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, James Jones, Marlaina Kloepfer, Kimberly Brown
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Police Chief Brian Craig, Michael F. Culp, Esq.
Not Present: Daniel Werner, Marie Govannicci, Tom Kopp
Public Comment: Joann Rosenbaum, 1 Church Rd., stated that she is a representative for Transition Town Media, a grassroots group. The mission is to solarize Greater Media, a project of TTM, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and Delaware County Planning Department. A discount is offered on solar panels, and ends in May. There will be five seminars throughout the County The group is working on a five-mile radius from the Media Courthouse, to decrease the carbon footprint and save money on energy. Ms. Rosenbaum will send an email to Marlaina Kloepfer.
Minutes: MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Kimberly Brown, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Reoganization Meeting of January 4, 2016. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Kimberly Brown, to approve the minutes for the Council Meeting of January 4, 2016. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Kimberly Brown, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Work Session of January 25, 2016. MOTION approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of January 2016. MOTION by James Jones, Second by Marlaina Kloepfer, to approve the January Treasurer’s Report as submitted. MOTION approved unanimously.
Correspondence:
- PA State Association of Boroughs- Request for Council email addresses
- PA State Association of Boroughs-Various awards available for: length of service, outstanding Council Member of the Year, Borough News Municipal Newsletter and Website Contest, outstanding achievement in government affairs, and distinguished service award
Tax Collector’s Report: Thomas Heron read his report for 2015. $453,253.98 was collected in 2015.4 Real Estate, 33 Per Capita, and 7 sewer bills are uncollected, totaling $12,847.23. The 2016 tax bills were mailed. 400 pieces were sent out, and the per capita bill will go out this week.
Code Enforcement: No report.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Kevin Cunningham read the Police Report for January 2016. There were 17 Parking Tickets, 1 traffic ticket and 1 traffic warning.
The Souper Bowl of Caring will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2016. Notices were placed in residents’ mailboxes to place canned and non-perishable food in bags on their porches or steps. The items will be picked up and taken to Chambers Memorial Church for sorting. The food will be distributed to organizations in Delaware County. It is a good cause that takes care of our neighbors in need.
Public Safety: No report.
Finance:No report.
Property/Building Maintenance: No report.
Rutledge Activities Committee: No report.
Recreation: Â No report.
Communication: No report.
Planning Commission: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that two new members were appointed to the Commission- Ken Torres and Joe Phillips.
Ordinance: Nothing to report.
Trash: Â Nothing to report.
Building: Nothing to report.
Sewer: No report.
Shade Tree Commission: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that the Commission will have a spring planting, concentrating on Linden Ave. The trees will cost $30.00. Jack Borsch has retired and Ms. Kloepfer thanked him for his years of service, Suzanne Stewart is a new member of the Commission.
Streets: David Waltz reported that the plow broke after six hours of plowing. It cannot be repaired. The work was subbed out to J. Jansen Landscaping to complete the job. The work will be subbed out for the rest of the winter 2016.
Mr. Waltz reported that there will be no FEMA reimbursement for the snow storm for the County because the snowfall had to total 31 inches for financial assistance, and the County received 23.5 inches.
Solicitor’s Report: Nothing to report.
Old Business:  David Waltz attended a meeting with Johnson Controls regarding the proposed streetlight replacement. A tentative draft plan was submitted. The money saved on electricity will be payment for the lights, to be paid over ten years. The Borough will have to commit to having an engineer’s audit performed. They will map out all streetlights in the Borough and come up with a final estimate and plan. There is no cost if the Borough goes with the project. If not, the audit cost will be $2,000.00.
New Business: David Waltz stated that he will get a proposal from Swarthmore Borough for the Police contract.
Mr. Waltz stated that the plow broke during the snowstorm. He is getting numbers to buy a new truck, or do a lease/purchase.
The lintel above the door to the garage is bowing. Catania Engineering looked at it, and it needs to be repaired. An estimate was received for $3,800.00. Mark Bascelli will repair it in the spring.
A representative is needed to attend the COG meetings (Consortium of Governments). The meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at alternating locations. Dave Waltz and Jim Jones will share the position.
MOTION by Jim Jones, Second by Marlaina Kloepfer, to apply for County Aid for Road Repairs for 2016 in the amount of $1,485.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
Mr. Waltz reported that there was an article in the January 28, 2016 Daily Times that said that the Swarthmore Wallingford School District is going to raise the school taxes by 3.9% again this year. A home assessed at $179,000.00 would pay an additional $290.00. Our senior residents cannot afford the continued increases, which are over the State limit. The Board is using the same explanation that they used last year- rising special education costs. The School Board should go to the State for extra funds. Mr. Waltz urged residents to contact their State Representative to oppose the increase. One person on the School Board voted against the increase. Final approval of the increase is in June, and something must be done about it. The School Board President will be invited to Rutledge Borough’s March 7, 2016 Council Meeting. Something should be posted about it on the website and Facebook.
Thomas Heron, Tax Collector, stated that the 2016 tax bills have been sent to the residents. There is a decrease in the sewer fees that offsets the increase in the Borough tax. Something should be sent to the residents to explain the decrease in the sewer fees.
Public Comment: None
Bills for February 1, 2016:Â
MOTION by Kimberly Brown, Second by Marlaina Kloepfer, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $39,486.01. Â MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Kimberly Brown, Second by Jim Jones, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $2,293.80. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:03 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary