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, Marlaina Kloepfer, Marie Govannicci, Tom Kopp, M. Diane McGaughey, Daniel Werner, James Jones
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Police Chief Brian Craig, Robert Hunt, Jr., Esq.
Sally Morbeck, Paul Schregel, Dr. Lisa Palmer, and Mary Gay Scanlon – Wallingford-Â Â Â Â Swarthmore School District
Public Comment: Council President David Waltz stated that three members of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School Board are here to answer questions from the residents. Mr. Waltz stated that the Swarthmorean reported that school taxes will be increased by 2.56%, and inquired as to why. Sally Morbeck explained that the Act 1 index is 1.9%, and the Board is permitted to take exceptions. They are exceptions for unusual expenses, and the Board decided that it needed to take them. One is for special education expenses that are outside of the Board’s control. If a parent challenges a lack of special education, the parent has always won. One is for retirement exception for the State pension fund, which has gone up from 2011, 2.7% of the budget, to 2016, it is expected to be 11.39% of the budget. The Board has no control over this expense. The State has not put enough money into the pension system for years, and it has become a giant albatross that school districts across the State have to deal with. People are being laid off, arts and music programs are being cut. The Wallingford-Swarthmore School District has been able to avoid that, by the skin of its teeth. Salary expenses for 2011 were 49.2% of the budget, and in 2016 salary expenses are 44.20% of the budget because positions are being cut, and the Board is out of anything to cut in the future. David Waltz stated that the school taxes are pricing the senior citizens out of their homes. Perhaps it is time to make more cuts.
Ms. Morbeck stated that the decisions are not taken lightly. She moved here because of the quality of the school district. People don’t want strikes, or sports or other programs to be cut. People take great pride in this school district, and they do not want programs to be cut. Ms. Morbeck stated that the school tax will go up $186.00 per $179,000.00 assessment. Ms. Morbeck stated that the Board looks for ways to cut and consolidate before increasing the budget.
Paul Schregel, School Board President, wants Rutledge residents to understand why the school tax is going up. The retirement fund has to be covered, under State law. In 2011, it was 2.7% of the budget, $1.7 million. That figure is $8.4 million for 2016. If we want to keep the program expenses where they are, we must get on the State. The Senate just passed a fix called Bill 1, but Governor Wolf does not want to support it. We must get after the folks in Harrisburg, and get the Governor to sign the Bill. Mr. Schregel represents senior citizens in his district, and they cannot take another 2.56% increase. We are in deep trouble if the pension plan does not get fixed.
Daniel Werner thanked the School Board Members for coming to the meeting. The special education program is a must, and the pension plan has been a problem for years. It is up to the Pennsylvania Legislature to come up with a solution. Mr. Werner commended them for the jobs they are doing, and stated that it is a difficult position to be in. The decrease in 5% is a result of positions being cut. Mr. Schregel stated that teacher aids in the classroom have been cut, except for special education children. We are State mandated to provide an aid for special education students, and the cost is approximately $70,000.00 for one child.
Todd Smith, 101 Linden Ave., stated that he has children in the school system. The School Board needs to step up, and the parents of kids who get special aid who don’t need it, that is money that is not being used properly. We have kids that are gifted, and special needs kids, and those programs are fed. But the kids that are keeping the district in balance through Federal testing scores that keep the money coming in are lost in the middle. Last year, Noonan quoted that he took a 2.1% increase because he could, by State law, not because the district needed it. Sally Morbeck stated that Mr. Noonan may have said that, but the money was not frill money. Mr. Smith stated that there are a lot of folks who squawk and get everything they want, whether the child needs it or not. The parents need to step up. Sally Morbeck stated that if it is a child who has an IEP, and they decide, with the School District what the child will receive, and if we disagree and challenge it, we go to court, and every time the board has done that, they have lost. Their hands are tied. Mr. Smith stated the student to teacher ratio is a lot higher here. Ms. Morbeck stated that the Board made cuts in order to fund the pension plan, as required by law.
Mr. Smith stated that salaries can be negotiated with the new teachers coming in. This must be looked at to save the taxpayers money. Dr. Lisa Palmer stated that they already have a tiered system, and the benefits that the teachers already have cannot be changed. For the 2015-2016 school year, 25.8% of salaries will be for the retirement fund. For the 2016-2017 school year, that number will be just under 30%. Governor Wolf is reviewing proposed legislation to offer property tax relief for senior citizens. Mr. Schregel stated that Governor Wolf is behind changing the tax structure for seniors. David Waltz stated that the teachers’ pensions are being funded on the backs of taxpayers. That doesn’t happen in the private sector. The School districts should start funding their own pensions. Mr. Schregel stated that he has a copy of Act 1 that fixes the problem, and it needs to get passed. Mr. Smith asked what impact on the budget would selling the Summit School in Wallingford for $25 million. Dr. Palmer stated that they are actively marketing the property. The budget has been increasing by ¾ million per year. It is an $80M budget, and they are required to have $3M in reserve. They are trying to hold on before they have to radically make cuts to the programs. So far, they have been able to keep the cuts from coming from the classrooms. If the stock market goes down, the pension rate charged to the budget will go up. Mary Gay Scanlon stated that the State will not let schools go bankrupt.
David Waltz stated that he attended a DARE program graduation on May 15, 2015. He walked into the school throughout the auditorium, and went to the 2nd and 3rd floors, and no one stopped him or asked why he was there. Mr. Waltz stated that he could not tell the difference between the students and the teachers by the way they dressed. There were signs on the door that said “Please check inâ€. Ms. Morbeck stated that cameras have been put in since the incident in Connecticut, and thanked Mr. Waltz for bringing it to their attention. Mayor Cunningham thanked the School Board members for attending the meeting and answering question.
Minutes: MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Daniel Werner, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of May 5, 2015 MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve the minutes for the Work Session of May 18, 2015. MOTION approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of May 2015. MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by Daniel Werner, to approve the April Treasurer’s Report as submitted. MOTION approved unanimously.
Correspondence:
- Edna Annan, 201 President Ave.- Request to have more time to do repairs to her rental property because of the expense.
- Robert DeLuca & Associates, LLC – Letter regarding the Philadelphia Association of Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors- Contractor’s registration and plumbing license- referred to the Solicitor
- PA Dept. of Transportation- State Police Fines payment in the amount of $173.00 will be paid on June 1, 2015.
- May Report- Code Official/Catania Engineering
- EMC Insurance Co.- Book of Borough Insurance coverage
Tax Collector’s Report: Thomas Heron reported that, as of June 1, 2015 435,376.35 has been collected. The discount and face period are over, and we are in the penalty phase now. $34,505.56 is outstanding- 15 Real Estate tax; 7 Sewer Fee; 25 Per Capita Tax.
Mr. Heron received a letter from the pa Department of Community and Economic Development regarding Act 164, the local Tax Collector law. The law requires education certification for the Tax Collector, and recommends that a Deputy Tax Collector be appointed in case Mr. Heron becomes incapacitated. Mr. Heron is good until the next Tax collector election. Solicitor Hunt asked if Mr. Heron had anyone in mind for the position, as 2016 is a reorganization year. Mr. Heron would like to get more information and will make a recommendation. Mr. Heron stated that Rutledge should get familiar with the PA State Budget and tax relief for senior citizens. As the Tax Collector, he gets a lot of senior citizens who cannot make it up his steps to pay their bills, and they are very concerned about general economics and how they will be able to pay their taxes in the future.
Code Enforcement: Gennifer Guiliano read the Code Officer’s Report for May. There were:
1 Use & Occupancy Reinspection House Sale
7 Inspections for Rental Properties
1 Inspections for Commercial Property Rental- Hair Salon
Toured Borough and made noted of violations
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Kevin Cunningham read the Police Report for May 2015. There were 30 Parking Tickets, 3 traffic tickets and 1 traffic warning. A traffic counter will be placed on Rutledge Ave., near the Triangle Park, that will show how many cars go by, which direction, and at what speed.
The Memorial Day Ceremony was held on May 24. Mayor Cunningham thanked the attendees, Marlaina Kloepfer, David Waltz, the Swarthmore Police Department, and Amvets. Pastor Carl Richards said the opening prayer. Mayor Cunningham would like more people to attend next year. People tend to forget the meaning of the day.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp stated that Deputy Chief Chris Reife is attending the Council Meeting. Tom Kopp read the Fire Co. report for May.
There were 20 calls with time in service of 9 Hours, 53 Minutes; 33 Hours 5 Minutes Manpower
There were 2 Drills with time in service of 46 Hours, 22 Hours Manpower
2 details- Memorial Day, and post graduation fireworks at Swarthmore College.
An email was sent to the Mayor and Council President regarding Engine 13-1. It was sent out for warranty work and in now in service.
Charlie Mullen passed away at 88. He did a lot of work for the Rutledge Fire Company.
Chris Riefe requested information for the July 4th festivities. Marie Govannicci stated that the Committee will have a meeting on June 8, 2015, and will send a letter to the Fire Co. Festivities are planned for July 4, with a rain date of Sunday, July 5.
Finance: Nothing to report.
Property/Building Maintenance: Nothing to report.
4th of July Committee: Marie Govannicci reported that the 4th of July Committee will meet on Monday, June 8, 2015, at 8:00 PM to finalize the events and send out flyers. New t-shirts are for sale online, and there will be some for sale on July 4th. The old shirts will be discontinued.
Recreation: Nothing to report.
Rutledge Girls’ Club– They are playing games and having a fun season.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that the Committee met on May 14. The Committee is looking into the ordinance section of the website. The next meeting is on July 9, 2015 at 7:30 PM. The Borough has been looking for two summer interns. Letters of interest were due on June 1, 2015. One was received from Matthew Kroon, who volunteered last year, and Ms. Kloepfer will ask for approval to accept Mr. Kroon’s application.
Planning Commission: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that the next Planning Commission Meeting will be on Monday, June 8, 2015, 7:30 PM. Kim Brown reported that the commission gave a sample firepit ordinance to the Solicitor for review. There will be a backyard composting workshop on June 20, 2015, from 10:00 AM-11:30 AM, upstairs at the Community Center.
Ordinance: Nothing to report.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Building: Dan Werner reported that he is waiting for new drawings for a deck permit. He received a request for information, and he is consulting with the Borough’s Engineer to answer it.
Sewer: James Jones stated that he received a proposal from General Sewer for the cleaning of all of the Borough’s sewer mains. The matter will be discussed at the Work Session. There were two PA One Calls.
Shade Tree Commission: Marie Govannicci reported that there will be a meeting on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 7:30 PM to discuss the understanding of the Committee’s position and ordinances that pertain to the Committee. The members would like Council to attend.
Finance: Nothing to report.
Streets: David Waltz reported that Karl Eilinsfeld is filling in potholes. Mr. Waltz stated that Mr. Eilinsfeld will paint 3 feet lines, 15 feet from the stop signs to designate the parking limit.
Solicitor’s Report: Solicitor Hunt reported on the National Flood Insurance Program. He spoke with FEMA/PEMA, and they said that Rutledge Borough can reapply at no charge. Council has to pass an ordinance stating that it will adopt a flood plain ordinance. There is to be no development in the flood plain zone. Then Council has to develop an ordinance, which has to be approved by FEMA before Council adopts it. Mr. Hunt will draft the ordinance and send it to Council for review. It will consist of the bare minimum requirements. Council must appoint an administrator to enforce the flood plain ordinance.
The Rutledge Court Apartments are not in the flood plain. The parking lot is 5’ 1/4 “ above the line. Flood insurance is expensive if it is not FEMA backed. By joining the program, homeowners are only required to carry the minimum.
Old Business: Nothing to report.
New Business: David Waltz stated that Council is looking into parking permits for the terraces. The Borough is having a lot of problems with parking, and will consult the Solicitor. Marlaina Kloepfer stated that there are still parking problems on the unit block of Linden Ave. The residents from the two apartment buildings on Morton Ave. are parking there. Ms. Kloepfer asked people to be mindful of others.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by, Marie Govannicci, to accept Matthew Kroon and Rutledge Borough’s summer intern. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment:
Todd Smith, 101 Linden Ave., asked if the apartment owners have been contacted regarding parking. David Waltz responded that the management company and Morton Borough have been contacted several tiMes, but there has been no response.
Bills for June 1, 2015:
MOTION by Daniel Werner , Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $23,633.51. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $1,006.21. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund in the amount of $6,277.26. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary