approve the purchase of Kiosks for Browns Hill Preserve and Paradise Discovery Park.
Motion carried 2-0.
New Business
Ingrid DeWitt – The Board discussed moving DeWitt from 32 hours per week to 40 hours per week as she is also working alongside the Zoning Office with administrative duties and expanding her duties with the Planning Commission.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Konrath to approve DeWitt for a 40 hour work week.
Motion carried 2-0.
Longevity Pay – It was determined that Longevity Pay did not need to be approved by the Board as it is a Union Contract item.
No Action Required
American Red Cross – The Board discussed road closures for the Run for the Red as requested by the American Red Cross on May 17, 2020.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Konrath to close the Paradise Township roads on May 17, 2020 for approximately 3 hours starting at 8:00 a.m. The roads affected by the closure would be Merry Hill Road and Red Rock Road. The closure is to be posted on the Township website and the Savvy Citizen app.
Motion carried 2-0.
Open Space Reimbursement – Briglia stated that the reimbursement was for the wages of the seasonal employees, Doug Leies and Devyn Papa, also the wages for Neil Boushell and Mike Reed for 1 hour per day the seasonal employees worked, equipment use and any purchases made for open space for a total of $20,765.90 (twenty thousand seven hundred sixty-five dollars and ninety cents).
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Briglia to approve the reimbursement of $20,765.90 (twenty thousand seven hundred sixty-five dollars and ninety cents) from the Open Space account to the General Fund Account.
Motion carried 2-0.
Planning Commission Items
Tarpon Towers Land Development Plan (continued) – Solicitor Prevoznik stated a resolution would have to be written for the November 6, 2019 meeting in reference to the Tarpon Towers Land Development Plan.
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Briglia to authorize Solicitor Prevoznik to write a resolution in regards to Tarpon Towers Land Development Plan.
Motion carried 2-0.
Reports
Solicitor – Solicitor Prevoznik reported Briglia, Mr. Unangst and himself met in regards to the Growing Greener Grant (Red Rock Stream Restoration). Solicitor Prevoznik also explained there were several agreements he would have to look at in conjunction with the grant that were very old and that he would attempt to record them. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that only 4 of the 12 agreements necessary have been obtained. Briglia stated that Skelly and Loy should be contacted and told to hold off on any further work for this grant until all agreements can be secured.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Konrath to halt all work done by Skelly and Loy, Engineering associated with this grant until all landowner agreements have been received.
Motion carried 2-0.
Solicitor Prevoznik reported that he sent letters to Attorney Durney, Monroe County and KingSpry, Pocono Mtn School District in regards to the tax appeals as discussed at the October 7 meeting.
Engineer – Mr. Unangst reported that Solicitor Prevoznik reviewed the insurance information for Creekside Concrete Construction, the contractor building the salt shed building, Hanover Engineering has contacted the contractor for more information. It was reported that the Paradise Township road crew broke ground on this project.
Mr. Unangst stated he had not yet gotten information about the “shark’s teeth” markings for the road in front of the Frogtown Chophouse as discussed at the last meeting.
EAC – Konrath reported that there was a meeting but he did not have approved minutes yet. Konrath stated that the EAC would like to obtain an easement on Pocono Gardens property for a hiking trail that goes along the creek. Konrath stated that Don Miller wants to attend a Board meeting to give a presentation on this subject. A discussion ensued about whether an easement would be attainable or prudent.
Konrath stated that the 2019 Monroe County Trail and Greenway Forum was held on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. Konrath stated he was not at the meeting but he had the informational packets that were given out at the meeting.
Correspondence/Miscellaneous
Konrath reported that Cheryl Phillips was in contact with the President of the Constables and they would send an Assistant Constable to the Township building on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 for Election Day.
Other Business/Public Comment
There was no further business or public comment.
Adjournment
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Konrath to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 p.m.
Motion carried 2-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina Transue
Secretary