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
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Police Chief Brian Craig
Not present: James Jones, Robert Hunt, Jr., Esq.
Minutes: MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by Marlaina Kloepfer, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of April 6, 2015 MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve the minutes for the Work Session of April 27, 2015. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: Diane McGaughey, 414 Unity Terrace, stated that her property at 237 Linden was inspected for the annual apartment license. Ms. McGaughey reported that the Code Officer did an excellent job. He walked through both apartments and wrote up a sheet explaining what corrections must be done to be in compliance with the Construction Code. Ms. McGaughey is very pleased with his expertise.
Kim Brown, 32 President Ave., asked Council for an update on the status of parking. The situation around her house is getting worse, and cars are blocking her vision when she tries to get out of her driveway. Ms. Brown suggested that Council consider “no overnight parking†for a period of time.
Karl Eilinsfeld, 223 Linden Ave., asked Council if there is going to be an intern this summer.
Margie Corcoran, 124 Rutledge Ave., stated that she is President of the Rutledge Girls’ Club. She thanked Council for the money for improvements to the ball field. There is good runoff from the rain, and it is safer for the girls. It is a true softball field. Ms. Corcoran has a complaint regarding a conversation she had with David Waltz at the ballfield. Ms. Corcoran was at the ballfield to address issues in preparation for the opening game. Mr. Waltz was rude to her and treated her with disrespect. Ms. Corcoran coaches the girls and her children, and volunteers her time, energy and money. Ms. Corcoran stated that she was not disrespectful to Mr. Waltz, and wanted to make Council aware of the incident, and feels that this is why people do not volunteer for things. Ms. Corcoran stated that Mr. Waltz owes her an apology. The incident was upsetting to everyone, and there was no reason for it. The situation turned ugly because she did not agree with what Mr. Waltz said.
Mayor Cunningham stated that Ms. Corcoran was worried about the ballfield conditions and the start of the season. Mayor Cunningham was once the President of the Girls’ Club, and he would start planning for the season in January. It is an emotional issue, and you worry that the season is not going to start on time. Mayor Cunningham stated that Ms. Corcoran does a great job, and the Girls’ Club won the championship last year.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of April 2015. MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by Marlaina Kloepfer, to approve the April Treasurer’s Report as submitted. MOTION approved unanimously.
Correspondence:
- FEMA –DVD Flood Map
- PLGIT – Annual Report 2014
- Audrey Wetzel, a 50 plus year Rutledge resident, submitted the obituary for her son, David B. Wetzel, Sr.
Tax Collector’s Report: No report.
Code Enforcement: Gennifer Guiliano read the Code Officer’s Report for April. There were:
1 Complaint about building trash in the backyard
1 Violation notice for a propane tank in the backyard
4 Use & Occupancy Inspections for house sales
3 2015 Rental License Inspections
Diane McGaughey stated that there have been changes in the Uniform Construction Code, and Catania Engineering has brought the Borough up to code on things. Dave Ciancaglione is doing an excellent job.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Kevin Cunningham read the Police Report for April 2015. There were 23 Parking Tickets, 2 traffic tickets and 3 traffic warnings.
Mayor Cunningham reported that he will have a Memorial Service on Sunday, May 24, 2015, at 1:00 PM.
A street sign was stolen, and Mert Hinckle found it in Ridley Park and returned it, and he gave kudos to her. There was a disturbance outside of the Community Center yesterday. Someone was in a car, on drugs or alcohol, at around 2:00 PM. The Police were called, and were here in no time. The Mayor thanked the police for the incredibly fast response.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp stated that Chief Dean Kemp is attending the Council Meeting. Tom Kopp read the Fire Co. report for April.
There were 20 calls with time in service of 5 Hours, 38 Minutes; 18 Hours 46 Minutes Manpower
There were 3 Drills with time in service of 6 Hours, 30 Minutes
The Company attended the annual mock crash scene at Strath Haven High School on April 15, 2015. The Company held its Annual Open House/Public Safety Day on April 25, 2015. Mr. Kopp thanked Mayor Cunningham for attending the event.
Finance: Nothing to report.
Property/Building Maintenance: Nothing to report.
4th of July Committee: Marie Govannicci reported that the sand was removed from the driveway and thanked the Fire Co. for its patience in the matter.
Recreation: Nothing to report.
Rutledge Girls’ Club– Marie Govannicci thanked Margie Corcoran and the Girls’ Club members. They did a great job. The ballfield was finished on time. Karl Eilinsfeld was instructed on how to keep the dirt in the proper condition for games, and was given a game schedule. Ms. Govannici thanked David Waltz. J. Jansen and two Ridley Park employees who came out on a Sunday to help get the ballfield ready for the opening game.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that the Committee will meet on May 14, 2015 at 7:30 PM. The Committee is working on a Google calendar for hall rentals that will be helpful. Ms. Kloepfer attended the PA State Association of Boroughs’ Conference, and obtained resources regarding grants and green infrastructure that she will share with Council. Ms. Kloepfer thanked Council for allowing her to attend. Ms. Kloepfer is working on door hangers and violation notices for the Code Enforcement Officer.
Planning Commission: Kim Brown reported that the Commission will meet on May 11, 2015, 7:30 PM. The Rain Barrel Workshop was a success. 73 People signed up and 10 more people showed up the day of the workshop. Ms. Brown thanked Kevin Cunningham, Marlaina Kloepfer, and David Waltz for helping to set up and break down for the event.
Ordinance: Nothing to report.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Building: Daniel Werner reported that he completed the review for a shed application.
Sewer: James Jones reported that the sewer work at 213-215 President Ave. was completed.
Shade Tree Commission: Marie Govannicci stated that eight trees were planted, and they have water bags around the bottom. Rachel Sten has the key to the water spigot at the Triangle Park. There have been issues with the faucet, and a plumber will put in a new one. Diane McGaughey waited for two hours on April 30, 2015 for Aqua PA to turn on the water. The Commission had a plant swap. Ms. Govannicci thanked Rachel Sten, and Sue and Jack Borsch, and Kathleen Haskins for putting in a lot of time at the event. Money will be budgeted next year for mulch to be placed around the trees.
Finance: Nothing to report.
Streets: David Waltz reported that Karl Eilinsfeld is filling in potholes.
Solicitor’s Report: No report.
Old Business: Marie Govannicci asked if the Committees could get their 2015 donations from Council.
New Business: David Waltz reported that he and Charles Catania have been negotiating with Aqua PA for money for the repair of Melrose Terrace. Aqua PA will pay 100% of the paving. They accidentally gave Ridley Twp. a portion of Rutledge’s reimbursement money. Aqua PA will give Rutledge $31,000.00 for paving of Melrose Terrace from Sylvan Ave. to Linden Ave. Rutledge will piggyback onto Ridley’s road program for the repairs. Ridley will accept $31,000.00 as total payment for the road repair. Ridley Twp. will go out for bids in June.
MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Marie Govannicci, to accept $31,000.00 from Aqua PA as restitution for Melrose Ave. road repair repaving. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by Daniel Werner, to piggyback with Ridley Twp. for the repair and repaving of Melrose Terrace from Sylvan Ave. to Linden Ave. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Marie Govannicci, to advertise for two summer interns, resumes to be received by June 1, 2015. MOTION approved unanimously.
Diane McGaughey brought up the 15 MPH speed limit on the Terraces. Ms. McGaughey stated that Mr. Waltz had said that he would talk to the Police Chief to issue more speeding tickets. Ms. McGaughey stated that tickets cannot be issued if there is no sign posted. Ms. McGaughey asked if the Borough would purchase 15 MPH signs and change the ordinance. Daniel Werner stated that he is not ready to make a decision on the matter. He is doing some research on it. David Waltz stated that he is going to meet with the Mayor and Police Chief to discuss some options. Ms. McGaughey stated that she was concerned about the speed of cars. While she was waiting for Aqua PA at the Triangle Park, she saw parents dropping off their children, and mothers with baby strollers. Cars were flying by at a high rate of speed. Ms. McGaughey suggested that the speed limit be changed to 15 MPH for 90 days. Mayor Cunningham suggested that the police place a lighted sign on the street that shows the speed of cars. Chief Craig stated that the police do not own one, but, perhaps Rutledge could borrow one from Swarthmore Borough. Marie Govannicci stated that it is a State law that the speed limit is 25 MPH, and Council is not ignoring the lowered speed limit request.
Public Comment:
Karl Eilinsfeld, 23 Linden Ave., asked Council why it is taking the responsibility by taking a check from Aqua PA as restitution. The job has to go out for bids, and what will happen if the bids come in higher than $31,000.00. David Waltz explained that it is a bulk job, and Ridley Twp. has agreed to take that payment, plus the money that Aqua PA gave to Ridley Twp. in error, as full payment for the repaving of Melrose Terrace from Sylvan Ave. to Linden Ave.
Margie Corcoran, 124 Rutledge Ave., stated that stated that cars fly all the way up Rutledge Ave. and go through the stop sign.
David Waltz stated that there was an article in the Swarthmorean about the school Board increasing the School Tax by 2.56%, which is above the State limit. They are supposed to go to Court to justify an increase of that amount. They did not, and took an exception. Rutledge Borough has never had a School Board representative come to a Council Meeting. Mr. Waltz is going to call Barbara Ormsby to put something in the paper. Mr. Waltz will invite a representative to the June 1, 2015 Council Meeting. We need to start, as a town, making some noise about the increase. The school taxes are a hardship for our senior residents who are trying to keep up with their expenses. Every year, there is a significant increase in the school tax. Mr. Waltz read a quote from Winston Churchill:
“To improve is to change, and to be perfect is to change often.â€
Bills for May 4, 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 $24,604.92. 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 $1,036.79. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary