M. Diane McGaughey, 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: M. Diane McGaughey, Daniel Werner, Marlaina Kloepfer, Tom Kopp, Marie Govannicci, Brian Costello and David Waltz.
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, G. Guy Smith, Esq., Police Chief Brian Craig
Minutes:Â MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Daniel Werner, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of November 5, 2012. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Work Session of November 26, 2012. MOTION approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of November, 2012.
Correspondence:Â None
Tax Collector’s Report: Thomas Heron reported that 11 properties have unpaid taxes totaling $18,266.00 with penalties. $396,000.00 has been collected to date.
Public Comment: None
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Kevin Cunningham read the Police report for November. There were:
21 Parking Tickets      1 Warning       6 Motor Vehicle Citations
Mayor Cunningham thanked everyone who made the tree lighting ceremony a success: 4th of July Committee, Girls’ Club, Police, Karl Eilinsfeld, the Morton-Rutledge Fire Co. that donated the tree.
Code Enforcement Report: Harry Mirra read his report for November 2012:
1 House inspection failed
Took pictures of 7 Rutledge Ave. The hearing has been rescheduled to December 13, 2012.
1 U&O Failed
Sidewalk repair 60% complete
Zoning Permits:
6 Active
1 Complete
4th of July: Marie Govannicci thanked the Mayor, Rutledge Girls’ Club, the Fire Co., and the Police for a successful tree lighting ceremony on December 3.
The luminaries will be filled with sand on December 16, 2012, 1:00 PM at the former Rutledge Fire House on Sylvan Ave. The bags will be put out at 10:00 AM on December 24, 2012. The Committee will submit expense reports and meeting minutes on a monthly basis.
Rutledge Girls’ Club– Nothing to report.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that the meeting held last week was successful. Another is scheduled for Thursday, January 10, 2013, 7:30 PM. The next Borough Newsletter will be distributed in January or February.
Ordinance:Â Brian Costello reported that the revised ordinances will be reviewed at the next Committee Meeting.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Building: Nothing to report.
Highway: David Waltz reported that the road conditions are poor. The salt spreader will be installed on the Borough truck this week.
Mr. Waltz stated that the State has to sign off on the PA Infrastructure Bank loan application, and the funds be used in one year from the approval date of July 2012. Solicitor Smith will work with Mr. Waltz on the steps to be completed for the loan.
Recreation: Nothing to report.
Sewer: Nothing to report.
Shade Tree Commission: Nothing to report.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp read the Fire Company report for October and November:
October
35 Alarms 57 hours 41 minutes
3  Drills    7 hours 30 Minutes
During Hurricane Sandy, the station was staffed for 39 hours and responded to 16 emergencies.
November
20 Alarms 10 hours 45 minutes
2  Drills     4 hours  15 minutes
Christmas trees will be delivered to houses of those who cannot pick them up. Santa will start his ride in the Borough at 5:00 PM at Rutledge Court Apartments. Signs are posted on the blocks where Santa will stop to greet children.
The contract with Swarthmore Police expires December 31, 2012. We have a 4-year agreement with Swarthmore Police; the solicitors are reviewing it. The 3rd and 4th years are option years.
Finance: Brain Costello read the 2013 Budget:
Gas Fund:   Income   $25,850.00
Expenses   $25,850.00
Sewer Fund: Income     $183,912.00
Expenses  $183,912.00
General Fund: Income   $301,939.00
Expenses $301,939.00
Millage for 2013 is gross 5.29, net 5.18, an increase of .61 mills, or 13%.
Property/Borough Building: Diane McGaughey reported that, since 2007, 7 properties have gone for sheriff sale in Rutledge.
Solicitor’s Report: Nothing to report.
Old Business: None
New Business:
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Daniel Werner, to approve the 2013 Budget as submitted..MOTION approved with a majority of six YES votes, one NO vote(David Waltz).
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Brian Costello, to pass Ordinance 463, an ordinance levying taxes in the Borough for 2013, establishing trash collection and sanitary sewer fees and penalty for late payment, 1% realty transfer tax, and per capita tax, now in effect under the local tax enabling act of 1966, its amendments and supplements. General Purposes tax rate: 5.29 mills; Trash collection: $210.06 per dwelling unit annually; Sanitary sewer system:$544.14 per dwelling unit annually ; Realty transfer tax 1%, and Per Capita Tax. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Daniel Werner, to approve Resolution 2012-12-01, a resolution that sets salary and benefits for 2013. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve the 2013 Holiday Schedule. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Daniel Werner, to approve Resolution 2012-12-02 a resolution that authorizes the Council President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer to sign checks. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Marie Gavannicci, to approve Resolution 2012-12-03, a Resolution that authorizes the Tax Collector to collect taxes. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello , Second by Tom Kopp to approve Resolution 2012-12-04, a resolution to appoint the following auditors for fiscal year 2013: Catherine Myers, Paul S. Garrity, and Jack Borsch. MOTION approved with a majority vote
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Tom Kopp, to approve Resolution 2012-12-05, a resolution that authorizes the Borough Tax Collector to collect the annual sanitary sewer usage fee. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Tom Kopp, to authorize advertisement of the 2013 Meeting Schedule. MOTION approved unanimously.
Marlaina Kloepfer received a price for a new computer, software and monitor from CKAM technologies for $2,653.00. MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Daniel Werner, to approve the purchase of a new computer for the Borough Office from CKAM Technologies, at a cost not to exceed $2,653.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
Mayor Kevin Cunningham stated that he has been getting calls about a landscaping trailer that is parked on various blocks of Unity Terrace. Residents are not able to see out of their driveways when backing out onto Unity Terrace, causing a hazardous condition.. Mayor Cunningham will work with Police Chief Brian Craig on a solution.
Public Comment: None.
Bills for December 10, 2012:
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Marlaina Kloepfer, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $20,189.34. David Waltz questioned the checks for Harry Mirra. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Daniel Werner, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $1,970.37. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by David Waltz, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund in the amount of $8,000.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
Council wished residents a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:27 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary