David Waltz, 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: David Waltz, Marlaina Kloepfer, Marie Govannicci, Tom Kopp, M. Diane McGaughey, James Jones
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Police Chief Brian Craig, Robert Hunt, Jr., Esq.
Not Present: Daniel Werner
Public Comment: None
Minutes: MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Work Session of June 22, 2015. Diane McGaughey stated that the minutes should read “tick infestation†and not “flea infestationâ€. MOTION approved with a majority of YES votes, one NO vote (D. McGaughey) with noted change.
MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by James Jones, to approve the minutes for the Council Meeting of June 1, 2015. Dianwe McGaughey stated that “IBP’ should be “IEPâ€. MOTION approved unanimously with the noted change.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of June 2015. MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve the June Treasurer’s Report as submitted. MOTION approved unanimously.
Correspondence: Catania Engineering sent a notice to the bank that acquired 7 Rutledge Ave. that the garage was condemned and has to be removed.
Tax Collector’s Report: Thomas Heron reported that, as of June 30, 2015 438,471.80 has been collected. The discount and face period are over, and we are in the penalty phase now. $29,897.85 is outstanding- 3 Real Estate tax; 7 Sewer Fee; 23 Per Capita Tax.
Code Enforcement: No report.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Kevin Cunningham read the Police Report for June 2015. There were 30 Parking Tickets, 3 traffic tickets and 1 traffic warning.
Mayor Cunningham reported that he had 9†to 10†of water in his basement during the storm. The Fire Co. pumped out the water. Mayor Cunningham stated that the Fire Co. and the Police did a great job during the storm on June 23, 2015. David Waltz, Joe Senior and the Mayor put up barricades. The roof blew off of the house at 1 Sylvan Ave. Electrical wires were down in front of 201 Sylvan Ave. Tom Kopp reminded residents to stay away from downed and sparking electrical wires.
Mayor Cunningham reminded residents that dogs are not allowed at the Triangle Park.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp stated that Deputy Chief Chris Reife is attending the Council Meeting. Tom Kopp read the Fire Co. report for June.
There were 38 calls with time in service of 16 Hours, 47 Minutes; 101 Hours Manpower
There were 3 Drills with time in service of 6 Hours, 30 Minutes 46 Hours Manpower
Mr. Kopp reported that he spoke with the contractor at 1 Sylvan Ave. The house has been empty since the June 23, 2015 storm. The residents should be back by July 13, 2015. Catania Engineering and the state have to approve the condition of the house before the residents may move in. The Borough News magazine had information about HB 62 which was amended in June 2012 to increase the grant program from $2.5M to $3M.
Finance: Nothing to report.
Property/Building Maintenance: Nothing to report.
4th of July Committee: Marie Govannicci thanked Council the Mayor and the Fire Dept. for their help with the July 4th activities. There will be an unofficial meeting on Thursday to discuss how things went. There was an incident of dogs fighting, and Council President asked the owners to remove the dogs. Dogs are not allowed at the Triangle Park. Ms. Govannicci stated that the Communications Committee did a great job getting the information out to the residents. Fifty more children than last year registered for the parade and events.
Recreation: Marie Govannicci reported that there will be a meeting on July 22, 2015 with Nether Providence, Wallingford, Swarthmore and Rutledge to discuss open spaces and the number of fields available and what sports they may be used for. The EAC Committee would like to have different towns use the fields as much as possible. They are looking for grants for some of the fields.
David Waltz reported that two benches for the park were donated by a local bank.
Rutledge Girls’ Club– The girls went to the playoffs and made a nice float for the July 4th parade.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that the Committee will meet on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 7:30 PM.
Planning Commission: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that the next Planning Commission Meeting will be on Monday, July 13, 2015, 7:30 PM. The subdivision at Chambers Memorial Church on Sylvan Ave. will be reviewed. The Commission will be looking for a new member in January 2016. Please send resumes to Marlaina Kloepfer or Kim Brown,
Ordinance: Nothing to report.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Building: Nothing to report.
Sewer: James Jones reported that there was one PA One Call for a new telephone pole in front of 101 E. Sylvan Ave. Sump pumps can go into the street, but may cause icy conditions in the winter. Most usually flow to the back of the property.
Shade Tree Commission: Marie Govannicci stated that the meeting scheduled for July 8 has been cancelled due to lack of quorum. The Commission will meet in August.
Finance: Nothing to report.
Streets: David Waltz reported that the repaving of Melrose Terrace should be completed by the end of the summer. The price of asphalt has been going down. Karl Eilinsfeld has been painting lines in the streets near the stop signs to designate parking boundaries.
Solicitor’s Report: Solicitor Hunt reported that sump pumps may not discharge into the sanitary sewer system.
The PA State Association of Boroughs would like Boroughs to pass a Resolution in support of medical marijuana. The issue is stuck in Committee.
Solicitor Hunt reviewed the fire pit ordinance draft and gave it back to the Planning Commission. Tom Kopp stated that leaf burning is not allowed because it is terrible for the respiratory system. Solicitor Hunt stated that the current ordinance allows leaves to be burnt.
The PSAB would like to have legal advertisements put on a website rather than in a newspaper. The issue is stuck in Committee since November, 2013.
Old Business: Nothing to report.
New Business: Tom Kopp reported that the Fire Co. will have an outdoor movie night on July 24th in the field next to the Morton- Rutledge Fire House. It is a fundraiser, and food and drinks will be sold.
Public Comment: Sarah Hill, 12 Rutledge Ave., asked when the condemned garage at 7 Rutledge Ave. will be removed. It is very dangerous. If the garage is not taken down in 30 days, Council can have it taken down and lien the property for the cost. Ms. Hill commented on the water in the Mayor’s basement. The area is on a slope and the ground is saturated, and the new impervious surface situation caused by her neighbor’s patio could have caused the water in the Mayor’s basement. All of the trees are down now, and they drank a lot of water. The sun can dry out some of the water. Council should look at the situation to see if the patio is responsible.
Kim Brown, 32 President Ave., presented Marie Govannicci with $199.00 that was collected from the sale of shirts at the July 4th festivities. Some of the new shirts are left, and some of the old design are left, as well.
Bills for July 6, 2015:
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $52,387.93. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $1,590.85. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund in the amount of $52,689.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary