Gregory C. Lebold, 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: Greg Lebold Jack Borsch, Tom Kopp, Diane McGaughey, Brian Costello, and David Waltz.
Also present: G. Guy Smith, Esq., Police Officer Thomas, Mayor Scott Shields
Not present: Kurt Morrison
Public Comment: Kevin Cunningham, 20 Rutledge Ave., President of the Rutledge Girls’ Club, submitted a written request to use the Triangle Park for the softball season. There will be 4 teams this year, and new uniforms and equipment will be purchased, and a port-a-potty ordered.
Michelle Senior, 100 Rutledge Ave., stated that Bob Hunt did a great job clearing the streets of snow, and asked what the procedure is for residents who do not shovel their sidewalks. Ms. Senior’s neighbor did not clear the snow from his property. Harry Mirra sent letters to the homeowner, but the mailman wouldn’t deliver them because the property wasn’t shoveled. There is a $25.00 fine for failure to shovel snow. Greg Lebold stated that Council asked for the names and numbers of anyone in the Borough who would shovel snow for people who aren’t able, and no one responded. You may call the Mayor if you are unable to shovel snow. Council will discuss updating the snow removal policy.
Rita Kramer, 106 Rutledge Ave., asked about the property maintenance issue with her neighbor. It appears that nothing has been done, and asked when a court hearing will take place. For 5 years, a person on Council has complained about her yard. This person can’t see her yard from his/her house, and is friends with Steven Smith, her neighbor. Mrs. Kramer has gotten correction notices for twigs and flower pots on her property that state failure to comply will result in fines and legal action. Mrs. Kramer asked how many correction notices Mr. Smith has received. The situation has been going on for a long time, and nothing has been done to correct it. Mrs. Kramer was willing to tolerate it until complaints were made against her. The weakest link in the Borough has been chosen to be picked on. A small business will fit in nicely on her property when she sells it. A precedent has been set by Mr. Smith’s landscaping business being run from his home. Rutledge will have its own industrial park, and Gil Spencer will write columns about it. Mrs. Kramer stated that she was told ” Life isn’t fair” at the last Council Meeting she attended; it has no relevance in this situation. Mrs. Kramer wondered what kind of hold Mr. Smith has on the Borough that he can continue running his business from his home. Mr. Lebold asked Mrs. Kramer to speak with Harry Mirra and the Borough Solicitor after the meeting.
Robert Hunt, 201 Linden Ave., stated that the snowplow did not work on Friday, and he informed David Waltz. Evan from EC Liner came to the Borough garage, and the truck must be inspected, and the snowplow and spreader looked at. The potholes in the streets are getting worse, but Mr. Hunt can’t fill them in until the water dries out.
Greg Lebold thanked Mr. Hunt for a great job plowing and the long hours he worked during the storms.
Minutes: MOTION by Jack Borsch, Second by Brian Costello, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of February 1, 2010. MOTION approved unanimously.
Tax Collector’s Report: Randall Poe distributed his report. $20,633.99 was collected in February 2010. Mr. Poe will have office hours in his home for residents to pay their taxes-the last 4 Tuesdays in March 7PM-9PM, and last 3 Saturdays in March 12PM-2PM
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Cash Flow report for the month of February 2010.
Code Enforcement Report: Harry Mirra read his report for February.
1 House Inspection/Sale – failed
1 Correction Notice for sidewalk not shoveled
1 Active Building Permit
Mr. Mirra stated that snow must be removed from sidewalks 24 hours after the snow stops falling.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Scott Shields read the Police Report for February. There were: 4 Police Calls, 2 Motor Vehicle Citations, 11 Parking Tickets, 3 Complaints, 1 Missing Person, 1 Missing Person Cancelled.
A vehicle was shot at with a BB gun in the 100 block of Rutledge Ave.
A burglary in the 200 block Linden Ave.
A barking dog in the 200 block Sylvan Ave.
Mayor Shields stated that he cleared the Borough Building sidewalks with the snow blower, and thanked Bob Hunt for the good job he did plowing the streets.
Mayor Shields stated that the Delaware County Association of Boroughs is having its spring banquet on April 30 at the Heritage Ballroom. Council Members are encouraged to attend. Mayor Shields is President of the Association.
Correspondence: None
4th of July: Nothing to report
Communication: Nothing to report.
Ordinance/Trash: Brian Costello reported that he has reviewed the Borough’s ordinance book, and attended a Council Member training seminar. The ordinances need to be updated, and he will ask for help from the Zoning Committee.
Building: Nothing to report.
Sewer: Nothing to report.
Shade Tree Commission: Nothing to report.
Highway: David Waltz stated that he is working on funding for road repairs and has a meeting scheduled to discuss grants.
Recreation: Nothing to report.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp reported that there were: 40 alarms, with time in service of 30 hours, 18 minutes, and 1 drills with time in service of 4 hours, 15 minutes, in February 2010.
Manpower response – Full Compliment-40, Undermanned – 0, Scratched -0, Late Response – 0.
Local Alarms – 1 – Morton & Swarthmore Aves. – Motor Vehicle Accident
Rutledge Fire Co. History – The Rutledge Fire Co. had a fatal house fire at 118 E. Sylvan Ave. This happened in March of 1974. The resident was Mrs. Grace Weiss. This is the only fire fatality on record in the Borough. The property was a complete loss estimated at $37,000.00
Finance: Diane McGaughey reported that Council will meet with representatives from TD Bank at the March Work Session to discuss loan opportunities.
Solicitor’s Report – Nothing to report.
Old Business: Diane McGaughey reported that she met with representatives from Rutledge’s committees to discuss plans for Rutledge’s 125th anniversary celebration.
New Business: A resolution is required to set a fee schedule for the tax collector. MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Jack Borsch, to authorize the Secretary to advertise a resolution to set a fee schedule for the tax collector. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by David Waltz, to authorize Resolution 2010-03-01, Rutledge Borough’s membership in COG. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: None
Bills for March 1, 2010:
MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Jack Borsch, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $17,186.69. MOTON approved unanimously.
MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Brian Costello, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $2,494.72. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary