BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 12, 1998
The Schwenksvile Borough Council Meeting was called to order by President, Bernard McCollum.
Secretary, Nancy Eppley called the roll and present were: Bernard McCollum, Joan Giunta, E. M. (Sue) Kuhn, Chris Kraft, and Mayor William Clossin. Absent was Jim Dull.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly
Dispense with the reading of the January 8, l998 meeting: MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE JANUARY 8,1998 MINUTES. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Approval of the minutes of January 8, l998 meeting: Correction to the minutes: Page 6, (interest on these accounts). (how gets?), should read WHO GETS.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 8, 1998 WITH THE CORRECTION. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
PRESENTATION OF PLAQUE TO DR. M. DONALD MARKLEY: Jane Markley, wife of Dr. Markley was present to receive this award. Dr. Markley had given 50+ years to this community and was one of the original organizer's of the Borough Authority. It is with pleasure that he receive this plaque.
POLICE CHIEF, Frank Holden:
For the Month of January: Total of Incidents between local and state police: 67 calls. Chief Holden's complete report is on file at the Borough Office.
FIRE CHIEF, Nick Matregrano:
Month of January: Number of calls: 2; Firefighters in service: 8; Time in Service: 3 hrs. and 45 min.; Distance traveled: 22 miles. Nick also presented a report for l997. He also mentioned the upcoming events at the Fire Company for l998, this list has been posted in borough hall.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Computer repair: This was for Frank Holden's printer problem. Schwenksville Lumber: Various misc. bills plus Light bulbs for the holiday lights.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Gael Hahn explained the sheet for total revenues/expenditures for Jan. Also, an actual cash report, corrected for l997. Received a final report from the Police Pension Fund. Earnings for the year were "quite handsome". Gael will also have for council copies of the budget as completed. Total line l997 and approved l998 budget.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE TREASURER'S REPORT AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT: Joseph Ciccitto
l) Spring Mountain Property: Negotiations on going. Additional meetings scheduled.
2) Jeff Clemens Subdivision: Engineer, Cynthia Smith representing Mr. Clemens who could not be here this evening.
Cynthia explained that the proposed 2.68 acres would house garden apartments consisting of 28 units. 2 bedrooms each. Access would be from Centennial Street only, Emergency access (emergency vehicles only) from 3rd Street. There are improvements and updates on the retention basin.
Letters have been received from Mr. and Mrs. Magill and Roy Miller. Both are present tonight.
Mr. and Mrs. Magill are concerned with the driveway. Nothing has changed at this time per Ms. Smith. Radius might be moved 5'. Mr. Clemens will meet with Mr. and Mrs. Magill.
Bernie mentioned l5' radius, records show that this probably could be brought down to l0'.
Sue asked about sidewalk coming down 3rd Street. This is tentative, pending right of way acquisition.
Joan stated that this is a big issue, sidewalk is necessary along with curb cuts (handicap).
The letters from the Magills and Roy Miller have gone to Mr. Clemens, Ken Yerger (engineer) and Robert Brant (solicitor) for their review.
Magills are concerned as to Where Children are going to Play?
John Lynch, Summit Avenue: Concerned with water supply. Last year he couldn't water his garden and now the concern is How is there going to be enough water for these garden apartment units.
Council corrected Mr. Lynch telling him that there was never a problem, only to water gardens/flowers with a can rather than hose.
Tom Snyder talked on the "Interconnect", problem with Perkiomen Township. Chris mentioned that a lawsuit is hampering negotiations. Hopefully, soon this will be settled.
Tom explained the ownership of ground in question. This ground is approved for Garden Apartment Tom spoke on previous owners of this tract. Sewer connections have been already paid for years back. Joe Ciccitto said that the borough is allowed to grant as long as all requirements are met in the zoning ordinance.
Rick (Spring Mt. Condo Treasurer) asked about the Emergency Roadway. Cynthia said that it would be grass paved and would look like grass but underneath it would be cobblestones. Emergency
Entrance/Exit only for Emergency Vehicles.
Escrow Account is up to date. There might be a discrepancy with $l,200.00. Recently, a letter was written to Mr. Clemens asking him to put up $2,000.00, after discussion with Bernie, Mr. Clemens will send $500.00. Tom Snyder mentioned that there is somewhere between 0-$l,200.00 at present in the escrow account. Some things need to be worked out-fees at one time where paid from the Zoning Hearing money that Mr. Clemens had for this land. Gael Hahn and Tom Snyder will check this out.
Mayor feels that some procedure for escrow accounts should be established. Joe Ciccitto explained how other municipalities handle escrow accounts.
Discussion followed in detail concerning: Parking spaces (2 per unit), Highpoint complex looking over the Clemens project, Front units of Clemens face cliff, rear of units face Centennial Street, Driveway entrance, setback lines.
Roy Miller: Wrote letters to Council concerning this project and his concerns. Would like to see "Common Sense" used. Mr. Clemens should be here tonight, rather than his engineer. Cut down the units to 20, and things will get better with the driveway. Mr. Miller feels that the driveway would be a "glorified drainage ditch".
Concerns over where the children of the development are going to play. Chris sees no problem with this, should be room for a playground.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Streets/Roads: Sue Kuhn
l) Report prepared by Tom Snyder. Sue would like council to look over and discuss at further meetings.
2) Third Street: Tom said that l,000' of curbing is missing and should be proposed. Also, needed are 2 inlets, pipe, curb, sidewalk plus ordination. Cost would be approximately $40,000.00. A grant can be applied for which would give $35,000.00, but this should be filed in April.
Questioned whether Church could be made to pay for some of the curbing. Joe Ciccitto doubts this, but will research further.
3) Telephone Poles lying in the street. Taking up parking spaces. This job was supposed to be done weeks ago, but other commitments where needed elsewhere with PECO. Should now be done within the month. These poles continued to be the problem with the poor radio reception in the area.
Property: Sue Kuhn
l) Ramp: Joan Giunta has given Sue for her review processes/procedures from ADA. Will discuss at next month's meeting.
2) Fax Machine: Current fax machine has "died". Sue would like permission to look into a plain paper fax machine. Cost would probably be approximately $300.00. Permission granted.
3) Boy Scouts: Moving their things out of the basement. Eventually, this space will be used for borough storage.
Finance: Joan Giunta
PIGIT + ACCOUNT: Information confusing concerning deposits/withdraws. Borough qualifies for this account, similar to a money market account, interest is high. Initial deposit would be $50,000.00, must guarantee that money would stay in account 30 days. Question council must decide: Can money be tied up on a 30 day account? Other questions which need to be addressed are withdraws, penalties. Joan will check further and report back.
` 2) Gael Hahn had a question on what account the money from the County should go. At present, it is sitting in the General Account. Joan recommended that it be reimbursed to the Highway Account. Everyone agreed.
Park Board: Tom Snyder: No report tonight.
Street Lighting: Chris Kraft
Chris has received some information on street lighting from Tom and will read this, also, will check with other municipalities and gather their thoughts.
Fire Company Liaison: Jim Dull: Absent
Police Committee: Joan Giunta: No report tonight.
Borough Manager: Tom Snyder
l) Montgomery Avenue: Received release from Benner and this was forwarded to Bob Brant. The release is to move road over to the west side. Getting pricing on cutting swale, removing knob and cutting tree. Will have more information by the next meeting.
2) Clearfield Avenue: Drainage problem. Would like to address this problem this summer. Water coming up in the middle of the road.
3) Clemens Subdivision: Pipe size: Might be too big, rather than small.
4) Act 537 Resolution: Joe Ciccitto explained that the authority has done extensive improvement repairs. ACER Engineering reviewed this and found that additional capacity can be used. Can be increased to 300,000. Chris Kraft, member of authority was unaware of this, but Sam Schweigert, member also of the authority felt that the 300,000 figure is correct and done so no violations can occur. Mayor Clossin wondering it this can open up more units? No definite answer given. Under the PA Code a new resolution must be adopted when a change occurs.
Tom had faxed a copy to Joe's office, but doesn't know where copy is now. This resolution will have to wait for the next meeting.
5) COG Report: Passed out to members of council. Tom explained that the Borough previously passed a resolution for the Rt. 29 Realignment. This report refers to a 3rd lane at the lower end of the Borough, Perkiomen Township. PennDot would be involved. Would be width l0'. Also, a 3rd lane at the Traffic Light at Perkiomen Avenue and Plank Road re-alignment which is in Perkiomen Township. Ray Bunt's office is working with COG.
Tom would like council to put up some matching money ($2,500.00), other municipalities are going to do same. Perkiomen Valley School District has already voted to put up $2,000.00, County is putting aside $20,000.00. In order for PennDot to go forward they need plans generated.
Council would like this investigated further. Little improvement would take place in the borough. What is a "fair share"?
6) Main Street Stone: Mentioned previously. Mike Sabo will have the stone removed.
7) Delinquent Trash Bills: Tom and Bernie, along with Nancy have been working on the delinquent trash bills, some going back to the beginning of the one-hauler system in the borough.
Bernie explained that anyone who owes over $l00.00, that it be filed at the District Justice.
Tom would like authorization to file these delinquent accounts.
Question on the motion being proposed by Joan Giunta:
Would like to make sure that any exemptions that were agreed upon through letter be not carried any further for restitution of that.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA TO GIVE TOM SNYDER PERMISSION TO FOLLOW UP WITH THE APPROPRIATE ENFORCEMENT UNDER THE ORDINANCE. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Tom will also confer with Joe Ciccitto. He will need a check before going to DJ's office.
Mayor suggested strong letters.
8) Joan was wondering if we are receiving "Tonnage" amounts from Waste Management? If we are, we can apply for reimbursement. Tom is working on this.
Correspondance: Nancy Eppley
Letters received from the McGills and Roy Miller. Copies of these were given to council, Jeff Clemens, Solicitor, and Engineer.
Old Business: Sue Kuhn wondering about Curfew enforcement. Nothing yet per Frank Holden, Police Chief. Tom will work on signs.
New Business: Nothing
Mayor's Report:
l) Radio Reception: PECO responsible. Problem goes all the way down Rt. 29 and in the borough. Perhaps calls should be made to the Radio Stations and mentioned that because of PECO the poles are not fixed.
2) Sewer/Water Usage:
In the past, people out of the borough have been utilizing the sewer/water facilities. When there is a water emergency our own residents have complied with regulations, but neighboring subdivisions have not. Feels that the borough authority should look over this situation and come up with some kind of plan where everyone complies.
3) Town Watch: Information will be given to council members for their review. Joe will pass this along to Bob Brant and this will be discussed at the next meeting. Frank Holden secured this information, he also explained the townwatch. It was suggested to Tom Snyder that he check with the insurance carrier.
AUDIENCE:
Joe O'Neill: Suggest when looking over streets/roads that council look into improving Boyer Alley. It has been there for at least 75 years and nothing done. Bernie mentioned that there are a lot of road/street improvements which need attention and Boyer Alley is an alley.
Sue Kuhn will continue monitoring this and other projects.
Ditmar Hahn: Street cleaning. Money in budget for this. Street cleaning is done in the spring according to Tom and locations will be checked out and corrected.
Joe Chendorian: Has concerns over the left hand turn at traffic light at Perkiomen Avenue. Tom explained the steps needed to be taken along the way. Joe mentioned that several months ago there was concern by the residents living along Main Street on the parking problem.
Rich Margarell, Spring Mt. Summit Treasurer: Questioned the lane at Rt. 73 and Rt. 29. Would be in Perkiomen Township.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN 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
February 20, l998