BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 10, 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, Bernard McCollum, and Chris Kraft. Absent was William Clossin, Mayor, who is on vacation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly.
DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE JUNE MINUTES: MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE JUNE MINUTES. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF THE JUNE MINUTES: MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 10, 1997. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AS PRESENTED AND ALSO THE FOLLOWING INVOICES WHICH WERE PRESENTED TODAY:
DAVID TOPOROWSKI: Painting borough hall: $2,290.00,
ECKERT SIGNS: Painting borough hall signs: $l25.00
RON BARBER: Cindering of Mt.View Ave.: $2,587.87
ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURER's REPORT: MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY JOAN 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 June l997: Total incidents: 76
Frank mentioned that all of the windows in the police building were smashed. Repairs have been made. Under investigation.
FIRE REPORT: Chief Nicholas Matregrano
Firefighters in service: l6, Time in Service: 45 minutes, Distance Travelers: 9 miles.
Nick presented Jan. thru July Fire Co. Fire Tax Acct. Expenses.
AMBULANCE REPORT: No representative present.
SOLICITOR's REPORT: Robert Brant
Mr. Brant wrote to council on July l0th in reference to Fibercomm - CATV Franchise Proposal.
He and Tom Snyder met with John Lomire, director of FiberComm, L.L.C. on July 7th. FiberComm is seeking to enter into CATV Franchise Agreements with Schwenksville borough and neighboring municipalities.
Schwenksville Borough granted a l5 yr. franchise to Suburban Cable's predecessor in l98l. This agreement expired last fall and the borough is presenting operating on a month to month basis with Suburban Cable.
Mr. Brant also provided for the boards' review service and technology information given to him by FiberComm. Bob asked council to review this information and further discussion should follow.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
STREETS/ROADS: Bernie McCollum
l) Mt. View Avenue was recently cindered, but someone is making ruts in this road. Neighbors have been asked to report any happenings to Frank Holden. Frank also will be keeping "an eye" on this and will talk to the neighbors.
Bernie said that to pave this road would cost approximately $7,000.00. Joe mentioned that perhaps $5,000.00 could be gotten from Ice/Snow acct., but remember we do have November and December of this year to think about should we have bad weather.
Tom suggested having a Special Meeting to discuss Road Improvement and Centennial Street Wrap-Up. Meeting scheduled for July 3lst at 7 p.m.
`` 2) Schweigert Property: Discussed at last meeting. Cost would be approximately $550. for using a bulldozer. This is Ron Barber's estimate. Has been discussed with Sam and he is in agreement, a letter will be written by Tom Snyder for Sam's approval. It was suggested that the borough stay clear of the Jones property.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO AUTHORIZE THIS EXPENSE SUBJECT TO TOM SNYDER WRITING TO SAM SCHWEIGERT FOR AUTHORIZATION. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
PROPERTY: Bernie McCollum
l) Building has been painted, Sign is up.
2) The inside has been exterminated for "bugs".
3) Bernie has talked to the Boy Scouts and told them that they will have to look for a new meeting place by August. Borough needs the space for storage.
4) Discussion on the ramp/door. Will have more details for the next meeting. Suggests going with treated wood.
5) Flag outside: This also will be going up, and will be lit.
FINANCE/PERSONNEL: Joe Giunta
1) 6 month financial review: No major adjustments need to be made. On target.
2) On Engineering and Legal Fees for Developers: These charges should go to the applicant. Tom will review this with Gael.
3) Hose Fund: There is $7,770.60 in this fund. Gael will hand this over to the Fire Company. They plan to go into a joint venture with Harleysville Fire Co.
Fire Chief, Nick mentioned that they are securing prices and he should know something by Monday evening. Also, mentioned that the Fire Co. held a meeting re: water availability.
PARK BOARD: Tom Snyder No Report
STREET LIGHTING: Chris Kraft
l) Walnut Street light: Keeps blinking off/on. Trouble has been faxed to PECO.
FIRE CO. LIAISON: Joan Giunta No Report
POLICE COMMITTEE: Joe Giunta
Met with Frank Holden. Still some details to be worked out, conferring with Bob Brant. Should have everything ironed out by next meeting.
BOROUGH MANAGER: Tom Snyder
l) CPOC: Reverting back to mortgage holder. No closed.
2) Centennial Street: Some trouble with Bell Telephone on the conduit lines. Curbs are 20% completed. PECO working with the gas lines.
CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Eppley
Nancy has contacted Jon Fox's office to leave them know that the borough would be pleased to have Mr. Fox hold a "Town Meeting" in August. Representative Fox's office should be getting back to the borough.
OLD BUSINESS:
1) Landlord fee for Tenants: Bob has research, but hasn't found too much concerning this. The borough does charge a $25.00 charge for a U. & O. However, after receiving most of the Landlord/Tenant Reports back in the office it was discovered that most do not adhere to the ordinance. Nancy mentioned that this time she did send a little note on the ordinance that was adopted a few years back.
Tom mentioned that he does catch a few tenants moving in over the weekends and he has gotten a few. Mr. Brant felt that it would be proper to charge the $25.00 and to inform the landlord that they must have Mr. Snyder inspect the unit involved. Tom will be discussing this further with Bob.
OLD BUSINESS:
1) Deck on Summit Avenue: After inspecting a deck on Summit Ave. Tom said that it was not properly done. A letter will be going to the owner.
2) Tree: Sue has received many telephone calls concerning a tree. Tom will contact Don Filson.
AUDIENCE:
1) Roy Miller: When is something going to be done with the alley near his home. He has been keeping in repair for several years now and feels that the borough should do something about it. This will be discussed at the July Special Meeting.
2) James Dull: Would like to apologize for his speaking out of turn at the last meeting. Misunderstood what is being done with the "bat" problem.
Mentioned that Summit Avenue near Highland has some potholes that need to be filled in.
3) Alberta Lynch: Needed clarification on the Cable Agreement.
4) Dave Toporowski: Has the letter been sent to the Slaters concerning the violation? Yes, they have the option of going to the Zoning Hearing Board.
NEXT MEETING: SPECIAL MEETING: Thursday, July 3l, l997 at 7:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING: Thursday, August 14, 1997 at 7:30 P.M.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy J. Eppley, Secretary
July l4, l997