BOROUGH OP SCHWENKSVILLE, PA

COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 11, 1999

Began: 7:30 p.m.

Ended: 9:00 p.m.

The Schwenksville Borough Council Meeting was called to order by Council President, Bernard McCollum.

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.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly.

DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE JANUARY 14, 1999 MINUTES:

Motioned by Sue Kuhn and seconded by Jim Dull it was voted to dispense with the reading of the January 14, 1999 minutes. All were in favor and the motion carried.

APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 14, 1999 MINUTES: Motioned by Sue Kuhn and seconded by Chris Kraft it was voted to approve the minutes of January 14, 1999. All were in favor and the motion carried.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Joan Giunta/Gael Hahn

A bill came in for the Authority for advertising. It was paid by error. Gael will work on getting the borough reimbursed for the amount paid.

Jim questioned the solicitor’s bill. Some is work done on the Miriam Smith Subdivision and the rest is Mr. Brant’s work for the borough. The M. Smith amount is taken from that escrow account.

APPROVAL OF THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AS PRESENTED: Motioned by Joan Giunta and seconded by Sue Kuhn it was voted to approve the accounts payable as presented. All were in favor and the motion carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Gael Hahn

Gael’s report shows: Deposit detail report, Revenue and Expense report. Revenue was $14,233.92 for the Month of January, high for the beginning of the year.

Tom Snyder questioned the "Cash Balance Report", Has council made a suggestion to delete this? Gael has been having trouble getting the program with the cash balance report to work. She has attended a seminar and found that those instructors could not help her, will continue to try and solve this problem.

Bernie suggested having Bill Clossin help Gael. Gael was not sure that Bill was proficient in the area of Quick Books, but is willing to meet with him. Bernie will contact Bill.

APPROVAL OF THE TREASURER’S REPORT: 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.

POLICE REPORT: Chief Frank Holden

Month of January: Total Incidents: 56

No State Police Report this month.

Also, council members were given Frank’s November report. At the December meeting, Frank was unable to attend due to illness.

Bernie questioned Frank on the Bombs which were left at the Post Office and the Bike Shop.

Both were fake bombs and two people have been arrested and now are in County jail with a bail fixed at $25,000.00.

The State is handling, could be handled by A.T.F. Lack of interest by the F.B.I., (the post office is leasing the building).

Frank’s complete report is on file at Borough Hall.

AMBULANCE REPORT: No one present, No report

FIRE COMPANY REPORT: Nick Matregrano, Fire Chief

Report for December 1998:

Report for January 1999:

Also gave a year end report.

The Fire Company, is selling "Signature Bricks" which will be used on their Antique Fire Apparatus Museum. Cost is $50.00 each and the proceeds will go toward the restoration of the Antiques.

February 20th, they will hold a Charity Auction.

Finally, 1999 is the 125th Anniversary of Schwenksville Fire Company, a newsletter will be going out to explain some of the festivities planned for the year.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT: Robert Brant

1) Delinquent Trash Bills: Given last week to Bob for filing of liens. This is in the process. A lien can be placed on the a person’s property, and will not be collected until that property is sold. Approximately 10 letters went out to those residents involved.

Bernie questioned if the District Judge could do this lien filing? No. As a rule Bob calls those involved and explains the situation that besides paying the lien there are other charges involved. This sometimes gets results. Letters went out to those who owed the borough in excess of $100.00.

2) Second Street Parking: This proposed ordinance will be presented at the March meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

STREETS AND ROADS: Sue Kuhn

1) Mt. View Avenue: Drainage: Tom has the plans on the drainage. Need state approval, calculations are with PennDot. The borough might be able to get some State monies.

Spoke about the 24" drain running down Highland, drain must be bigger to get across Main which is 29".

There are big trees in the right-of-way per Jim Dull. Tom said that they will move around the trees, trees are mostly along the edges. Nothing is in the right-of-way.

2) Montgomery Avenue and Third Street: Papers from Montgomery County were to be here by 2/1. Nothing yet.

3) Pot Holes on Mine Hill Road: Can be fixed anytime as long as weather is good.

4) Vinyl Strips: Will be done in April or May. Originally this stripping was put down on the roads when the weather was too cold.

5) By-Pass: Several proposals are in the making. COG (Council of Governments) wants to straighten out Rt. 29. Tom spoke in detail of the proposal. Proposed light at Haldeman Road, this would be in conjunction with the light at Perkiomen Avenue. Tom explained how these two lights would work together with each other. Another proposal in 1~he talking stage would be to correct the "dog leg" aid Park and State Game Farm Road. PennDot would pay to take down the Unimart, which is presently there.

Perkiomen Township and Lower Frederick Township would be the ones most involved. Only area in the borough would be the abandoned portion of the Miriam Smith property.

Trying to get on the 12 year plan, through the preliminary plan. Chris questioned, What does the borough do to communicate how council and residents feel about this. Tom will be taking information back to PennDot and a resolution can be drawn up. Chris feels that action should be taken as soon as possible. Tom mentioned that proposals at this point are vague. Pennypacker Mills was in the discussion, but where would the crossing of the river be, at Delphi or St. Mary’s church. Chris again suggested

that borough put this out for discussion with the public. Next meeting will be May 4th at the county.

Chris mentioned that Perkiomen Avenue is in bad shape. Borough taking over this avenue? Frank Holden was talking to some State fellows and this avenue will be repaired soon.

Suggested: Contacting Ray Bunt and State officials asking their help. By-pass will be on the April 1999 agenda.

PROPERTY: Sue Kuhn

1) Boy Scouts have removed all of their things in the basement of the borough building.

Tom Snyder will be moving down there once minor renovations are done (painting, etc.), Tom also will need a phone line and filing cabinets.

Will be taking the copy machine down also.

2) Furniture Quote from the Correctional Institute: Tom has secured one, and Sue received a quote from Staples

Tom’s: $2,100.00 and an additional charge will be added to put the furniture together, approximately $400.00. Bernie mentioned that he, Tom, and Jim Dull can put it together.

Chairs: would be $20.00 to $100.00 from Staples.

Motioned by Jim Dull and seconded by Chris Kraft it was voted to spend $2,200.00 for the table. All were in favor and the motion carried.

3) Ramp: It was suggested that the ramp go along the side of the building. Some discussion concerning handicap vans etc. as to which side a driver exists.

Sue is continuing working on get some information. Perhaps borough could get an exemption being that the building is of historic value.

Chris suggested perhaps the borough could buy have a long term lease on the parking lot next door.

FINANCE: Joan Giunta

1) Trash Delinquent Accounts: Already discussed.

2) Review the Trash Billing for Commercial Accounts:

Tom presented a breakdown on what to charge commercial properties. Referred to various sizes of containers for trash and recycling bins. He does suggest "that in view of the surplus in the trash account and the 1998 over budget surplus of approximately $90,000., the short fall of $3.30 per year will be easily covered. Suggest billing residents $42.00 a quarter instead of the present $39.00 per quarter.

Joan mentioned that she doesn’t want to deplete savings that the borough has.

Tom mentioned that this does not effect the trash hauler only the residents.

Mr. Brant would like permission to research the above and get back to council by the February 23, 1999 special meeting.

Motioned by Sue Kuhn and seconded by Chris Kraft it was voted to have Bob Brant research the above and report back to the board. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Special Meeting: Tues, 2/23/99 at 7 P.M.

PARK BOARD: Tom Snyder

1) May 1st is their meeting.

2) Put in recreational equipment (park) at NW Corner of Clearfield and Highland. Tom is to check on the liability with Sigel Insurance.

STREET LIGHTING: Chris Kraft

Chris wrote a letter to council and reviewed the letter. PECO

Energy has agreed to sell the streets lights to the Borough for

$16,662.13. After the purchase, the electric rate for

However, the question came up: WHO OWNS THE POLES?

Tom said that there is only one pole in question and that is owned by Bell. Chris wants answers and the answers that he is getting doesn’t satisfy him. This also will be discussed at the special meeting

.

FIRE COMPANY LIAISON: Jim Dull Nothing t~ report.

POLICE COMMITTEE: Joan Giunta Nothing to report.

BOROUGH MANAGER: Tom Snyder Nothing to report, under various other reports.

CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Eppley

Borough Dinner with hosts Collegeville,

Schwenksville, and Trappe is being held on Thurs. 2/25/99. Reservations to Nancy by 2/22/99.

OLD/NEW BUSINESS: Nothing

MAYOR: Bill Clossin

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Jo Gill sending out notice prepared by Bill Clossin in reference to Housing Numbering Display. This notice will go out with the tax bills.

NEXT MEETING: 3/11/99 AT 7:30 P.M.

Tonight's special meeting was called to order by Council President, Bernard McCollum.

Roll call: Present: Bernie McCollum, Joan Giunta, E.M. (Sue) Kuhn, and Jim Dull.

Absent: Chris Kraft and Mayor, Bill Clossin.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly.

PURPOSE OF TONIGHT'S SPECIAL MEETING: To discuss the Commercial Properties using B.F.I. for trash and recycleables, (bill amounts).

Joan asked Tom: How many commercial units are within the borough? Tom wasn't sure at this time who will be switching over from Waste Management. Most customers want to see what the rate would be. Some customers have a contract with their existing carriers and borough will honor that contract, for at least six months.

For a 2yd. Container rate would be $l2.77 per pickup x l3 weeks in a quarter.

It was further discussed the increase for Residential properties. Homeowners are now paying $39.00 per quarter. Bernie suggested raising rate to $42.00 a quarter. A dollar more per month.

Jim was wondering why is Commercial in the contract? Joan and Sue mentioned that council wanted this and it was voted upon. Also,having one trash hauler rather than several at different times of the week is less traffic on the streets.

Joan stated that B.F.I. quoted price per year, per pickup. If borough doesn't utilize Commercial are they only to bill those they pickup? Tom said that B.F.I. will bid for whatever is picked up.

Rates for Residential is still cheaper through the borough than if the homeowners pick their own hauler.

It was mentioned earlier at a meeting that perhaps the borough could subsidize some money to help with the expense. Joan stated that the General Fund balance is used for emergencies that crop up during the year. Tom Snyder's letter mentioned a surplus. There is a surplus but that should not be used for trash papyments. Joan would suggest an increase for Residential users.

MOTIONED BY JIM DULL AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO INCREASE TRASH COLLECTION FOR RESIDENTIAL HOMES FROM $39.00 PER QUARTER TO $42.00 PER QUARTER. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

Joan asked Tom for a statement on how many Commercial units there are.

Jim noticed that there a lot of overflowing bins in the commercial businesses. This is true, but hopefully this will be straightened out.

Tom has recorded the serial numbers of all containers.

Joan was wondering what the percentage is of Commercial and hopefully all will be on board by the end of the year. Tom will be sending a letter out as soon as he knows what is going to be charged. Spring Mount Summit has a two year contract.

Joan stated that Waste Management proposal was lower in sections, but council had to look at the overall price. Once everyone is in the system, council could re-address the rates. Not necessarily an issue at present.

Jim asked about hazardous pickups. County provides them in April and in the Fall per Joan.

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO SET THE COMMERCIAL BILLING AT $13.00 PER PICKUP IN ADDITION TO THE RECYCLING CHARGE. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

Tom stated various charges for 2 yd. - 7 yd . containers and recycling from 2 yd. - 8 yd. Containers.

Tom was authorized to contact Madeline at the authority to alert her to the increase in residential trash bills.

Other business:

-Linda Kraft, chairlady for the holiday lights would like permission to spend up to $2,000.00 which has been already approved in the l999 budget. Linda would like to buy 6 snowflakes, replacing the lanterns. Linda must have an answer for Rileighs (supplier), by the end of the week.

Shipping would be F.O.B. from the factory.

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO SPEND $1,900.00 AMOUNT REQUESTED BY LINDA KRAFT FOR THE SNOWFLAKES. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

-Inspection of the Addition to Schwenksville Lumber Company: Since Tom Snyder cannot inspect his own property, he has asked that Bernie McCollum do so. Bob Brant has been notified and in his opinion Bernie can do so. Carroll Engineering has done the zoning years ago. This is an alteration.

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JIM DULL IT WAS VOTED TO ADJOURN TONIGHT'S SPECIAL MEETING. ALL WE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy J. Eppley, Secretary

Motioned by Sue Kuhn and seconded by Jim Dull it was voted to adjourn tonight’s meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Eppley