The regular meeting of the Middle Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors was held at the Schoonover Municipal Center at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 10, 2008. Scott Schaller presided.

Members present: Scott Schaller, Ronald L. (Ron) Clewell and Robert F. (Bob) Spano Sr. Also present were Fred I. Courtright, Jennifer Ann Wise, Deb Ogden, Wayne Rohner Sherry Predmore and several township residents.

Minutes of the previous meetings held December 27, 2007 and January 7, 2008 were approved upon a motion by Scott Schaller, second by Ron Clewell. The motion carried 3-0.

Payment of the listed bills was authorized upon a motion by Scott Schaller, second by Ron Clewell. The motion carried 3-0. A copy of the listing is attached and made a part of these minutes.

Deb Ogden summarized her December 2007 Zoning Officer’s report. The report was accepted as presented:

Correspondence:

A letter was received from the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Monroe informing the Board of six low-income township homeowner’s homes that were repaired in 2007 from the countywide housing rehabilitation program from federal sources. Homeowners who need assistance may call the Authority to be placed on their 2008 waiting list. Income guidelines were included with the letter.

A letter was received from the Office of Registration/Elections asking for confirmation that the municipal building is available for use as a polling place for the Western District for the Primary on April 22, 2008 and the General Election on November 4, 2008. Scott Schaller made a motion to authorize use of the building but to also include a letter requesting that both districts be held in the same building as the Supervisors have received complaint from voters that there is too much confusion with separate buildings. Bob Spano seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.

A letter was received from John L. Grogan stating his reaction to the recent addition of the township newsletter, “The Reporter”. Mr. Grogan took exception to the advertisements and content of the newsletter. Scott Schaller made a motion that Michele Clewell should respond to Mr. Grogan. Bob Spano seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.

There was general discussion that perhaps the newsletter would be eliminated this year and in its place a quarterly one page ad placed in the Community News advising what is going on in the township. This would cut costs associated with postage. The Board agreed to keep the newsletter under consideration.

A letter was received from NEPA requesting to use the municipal building for the annual meeting of the Masters at Great Bear Association. Scott Schaller made a motion to allow the use of the building for the annual meeting to be held at 10:30 a.m. on February 2, 2008. Bob Spano seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.

Unfinished business:

Solicitor’s report:

Attorney Wise gave an update on the draft EMS agreement and advised that a meeting has been scheduled with the providers at 9:00 a.m. on January 17, 2008.

Attorney Wise summarized the requirements for creation of a Park and Recreation Board and advised that the Township Code states that a township cannot have Park and Recreation Board without adopting an ordinance. The Township Park Commission was not created by Ordinance. Ron Clewell made a motion to schedule a public hearing on February14, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. to consider the Ordinance creating a Park and Recreation Board and repealing previously adopted resolutions. Scott Schaller seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.

Engineer’s Report:

Fred Courtright advised that a conference call regarding the Toll Brothers Country Club of the Poconos issue was held earlier in the week and a response to Mark Brookman is in process. The request for release of escrow remains tabled.

Mr. Courtright advised that a letter had been received from Community Bank stating that the escrow for Crystal Creek remains in place and acknowledging that they must provide a 60 day notice prior to any termination of the letter of credit. Reduction of the escrow remains tabled.

Mr. Courtright reported that he and Ron Clewell had inspected NorthPark East required improvements and he recommended release of the bond. Scott Schaller made a motion to release the remaining $43,881.00 bond. Ron Clewell seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.

Fred Courtright also reported having inspected Knoll Acres, Section 2 along with Mr. Clewell. A majority of the work is done however the roads still need the finished top coat. He recommended that $203,000 could be released leaving $290,739.50 in place. Scott Schaller made a motion to authorize release of $203,000 from the Knoll Acres, Section 2 bond as recommended. Bob Spano seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.

Doug Olmsted representing the developer of Hidden Oaks major subdivision appeared before the Supervisors concerning the planning module for the proposed development that is currently before the Planning Commission. He gave a history of the concerns regarding wastewater service noting that the planning module had been submitted with PA American as the provider. He noted that Fred Courtright wanted documentation and after a year the documentation was received. PA American has agreed that if the developer can get Act 537 approval they will provide service. He explained that they had used lower calculations to base EDU’s required, did a study of flow data and determined the flows to be closer to 135 GPD rather than the approved 165 GPD for the Saw Creek STP. They looked at the numbers and are requesting that the module be approved at 150 GPD. If the request is approved they will revise the module and go to Lehman Township for their approval. They will work on an agreement and submit both townships to PaDEP together. Once Act 537 approval is granted they will address other storm water issues before proceeding further with the development plan. It was noted that the Planning Commission passed a motion to recommend approval of the module and forward it on to PaDEP. Scott Schaller made a motion to approve the module to be forwarded to Lehman Township and PaDEP. Bob Spano seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.

New business:

It was noted that there has been problems with getting road salt. Scott Schaller made a motion to give Ron Clewell permission to investigate suppliers outside of the COG contract to purchase salt in the event the supplier fails to meet the terms of the contract. Bob Spano seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.

Public Comments:

Pat Cusmano questioned the red markings on Oak Grove Road and the Board responded that they are part of the bypass project.

The results of the previous water quality report from Prosser Laboratories were discussed. It was noted that a call had been made requesting results of additional testing however no response has been received from Prosser. Fred Courtright will call again and request test results before the next meeting.

There was general discussion regarding the 9-1-1 readdressing project. The secretary was directed to have Maria Oliveras contact Pocono GIS and ask them to attend a Supervisors meeting to give a progress report.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned in regular order at 6:50 p.m. upon a motion by Scott Schaller, second by Ron Clewell.

Respectfully submitted,

Sherry Predmore, Secretary

January 10, 2008