Diane McGaughey, Council President, opened the scheduled Work Session 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: Diane McGaughey, Marie Govannicci, Brian Costello, Marlaina Kloepfer, David Waltz
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham
Not Present: Tom Kopp, Daniel Werner
Building: Brian Costello requested that Harry Mirra look at 17 President Ave.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that the PA Association of Boroughs cancelled the Municipal Training seminar she was supposed to attend. The Global Connect Program is an online demonstration and was emailed to Council. The Communications Committee met on March 14. They discussed using Constant Contact as an email template to set and schedule emails to go out. They looked at budgetary needs for 2014.
Ms. Kloepfer stated that she has had questions from residents regarding door to door solicitation, and has had complaints about an electricity company that is very aggressive, and asks resident for their energy bills. Solicitor Smith stated that solicitation is allowed due to Constitutional rights. The homeowners can put up “No Solicitation†signs on their properties.
Finance: Brian Costello reported that the landscaping trailer is still parked on Unity Terrace. The Swarthmore Police Chief stated that the Rutledge Mayor is not his direct boss, and Rutledge would have to go through Swarthmore’s Mayor. The Police Chief said that Rutledge’s current ordinance does not address the landscaping truck not being allowed to park where it is.
Solicitor Smith stated that Rutledge has no current police contract. Mr. Smith and Mayor Cunningham need to meet with Swarthmore. The Rutledge Mayor gave the Police Chief a direct order, which should have been addressed.
Ordinance: Brian Costello submitted a three-page ordinance revision for the Solicitor’s review.
Property/Borough Building: Diane McGaughey reported that work needs to be done on the outside and the inside of the Borough building.
Public Safety: Nothing to report.
Recreation: Marie Govannicci reported that she is waiting for more price quotes to increase the height of the fence at Triangle Park. $865.00 was received from the car owner for the damage.
MOTION by Marie Gavannicci, Second by Brian Costello, to authorize the Council President to sign the release from further obligation for Steven Sinex, in exchange for $865.00 payment for damage to the fence at the Triangle Park. MOTION approved unanimously.
Rutledge Girls’ Club: Nothing to report.
4th of July Committee: Marie Govannicci reported the next meeting is on April 8. The Easter Egg Hunt cost $125.00, and 100 children participated. Quizzo night raised $535.00.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Sewer:  Diane McGaughey attended DELCORA’s Act 537 Plan revision meeting, and will speak to the Chairman of CDCA about it.
Tree Commission: The Commission will get rid of the bushes at the Triangle Park near the sign and plant perennials. The Girl Scouts have volunteered to help. The next meeting is on May 8, 7:00 PM.
Highway: David Waltz reported that he is waiting for a letter from the State regarding the loan for road repairs. The Secretary will notify affected homeowners that the streets will be repaired. There is no commitment in the future to install curbs, if they are installed now, when the road are repaired.
MMEAC: Marie Govannicci reported that the EAC would like Rutledge Borough to send a letter of commitment to apply for a PECO Open Spaces Grant, $2,000.00 cost to be matched. The funds will be budgeted in 2014, and may be used at Melrose Terrace and Linden Ave. to plant a rain garden. The exact project does not have to be decided tonight.
MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by David Waltz, to send a letter of commitment to the EAC to apply for a PECO Growing Greener Grant for open space preservation, in the amount of $2,000.00, project details to be decided at a later date. MOTION approved unanimously.
Mayor: Kevin Cunningham reported that he will attend a meeting in Morton Borough regarding recycling of electronic waste.
Solicitor: Solicitor Smith reported that there was a court hearing on March 21 regarding the property maintenance issues at 7 Rutledge Ave. Photos were submitted of the property from 2011 to the present. The judge found the homeowner guilty and fined her $500.00. The homeowner has 30 days to appeal the decision with the common pleas court in Delaware County
Old Business: Nothing to report.
New: Diane McGaughey distributed the minutes from the March 19 COG Meeting that she attended.
Gennifer Guiliano reported that the Borough’s insurance agent reviewed the Borough’s policies. There will be a 13% increase in Public Officials’ Liability for errors and omission, and a 50% to 80% increase in Worker Comp Insurance in 2014.
Public Comment: Karl Eilinsfeld stated that the fence issue at the Triangle Park should have been handled differently.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:46 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary