The
Journal of the POCONO PLATEAU ©2021, All Rights Reserved
VOLUME 26, NUMBER 9
September 28–October 14, 2021
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Pocono Farms storm water and PMEDC development topics at Coolbaugh Twp. by Patrick Albano The Coolbaugh Township Board of Supervisors held both its work session and regular monthly meeting at the municipal center in Tobyhanna on September 21. Chairman Bill Weimer gaveled the meeting to order, noting the work session would center on two discussion items, a request from Pocono Farms for ARPA funding for stormwater mitigation, and discussion with PMEDC GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Travellers on Route 115 south of Blakeslee Corregarding zoning at Pocono ners have surely noticed that the Village Squire Restaurant site is now empty. The Mountain Corporate Center demoltion represents the end of an era of dining on the Pocono Plateau near the Municipal Airport and Route 611. Pocono Farms Country Club Association manager Dave Timko supplied county maps and video showing recent by Patrick Albano has taken steps to ensure the night — some from our own water is safe to drink. Comcommunity and I ask for a mo- storm damage to the community. He said his purpose At the Pocono Mountain munity concerns centered on ment of silence.” at the meeting is to “come to School Board meeting on possible well water contamiNora Wandalowski gave a the county to discuss and seek September 8, support staff nation. The district has gone lengthy presentation on new support on different proposal services reported on a heatdoor to door to tell people that and existing programs within locations to divert water and ing oil leak into Swiftwater the water is safe. the District’s Cyber Program avoid damage.” The video Creek from an underground Superintendent Dr. Elizatracking ongoing developtank. The leak was reported by beth Robinson reported: “The ments from 2020-2021. These showed storm water overflow onto the Fairway, Cypress and members of the community. school year is underway, and include MY PATH for Hemlock locations and storm The Environmental ProtecI want to thank everyone and Kindergarten through second damages to homes in excess of tion Agency has plugged the kudos to the Principals and grade, which uses workbooks a foot of water. Timko conleak and SANOFI had also Staff who did an excellent job to develop skills; the tinued, “because of the recent deployed booms into the creek and I appreciate their paODYSSEY PROGRAM for storm organic debris is being to soak up seepage. A geolotience.” She continued: “On grades 3-5 which is more ingist was assigned to oversee this the 20th anniversary of volved and utilizes a color code displaced and the Pocono Farms Community Association the leak clean-up and certify 9/11 many students and staff system to show progress on would like to partner with the compliance. will not remember parents students’ dashboard, and As of August 25, the district who never returned home that See PMSB, page 6 township seek funding to cor-
Heating oil leak reported to PMSB
rect the situation.” He ended, “This won’t be an overnight fix and we need a long-term plan with the county.” Weimer added, “It has gotten worse over the years, and we have spent countless dollars replacing shoulders and completing hydraulic studies to see what we can and can’t do.” Another suggestion by Weimer was bridge construction as a solution, noting “this is very expensive.” Weimer suggested some mitigation now before long-term plans can be put into place. Weimer also reminded everyone that community residents are also responsible for some of the clean-up and ended by saying “ I have no issues asking the county for emergency funds for storm water mitigation–heck, snow used to be the problem. I favor putting this on the agenda to vote sooner rather than later. When we get the hydraulic studies back, we will coordinate with Farms.” Supervisor Alma Ruiz-Smith also suggested a letter be sent to state legislators to get as many people as possible on board on this issue. Supervisor Lynn Kelly asked about PMEDC and what lots are available and whether See COOLBAUGH, page 5