BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 23, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Robert L. Brant, Solicitor in the absence of Mayor William Clossin.
in addition, being a regular meeting, council will also nominate a President, Vice President and various appointments to the board.
Roll call was taken and present were: E.M. (Sue) Kuhn, Joseph Giunta, Joan Ciunta, Bernard McCollum, and Chris Kraft. Absent was Mayor, William Clossin.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly.
Nomination for President: MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO APPOINT E.M. (SUE) KUHN AS BOROUGH PRESIDENT. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Nomination for Vice President: MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO APPOINT JOSEPH GIUNTA AS BOROUGH VICE PRESIDENT. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
12/12/96 Minutes: MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THESE MINUTES. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
12/27/96 Minutes: MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THESE MINUTES. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
12/12/96 Minutes: MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THESE MINUTES AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
12/27/97 Minutes: MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THESE MINUTES AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Bernie questioned the time that was spent on phone calls between Tom Snyder, Bob Brant, Wendy McKenna and the various agencies (County, Fema, etc.) that needed to be talked to concerning the Infrastructure Loan. Can the borough charge the loan for these calls?
Mr. Brant explained that this is interest free money. This project started in 1995 and is the largest obligation that the borough has ever incur and might incur. It has taken quite a bit of work to smooth out all the problems which might have incurred had Mr. Brant, his staff and Tom Snyder had not kept on top of the project. There is still ongoing work to be done.
Joe questioned the JMG Excavating invoice: This is for the storm sewer repair. This expense will be reimbursed to the borough.
Ed Bechtel invoice: This is for the sealing of cracks in various streets. Tom was authorized to have this job fixed back in November of 1996. Cost was $4,900.00.
Cindering bills: No bills as yet. Gael was asked to keep an eye out for any. Contact the Authority if borough does not receive one. Keep on top of the situation. Weather has been in the borough's favor.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Payback of Infrastructure Loan: Monthly bill is $791.67. MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE THE TREASURER DRAFT A CHECK IN THE AMOUNT OF $791.67 EACH MONTH AND DEPOSIT IT FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS. MONIES WILL COME FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
Borough will collect from the authority.
APPOINTMENTS FOR THE YEAR 1997:
Secretary: Nancy Eppley
Treasurer: Gael Hahn
Solicitor: Robert Brant
Engineer: Kenneth Yeager
Code Enforcement Officer: Thomas Snyder
Plumbing Inspector: Thomas Snyder
Zoning officer: Thomas Snyder
MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE ABOVE PERSONS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
RESIGNATION: A letter was received from Ronald Clossin tending his resignation as Emergency Management Coordinator for personal reasons.
Ralph Rosenberger has volunteered his services for the Emergency Management Post.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT RONALD'S RESIGNATION AND ACCEPT RALPH ROSENBERGER AS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Other appointments that expired 12/31/96:
Planning Commission: 5 yr. term appointing Ralph Rosenberger
Park & Recreation: 5 yr. term appointing Richard Sheppard
Zoning Hearing Board: 3 yr. term appointing Anthony Katona
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO APPOINT THE ABOVE TO THEIR RESPECTIVE TERMS OF OFFICE. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT: Frank Holden
For the month of December there was a total of 57 incidents. Frank's complete report is on file at the Borough office.
Frank reported that there is a multitude of turkey buzzards around the area. Both Frank and Tom Snyder have been in contact with the Game Commission, and the Fish and Wild Life Commission to get their input on how to relieve this problem. Various residents have sighted these buzzards in their yards and it is becoming quite a problem. Also geese have been seen in the community park.
Perkiomen Valley School District is forming a Safety Committee and have request that Frank sit in on the committee. Permission was granted on this request.
Santa Claus came and went at the holiday season.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Presented by secretary, Nancy Eppley
Month of December: Number of calls: 5, Firefighters in service: 40, Time in service: 9 hrs. and 40 minutes, Distance traveled: 7 miles.
Year End Report: Number of calls: 56, Firefighters in service: 448, Time in service: 51 hrs. and 33 minutes, Distance traveled: 105.
A financial report was passed out. Looks good per Joe Giunta.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT: Robert Brant
1) Schwenksville Lumber: Will be going to the Zoning Hearing Board seeking permission to alter their commercial buildings at 250 Main Street, to permit 2 additional commercial units to occupy premise. Since Tom Snyder is owner of this establishment and is Borough Manager he will not be able to make a determination. In this case, Borough Engineer, Ken Yerger will advise council of any intentions.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE KEN YERGER REVIEW THIS PLAN. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
STREETS/ROADS: Bernard McCollum
Everything looks good, snow signs are up. There is a sign at Mine Hill Road that has to be moved.
PROPERTY: Bernie McCollum - Nothing at present. Will work on fixing Borough hall in Spring. Bernie understands that new bidding requirements have come from the Borough's Association. Bob Brant will check this out.
FINANCE & PERSONNEL: Joe Giunta - Nothing to report
PARK BOARD: Tom Snyder - Nothing to report
STREET LIGHTING: Chris Kraft Nothing to report
FIRE COMPANY: Joan Giunta Hose Fund contribution is $2,500. with a final total of $15,000.
POLICE COMMITTEE: Joe Giunta - Nothing to report
BOROUGH MANAGER: Tom Snyder
1) Centennial Street: Advertising for bids on 2/3/97 with Bid Opening scheduled for 2/28/97 so that everything will be ready for the March meeting.
Temporary "Road Closing" signs are up. Job is 25%
finished. PECO is finished, poles to be pulled after Bell is done
working on the wires.
2) Lutheran Church Parking lot: Planning on tearing down the house at Centennial and Second which was fire bombed several months ago and making it a parking lot. Sidewalk would be moved and church would dedicate the right of way back to the borough.
3) Clearfield Avenue: Water is coming up in a seam at this location. This seems to be a result of a drainage system put in a few years back on Mine Hill Road. Not a water main leak. Hidden spring?? The only thing that can be done now is to cinder in the icy weather. Springtime will be the time to fix this problem.
4) Jeffrey Clemens is seeking permission to build an apartment complex of 28 apartments in the two buildings on a 492' lot on the west side of Centennial Street. Applicant needs 500' but only has 492'. Nothing needs to be done by council yet.
Recommendations have been received from the Borough's Planning Commission which will be given to the Zoning Hearing Board.
Bernie thought that everything was approved previously. No it hadn't. Ground in question is zoned for Garden Apartments but because of the shortage in feet that is why that it has to go to the Zoning Hearing Board.
Hearing scheduled for Thursday, January 30th at 7:00 p.m.
Chris questioned Roy Miller of the Borough's Planning Commission concerning some open space on this property of Clemens. Plan shows some open space.
Ken Yerger will give the borough his comments. Tom mentioned that a variance first must be gotten.
5) John Benner (524 Main Street) Assures Tom that deck will be coming down.
Retirement Center: New owners as of Feb. 15, 1997. Company running it is known as "Complete Care Center".
CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Eppley
Boroughs Association has Collegeville, Trappe, and
Schwenksville as hosts of the meeting of the Association scheduled
for October 23, 1997.
OLD BUSINESS: Nothing
NEW BUSINESS: October 11, 1997 is the P.S.O.A. parade.
MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Clossin absent tonight, due to sickness.
AUDIENCE: Gael Hahn suggested that perhaps the Bernie and Jim Shott, Cabinet Maker could get together and mend the broken chairs used in the meeting room.
NEXT BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1997 AT 7:30 P.M.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO ADJOURN TONIGHT'S MEETING. ALL WERE IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy J. Eppley
January 31, 1997.