BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 14, 1997
The meeting was called to order by President, E. M. (Sue) Kuhn at 7:30 p.m.
The secretary called the roll. Present were: E. M. (Sue) Kuhn, Joseph Giunta, Joan Giunta, Chris Kraft, Bernard McCollum. Absent was Mayor, William Clossin.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly.
DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF JULY 10, 1997 AND SPECIAL MEETING OF JULY 31, 1997.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES FOR THESE 2 MEETINGS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JULY 10, 1997 AND SPECIAL MEETING OF JULY 31, 1997.
Tom Snyder, Borough Manager wanted to clarify a word in the minutes of July 10, l997. Tom did not order that Gorski Construction do the demolition work. He was requested by the insurance company and Mr. Croyle to make the contact.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO CORRECT THIS STATEMENT IN RESPECT TO TOM SNYDER APPROVING GORSKI CONSTRUCTION AS A RELIABLE CONTRACTOR TO DO THE DEMOLITION WORK AS SUGGESTED BY THE INSURANCE CARRIER AND PROPERTY OWNER, RICHARD CROYLE. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
MINUTES OF JULY 10TH AND JULY 31ST. APPROVAL. ALL WERE IN FAVOR.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Floyd Hersch Invoice for a total of $67,825.98. Borough portion: $l0,l73.90, County's portion: $57,652.08.
It was mentioned that perhaps the borough could pay the entire invoice and be reimbursed by the County. Council is not in the financial condition to pay entire amount and it would only be 3 weeks approximately that the county will pay their portion to Hersch.
MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO PAY ONLY THE BOROUGH'S PORTION ($l0,l73.90)TO FLOYD HERSCH. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURER'S REPORT: MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER'S REPORT AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Frank Holden
Month of July: Total(state/local)incidents - 80
Folk Festival: August 22,23,24 this year.
FIRE CHIEF REPORT: Month of July
Firefighters in Service: 37, Time in Service: 2 hrs.
Distance traveled: 8 miles.
Help is needed at the Fire Company's stand at the Folk Festival. People needed for the Folk Festival or making food at the fire station.
AMBULANCE REPORT: No one present
SOLICITOR'S REPORT: Robert Brant
l) Police Contract: Joe Giunta and Frank Holden will meet on Wednesday next week.
2) Trash billings: In October l996 a resolution was passed that permitted the borough to collect $3.00 per quarter on delinquent trash billing accts. The Borough Authority has been sending out the bills and their computer is not equipped for enforcing a flat rate. A percentage rate was suggested.
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM IT WAS VOTED TO ASSESS A PENALTY OF l l/2% PER MONTH ON ANY TRASH ACCOUNT THAT REMAINS DELINQUENT FOR 30 DAYS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Brant will draw up the new resolution.
3) Harvey/Barbara Slater Matter: Mr. Brant received a letter dated 8/8/97 from Leigh Narducci, lawyer for the Slaters. Mr. Narducci stated that he feels that his clients need not go to the Zoning Hearing Board. Mr. Brant feels that there are options open: l) If the property is now in compliance with the zoning ordinance as Mr. Narducci says it is, that would take away the violation, 2) if not in compliance there should be a way to bring in into compliance, 3) go to the zoning hearing board.
4) Ordaining 3rd Street: At the special meeting (7/3l)it was suggested by Tom Snyder that this street be taken over by ordinance. 4th Street has already been done. All the necessary paperwork has been prepared by engineer, Ken Yerger and given to Bob Brant so he may advertise.
Tom suggested blacktopping road at this point since contractor is nearby doing work. Cost would be more favorable now. Approximately $4,500.00. Releases will be needed from the property owners. Tom mentioned what if all the releases cannot be gotten. Council was in agreement that work would proceed even though permission might not be secured.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM IT WAS VOTED TO GO AHEAD SUBJECTED TO THE SIGNING OF THE RELEASES. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
STREETS AND ROADS: Bernie McCollum
l) 3rd and 4th Street: Reviewed earlier.
PROPERTY: Bernie McCollum
l) Snow on Borough Roof: Working on a solution on how to prevent the snow from failing from roof. A year or so ago, snow fell from the roof onto a car causing some damage.
2) Boy Scouts (removal of their supplies, etc. from the basement of the borough building). Scouts mentioned that they could not find a storage area, but Tom Snyder's son has offered some storage space in his lumber business building.
It is also understood that the Boy Scouts would no longer be meeting in the basement. This area is needed for the borough's storage.
3) Ramp: Bernie has some bids for concrete and cinder block, also wood. Wood is cheaper. Will bring to next meeting.
FIRE LIAISON: Joan Giunta Nothing to report
POLICE COMMITTEE: Joseph Giunta
l) Under Robert Brant's report
2) Escrow Accounts that are delinquent: Letters have been prepared by Gael Hahn and await Sue Kuhn's review. There is $5,000.00 in escrow accounts that are delinquent.
PARK BOARD: Tom Snyder
l) County has borrowed the borough's exterminators for the geese problem.
2) Director of Parks for Montgomery County will be issuing a letter covering the use of the trail for parking.
3) Picnic tables in the Borough Park have been badly marked up and the authority is in the process of trying to restore them. Chris Kraft passed out photos of the tables that have been marred. Park is becoming a mess.
It was suggested getting better signs (larger). It was also suggested getting an estimate for repairing the tables and for posting the various signs which are needed.
STREET LIGHTING: Chris Kraft
Everything seems fine at this point. Still looking into purchasing the lighting system. Chris will review with Bill Clossin on his return.
4) Retirement Center - Perkiomen Avenue
In the process of getting permits. Vermont Partners presented an offer to Perkiomen Valley School District for the remainder of the school property.
CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Eppley Nothing to report
OLD BUSINESS: Nothing
NEW BUSINESS: Sue has passed out for councils' review information from the YMCA. Several meetings to date have been held with various municipalities. To carry out the projects that the "Y" has in mind would also require that the various governments make donations to the "Y". Figure mentioned was $5,000.00 each. Schwenksville Borough doesn't have that kind of money in their account and would impose a burden yearly, as this would be required on an annual basis. Bernie was wondering if the projects mentioned would really benefit the borough. Sue again mentioned that council reviews this information and it can be discussed later.
MAYOR'S REPORT: Absent, No report
AUDIENCE:
Don Filson: Dead Trees. 2 estimates have been received, but according to Tom Snyder both estimates are too high. Tom will check further.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, September ll, l997 - 7:30 p.m.
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM IT WAS VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy J. Eppley
Secretary
8/22/97