BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 11, 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, Jim Dull, and Mayor, William Clossin.
Dispense with the reading of the minutes of May 14, 1998: MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MAY 14, 1998 MINUTES. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Approval of the minutes of May 14, 1998: MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MAY 14, 1998. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
POLICE REPORT: Frank Holden
Month of May: Combined incidents local and state police: 88
Frank's complete report is on file at the Borough Hall office.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Expense and Income reports have been given to council for their review and approval.
Sue questioned the Edwards's Business Machine bill. This is for the contract on the new copier. Carries complete maintenance, all parts and labor, plus toner. All that would be extra is purchase of copy paper.
Joan questioned was the check for the new computer in this month's expenditures or last. Gael would have to check. Check was made out to U.C.I. and given to Bill Clossin who purchased the new copier.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Bernie questioned status of the Clemens and Clossin subdivision escrow accounts. Clemens will be notified that he needs to add to his escrow account. Clossin has a very small amount that has been charged to his account and he is okay in his balance.
2) Tax on phone bills: Utility tax. Must have to pay the Federal Tax, not the State Tax.
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER'S REPORT AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Nick Matregrano
Month of May: Number of calls: 3, Firefighters in service: 27 Time in Service: 3 hrs. Distance traveled: 23 miles.
Flea Market and Chili Cook-Off was an outstanding success. There will be a Rotary Carnival this week, a booth will be at the carnival with the Boy Scouts hosting a Chicken Bar-B-Q on Saturday afternoon.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT: Robert Brant
l) Open Space: Chris Kraft will mention this in his report.
2) Trail Litigation: Borough is negotiating with the County for trail access. Judge Burton will decide on July 2nd if the case should proceed or be dismissed. Bob will report on the findings at our next meeting.
3) Executive Session held at the conclusion of last month's meeting. No action taken. Concerning Personnel matters.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
STREETS/ROADS: Sue Kuhn
l) Montgomery Avenue: Bidding on Tree removal, Bid for Wall and Paving in July.
2) Sign bases installed by State at 73/29. Tom called the State but everyone he spoke to didn't know why bases were put in. Will continue to research.
3) Stops Signs: l3 installed, l2 being repainted.
4) Getting bids on Marking/Repainting Streets.
SIGNS:
1) Park Signs being installed.
2) Skateboard and Curfew signs posted at the 6 entrances to the borough, Curfew signs posted at various other locations in the borough.
Noticed that the word "PREMISES" is spelled wrong. Tom Snyder will be notified on this and a correction will have to be made by the responsible party.
PROJECTS:
1) Boy Scouts: Moving to the cabin and Eden Mennonite Church. They had been cleaning out the basement of the borough building. Once this has been cleaned out thoroughly then the borough can store records there.
2) New shutters on the Scout cabin.
3) Service Station along Main Street is being refurbished to have the looks of "l938". Joan mentioned that the "U-Haul It Sign" is positioned wrong and blocks seeing the oncoming traffic.
FINANCE: Joan Giunta
l) Park Grant Money: Received money and it was put into an account which earned interest. Joan's understanding via Gael Hahn that the papers which were needed to close this have not been filed, now that interest money will have to be returned to the state. Bernie had spoken to Tom Snyder and Tom mentioned that the boundaries have not been determined. Only 50% of the monies have been received per Gael. Bernie will talk to Tom as soon as possible and borough will take whatever action is required.
2) Slater Subdivision: This issue has been resolved, but there is some monies remaining which have not been transferred to the General Account. Bernie thought that Tom and Gael talked about the signing off of this account. According to Gael, Tom hasn't talked to her about this.
3) PLGIT PLUS ACCOUNT: Several months ago this was discussed and there remained unanswered questions. Gael researched and found that penalties would only be suffered within the 30 days after opening up the new account. Minimum balance after the initial 30 days new account, no minimum balance required, no restriction on the amount per withdraw. But further deposits must be $5,000.00 or more. Initial deposit now $50,000.00. Interest rates are based on Treasury Notes.
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO OPEN THE PLGIT PLUS ACCOUNT WITH THE INITIAL DEPOSIT OF $50,000.00 AND SECURE THIS FOR 30 DAYS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Gael will take care of this transaction.
PARK BOARD: Tom Snyder Not present tonight.
STREET LIGHTING: Chris Kraft
Tom and Chris have been researching this. But there are critical problems such as buy as is or not buy as is and replace things as need be. Maintenance is a factor-Cost. All the lights in the borough are mercury vapor lamps except one. And mercury vapor lamps dim with age, this could be some of the problem. There are 2 sodium lights at the Firehouse. Question still remains, Is there enough lighting in the borough? Or higher wattage? Mercury Vapor Lamps might also be the problem. Contact PECO to replace? Price is the problem, get more information for long term pay off. Borough is charged per light per wattage. Life expectancy is approximately 5 years.
FIRE COMPANY LIAISON - Jim Dull Nothing to report
POLICE COMMITTEE - Joan Giunta Nothing to report
BOROUGH MANAGER - Tom Snyder Reporting for Tom:
Bernie McCollum
l) Smith Property on Park Avenue: Going for subdivision
2) McKim Property: Getting cleaned up.
3) Gennaro Property on Park Avenue: Being cleaned up and a For Sale Sign going on property.
4) Game Farm Road: Closed down for repairs. Will be closed for most of the Summer. Truck traffic detouring a problem. State won't send traffic onto local roads.
CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Eppley
Letter received from John Nugent, Director of Housing Services, Montgomery County thanking Bernie for his assisting the County in the review of the l998-99 Community Development Block Grants. Next meeting (public) will be July l4th at 7 p.m. Borough will be getting Mt. View Avenue and Tom Snyder will pursue 3rd Street.
OLD BUSINESS: Bob Brant along with his assistant met with Ken Hagey, Chris Kraft and Tom Snyder and received a tentative offer on the Spring Mountain Property. This is a joint venture between Upper Salford, County, and Schwenksville Borough. No further discussion on this project tonight.
NEW BUSINESS: Nothing to report
MAYOR'S REPORT: Bill Clossin
l) Printers: Both new and old computers are connected to old printer. Either one can be used but it means getting down on the floor to work switches. At the present time, to run checks on the new computer would mean buying new checks, and at the present time we have enough checks to last awhile. There is only l printer cord, another one would have to be bought.
Gael spoke concerning the present checks used and a laser check.
2) All software from the old computer has been transferred to new computer.
3) Establishing a Web-Site: Available for public information. Fee is small, one time fee (approximately $60.00). Joan spoke about the County's Web Page and what would be offered and how it might benefit Schwenksville Borough and working with the county on this project. Bill feels it would be best if we do this on our own as the County has some problems of their own. Bill can design the Web page himself.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY JIM DULL IT WAS VOTED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF NOT TO EXCEED $60.00 FOR THE WEB PAGE. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
E-Mail would be included in this package but the Borough would not use at this time. Council will review the Web Page after Bill presents it to them.
Also, included on the Web Page would be the Historical Society but first they would be asked if they wish to be on it.
4) Christmas Lights: Some new ones were bought last year. Boxes were put in. Chris will talk with Linda who works on this project for the borough.
5) Trash Problems: Some residents are putting more trash out than Waste Management will take. Waste Management has been in the past picking up whatever was put out, but this has changed and some are wondering why. A letter went out to all residents as to what was permitted weekly. This letter went out when the contract was signed at the start of the community trash project. Mayor also mentioned that at various places in the borough that the toters remained along the sidewalk throughout the week and trash,etc. is deposited every time trash is emptied this should not be permitted.
Joan mentioned that this is addressed in the ordinance and if this is not followed that they can be cited.
Tom will look into these problems.
Bernie wanted to bring to everyone's attention that Bill Clossin has put a lot of time into transferring records into the new computer and will not accept any money for his efforts.
Bernie also mentioned that there will be a short executive meeting following tonight's meeting to discuss or finish off what was at last month's executive meeting.
AUDIENCE:
Dave Toporowski, 733 Boulevard Avenue wants to know about the issue that he brought up some time ago concerning the Misuse of Land by the Slater family.
Bob Brant had reported to council several months ago his findings. A visit to the site in question showed that there was no violation. This visited consisted of Tom Snyder, Bob Brant, Slaters, Slaters' attorney.
Any private dispute is not councils' problem. Councils' concern is regulations, subdivision, and zoning matters. Tom will continue to monitor this situation.
Michael Carr: Spring Mt. Summit Condos.
Spoke concerning the replacement of street lights. Suggested to council replacing at 3 per month, rather than all the lights. That way there is no charge from PECO.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, July 9th, 7:30 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:30 P.M.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JIM DULL IT WAS VOTED TO ADJOURN THEM MEETING. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy J. Eppley, Secretary
June l9, l998