MINUTES OF THE RUTLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
April 22, 2019 Council Meeting
212 Unity Terrace
Rutledge, PA 19070
Meeting was called to order and Pledge of Allegiance recited at 7:34 pm.
Roll Call, Present: Heidi Sentivan, Jody Roberts, Marie Govannicci (absent, excused), Samantha Newell, Christine Gradel, Ken Torres-Zickler, Lindsay Reed, Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Administrator Barbarann Keffer, Solicitor Christine Reuther (7:42 pm).
Public Comment: Danielle, of 138 Rutledge Avenue, asked if it were possible for her to hold a child’s birthday party at Triangle Park. There was a discussion about the softball schedule and other logistics; HS will follow up with Jen about this.
The presentation of the day care facility plans was moved from the original agenda to the second public comment period to allow for the solicitor to be present.
Mayor’s Report: KC read the police report aloud (in binder) and auto accidents were included. Rep. Krueger is having a senior breakfast. KC also stated that there might be Memorial Day service in the borough on Memorial Day (May 27th this year).
Chief Stufflet was asked about animal control services in the borough. Strickland has the contract for Rutledge and Swarthmore and deals with only dogs. Strays are taken to Brandywine Vet. Wildlife (racoons, fox, etc.) are to be taken care of privately through the homeowners. Chief also reported that the traffic signaling system at Morton and Swarthmore Avenues are being replace. SN will reach out to PennDOT for a timeline on this.
Minutes: motion to pass April 8, 2019 minutes: SN/LR, motion passed unanimously.
Parks: HS said the DCNR grant application was sent and that in September, the result would be communicated.
Public Safety: Per CG, the letter to PECO requesting reimbursement for the damaged street light will go out tomorrow.
Finance: motion to pass the bills list: SN/HS, motion passed unanimously.
Streets: Aqua has repaired the uneven pavement due to their work last fall on Swarthmore Avenue.
Planning: The PRP (Pollution Reduction Plan) summary from the last Planning Commission meeting, which is included in the binder, was discussed. Next there was a discussion of advertising the draft report.
Motion to advertise a public meeting to review the PRP draft proposals (SN/KTZ); motion approved unanimously. The public meeting will be held during the May 20th council work session.
Tax Collector: TH gave a verbal report on delinquent taxes from the 2016-2018; JR said that the Finance Committee will develop a system on tracking tax and fee delinquencies.
Public Comment: There was a presentation by Rich Buzza from Great Beginnings Day Care about their proposal for the business to locate to Chambers Memorial. Buzza and the Director of Great Beginnings addressed questions from Council; there was an extensive discussion on the borough’s current zoning laws and the possibility of a use variance/auxiliary use to allow for a daycare business. One option is for Council to consider an amendment to the current ordinance, to allow for a conditional use.
Eric Peterson, 4 E. Sylvan Ave, asked questions about the church’s parking lot, a portion of which is his property and the impact of the users parking in that lot.
At 8:46 pm, there was a motion to hold an executive session to discuss the borough’s legal options to allow for a day care (HS/SN).
At 9:27, Council came out of executive session (HS/KTZ).
Old Business: none
New Business: none
Motion to adjourn, 9:31 pm. (HS/SN)