David Waltz, 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: David Waltz, Tom Kopp, James Jones, M. Diane McGaughey, Marlaina Kloepfer, Daniel Werner
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Police Chief Brian Craig, Robert Hunt, Jr., Esq.
Not Present: Marie Govannicci
Public Comment: None
Minutes: MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Jim Jones, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of November 2, 2015. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Dan Werner, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve the minutes for the Work Session of November 23, 2015. MOTION approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of November 2015. MOTION by Dan Werner, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve the November Treasurer’s Report as submitted. MOTION approved unanimously. Ms. Guiliano noted that she has not had to transfer money from the reserve account to financially get through the year.
Correspondence:
- Delaware County Solid Waste Authority- The 25 year agreement for the Authority for trash disposal designated by the Delaware Solid Waste Authority expires, and Rutledge needs to pass an ordinance to extend the municipal agreement another 25 years.
- PennDOT- LTAP Training- Conducting Sign Retroreflectivity Inspections
Tax Collector’s Report: No report.
Code Enforcement: No report.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Kevin Cunningham read the Police Report for November 2015. There were 6 Parking Tickets, 0 traffic tickets and 2 traffic warnings.
Mayor Cunningham thanked the Rutledge Activities Committee and the Police for their participation in the Tree Lighting Ceremony, and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp read the Fire Co. report for November. Mr. Kopp apologized that no officer from the Fire Co. is in attendance, because the Company’s meeting is tonight.
There were 20 calls with time in service of 1 Hour, 16 Minutes; 13 Hours 14 Minutes Manpower
There were 2 Drills with time in service of 3 Hours, 30 Minutes; 25 Hours 0 Minutes Manpower
There were 2 Special Details attended by 11 members 43 Hours Manpower
The Fire Co. hosted the SPCA event at the Sylvan Ave. location.
The Fire Co. held its annual Black Friday Tag Fundraiser.
Christmas tree sales are going well- Hours are: Friday night 5-8 PM, Saturday 10AM-6PM, Sunday 12-5PM.
The Fund Drive is going well, and reminders have been sent out.
Santa Claus will ride through Rutledge on Christmas Eve, starting at 5:00 PM.
Finance: Dan Werner read the 2016 Budget:
Gas Fund        Income:  $26,034.00
Expenses: $26,034.00
Sewer Fund     Income:  $171,248.00
Expenses: $171,248.00
General Fund  Income:  $217,854.00
Expenses: $217,854.00
Mr. Werner stated that sewer expenses went down 22% from 2015. General Fund income went down because the country dance group that rented on Tuesday nights has left, and the Borough lost $9,100.00 in rental fees. Expenses went up because Solicitor Robert Hunt is leaving, and he provided legal service to the Borough at no cost. The Borough has to budget $7,000.00 for a new Solicitor for 2016. Mr. Werner stated that he hopes the Borough doesn’t spend that much on legal fees, but he must be realistic.
Mr. Werner stated that he appreciates everything that Mr. Hunt has done for the Borough the last two years.
Mr. Werner reported that the millage has increase 6%, from 5.71 to 6.05. Residents will realize a savings because the sewer fee has gone down. The Borough tried to keep a 0% increase for 2016, but was unable to do so.
Diane McGaughey asked Jim Jones if he could forecast sewer expenses for the future. Mr. Jones reported that DELCORA dropped the 2016 numbers for treatment costs and the Phila. Long Term Control Plan. We will have to look at things sewer related from month to month. CDCA is waiting for DELORA to respond to a letter sent regarding the Chester City Long Term Control Plan and its effect on CDCA’s budget. CDCA did some refunding of bonds that will save money, and will refinance more in 2016.
MOTION by Dan Werner, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve Ordinance 471, an ordinance levying taxes in the Borough of Rutledge for the Calendar and fiscal year 2016. MOTION approved unanimously with a role vote.
MOTION by Dan Werner, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve Resolution 2015-12-001, 2016 salary and benefits. MOTION approved unanimously with a role vote.
MOTION by Dan Werner, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve Resolution 2015-12-002, that appoints Council President, Vice President, and the Secretary/Treasurer as check signers, two signatures required. MOTION approved unanimously with a role vote.
MOTION by Dan Werner, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve Resolution 2015-12-003, a resolution that authorizes the Tax Collector to charge fees for supplemental services according to a set schedule. MOTION approved unanimously with a role vote.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve Resolution 2015-12-004, a resolution that authorizes the Borough Tax Collector to collect the annual sanitary sewer usage fee. MOTION approved unanimously, with a role vote.
Property/Building Maintenance: Nothing to report.
4th of July Committee: No report.
Recreation: No report.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer stated that the Committee will meet in January. Ms. Kloepfer will put the information regarding Santa and Christmas tree sales on the Borough website.
Planning Commission: Marlaina Kloepfer stated that there was supposed to be a meeting tonight, but there was a lack of quorum. The Committee will meet on December 28, 2105. The Committee is looking for two new members.
Ordinance: Nothing to report.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Building: Nothing to report.
Sewer: Discussed under Finance Committee.
Shade Tree Commission: No report.
Streets: David Waltz reported that he has a meeting in Norristown with the Engineer regarding the proposal to replace the streetlights in the Borough with LED lights. There will be more information to follow. The organization will look at the current electric bill, and the new bills with the LED lights. The difference in the bill is what the Borough will pay for the lights, until the lights are paid for.
Solicitor’s Report: Solicitor Robert Hunt reported that the Reorganization Meeting will be on January 4, 2016, and reviewed the meeting procedures. The Borough has until February 2016 to revise the budget because of the new Council members.
Old Business: None.
New Business:
Marlaina Kloepfer and Marie Govannicci will work on marketing the rental of the newly renovated first floor room. Ms. Kloepfer will post pictures of the room on the Borough website.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Dan Werner, to approve Ordinance 472, an ordinance that adopts the 2015 Property Maintenance Code. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Dan Werner, to advertise the 2016 Meeting Schedule. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Dan Werner, to approve the 2016 Holiday Schedule. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Jim Jones, Second by Diane McGaughey, to appoint Thomas Moleski as the Borough’s Fire Marshall for a two-year term. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: None
Bills for December 14, 2015:
MOTION by Dan Werner, Second by Jim Jones, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $35,251.72. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Dan Werner, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $2,383.97. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Dan Werner, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund in the amount of $39.626.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
Mayor Cunningham presented resident Bob Hunt with a card and gift certificate. Mr. Hunt volunteered to do the highwayman’s job, free of charge, until the position was filled.
Marlaina Kloepfer presented Solicitor Robert Hunt, Jr. with a card and gift certificate. Solicitor Hunt has resigned as of the end of the year. Ms. Kloepfer thanked him for his outstanding service to the Borough, and wished him well in his future endeavors.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:04 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary