PENNSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, May 4, 2010 – 7:00 P.M.

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,

Joan Wieder, Vicki Lightcap, Douglas K. Landis, Vice President Michael R. Mensch and President John K. Lear.

Also present this evening was Mayor Ethel Ritchey, Solicitor Charles D. Garner, Jr., Roads Assistant Rick Krupp, Administrative Assistant Lisa Hiltz and Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Jeanne W. Hopkins.

Public Comment

Jason Smith, 440 Jackson Street requested permission to close Jackson Street on July 23, 2010 from 4:00 P.M. to midnight for a block party.  A Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Lord and unanimous to give permission to close the street as proposed with the stipulation that caution tape be used rather than orange cones and notification be made to the fire company and police department.

• Councilor Clinton arrived.

Communications

   Lighthouse Tabernacle Church is sponsoring Freedom Fest and has requested a donation to help defray costs.  Councilor Landis suggested the individual elected officials donate rather than applying this cost to the budget.  There was discussion on the matter.  A Motion was made by Landis, seconded by Wieder and unanimous to send a borough check for donations collected from elected officials.

   Noah Yu, Perkiomen School student, sent a letter requesting a crosswalk be installed at the intersection of Washington Street and Pottstown Avenue (Route 663) to provide a safer route to the Pennsburg Square Shopping Center for school students and borough residents.  Solicitor Garner pointed out that a costly study would be required from PennDot.  Councilor Lightcap pointed out that the intersection of Seminary Street and Pottstown Avenue (Route 663) is already an approved PennDot crossing.  After discussion, the Secretary was directed to send a letter to Noah Yu thanking him for his concern and recommending he and his fellow students as well as borough residents utilize the official crossing at the approved intersection of Seminary Street and Pottstown Avenue.

Roads Committee

   Street sweeping - Councilor Mensch reported three quotes were obtained.  Brubaker - $1440.00; Reilly $2100.00; R & S $1,520.00.  A Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Lord and unanimous to hire Brubaker to sweep the streets for $1440.00.  Street sweeping will be scheduled for May.  Councilor Mensch suggested the difference between the amount budgeted, $2,500.00, and what is spent, $1440.00, be moved to the roads budget.  A Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Landis and unanimous to move $1,060.00 from the street sweeping to the roads budget.

   Bucket Truck – Rick Krupp reported the repairs would cost $3446.98 plus the cost for a state inspection.  It is currently used for installing and removing the Christmas lights, the municipal banners and some tree trimming.  Councilor Mensch suggested selling the truck by advertising for bids.  Councilor Mensch also suggested retiring the 1991 dump truck, S10 pick-up truck and the landscape trailer. The borough office will explore costs of advertising on Municibid vs. newspaper advertising.

Fcilities/Energy

   Civic Building heater – Councilor Lord reported the heater has had one part installed.  Steam valve parts need to be replaced.  We await a cost estimate to repair.

Fire Company

   Councilor Lord reported the minutes and financial reports are being provided as requested.

Parks/Recreation

   Councilor Wieder reported the Earth Day plantings project was a success.  She would like to explore ways for the public to become more educated about this park.  President Lear pointed out the Regional Planning Commission spent time putting together a Park & Recreation Amenities brochure of the Upper Perkiomen Valley.  Each municipality has them available to the public.

Revitalization

   Councilor Lightcap reported the Phase VI application grant was presented to the County Revitalization Board this morning. The presentation went well.  

   Ms. Lightcap met with the St. Marks Church Council.  They accepted the idea of planting the street trees behind the sidewalk along their property in the Phase IV project.

   Street trees – maintenance responsibility.  President Lear stated it is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain the street trees.

Regional Planning

   Councilor Lightcap reported on the joint regional planning meeting held at Lower Frederick Township building on April 26, 2010.  Eric Jarrell, Montgomery County Planning Commission, explained the contents of the proposed handbook to be made available to new regional planning commission members.

Mayor’s Report

   Mayor Ritchey provided a list of her duties performed during the month of April.

Consent Agenda

   A Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Landis and unanimous to approve the Minutes of the April 6 and April 20 Borough Council Meeting Minutes; the April Treasurer’s Report; Fire Police services requested for Milford Twp. Fire Dept. for a carnival on June 8-12, 2010, the Upper Bucks Fire Police Assn. for a Pet Fair on June 5^th (rain date is June 6^th) and Freedom Fest on July 3, 2010 from 6:00 -11:30 P.M.

OLD BUSINESS

Animal Control

   The Animal Control Officer position will be eliminated. It was decided that a list of qualified agencies would be available to residents to contact if they need assistance with cats, skunks, raccoons, snakes, etc.  A situation of deplorable conditions involving an animal(s) should be reported to the Montgomery County Health Department. The police department should be contacted for at-large dogs and rabid animals because of the potential seriousness of the situation.  President Lear will report this decision to the Police Commission.

NEW BUSINESS

PA. State Association of Boroughs Seminar

   A Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Lord and unanimous to send Lisa Hiltz to a seminar “Collecting Delinquent Municipal Fees” on June 7th at a cost of $60.00 plus mileage costs.

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

Public Comment – none

There being no further business to come before Borough Council at this time a Motion was made by Clinton to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanne W. Hopkins

Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer