The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by President John K. Lear. President Lear led with the Pledge of Allegiance. Answering roll call were Council Members: Bruce Lord, William C. Clinton, Joan Wieder, Douglas Landis, Kristopher Kirkwood, Vice President Michael Mensch and President John K. Lear.

Also present this evening was Mayor Ethel G. Ritchey, Borough Solicitor Charles D. Garner, Jr., Roads Assistant Rick Krupp, and Administrative Assistant Lisa Hiltz.

U.P.V. Regional Comprehensive Plan
The public hearing for the UPV Regional Comprehensive Plan convened at 7:00 P.M. as advertised. Eric Jarrell, Planner for the Montgomery County Planning Commission, gave a brief overview of the Regional Comprehensive Plan. There was no public comment. A Motion was made by Wieder, seconded by Clinton and unanimous to adopt a Resolution amending the Comprehensive Plan.

Public Comment
Michelle & Ed Theodore, 434 Macoby Street, presented a letter to Borough Council regarding the completion of a drainage pipe in their backyard. Mrs. Theodore expressed concern about conditions created in the yard due to water run-off. President Lear explained that the unusually rainy season made the ground too wet to allow equipment on the property. Rick Krupp, Roads Department, offered that the piping project would be completed as soon as cold weather could provide solid ground and the grading and seeding would be finished in the spring of 2012.

Consent Agenda
A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Lord, and unanimous to approve the Minutes of the November 1^st and November 15^th Borough Council Meetings and the November Treasurer’s report.

Roads Department
Councilor Mensch reported that the Christmas wreaths are hung.
Guidelines are being created through a computer program to keep better track of vehicle maintenance, work progress and priority lists. Councilor Mensch suggested having cable installed in the garage so that reports could be documented on the computer. It was pointed out that it could be an additional monthly fee since this is not part of our contract with Comcast.

Councilor Landis asked about the status of the repair at the inlet on Route 663 at Rita’s Water Ice. The concrete is deteriorating from the curb. Rick will put cones up until repairs can be made.

Regional Planning
Councilor Wieder will be providing information regarding donations allocated for emergency services in the Upper Perkiomen Valley.
Ms. Wieder asked for suggestions for Regional Planning topics. Councilor Lear proposed discussion of flexibility with zoning regarding use of vacant buildings.

A Motion was made by Kirkwood, seconded by Mensch and unanimous directing Administrative Manager, Jeanne Hopkins, to send a letter to the Montgomery County Commissioners expressing the borough’s opposition to the elimination of the Montgomery County Planning Commission.

Building
An estimate for the garage roof repair was presented by Councilor Kirkwood from J.H. Higgins Construction. A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Lord and unanimous, to approve the repair not to exceed $500.00. An attempt will be made to schedule the work before the end of the year.

Kirkwood also reported that a contractor would be checking the masonry, caulking and glass block status of the outside of the civic building.

Baseboard heating will be installed in the ground level men’s and ladies rooms of the civic building.

Revitalization
The meeting was cancelled due to a conflict with the Police Commission meeting.

Solid Waste/Recycling
References provided by Neihlscape Lawn & Landscape service were satisfactorily reviewed by Councilor Landis. The borough has contracted Neihlscape for a one year period.

Councilor Landis inquired about options for paying off or lowering interest rates for the 2010 International Truck loan. A suggestion to refinance the truck loan in with the 2012 building improvement loan was suggested. After some discussion, it was decided that a better plan would be for borough staff to check if lower interest rates are available from Tri County for the truck loan.

Mayor’s Report
Mayor Ritchey attended the Hometown Christmas Parade. The organizers of the event have requested extra funds to pay for the oranges.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None

NEW BUSINESS
$100,000.00 Loan
Interest rates were provided by Tri County Federal Credit Union, Univest and QNB. Solicitor Garner mentioned that building project quotes should be obtained to provide to the lender.
After reviewing several options, a Motion was made by Clinton and seconded by Kirkwood to go with Univest for a $99,999.00 loan with a 2.75% interest rate.

President Lear requested a roll call vote and the Motion passed 5-2 with the votes as follows: Lord-nay, Clinton-yea, Wieder-yea, Kirkwood-yea, Landis-yea, Mensch-nay and Lear-yea.

Adoption of 2012 Budget
A Motion was made by Clinton and seconded by Landis to adopt the 2012 budget with Anticipated Revenues of $1,541,672.00 and Anticipated Expenditures of $1,541,672.00.

Councilor Lord presented a Pie Chart representing the budget. Mr. Lord pointed out that a large portion of the budget is allocated for the Upper Perkiomen Police Department.

President Lear requested a roll call vote and the Motion passed 5-2 with the votes as follows: Lord-nay, Clinton-yea, Wieder-yea, Kirkwood-yea, Landis-yea, Mensch-nay and Lear-yea.

Tax Levy Ordinance #3-2011
A Motion was made by Landis and seconded by Clinton to adopt Tax Levy Ordinance #3-2011. President Lear requested a roll call vote and the Motion passed 5-2 with the votes as follows: Lord-nay, Clinton-yea, Wieder-yea, Kirkwood-yea, Landis-yea, Mensch-nay and Lear-yea.

Resolution allocating 25% of Liquid Fuel Tax monies unused for resurfacing to be allocated for maintenance and repair of roads in 2012 was adopted with a Motion by Mensch, seconded by Kirkwood and unanimous.

Resolution eliminating payments into the Police Pension fund by participants in the fund for 2012 was adopted with a Motion by Lord, seconded by Clinton and unanimous.

Resolution eliminating payments into the PA Municipal Retirement System Fund by participants in the fund for 2012 was adopted with a Motion by Clinton, seconded by Kirkwood and unanimous.

Resolution establishing fees for collection and disposal of refuse and recyclables and penalties for late payment for 2012 was adopted with a Motion by Clinton, seconded by Landis and unanimous.

Electricity Prices
Quotes received for electricity prices were reviewed. A Motion was made by Lord, seconded by Wieder and unanimous to approve a one year contract with Excelon at a rate of 7.375₵ per kilowatt hour.

2012 Borough Council Meeting Dates
A Motion was made by Landis, seconded by Mensch and unanimous to authorize the advertisement of Borough Council Meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 P.M. with the exception of November’s meeting changed to November13^th. Meetings will also be held the third Tuesday of each month at 7 P.M. as needed, with the exception of May’s meeting changed to May 8^th.

Traffic Signal at Pottstown Avenue and Seminary Street
Borough Solicitor, Charles Garner, explained that the requested traffic study at Route 663 and Seminary Street showed that the intersection does not warrant a traffic signal. Solicitor Garner will make council aware of any further communications from CVS.

We Recycle
Information was presented to Borough Council from the County regarding being a potential site for an electronics waste recycling program beginning in 2012. As of 2013, it will not be permitted to put electronic waste in the trash. "We Recycle" would provide containers for electronics waste drop off and would reimburse the borough for these items. East Greenville is also reviewing this information. Council was reluctant to make any decisions until they could look into the matter further and have some questions answered regarding contract terms, training methods, transportation of the waste, and costs, if any, involved. It will be discussed in more detail at the next Council meeting.
 

Payment of December bills was approved by a Motion by Landis, seconded by Clinton and unanimous.

Councilor Landis asked whether the exterminators had addressed the bat problem. Mr. Lear reported that the situation was taken care of.
President Lear distributed the Civic Building air quality report results for Council to review and discuss at the January meeting.

A Motion was made by Lord, seconded by Kirkwood and unanimous, to transfer in the 2011 budget $28,765.50 from Miscellaneous Expenditures into savings and to transfer $15,143.90 from Other Financing Sources into savings.

President Lear announced that the Annual MCATO Conference is January 30, 2012.

Public Comment Period – None

There being no further business to come before Borough Council at this time, a Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 P.M. was made by Mensch, seconded by Lord, and unanimous.