BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA

MINUTES OF APRIL 11, 2002

 

                The Schwenksville Borough Council Meeting of April 11, 2002 was called to order by Council President, H. Gilbert Williams at 7:30 pm.

 

                Secretary, Nancy Eppley called the roll.   Present were H. Gilbert Williams, Barbara Slater, Raymond Yeanish, Donald A. Whitko and Mayor Carroll Rosenberger.  Absent was Gene Frantz.

 

                PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:  By the assembly.

 

                MINUTES:  Dispense with the reading of the minutes of March 14, 2002:  MOTIONED BY DONALD WHITKO AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF MARCH 14, 2002.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                                    Approval of the minutes of March 14, 2002:  MOTIONED BY DONALD WHITKO AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MARCH 14, 2002.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TREASURER'S REPORT:  Council has for their review copies of:  Deposit Detail for March, Disbursement Report for April and a Statement of Revenues and Expenditures to Budget Comparison from January 1st to April 13, 2002.  Treasurer's report as of March 31, 2002. 

MOTIONED BY DONALD WHITKO AND SECONDED BY RAYMOND YEANISH IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND TREASURER'S REPORT AS PRESENTED.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                ENGINEER'S REPORT:  Kenneth Yerger

 

-Mt. View Drainage Improvements:  A prepared  PennDot Road Opening Permit and specifications will be reviewed with Tom Snyder prior to submitting to PennDot.

 

-Mine Hill Roadway and Drainage Improvements:  Ordination documents have been completed and copies delivered to Tom Snyder.  Waiting for the approval of the Environmental Assessment Checklist that was prepared and submitted to Montgomery County.  Draft construction drawings have been submitted to Tom and finalized drawings and specifications will be completed upon receiving comments.

 

-Third Street Roadway and Drainage Improvements:  Upon review of the drawings, Carroll Engineering has noted that the approved layout for 3rd Street was not finalized.  Existing water main not shown.  Location of water main has been located.  Plans are being completed and requests that Council authorize advertisement of the project, upon approval from the Office of Community Development.

 

-Montgomery Avenue:  A plan for a possible extension of Montgomery Avenue has been prepared and a cost estimate for discussion by the Planning Commission will be given at their next meeting.

 

                SOLICITOR'S REPORT:  Loren Szczesny

 

-Parking Space Dimension Ordinance Amendment:  Has been advertised and is in a form suitable for enactment following a public hearing tonight.

Loren reviewed the proposed ordinance with council and the audience present.    Sam Schweigert felt that more information is needed since it made impact his property.  Becky Conrad of Twice is Nice establishment voiced her concerns of parking.   Montgomery County have given their comments on this proposed ordinance.

 

 

 

 

 

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Minutes of April 11, 2002

 

 

MOTIONED BY DONALD A. WHITKO AND SECONDED BY RAYMOND YEANISH IT WAS VOTED TO ADOPT THIS ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE, ORDINANCE #258, ZONING, BY REVISING SECTION 1605, DIMENSIONS, TO INDICATE THE APPROPRIATE DIMENSIONS FOR ALL PARKING SPACES, AND REVISING THE SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE #268, BY AMENDING SECTION 414, PARKING SPACE AND LOT DIMENSIONS, TO REFLECT THE APPROPRIATE PARKING SPACE SIZE.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

-Resolution for the Revitalization Program.

Loren read the proposed resolution.  This resolution is to apply for money.

Amount is:  $425,000.00-$467,000.00.

 

MOTIONED BY DONALD A. WHITKO AND SECONDED BY RAYMOND YEANISH IT WAS VOTED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FORM FOR AN IMPLEMENTATION GRANT UNDER THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION PROGRAM.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

-Resolution for Fee Schedule for Building, Plumbing, Mechanical Permits.

 

MOTIONED BY DONALD A. WHITKO AND SECONDED BY RAYMOND YEANISH IT WAS VOTED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION ADOPTING A FEE SCHEDULE FOR BUILDING, PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL PERMITS THAT WILL BE ISSUED.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

-Planning Commission Recommendation:  At the P/C meeting a motion was passed 5-0 to have the Schedule of Sign Regulations updated as per attached copy that was sent to Council for their review.This addition will need to be advertised.

 

MOTIONED BY DONALD A. WHITKO AND SECONDED BY RAYMOND YEANISH IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE THE SOLICITOR PREPARE AN ORDINANCE REGARDING SCHEDULE OF SIGNS.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

-Proposed Lighting Ordinance:  MOTIONED BY DONALD A. WHITKO AND SECONDED BY RAYMOND YEANISH IT WAS VOTED TO ADVERTISE THE ORDINANCE FOR EXTERIOR LIGHTING.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

-Accessory Uses Proposed Ordinance:  Back in the Planning.

 

                POLICE REPORT:  Chief Tim Hoppes

 

Complete March Report given to Council for their review.  Chief Hoppes complete report is on file at Borough Hall.  Total calls for Local:  30,   Total calls for State Police:  15.

 

Abandon Vehicles in the Borough.  Until recently Tim had trouble getting vehicles towed.  That process will be starting up again.

 

Code Enforcement:  The Montgomery County Burning Ban has been extended for an additional 30 days.

 

 

 

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Minutes of April 11, 2002

 

                FIRE COMPANY REPORT:  Jim Keyser absent    Tom Snyder gave the report

 

Report for the Month of March:  Total calls:  5    Men in Service:  39   Time in Service 3hrs. 8 minutes

 

Member Ryan Ziegler is the first person in the State to be enrolled in the Firefighter Apprentice Program at North Montco Technical Career Center.

 

Training tonight will be wild land fire fighting at Evansburg State Park with the Bureau of Forestry.

 

                AMBULANCE REPORT:  No report

 

Tom Snyder did however, report that there will be a Fund Raising for the Ambulance this Saturday.  Event will be held a Mary Jane Kehs property.

 

                BOROUGH MANAGER:  Tom Snyder

 

Cedar Lea:  Drainage Problem.  LTL, Ed Beitler and Tom review the situation.  Some changes need to be made.  The grading was not done according to drawings and some houses are being flooded.

 

1005 Main Street:  Addition to an existing house.  Suggested a professional engineer letter be written before a building permit is issued.  No sewage-cesspool doesn't operate.  Problem extends to the Seton property.

 

Clemens Zoning Hearing:  Probably will be held the end of May.

 

Temporary Patching is done.

 

There is a hold on Stop Signs.

 

Street Sweeping:  DO or NOT DO (because of water shortage).  Could be a safety problem if not done.  The sweeping takes very little water and it was decide to proceed with this project.

 

Trash:  Letters have gone out to various residents/properties concerning trash on properties.

 

Perkiomen Valley School District (new elementary school) :  Chimney is down.  Will start digging foundation.  Bidding up today or tomorrow.

 

                STREETS AND ROADS:  Barbara Slater   -   refer to Engineer's and Tom Snyder's report

 

                FINANCE:  Gene Frantz  - Absent   No report other than AP/Treasurer's reports

 

                TRAIL AND REVITALIZATION:  Gilbert Williams    Everything on Schedule

 

                PROPERTY:  Donald Whitko       Spouting fixed at Borough Hall

 

                FIRE COMPANY:  Gene Frantz   Absent   No report

 

                STREET LIGHTING:  Raymond Yeanish    No report

However, Tom mentioned that next Thursday evening at 9 p.m. a generator will be hooked up to the new light on 4th Street.

 

               

 

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Minutes of April 11, 2002

 

MAYOR'S REPORT:  Carroll Rosenberger

 

Women's Club of Schwenksville holds a Holiday House Tour.  Someone suggested that the Borough Hall be on the list for this year.

 

OLD BUSINESS:  Nothing

 

NEW BUSINESS: 

 

Nancy: 

-Monthly Meeting of the Borough' s Assn.  April 25th at Blair Mill Inn  Topic:  Upgrades to County Communications.  Anyone interested in attending, see Nancy.

 

-May dinner of the Borough's Assn.   Hosts will be Collegeville, Trappe, and Schwenksville.  More details will follow.

 

-Proclamation:  School Library Media Program Resolution.  This declares April as "School Library Media Month"  Council will endorse.

 

-Proposed Resolution:  Agreement between PA Municipal Retirement Board and Borough of Schwenksville.

This is a yearly resolution which waives member contributions.

MOTIONED BY DONALD WHITKO AND SECONDED BY RAYMOND YEANISH IT WAS VOTED TO ADOPT THIS RESOLUTION/AGREEMENT BETWEEN PA MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT BOARD AND THE BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                AUDIENCE:

 

Montgomery Avenue/Second Street Residents:  Samuel Schweigert, Jim Batzell, and Bill Kirland were present to voice their opposition to the proposed plans for Montgomery Ave. and Second Street proposed/future parking area.

A long, vocal discussion followed.  Mr. Batzell stated that he wants his land back, Mr. Kirland moved up in Schwenksville to have privacy, Mr. Schweigert doesn't want to make Schwenksville another Skippack Village and will get legal counsel if needed   Feels that Council should talk to those involved first before doing anything.

Questioned council as to why they were not notified, whose is behind this?, who benefits?

Council explained that this proposal is not a definite decision, nothing has been decided.  There is a major parking problem in Schwenksville and Planning Commission and Borough Council is looking for ways to alleviate the problem.

 

Becky Conrad who owns "Twice is Nice", plus a newly opened store.  "Twice is Nice" has been existence for about 6 years, she is doing very well with business, but unhappy and concerned with what is going on.  She stated that not once did someone tell her what is going on  with improvements.  She is happy here, has a nice return on her business and keeps the property very nice considering she is not the property owner.  She feels that a little respect is needed to inform property owners, whoever as to what is going on.

 

Gib explained that the Borough really doesn't know when these crews are coming in, it is a 60 days range.  There have been open meetings, advertising the trail, etc. etc. and the response has not been good as far as having residents come out.  Nothing is being done in secret.  The Planning Commission is doing their best and in the best interest for the community. 

 

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Minutes of April 11, 2002

 

Mr. Kirland spoke on the PECO lines that on private property behind the former Dennis Dorn's home.  It is a PECO right of way. 

 

All business having been completed, the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Nancy J. Eppley

Secretary

April 23, 2002