BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
MEETING OF JANUARY 8, 1998
The January 8th meeting was called to order by newly appointed Council President, Bernard McCollum. He welcomed the audience present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly
The secretary called the roll. Present were, Bernie McCollum, E.M. (Sue) Kuhn, Chris Kraft, Jim Dull and Mayor, William Clossin. Absent was Joan Giunta.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE DECEMBER 11, 1997 ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF JANUARY 5, 1998 REORGANIZATIONAL MEETING MINUTES. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE DECEMBER 11, 1997 MINUTES AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE JANUARY 5, 1998 REORGANIZATIONAL MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE PLUS OTHER EXPENDITURES OF 12/98 WHICH ARRIVED IN JANUARY 1998. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURER'S REPORT: MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER'S REPORT AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Frank Holden
For the Month of December: (local and state police) Combined total of 57. Chief Holden's complete report is on file in the borough hall office.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE POLICE REPORT AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Chief Holden would like permission to purchase a police/car radio. At the present time, he is using a "walkie/talkie". Budgeted amount is $4,000. A radio would cost approximately $l,900. for the basic model. Frank would handle buying radio and the County would install and computerized the radio. Suggesting buying rather than leasing.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY JIM DULL IT WAS VOTED TO BUY A RADIO FOR CHIEF HOLDEN. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Question: Jim Dull - If radio doesn't work, can it be sent back? There should be no problem according to Chief Holden.There is also $2,3l9. in the budget for this expenditure.
AMBULANCE REPORT: No one present
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Chief Nicholas Matregrano
Month of December: Number of calls: l, Firefighters in Service: 6, Distance traveled: 8 miles. Best problem was a Warehouse fire in Spring City.
l998 Lottery Calendars are still available. Thanked everyone for excellent fire prevention.
Chief Matregrano mentioned that the police, medical, fire alarms would be under the "800 system". Fire Company just changed to "channel guard" by the County.
Bernie mentioned that Jim Dull would be the representative with the Fire Company.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT: Robert Brant
l) Second Street Ordination - Prepared by Carroll Engineering. Mr. Brant said that the proposed ordinance was properly advertised. Is 4l' in width and bounded and described as mentioned in the ordinance.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 285 - APPROVING THE ORDINATION PLAN OF SECOND STREET AND ADOPTING THE PLAN AS THE OFFICIAL BOROUGH PLAN FOR SAID STREET AND APPROVING AND OPENING AS A PUBLIC HIGHWAY AND SAID STREET. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
2) Curfew Ordinance: This proposed ordinance has been properly advertised according to law. Mr. Brant reviewed age (pertains to under the age of l7 years), curfew hours, emergency/school activities, guardian.
This proposed ordinance is designed to prevent loitering
Chris was concerned where are those people who are concerned about what is happening in the community in regards to this curfew? Suggested that this not be passed tonight, until this proposed ordinance is posted at various locations, etc, etc.
Tom Snyder mentioned that those people knew that a proposed ordinance was being prepared and probably would be acted upon shortly afterwards.
Eventually notices would also be posted on signs throughout the borough.
In the meantime, it was suggested that copies of the ordinance be made up in the borough office and Tom Snyder would pass them out at the local establishments. It was also suggested that in a mass mailing from borough authority, residents would know of the curfew. Finally, Josephine Gill, tax collector was willing to send out a notice when tax bills go out. Mayor Clossin is willing to work on this and print up some kind of flyer. Chief Holden would like to see the skateboard ordinance incorporated in with the curfew ordinance.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 286, AN ORDINANCE DEFINING THE CURFEW ORDINANCE. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
3) Police Contract:
Contract written up reflects a 4% raise plus $250.00 for the calendar year of l998 and a 4% raise plus $250.00 for the calendar year of l999. All other items remain the same.
Council needs to execute the contract and then a final review by Robert Brant.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE POLICE CONTRACT AS PRESENTED WITH FINAL REVIEW BY ROBERT BRANT. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor wanted to bring up the fact that Chief Holden had nothing to do with the postponing of this contract. At various times there were no communications. Nothing in writing from Joseph Giunta, past council member. If there were any shortcomings, it wasn't the Chief.
3) Bob wanted council to know that he appreciates his being named solicitor for Schwenksville Borough for the year. He enjoys his work here and extends a thank you.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
STREETS/ROADS: Sue Kuhn
Chris spoke on behalf of 3rd Street - balance that is unordained. Drainage is terrible. The Lutheran church plans on putting in an additional parking lot. According to Tom Snyder there is a question on where 3rd Street is in reference to Maple and Perkiomen Avenues. Never ordained from Maple to Perkiomen. Measurements go back to l93l.
Something has to be done now according to Chris. This is a long standing situation. Tom said that the borough engineer has to check it out.
Tom was asked about cost. If nothing unforeseen comes up to pick up the street and existing drainage cost should be approximately $l,000.00.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE TOM SNYDER CONTACT KEN YERGER TO DO A STUDY ON STREET FROM MAPLE TO PERKIOMEN AVENUE. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
PROPERTY: Sue Kuhn
Will get with Bernie to transfer anything he might have on property. Especially the "ramp" installation.
FINANCE: Joan Giunta - Absent tonight
PARK BOARD: Tom Snyder - No report
STREET LIGHTING: Chris Kraft
Street Lighting is fine. Christmas Lights will be coming down this coming Sunday. Linda, Chris's wife, who is chairing the Holiday Lights thought at one time nothing could be done with the old lights as far as brightening them up. But recently, found out that perhaps acyclic paint would adhere to the surface of the panels. Suggests that we hold on to the old lights and perhaps they can be painted and used again to increase the volume of lights that the borough has.
Joe Chendorian, from "Needs to be Remember" store has volunteered his services for re-wiring the new lights. Bulbs also have been purchased.
FIRE COMPANY LIAISON: Jim Dull
Wants to eventually get together with Fire Chief. Has some ideas on how to get volunteers at the Fire Company.
POLICE COMMITTEE: Joan Giunta - Absent tonight
BOROUGH MANAGER: Tom Snyder
l) Has prints of the l93l street layout - 3rd.
2) O'Neill drain to be fixed next week.
3) Jan. 20th - Meeting with Mr. Narducci and Brant on the Slater matter.
4) Clemens Subdivision: Problem with the deed line on 3rd Street. Transferring property over the years has caused this problem.
5) Moccia's Train Stop: Going to Zoning Hearing Board for their review. (Parking would be a problem). Planning Commission has already reviewed.
6) Traffic Signal at Main and Park Avenue
Tom would like everyone's help with the high trucks that go through this intersection with racks on them. Jot down the license number and date seen. Too many repairs have been made on these lights.
7) Tree down on Clearfield Avenue.
8) Woodland - Main Street to Summit. Would like the present resolution on Snow Emergency to include this street. Both sides. Post signs "No Parking - Snow Emergency". MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JIM DULL IT WAS VOTED TO INCORPORATE WOODLAND AVENUE IN THE SNOW EMERGENCY RESOLUTION, BOTH SIDES OF WOODLAND. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Copy of this resolution to Mayor and Chief Holden.
9) Police Car's motor running: This needs to done otherwise with all the equipment the battery goes dead.
CORRESPONDANCE: Nancy Eppley
Thank you letter for the yearly donation from Lower Frederick Ambulance Corp. Volunteers are always needed.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Clossin wondering where the "Street Light" purchase is going. Feels that there would be quite a savings. Borough could check with neighboring municipalities would have bought the lights rather than paying each month. At present time, there are 26 lights in the borough and yearly cost is $l4,000.00.
Chris would like some more information before the borough goes ahead. Things that need to be answered are:
Cost, What is covered, What isn't covered,
Maintenance, Who is involved, Equipment replacement
More work for the borough authority.
Tom will do a study, Chris will help.
2) Bernie would like to see a plaque given to Dr. M. Donald Markley for his many years of service to the borough. This was mentioned last year and perhaps now is the time to get this plaque given to him. Bernie read what he feels would be appropriate for the plaque.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY JIM DULL IT WAS VOTED TO PURCHASE THIS PLAQUE FOR DR. MARKLEY. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS:
Name plates for everyone. MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY JAMES DULL IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE THE SECRETARY ORDER THESE.
OLD BUSINESS CONTINUED:
Jim Dull questioned Escrow Accounts: This was addressed to Gael Hahn, treasurer. Is the borough using their treasury to pay the escrow accounts? At the present time, Yes. The Clemens Escrow account doesn't have enough money in the account. Tom Snyder said that Mr. Clemens is aware of the amount due and will pay after some questions have been settled.
Mr. Brant explained how escrow accounts work. It was suggested that the treasurer make sure that all of the bills from the engineer and legal work were charged according to the developer.
Also, suggested that any engineering and legal work for Centennial Street and any other work where grants were secured be charged to that project. Tom Snyder explained the grant processed.
Interest on these accounts: How gets? Borough
NEW BUSINESS:
per Bernie:
l) Would like to see all monies received be entered in a daily legal. These are monies that are received by secretary, treasurer, police chief, borough manager.
2) Have treasurer give the borough manager and the mayor a copy of the accounts payable and treasurer's report each month.
3) Mary Jane Kehs appointment to the Vacancy Board:
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPOINT MARY JANE KEHS TO THE VACANCY BOARD TERM EXPIRING 12/31/98. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
4) Samuel Schweigert and William Gauger to the Library Board:
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPOINT MR. SCHWEIGERT AND MR. GAUGER TO THE LIBRARY BOARD TERM EXPIRING APRIL 2000. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
5) Dennis Dorn to the Borough Authority Board:
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO APPOINT DENNIS DORN TO THE BOROUGH AUTHORITY TERM EXPIRING 12/31/2002. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
AUDIENCE: Fire Chief mentioned that a Auction (household items, etc.) will be held at the Fire Company 2/2l/98. Items are needed, they can be dropped off.
Mayor's Report: Bill Clossin Mentioned street lighting previously.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY JIM DULL IT WAS VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy J. Eppley l/21/98