BOARD OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
MEETING OF DECEMBER 11, 1997
The December ll, l997 meeting was called to order by president, E. M. (Sue) Kuhn.
The secretary called the roll. Present were: E. M. (Sue) Kuhn, Joseph Giunta, Joan Giunta, Bernard McCollum, Chris Kraft, and Mayor, William Clossin.
Pledge of Allegiance: By the assembly.
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 13, 1997 AND NOVEMBER 24, 1997. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Corrections to the Minutes of November l3, l997:
Pg. 4: Gael Hahn said she would advertise meeting instead of advise as written.
Pg. 4: The word "not" was left out of the sentence: $7,000.00 for a project which is itemized yet.
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 13, 1997 WITH THE ABOVE CORRECTIONS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Corrections to the Minutes of November 24, l997:
Pg. l: Police Dept. Budget: Memo handled out not the same as the tentative agreement. Minutes should reflect that there is "NO FORMAL AGREEMENT AS OF YET".
Pg. 2: Salaries: The mayor has again figured up the percentage of raise given to Treasurer, Gael Hahn and the rate is 5.26 -5.30%. Not 4% or 5% as mentioned by Joseph Giunta.
Pg. 2: Third Paragraph: Plowing instead of Paving.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 24, 1997 WITH THE ABOVE CORRECTIONS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE REPORT AS PRESENTED.
TREASURER'S REPORT: MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER'S REPORT AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Joe Giunta was concerned that the Capital Reserve Fund is lower than it should be. Borough is waiting for a check from the County. Tom Snyder is on top of the situation.
Police Report: Chief Frank Holden
Month of November l997: Local/State Police: 43
Frank and Mayor Clossin met and discussed Frank working some night time work in order to try and help deter the crime that is occurring during the late night hours. December report will show this work schedule. Working on implementing a "Town Watch".
The complete report is on file at the Borough Office.
Fire Company Report: Month of November: Number of calls: 2, Firefighters in Service: l4, Time in Service: 34 minutes, Distance traveled: 2 miles.
Fire Company wishes to thank everyone who participated in Chicken Bar-B-Q. Also, the Christmas Ball decorating with Santa was well attended. Santa will be delivering gifts on l2/2l/97. Be sure to drop off your gift at the fire station.
The complete report is on file at the Borough Office.
Ambulance Report: Nancy Eppley for Linda Kehs
Month of November: 2 Emergency Calls. Ambulance Squad will be having annual elections in December.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT: Robert Brant
Proposed Curfew Ordinance: Sent to council for their review. The ordinance would provide for curfew hours, defining a "minor",and would regular behavior of individuals who would remain in a public place in contravention of the ordinance.
Mr. Brant reviewed this in detail and received comments from Diane Lopinson, a resident, Joseph Chendorian, a resident and store keeper, Robert Saylor, a resident, a Sylvia (last name ?), a store keeper.
Questions raised: Age of minors, time that curfew would be in effect, exceptions in regards to minors, and what can be done if Chief Holden is not available at the time of a problem?
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE MR. BRANT ADVERTISE THIS PROPOSED ORDINANCE FOR ADOPTION. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
FINANCE/PERSONNEL: Joseph Giunta
Summary sheet has been handed out. It is a balanced budget, no tax increases.
Suggest that Ordinance 282 be adopted.
Mayor questioned: If budget was improperly advertised initially, and is the borough legal now?
Joe: It was advertised properly, figures were slightly off because of the calculations and now have been adjusted.
Mayor: The form that is supplied from Harrisburg has not been used this year or in the past.
Joe: On the correct form which has been passed out, and this is the budget which has been advertised.
MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE #283, 1998 BUDGET AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
2) Millage: Joe thanked Tom Snyder for his diligent work with the county to get answers on the assessments, etc. County has given no firm answer. Tom replied that as per the Board of Assessments that the figures stated are correct as also confirmed by Josephine Gill, Tax Collector.
Borough Millage: 0.00l; Fire Company: 0.000l62, and Library: 0.00008l.
MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE #284, TAX ORDINANCE AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Joe thanked all those who gave of their time and efforts in this endeavor.
STREETS/ROADS: Bernie McCollum
Pot Holes: Hopes that all these get fixed before cold weather sets in. If there is anyone who knows of any to be fixed, call Borough Hall.
2) Clearfield Avenue: Amend Resolution to reflect Clearfield Avenue Snow Emergency. East Side.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO AMEND CURRENT RESOLUTION TO REFLECT THIS ADDITION OF CLEARFIELD AVENUE. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor would like to see this process go into Ordinance form rather than resolution. Bob Brant will look into this.
PROPERTY: Bernie McCollum: No report
FINANCE/PERSONNEL: Joseph Giunta
Additional Item: Would like to see a check given to Josephine Gill, Tax Collector in an amount not to exceed $50.00. It was mentioned that time did not permit this report to completed.
MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA TO PAY JOSEPHINE GILL, FINAL PAYMENT FOR THE YEAR NOT TO EXCEED $50.00. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
STREET LIGHTS/CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Chris Kraft
Christmas Lights are up, thanks to the help of the Fire Company and Bernie McCollum. One light is off. Chris would like to replace bulbs annually. Would like permission to spend $650.00 for new light sets. In January everything is pretty much depleted and would like to buy them now. In all probability, bill would be due early next year.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM IT WAS VOTED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF $650.00 FOR THE REPLACEMENT CHRISTMAS BULBS, ETC. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Sue thanked all those involved.
FIRE COMPANY LIAISON: Joan Giunta: No Report
POLICE COMMITTEE: Joseph Giunta Would like an Executive Meeting, following tonight's regular meeting to discuss the Police Contract.
BOROUGH MANAGER: Thomas Snyder
l) Summit Avenue has been patched.
2) Train Stop will be coming in for a Zoning Hearing, this is in the Commercial District. They wish to expand and will need a variance.
3) Clemens Subdivision: Moving along, if anyone notices "yellow flags", that indicates the trees that will be saved at the corners of the buildings.
4) Slaters/Toporowskis: Sometime in January a meeting will be set up.
5) O'Neill Drain: Letter sent to Hersh, Inc. advising them to rectify situation.
6) Tree: Clearfield Avenue will be cut down soon.
(7) Open Space: Intervention on the trail has open some discussion on this project.
(8) 2nd Street: Meeting on Friday, l2/l2. Deeds line up, No encroachments.
(9) Montgomery Avenue: There are some temporary stakes, just temporary. Survey watches deeds. Salt and Cinder bin installed there.
CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Eppley: Nothing to Report
OLD BUSINESS, NEW BUSINESS: Nothing
Mayor's Report: William Clossin
Old Christmas Lights, what is the status of them? Where are they? Tom will check out where they are. Mayor would like some more, but doesn't want to pay original price. It was discussed and they will be offered free. But those who originally paid will get first choice.
AUDIENCE:
1) Donna Batzell: Montgomery Avenue resident.
Concerned with the stakes that are there. Tom assured her that they are just for reference, not permanent. Road has drifted from where it should be, something needs to be done. There is a knob in a tree which has to be removed. Property owners will be informed of any major changes as they occur.
Engineering studies will continue.
Waste Management (trash haulers) are sending smaller vehicles to collect the trash and recycleables.
If other than borough vehicles and Waste Management haulers come up that road, that is there responsibility.
2) Joseph O'Neill: Wants to be on record that he wants his drain reinstalled. As mentioned previously, a letter went to Hersch.
3) Diane Lopinson: Can the curfew ordinance be expected to go in effect soon. Mr. Brant reassured her that it has to be advertised and enacted upon. Diane was wondering if there is money put aside for "curfew signs", according to Tom Snyder, there is a line item for signs.
Other business: Tonight is Joe Giunta last meeting and Sue thanked Joe for his service over the years.
Joe spoke and thanked all the people of Schwenksville, saying it was his honor and pleasure to serve on the council. Everyone had patience and understanding. Joe thanked especially Sue for her leadership qualities, she has been a great asset. Sue then thank Joe again and he will be sorely missed. Audience and council thanked Joe will a hand clapping.
NEXT MEETING: REORGANIZATIONAL: Monday, January 5, l998,
REGULAR: Thursday, January 8, l998
both at 7:30 p.m.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy J. Eppley, Secretary
December 18, l997