BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 10, 1998. BEGAN: 7:30 P.M.
END: 9:30 P.M.
The Schwenksville Borough Council was called to order by council president, Bernard McCollum.
Secretary, Nancy Eppley called the roll. Present were: Bernard McCollum, E.M. (Sue) Kuhn, Joan Giunta and Jim Dull. Chris Kraft arrived after roll call. Absent was Mayor, William Clossin.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly.
Dispense with the reading of the minutes of November 12, l998:
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 12,1998. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Special Meeting of November 30, 1998.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JIM DULL IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 30, 1998. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Approval of the minutes of November 12, 1998:
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 12, 1998. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Approval of the minutes of the Special Meeting of November 30, l998.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JIM DULL IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 30, 1998. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Gael Hahn
l) Gave report on General and Liquid Fuels Accounts.
2) Some invoices have not been received as of this meeting. Gael would like permission to pay these as they come in to close out the year. Example: Keenan, Ciccitto and Brant, Bill from the Authority, Stamps for bulk trash mailing.
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY JIM DULL IT WAS VOTED TO ALLOW TREASURER TO WRITE THESE CHECKS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Checks written will be reported at the l999 January meeting.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Gael Hahn
Council received a revenue and expense report. Showed report from Jan. to November.
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER'S REPORT AS SUBMITTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Frank Holden absent - Due to illness
AMBULANCE REPORT: No one present, No report
FIRE COMPANY REPORT: Jim Keyser
Month of October l998: Number of calls-8 Firefighters in Service-76 Time in Service-2 hrs. & 24 minutes
Distance Traveled-l8 miles.
2) Santa will be delivering gifts to area children on l2/20/98. If you like to have a gift deliver, please put on child's name and address on the gift and the fire company Santa will do the rest.
3) Everyone is wished a Safe Christmas and Prosperous New Year.
4) Month of November 1998: Number of calls-4 Firefighters in Service-29 Time in Service-4 hrs. & 25 minutes
Distance Traveled-l3 miles.
5) Letter to council from Fire Company asking council to re-consider the amount which will be given to them. Council suggested $l,000.00. Fire Company would like to see $5,000.00. A new truck will be needed and cost is $l80,000.00 to $2l0,000.00.
Jim Dull feels council is in a position to give $5,000.00. Jim motioned to raise the amount of $l,000.00 to $5,000.00. Joan felt this suggestion can be review in the budget portion of tonight's meeting.
6) Financial report passed out for council's review.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT: Wendy McKenna filling in for Robert Brant
l) Bernie had asked Bob for a definition of streets:
Mr. Brant researched and found the following:
Private roads/streets are those not dedicated to public use or travel. They are created through the appropriation of private property for private use. On the other hand, public roads/streets are those which have been dedicated for public use or travel. Offers of dedication must be timely accepted, opened and used by the public. There is no particular formality required to constitute offer of dedication, only an act which clearly indicates such an intention is necessary. Public streets must be used within 21 years of acceptance of dedication or they will lose their public status and the land will revert to the abutting landowners.
No where in Borough Code or in case law could Mr. Brant find the terms ordained or unordained streets appear.
Questions: Jim Dull: What is public? Anyone using that street/road.
Tom Snyder: Snow Plowing the private streets, signs posted Private?
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
STREETS & ROADS: Sue Kuhn
Each member of council has received a color coded map of the streets of Schwenksville.
Blue: Ordained Green: Public, maintained, no ordained
Yellow:Public, not ordained or maintained
Pink: Private, no transportation on them for public use. Plow in emergency only.
Main & Perkiomen are State roads.
Pennypacker is in Pink, Not ordained by borough.
Joan: Pennypacker residents are charged by association. Feels that since the borough authority plows that area those monies should be coming to the borough as income. Suggested writing a letter to the association that if they charge residents for borough services those monies should come to borough.
Bernie: Salting of Private Roads: Can borough be held responsible should any damage to property and trees be involved? Insurance that the borough carries?
Tom: End of Woodland and Summit is a problem area.
Joan: If road is posted as Private, home owners on that particular road and want the borough to plow their road should sign a release (legal) relieving the borough of any action for snow plowing or salting which could occur.
Directed to Mr. Brant for drafting.
Has Tom received a priority of streets from Authority? No, Authority doesn't want the responsibility as to when to plow. Tom Snyder gives the order.
Bernie mentioned that he spoke to other boroughs and townships and they stay clear of private roads. Schwenksville Borough only has less than l/2 mile of private roads.
Jim Dull stated that this problem has been on going for l00 years and something should be finally done.
Joan mentioned that the streets in the borough are well cared for during snow and ice. Everyone was in agreement with this.
Tom wanted to know what he should do if a snow storm hits between now and the time an answer comes from Pennypacker Association and private roads. Same direction as before.
Tom instructed to write to Pennypacker Association(mentioned previously in these minutes).
2) 3rd Street: Between Pleasantview and Park Avenue. Never been used. Suggests getting it off of borough map. Goes into the subdivision that is there, l/2 to Smith, l/2 to Hayes. Clemens subdivision needs some of this for right of way for the water main. Joan questioned, will it have an affect on Mt. View Avenue work. Per Tom, No.
3) 2nd Street Parking at Church: Nursery school could use parking lot, but not doing. Suggest putting up signs indicating parking on one side only. West side of 2nd between Centennial and Church. Mr. Brant's office will draw up an ordinance.
Chris: Is this for Sunday also. Yes
Has borough spoken to the Nursery School Administration: Yes, both Frank Holden and Tom Snyder. No response from them.
Joan: This is being done for the purpose to protect children walking in the area.
4) Patching has been completed.
5) Line Painting complete - Centennial
6) Leaves will be done in the next 2 weeks.
PROPERTY: Sue Kuhn
l) Overhead light in meeting room is burned out. Needs to be replaced.
2) Rubber stoppers on metal chairs need to be replaced. Nancy will take care of getting these.
3) Chris mentioned that he doesn't check Private Road lights. Had an experience one time on a Private road in the borough that was terrifying. Would like to see big signs stating that they are Private, otherwise, against snow plowing that particular road.
4) Bernie mentioned that he has been in touch with PECO and a light will probably be bought for Second Street. Pole #2.
FINANCE: Joan Giunta
Joan: Items for discussion on the l999 Proposed Budget.
Bernie questioned the code enforcement fees: This is an in/out item.
Also, the Fire Company had spoken to Bernie concerning a larger allocation. He instructed them to come to a council meeting.
Ambulance allocation by the Borough: Council hasn't been getting reports as to the activity of the Ambulance. Where does the annual contribution go within the organization? It was mentioned that there is a membership fee and also miscellaneous charges by the Ambulance to health plans.
It was suggested that Nancy write a letter to the Ambulance and request that a representative be sent to a council meeting to get clarification on this subject.
1999 PROPOSED BUDGET: MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AS PRESENTED AND HAVE SAME ADVERTISED BY THE TREASURER. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Tax Ordinance states: Borough tax: l mil, Fire Tax: l.062 mil,and Library Tax: l.008 mil. A mil is $4,700.00.
2) Fire Company's request: Joan mentioned that at the November meeting this subject would again be discussed at the December meeting on giving more monies to the Fire Company. Fire Company is requesting $5,000.00 this year.
Joan said that this figure is not out of line. General Fund is able to handle this expense for helping secure a new fire truck.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY JIM DULL IT WAS VOTED TO GIVE $10,000.00 ONE TIME EXPENSE IN SUPPORT OF THE FIRE COMPANY TO GET NEW EQUIPMENT. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Jim Keyser representing the Fire Company tonight, thanked council for this generous contribution.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO EXPEND THIS FIRE COMPANY DONATION WITH ANY OTHER EXPENSES THAT COME FOR PAYMENT BY DECEMBER 31, 1998.
PARK BOARD: Tom Snyder
l) Swings are down at the Elementary School and are now in the Community Park, thanks to the efforts of Roy Miller and Joe O'Neil. Harvey Slater help in pulling the swings out.
STREET LIGHTING: Chris Kraft
l) Chris would like the minutes to reflect the following:
IN REGARDS TO THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Thanks to Joe Chendorian of "Needs to be Remembered" shop for re-finishing all of the lights now on display, including repainting, new garlands and re-wiring. Joe saved the Borough nearly $l,800.00, based on year ago estimated cost for equivalent work. Thanks also to Scott Angstead and the Schwenksville Borough Fire Company volunteers for mounting the lights on the poles. To Bell Atlantic for loan of a bucket truck, to Bernie McCollum for help in liaison with PECO and trouble shooting, and to the Kraft family for facilitating the year's effort and replacing all bulbs. A JOB WELL DONE.
2) Help with the electric for the Christmas Lights: Not getting much cooperation with PECO, volunteers from the community have been helping. Must have approval from council first.
Bernie suggested getting someone with a lift truck. Tom mentioned Harry Miller who takes care of the traffic lights.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE HARRY MILLER OR HIS ASSOCIATE WORK ON THE LIGHTS, EXPENDITURE UP TO $50.00. ALL WERE IN FAVOR THE MOTION CARRIED.
FIRE COMPANY LIAISON- Jim Dull
Personally, Jim tries to get involved with Fire Company. Finds that the volunteers also get their families involved with the various activities throughout the year.
FINANCE: Joan Giunta
Escrow Accounts: Are they up to date? Gael, Yes.
Recyclable Monies:Tom, money will come probably in February.
Borough Manager: Tom Snyder
1) Trash Bids: Tom passed out a summary of the bids received from Waste Management and B.F.I.
Residential: B.F.I. Waste Management
Trash collection &
Recycling 43,554.5l 39,270.00
Commercial Trash
Collection-30 units 46,97l.60 72,540.0l
Total................$90,526.ll $lll,8l0.00
Overall, B.F.I. lowest,responsible bidder.
According to Tom cost to residential customer would be $48. a quarter vs the now rate of $39.00 a quarter.
Questions:
Joan: What is the transition period? Tom explained resident will get toter with recyclable bin on December 30th from B.F.I., after trash from Waste Management is picked up on the same day, Waste Management will take the toter and bin away.
Sue: Can the borough reject the Commercial bid? No, per Wendy McKenna. Bid stands as presented.
Joan: Lower bidder has increased the cost for residents from the present rate. Difference in the bid from B.F.I. to Waste Management is approximately $4,200.00. But, Commercial will help the Residential Rate.
Tom: Council decided to go with Commercial units.
Jim: Collection Days (still the same)? Yes
Chris:What is resident getting for this increase in collection? Bernie explained the same service as Waste Management. Cost is a lot cheaper than other municipalities.
Treasurer Gael Hahn mentioned even though cost is higher, that doesn't mean that it is charged to the customers. Council must make that decision.
Chris: Feels that he should vote for Waste Management because it is cheaper.
Bernie: Must consider that Commercial is in these specs.
Joan: Contact Person at B.F.I.? Nancy will let council know.
Tom: Explained how he arrived at the quarterly bill:
Residential: $l5.00 cost plus $l.00=l month x 3=$48.00
Commercial: Depending of amount collected.
also: $.50 pickup, 8 pickups a month=$4.00 profit instead of $l.00 profit.
Chris: l3% increase to get B.F.I.
Sue: How many commercial does the borough have coming into the system, especially if they have a year's grace period? No answer to this question. Joan stated that the specs are per usage, not overall contract. Only paying for what we have at present.
Treasurer, Gael Hahn: Don't have to raise the rates if Commercial is included. Cheaper package. Chris thanked Gael for this statement.
Joan: Using recyclable monies we can:
Accept lower bidder,
Not increase residential,
Initiate billing of commercial.
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE BID FROM B.F.I. AND AWARD ON A TRIAL BASIS.
Vote: 4 in favor, l abstaining, due to needing some assurances (Chris Kraft). Majority. MOTION CARRIED.
Joan: Suggested reviewing the Commercial units once we get this underway. Increase to residential units is possible, but don't think it will done.
Wendy McKenna: Council would have to make a motion to increase fees.
Tom Snyder: Previously Tom suggested using Trash monies that are available. Now, he has recinded the idea.
BOROUGH MANAGER: Tom Snyder
Projects:
l) Mt. View Avenue: Bid Opening: Feb.Meeting
2) Line Painting: Double lines on Centennial. No passing from Lower Frederick, through Perkiomen, and through the Borough.
3) Montgomery Avenue and 3rd Street: Awaiting infrastructure loan.
4) Borough Hall: Improvements??
5) Rt. 73/29 Meeting: December l6th.
6) Street Lighting Purchase: Awaiting quote. Looks like no purchase this year.
7) Highland Terrace Pillars: Working on today.
8) Abandonment of Highland: Tom continues on having meetings.
Joan:
Berkheimer Request: Just found out that Berkheimer is requesting that the borough appoint a tax handling officer. It can be them or an outside person (tax collector) Nancy was instructed to call Berkheimer to find out what the duties of such officer would entail and ask for the newly printed book.
MOTIONED BY JIM DULL AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO APPOINT BERKHEIMER ASSOCIATES FOR SERVICES OF THE TAX HANDLING OFFICER. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Nancy: Correspondence
Council must tonight pass a resolution in regards to Ordinance #244 regarding the agreement dated 2/14/9l, between the Borough and the PA Municipal Retirement Board which allows for the annual waiving or reduction of required employee contributions in the Police Pension Plan. This would be for the calendar year l998 and 1999.
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY JIM DULL IT WAS VOTED TO PASS THE ABOVE RESOLUTION. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor's Report: Mayor Clossin not present tonight.
NEW BUSINESS/OLD BUSINESS: Nothing
AUDIENCE:
1) Rick Magaral of Spring Mt. Condo, also Treasurer of the Association at the Condos.
How many pickups with the trash each week? Since the association is commercial there will be at least 2 per week, perhaps more.
Contract now costs association $4.75 per month per unit.
2) Joe O'Neill: Understands that plowing doesn't get underway until there is 4" on the roads. why? No answer given.
Feels private roads should be plowed also, since they pay taxes.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JIM DULL IT WAS VOTED TO ADJOURN TONIGHT'S MEETING. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.
NEXT MEETING: January l4, l999 at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy J. Eppley
Secretary
l2/29/98