BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 9, 1998
The Schwenksville Borough Council Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Council President, Bernard McCollum.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly.
Secretary, Nancy Eppley called the roll. Present were: Bernard McCollum, Joan Giunta, E. M. (Sue) Kuhn, Chris Kraft, and Jim Dull. Absent was Mayor William Clossin.
Dispense with the reading of the June 11, l998 minutes: MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THESE MINUTES. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Approval of the June ll, l998 minutes:
Correction to these minutes:
-page 3: toughly should be thoroughly
-page 6: July 19th should be June l9th
-page 3: Slater Subdivision-monies remaining have been transferred, Should be: have not been transferred.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 11, 1998 WITH THE ABOVE CORRECTIONS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Nick Matregrano
Month of June l998:
5 alarms, 4 firefighters in service, time in service: 3 hrs. and 45 minutes, distance traveled: ll miles.
Treasurer's report: Distributed
AMBULANCE REPORT: No one present.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT: Robert Brant
l) Executive Meeting held at the June llth meeting and this dealt with Personnel matters. As a result of this meeting both job descriptions of the Borough Manager and Treasurer were amended.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO AMEND THE BOROUGH MANAGER'S POSITION STATING THAT THE BOROUGH'S REGULAR PRELIMINARY BUDGET SHALL BE PREPARED AND SUBMITTED BY THE BOROUGH MANAGER BY THE SEPTEMBER BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING SO THAT IT CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE OCTOBER MEETING. THIS IS TO BE DONE IN ORDER THAT COUNCIL CAN PREPARE PRELIMINARY BUDGET. THE BOROUGH MANAGER SHALL COORDINATE THIS WITH THE BOROUGH TREASURER. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
2) MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO AMEND THE TREASURER'S JOB DESCRIPTION STATING THAT THE TREASURER SHALL COORDINATE THE BUDGET WITH THE BOROUGH MANAGER, WHO SHALL BE ADVISED AND INVITED TO ATTEND ALL MEETINGS ON THE BUDGET.
This information will be given to both Gael and Tom and a copy will be put in their job description folders.
3) Trash Contract: Packet given to council members for their review and comments. The current contract is at the end of its cycle and re-bidding needs to take place. Any questions contact Tom Snyder then Tom will contact Bob if any legal issues need to be addressed. At the present time, the Borough is on a month to month basis, so it is important that this be done asap.
4) Letter will be coming to council concerning the Trail.
Bob has appeared before Judge Burton and Judge Burton has requested that the county lawyers supply some documents that Bob needs to look at and pending receipt of those documents, he'll pass on the findings.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Gael Hahn
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER'S REPORT AS SUBMITTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Adjustments on tonight's bills to include the following:
Cleaning Borough Hall, PECO, Bell Atlantic, and Keenan, Ciccitto, and Brant. Total: $2,533.00 - General Fund now: $20,553.20
The following are part of the Accounts Payable for tonight.
Liquid Fuels: $l,l88.00 and Trash: $2,954.50
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AS LISTED AND THE ABOVE STATED ADJUSTMENTS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Frank Holden
Month of June: Combined reports local/state: 68
Radios: Portable: $l,600 approx. Mounted radio: $3,628. This should complete everything. Frank did have one problem and he sent the radio back to Motorola and it was fixed, free of charge.
Joan questioned the information calls that Frank gets. Some are for accidents, insurance companies, claims on mischief, functions in the borough, etc., etc.
Bernie: Portable phone. Can Frank get his calls from his office switched to the portable phone? Frank didn't know if this can be done. Given to Frank and cost is a great concern ($50.00 is allotted each month), could get expensive. Bernie thought it would save time by not rushing back to office. Frank has an answering machine and if there is a message is on there and he follows thru.
Jim was wondering What is an Abandoned Vehicle? Has an expired registration.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
STREETS/ROADS: Sue Kuhn
l) Stop Signs: Stop signs which were up and needed repair have been complete. Posts are needed on some, authority working on and should be done within the month.
Projects: Tom Snyder
l) Mt. View: Tentative approval on the Grant application. Think about Boulevard and the drainage problem. Boulevard not ordained. Can be spot ordained. Money there for ordaining.
2) 3rd Street: Tom is scheduled to appear in Courtroom A on July l4th in favor of getting the $27,000. for 3rd Street. Tom would like some assistance (to be there in person in favor of), they don't need to give a speech, just support. Council, residents of 3rd Street, church people.
3) Montgomery Avenue: $750. needed to take trees down to widen the street. Has l bid, trouble getting 2 more. Tom wants approval to go ahead once he has the 3 bids.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED FOR TOM SNYDER NOT TO EXCEED $750.00 FOR TAKING DOWN THE TREES ON MONTGOMERY AVENUE. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
PROPERTY: Sue Kuhn
Inspection of the Borough Basement: Tom, Joan and Sue inspected this tonight. According to Tom, the Boy Scouts will clean the basement out this coming Saturday. Borough records can then be stored down there.
Shed in the back: Will be staying here. Boy Scouts don't need.
FINANCE: Joan Giunta
Report to date as to where the Borough is in reference to Revenues and Expenditures.
Revenue: Not bad, at 83.95% (under taxes) Budget vs Year to Date.
Fees/Licenses: Okay at 57.52%
Building Permits: 308%, but council budgeted low this year.
Expenses:
Governing Body: Misc. (council) l54%....represents???
Office Supplies: 20l% for the year (Computer has its own budget, did buy a Fax machine-Fax machine could be moved to the computer category.)
Harrisburg coming out to bring out the disk to us and we will be operating on the new system.
Engineering for Administration: l6l%, need to research these invoices.
Operating Equipment: 9l% (police radios), now complete for year.
Zoning/Planning: Legal Services: 75l%, Engineering: l,6ll%
(some of these services need to be charged back to the individuals)
Tom mentioned that he can't find anything for 3rd Street which was approved. We also have some legal and engineering on open space.
Gael spoke on the escrow accounts. Also, Unordained Streets is under #430.
Joan: Possible to place some of this zoning under Parks since it is budgeted?
Tom said some things should be adjusted.
Office Supplies: Expenditures
Richter Drafting: Office supplies
Code Books: Need for latest information.
Joan: Revenue: 72% - Expenditures: 37.25% Not bad after re-working some figures.
PARK BOARD: Tom Snyder
l) Park Board had a meeting and they would like to change the approach of the park. Make more children oriented. School District said that we can have swings and seesaws. Would like to have approval to move down. Tom Slater will help. Expense will be held to a bare minimum. Need some safety matting under the swings. Tom will give a letter to the school as to what we want.
MOTIONED BY JIM DULL AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO SPEND, NOT TO EXCEED $500.00 TO MOVE THIS EQUIPMENT. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
BOROUGH MANAGER: Tom Snyder
l) Susan Rice on the Smith Subdivision: Location is the 2nd last property on Park Avenue. Next to the converted trailer. This is a "sketch" plan. Not yet to the Planning Commission for a recommendation, then back to the borough council.
3 lot subdivision, 2 rear lots gain frontage on Pleasantview and Highland. No problem with the side yard, meets all zoning.
No action tonight. There is an existing house on this ground.
2) Clemens Subdivision: Check coming, Plans coming from Harrisburg which probably means more money needed.
3) 4th Street: Clemens and Clossin subdivisions: Moving ahead.
4) McKim Property: In trouble. Tom trying to get them to tear house down, rather than the Borough ordering it to be torn down.
5) DeGennaro Property on Park Avenue is under agreement to be sold.
Signs:
l) Colonnade: Has filed an application to put an additional sign in (where dog-leg comes in). One sign is permitted under code. Sign will be 4'x8'. This property is big and an exception can be made.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO PERMIT THIS ADDITIONAL SIGN. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
2) Curfew Sign: The word "Premises" was misspelled on the signs when printed up. This now has been corrected at no charge.
3) Gas Station Rental Sign: Rental sign has been moved back. Now there are "newspaper boxes", tied to a telephone poles. According to Mr. Brant, these are "protected". This issue was brought up years ago by Mayor Clossin. There are 2 at the gas station and they are on the sidewalk. Bob suggested Tom telling where they are and he'll reply to the borough.
Frank Holden clarified this saying that there are 4 tied to poles blocking the sidewalk. Frank stated that in his opinion that if they are permitted, they should be lined up in an orderly fashion. Bob felt that a phone call(s) would be in order.
4) Thrift Shop: Being taken over by Liberty Ministries. Tom has already inspected this and everything is fine.
Projects:
l) Park Commission voted in favor of going for a grant from the County in the amount of up to $9,000.00 for trees. Plant them along the old railroad bank. Tree Commission needed. Could be the Park Board.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPOINT THE PARK BOARD MEMBERS AS THE TREE COMMISSION BOARD. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
2) Various Properties in the Borough: Getting their properties fixed and cleaned up.
3) Delinquent Trash bills: Filing claims on delinquent trash bill customers has been started. Letters have gone out to 7 delinquent residents. Approval for filing, each one will cost $50.00, money will be coming back. There might be 3 or 4 that will be filed.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE EXPENDITURE OF $50.00 FOR EACH FILING OF RESIDENTS WHOSE TRASH BILL IS OVERDUE. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Gael questioned the timing of these checks. As Tom requests the $50.00.
STREET LIGHTING: Chris Kraft
4 lights to be replaced and requested that they be replaced. They are: Centennial, Maple, 2nd, and 3rd Streets. Side streets are darker and easier to monitor. Pole #49, 55, 66, and 23778.
Also, Chris received a request from the Lutheran Church to put a new light on a pole. Pole #2, Second St. between Centennial-Church Streets near alley. To install will cost $250.00 and monthly charge would be $l0.-$25. per month. This will be across the street from a residence.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THIS NEW LIGHT REQUEST. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Gael suggested that this expenditure could come from Liquid Fuels Acct.
Correspondence: Nancy Eppley - Nothing to report
FIRE COMPANY LIAISON: Jim Dull
l) Thanked Tom for his help with getting Waste Management to pick up the additional trash in the area.
2) "Years of Service Awards"-still working on, has 3 separate proposal on. Would like to work with Bob Brant and get his legal opinion on. Would like the Fire Company to share part of the cost on Bob Brant's cost. Fire Chief, Nick said that would have to go before the directors. Bob said that he is the "free lawyer" for the Fire Company.
3) July 4th: Jim saw a sign at the Fire Co. saying "Happy Birthday, America you're still the best". Thanked the Fire Company. Rode thru town and found that not many flags were flown and they are probably the same people who don't vote, but complain about everything.
P.S. of A also had a ceremony. They also donated flags to various municipalities, including Schwenksville Borough.
Bernie has some clean, old flags that if anyone wants one, please ask Nancy.
POLICE COMMITTEE: Joan Giunta Nothing to report.
OLD BUSINESS: Nothing to report
NEW BUSINESS: Nothing to report
AUDIENCE: Roy Miller - Centennial Street Centennial and Third Street, had a "No Outlet" sign and it has been removed by Mr. Stahl and he put it up at the Third and Boyer Alley. Now everyone drives up there and then comes down and backs into his (Roy's) driveway. Asking that the Borough go up a get the sign back and put it where it was or put up a new sign where it should be. Sign was removed by Stahl after property owners signed off for Third Street. Where did the sign come from? Bought by Stahl??
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE TOM SNYDER SECURE THE APPROPRIATE SIGN AND PUT IT UP WHERE IT ORIGINALLY WAS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Jim Bates - 83 Main Street (rear) Trash not being picked up. Talking about the toter. Not has been consistent. Nancy will call Waste Management on Friday morning and request that the trash be picked up. According to Tom there are several problems to be addressed.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, August 13, l998 at 7:30 p.m.
TONIGHT'S MEETING ADJOURNED: At 8:45 P.M.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ADJOURN TONIGHT'S MEETING. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy J. Eppley, Secretary
July l5, l998