BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 24, 1997
A special meeting of borough council was called to order by President, E. M. (Sue) Kuhn on Monday, November 24, l997 at 7:00 p.m.
The secretary, Nancy Eppley called the roll. Present were: E. M. (Sue) Kuhn, Joseph Giunta, Joan Giunta, Bernard McCollum, Chris Kraft and Mayor William Clossin (arriving just a few minutes after roll call).
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly.
Purpose of tonight's meeting: REVIEW THE 1998 PROPOSED BUDGET so that it may be advertised.
Joe explained the budget headings at the top of the August 3l,197 budget papers.
Revenues for l998: $252,996.00 (over $5,000.00) from last year. Monies received this year and next year include the transfer tax and fees for the new retirement home. New assessment from the county will also help..
Expenditures for l998: $284,329.00 There is an additional $l0,000. put aside for Highway (Snow). If that were taken out the figure would be $l0,000.00 less. No other surplus items listed.
Bernie originally asked for $20,000.00
Council reviewed various items:
409.25 - percentage: 560.80 due to the repair, maintenance, supplies to the borough hall. Next year, Bernie mentioned that the walkway and change of doors should go in.
Police Department Budget: Frank's salary has increased by 4%, medical insurance is higher, dental insurance included. Much the same as last year. Operating Expenses: $4,000.00 for l998, this will be close per Mayor Clossin. There also are some bills that will be coming in December that will have to be paid.
430.00 - Unordained Streets: Up by $4,000. from last year. Mt. View Avenue and Boulevard need work. Especially Boulevard. Montgomery Avenue will need to be ordained as the borough is having trouble with the trash hauler using that street.
Sue mentioned that council is doing the streets as the need and revenue come up, ONE STEP AT A TIME.
Bernie mentioned that he never sees anything that means anything. Reports are hard to follow. Joe explained the Treasurer's Report and how revenues come into the borough.
Discussion on the Centennial Street repayment plan.
Legal and Engineering are high, but engineering it needed for the projects in order to get grants, etc.
Again, the subject of ordaining the streets was discussed. Bob Brant is working on legal description for 2nd Street and should be discussed at the next regular meeting. The main concern on the streets per Chris Kraft should be the engineering and surveying. Chris mentioned that safety and emergency situations need to be addressed.
Bernie is concerned that the authority is paving unordained streets or streets that belong to an association such as Pennypacker Drive. He suggested bill association or stop plowing snow.
Joan mentioned that there is not enough money for ordaining all of the unordained streets. Bernie suggested doing what we can now while the streets are in half decent shape or we'll pay for it later.
SALARIES: Joe mentioned that everyone received 4% this year.
Mayor was wondering what the Treasurer's last year pay was: $5,700. Now $6,000.00. Increase should be $228.00, not $300.00. That is more than 4%. Joe said that the contract fee that the figure was rounded out. Mayor felt that everyone should have been given the same consideration. Joan mentioned that you can't compare salary wages to a contract fee (she compared that to engineering services), Mayor disagreed.
Chris would like to see an "indented" items, is this possible. Perhaps when the new computer is here. It would be easier to read.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO LEAVE THE TREASURER'S MONEY FIGURE AT $6,000.00. MOTION CARRIED.
Joe mentioned to Bernie that he hoped he understood how the expenditures and revenues are presented each month. He hoped he fully explained this in the review.
Millage: County hasn't decided. According to Joan, December 2nd will be the date. Tom said that the county assesses a number, the borough should arrive at their owned based on that assessment. The new assessment is all we need. Joe said that we can't use the old method.
Mayor Clossin: Still concerned with the raises given out this year. He feels that the board is conveying a wrong message. The performance of the treasurer hasn't been good this year and she is getting the most percentage of everyone.
Joan: Records accurate
Sue: Joe being the Finance Chairman will be leaving at the end of the year and the borough can ill afford to loose the treasurer.
Joe: Totally disagrees with the Mayor. Raise was 5% not 5.3% as mentioned by Mayor. Gael according to Joe does all the "grunt" work, he can't do it all. Feels that the Mayor hasn't participated in the budget, and hasn't given council help in preparing his portion of the budget. Mayor said that he was not invited to any budget meetings. Tom Snyder also expressed his concern in this matter.
Sue called an end to the discussion.
Chris was wondering about the "No Tax Increase". That means there is no tax increase imposed by council. New assessments went out from Montgomery County this year and some residents will have a higher tax and some lower, but that is from the County.
Budget not final until l2/ll. MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSED BUDGET AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
OTHER BUSINESS:
New Police Contract: Proposed contract has been given to Frank Holden for his review. If accepted, Frank will sign and a copy will be retained in the office. Council is putting on a Dental Plan this year,this replaces the existing $500.00 self insured fund that the borough was providing. Dental plan covers Frank and his spouse. Borough is on a full pay this year, but next year if there are any increases, it will be on a co-pay. Frank is unaware of contract reading but is knowledgeable of the generalization of the contract.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO PRESENT THIS PROPOSAL TO FRANK HOLDEN. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
2) Curfew: Bernie McCollum
How are we coming with the curfew issue? Bob Brant looking into, will be discussed later.
Discussion on "town watch", What will solve the problems that no only happen during the night but day as well? This will be discussed later.
3) Gas Main Hit: By a landscaper at the new Retirement Center. No damage done. PECO was informed of the problem.
Next Meeting: December 11, 1997 at 7:30 p.m.
MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA 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 3, 1997