BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 11, 1997
The September ll, l997 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 Mayor, William Clossin. Absent was Chris Kraft.
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 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 14, 1997 AND THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 3, 1997. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 14, 1997 AND THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 3, 1997. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE REPORT: Joe questioned the $800.00 charge presented by Carroll Engineering for the Jeff Clemens subdivision. review. Charges of this sort are to be paid from the escrow account established for Mr. Clemens. The borough shouldn't have to put out the borough's money, it should come out of the escrow fund. Mr. Clemens escrow account is in arrears and he has been informed to bring it up to date. No response as yet. Mr. Brant suggested that he be asked to put additional monies in the account to cover further invoices from engineering and legal work. Tom Snyder has spoken to Mr. Clemens and they will be having a meeting soon and at that time Mr. Clemens will review the bills presented and pay the borough. It was discussed that perhaps the borough should hold up paying the engineering bills until Mr. Clemens pays his bill. Mr. Brant suggested not doing that but make it clear to Mr. Clemens that he must make sure that the escrow is up to date. Borough is at fault for letting this go on and not making sure that the escrow was sufficient as invoices were presented.
MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA THAT THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE INCLUDING THE CARROLL ENGINEERING BILL BE PAID AND THAT THE ESCROW ACCOUNT OF JEFF CLEMENS BE BROUGHT UP TO DATE ASAP. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Bernie had additional questions under the accounts payable but will question them under here. Centennial Street Rebuilding: Thought the check last month was $l0,000., but sees that there is an expenditure for $l0,538.90. After checking it was mentioned that this is a project group of expenditures: Hersch - l5%=$l0,l73.90 & K.C.Brant (legal fees) $375.00.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM 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
August: 43 incidents. Chief Holden's report is on file at Borough Hall.
FIRE CHIEF's REPORT: No one present.
AMBULANCE REPORT: No one present
SOLICITOR's REPORT: Robert Brant Nothing to report
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
STREETS/ROADS: Bernard McCollum
l) Highpoint Development: Private association. Why is the borough snow plowing this development and not getting paid. It was suggested on checking to see if Highpoint Development Association is billing their residents for snow plowing and if they are the borough should be getting reimbursed for their services.
Also, there are some more unordained streets that are being plowed. Borough Authority works at the Borough's request. Bernie was asked to check out this situation and report back to the board.
2) 3rd & 4th Streets: Ordaining at Council's pleasure.
PROPERTY: Bernard McCollum
l) Copier: Bernie understood that the old copier which the office used would be used as a back-up, now it has gone to Edwards. What happened? There seems to be a misunderstanding. Gael Hahn will check with Edwards and will get the copier back at no cost to the borough.
2) Camera for Fire Marshall: Needed so he may take pictures if required at various emergency scenes. Joan mentioned that she previously had the need to purchase one and mentioned that cost is between $l75.00-$200. for what would be needed. It was suggested going thru the County's piggyback program. Since this is not a large purchase this cannot be done.
Probably would need a built in flash, zoom lens for close up and one which displays time and date.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO ALLOW $175.00 FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE CAMERA NEEDED BY THE FIRE MARSHALL. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED. Camera to remain the property of the borough.
FINANCE/PERSONNEL: Budget time. Gael has prepared the budget calendar. Joe reminded members to think about the streets/roads, snow plowing. Committee will meet before the next meeting.
PARK BOARD: Tom Snyder
North Elementary School has playground equipment to donate to borough. It can be stored at the authority's shed. Moving this equipment might cost approximately $l00.00, perhaps volunteers can be gotten. Tom will get in touch with Park Board members and see what they want to do.
STREET LIGHTING: Chris Kraft - absent tonight
FIRE COMPANY LIAISON: Joan Giunta - No report
POLICE COMMITTEE: Joseph Giunta Has drafted a letter to Frank Holden, copy to Sue Kuhn. Mailed and should be forthcoming to the borough shortly.
BOROUGH MANAGER: Tom Snyder
l) Centennial Street: Everything cleared up on the lst phase. Received final invoice on Centennial Street just today. Must be paid by 9/25/97. $90,652.l0. Walk thru on 9/9/97. Some minor things have to be done. Tom suggested paying this amount providing the minor things are done. Must have all original signatures.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO PAY $90,652.10 PROVIDED THAT EVERYTHING IS IN ORDER AND SUBJECTED TO THE EXECUTION OF THE DOCUMENTS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Monies coming from the HUD grant, Loan, and Borough General Funds. Tom will hand carry documents. Not sure when all monies will come in, but will continue to monitor project.
2) Route 29 Study: Previously COG (Council of Governments) has asked Penn Dot to study the Rt. 29 & crossroads as a project. Accept for Lower Frederick and Perkiomen Township all the rest of the members have gone along with this project. Cost: Was originally in the county budget, but was deleted. COG is now trying to get in back in.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA TO HAVE SCHWENKSVILLE BOROUGH ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION STUDY INCLUDING COLLEGEVILLE, TRAPPE, LOWER PROVIDENCE, SKIPPACK, LOWER FREDERICK, AND PERKIOMEN BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
3) Building Permits for Fire/Traffic Damage: Still requires a building permit and inspection. Same as before.
4) Parking Regulations - Centennial Street: After discussion it was decided to retain the same parking regulations as before.
5) Plans for the Assistant Living Center (Perkiomen Avenue) 95 units were on the table for review.
6) Plans (PennDot) - Only portion that affects the borough is l00' of Main Street.
7) Borough Records: Nancy and Tom continue to work on these records, some need to be saved, some thrown out, and historical books given away.
CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Eppley
Borough Dinner coming up on October 23rd. Sue has been talking with Jeanne Griffith-Collegeville. Jeanne, Pat Katona, and Nancy will get together soon.
OLD BUSINESS:
1) Boy Scouts: Ralph Caprio & Dennis MacGargle spokesmen for Troop #l05:
The borough will be needing the storage area in the basement of the borough building and the Boy Scouts have been asked to remove their equipment, etc. from same. This according to Mr. Caprio will be a hardship since they really don't have a place to go with the equipment or their meetings. Tom Snyder has offered some space at the lumber yard but according to Mr. Caprio this would need some improvement. Various places were suggested, they being: The Liberty House, Eden Mennonite Church, Library. It was also suggested that perhaps various groups come help in donations (Lions, Rotary, P.S.of A.). The borough cannot contribute any monies because of the tightness of their budget. Mr. Caprio mentioned a interest fee loan, this according to Mr. Brant cannot be permitted by law.
The shed in the back of the borough will also have to be removed. Mr. Caprio promised to work on these projects.
2) YMCA: Bob Brucker, Jeff Jacobs, and Fred Shultz
Presented an agenda and outlined topics which included:
Welcome/Introductions, Brief History, Purpose, Chart of Direction/Supervision, Potential Programs, Community Benefits, Community Responsibilities, and Action Plan.
A copy of the above is on file at the borough office, since this discussion is numerous in details.
Council voiced their concerns: Bernie McCollum: No money available at this time. Skateboarders come in from our municipalities. Sue Kuhn: The zip code l9473 encompasses surrounding municipalities, age of residents in Schwenksville.
Joe Giunta: Nothing budgeted this year, but happy to look at it at budget time for the future. Mayor Clossin: Not all municipalities have the same population and to budget the same amount of money per municipality doesn't seem the way to go.
Audience participation: Sam Schweigert: Think things out more shouldn't be the same for everyone. Pat Katona: Would like the board to think about budgeting some money now and maybe adjusting it after the first of the year.
Lines of communication will remain open.
NEW BUSINESS: Nothing
Mayor's Report: P.S.ofA. Event: Is the school band going to play at this event? Bruce MacBain said that things are being changed all the time. Will keep borough advised.
Audience:
Joe O'Neill - Centennial Street: Would like his cellar drain put back to where it was originally. Tom Snyder said that putting the drain under the sidewalk is to keep the gutters clear. This was done from O'Neill's to Yeanish's property. Mr. O'Neill is concerned that if his oil tank springs a leak, the oil could be all over the place and cause a problem.
Bernie talked with the contractor and he was assured that everything would be alright. If there is water in the cellar because of this, Bernie said that it would be corrected. Mr. O'Neill said that before coming to the meeting tonight that there was water in his cellar. He wants this drain definitely put back to its original place. Tom will get an estimate on how much this would cost.
Earl Stahl: Thanked council for doing 3rd street. Long time in coming. Concerned about a railing and sidewalk. Tom is aware and will get a proposed on fixing it.
NEXT MEETING: October 9, 1997 at 7:30 p.m.
MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM IT WAS VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. ALL WERE IN FAVOR.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy J. Eppley, Secretary
September l6, l997