BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 13, 1997
The November 13, 1997 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 (arriving a few minutes after roll call), and Mayor, William Clossin.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE OCTOBER MINUTES. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 9, 1997. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Joe mentioned that the Carroll Engineering bill this month is quite high due to the Jeff Clemens Subdivision charges. Accurate records should be kept of these charges both engineering and legal and charged back to the developer on a regular basis.
Tom has met with Mr. Clemens and he will be sending a check. There are some minor things to be worked out.
Mayor Clossin questioned a unpaid bill going back to May of last year. This was paid in 1997, but the spring bill of l997 isn't being paid until tonight. Bills from Systems Innovation had been sent to the Police station. Gael has requested that further bills be sent to the borough. All bills sent to the Police station had been turned over to the borough treasurer according to the mayor. There was some problem and perhaps it will now be solved.
MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AS PRESENTED. 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 CHIEF'S REPORT: Frank Holden on vacation this week. No report.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Presented by Chief Nicholas Matregrano
Month of October: 8 calls, Firefighters in Service: 47, Time in service: 5 hrs. and 58 minutes. Distance traveled: 39 miles. Nick gave a breakdown in the calls. There will be a Take-Out Chicken Bar-B-Q l2/7. Looking for new members. The Fire Company wishes everyone a safe Thanksgiving Holiday.
AMBULANCE REPORT: Presented by Nancy Eppley
Month of October l3 emergency calls in the borough. Mentioned the different types of calls. The ambulance squad with be having annual elections.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT: 3RD STREET ORDINATION
Has been advertised and ready for adoption. Prepared by Carroll Engineering, adopting the plan as the official borough plan for said street and approving and opening as a public highway the said street.
There were 3 properties involved: Millers, O'Neills and Bitterman. These persons have l0 days to appeal if they want and a hearing will be scheduled. If adopted tonight it will be effective 30 days from tonight if there is no petition for a hearing.
Bernie questioned: Why did he have to get signatures, if this is the case tonight. Wasn't necessary, this was an easier way to go per Mr. Brant Cost was also questioned.
2) Trail Case: Continued dialogue with the county. Brief has been filed and right of way to intervene has been granted. Bob will continue to keep council advised.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
STREETS/ROADS: Bernie McCollum
l) Unordained Street Plowing: He has been checking with other municipalities and some have a system where if they plow unordained streets/private property that they charge the resident(s). Joe mentioned that the residents who live on unordained streets also pay taxes. Joan agreed with Bernie in the concept of various developments who pay condo or association fees for this service and being a development they never intend to ordain. We are plowing for those residents as well, we should get reimbursed. If we have to do it for one we have to do for all. Health and Safety are the things to consider
Bob Brant can look into the legal authority to bill residents.Council gave permission. The main area in question is Pennypacker Drive. There is a fee charged to residents but they are not getting the service in snow plowing, the borough authority has been doing the plowing.
Chris feels that the board should actively look into this. Council has made a list of unordained streets and they try to accomplish streets as money permits. Property lines are also a problem per Joe. Mt. View according to Mayor Clossin was a problem and continues to need work.
2) Tree on Clearfield Ave. will be cut down.
3) Boulder between apartments/train stop restaurant. No one has deed to that piece of ground. Tom Snyder referred to the map. Basically problem goes back to l856. Ed Roman began involved in the 70s. Bob Brant explained what would be needed to be done (3 step process).
4) Schwenksville Borough Authority letter (ll/l0/97): Potential Trouble Spots for Snow Plowing:
A great deal of discussion centered on #l-Clearfield Avenue as to what side to put the snow. .
Council intended on going over all ll items but it was decided to review this letter and discuss it further later. In the meantime, the secretary will send a letter to Fred Kehs informing him to continue as in the past for snow plowing until a resolution can be drawn up.
5) Red Lights Contract: Tom assured that borough could get a contract. Contract would cover light bulbs, control problems, not accidents.
6) Electric: Main & Perkiomen Avenues: PECO fixed pole so the Holiday lights can be lite.
PROPERTY: Bernie McCollum
l) Shed: Has been cleaned out and anyone who wants it can have it.
2) Borough Roof: Has been fixed with snow stoppers and slates have been replaced. Helps in liability.
Sue questioned the ordination of 2nd Street: Bob Brant working on.
FINANCE/PERSONNEL: Joseph Giunta
l) Police Pension Fund: Resolution 97-7 has been prepared. This waives employee contributions to the pension plan. MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ADOPT THIS RESOLUTION. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
2) Excess Earnings in the police pension fund: Suggested by the Police Pension Fund Trust that the excess earning are to be invested in the municipal fund.
3) l998 Proposed Budget: Borough Assessment received this afternoon from Montgomery County is $47,839,280.00. Market value of private, non exempt properties in the borough.
No tax increase is proposed. Millage rate hasn't been established yet. The new retirement center will add some revenue in permit fees.
Monday, November 24th at 7:00 p.m. borough council will adopt the l998 borough budget. Gael Hahn will advise this meeting.
Joe reviewed the Receipts needed. Expenditure review.
Bernie mentioned that the Secretary/Treasurer Category he feels should be divided. Gael was advised to give one more number to this classification.
Updated Computer: Budgeted $2,000.00
Renovations to borough building: Budgeted $l5,000.00. Ramp should cost approximately $8,000.00. Bernie getting prices for concrete and seasoned wood. $7,000.00 for a project which is itemized yet.
Computer: Mayor Clossin wondering if there is a problem with the present computer. No, according to Joan, but if the borough wants to keep pace with county information, it would be a benefit for borough to update. Mayor feels he would like more information to see if borough is really going to benefit from this expenditure.
Salary: Police Chief - 4% raise. Working on a 2 yr. contract. Medical Insurance premiums have risen considerably. There is also listed an expenditure for dental insurance
Operating equipment: A little high in cost (radio), Mayor Clossin will be getting a breakdown on this.
Public Safety - Fire: Borough continues to pay different services, plus donation.
Ambulance: Increased to $l,000. from $500. in l997.
Zoning/Planning: Nothing budgeted. Still working with the Clemens Escrow Account.
Health/Welfare: "Wash" item.
Highway Maintenance - General Services: Unordained Streets listed at $2,000. put an additional $3,000.00 = $5,000.00 and Snow/Ice Removal listed at $l5,000. Bernie would like to see $20,000.00. Decided to keep at $l5,000.00 put perhaps establish another account (surplus) and put monies in there.
Traffic Signal/Signs: Difference was explained. Signal Maintenance was for a contract - not in existence. Tom felt that $4,000. might be needed. #433.37 Traffic Sign Maintenance: Increased to $2,500.00 and #433.45 Signal Maintenance: Remains at $l,500.00.
Christmas Light Maintenance: $500.00 okay.
Street Lights Purchase: $l2,000.00 still pursuing - checking with other municipalities.
Curb Ramps: Tom suggested $l,000.00 for l998.
Storm Drain Maintenance: $2,000.00 okay.
Machinery Repair/Maintenance: Eliminate $500.
Street Maintenance Repair: $5,000.00 okay per Tom. Bernie would like to see monies put aside for ordination of streets.
Open Space: Mayor would like to see something put aside for this. There was some discussion on this subject, nothing concrete decided.
ADOPTION OF THE PROPOSED 1998 BUDGET: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1997 AT 7:00 P.M. Gael Hahn said she would advertise this.
Park Board: Tom Snyder Nothing to report
Street Lighting: Chris Kraft Holiday Lights by the end of the month.
Fire Company Liaison: Joan Giunta Nothing to report
Police Committee: Joe Giunta
Met with Frank Holden and a proposal is being drawn up which should be done soon. Working on a dental plan.
Borough Manager: Tom Snyder
l)KYW radio station should be coming in clearer, PECO worked on the lines.
2) Retirement Center: Scheduled for completion in February with 95 units. There are some furnishings (appliances, etc) if anyone knows of any charity needing such, contact Tom.
3) Centennial Street drain checked by surveyor and contractor is following up.
4) Montgomery Avenue: There are problems on this street. Road is moving over, there is a "dog leg" and due to water drainage road moving towards Dick Croyle's property and wall is starting to have problems. Waste Management refused to collect trash with the large trucks so they are using pickup trucks.
Tom would like permission to have the engineer stake out Montgomery Avenue. MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE TOM SNYDER CONTACT KEN YERGER FOR SERVICES ON MONTGOMERY AVENUE TO STAKE OUT A PRICE NOT TO EXCEED $1,000.00. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
5) 3RD STREET: "No Outlet" signs are up. This is a "Dead End" street.
6) Centennial Street: Streets signs are up, they are the old ones finished at l/2 the cost of new.
7) Penalty on those home owners not filing U & O's with the office: There are some home owners who are faithful in obeying the ordinance, but many do not let the office know when there are changes in tenants. Tom would like permission to have a penalty imposed MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO AUTHORIZE TOM SNYDER AND BOB BRANT TO WORK ON THIS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Eppley Nothing to report
OLD/NEW BUSINESS: Nothing
AUDIENCE:
Joe O'Neill: Would like to go on record about his cellar drain, wants it put back to where it was.
Also, agrees with Bernie on the ordination of the streets, thinks it is time this ordination is done.
Diane Lopinson,resident: Speaking for most of the group present tonight concerning problems with some of the town's youth. Feels that more police coverage is needed. Summertime is the worst since the kids have more time on their hands to do damage.
Mr. Schmidt speaking on behalf of the Schwenksville Laundromat. He presented a list of items that have happen over the past. (list on file in the office)
Sylvia (last name ?) Thinks that Chief Holden should do some night time patrolling. This is when "egg throwing at cars" and "broken windows" happen. Feels that the borough should adopt and enforce a curfew. Feels that Frank Holden does not enforce properly.
Robert Saylor, 626 Main Street: Spoke on the disturbing youth and measures he has taken on his property.
Dr. Shainline: Speaking for Mr. Saylor and Valley Electric and his own property. Damage to his own property and he also has been threatened and hit bodily. What can be done?
Don Buchanan, S.M.S.: Some of these violators live at the Summit, there are about l4-l8 kids involved in this problem. Never has he seen anything like the damage, etc. that had been done this past summer. It is a serious problem.
Residents/Shop Owners feel that Chief Holden should work at these critical times (3:30 a.m.)
Council & Mayor: Mayor doesn't feel scheduling Frank to work at that time is the best solution. Council will give their thoughts to this serious problem.
PROPOSED BUDGET ADOPTION MEETING: Monday, November 24, 1997 at 7:00 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING: Thursday, December ll, 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 AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy J. Eppley, Secretary
November 2l, 1997