PENNSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, October 4, 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 Manager Lisa Hiltz
and Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Jeanne W. Hopkins.
Public Comment Period – None
Consent Agenda
A
Motion was made by Landis, seconded by Lord and unanimous to approve the Minutes
of the September 6, 2011 Borough Council Meeting Minutes, the September
Treasurer’s Report and requests for Fire Police Services for the following
events: Bally Borough Halloween Parade on October 18, 2011 (rain date October
20, 2011), Quakertown Borough Halloween Parade on October 23, 2011 (rain date
October 30, 2011), Upper Perkiomen Outpatient Center Grant Opening on November
5, 2011.
Communications
Trick or Treat night has been designated for October 31st from 6-8
P.M.
Pennsburg Community Park
Graffiti was removed.
Facilities/Energy
Councilor Kirkwood will be reviewing old office design plans for the civic
building.
Revitalization
Councilor Clinton reported the committee met and they are having on-going
discussions with Lusandre Chaudruc regarding the beautification of Pennsburg.
The next meeting is October 10, 2011 at 6:00 P.M.
Recycling
Councilor Landis reported leaves can be dropped off at the East Greenville Pump
House, Water Street, East Greenville on November 19th and December 3rd
from 9 a.m. – Noon.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Traffic Signal Battery Back-up for Route 663 & 29
The ARLE Grant recipients will be announced in October 2011. Grant rules
dictate that grant funds cannot be spent and then reimbursed. No purchase will
be made until the result of the awards is known.
NEW BUSINESS
Trash Contract
Councilor Landis reported the bids were opened. Council Members reviewed the
bid results. The low bid appears to be J P Mascaro. Solicitor Garner will
review the contract. A Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Clinton and
unanimous to authorize the committee members to meet with the tri-borough trash
committee and recommend the bid of J P Mascaro for trash service with bulk items
and no recycling.
The October bills for payment, including the Town and Country newspaper and C R
Dampman bills not listed, were approved for payment with a Motion by Landis,
seconded by Lord and unanimous.
Public Comment Period – none
Councilor Mensch reported the POD Tent set-up training at the High School went
well. Flu shots were administered there also.
It
was reported that Councilor Landis had passed his NIMS Training in January 2011
and his Certificate of Completion has been filed in the borough office.
There being no further business to come before Borough Council Members at this
time, a Motion to adjourn at 7:22 P.M. was made by Mensch, seconded by Lord and
unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne W. Hopkins
Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer
__________________________________________________________________________________
PENNSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING
October 11, 2011 – 7:00 P.M.
The Council 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, Douglas Landis, Kristopher
Kirkwood, Vice President Michael Mensch and President John K. Lear.
Also present this evening was Mayor Ethel G. Ritchey, Administrative Assistant
Lisa Hiltz and Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Jeanne W. Hopkins.
Visitors
PERK UP representatives Luanne Stauffer & Michele Fillippo
came before the Borough Council to ask Council Members to consider money be
budgeted in 2012 to help fund the PERK UP Initiative. The request was for
$500.00 to $1500.00.be allocated.
Ms. Stauffer & Ms.Fillippo continued with a report on PERK UP’S Mission of
Community Development; the Green Up Initiative for a regional coop for
electricity savings; a cohesive signage plan throughout the boroughs;
informational and instructional zoning committees and developing a 501c3 status
to file for grants.
Scott Seip, Chief and Joe Sink, Treasurer and Training Officer
for the Pennsburg Fire Company presented the Fire
Company’s 2012 Budget, showing a potential deficit of $5,000.00. Also provided
was the 2011 Profit and Loss accounting.
Scott and Joe provided insight about the requirements that are mandated to a
fire company. They discussed the difficulty in recruiting new volunteers and
the time and cost to train firefighters.
Individual council members expressed their sincere appreciation for their
selfless service to Pennsburg and the entire community.
Community Service Award
President Lear asked Council Members to approve assisting with other
municipalities in the cost of a plaque for an unnamed recipient of the award.
The recipient is not being named to ensure the award is a surprise to the
recipient. A Motion was made by Kirkwood, seconded by Mensch and unanimous to
approve a $45.00 expense for the plaque.
NEW BUSINESS
2012 Budget
In
lieu of beginning the 2012 Budget discussion, President Lear asked Borough
Council Members, the Mayor and Staff to accompany him on a “field trip” around
the civic building. President Lear pointed out areas that need repair due to
water damage and wear and tear.
The heater problems were discussed since it was learned today that the heater
cannot be repaired as initially expected when Young’s Petroleum arrived to make
the repair.
After discussing several options, a Motion was made by Kirkwood, seconded by
Clinton and unanimous to install heat pumps at a cost of approximately
$16,640.00. The heat pumps will be installed on each side of the civic building
for heating and cooling the downstairs only as an emergency measure for the
police department and borough office personnel with the cold weather upon us
now. Other measures will have to be taken for the zoning office and bathrooms
later on.
The steam boiler will be removed by the installer.
There being no further business to come before Borough Council at this time, a
Motion was made by Kirkwood at 9:40 P.M. to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne W. Hopkins
Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer
____________________________________________________________________________
PENNSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING
October 18, 2011 – 7:00 P.M.
The Council 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, Douglas Landis, Kristopher
Kirkwood, Joan Wieder, Vice President Michael Mensch and President John K. Lear.
Also present this evening was Mayor Ethel G. Ritchey, Administrative Assistant
Lisa Hiltz, Roads Assistant Rick Krupp and Administrative
Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Jeanne W. Hopkins.
President Lear announced the civic building heater contract has been signed with
Young’s Home Comfort. Installation will begin at approximately October 24, 2011
with a completion date of October 28, 2011.
NEW BUSINESS
Review of the proposed budget was conducted by Council President John Lear.
Road Construction
The 2011 Budget Road Construction allocation of $40,000.00, minus the 2011
expenses of $9,772.43, will be moved to the PLGIT Road Improvement Fund for
savings to be allocated to the future paving of Montgomery Avenue.
Community Day
An
expenses and income report for the September 10th Community Day was
provided. A Motion was made by Wieder, seconded by Kirkwood to purchase an
additional grill at a cost not to exceed $300.00.
Liquid Fuels Budget for 2012 was reviewed.
President Lear reported and explained his ideas with regards to repairing the
civic building and moving the borough offices upstairs and other minor and major
renovations that are necessary. A $100,000.00 loan would need to be secured and
a small tax increase would be necessary.
The next budget meeting will take place on October 25, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. A
Motion to advertise the meeting was made by Clinton, seconded by Kirkwood and
unanimous.
There being no further business to come before Borough Council at this time, a
Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Clinton and unanimous to adjourn the
meeting at 9:36 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne W. Hopkins
Administrative Mgr./Secretary-Treasurer
_______________________________________________________________________________
PENNSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING
October 25, 2011 – 7:00 P.M.
The Council 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, Douglas Landis, Kristopher
Kirkwood, Joan Wieder, Vice President Michael Mensch and President John K. Lear.
Also present this evening was Mayor Ethel G. Ritchey, Administrative Assistant
Lisa Hiltz, Roads Assistant Rick Krupp and Administrative
Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Jeanne W. Hopkins.
The Council Meeting Minutes of October 11th and October 18th
were approved as written with a Motion by Clinton, seconded by Wieder and
unanimous.
Visitors
Dan Wright, representing the Pennsburg Fire Co. and Fire Police reported they
have applied for a permit for a carport to house a Ford Explorer vehicle used by
the Fire Police. A Motion was made by Landis, seconded by Wieder and unanimous
to waive all permit fees and give approval for the permit. The zoning officer
is currently reviewing the permit application. The permit will be forthcoming.
Bats in the gymnasium
Raifsnider’s Exterminating provided a quote of $3,000.00 to complete the work of
sealing areas where bats are entering the gym. The quote includes a 5 year
warranty.
Council Members expressed concern the warranty could be jeopardized if the
windows are caulked and repaired after the exterminator’s work has been
completed. The Secretary was directed to find out if the warranty could be
jeopardized in any way with the proposed civic building renovations and repairs.
Trash Invoice
Councilor Landis asked that consideration be given to including information on
the trash invoice listing the services the billing includes. It was noted this
information is explained in the newsletter that accompanies each trash bill.
2012 Budget
2012 Donations
There was a full consensus to include a $1,000.00 donation to PerkUp.
Cardboard drop off – Wages
There is a cost of approximately $960.00. to provide two part timers each 2nd
Saturday for the cardboard drop off.
President Lear suggested Council Members volunteer their time to work the 2nd
Saturdays in 2012 to accomplish the $960.00 savings to the budget.
President Lear asked Dan Wright to offer the cardboard drop off work, on the 2nd
Saturday of each month, to the Fire Company and Fire Police, passing on the
$960.00 to them by way of an additional donation. Dan Wright said he would
gladly pass on the offer and report back to Borough Council.
The full-time borough employees, Rick Krupp and Jason Kulp, would continue with
the leaf collections in the fall.
*
Mayor Ethel Ritchey excused herself from the meeting.
Mowing the parks and civic building
property.
President Lear suggested Borough Council consider hiring a commercial landscaper
to mow the two parks to free up our borough employees manpower. The parks could
potentially be mowed every other week. Our full-time roads crew could maintain
the ballfield and the civic building mowing.
Councilor Mensch suggested getting a new mower instead of farming out the
project because a new mower would cut the mowing time in half. A used mower
would cost approximately $8,000. - $9,000.
Parks Operating Account, #45420 – The budgeted amount will be increased to
$9,600.00 to cover the anticipated cost of mowing the parks.
Part Time Help Account #43018 will be decreased by $4,200.00. The $4200.00
amount will be included in the Parks Operating Account for mowing the Parks.
The Secretary was directed to seek quotes for mowing the two parks, biweekly.
Bank Loan for improvements at the
civic building
A
$100,000.00 loan will be sought.
A
$25,000.00 principal and interest was payment in 2012 was entered into the
budget under Repairs and Renovations Account #40945, adding to the already
existing $5,000.00.
Executive Session to discuss a matter of Personnel.
The Regular Meeting reconvened.
The Secretary was directed to include in the budget a 2% pay increase for all
full time employees and Ronald Diehl. The remaining part-time wages will remain
the same with no pay increase in 2012.
The final 2012 Police Budget figure is still needed.
Executive Session to discuss a matter of Personnel.
The Regular Meeting reconvened.
The Meeting was concluded at 9:55 P.M. with a Motion to adjourn by Mensch,
seconded by Lord and unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne W. Hopkins
Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer
