Coalition
Members

Apolacon Twp..
Bridgewater Twp.
Choconut Twp.
Forest Lake Twp.
Franklin Twp.
Jessup Twp.
Liberty Twp.
Middletown Twp.
Rush Twp.
Silver Lake Twp
Friendsville
Little Meadows
Montrose

Meeting Minutes - February 2008

The meeting was opened by Chairperson Dave Darrow with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Attendance –
Bill Goodrich, James Lindsey, Ted Plavinsky, Bill Dovin, Frank Burns, Dennis Bunnell, Charles Davis, Mary Long, Craig Osbourn, Tom Curley, Art Donato, Kendall Mitchell, Bob Boyanowski, Charles Pierson, Mary Mead, Chuck Mead, Bob Templeton, Tom Swan, Bill Stewart, Beverly Way, Carolyn Doolittle
Guest Carson Helfrich

The Secretary’s  Minutes were read and Bill Stewart made the motion to accept.  Craig Osbourn made the second and the vote was affirmative.

The Treasurer’s Report was read by Treasurer Mary Long.  A motion to accept was made by Bob Boyanowski, The second was made by Chuck Mead and the vote was affirmative.  Mary reminded the munis to pay their dues.

Audit Report was read.  Treasurer Mary Long did her usual excellent job.  An Audit Report suggestion was that in the future, separate checks be used for each item paid.  It would make it easier for both Treasurer and Audit Committee. 

Tom Curley made the motion to accept and the second was made by Tom Swan.  The vote was affirmative. 

A meeting was held  between DCED, COG officials and NTC members.  The NTC will have a multi-municipal agreement between COG and the NTC.  The members present reviewed the agreement.  Comment from Bill Stewart changed Section 2-Zoning Officer Employment to wit – The day to day management of the Zoning Officer will be the responsibility of * the COG Office Manager in accord with the policy established by the member committee.  If there is a problem with a Zoning Officer it will be handled by a committee made up of COG and NTC. 

It is important that in this first year, for the Zoning Officer to keep accurate records of where his/her hours are spent.  Important in that it will give an accurate view of the program since this is a new venture for both COG and all multi-municipal groups not just the NTC.  – Bill Dovin.

Tom Swan made a motion to accept the Agreement as corrected.  Chuck Mead made the second and the vote was affirmative. 

The Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement For Multi-Municipal Planning and Implementation paper must have the last page signed and returned to Carson Helfrich.  If your municipality does not have a copy of this paper contact Carson by e-mail and he will send a new one back or fax depending on the municipality’s need. 

Carson needs to contact Friendsville Boro about the CAFMMPI paper (above) and their Planning Commission Ordinance and Zoning Hearing Board.  Bill Stewart will work with him in this.

Carson will put information on the Public Hearings on his web site and will place a link to it on the NTC’s.  Silver Lake and Liberty must do their own public meeting and advertising.

Each municipality will do the same thing on the same night – Vote on the Zoning Ordinance and the Ordinances establishing their Planning Commissions (joint if that is the case) and Zoning Hearing Boards.  At this time they will list the members.   Carson will have the final changes after the public hearings.  Carson will write the motions.   The motion will have an effective date taking place just after the latest meeting of the month. 

The public hearings will take place in Montrose (Square Community Room), Rush (Auxiliary Building) Silver Lake and Choconut (Township Bldgs.)  Dates will be after the Zoning Grant is approved.  These dates will be finalized at the March meeting.  Carson will handle the legal notices – Independent, Press and Sun Bulletin, Rocket Courier.  An informational ad will be placed in Mulligan’s shopper.  

After a canvass of municipalities the name Atty Michael Brichele was mentioned to become the atty for the Zoning Hearing Board.  Dave Darrow will contact. 

Tractor has been repaired.  The NTC will repair it in the future whenever possible. 

Cell Towers – Silver Lake, Choconut, Bridgewater all complete.  Forest Lake may not be on until April.  Franklin Forks being planned.  T Mobile in on the towers. NEPA negotiating with ATT.  NEPA will work off of ATT towers but not vice versa. 

Question – will the gas wells be placed in the Ordinance.  Carson believes that they will be treated as mineral extraction.  Latest Supreme Court ruling is that they can be placed anywhere, even in Residential areas.  A question about bonding the roads for the gas company drilling trucks.  To do the engineering work is close to $6,000.  That needs to be done before the bond can be demanded.  A better suggestion is to try to work something out with the companies to fix whatever they damaged.  Pictures important. 

Meeting adjourned. 

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