M. Diane McGaughey, Council Vice 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: Tom Kopp, Diane
McGaughey, Kurt Morrison, Brian Costello, Jack Borsch and David Waltz
Also present: Mayor Scott Shields, G. Guy Smith, Esq., Police Chief Brian Craig
Not Present: Gregory C. Lebold
Public Comment: Rita Kramer, 106 Rutledge Ave., stated that the air compressor at her next door neighbor’s house is going off again. He has conducted a business from the house in the past. There are commercial size lawn mowers on the property and a truck parked in front of her house that the mowers are loaded onto. If she sells her house, who will pay to have her pavement replaced? Solicitor Smith stated that her pavements are her responsibility. If any damage was the result of an accident, she can seek damages from the resident. If the people next door to her are responsible, Mrs. Kramer has the right to seek damages from them to repair the sidewalk. Solicitor Smith stated that, in the past, he has gone to the property to evaluate the compressor problem, and served notice to the homeowner to cease the compressor. The sidewalk is a private property issue, and the Borough doesn’t interfere or represent people who have private property issues. Mrs. Kramer stated that the resident is running a business from the home. Solicitor Smith stated that this is the first notice of violation that the business has started up again, and he will take the appropriate action.
Minutes: MOTION by Jack Borsch, Second by Brian Costello, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Work Session of October 25, 2010. MOTION approved unanimously with noted change. MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Jack Borsch, to approve the minutes from the Council Meeting of October 4, 2010. MOTION approved unanimously.
Tax Collector’s Report: Not present.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Cash Flow report for the month of October 2010.
Code Enforcement Report: Harry Mirra read his report for October.
1 Reinspection – apartment license
1 Citation- property maintenance issues – court continued the case until January 6, 2011
The property has been cleaned up somewhat, but is not in compliance. This is the final continuance- if the property is not in compliance, the homeowner will be fined.
1 Active Zoning Permit
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Scott Shields read the Police Report for October. There were: 9 Police Calls, 7 Complaints. October 11- items stolen from unlocked car Mayor Shields stated that he and Diane McGaughey are working on the 2011 budget.
Correspondence:
PEMA/FEMA- $774.47 was received for reimbursement of expenses from the February 2010 snowstorm.
4th of July: There was no Halloween parade. The Committee is not in good financial shape, and they need help.
Communication: Jean Lenke sent an email request for more information for the Borough newsletter.
Ordinance: Brian Costello stated the three Council members will get together to discuss ordinance revisions.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Building: Nothing to report.
Sewer: Jack Borsch reported that the video inspection of the sewer system failed because the camera couldn’t get through the lines. The lines have to be flushed before they can be video taped. The extra work will be $5,557.00, bringing the total to $13,395.00. Solicitor Smith stated that any work over $10,000.00 has to be bid; in order to continue, we must stop the job and advertise it. It is better to flush and camera the lines at the same time, because the weeds could grow back after the flushing and before the video taping of the lines. There are bricks in the line coming from buildup of the manhole. Homeowners who have trees over the Borough’s sewer lines must cut down the trees if they are causing a problem in the Borough’s lines.
MOTION by Jack Borsch, Second by Kurt Morrison, to flush and camera one half of Rutledge
Borough’s sewer lines, and authorize Jack Borsch to get three telephone bids to do a high-powered jet flush and camera on one half of the sewer system, to see if that solves the problem, and do the other half next year. MOTION approved unanimously.
Shade Tree Commission: Jack Borsch reported that three okami cherry trees were planted on in front of the Borough Building on Unity Terrace. They are replacement trees for those that died that were planted on Sylvan Ave. A dogwood tree was planted in memory of Edward McGaughey, and it will be dedicated at the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on December 6, 2010. There will be a spring planting.
Highway: David Waltz reported that most of the new stop signs are up, and 3 or 4 more need to be
ordered. Mr. Waltz is working with Ridley Twp. on the problem on Linden Ave. and Melrose Terrace. The sign will be moved to Ridley Twp. side of the street, and Rutledge Borough will maintain it.
Recreation : Kurt Morrison stated that two maple trees at the Triangle Park need to be removed, and the branches of one oak tree need to be trimmed because they are growing into the wires. Mr. Morrison got a proposal for $1,400.00 from Plank’s Tree Service. MOTION by Kurt Morrison, Second by Jack Borsch, to authorize Plank’s Tree Service to remove two maple trees and trim the oak tree branches at the Triangle Park at a cost not to exceed $1,400.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp reported that there were: 20 alarms, with time in service of 8 hours, 3 minutes, and 4 drills with time in service of 10 hours, 0 minutes in October 2010.
Manpower response – Full Compliment-14, Undermanned – 2, Scratched -3,Highest Manpower
Response – 11, Lowest Manpower Response – 1, Late Response – 1.
Safety tips- The leaves are starting to fall, please use caution driving on wet leaves. It is dark in the morning, please drive with caution while our children are walking to catch the school bus in the early morning.
Mr. Kopp reported that the bill for batteries for the Borough’s fire truck is $713.91. On October 9, the Fire Co. attended the County Fire Association Parade. Jack Breslin will meet with a fire company that is interested in purchasing the Borough’s fire truck, this week. There was a near miss of a firefighter in Seattle. There are cars that are running on compressed natural gas, and the car blew up. These types of vehicles must be approached with caution.
Finance: Diane McGaughey stated that she is working on the 2011 budget.
Solicitor’s Report – Council needs a timeline of things that need to be done for the 2011 budget. The budget must be on file with the Secretary for public review, and advertised in a local publication. The preliminary 2011 budget will be adopted at the 11/22/10 Work Session, and the final budget at the 12/27/10 Work Session.
Old Business – David Waltz stated that the heroin presentation was held at the Community Center, and the presenters want to come in the spring to do the second part.
New Business: Diane McGaughey stated that she contacted the Marines to get a collection box for toys for their Toys for Tots campaign. The box will be placed in the Borough Office, and there is a shortage of toys for girls, ages infant to 8 years old.
Public Comment: None
Bills for November 1, 2010: MOTION by Kurt Morrison, Second by Jack Borsh, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $12,460.74. MOTON approved unanimously. MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Kurt Morrison, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $1,040.21. MOTION approved unanimously. MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Jack Borsch, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Grant Fund in the amount of $1,980.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary