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, Brian Costello, Marlaina Kloepfer, Daniel Werner, Marie Govannicci and David Waltz.
Also present: Mayor Gregory C. Lebold, G. Guy Smith, Esq., Police Chief Brian Craig
Not present: Tom Kopp
Minutes:
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by David Waltz, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of December 5, 2011. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by David Waltz, to approve the minutes as submitted for the January 3, 2012 Reorganization Meeting. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve the minutes as submitted for the January 3, 3012 Council Meeting. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by David Waltz, to approve the minutes as submitted for the January 23, 2012 Work Session. MOTION approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of January, 2012.
Correspondence:
1) Robert C. Edwards Scholarship Foundation- $1,000.00 scholarships available to residents from Boroughs that are members of the PA State Association of Boroughs- Deadline May 4, 2012
2) Comcast- Services will be transmitted in digital format staring 03/13/12. All customers need to have a digital set-top box for each television to continue receiving Comcast video services.
Tax Collector’s Report: Thomas Heron reported that the 2012 tax bills were sent out by January 31, 2012, with a total face value of $399,017.00. $32,000.00 is uncollected from 2011.
Public Comment: None
Code Enforcement Report: Harry Mirra read his report for January 2012:
3 Use & Occupancy Sales -Failed
3 Correction Notices
1 Zoning Permit – Completed
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Greg Lebold read the police report for January 2012.
9 Motor Vehicle Citations, 10 Police Calls, 6 Complaints, 25 Parking Tickets
Police Chief Brian Craig reported that there have been daytime burglaries in Swarthmore. The suspects knock on the front door. If there is no answer, they break in via the back door. Chief Craig asked residents to report any suspicious persons.
4th of July: Quizzo on Saturday, 02/11/12, 7:00 PM. The committee will meet on the 2nd Monday of each month- 02/13/12 is the next meeting.
Rutledge Girls’ Club- Kevin Cunningham thanked Council for the 2011 donation. Softball signups have started, and 3 or 4 teams are expected. Mr. Cunningham submitted a letter to request use of the field for the Girls’ Club softball season. Background checks will be done on any new coaches. Mr. Cunningham stated that infield dirt is needed at the softball field, and will meet with Marie Govannicci to discuss.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer stated that Marie Govannicci volunteered to serve on the committee. The Committee will meet on a regular basis and try to make things more seamless. They will look at the website to make sure it is meeting the needs of the community, and will revisit the Borough Newsletter.
Ordinance: Brian Costello stated that some ordinances need to be revised because they are not clear, and the Ordinance and Building Committees go hand in hand.
Trash: Daniel Werner stated that the Borough has a 5-year contract with Suburban Waste Services, Inc.
Building: Brian Costello reported that Marlaina Kloepfer and Daniel Werner volunteered to be on the Building Committee. Mr. Costello stated that the Committee wants to revise certain ordinances by working with the code enforcement officer and the solicitor, and formalize procedures for building permits and Use & Occupancy Permits.
Highway: David Waltz stated that Tom Kopp volunteered to serve on the committee. Mr. Waltz would like to replace more signs, and replace the Borough truck.
Sewer: Daniel Werner stated that David Waltz volunteered to serve on the committee. Mr. Werner would like to educate residents about inflow and infiltration into the sanitary sewer system, and how the unnecessary treatment of I&I increases sewer bills. 2012 sewer fees increased by 39% from 2011 fees. 2011 had record-breaking rainwater. Some residents’ vent pipes are below ground, and stormwater is getting into the sanitary sewer system. 2011’s sewer flows will be reflected in the 2013 sewer fee.
Mr. Werner would like to generate a circular regarding inflow and infiltration into the sanitary sewer system and hand deliver it to residents, and initiate a 5-year plan for repairs. He has reviewed that video inspection CDs, and noted some failures at joints. Mr. Werner would like to get State funding to repair the Borough’s sewer system.
Shade Tree Commission: Nothing to report.
Recreation: Marie Govannicci reported that Marlaina Kloepfer and David Waltz volunteered to serve on the committee. Ms. Govannicci stated that she would like to beautify and maintain the Triangle Park, and work with the Girls’ Club. Ms. Govannicci would like to implement a report to review the safety standards at the Triangle Park, and have electricity installed at the Park.
Public Safety: Nothing to report.
Finance: Brian Costello stated that he completed a revised budget model, and will have a year to date report with an explanation of variances.
Property/Borough Building: Diane McGaughey stated that the front door, 1st floor of the Community Center needs replacement; there is a hole in the ceiling on the 2nd floor in the stage area, and needs painting, and the floors need to be stripped and waxed.
Multi-Municipal Energy Action Committee: Meeting on 02/28/12, 7:30 PM, Helen Furness Library in Wallingford.
Solicitor’s Report: Solicitor Guy Smith stated that the sewer treatment fees have increased. The Borough is a pass through agency; the fees are determined by DELCORA and Central Delaware County Authority. Residents are paying to treat liquids put into the system that don’t need to be treated. Sump pumps in homes and stormwater getting in sewer laterals are the biggest sources of inflow and infiltration.
The County sent a form resolution -Hazard Mitigation Plan of 2011- that the Borough is required to pass, to qualify for FEMA funds in the event of a disaster. The Borough has 1 year to adopt the resolution, and a disc of the County adopted, 300 page resolution was sent to the Borough for consideration. To be discussed at the Work Session.
A disc of the 11/1/11 County meeting that discussed the National Flood Plain Ordinance was sent to the Borough, with a request to pass a proposed ordinance. Solicitor Smith will contact the County because the request is not clear.
Old Business: Brian Costello stated that final drawings were submitted for the garage at 205 Sylvan Ave.
New Business: Marie Govannicci reported on the 2-day New Officials Training seminar that she attended. She learned budget planning, services that are provided to residents, the importance of committees, Sunshine Laws and the importance of not violating them. She learned that Council is here for the residents who elected them, and personal issues should not affect Council members’ decisions when deciding what is best for the Borough and its residents. Municipalities should work together to control costs.
Daniel Werner also attended the seminar, and learned the importance of the Sunshine Act, and that Council Members are personally liable for any violations. Council cannot discuss privately, only at advertised public meetings, anything that affects taxpayers’ money. There can be no requests for straw votes via email.
Daniel Werner volunteered to be Rutledge Borough’s representative to CDCA until a replacement may be found.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Marie Govanicci, to appoint Daniel Werner as Rutledge Borough’s representative to CDCA, to complete the term vacated by Jack Borsch. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: None
Bills for February 6, 2011:
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Marlaina Kloepfer, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $16,525.87. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Daniel Werner, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $2,020.94. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Daniel Werner, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund in the amount of $44,093.25. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary