Rutledge Borough Council Meeting, June 7, 2010

Gregory C. Lebold, Council President, opened the scheduled Borough Council Meeting at 7:30 PM, in the Council Meeting Room, 212 Unity Terrace, Rutledge, PA.

After the salute to the flag, the following Council members answered roll call: Greg Lebold Jack Borsch, Tom Kopp, Brian Costello, Diane McGaughey and Kurt Morrison
Also present: G. Guy Smith, Esq., Mayor Scott Shields, Police Chief Brian Craig
Not Present: David Waltz

Public Comment: Rita Kramer, 106 Rutledge Ave. stated that she has asked some questions and received some answers. The people next to her are running a business out of their home. For 5 years, a friend of Steven Smith, her neighbor, has complained about her yard. Mrs. Kramer inquired as to why the inspector was in her yard four times last year. She has a dump next to her property, and she has complained about it for 8 years. There is debris in the yard from a dump truck. Mrs. Kramer heard the neighbors’ children scream that there was a rat in the trash. Mrs. Kramer stated that she has been to many Council Meetings, and the inspector and the complainer have conversations going on during and after the meetings. Mrs. Kramer asked if the two were in collusion and playing some kind of game to which she does not know the rules. She cannot believe that the inspector does not get paid for the number of inspections he does, since he is at her house so much. Mrs. Kramer has lived in Rutledge for 48 years, and has had no complaints from anyone. She questioned the agenda of the complainer, and stated that it must give him a sense of power that the inspector reinforces. Mrs. Kramer asked what can be done of 5 years of complaints, and the inspector should know that these are nuisance complaints. Mrs. Kramer asked Council President Greg Lebold what would happen if there was a complaint about his property. Mr. Lebold stated that every complaint is investigated by the enforcement officer. Mrs. Kramer stated that today, there was a trailer with advertising on it parked in front of her house all day, which is against the ordinance. Mr. Lebold stated that parking a trailer on the street during the day is allowed, and there is no ordinance against trucks having advertising on them. Mrs. Kramer stated that she looked up the ordinance that says no advertising and no parking on the street. Mayor Shields stated that there is no overnight parking of trucks, but parking during the day is allowed. Mrs. Kramer stated that another neighbor had to remove the “Avon” sign from her window- she was just trying to make a living.

Minutes: MOTION by Jack Borsch, Second by Brian Costello, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of May 3, 2010 and Work Session of May 24, 2010. Mayor Shields stated that “be aware of” be corrected under Mayor’s Report. MOTION approved unanimously with noted change.

Tax Collector’s Report: Randall Poe reported that $13,244.94 was collected

Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Cash Flow report for the month of May 2010.

Code Enforcement Report: Harry Mirra read his report for May.
2 House Inspections/Sale – passed
5 Building Permits – 3 Complete, 2 Active
3 Correction Notices- Debris around house/ front porch, side yard full of tree cuttings, and noisy compressor

Mayor’s Report: Mayor Scott Shields read the Police Report for May. There were: 16 Police Calls, 12 Motor Vehicle Citations, 11 Parking Tickets, 8 Complaints, 3 Assist Ambulance, 2 Motor Vehicle Accidents
5/3 100 block Rutledge Ave. – barking dog attacking an opossum
5/8 Kids on Waverly Terrace
5/23 2 16 year olds – curfew violations
5/28 & 5/31 3 car breakins- cars were unlocked- Waverly Terrace & Linden Ave., and 400 S. Morton Ave. There was an arrest

Mayor Shields reported that Office Hickley has been pulling over a lot of vehicles for violations, and
doing a great job.
Chief Brian Craig reported that there have been incidents in Swarthmore and Nether Providence of
windows shot out with pellet guns, drive-by style, and asked that Rutledge residents get vehicle license
numbers and report them to the police if they see anyone doing this.

Correspondence:
1) Delaware County Solid Waste Authority – The glass igloos will now collect glass and plastic
2) Delaware County Council- offering free discount prescription cards to be used at participating pharmacies for people without prescription coverage or seniors with Medicare Part D

4th of July: Nothing to report

Communication: Nothing to report.

Ordinance: Brian Costello reported that he will meet with Solicitor Guy Smith to discuss ordinances.

Trash: Nothing to report.

Building: Nothing to report.

Sewer: Jack Borsch stated that he is looking into televising the Borough’s sewer system.

Shade Tree Commission: Jack Borsch stated the there is a meeting on Wednesday, June 9.

Highway: Mr. Lebold stated that Karl Eilinsfeld looked at gas hedge trimmers. David Waltz recommended the purchase – Cost $300.00.

Recreation: Kurt Morrison submitted a bill for the wood chips at the Triangle Park. Mr. Morrison stated that Diane McGaughey is getting bids for an electric meter and box at the Triangle Park.

Public Safety: Tom Kopp reported that there were: 2 alarms, with time in service of 15 hours, 12 minutes, and 3 drills with time in service of 7 hours, in May 2010.
Manpower response – Full Compliment-15, Undermanned – 1, Scratched -4,Highest Manpower Response – 24, Lowest Manpower Response – 1, Late Response – 0.

Alarms – non-building fires – 18 Building fires – 2

Mr. Kopp stated that the Fire Co. received a recall list from Maytag of dishwashers recalled because of a fire hazard due to electrical failure. There are 1.7 million of the dishwashers in the U.S., and there have been 12 reports of elements failing that resulted in fires.
Mr. Kopp reported that 2 special drills were completed by the Fire Co. – RIT disentanglement, and hybrid vehicles training.
On May 29, the Morton-Rutledge Fire Co. stood by the Swarthmore Fire Co. at fireworks for a graduation.
Mr. Kopp stated tat fire company consolidations in the State of PA are on the rise. 150-200 companies are in the talking stages of consolidation – 2 are in Delaware County.
The Fire Co. will give rides on the fire truck at the July 4th activities.

Finance: Diane McGaughey reported that Pat & Karl Eilinsfeld planted rose bushes in the front of the Community Center.
Ms. McGaughey stated that the Borough is holding its own as far as finances, and thanked Council for what it is doing.
Ms. McGaughey stated that she has driven around town and looked at properties, and there are 18 properties that need work and have property maintenance issues. Trash cans have been left outside for a week, and there is an ordinance against that.
Ms. McGaughey stated that businesses are being run out of some houses. Council needs to take a position on this. Mr. Lebold stated that it would be discussed at the Work Session.
Ms. McGaughey reported that the Community Center is unofficially operating during the summer, if requested, downstairs rentals only. Michelle Senior is resigning at the end of June, and a new custodian needs to be appointed.

Solicitor’s Report – Solicitor Guy Smith reported that Nether Providence Twp. is withdrawing its participation in the Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan. This presents zoning problems for Rutledge. and building codes need to be protected. Rutledge has no centralized business districts, and has single-family homes, apartments, and one business. We need to protect land values and make sure they are protected in the future. Council needs to look at the Borough’s zoning ordinances. This is a different era from when the current zoning ordinances were passed. Controls need to be in place so that people can operate low-impact businesses from their homes.

Old Business: Nothing to report.

New Business:
PEMA will reimburse municipalities for expenses related to February 2010 snowstorms. Council may pick one storm event to submit. The February 9-11, 2010 storm had the highest total expenses of $2,301.53.
MOTION by Kurt Morrison, Second by Diane McGauhgey, to approve Resolution 2010-06-01, to appoint Gennifer Guiliano as the designated agent to submit paperwork to PEMA for reimbursement for 2010 snowstorm expenses. MOTION approved unanimously.

The 4th of July celebration will take place on Saturday July 3, 2010. The Committee is in need of volunteers.

Public Comment: None

Bills for June 7, 2010:

MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Kurt Morrison, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $37,724.69 MOTON approved unanimously.

MOTION by Diane McGaughey , Second by Kurt Morrison, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $977.96. MOTION approved unanimously.

MOTION by Diane McGaughey , Second by Jack Borsch, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund in the amount of $29,831.25. MOTION approved unanimously.

MOTION by Jack Borsch, Second by Brian Costello, to go to Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue, at 8:17 PM. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Kurt Morrison, to resume the June 7, 2010 Council Meeting at 8:51 PM. MOTION approved unanimously.

Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 PM.

Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary


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