PENNSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 – 7:00 P.M.

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:03 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., Borough Engineer John Seber, Roads Assistant Rick Krupp, Administrative Assistant Lisa Hiltz and Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Jeanne W. Hopkins.

Visitors

U.P.V. Chamber of Commerce representatives, Luanne Stauffer and Michele Fillipo were present this evening to provide an update on the PERK UP project.

A copy of the 2010 Annual Report of the Upper Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce was presented.

Public Comment Period

Jason and Kim Smith, 440 Jackson Street requested permission to close a portion of Jackson Street on July 29, 2011 for a block party.  Mr. Smith will communicate the event with the Police Department and Emergency Services. A Motion was made by Wieder, seconded by Mensch and unanimous to close a portion of the roadway during the event contingent upon the approval of the Upper Perk Police District.

Communications

Congressman Charles Dent’s office thanked Pennsburg Borough officials for their hospitality in holding the town hall meeting in the borough council chambers on April 28^th.

Consent Agenda

A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Lord and unanimous to approve, as written, the Minutes of the April 5, 2011 Borough Council Meeting, the April Treasurer’s Report, Fire Police Services for Freedom Fest on July 4, 2011 and closing Seminary Street between 2^nd Street and the East Greenville borough line on May 28, 2011, 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. for the Perkiomen School Commencement Exercises.

Roads

Councilor Mensch reported the street sweeping has been completed. 

Rick Krupp made the suggestion to eliminate the summer part-time help and use that money set aside in the budget, $4,300.00, to purchase an additional lawn mower.  Council Members deliberated the merits of the suggestion. It was decided the part-time summer helper will continue for the 2011 summer season. Rick Krupp was directed to get prices for the possible purchase of a new or used mower in October or November.

The electronic reader on the dual gas tank is not working. The borough office notified the police department and fire department.  Until the problem is fixed the gas tank cannot be used.

The committee is still pursuing the purchase of a utility truck.  Truck prices are being collected.

Parks/Recreation

Councilor Wieder reported on the Earth Day planting event held on April 30^th.  John Munro, Munro Ecological, conducted the event and brought along volunteers from Temple University and Unami Society of Friends.  It was noted that very little trash was seen within the Nature Preserve this year.  The Secretary was directed to send a letter of thanks to Mr. Munro for carrying out another successful planting year at the Nature Preserve.

Revitalization

Councilor Clinton reported the revitalization committee completed the ten-year assessment of the Montgomery County Revitalization Program and forwarded the survey to the Montgomery County Revitalization Board.

Emergency Management

Councilor Lord reported the Montgomery County Emergency Services will be placing a POD at the Upper Perkiomen High School.  Twelve PODS will be located throughout the County.  The POD will be the nerve center should a disaster occur in our area.  Volunteers are being sought to assist at the POD site.  The POD will be used, as a trial, in the fall to distribute the flu vaccine.

Facilities

President Lear reported he met with a John R. Young representative to discuss the most recent repair of the heater that will be needed.  The heater is still under warranty so the parts will be covered.  The heater manufacturer representative from Burnham will be scheduled to examine the heater.  The heater is oversized for the area it has to heat.  It is speculated that the heater specifications were designed to heat the entire civic building.  Broken condensate pipes need to be replaced as well.  Using propane vs. oil was discussed.  Councilor Lord will look into options.

Trash Contract negotiations

Councilor Landis reported the tri-borough meeting was held.  The existing contract will be used for specifications to be bid upon.

Kathleen Rober late fees on 2011 trash bill.

Mrs. Rober requested to be exonerated from paying late fees on several rental properties’ 2011 trash bills.  The reason for the request is due to a personal issue.  Borough Council was sympathetic to the personal issue but the consensus of borough council members is to have the late fees stand as charged.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Traffic Signal at Pottstown Avenue and Seminary Street.

Solicitor Garner reported the latest traffic study for this intersection is five years old.  The developer will be asked to provide an updated traffic study, performed prior to the end of the school year.  A Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Lord and unanimous to authorize the borough engineer and solicitor to request the traffic study.

Cracks in the Civic Building

John Seber reported that Edward Seidel has been monitoring the cracks.  John will be following through with the insurance company.

Mailbox policy

Borough Council members reviewed the policies of surrounding municipalities and PennDot’s policy also. Since the occurrence of mailbox damage happens so rarely it was decided that no policy will be written and any incident will be reviewed case by case.

901 Main Street – Tosco Land Development

Solicitor Garner reported that all construction has been completed and duly inspected.

Pins vs. Monuments – Borough Engineer John Seber recommended that pins be set instead of the monuments because of their location at the curb and sidewalk.  Mr. Seber said monuments are normally required in a rural setting with no right of way involved.

Ultimate Right of Way dedication – Solicitor Garner reported the ordinance to dedicate the ultimate right of way will be prepared.

Miscellaneous Easements – Solicitor Garner reported the access easement is described on the recorded plan and dates back to 1985.  This recorded easement is acceptable.

The borough engineer reported the drainage easement agreement is noted on the plan and is acceptable.

A maintenance bond in the amount of $5,127.00 will be held in the form of a Letter of Credit.

The above noted issues were acceptable to all Borough Council Members.  The Solicitor and Engineer will move forward to conclude these matters.

Schwenkfelder Library directional signs.

A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Lord and unanimous to approve their request to place a Schwenkfelder Library directional sign at 2^nd and Seminary Street.  The Library will be asked to contact Rick Krupp to determine the exact location of the sign prior to installation.

Interest Rates

A list of financial institution’s interest rates was provided to Council Members.  A Motion was made by Kirkwood, seconded by Wieder and unanimous to authorize the Secretary-Treasurer to move tax dollars to short term investments as follows:

            1^st Niagara Money Market Account  1.25%, rate expires 8/31/11- $250,000.00

            QNB Money Market Account  .65% - $200,000.00

            Tri County FCU   .50% - any leftover tax dollars for short term investing

The bills for payment in May were approved with a Motion by Landis, seconded by Kirkwood and unanimous.

The Secretary was directed to look into why we are receiving a water bill for the ballfield.

Public Comment Period – None

8:56 P.M. – Executive Session for a matter of potential litigation.

9:12 P.M. – The regular meeting reconvened.

There being no further business to come before the Borough Council Members at this time, a Motion was made by Lord, seconded by Clinton and unanimous to adjourn the meeting at

9:13 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanne W. Hopkins

Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer