Brian Espendshade

Key discussions and actions included forwarding a zoning request concerning MCTI to the Planning Commission and Monroe County Planning Commission, followed by the preparation of an ordinance/resolution. The Board opened and subsequently closed the Volare Liquor License Hearing and approved Resolution 2026-01 for the Volare Economic Development Restaurant Liquor License. Financial matters involved ratifying expenditures totaling $619,704.17 across several accounts, including the General Fund and Capital Reserve. The Commissioners voted to advertise 2026 meeting dates for the 1st and 3rd Mondays. A motion to reopen the 2026 budget for amendments carried, leading to a resolution for temporary appropriations. The Board also approved advertising a public budget workshop for January 15, 2026. Policy adjustments included modifying the public comment time to three minutes and authorizing the drafting of several ordinances: a Data Center Ordinance, a Hotel/Motel/Annual Inspection and Licensing Ordinance, and a Police Cost Recovery Ordinance. Additionally, the Board promoted a DPW employee from Part-time to Full-time and accepted a proposal from Co-Streams for phase 1.

Key discussions during the meeting included public comments regarding blasting activities on specific properties and inquiries about the TDU fee and a potential data center development. A swearing-in ceremony for two new police officers took place. The Board approved several waivers related to construction standards, including basin embankments, truck turning movements, steep slope disturbance, minimum parking planting islands, street tree location, and right-of-way buffer plantings. Resolutions were approved concerning an easement and the adoption of the Monroe County 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan; another resolution regarding a townhouse plan was tabled. The Board ratified significant financial transactions through February 2, 2026. Under new business, an update on the Solar Field indicated fines and violations from the DEP. The Board waived Pavilion fees for a Boy Scout Troop and adopted a Revised Decorum Policy. Motions were passed to authorize advertising for an ordinance forming an Environmental Advisory Council and to advertise a public hearing for the Pocono Township Data Center Ordinance. A reduction in the construction escrow for a Turkey Hill Minit Market location was approved. A motion to declare Pocono Township a 2A Sanctuary Status carried. The Board reviewed zoning statistics, reported on police and public works activities, and discussed updates on the Police Wing construction, a new grant award, and the sewer business update. The Solicitor provided a general legal update and moved to advertise an ordinance hearing to repeal Ordinance 2025-03 LERTA.

The meeting participants discussed procedures for recording and documenting board meetings, specifically focusing on the utilization of summary minutes versus verbatim transcripts (AI dictation). Key points included establishing a policy for official records, the proposed inclusion of timestamps linking discussions to the publicly available video recordings on YouTube, and adhering to minimum legal requirements for documentation. Discussions also covered the proper protocol for public comment, emphasizing that individuals must come to the podium and state their required identifying information before speaking.

The meeting was called to order and the pledge of allegiance was recited. Following the roll call, the Board opened the hearing for the 2026 amended budget. A significant discussion revolved around the removal of an Emergency Management Coordinator stipend ($12,000) from the proposed budget by one commissioner, despite previous board consensus to include it. The Board discussed options to rectify this, including adjusting another line item, though this could impact advertised totals. Concerns were raised about the necessity of compensating the coordinator for on-call duties versus handling such incidents via other departments like Public Works. The roles and compensation structure for the Emergency Management Coordinator and the alternate, including their work on rewriting manuals and the alternate's existing compensation from another entity, were also topics of discussion. The board ultimately debated whether to pass the budget as advertised without the stipend or correct the change immediately.

The discussion focused primarily on budget line items for professional services, particularly building code services (41310), where concerns were raised regarding projected lower spending compared to the budgeted amount, attributing potential reductions to pending solar farm work completion in 2027 and the timeline for new apartment construction permits. Zoning, planning, and legal services (414310) also saw significant increases since 2021, discussed in the context of a comprehensive zoning ordinance rewrite project. Road maintenance expenses (43222) were noted as being above average due to prolonged winter weather conditions, though pricing is secured via COG contracts. Traffic light signal contracted services (433450) were elevated due to Green Light Go adaptations and accident-related repairs, but expected to decrease. Park utility expenses (45436) showed a decrease, explained partly by the relocation of a pipe feeding a pond fountain by PennDOT and the fountain being designed for winter operation, although this is being offset by added utility costs for a newly added split system. Significant discussion occurred around Community Events (457450), with a debate over budgeting $80,000 versus $20,000, considering that prior year expenses were high ($75,643) due to capital purchases, but sponsorships offset costs by over $53,000 in the previous year. The participants considered adjusting the budget based on the actual expected expense versus sponsorship income, ultimately agreeing to budget for the full planned expenditure, even if subject to rollback.