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PENNSBURG BOROUGH
COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, August 4,
2009 – 7:00 P.M
The
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: President John K. Lear, Vice President
William Clinton, Ethel Ritchey, Bruce Lord, James Campbell and
Darren Robinson.
Also present this evening was Mayor Vicki Lightcap, Solicitor
Charles D. Garner, Jr., Administrative Assistant Lisa Hiltz, Roads
Assistant Rick Krupp and Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer
Jeanne W. Hopkins.
William Bushnell, Chief of Staff for State Representative Bob Mensch
was present to award a House of Representatives Citation to Mr. and
Mrs. Gerald D. Gabel for their years of dedication as public
officials to the Borough of Pennsburg.
Mayor Lightcap read a Proclamation to recognize and honor Gerald D.
Gabel for his many years of service to the Borough of Pennsburg.
Vacant Borough Council seat
Michael Mensch and Harvey Walker, persons who filed a Letter of
Interest, were interviewed by Borough Council.
A
Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Ritchey and unanimous to
appoint Michael Mensch by Resolution to fill the unexpired term on
borough council. Mr. Mensch’s term will expire on January 4, 2010.
Mayor Lightcap gave the Oath of Office to Mr. Mensch. Councilor
Mensch was welcomed by all and he then took his seat as a new
Borough Council Member.
Public Comment
Linda Shagg, 331Washington Street, requested the area of “no
parking” on Washington Street between 331 and 339 Washington Street
be painted yellow along the curb, providing a stronger message of
“no parking”.
Dan
Wright, 144 Dotts Street, requested the weeds growing within the
detention basin be cut down. The detention basin is owned by St.
Marks Church. The matter will be looked into.
Consent Agenda
A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Campbell and unanimous to
approve the Minutes of the July 7, 2009 Borough Council Meeting;
July Treasurer’s Report; Main Street road closing from Front St. –
Rt. 663 on Sept. 12th (rain date Sept. 13th)
from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. for Community Day; Main Street road closing
from Front. – 11th St. on October 25th (rain
date October 27th) from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. for the
Halloween Parade; Fire Police services for the Philadelphia Folk
Festival on August 13, 2009.
Councilor Lord thanked borough staff for their conscientiousness in
handling and working with the 2009 Budget.
Revitalization
Councilor Clinton asked Council Members to forward comments to him
or the borough office on the proposed revitalization plan update.
The proposed plan update will be discussed at the September
revitalization meeting.
Roads
Councilor Campbell reported on the fine work of the Roads Department
in laying asphalt in various areas of the borough. Mr. Campbell
strongly urged a 5-year vehicle and equipment plan be prepared.
The forklift in the Recycling Center needs repairs of $1,840.85.
Payment for the repair will be made from the joint recycling
account. Councilor Mensch mentioned that a maintenance schedule, if
not already in place, would extend the life of the equipment.
Parks and Recreation
President Lear commented positively on the new life breathed into
the butterfly gardens at the Nature Preserve.
Mayors Report
Mayor Lightcap reported on meetings she attended this month. The
Mayor suggested writing letters to the Montgomery County
Commissioners to keep the Green Lane Nature Center intact.
Nixle System – Mayor Lightcap explained how
signing up for this program can enable residents to get alerts from
the local police dept. for such matters as child abductions or
vehicle accidents on major highways. You can register at
www.nixle.com.
The Montgomery County Economic Development program is working with
U.P.V. Chamber of Commerce to work with the three borough councils.
It is possible a Coordinator may be sought to handle revitalization
and writing grants through the Chamber of Commerce.
The proposed quarry in Lower Milford Twp. may have very negative
impacts on the Upper Perkiomen Valley due to the blasting and number
of trucks that will travel through Pennsburg Borough each day.
Mayor Lightcap suggested we provide support to Lower Milford Twp. to
fight the quarry.
Community Day
Community Day is on Saturday, September 12th. Chairman
Linda Campbell reported the final planning meeting will take place
on August 26, 2009. Volunteers will be needed that day, beginning
at 8 a.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Recreational backyard burning draft ordinance amendment
A
Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Robinson and unanimous to
authorize the Solicitor to advertise the Ordinance for possible
adoption at the September 1st meeting. Upon adoption of
the ordinance borough staff will provide a copy of the ordinance to
each resident who files for a permit.
A
Motion was made by Ritchey, seconded by Lord and unanimous to revise
the Fee Schedule to include a $10.00 annual permit fee for the use
of a patio wood burning unit.
Dumpsters on public streets
A
Motion was made by Campbell, seconded by Lord and unanimous to
authorize the Solicitor to advertise the Ordinance for possible
adoption at the September 1st meeting. The permit fee
will be $20.00.
Act 32 Tax Collection Committee
The
matter of appointing a delegate and alternate was tabled until the
September 1st meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Handicap Space
A
request by the resident at 125 E. 11th Street for an off
street handicap parking space was denied since the resident already
has a two car attached garage and a driveway. The denial was by
Motion of Campbell, seconded by Lord and unanimous.
Forklift repair
A
Motion was made by Ritchey, seconded by Mensch and unanimous to
approve the repair at a cost of $1,840.85. Payment of the repair
will be made from the joint recycling account.
Resolution setting forth the intent to follow the
schedules and procedures for disposition of
municipal records as set forth in the municipal
records manual approved on 12-16-08 was adopted with a Motion by
Clinton, seconded by Ritchey and unanimous.
Washington Street “no parking” area.
Mayor Lightcap requested that the area designated “no parking” from
331 – 339 Washington Street be re-evaluated. The Mayor suggested
that the area be returned to a parking area to allow for additional
parking along the street. President Lear asked council members to
personally take a look at the situation and then the matter can be
discussed at the next meeting. The police department will be asked
to conduct a study of the area during the month of August and report
on their findings.
The
bills for payment in August were approved with a Motion by Campbell,
seconded by Clinton and unanimous.
The Zoning Hearing for the Thomas Henry
property on Church Road has been scheduled for August 13, 2009 at
7:00 P.M. in borough council chambers.
PennDot has agreed to install and pay the cost of
replacing all handicap ramps
at the 11th & Main Streets intersection.
With this item being eliminated from the traffic signal installation
bid, a cost savings of $12,240.00 will be realized.
Public Comment – none
Councilor James Campbell offered his Letter of Resignation that will
take effect on August 16, 2009. Mr. Campbell and his family will be
moving out of the area.
A
Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Campbell and unanimous to
accept Mr. Campbell’s resignation with deep regret.
With a Motion by Clinton, seconded by Campbell and unanimous the
Administrative Manager was directed to advertise for Letters of
Interest to fill the vacancy. The matter will be listed on the
September 1st meeting agenda.
There being no further business to come before Borough Council at
this time, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne W. Hopkins
Administrative
Manager/Secretary-Treasurer |
