Greg 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, Tom Kopp, Thomas Ash, Jack Borsch, Diane McGaughey and Kurt Morrison.
Not present: Mark King
Also present: Mayor Scott Shields, G. Guy Smith, Esq., Police Chief Brian Craig, Ed McGaughey, Manager
MOTION by Jack Borsch, Second by Thomas Ash, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of September 10, 2007, and Work Session of September 24, 2007. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: Will Stanton, 214 E. Sylvan Ave., questioned the provision of the zoning code regarding cell towers that Judge Cronin threw out- how did it get in there, did the lawyers miss it, how has it stayed in there since 1998. Don Petrosa was the Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor at the time- why didn’t he correct it ? Greg Lebold stated that it was drafted with the assistance and approval of the Delaware County Planning Department, and Mr. Petrosa was not the Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor at the time. Mr. Stanton asked if Mr. Petrosa had reviewed the ordinance at that time because a lay person can tell that it excludes the erection of a cell tower. Mr. Lebold reiterated that the ordinance was drafted with the assistance of the Delaware County Planning Commission, and reviewed and approved by the Commission.
Tax Collector’s Report: Leonard Michael reported that $795.84 was collected in September 2007.
Treasurer’s Report – Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Cash Flow report for the month of September, 2007.
Code Enforcement/Building Inspector Reports – Harry Mirra read his report for the month of September, 2007:
2 House Sale Inspections
2 Citations issued – abandoned cars – removed
1 Citation for weeds and overgrowth
12 Active building permits
Mayor’s Report – Scott Shields read the police report for September, 2007. 7 motor vehicle citations, 5 parking tickets, 16 calls, 7 complaints, and 3 assist to ambulance.
Several locked vehicles were broken into.
Mayor Shields stated that work had begun at the Triangle Park, and there have been reports of children playing on the construction equipment, and asked parents to keep their children away from the equipment.
Mayor Shields reported that there was a meeting regarding the Tri-Boro consolidation of the Fire Company. When the Tri-Boro Consolidation goes through, all assets will leave the Borough, and part of those assets belong to the taxpayers of Rutledge. The Fire Co. had requested $100,000 from Rutledge Borough for the purchase of a fire truck. If that happens, Rutledge Borough residents would be stuck paying for a fire truck that will benefit two other Boroughs. All three should share in the responsibility for the funds. The Fire Co. is more solvent than the Borough. At the meeting, it was stated that the Tri-Boro consolidation will be more expensive at the beginning, and then cheaper over time, but costs never go down.
Police Chief Brian Craig stated that one of the 7 citations was for a vehicle passing a school bus.
Kurt Morrison stated that the construction work at the Triangle Park will last for three weeks.
Trina Coppick, 4th of July Committee President, stated that the Halloween Parade will be on Saturday, September 27 at 11:00 AM, and the Strath Haven Band will march in it, and asked residents to keep safety in mind.
Committee Reports:
Ordinance/ Trash – Diane McGaughey stated that 6-9 months ago Council had discussed a beautification ordinance, and the Solicitor will review one. Several residents have approached Mrs. McGaughey to volunteer for the project. Ms. McGaughey thanked residents for keeping up their properties.
Building – Nothing to report
Sewer– Jack Borsch reported that the Borough’s entire sewer system has been cleaned and some work will be done to correct several locations. Sewer rates will go up approximately $8,000-10,000 in January 2008 because the billing is moving from an EDU basis to a metered flow basis, but actual figures haven’t been received yet. Greg Lebold stated that the cost for sewer treatment is high, and illegal hookups of sump pumps and roof drains cause an increase in the amount of flow that is treated. Residents are strongly urged to have any sump pumps that are going into the sanitary sewer system be corrected to have the waster go into the storm water sewers in the streets. Code enforcement checks for this when houses are sold. Illegal hookups increase sewer rates for all residents. DEP will impose fines for inflow and infiltration high water incidents during storms, and those fines will be passed on to the residents.
Recreation – Kurt Morrison reported that contract documents were received for funding of Phase 2 of the Triangle Park Stormwater Project from PEC for a rain garden.
Public Safety – Tom Kopp read the Rutledge Fire Company’s September 2007 Report. There were: 2 fire calls with time in service of 1 hour and 53 minutes, and 3 drills with time in service of 7 hours. There were no local alarms.
Mr. Kopp reminded residents that there is a Tri-Boro Task Fore Meeting on 10/04/07, 7:00 PM, DCIU.
Mr. Kopp thanked the residents who attended the meeting last week, which was taped , so that residents can watch it on Comcast cable.
The horseshoe tournament was a success, and all 32 slots were filled.
The Fire Co. requested that the Borough flag be at half-mast for the Sharon Hill firefighter who was killed in the line of duty.
Finance – Diane McGaughey reported that the 2008 Budget is being worked on. We are looking at sewer and street repairs for next year. The trash contract has gone out for bids, and there might be an increase. There is an increase for police protection. Greg Lebold stated that the Borough has applied for a grant to get some of the streets repaired, but haven’t heard back.
Highway – Todd Ash reported that Chambers Memorial Church is supposed to have a chain going across the exit on President Ave. Cars are racing in and out at all hours of the night.
Mr. Ash reported that the creek needs to be cleaned of the debris and tires that are in it. Greg Lebold stated that we could ask for residents to volunteer or have community service workers from the County.
Mr. Ash reminded residents that leaves should be bagged and put curbside, and not blown into the street.
Mr. Morrison stated that a concern with the storm water project at the park is that the system will get clogged with debris from street sewers, and it is important to keep the areas clear of leaves and debris.
Solicitor – G. Guy Smith stated that Council will not take action on the health officer position tonight, and hopes to have it filled by January. Mr. Smith reviewed some of the qualifications. Any applications for the position should be submitted by the November Meeting.
Old Business : None
New Business: Jack Borsch stated that $5,357.75 was refunded by CDCA for 2006 sewer fees. MOTION by Jack Borsch to transfer the funds to the Sewer Reserve Account. Guy Smith stated that the he will look into whether the Borough can do this. Jack Borsch rescinded his motion. Scott Shields stated that, in the past, the Borough has deducted refunds from the next year’s sewer charges. Discussion tabled until next meeting.
Public Comment:
Herb Jackson, Rutledge Fire Co. wanted to address what the Mayor had said. The majority of the money that the Fire Co. has is payments from the sale of the building to the Borough, and is invested for the future, when those payments will stop.
Paul Mecouch, 34 Linden Ave., stated that the twice weekly trash collection has ended and will resume in May. Mr. Mecouch stated that the Rutledge sign on Morton Ave. is painted over in blue. Diane McGaughey stated that she is handling it. The base coat of paint must remain on for at least 2 weeks before gold can be painted over the letters.
Trina Coppick, 17 Sylvan Ave. reported that the noise level has been very high during the upstairs hall rentals. The doors are not kept closed, and she had trash in her yard from the partygoers. They blow their horns and block her driveway, and park on her grass and leave ruts.
Diane McGaughey stated that she is meeting with the building custodians, and Ms. Coppick’s concerns will be addressed. Kurt Morrison inquired as to the policy. Ms. McGaughey responded that the doors and windows are to be kept closed, and the Borough is looking into having 2 subcontractors instead of one to control the flow of people. Rutledge Hall has become very popular and the renters are expected to act appropriately.
Jean Kenke, 5 Sylvan, suggested that the amount of deposit be raised. Mr. Lebold stated that the Borough would take it under advisement.
Jean Lenke, 5 Sylvan Ave., asked if there had been further discussion on the list server policy and was it disseminated to the community. Mr. Lebold stated that there has not yet , but the issue is not forgotten, and encouraged Ms. Lenke to provide some input.
Ed McGaughey reported that the sign at Triangle Park is broken.
Bills for October 1, 2007:
MOTION by Thomas Ash, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $4,625.82. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Thomas Ash, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $796.12. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Thomas Ash, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund in the amount of $15,621.20. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was suspended at 8:25 PM, until October 15, 2007, a meeting of Council as a Whole Committee Meeting.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Borough Secretary