PENNSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, September 6, 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, Administrative Assistant Lisa
Hiltz and Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Jeanne W. Hopkins.
Public
Comment Period - None
Consent
Agenda
Councilor Landis pointed out an
error in the August Minutes. The price of oil per gallon was misstated at
$.340. The correct price is $3.40. A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded
by Lord and unanimous to approve the August Minutes with the correction ,
the August Treasurer’s Report and the Main Street road closing for the
Hometown Christmas Parade on December 4, 2011 from 1:00 P.M. – 2:30 P.M.
Facilities/Energy
Councilor Kirkwood reported on
water damage in the borough office caused by Hurricane Irene. After the
hurricane he took an assessment of the civic building and noticed the
grounds next to the borough office tapers to the building and caulking is
missing around the glass block. Brick work has fungus growing on it. Upon
discovering the water issue in the office it was noticed that mold is
growing behind the file cabinets and the interior cement wall is taking on
moisture. A dehumidifier was purchased.
President
Lear said a cost needs to be determined by budget time so the water issue
can be resolved.
Mr.
Kirkwood also reported there is an on-going problem with the plumbing in the
lavatories downstairs. The Administrative Manager was directed to contact
the plumber to determine the problem and have the issue corrected.
The
emergency power/generator for the civic building needs to be updated.
There is a
broken pipe under the floor that will be fixed when the heater is fixed.
Mayor
Ritchey arrived.
Revitalization
Councilor Clinton reported the
committee will be meeting on September 12, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.
Safety/Fire Company/Emergency Management
Councilor Lord reported the
Fire Company Audit for the year 2010 is complete. Councilors received
copies of the Audit.
Councilor Lord asked if the International Building Code of 2010 was adopted
by the borough. Solicitor Garner reported an ordinance was passed that
states the borough will follow the most current Code available.
Mr. Lord
raised the issue of businesses not being tied to an automatic fire alarm
system. The Fire Company is requesting borough council pass an ordinance
requiring businesses to hook into an automatic fire alarm system. President
Lear asked Councilor Lord to check if the requirement already exists in the
Fire Code and if it does an additional ordinance would not be necessary.
Mr. Lord
said he would take this information to the Fire Company.
Councilor
Mensch called for better communication from the police department to the
fire police during the course of incidents, keeping the fire police up to
date on the length of time they will be needed.
Councilor
Mensch reported the Tent Task Force Training will take place on
September 17, 2011, 7:00 A.M., at the high school parking lot. The
Pennsburg Fire Company is involved in the training. Mr. Mensch reported
that generators are located at the PODs and are available to the borough.
Mr. Mensch said the Fire Chief has access to the POD and he is permitted to
make the decision to utilize the generators.
Solid
Waste/Recycling
Councilor Landis reported that
he has received information from PROP regarding recycling classes at State
College on Recycling Specifications, Negotiating and Contracting;
Establishing & Enhancing a Program. The cost to attend the classes is
$500.00. Are we interested in these classes? Mr. Landis will contact East
Greenville Borough representatives to see if there is any interest.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Ritchey thanked the
Administrative Staff and roads department for taking such a proactive part
in preparing for Hurricane Irene and working with the Council President to
achieve the best preparation possible.
Visitor
Lusandre Chaudruc presented her
idea for beautifying the Borough of Pennsburg to model what she has
accomplished in East Greenville Borough. She has already received donations
for the large planters that are seen at Dunkin Donuts, Brode & Brooks Real
Estate, Rite Aid Pharmacy and the former Wachovia Bank. She expects to get
battery operated lights for the potted trees for winter decoration. She is
also interested in getting brackets mounted on the street lights for hanging
planters. The responsibility of watering the plants may be an issue. She
will work with the Revitalization Committee
7:30
P.M. FUEL BID Opening
Fuel Bids were opened and read
as advertised. The results are as follows:
Young’s
Home Comfort - $3.43 per gallon – payment in 30 days
Farm & Home
Oil Co. - $3.35 per gallon – payment in 30 days
A Motion
was made by Landis, seconded by Kirkwood and unanimous to accept the bid of
$3.35 per gallon from Farm & Home Oil Co. The contract term is November 20,
2011 – November 20, 2012.
Councilor
Landis pointed out that we have exceeded the gallons budgeted this year.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Montgomery County Public Works Association
A Motion
was made by Mensch, seconded by Wieder and unanimous to join the association
to allow the attendance of two members, at a yearly cost of $60.00.
NEW
BUSINESS
Emergency Management
President Lear provided a
description of events beginning with a power outage in the civic building
for nearly a full day, resulting in the activation of carbon monoxide
detectors. An old generator was put into use to allow emergency lighting
within the building. Two days later, the Hurricane Irene event was upon
us. Due to these two issues, President Lear suggested and recommended the
battery back-up unit be purchased and installed at “the square” regardless
of whether we will receive monies from the ARLE Grant. Mr. Lear stated a
safety issue exists at “the square” without the battery back-up. Council
Members agreed and a Motion was made by Landis, seconded by Clinton and
unanimous to purchase the battery back-up unit at a cost of approximately
$5,000.00. The Administrative Manager was directed to determine from
PennDot if the borough will be reimbursed from awarded grant monies if the
battery back-up is purchased and installed prior to receiving the grant
monies.
President
Lear expressed disappointment in never receiving one communication from the
Emergency Management Committee Chairman or the Emergency Management
Coordinator with the threat of Hurricane Irene upon us. No plan was in
place for the weather issue approaching.
NIMS
Training – President Lear raised serious concerns that not all council
members have completed the NIMS Training courses required by FEMA.
Councilors Clinton, Wieder, Kirkwood and he have completed the training.
Councilor Landis reported he took the training on-line but thought the
certificates would be mailed. He will check into getting copies of his
certificates for the borough file.
President
Lear relieved Councilor Lord of his duties on the Facilities/Energy
Committee so that he could better concentrate on the Safety/Fire
Company/Emergency Management Committee.
Councilor
Kirkwood was named Chairman of the Facilities/Energy Committee.
Civic
Building – Cracks in the mortar.
Borough Engineer, John Seber,
reported he attended a meeting on-site with the structural engineer from
Lock Ridge Engineering. A formal report from Lock Ridge Engineering will be
forthcoming but the final result is that the civic building is a very sound
and well-built structure but unfortunately building maintenance has been
deferred.
Pennsburg Fire Company
A Motion was made by Wieder,
seconded by Clinton and unanimous to award the remaining $80,000.00 donation
to the Pennsburg Fire Company for the year 2011.
PA.
Municipal Retirement System – Minimum Municipal Obligation
The MMO was presented to Borough
Council. A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Landis and unanimous to
approve the MMO as presented.
The bills
for payment in September were approved on a Motion by Landis, seconded by
Kirkwood and unanimous.
Street
Lighting
A Motion was made by Kirkwood,
seconded by Clinton and unanimous to approve a two-year contract with
Premier Power Solutions for the purpose of reduction of street lighting
costs.
Communications
President Lear reported on a most
recent communication from PennDot stating the removal of the Route 29 bridge
in Pennsburg Borough can be expected by 2015.
Budget Meeting dates were established with a
Motion by Wieder, seconded by Lord and unanimous. The Administrative Manager
was directed to advertise the dates as follows: October 11th and
18th, November 15th & 22nd, and December 13th
at 7:00 P.M. in the Borough Council Chambers.
Public
Comment - None
8:25 P.M.
Executive Session to discuss a matter of litigation
8:40 P.M.
The regular meeting reconvened.
There being
no further business to come before Borough Council at this time, a Motion
was made by Clinton, seconded by Mensch and unanimous to adjourn the meeting
at 8:41 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne W.
Hopkins
Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer
