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: Jack Borsch, Tom Kopp, M.Diane McGaughey, Brian Costello, Marlaina Kloepfer, Kurt Morrison, and David Waltz.
Also present: Mayor Gregory C. Lebold, G. Guy Smith, Esq., Police Chief Brian Craig
Minutes: MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Kurt Morrison, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of October 3, 2011. MOTION approved unanimously. MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Jack Borsch, to approve the minutes from the October 24, 2011 Work Session. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: William Thomas, 136 President Ave., stated that there are property maintenance issues at the property on the corner of Morton and Linden Aves. The siding is falling off of the building. The Borough Code Official will look into it.
Betsy Todaro, 128 Linden Ave., and Kathy Healy, 120 Linden Ave., stated that, on Saturday, November 5, 2011, the Fire Co. and PECO Energy responded to a gas leak at the end of their neighbor’s driveway at 124 Linden Ave. They stated that there is an ongoing gas smell, and no one lives there. Someone comes by once a month, and the property is not taken care of. Ms. Todaro stated trees from that property are falling onto her property. Solicitor Smith stated that the trees are a private property issue between neighbors. Ms. Todaro can remove any limbs and branches that are hanging on her property. Ms. Healy asked if the homeowner can leave the house vacant. Solicitor Smith stated that there is no law against it, and asked Ms. Healy to report any property maintenance issues she is aware of.
Jack Breslin, 136 Linden Ave., stated that the Morton-Rutledge Fire Co. received a call regarding a gas leak at 124 Linden Ave. The Fire Co. could not find anything, and PECO was called. PECO came, tested, and left. The Fire. Co. could not find a source, and the meters did not pick up a leak in the street.
Kevin Cunningham, 20 Rutledge Ave., Girls Club President, stated that the fall softball games are finished, and the tarp was taken down. Karl Eilinsfeld has cut the grass. The infield needs to be fixed up for the next season. Kurt Morrison stated that there is a distributor in New Jersey that supplies the best dirt.
Tax Collector’s Report: Thomas Heron reported that $328,103.86 was collected in 2011, and presented a check for $2,547.43. Uncollected 2011 taxes are $31,965.03, which is a 9 ½ % increase over 2010.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of October, 2011.
Code Enforcement Report: Harry Mirra read his report for October 2011:
1 U&O Inspection – failed
11 Correction notices
6 Zoning permits – 2 completed, 4 active
Some trees have come down in the Borough, and Mr. Mirra is working with the homeowners to have the limbs removed.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Greg Lebold read the Police Report for October. There were: 7 Parking Tickets, 8 Motor Vehicle Citations, 1 Accident, 10 Calls, 5 Complaints, 1 Assist Other Police, 1 Missing Persons Reported, and 1 Missing Persons Cancelled.
Mayor Lebold thanked the police for their diligence.
Mayor Lebold has received complaints of young people playing basketball at the Triangle Park and using foul language. A homeowner confronted them, and the kids got mouthy with him. Mayor Lebold asked the police to monitor that area. An alternative is to remove the hoops. Kevin Cunningham stated that he got a little nervous during softball practices because of the groups hanging around the basketball court. They are not Rutledge kids, and are coming from all over. Kurt Morrison stated the he would hate to see everyone get punished for a few kids who are not complying with the rules, but the hoops could be removed permanently if this becomes a public safety issue.
Mayor Lebold presented the Secretary with a service award.
Correspondence:
1) Delaware County Planning Dept. – Meeting about floodplain ordinances and the Community Rating System Program- Friday, November 18, 9:00 AM, Springfield Twp. Building. G. Guy Smith will attend.
2) Comcast- November 9, 2011, 2:00 PM- country’s first nationwide Emergency Alert System Test to last 3 minutes.
3) PA State Association of Boroughs- Governor signed S.B. 285 into law. Effective January 1, 2012, the bidding threshold has been raised to $18,500.00 from $10,000.00. Three written or telephone quotes are required for projects under $18,500.00.
4) Delaware County Council – 2011 Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive until November 18- collecting non-perishable food items to be distributed to local food centers.
4th of July: Nothing to report.
Rutledge Girls’ Club- Nothing to report.
Communication: Marlain Kloepfer sent an email to Council with a link to the Borough Facebook page. She is doing research on guidelines for the page.
Ordinance: Nothing to report.
Trash: Bids for trash removal were opened on October 17, 2011.
Building: Brian Costello reported that there is one fence application that will be discussed at the Work Session.
Highway: David Waltz reported that two crosswalk signs are backordered. The Borough truck is going in for repair, and the snow plow needs to be fixed.
Sewer: Jack Borsch reported that there was a sinkhole at the corner of Rutledge Ave. and Swarthmore Ave. that required a sewer repair. Parts of a Folsom resident’s lateral were rotted and had to be replaced.
Shade Tree Commission: Jack Borsch reported that no new tree plantings are scheduled. Some bushes will be planted at the ballfield in back of the sign. The 4th of July Committee does not want a replacement tree in front of the Community Center.
Recreation: Kurt Morrison thanked Kevin Cunningham and the Rutledge Girls’ Club for their hard work.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp reported that he will have the October report at the next meeting. The nationwide alert on 11/09/11 at 2:00 PM is a test so that the President can use the system to address the public in the event of an emergency.
Mr. Kopp advised residents to be careful of wet leaves while driving. It is getting dark earlier, so drive with caution. Mr. Kopp advised residents to have their heaters and chimneys serviced for winter use. There is no open burning allowed in the Borough. Mr. Kopp reported that the gas smell at 124 Linden Ave. is in PECO’s hands. The Fire co. secured that area and waited for a representative from PECO to arrive.
Three advertisements are running for the sale of the fire truck. The truck needs to be inspected.
Finance: Brian Costello reported that a preliminary 2012 Budget is in Council members’ folders.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Kurt Morrison, to approve advertisement of the preliminary 2012 Budget, which will be made available for public inspection/review. The final budget is scheduled for approval by Borough Council on December 19, 2011. MOTION approved unanimously.
Solicitor’s Report: Solicitor Smith distributed a proposed bamboo ordinance.
Old Business: The property maintenance issues at 7 Rutledge Ave. have not changed, and a course of action will be discussed at the next Work Session.
New Business: Jack Borsch reported that 5 bids were received for the Trash Contract; 2 bidders gave the incorrect bid bond amount, so their bids were disqualified.
The low bidder was Suburban Waste Services, $217,000.00 for a 5-year contract, 2012-2016, Monday trash pickup, and Wednesday recycling pickup.
MOTION by Jack Borsch, Second by Brian Costello, to award the trash contract to Suburban Waste Services, Inc., for five years, beginning January 1, 2012, at a cost of $217,000.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
Diane McGaughey reported that the Multi-Municipal Energy Action Committee will have a meeting on November 19, 2011 at the Wister Center, Swarthmore College, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
Public Comment: Vanessa Lake, B&L Disposal Services, asked why her company’s bid did not win. Solicitor Smith stated that Council reviewed the bids and awarded the contract, and would speak to her after the meeting.
Karl Eilinsfeld, 223 Linden Ave., stated that the gas smell on the 200 block of Linden Ave. is an ongoing problem. Jack Borsch explained that the PUC categorizes leaks, and PECO goes by what the PUC recommends.
Bills for November 7, 2011:
MOTION by Jack Borsch, Second by Kurt Morrison, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $22,254.71. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Kurt Morrison, Second by Jack Borsch, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $2,460.65. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Jack Borsch, Second by Kurt Morrison, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund in the amount of $985.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:21 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary