The
Journal of the POCONO PLATEAU ©2021, All Rights Reserved
VOLUME 26, NUMBER 11
October 29–November 11, 2021
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Pros ad cons of development explored at Coolbaugh worksession by Patrick Albano
On October 19, chairman Bill Weimer gaveled the Coolbaugh Township worksession to order noting two discussion items. The first came from a long-time Coolbaugh Town-
ship resident. Her presentation consisted of photos along with a brief discussion of the history of Coolbaugh Township. Her focus was a slide presentation centering on the natural beauty of the area, Tobyhanna State Park and
the Tunkhannock — a 29-mile creek with long tributaries. She noted that the state park is a hub for tourists and visited by many. Her photos depicted alder tree banks and Tunkhannock Creek, referring to it and its tributaries as a pristine area
Lions continue Veterans Day honors Pocono Lions Club will sponsor the seventh annual Wreaths for Veterans ceremony at 11 a.m. November 13, at the Pocono Lake Cemetery, located across from TEC (Tobyhanna Elementary Center) in Pocono Pines. Created as a means of remembrance and respect, the ceremony brings together the greater Pocono Plateau community to honor the brave men and women who, in service to their country, sacrificed their lives to preserve the freedoms we as a nation continue to experience.
All are welcome to attend the brief ceremony that will include a Military Color Guard and Chaplain. Upon completion, wreaths will be laid with the assistance of local Boy Scout Troop 94, Girl Scout Troop 512, BSA Troop 97, Cub Pack 90, the Knights of Columbus Council 11355, the Monroe County Joint Veterans Honor Guard, and members of Pocono Lions Club. Families of veterans are invited to place a wreath on their family member’s grave.
Immediately following the ceremony, everyone is invited to enjoy refreshments that include hot chocolate and cookies donated by local businesses at Lake Naomi Clubhouse. Donations to defray ceremony expenses are being accepted with great appreciation. For more information or to contribute to this event, please contact Bruce Denlinger, Chair, at 610.317.0763 or via email bden@ptd.net
with fly-fishing and high-quality waterways stocked by the game commission. She discussed Warnertown Falls with its breathtaking views stating, “This is a beautiful area with hunting and fishing and a need to be protected.” Her focus then shifted and she asked the Supervisors to have a responsible zoning plan to keep Coolbaugh beautiful. She stated, “We need to keep the beauty of the township in mind as we meet with developers. Many people do not even know that this area exists –a pristine habitat with a diversity of wildlife.” She cautioned that more developers are flocking to Coolbaugh Township and her concerns along with those of other residents are that overdevelopment might destroy this pristine environment. The second work session agenda item and the anthesis of the first presentation came from Herrera L. Development looking for feedback from the board on a tractor trailer repair shop with a building and six stalls. Weimer asked about the amount of daily truck traffic expected at its location and the representative stated, “about 4-5 trucks per day.” This prompted Supervisor Alma Ruiz-Smith to ask, “Will you be setting up appointments for the trucks?” Council member Anthony Lamantia suggested, “This looks like it will be a trailer parking lot,” and “this intersection is not suited for tractor trailers. Pocono Farms East is
not built for heavier traffic.” The solicitor was asked to look into whether there are any restrictions on this road for only passenger traffic. “I do not think this would work and at a minimum that there would be needed upgrades to the intersection,” Lamantia said. He added, “PennDOT will also need to weigh in.” Ruiz-Smith also commented, “ It is just too easy to grow from 4 trucks to 25 and community residents would be concerned that the quality of the road might be affected in a negative way.” Weimer stated, “Unless the developer wants to make improvements to the road, we need to have input from residents at Pocono Farms East. Trucks do not move fast, and collision hazards may increase.” Janet from Pocono Farms East briefly addressed Herrera Development saying, “I moved here in 2006 because it was a nice area with little noise and pollution. This is a residential area, and we want to keep our neighborhood as non-industrial as possible. I feel uncomfortable with new business in that area.” Weimer agreed, adding, “Teenagers have lost their lives in high-speed traffic accidents near that area and now with trucks it will be worse.” The presentation ended with no decision and with Weimer and the board reiterating that further research is needed before any recommendations are made.