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, Marie Govannicci , Marlaina Kloepfer, Tom Kopp and David Waltz.
Also present: Mayor Gregory C. Lebold, G. Guy Smith, Esq., Police Chief Brian Craig
Not present: Daniel Werner, Brian Costello,
Minutes: MOTION by David Waltz, Second by Marlaina Kloepfer, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of April 2, 2012. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by David Waltz, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Work Session of April 23, 2012. Greg Lebold stated that “Amy Lebold” should be spelled “Amie” Lebold. MOTION approved unanimously with noted correction.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of April, 2012.
Correspondence:
1) Complaint about high grass at 230 Linden Ave. David Waltz stated that a bank owns the property. Solicitor Smith advised that the ownership status be investigated, have someone cut the grass, get a bill and add 10%, and put a lien on the property.
Tax Collector’s Report: Thomas Heron reported that $338,703.00 has been collected for 2012 taxes. $114,000.00 has to be posted to accounts.
Public Comment:
Bob Hunt, 209 Linden Ave., reported that there is high grass at 230 Linden Ave. Mr. Hunt reported that the lights on the flagpole at the Community Center are out. There are still no street signs on Linden & Waverly, and Unity & Sylvan. David Waltz stated that the signs are on order.
Kevin Cunningham, 20 Rutledge Ave., reported that the Rutledge Girls’ Club Softball season has started, and five games have been played. Mr. Cunningham thanked the Recreation Committee for trying to get electricity at the Triangle Park. The opening ceremony with Amie Lebold was a success. A new line on the flagpole is needed at the Triangle Park. Mr. Cunningham thanked the Police for monitoring the activity at the park.
Code Enforcement Report: Harry Mirra read his report for April 2012:
Use & Occupancy Sales – 2 Inspections – 2 Passed
Apartment Inspections – 42 Passed
Notices – 3
Zoning Permits- 8 – 6 Completed 2 Pending
Mr. Mirra wrote non-traffic citations for failure to remove bamboo. The ordinance states that a certified letter and a letter via US Mail be sent before a citation is issued. As long as the bamboo is 10′ away from neighboring properties and has a barrier, it is fine. David Waltz stated that two residents who have bamboo are trying to remove it.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Greg Lebold read the police report for April 2012.
12 Police Calls, 8 Complaints, 1 Assist Ambulance, 1 Assist Fire Co., 1 Missing Person and 30 Parking Tickets.
Mr. Lebold thanked the Police for their diligence.
The Delaware County Sheriff asked that a flyer be placed on the Borough’s website to advertise a 5K run at 9:05 AM, Sunday, June 10, 2012, starting at the Delaware County Community College.
Chief Brian Craig reported that Nether Providence Twp. has had a lot of burglaries. He stated that Swarthmore Police will do property checks for residents who are on vacation.
4th of July: Marie Govannicci reported that the parade will be on July 4th, with a rain date of July 7th. The parade will start at the Community Center and end at the triangle Park, where the festivities will be held. There will be no fire engine rides.
Rutledge Girls’ Club- Nothing to report.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that she will post the information regarding vacation property checks on the Borough website. The form may be downloaded from www.swarthmorepa.org, completed, and brought to the Swarthmore Police station. Ms. Kloepfer stated that they are having technical difficulties with the ordinance section of the Borough website.
Ordinance: Nothing to report.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Building: Nothing to report.
Highway: David Waltz reported that a loan application to the PA Infrastructure Bank for $125,000.00 for road repairs is pending.
Recreation: Nothing to report.
Sewer: Nothing to report.
Shade Tree Commission: Nothing to report.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp reported the activities for the Morton-Rutledge Fire Co. for April.
22 Alarms 8 Hours 17 Minutes
Cleaning Station 6 Hours 20 Minutes
Engineering 10 Hours
4 Details 16 Hours
2 Drills 6 Hours 30 Minutes
3 Training Details
The Fire Co. attended two funerals for the firefighters killed in the warehouse fire in Philadelphia.
Reverend Edward Battle, Morton Borough former Council Member, and Chaplain of the Morton-Rutledge Fire Co. died.
Finance: Nothing to report
Property/Borough Building: Nothing to report.
Solicitor’s Report: Nothing to report.
Old Business: Tom Kopp reported that the Fire Co. will not have fire engine rides this year at the 4th of July festivities because of insurance restrictions. The Fire Co. will have something at the Triangle Park.
New Business: Diane McGaughey reported that a Girl Scout Troop is interested in using the Community Center for monthly meetings, 20 girls or fewer, from Media, Wallingford and Swarthmore. No rental fee will be charged, and they are responsible to setup and clean up. Council agreed to donate the meeting room at no cost.
Ms. McGaughey reported that the Borough’s 125th anniversary is in 2012. The PA State Association of Boroughs will present Borough Council with a plaque at the June 4, 2012 Council Meeting.
The Morton-Rutledge Fire Co. President told Diane McGaughey that there will be low cost vaccinations and microchips administered by the SPCA, at the vacant Rutledge Fire Co. building. Dates and times to be determined.
Ms. McGaughey and the Solicitor met with representatives from Northwestern Human Services, the owners of the group home at 1 E. Sylvan Ave., to discuss property maintenance issues. Solicitor Smith explained the cooperation the Borough would like. The representatives will report to the directors and let them know that they need to spruce things up.
The false fire alarms were discussed. Ms. McGaughey asked Tom Kopp to do a fire safety presentation at the home, and requested that Harry Mirra attend. Solicitor Smith suggested that the Fire Co. get a list of residents who are on medications and their ability to respond to an emergency.
There are washers and dryers at the facility, and the residents are given instructions on cleanliness.
The Borough has gotten complaints of high grass at 230 Linden Ave. The property appears to be vacant. MOTION by David Waltz, Second by Tom Kopp, to authorize the Borough to cut the grass once at 230 Linden Ave., at Borough expense, and bill the homeowner, or place a lien on the property. MOTION approved unanimously.
Solicitor Smith will send a letter to the Florida address the Secretary found on the internet for the homeowners.
Marie Govannicci submitted proof of insurance for the Rutledge Girls’ Club.
Marlaina Kloepfer submitted a proposal from Robert Garman, Electrical Contractor, to install electricity at the Triangle Park, which includes PECO permit fees, box inside of fence past 3rd base, and 3 outlets with a covered lock. MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by Tom Kopp, to authorize the installation of electricity at the Triangle Park by Robert Garman Electrical Contractor, at a cost not to exceed $1,525.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: None
Bills for May 7, 2012:
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by David Waltz, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $25,396.99. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Tom Kopp, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $1,562.22. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Marie Govannicci, 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 8:22 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary