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PENNSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, July 5, 2011 – 7:00 P.M.
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
Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Jeanne W. Hopkins.
VISITORS
Present this evening was Pennsylvania State Champion of the AAA 200-meter dash,
Ronnie Gillespie of Washington Street, Pennsburg. Ronnie’s parents, William and
Karen, were present as well. Borough Council Members recognized Ronnie for his
outstanding sporting achievement by presenting him with a Certificate of
Achievement. Councilor Douglas Landis made the presentation to Ronnie
Gillespie.
Public Comment - None
Consent Agenda
A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Lord and unanimous to approve,
as written, the Minutes of the June 7, 2011 Borough Council Meeting, the June
Treasurer’s Report, and the request for a Main Street closing for the Halloween
Parade on October 23, 2011 (rain date is October 25, 2011) 6:00 P.M. to 9:00
P.M.
Roads/Maintenance
Councilor Mensch described a water inlet problem on Macoby Street.
Deteriorated metal storm drain pipes have caused a situation that will need to
be remedied. Repair work will need to be done in between two properties. The
Solicitor will check for records of a possible existing easement on file for
this storm drain.
Line painting at the intersection of Route 663 and 29. The issue was raised by
Signal Service Inc. during their yearly maintenance of the traffic signals and
included in their May 2011 report. A quote of $9,438.50 to complete the line
painting for the intersections of Route 663 & 29; 8th and Main Sts
and 3rd and Main Sts. was provided by Guidemark, Inc. The matter
will be tabled until the August 2nd meeting so that Signal Service’s
maintenance letter can be thoroughly reviewed and other quotes can be sought for
the line painting.
Montgomery County Public Works Association – Councilor Mensch suggested
Pennsburg Borough consider joining this organization to assist the roads
department. The Secretary was directed to get information about the
organization and the costs associated with joining.
ARLE Grant – A Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Kirkwood authorizing the
Secretary to prepare and file a Grant application requesting money to purchase a
battery backup for the traffic signal at Routes 663 and 29. The Grant
application deadline is July 31, 2011.
Utility Truck – Councilor Mensch asked the status for purchasing a Utility
Truck. President Lear answered that the answer remains as previously stated.
There is no money to purchase another truck – the borough is still paying for
the last truck that was purchased.
Parks/Recreation
Councilor Wieder reported the PECO Green Region Grant was denied. Council
will consider applying again this year.
Councilor Wieder asked for consideration of installing reflective signs at the
end of E. 5th Street where the Nature Preserve is located to insure
that vehicles are aware the roadway ends where the Park begins. Rick Krupp was
directed to gather information and report on the types of reflective signs
available with the costs.
Facilities/Energy
Councilor Lord reported the committee will not meet in August.
Trash/Recycling
Trash Contract - Councilor Landis provided copies of the existing contract
and the proposed contract and asked Council Members to review and report to him
with any comments. President Lear commented that tying bags onto trash cans is
in violation of the existing contract. Pennsburg and East Greenville have
strictly enforced compliance. Mr. Lear asked Mr. Landis to bring up this matter
at the next Trash Contract meeting.Councilor Landis is anticipating that bids
will be opened in September in time for the borough’s 2012 budget preparation.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution – Signers for banking
institutions
A Motion was made
by Clinton, seconded by Lord and unanimous to ratify the Resolution that
authorizes the signers to be Douglas K. Landis, John K. Lear and Jeanne W.
Hopkins for banking transactions.
Resolution – Upgrade of radio system
for the Upper Perk Police Department.
President Lear
reported on Montgomery County’s proposed upgrade to the radio system. The
police department needs eight radios. A ten-year loan with the County will cost
Pennsburg $3,400.00 per year, beginning with the 2013 budget year. The radios
are portable as opposed to car radios. Rebanding of the existing radios would
be done free but the existing radios are 14 years old and parts are scarce or do
not exist.
The police commission has recommended that new radios be purchased instead of
rebanding the existing radios.
A
Motion was made by Kirkwood, seconded by Wieder and unanimous to adopt a
Resolution to proceed with upgrading the radios and lease the radios and
related hardware from the county and pay the cost of the equipment over a period
of ten years with equal installments and four percent interest per annum on the
unpaid balance.
Passage of this Resolution is subject to East Greenville Borough passing the
identical Resolution.
Fuel Bids
A Motion was made by Lord, seconded by Mensch and unanimous to authorize the
Secretary to advertise for fuel bids to be opened and read at the August 2, 2011
Borough Council Meeting.
Montgomery County Housing and Community Development program participation
A Motion was made by Lord, seconded by Kirkwood and unanimous to choose the
Opt-in Status, qualifying the borough to participate in the Urban County
program.
Upper Hanover Bridge Replacement Projects
A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Mensch and unanimous to send a
letter to PennDot in support of the bridge replacement projects in Upper Hanover
Township and the Supervisor’s preference to keep one lane open at all times on
Gravel Pike.
The Bills for Payment in July were approved with a Motion by Mensch, seconded
by Clinton and unanimous.
Public Comment – None
8:09 P.M. Executive Session – discussion of existing litigation regarding the
Anthony Randazzo vs. Pennsburg Borough law suit.
8:30 P.M. The regular meeting reconvened.
There being no further business to come before Borough Council at this time, a
Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Lord and unanimous to adjourn the meeting
at 8:31 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne W. Hopkins
Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer
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