BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
MINUTES OF AUGUST 12, 1999
The Schwenksville Borough Council Meeting was called to order by Council President, Bernard McCollum.
Secretary, Nancy Eppley read the roll. Present were: Bernard McCollum, Joan Giunta, Chris Kraft, and Jim Dull. Absent were: E. M. (Sue) Kuhn and Mayor, William Clossin.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly.
Dispense with the reading of the minutes of July 15, l999:
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF JULY 15, 1999. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Approval of the minutes of July l5, 1999:
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES WITH THE FOLLOWING CORRECTIONS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
-Adjusting the budget by motion, Purchase of PECO lights, and Allocating certain dollars for Mt. View Ave.
Bernie: Questioned Mt. View?? Joan: Said it was done by motion and would like this shown in the finance report.
PLEASE NOTE: Secretary's findings:
Upon reviewing the tape of 7/15/99 and minutes from the beginning of the new year. Adjusting the borough budget was only mentioned NEVER DONE until tonight which the minutes will reflect. There was a motion in July to purchase the lights and this was approved, No mention of Mt. View Avenue. There are some statements made on Mt. View concerning what is needed to be done.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Frank Holden
Total incidents for the Month of July: ll6. Chief Holden's complete report is on file at Borough Hall.
FIRE CHIEF: Nick Matregrano
8 fire calls, 67 firefighters in service. Chief Matregrano's complete report is on file at Borough Hall.
Also, mentioned the Annual Folk Festival on August 26-29. Help is need by Fire Company, anyone interested, please call the fire house.
September llth is the Fire Company's Anniversary Parade. Museum will be opened. Also requests that council people get involved in the parade.
AMBULANCE REPORT: Presented by Nancy Eppley
Activity for the Month of July: Schwenksville l0, Colannade: 2. It was questioned whether the Schwenksville calls were for the neighboring communities which have the same zip code (l9473) as Schwenksville. Nancy will check.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Gael Hahn
Revenue, Expense, Cash Report, and Deposit Detail has been presented.
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE TREASURER'S REPORT AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Gael Hahn
General Fund: $23,74l.42, Liquid Fuels: $l,26l.34.
The Star Stripping check which was issued months ago, obviously was lost and needed to be replaced.
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AS PRESENTED.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT: Robert Brant
Trash: Mr. Brant was asked to check out whether the Borough can use the taxes and pay out of the General Fund for the trash. taxes and pay out of the General Fund for the trash. Yes. It would solve a lot of paperwork, billing, solicitor intervention and extra expense. Residents would pay through their taxes and the Borough would make the payment. This is to be done when preparing the year 2000 budget.
Bernie has checked with various surrounding boroughs and townships and this has been done.
Council was in agreement and will work this in the budget.
Infrastructure Loan: Has been approved. Loan Closing date: 8/27/99. Tom Snyder aware of everything to do with the Loan.
Suburban Cable Company: Bernie and Tom met with representative from the Cable Company has week. SC would like to have a l5 year contract, but was told the Borough would consider 5 yrs. Due to new research in the cable industry.
Bernie is bringing this up for discussion tonight. Jim felt that it was a good deal the 5 years and the borough should go for it. Chris questioned the fees.
Mr. Brant previously wrote to SC, and now suggests that the Borough go back to SC and ask for a contract so council can review, and bring to a vote. Also, noted that at one time another company (doesn't recall name) showed interest, but nothing came of it. Tom Snyder stated the the contract is not a exclusive contract. Mr. Brant suggested what is signed.
Executive Session tonight following regular meeting: To discuss: Spring Mt. Open Space, Personnel Matters.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
STREETS/ROADS: Sue is absent tonight so Tom reported:
Mt. View Drainage: Water coming downhill at Lower end. Needs a new drain across Main Street. Tom had a meeting on Monday with PennDot and cost to construct drain over the railroad (right of way) to it can get into the mill race would cost approximately $40,000. To $50,000.00. For engineering firm deeds will be needed. County owns Boulevard Avenue. Tom described the rights of way and who owns.
Signs: 9ll wasn't called concerning an opening. Warning signs for trucks will be placed at the Borough Hall and near Perkiomen Avenue.
House Numbering: Some confusion as to where the numbers of the house should be placed, and various roads have 2 names. (Montgomery Avenue vs Main Street, Spring Mt. Summit, 35l Centennial should be the 200 block, Park Avenue vs Game Farm Road, Boulevard Avenue vs Mt. View Avenue, Cherry Street).
Mr. Brant suggested that the post office be contacted for their input. Tom said that the post office will not do anything, Borough must do. Mr. Brant will meet with Tom and try and straighten this out. Spring Mount Summit definitely has a problem because most people living there do not list their apartment numbers. Joan didn't see much of a problem if those residents use their unit number on their mail. Chris felt that a decimal system could be used. Finally, suggested that Tom and Bob Brant would take on this problem.
Montgomery Avenue: New owner of former Croyle building wants to use the garage. Plans to move Montgomery Avenue toward hill are being discussed in order to save the walls. Tom expects bids soon.
Grant: Agreement entered into lst day of October l998 between the Commissioners of Montgomery County and Schwenksville Borough for Mt. View Avenue Storm Sewers.
Borough Authority: Making progress, 9 well sites, 3 in Pennypacker Mills. Montgomery County has given go ahead, waiting for Federal regulations. Delphi Road is out, Memorial Drive property owner refuses to go along. There are creek sites available. Had some problem with Lower Frederick for installing a water line, too close to a sewer line. Also, mentioned that Lower Frederick was found watering their flower beds outside of the township building, when there was a water ban in effect. This water ban was imposed several weeks before the State mandate.
Joan mentioned that the dangerous condition of the bridge on Main Street near Park Avenue still exists. Tom said that special steel arches had to be ordered and feels that the work should be completed in another 2 weeks. Joan also wanted to know how long does it take to get a well operating? Can be approximately 9 months until completion per Tom.
Pump House: Plans out to Bid.
Tom's report as Borough Manager was part of the above.
PROPERTY: Sue Kuhn Absent No report
FINANCE: Joan Giunta
Bond Certification for Public Officials received. Company is a A+ company out of Maryland, everything still the same.
Budget comparisons : page 4 item #4l4 allocated to certain projects. Tom said that this is "wash" item, should have receipts to match. Bernie said it should not be in the budget. Joan: Has to show activity. Bob Brant mentioned that this is for zoning matters, its expenses and will be offset by the deposits of the applicants.
Modifications: It was mentioned last month to purchase the Streets Lights but no action on the modifications in the budget that would be needed. The Open Space Account is available and Joan suggests that $l7,500. For the Light Purchase and $l5,000. For work on Mt. View Avenue. Bernie said that the borough does not know the total cost and that PennDot is due to straighten this out. Joan wants to complete this project and as Bernie mentioned he would like to see a lot of the projects completed, this has been his goal. Rather than name a project it was suggested that the $l5,000. Be placed in the Highway Account to be used for the roads.
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO MODIFY THE BUDGET TO REFLECT THAT $17,500. FOR STREET LIGHTS AND $15,000. FOR HIGHWAYS BE SPENT. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Budget 2000: Joan will need to present to Joan his recommendations for the new budget. Need by the lst of September, Joan will not be at the October meeting. Prior to Tom presenting to Joan, members need to get a "wish list - do list" to Tom.
STREET LIGHTING: Chris Kraft
Nothing on Street Lighting.
Schwenksville Area Improvement Corridor: l) revision of intersection at Park Avenue/Game Farm Road, Plank Road (there is a house there owned by Ott family), Rt. 73/29 Intersection, light needed and Perkiomen and Main Streets, turning lane.
This would revise the traffic problems, by-pass the town..
Support letter is needed to be sent to Montgomery County Planning Commission. Tom mentioned that this would not cost too much to get the whole thing into the l2 yr. Plan. Most of the monies would come from the state.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY JIM DULL IT WAS MOTIONED TO WRITE A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THIS PROJECT. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Chris, however, disagrees with line that is proposed through the meadow at the Pennypacker property. This is to be mentioned.
FIRE COMPANY LIAISON - JIM DULL
Nothing on the Fire Company.
Salaries: Jim feels that council members who work for the borough should be paid for their time at least minimum wage. Also, feels that members should be compensated for attending monthly meetings.
Jim spoke previously to Chris on this subject. Chris is neither for this or against it. If council wanted this he would not vote against it. Joan appreciated the comment but she is doing this because she wants to do it. Maybe in the future it will become necessary. Not in favor of this at proposal. Chris felt that maybe the voters should decide. Bernie mentioned that if this is to take place in the year 2000, it must be acted upon this year. Jim mentioned that he does not need the extra money and would donate to a charity. Bernie mentioned that of the surrounding municipalities that they get paid especially for meetings.
POLICE COMMITTEE: JOAN GIUNTA Nothing
BOROUGH MANAGER: TOM SNYDER Reported under Streets/Roads
CORRESPONDENCE: NANCY EPPLEY
Will be on vacation September l7th - 25th, l999.
OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS: Nothing
MAYOR'S REPORT: BILL CLOSSIN Absent
AUDIENCE: Nothing
NEXT MEETING: September 9, l999 at 7:30 p.m.
MOTIONED BY JOAON GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ADJOURN TONIGHT'S MEETING. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
8:50 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy J. Eppley, Borough Secretary
August 13, l999