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, Marlaina Kloepfer, David Waltz, Brian Costello, Marie Govannicci, Tom Kopp, Daniel Werner,
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Police Chief Brian Craig, Robert Hunt., Jr., Esq.
Minutes: MOTION by David Waltz, Second by Brian Costello, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of November 4, 2013. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Tom Kopp, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Work Session of November 25, 2013. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: Joyce Watson, 206 Rutledge Ave., stated that she is a 30-year resident, and she lost her husband last year. Life is short and she is not happy. Her dog Eddie has a best friend, Roland, a coon hound that brays, not barks. Neighbors have said things about Roland’s barking. A couple of weeks ago, someone called the police because the dogs were barking. It was a Sunday afternoon, around 1:30PM-2:00 PM. The dogs play together and it makes her smile. Now, she cannot have Roland visit anymore because he brays.
Tom Heron, 228 Rutledge Ave., stated that Delaware County is offering income tax preparation to residents in the Borough. More information to come.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of November, 2013. $40,000.00 will be transferred to the General Fund in December to pay bills until the taxes are collected. The Borough will not have to get a tax anticipation loan to cover first quarter expenses.
Correspondence: A check was received from the County for road repair in the amount of $11,880.00.
Tax Collector’s Report: Thomas Heron reported that $402,090.94 has been collected. $31,937.10 is outstanding- 16 Real Estate, 7 Sewer, 29 Per Capita. The total would be $434,028.04 if all funds were collected. Mr. Heron requested a report from the County of all unpaid Real Estate parcels for 2012
Code Enforcement Report: Harry Mirra read his report for November.
3 Use & occupancy –houses sold – 1 passed, 2 failed
A non-traffic citation was issued to a resident for property maintenance issues in the driveway and backyard. Mr. Mirra met with the homeowner for a 2nd inspection. The items were removed, so the citation was withdrawn.
1 Roof Permit
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Kevin Cunningham read the Police report for November. There were:
21 Parking Tickets
Mayor Cunningham thanked everyone who helped with the tree lighting ceremony- The Police, David Waltz, the 4th of July Committee, and Karl Eilinsfeld. There will be Christmas Caroling on December 22, 2013.
Reverend Pam McShane of Chambers Memorial Church notified Mayor Cunningham that there will be a SouperBowl of Caring the day of the Super Bowl game. The Church will collect canned goods for the needy. 2014 is the 125th anniversary of the Church. Mayor Cunningham will work with them for the ceremony.
Mayor Cunningham asked residents to park their cars in their driveways during snow events do that the street may be plowed properly.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp read the Fire Co. report for November:
29 Alarms 14 Hours 53 Minutes
Training 30 Hours 30 Minutes
3 Drills 7 Hours
1 Training detail attended by 7 members for 10 hours
House Committee – 4 hours work
Assisted in the toy run to Philadelphia. Traffic was stopped on the I-95 ramp because of a 4 car accident. A trooper stopped to help a motorist, and was hit by a car and knocked down an embankment. The Fire Co. assisted until the Philadelphia police took over.
There were 300 emergency calls this year; that is up from previous years.
David Waltz sent an email to Catania Engineering regarding the PECO work on Waverly Terrace.
Mr. Kopp has been getting winter storm warnings from the County regarding the expected storm on Tuesday, December 10, 2013. Hazardous conditions are expected along the I-95 corridor.
On November 9, 2013, the Fire Co. received an ISO rating from 5 to 3. The better rating is a result of training and apparatus, and affects the rates of homeowners insurance.
The tree sale at Swarthmore Borough began on December 6, and will continue until Sunday, December 22. Delivery is available to local residents. Hours: Thursday & Friday- 5PM to 9PM, Saturday and Sunday- 8AM to 9PM.
4th of July: Thanks for the assistance with the tree lighting ceremony. The luminary bags will be filled on Sunday, December 22, 2013 at 1:00 PM, and distributed on December 24, 2013.
Rutledge Girls’ Club- Nothing to report.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer stated that pictures from the tree lighting ceremony have been posted on Facebook. The next newsletter will go out in January, and Ms. Kloepfer asked Council for submissions. The Delaware County Association of Boroughs will have its quarterly meeting on January 30 in Marcus Hook.
Ordinance: Nothing to report.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Building: Nothing to report.
Recreation: The Fire Co. removed the sliding board at the Triangle Park. A replacement apparatus will be ordered.
Sewer: Daniel Werner stated that he signed two invoices totaling $5,190.00 for General Sewer Services to clear the mains of tree roots. He reminded everyone that the sewers are slowly failing and a long term solution is needed.
Shade Tree Commission: Nothing to report.
Finance: Brian Costello reviewed the 2014 Budget
Gas Fund: $16,715.00 Income
$16,715.00 Expenses
The Borough has no control over the income; it is based on the state allocation and population.
Sewer Fund: $234,150.00 Income
$234,150.00 Expenses
It is a 27.3% increase- $692.75 per unit. The Borough has no control over the cost to treat sewage. Daniel Werner explained that the biggest issue with the sewer cost is inflow and infiltration in the residents’ sewer laterals and the Borough’s sewer mains. Sump pumps should not be hooked up to the sanitary sewer system, because we are paying to treat water that should not be treated.
General Fund: $316,487.00 Income
$316,487.00 Expense
Trash: $196.04 per unit
Mr. Costello stated that Council is doing a great job of controlling administrative expenses.
MOTION by David Waltz, Second by Daniel Werner, to approve the 2014 Budget. MOTION approved unanimously.
The millage is 5.71, discount of 5.60
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by David Waltz, to approve the advertisement of Ordinance #467, the Tax Ordinance. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by David Waltz, to approve Resolution 2013-12-01, a resolution authorizing the Tax Collector to charge fees for supplemental services according to a set schedule. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by David Waltz, to approve Resolution 2013-12-02, a resolution that authorizes the Tax Collector to collect the annual sanitary sewer usage fee. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Daniel Werner to approve advertisement of Resolution 2013-12-03, a resolution regarding 2014 salary and benefits. MOTION approved unanimously.
Newly elected officials need to turn in their election certificates at the January 6, 2014 Reorganization Meeting at 7:00 PM. Judge Mallon will be contacted to swear them in.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Daniel Werner, to authorize the advertisement of the January 6, 2014 Reorganization Meeting. MOTION approved unanimously.
The 2014 Holiday Schedule is as follows:
January 1, 2014 January 20, 2014 February 17, 2014
May 27, 2014 July 4, 2014 September 1, 2014
October 13, 2014 November 11, 2014 November 27, 2014
December 24, 2014 December 25, 2014
Property/Borough Building: Nothing to report.
Streets: David Waltz stated that there was a snowstorm on December 8, and one is expected on December 10. There is not enough money budgeted in 2014 for snow removal.
Solicitor’s Report: Solicitor Robert Hunt distributed ordinances and resolutions that need to be passed for the year 2014.
Solicitor Hunt stated that there is a Zoning Hearing application for 105 Sylvan Ave. The homeowner, James Jones, is on the Zoning Hearing Board, and will become a member of Council on January 6, 2014. A new Zoning Hearing Board member will be appointed on the same date. Mr. Jones will be asked if he will agree to a 45 day continuance.
FRS- Fire Recovery Safety- Solicitor Hunt will draft an ordinance for Council to pass. The Fire Co. will try to recover costs for equipment that was damaged while fighting fires.
Old Business: Tom Kopp will research elevator repair companies.
New Business: David Waltz received two prices for salt; Fastenal- $426.79 plus delivery for 50 50lb bags. A Clear Alternative was $100.00 cheaper, but it was not the same product, and other municipalities have not tried it.
MOTION by David Waltz, Second by Brian Costello, to purchase 50 50lb bags of icemelt for $426.79 plus delivery charges from Fastenal of Folcroft. MOTION approved unanimously.
Tom Kopp reported that the Fire Co. is getting ready for Santa’s ride through town on Christmas Eve. The ride will begin at 5:00 PM at Rutledge Court Apartments. Residents are asked to stand at the signs that say “Santa Stops Hereâ€. Santa will not stop at houses.
Mr. Kopp reported that the Fire Co. made a donation to AmVets in Morton for the troops. AmVets has been kind and helped with the clothes shed collection.
Public Comment: None
Bills for December 9, 2013:
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Daniel Werner, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $34,256.39. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Tom Kopp, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $950.73. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Daniel Werner, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund the amount of $5,577.50. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by David Waltz, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the PIB Loan Road Repair Fund in the amount of $8,872.05. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:46 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary