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PENNSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL
MEETING
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 – 7:00 P.M.
The
regular meeting to be held on February 1, 2011 was cancelled
due to a weather event and was rescheduled for February 15,
2011. The meeting was called to order by President John K.
Lear at 7:00 P.M. President Lear led with the Pledge of
Allegiance. Answering roll call were Council Members: Bruce
Lord, William C. Clinton, Joan Wieder, Douglas Landis, Vice
President Michael Mensch and President John K. Lear.
Also present this evening was Mayor Ethel G. Ritchey,
Borough Solicitor Charles D. Garner, Jr., Borough Engineer
John Katsaros, Roads Assistant Rick Krupp, Administrative
Assistant Lisa Hiltz and Administrative
Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Jeanne W. Hopkins.
Public
Comment Period – None
Consent Agenda
A
Motion was made Clinton, seconded by Landis and unanimous to
approve as written, the Minutes of the January 4, 2011
Borough Council Meeting, Fire Police services were requested
and approved for the Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Easter
Egg Hunt on April 16th (rain date of April 23rd)
and the Perk Up Half Marathon on August 28th.
Roads
Committee
Councilor Mensch reported on the poor condition of certain
roads and alleys. A section of Silk Alley erupted and was
repaired last week. Rick Krupp, Roads Department, added
that poor storm water drainage in areas has a great deal to
do with the deterioration of the roadways. Mr. Mensch
stated the budgeted amount of $40,000.00 will not be enough
money to make the necessary repairs and money to make
repairs will have to be found elsewhere in the budget.
$700.00 of snow plow repairs was made this winter.
Signal Service performed the yearly preventative maintenance
on the traffic signals but they did not use the newly
revised PennDot plans located in the traffic signal control
box. They will need to revise their recommendations on
corrections that need to be made to be in compliance with
the PennDot permit.
The
roads committee remains interested in purchasing a Utility
Truck by year-end.
Christmas Lights – The current lights are in bad shape.
Many are not repairable and the lights are extremely heavy
to install each season.
Personnel
Councilor
Clinton reported Jason Kulp has passed and acquired a CDL
license.
Fire
Company
Councilor Lord
reported a meeting is scheduled for February 22nd.
A qualified person has not been found to fill the position
of Deputy Fire Marshal.
Building
Cracks in the
brick and mortar of the Civic Building were brought to our
attention upon an appraisal and safety inspection completed
by our insurance company. The building cracks have been
sealed. The area has been marked to be able to monitor for
any further decline.
The
borough engineer obtained two quotes from engineers, Ludwig
Engineering Co. and Lock Ridge Engineering, LLC. for an
assessment of the situation. The quotes received were not
compatible for the scope of work. After a lengthy
discussion, Mr. Katsaros was directed to contact the
borough’s insurance company for some direction as to exactly
how they expect the borough to act on the matter. Mr.
Katsaros will contact each professional engineering company
to get a better cost estimate upon receiving a report from
them.
Salt
shed door – A Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Landis
and unanimous to have the door repaired for a cost of
$705.00
Solid
Waste
Councilor Landis reported we were successful in receiving
grant monies in the amount of $1,495.00 for the 2008
Recycling Performance Grant. The check was deposited in the
joint recycling account with East Greenville Borough.
On
April 16, 2011 the Montgomery County Recycling Program will
sponsor a hazardous waste collection day at the Upper
Perkiomen High School from 9 a.m – 3 p.m..
Community Day
Jeanne Hopkins and Lisa Hiltz reported that in order to move
forward on Community Day plans a personnel matter must be
resolved. Rick Krupp and Jason Kulp have plans for that day
and will not be able to help with the set up and clean up.
President Lear suggested he contact
Mayor
Sloyer to see if East Greenville Borough would be willing to
move Community Day to the following Saturday.
NEW
BUSINESS
Resignation from Borough Council.
A
Motion was made by Wieder, seconded by Lord and unanimous to
accept with regret the resignation from Borough Council of
Vicki J. Lightcap.
Applications to fill the vacancy will be accepted until 4:00
P.M., March 1, 2011. The Secretary was directed to
advertise the vacancy on borough council and request
applications of borough residents to fill the seat on a
Motion by Mensch, seconded by Clinton and unanimous.
Committee Appointments
With
the recent borough council resignation, Council President
Lear made the following committee assignments:
Revitalization Committee Chairperson – William Clinton
Regional Planning Committee representative – Joan Wieder
Still
Waters Retirement Community Land Development Plan
A
brief summary of the Development Plan was provided by John
McMenamin, Project Engineer. Also in attendance were Gary
Gearhart, Project Engineer and Wil Hallman.
Waivers were requested: Section 96-26, F., 3, c (single
access loop streets) and Section 96-31.B4 (parking spaces
closer than 20 feet from a building). Mr. McMenamin
explained the need for the Waivers.
The
Waiver Requests were recommended for approval by the
Planning Commission.
8th
Street improvements, Montgomery Ave. to Seminary St., may
require construction easements from property owners on W. 8th
St. Grading issues to prevent water ponding need to be
resolved. The applicant requested separating the two
matters (1.building the development and 2. the 8th
Street improvements).
Councilor Landis asked for clarification on the single
access loop street waiver request. Solicitor Garner
answered that an additional access has been provided for
emergency equipment purposes. The loop street is privately
owned by the developer.
Councilor Clinton asked for a timeline for completing the
two matters if they are to be separated? The answer is that
the two matters will be worked on at the same time. The 8th
St. improvements matter will have a separate escrow applied
for its completion.
The
developer and the borough will be working with the residents
to acquire the necessary easements to get the end result of
curbing and proper storm water flow.
The plan
provides for an asphalt overlay but does not include
sidewalk installation.
A
Resolution was adopted to approve the Still Waters
Retirement Community Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan
and granting of the two Waivers on a Motion by Clinton,
seconded by Wieder and unanimous.
Community
Development Block Grant Program
A
Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Landis to authorize
the Administrative Manager to complete an application to
file with the Montgomery County Housing and Community
Development for grant funds to complete the final portion of
Main Street streetscape.
Office
Computer replacement
A
Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Lord and unanimous to
authorize the replacement of computer equipment at a cost
not to exceed $1,000.00.
Montgomery
County Association of Township Officials convention
A
Motion was made by Wieder, seconded by Mensch and unanimous
to authorize the Administrative Manager to attend the
convention at Presidential Caterers on February 24th.
Penn
State Pruning Woody Plants Program
A
Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Lord and unanimous to
authorize the attendance of Rick Krupp and Jason Kulp on
February 24th at the Upper Hanover Township
Camelot Park at a cost of $80.00.
The
bills for payment in February were approved with a Motion by
Landis, seconded by Mensch and unanimous. Councilor Landis
suggested that pest control services be explored with other
companies to compare prices and services.
Public
Comment Period – None
There
being no further business to come before Borough Council at
this time, a Motion was made by Lord, seconded by Wieder and
unanimous to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne W. Hopkins
Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer |
