BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA

MINUTES OF JUNE 19, 2003

 

                The Schwenksville Borough Council Meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman, Gene Frantz at 7:00 p.m.

 

                Josephine Gill filling in for Nancy Eppley called the roll:

 

Present were:  Gene Frantz, Donald A. Whitko, Raymond Yeanish and Mayor, Carroll Rosenberger.  Absent were:  Gilbert Williams and Barbara Slater.

 

                PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:  By the assembly.

 

                MINUTES:

 

                Dispense with the reading of the minutes of May 8, 2003:  MOTIONED BY DONALD A. WHITKO AND SECONDED BY RAYMOND YEANISH IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF MAY 8, 2003.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                Approval of the minutes of May 8, 2003:  MOTIONED BY RAYMOND YEANISH AND SECONDED BY DONALD A. WHITKO IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MAY 8, 2003.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                ACCOUNTS PAYABL/TREASURER'S REPORT:  for Nancy Eppley - Josephine Gill

 

For councils' review and approval:  Deposit Detail for May 1-June 20, 2003 - General Account

                                                          Disbursement Report for the Month of June 2003  "

                                                           Statement of Revenues and Expenditures from Jan. 1-June 20, 2003-

                                                              General Account.

 

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

 

                SPECIAL GUEST:  James Weaver - PERKIOMEN VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT-

                                                                           Business Administrator

 

Requesting that the Borough hire and split the cost of one crossing guard for the new PVSD Elementary School .  Cost for wages would be $5,250 yearly.  The crossing guard would spend one hour per school day -total school days per school year is 180.  Loren has prepared a resolution for tonight, but minor changes now need to be made.

 

MOTIONED BY RAYMOND YEANISH AND SECONDED BY DONALD A. WHITKO IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE A JOINT EFFORT WITH PVSC FOR A CROSSING GUARD WITH THE ABOVE STATED ITEMS.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

The project is running as scheduled with Open House scheduled for August 14, 2003.

 

                ENGINEER'S REPORT:  Adam Supplee

 

No report given to Council as no report was given to office.

 

-Working on:  Storm Water Issues

                        Mine Hill Road:  Authority is working on the water main, then the contractor will be called in to finish.

 

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Minutes of June 19, 2003

 

                         Keyser-108 Hillcrest Avenue:  Met with Keyser and Tom Snyder to discuss grade and storm water plan.

 

                         Zoning Map:  Should have next meeting with the necessary revisions.

 

                         3rd St. & Maple Avenue:  Closing out project.

 

                        Retaining Wall Bid:  MOTIONED BY DONALD A. WHITKO AND SECONDED BY RAYMOND YEANISH IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE CARROLL ENGINEERING PREPARE BID DOCUMENTS AND ADVERTISE FOR THE RETAINING WALL AT FRUTCHY'S PROPERTY.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

               

                SOLICITOR'S REPORT:  Loren Szczesny

 

                Given to council for their review.   Copy on file at Borough Hall     Some item above already acted upon.

 

                Other items:

 

                Perkiomen Trail:  Moving along.  County design team is finally at the stage of determing the specific location of the trail.

 

                Anna McKim Property:  Loren's office has finalized the filing with the Court the Petition for removal of this dangerous structure on this property.  Will continue to monitor.

 

                POLICE REPORT:  Chief Timothy Hoppes

 

                Explained the May Report that has been given to council for their review.

 

                Month of May:  State Police Call:  11       Local:  24

 

                Tim spoke on the new Emergency Plan.  This plan has been generated by the county and has been revised.

 

                MOTIONED BY DONALD A. WHITKO AND SECONDED BY RAYMOND YEANISH IT WAS VOTED TO ADOPT THE NEW EMERGENCY PLAN AS PRESENTED.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                FIRE COMPANY REPORT:  Jim Keyser      Not present     No report

 

                AMBULANCE REPORT:  No one present   No report

 

                Tom Snyder did however report that SEMS (Skippack) LOWER FREDERICK, and TRAPPE have decided to combine their efforts and have one of the above stationed at Plank Road Park from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily for emergency service.

 

                BOROUGH MANAGER:  Tom Snyder

 

                -Parking Study:  Tom has received 2 quotes:  McCann Associates out of Fort Washington, Pa

  and Carroll Engineering, Trappe, PA

 

                McCann Associates:  $5,000.00        Carroll Engineering:  $4,900.00

 

                Adam explained the details.

 

 

 

 

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Minutes of June 19, 2003

 

                MOTIONED BY RAYMOND YEANISH AND SECONDED BY DONALD A. WHITKO IT WAS VOTED TO SECURE THE SERVICES OF CARROLL ENGINEERING TO PERFORM THE PARKING STUDY FROM THIRD STREET TO THE PERKIOMEN TRAIL.  COST IS $4,900.00.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE  MOTION CARRIED.

 

                -Zoning Hearings:  Verizon for 911    and     Chris Kraft for housing.      These will be discussed at the Planning Commission meeting that will follow tonight's meeting.

 

                --Keystone Fuel:  Has opened up a Mini Market-selling products including milk.  According to the Dept. of Health milk is not allowed until permission is give.

 

                -731 Main Street:  Dangerous condition, in need of repair.  Unoccupied.  Tom has been in touch with bank who hold the title and this should be getting straighten out shortly.

 

                -54 Main Street:  Driveway is unauthorized.  PennDot has been contacted.  Borough has more power in this situation.

 

                -Traffic Light at Park & Main:  Trouble, probably because of water damage.

 

                --Clearfield Avenue Leak:  Trouble found through Tving.  Lower Frederick will fix, since the problem stems from that township.

 

                                                                   COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

STREETS/ROADS:  Barbara Slater        Absent              No report given

 

Tom however, reported that he discussed with Barbara repairing the pot hole at 2nd Street and the Borough should consider marking in the Fall.  3rd and Perkiomen Avenue is straighten out.

 

FINANCE:  Gene Frantz        Everything in order, bills have been paid

 

TRAIL & REVITALIZATION:  Gilbert Williams          No report given       (see above Loren's report)

 

PROPERTY:  Donald  A. Whitko

                        

                        Donald Markley building has been landscaped.

 

FIRE COMPANY:  Gene Frantz

 

Letter received from Jim Keyser  requesting that council consider making Clearfield Avenue a One Way Street.  At the present time, vehicles are parked on both sides and driving is difficult.  Jim's concern is if you had a fire or any emergency that these vehicles would have a difficult time on the road.

 

Loren was instructed to draft a letter to be sent to Clearfield Avenue residents in reference to parking and one way. 

 

This will be tabled until the August meeting.

 

Ray would like the radius around the pumping station changed. 

 

STREET LIGHTING:  Raymond Yeanish         No report

 

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Minutes of June 19, 2003

 

Tom Snyder did report that he had a meeting with John Garis of Telvil and 2 lights will be fixed.  John is awaiting money release.

 

MAYOR'S REPORT:  Carroll reported that she performed 2 weddings in May.

 

OLD BUSINESS:  Nothing

 

NEW BUSINESS:  Perkiomen Valley Watershed:  Gib must know of this.  Renewal of membership???  Will be discussed next month.

 

                                Heidelberg Church:  Plans for landscaping.  This will be discussed later.

 

                                   Resignation of James Dull from Borough Authority:  Gene read the resignation letter.  Jim is leaving for personal reasons and has enjoyed his years on the authority.

 

MOTIONED BY DONALD A. WHITKO AND SECONDED BY RAYMOND YEANISH IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT JAMES DULL'S RESIGNATION FROM THE BOROUGH AUTHORITY.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

AUDIENCE:  Roy Miller:  Concerns on the Park.  Continued vandalism.  After some discussion, it was suggested that after the trail gets established some of this problem will cease.  Suggestions were made on what to do to curb some of the problems.

 

                        Cindy Frutchey:  Voicing her concerns about her wall and steps.  Has been working with Tom Snyder for over 9 months and nothing has been done to correct this condition.  Her yard is a total disaster.  She doesn't understand  how things are always changing .  She reviewed the situation on what she has done to help this problem.  Her question is"when are you going to finish what you took"?She had no choice and feels that no commitment has been made from the Borough. 

Loren explained that tonight a motion was made to advertise for bids since the cost exceeds verbal bids.  Hopefully, this will be resolved soon.  Cindy said that this project should have never taken so long.  Loren said that the job has taken longer than expected. 

Her question is:  How much reasonable time is she looking at?  Ray mentioned that a lot depends on the contractor who receives the job.  Gene agreed with Ms. Frutchey that the Borough is running out of time and council will do everything that they can to get this job completed, once and forall.  Ray had no idea what has been going on and this project is just a "snowball" and costing a lot a money.  Ray is extremely sorry for Mrs. Frutchey. 

 

All business having been completed, the meeting was adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Nancy J. Eppley

Secretary

July 7, 2003