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, Daniel Werner, Tom Kopp, Marlaina Kloepfer and David Waltz.
Not Present: Marie Govannicci, Brian Costello
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Police Chief Brian Craig, Robert Hunt., Jr., Esq.
Minutes:Â MOTION by Tom Kopp, Second by David Waltz, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of September 9, 2013. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: Alfred and Rosemarie Paylor, 111 Linden Ave., stated that they had spoken with the Code Official regarding upgrades to their property because of flooding in their rear yard. They had dropped off paperwork in the Borough’s mail slot in July. The Secretary stated that the paperwork was not received. The Paylors gave paperwork to Harry Mirra for review.
Allan Hunnold, 208 Linden Ave., reported that there are property maintenance issues at 210 Linden Ave, and would like advice from Council on how to handle things. The yard is not kept up and there are rodents. Mr. Hunnold caught two rats, and raccoons have been seen. The condition is affecting him and his family of young children. Harry Mirra will investigate.
Robert Hunt, 209 Linden Ave., asked where the street sign for Linden Ave. & Waverly Terrace is. At the last Council Meeting, David Waltz stated that the sign would be installed by the end of the week. As a taxpayer, Mr. Hunt has watched as new stop signs, “Watch Childrenâ€, “No Parkingâ€, road repairs, curbing go up, but no street sign. Diane McGaughey stated that David Waltz will contact the sign company. Mr. Hunt stated that the June 2013 Council Meeting Minutes have not been posted on the Borough website.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of September, 2013.
Correspondence:
1)Â Â Â Â Â PennDOT- 2014 Liquid Fuels Allocation is $15,709.78 based on a population of 784
2)Â Â Â Â Â CDCA- Will loan 3 portable flow meters to Rutledge Borough. Installation and maintenance to be paid by the Borough.
3)Â Â Â Â Â PA State Association of Borough- 2014 Budget Bulletin
Tax Collector’s Report: Thomas Heron reported that, as of September, collections total $399,430.91. There is $29,050.68 uncollected: 17 RE Tax, 8 Sewer Tax $4,788.40, and 29 Per Capita Tax $159.50. Estimated collection as of 12/31/13 is $433,429.49.
Code Enforcement Report: Harry Mirra read his report for September 2013:
2 Rental Inspections: 424 Unity Terrace, 13
14 Notices were left at properties for property maintenance issues.
4 Zoning Permits
David Waltz stated that the floodlight in the back of the new Barber Shop needs a shield or be redirected because it is shining in people’s homes.
Harry Mirra reported that, in the International Property Maintenance Code, Section 104, the Code Official has the right of entry on residents’ property.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Kevin Cunningham read the Police report for September. There were:
28 Parking Tickets 1 Citations 3 Warnings
Mayor Cunningham reported that there have been home breakins. The Mayor received an email from a resident on President Ave., that 24 hours earlier, at 11:00 AM someone came out of his backyard. Police Chief Brian Craig stated that there have been house breakins during the day in Rutledge, and encouraged residents to call 911 immediately. Chief Craig reported that this has been going on in five counties. The houses are broken into during the day, and the thieves go to the master bedroom looking for cash and jewelry.
The Borough website needs to be updated with the new parking ordinance.
Mayor Cunningham is invited to the AmVets installation of new officers on October 13, 2013.
It is Red Ribbon Time – October 23-31, 2013, to promote awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The Mayor issued a proclamation in support of Red Ribbon Week, and distributed red ribbons.
Diane McGaughey reported that two bicycles were dropped off at the Borough Office. They were registered, so they were returned to the owner. Ms. McGaughey thanked the Police. Ms. McGaughey asked the Mayor to schedule a bicycle registration event.
Mayor Cunningham went to the installation of new officers at the AmVets post in Morton on October 13, 2013.
Public Safety:Â Tom Kopp reported that the Fire Co. has been busy. He reminded residents that it is getting darker earlier. Residents should be careful of wet leaves while driving, and to stop for school buses. The Fire Co. is getting ready to visit schools in Ridley and Springfield. The Fire Co. is selling breast cancer awareness T-shirts for $20.00, and all proceeds will be donated. The Fire Co. was invited to the AmVets in Morton for the installation of new officers.
Mr. Kopp reported that he will have the Fire Co. 2014 Budget by the Work Session.
The Fire Co. has had 200 runs this year.
4th of July: Nothing to report.
Rutledge Girls’ Club– Nothing to report.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that there will be a Planning Committee Meeting on Monday, October 14, 2013, at 7:30 PM. There will be a Communications Committee Meeting on Thursday, November 14, 2013. Ms. Kloepfer is working on the CodeRed notification system. A list of landline phone numbers is the Borough can be purchased for $125.00
Ordinance: Nothing to report.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Building: The contractor needs to get a final inspection at 17 President Ave.
Recreation: Nothing to report.
Sewer: Daniel Werner reported that Catania Engineering requested price quotes for sewer main repairs.
Shade Tree Commission: Nothing to report.
Finance: Diane McGaughey reported that one meeting was held to discuss the 2014 Budget. The goal is to have the 2014 Budget approved at the December 9, 2013 Council Meeting.
Property/Borough Building: Diane McGaughey reported that the tree in front of the Borough building on Unity Terrace has died and needs to be removed. Ms. McGaughey received a price of $680.00 to remove the tree.
Streets: David Waltz reported that he is getting prices for a palette of salt. There are some faded signs in the Borough that need to be replaced.
Discussed the distance that a car may park from a stop sign.
Solicitor’s Report: Solicitor Robert Hunt reported that he is waiting to hear from Tim Durham of Chili’s Inspection Services regarding the garage at 7 Rutledge Ave.
The trailer that had been parked on Unity Terrace has been removed.
Mr. Hunt stated that he is looking at the Borough’s ordinances regarding beer and wine served at the Hair Shoppe on Morton Ave.
Mr. Hunt is researching information on rodent harborage in the Borough Code. Dan Werner reported that rats were running across his property during the day a few years ago, and does not want it to happen again.
Old Business: Nothing to report.
New Business: MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by David Waltz, to authorize the payment of $125.00 to purchase a phone list of the Rutledge Borough residents for use by the CodeRed emergency notification system. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: Karl Eilinsfeld, 223 Linden Ave., state that Harry Mirra does not read the house addresses of code violations when he reads his monthly report. Mr. Eilinsfeld would like Mr. Mirra to read every violation and coordinating address.
Bills for October 7, 2013:Â
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Tom Kopp, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $35,310.50. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Marlaina Kloepfer, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $1,019.29. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Tom Kopp, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund in the amount of $43,238.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Tom Kopp, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the PIB Loan Road Repair Fund in the amount of $109,815.57. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary