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                                                                                                  November 3, 2005

                                                                                                 Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

 

MINUTES

 

Chairman John P. Sivick called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Also present were Richard C. Vollmer, Vice Chairman, Paul D. Menditto, Supervisor, William J. Greiner, P.E. and Robert H. Rohner, Jr., Secretary/Treasurer.  Atty. Robert F. Bernathy was not present.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

 

Cathy Adipietro stated that a tree had fallen on Brodhead Road, and that other trees look dangerous.  She had recently read where a tree fell on a car in the New England area killing the occupants.  Does the township have a program.  Mr. Sivick stated that the township has an aggressive tree trimming and tree removal program.  This is especially done before a resurfacing program.

 

Chris Kuna stated that there are some dead trees along Mink Pond Road on his property that the township could remove.  Mr. Sivick stated that it will be addressed, as well as the ditch lines in that area.

 

Scott Hanna asked if anything was missing when he telephoned Mr. Sivick.  Mr. Sivick stated that nothing was missing.

 

APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 20, 2005:

 

Motion made by Mr. Menditto and second of Mr. Vollmer to approve the minutes of October 20, 2005 as presented.  Unanimous.

 

APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 25, 2005:

 

Motion made by Mr. Menditto and second of Mr. Sivick to approve the minutes of October 25, 2005 as presented.  Mr. Vollmer was not present at that meeting.

 

AUTHORIZE THE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS ON LIST #1, LIST #2 AND THE TRANSFERS AS PRESENTED:

 

Motion made by Mr. Vollmer and second of Mr. Menditto to authorize the payment of the bills on List #1, List #2 and the transfers as presented.  Unanimous.

 

BID OPENING – SALE OF TOWNSHIP EQUIPMENT:

 

No bids were received for the dump truck, snow plow and dump body.  Motion made by Mr. Sivick and second of Mr. Menditto to re-advertise for a second time, with the bid opening scheduled for November 17, 2005 at 7:35 p.m.  Unanimous.

 

                                                                                                   November 3, 2005

 

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OLD BUSINESS:

 

1.  PROPOSED NEW ROAD-MINK POND ROAD TO BUSHKILL FALLS ROAD:

 

     Mr. Sivick stated that correspondence had been received from DCNR, and that they

     do not look favorably upon the proposed project.  The supervisors will review other

     options.

 

2.  AMERICAN COMMUNICATION FACILITIES:

 

     Frank Gallo represented American Communication Facilities.  Mr. Gallo stated that

     there are seven (7) issues to be addressed.  The first is a wetland s determination. 

     ACF’s engineering firm, Tectonic has determined that the property is not in a mapped

     wetland area.  The next two items are whether the Land Development Plan is to be

     submitted to the Pike County Planning Commission and the Pike County Conservation

     District for review and comment.  Mr. Greiner stated that this plan is to be reviewed

     under the old SALDO.  The new SALDO was adopted on October 6, 2005, with the

     effective date being five (5) days later.  ACF submitted their plans on October 7,

2005.    The plan must be submitted to the county planning commission.  Originally,

     the plan outlined the construction of a new road, but the plan has been revised, and

     the new road has been eliminated.  ACF will use a right-of-way owned by the

     Gandolfo’s.  This same right-of-way is used by the Columbia Gas Company.  There

     will be little impact.  Mr. Menditto asked Mr. Gallo to describe the connection

     from the right-of-way to the tower pad.  Mr. Gallo stated that it is a driveway that will

     use crushed stone.  The driveway will be 12’ wide, which will lead to the 70’ x 70’

     tower pad.  ACF was directed to prepare an Earth Disturbance Plan and submit it to

     the Pike County Conservation District.  ACF will lease 100’ x 200’ area.  The cell

     tower area is 70’ x 70’ with a 2’ x 4’ electrical box pad.  Motion made by Mr. Vollmer

     and second of Mr. Menditto to accept the submission of the plans to be reviewed

     under the previous SALDO.  Unanimous.  Mr. Gallo stated that he had a meeting

     with Met Ed, and had given them a set of plans for their review.  There have also

     been discussions with the Columbia Gas Company as it relates to the equipment

     to be used for the construction of the new road, but since that has been deleted, the

     equipment list has been removed from the plans.  There will be coordination between

     ACF and Met Ed and Columbia Gas Company.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

1.  PIKE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY:

 

     Mr. Sivick stated that the Pike County Humane Society is experiencing funding

                                                                                                    November 3, 2005

 

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     problems.  Mr. Menditto stated that the Society does a very good job for the township

     and county.  The supervisors have given a donation of $2,000.00 for the year 2005. 

     Motion made by Mr. Menditto and second of Mr. Vollmer to contribute an additional

     $500.00.  Unanimous.

 

MISCELLANEOUS:

 

1.  The Police Study Committee will conduct a meeting on Wednesday, November 9,

     2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the municipal building.

 

2.  The Zoning Hearing Board will conduct a hearing on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at

     4:30 pm.  Nextel Partners, Inc. is requesting a variance from Township Ordinance 99,

     Section 402, Subsection 14.B.1, for a dimensional variance setback requirements.  The

     property is located within Saw Creek Estates, and is zoned Village Commercial.

 

3.  The Park Steering Committee will conduct a meeting on Tuesday, November 15, 2005

     at 6:00 p.m. at the municipal building followed by a public meeting at 7:00 p.m.

 

ROADMASTER:

 

Mr. Sivick stated that the clean up from Clean Up Days continues.  Shoulder work in Pocono Mountain Lake Estates, Section 5A.  Maintenance on the snow removal equipment.  Salt deliveries are being received.  Litter pick up.  Sign maintenance in Rustic Acres.  The crew removed a dead deer.

 

Mr. Menditto stated that the municipal offices will be closed on Tuesday, November 8th for Election Day.  Exercise your right to vote.

 

There being no further business, meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. by the motion of Mr. Vollmer and second of Mr. Menditto.  Unanimous.

 

                                                                                                   Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                                   Robert H. Rohner, Jr.

                                                                                                   Secretary/Treasurer

 

       

                                                                                                   November 17, 2005

                                                                                                  Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

 

MINUTES

 

Chairman John P. Sivick called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Also present were Richard C. Vollmer, Vice Chairman, Paul D. Menditto, Supervisor, Atty. Robert F. Bernathy, William J. Greiner, P.E. and Robert H. Rohner, Jr., Secretary/Treasurer.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

 

Cathy Adipietro stated that she heard that Waste Management will stop picking up garbage in the township at the end of the month.  Mr. Sivick replied that it will be discussed later in the meeting.

 

APPROVE THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 3, 2005:

 

Motion made by Mr. Menditto and second of Mr. Vollmer to approve the minutes of November 3, 2005 as presented.  Unanimous.

 

AUTHORIZE THE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS ON LIST #1, LIST #2 AND THE TRANSFERS AS PRESENTED:

 

Motion made by Mr. Vollmer and second of Mr. Menditto to authorize the payment of the bills on List #1, List #2 and the transfers as presented.  Unanimous.

 

ACCEPT THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, ALL FUNDS, FOR THE MONTH ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2005:

 

Motion made by Mr. Menditto and second of Mr. Vollmer to accept the financial statements, all funds, for the month ended October 31, 2005.  Unanimous.

 

BID OPENING – SALE OF TOWNSHIP EQUIPMENT:

 

Bids were being accepted for a 1983 GMC dump truck with a gross weight of 30, 200 lbs., a flail mower and a body for a one ton dump truck.  One bid was received for the 1983 GMC dump truck from Double J Landscaping Company, Inc. for $1,000.00.  Two bids were received for the dump truck body.  The first was for $100.00 from Double J Landscaping Company, Inc., and the other bid was received from Williams Masonry for $200.00.  There were no bids for the flail mower.  Motion made by Mr. Menditto and second of Mr. Vollmer to accept Double J Landscaping Company, Inc.’s bid of $1,000.00 for the 1983 GMC dump truck.  Unanimous.  Under Mr. Sivick’s recommendation that the bids were too low, a motion was made by Mr. Menditto and second of Mr. Vollmer to reject the bids for the body for a one ton dump truck.  Unanimous. 

 

 

                                                                                                        November 17, 2005

 

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OLD BUSINESS:

 

1.  AMERICAN COMMUNICATION FACILITIES:

 

    Frank Gallo represented American Communication Facilities.  Mr. Gallo presented a

    copy of the required advertisement for the land development plan.  The plans have

    been submitted to the Pike County Office of Community Planning and to the Pike

    County Conservation District.  The plans had also been submitted to the Columbia Gas

    Company and First Energy for their review.  They have received clearance from these

    two companies, and that correspondence is a part of these minutes on file.  Atty.

    Bernathy stated that the Right of Way Agreement with the Gandolfos’ shall be

    recorded with the deed.  Motion made by Mr. Vollmer and second of Mr. Menditto to

    approve the land development plan with the conditions that ACF receive approvals

    from the Pike County Office of Community Planning and the Pike County Conserva-

    tion District, and prepare a written Right of Way Agreement with the Gandolfos.  That 

    agreement shall be recorded with the deed.  Unanimous.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

1.  ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF SONNY HAWKES AND DAVE

     CAVANAUGH FROM THE POLICE STUDY COMMITTEE:

 

      Motion made by Mr. Vollmer and second of Mr. Menditto to accept the resignations

      of Sonny Hawkes and Dave Cavanaugh from the Police Study Committee. 

      Unanimous.

 

2.  $2,000.00 DONATION TO THE BUSHKILL EMERGENCY CORP:

 

     Mr. Vollmer stated that $2,000.00 has been donated to the Pike County Fair

     Association since the fair’s relocation into the township, but in 2005 the fair moved

     to Westfall Township without notifying the supervisors.  The 2005 donation will

     be made to the Bushkill Emergency Corp.  Motion made by Mr. Vollmer and

     second of Mr. Menditto to donate $2,000.00 to the Bushkill Emergency Corp.

     Unanimous.

 

3.  THE PROPOSED 2006 BUDGET IS $3,485,524.00.  THE AMOUNT FOR THE

     GENERAL FUND IS $2,520,401.00.  THE PROPOSED BUDGET WILL BE

     ADVERTISED, AND AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AT THE

     MUNICIPAL OFFICE.  THE PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT THE 2006

    BUDGET WILL BE CONDUCTED ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2005

    AT 7:35 PM:

 

                                                                                                     NOVEMBER 17, 2005

 

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     Motion made by Mr. Vollmer and second of Mr. Menditto to adopt the proposed 2006

     budget, and to schedule the public hearing for the adoption of the budget for

     Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 7:35 p.m. Unanimous.

 

4.  APPOINT KIRK, SUMMA & CO. TO CONDUCT THE 2005 AUDIT:

 

     Motion made by Mr. Vollmer and second of Mr. Menditto to appoint Kirk, Summa &

     Co. to conduct the township’s 2005 audit.  Unanimous.

 

ADDENDUM NO. 1:  Mr. Sivick stated that Waste Management, the only garbage hauler in the township has notified their customers of the Sugar Mountain area; which includes Rustic Acres, Sunset Acres and Stony Hollow, that they will cease picking up their garbage November 29, 2005.  The township office has received many telephone calls from the residents of that area whom had received letters from Waste Management.  The township has taken a proactive approach, and a new company CNS Waste will begin service December 8, 2005.  CNS Waste is signing on new customers.  Residents should contact Waste Management for any refunds due them.

 

MISCELLANEOUS:

 

1.  The Police Study Committee will conduct a meeting on Wednesday, November 30,

     2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the municipal building.

 

ROADMASTER:

 

Mr. Sivick directed Mr. Greiner to review the work being done by Pennsylvania American Water Co. on Winona Falls Road.  They have placed a shutoff valve within the shoulder of the road.  The road crew has been busy with shoulder work on Mink Pond Road and Pocono Mountain Lake Estates, Section 5A.  Shoulder work and the removal of debris on Brodhead Road.  Tree trimming throughout.  Maintenance on the snow removal equipment.  Inspection of vehicles.  SR 2001 has been resurfaced in the areas that had been previously discussed.

 

There being no further business, meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m. by the motion of Mr. Menditto and second of Mr. Vollmer.  Unanimous.

 

                                                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                        Robert H. Rohner, Jr.

                                                                                                        Secretary/Treasurer