BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE,PA

COUNCIL MINUTES OF OCTBOER 14, 1999       

BEGAN:  7:30 P.M.   ENDED:  8:30 P.M.

 

            The Schwenksville Borough Council Meeting was called to order at 7:30 by council president, Bernard McCollum.                   

 

            Secretary, Nancy Eppley called the roll.  Present were:  Bernard McCollum, Joan Giunta, E. M. (Sue) Kuhn, and Chris Kraft.

 

            PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:  By the assembly.

 

            RESIGNATION OF PATRICIA KATONA AS BOROUGH AUDITOR:

Pat's letter of resignation was read publicly by council president.

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF PATRICIA KATONA AS BOROUGH AUDITOR.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            RESIGNATION OF WILLIAM CLOSSIN AS MAYOR.

Bill's letter of resignation was read publicly by council president.

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF WILLIAM CLOSSIN AS MAYOR.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            Submission of name(s) to replace council member, James Dull.  Jim's resignation was read at the September meeting

MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO NOMINATE PATRICIA KATONA TO FULFILL THE COUNCIL TERM OF JAMES DULL.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            Submission of name(s) to replace mayor,William Clossin.

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO NOMINATE CARROLL ROSENBERGER TO FULFILL THE TERM OF WILLIAM CLOSSIN.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            Submission of name(s) to replace Borough Authority member, Dennis Dorn.  Dennis's resignation was read at the September meeting.

MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO NOMINATE JOSEPH O'NEIL TO FULFILL THE BOROUGH AUTHORITY POSITION OF DENNIS DORN.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            District Judge Albert Augustine gave the oaths of office to those involved for the respective offices.

 

            DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 9, 1999:

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 9, 1999.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 9, 1999:

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 9, 1999.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            Mr. Robert Brant, solicitor mentioned that Pat should abstain this evening on the voting of the minutes, treasurer's report, accounts payable.

 

            ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Nancy Eppley

Council has been given a list of expenditures to date, plus checks were cut today for the purchase of the borough street lights to PECO ENERGYand application fee to the PUC.  These 2 checks are to be added to the a/p.

Also, presented were a Deposit Detail, Payroll Summary, Statement of Revenues and Expenditures Budget to September 30, l999.

MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AS PRESENTED.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            TREASURER'S REPORT:  Nancy Eppley

A monthly treasurer's report was given out for council's review.

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.

 

            POLICE REPORT:  Chief Frank Holden

Month of September:  (local/state police)  89 incidents.

Frank's complete report is on file at Borough Hall Office.

 

            FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT:  Jim Keyser

Month of September:  2 calls, l0 men in service, 41/4 hrs. in service.

This complete report is on file at Borough Hall Office.

 

            AMBULANCE REPORT:  Larry Politz

Month of September:  Borough only:  27   Colonnade:  23

This complete report is on file at Borough Hall Office.

 

            SOLICITOR'S REPORT:  Robert Brant

Looking forward to working with Pat Katona and Carroll Rosenberger.

 

Renewal of Suburban Cable TV Franchise Agreement.  Will continue to monitor and report back at the November meeting.

 

            COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

            STREETS/ROADS:  Sue Kuhn and Tom Snyder

Bernie along with Sue and Tom met with representatives from Highpointe, Jeff Clemens, developer and Spring Mount Summit concerning Third Street portion that they will take over.  Sue mentioned to the group attending that the borough agreed not to take over any new projects until Mt. View has been completed.  An estimate from Carroll Engineering will be given to those involved.  Road must be up to standards.

 

            Spring Mount Summit never received a letter concerning Snow Plowing.  Both Nancy and Bob Brant said they sent one.  Will send again.  Sue mentioned that SMS will sign off.

 

            Tom:  Perkiomen Avenue will be paved l0/l5/99.  If heavy frost occurs, it could break up again.  Base is mud and shale.

 

            Tree removal:  Bid not in as yet.

 

            Bid Forms:  Mt. View:  At HUD for their review.  Pre-bid meeting will be held for storm sewer work.  (Down to Boulevard, across Boulevard and under Main St.)

 

            There will be a pre-bid meeting concerning Main Street.  Covers Rt. 29, Rt. 113 up to 500 feet our Borough's Main Street - bids going out.  State will handle Borough's portion, Perkiomen Township their own.

 

            Meeting at Fort Washing to discuss the Rt. 29 Corridor.

 

            Permission to repair potholes, seal cracks (2nd Street, Mine Hill Road and some at various other locations)  Tom estimates cost of approximately $l,200.00

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ALLOCATE $1,200.00 (approximate) FOR THE REPAIR OF MANHOLES AND CRACKS.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            PROPERTY:  Sue Kuhn

            Chairs for council table have not been ordered.  Sue is waiting to see how Tom makes out on the meeting room table.  Tom said that there might be an increase in the cost, due to the fact that it is taking longer to get anything out of the facility (searching, etc.)  No final price yet.  Sue suggested that Tom return with a price as soon as he knows.

 

            FINANCE:  Joan Giunta

            Date for Budget Review:  November 4, 1999 at 7:30 p.m.

 

            Change of date for the November meeting:  Change to November 18, 1999 from November llth due to a National Holiday.

 

            Review of the proposed budget:

            2nd Infrastructure Loan:  Budget doesn't have a line item.  Tom said that this was turned over to the Borough Authority, although it is in the Borough of Schwenksville's name.  Borough is responsible should the Borough Authority not pay.

 

            Some discussion on the Real Estate Tax Receipts (Joan I'm sure meant to say Earned Income Tax that figure showed on the chart).  Joan mentioned that it should show $145,000. Instead of $l65,000.

 

            Expense:  Police     Medical Insurance:  Actual figure

                                            Life Insurance:  Letter quote

                                            Capital Expense of $3,000. (Tom mentioned that this amount would be set aside for the purchase of a car for Chief Holden.

 

            Health and Welfare:  Trash:  According to Tom the tax base will bear the burden.  Trash collection will probably be a free service to the residents.  Comparison of figures:  $55,000. New compared to $36,000. Old.  Highpointe and Spring Mt. Summit will be included in the borough trash collection.

Joan questioned the Commercial properties, and what if residents want extra containers, etc.

            Highway Traffic Development:  $15,000.  Unordained, street capital expense.  This item needs discussion.

            Highway Maintenance:  Nothing to work with.

            Electric Power Cost:  Tom mentioned referring to the last page of the proposed budget.

 

            Community Park:  $10,000. For projected capital expense.  Chris would like to see things at the park proceeding.

 

            Infrastructure Loan:  $8,000. Goes into the Sinking Fund yearly.

 

            Renovations to Borough Hall:  Joan suggested asking for help from the County.  Borough would only repay l5% and County paying the remainder of 85%.  Joan asked if Tom could check this out.

 

            Receiving Allocation from the State :  $18,226.00 (Liquid Fuels)

 

            Electric Maintenance:  $1,500.00 per year.

 

            Joan passed out to council members a paper that can be used to put down their requests for various projects.  Please bring these to the November 4th meeting.

 

            Naming Nancy Eppley as the Chief Operating Officer for theRetirement Fund.

MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO NAME NANCY EPPLEY TO THAT POST.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            PARK BOARD:  Tom Snyder

            Swings are in, the school has promised more.

 

            Recent hurricane dumpted quite a bit of water at the park.

 

            STREET LIGHTING:  Chris Kraft

            Needs permission to purchase 6 new style holiday lights.

MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO SPEND UP TO $1,500. FOR THE NEW LIGHTS.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            FIRE COMPANY LIAISON:  Pat Katona

            Pat will be working with Jim Keyser and will be consulting with former council member, Jim Dull on the various things past.

 

A wonderful day was had by all who attended the Parade and Festival activities recently held at the Fire House.

 

            POLICE COMMITTEE:  Joan Giunta

            An executive meeting will be held tonight following the regular meeting.  Reporting on the Executive Meeting held last month:  No action was taken.

 

            BOROUGH MANAGER:  Tom Snyder

            Refer to Streets/Road report

 

            Also, Zoning of North Elementary School:  Meeting coming up.

 

            CORRESPONDENCE:  Nancy Eppley

            Halloween Parade:  Thursday, October 28th Registration 6 p.m.  Parade starts at 7 p.m.

 

            Montgomery County Boroughs Assn:  Dinner Meeting:  October 28th at William Penn Inn.  See Nancy for reservations.

 

            OLD BUSINESS:

            Miriam Smith Subdivision Escrow Account:  Completed 

Kathy Becker, Auditor questioned the interest on the escrow account.  Bob Brant taking a look at this account.  Also, Tom will check the note on the plan.

 

            NEW BUSINESS:

            Chris:  Borough Authority's quarterly meeting, need reports.

 

            Bernie will also contact them concerning proposed drilling at the Pennypacker Estates.  Chris suggested that this be abandoned immediately, found water elsewhere.  Bob Brant will also call Borough Authority's solicitor.

 

            MAYOR'S REPORT:  Carroll Rosenberger    Nothing tonight.

 

            AUDIENCE:

            Ditmar Hahn representing Gael Hahn former treasurer of the Borough.

Why wasn't the treasurer who was fired from the Borough ever audited back in 1990?

 

            Auditing firm hired before Gael's resignation was accepted. Mr. Brant will check this out.

 

            HUD GRANT:  How long is it good for?  Joan didn't know.  Tom working on this.

 

            NEXT MEETING:  November 4th - Budget Work Shop

                                             November 18th - Regular Meeting

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Nancy J. Eppley, Secretary