MINUTES OF THE RUTLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
March 5, 2018 Regular Business Meeting
212 Unity Terrace
Rutledge, PA 19070
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the meeting was called to order at 7pm.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Council President Heidi Sentivan, Councilman Roberts, Councilwoman Gradel, Councilwoman Newell, Councilwoman Govannicci, Councilman Torres-Zickler, Councilwoman Reed and Mayor Cunningham. Also present – Solicitor and Borough Secretary
Absent: None
Public Comment –
Michelle Senior – 100 Rutledge commented on her continued belief that the Borough was not fining the owners of 101 Sylvan sufficiently on the proper care of the property and also boted that the borough was holding 5 and 6 parties each week in the hall and it was taxing the hall and too much of a parking issue.
Ms. Bascelli addressed her comments that the Borough was still following up on the bank owned property and that fines are issued by the court but we continue to issue citations as we can through Catania. As for the parties, she explained that we have never had 6 parties on a weekend, let alone on a weekly basis and in fact the norm is 4 at this time of year. 5 is possible if we do a Friday party. However, that is usually during graduation season. The municipality and residents always have a choice and although I do not get any complaints about the hall except from Ms. Senior, if we rent less you pay more in taxes. She stated that she would go that route if it was the desire of council but the lost revenue has to be made up somewhere. We already function on a shoestring budget.
Sue Kenyon 212 Rutledge Avenue – Thanked Linsay and Samantha for bringing the matter of the scoreboard to her attention. Views were discussed, will the field be rented (no) and other issues. She remembered the porta potti issue and conceded that everything in the park seems fine now.
Cars parked at Waverly & Swarthmore park too close to the corner during the softball season. Mark is being asked to paint the corner yellow and install a sign.
Committee Reports –
Trash – No Report
Sewer – The grant application went out with letters of support from Senator McGarrigle’s Office as well as State Representative Leanne Kreuger- Braneky. Liners will be installed any day.Phase II begins between Linden and President in about 80 days.
Building Committee – Will be doing a quarterly cleaning due to heavy rentals.
Communications – First newsletter out next week.
Ms. Bascelli spoke to residents about how to appropriately make a claim if your home or property was damaged by falling trees from yours, or a neighbor’s property. All claims begin with a call to your own homeowner’s insurance company.
Councilwoman Gradel asked the borough solicitor about a falling fence.
Parks – Councilwoman Reed and Councilwoman Govannicci worked on their park grant which is due April 11, 2018. March 31 is the Easter Egg Hunt. Councilwoman Govannicci noted her son will be picking up the branches in the park as a volunteer effort while we remain short-handed in the borough. She also thanked the Fire Department for allowing us to store the new benches in their bays while we await installation. She encouraged residents to remember their additional services when they seek support.
Jansen has been called for spring mulch and dimatech for the park. They will watch out for the base areas that Margie will mark.
Council President Sentivan suggested that Parks meet with Catania regarding their grant application so it is complete and has the best chance.
Public Safety – Chief’s report was read. The Fire Department was thanked for their help during the storm, as well as the help of Mark and a resident.
Community Day is April 28 for the Fire Department. Please support their efforts. There will be activities for the kids.
Planning – Had a special meeting which will be discussed in Old Business.
Finance – Met to look at budget and the audit process. They also discussed how to best use our non-profit status.
Streets – Mark will pick up patch and repair potholes Wednesday, weather permitting.
Police – The Mayor read the police report and discussed calls ranging from fraud, parking and flooding basements. He thanked Mark and a local resident with an excavator who helped with some downed trees.
Tax Collector – Discussed rebills. Next year the county won’t generate 17 sewer bills. Can they go to the water company? They are our lines but the properties are not in Rutledge.
OLD BUSINESS –
Recap from the Planning Commission regarding the scoreboard. Matters like vandalism, appropriate use, design and color, advertising, installation and insurance were discussed. Can the back be grey? Red for the front. Installation specifics are needed. Wrapping the poles was discussed, but it was noted that poles for basketball and the flagpole isn’t wrapped so why this?
Employment – Motion to hire Joe McGinnis to replace Mark Bascelli as the highway employee with an April start date: HS/MG All in Favor. As a policeman about to retire from Swarthmore, Joe is already familiar with our residents and the community. He has landscaping and carpentry experience. Thank you to Mark Bascelli for hanging in with the borough through the change.
Motion to approve Joseph Brook for the zoning board JR/SN All in Favor
Carrie Kozub indicated that the scoreboard can be voted on for installation purposes.
Councilwoman Gradel discussed the location of the flagpole and installation of the flagpole as well as associated cost information.
Motion to adjourn at 8:00: JR/HS All in Favor
Respectfully Submitted,
DawnMarie Bascelli
Borough Secretary