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, Marlaina Kloepfer, Â David Waltz, Brian Costello, Daniel Werner, Tom Kopp
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Robert Hunt, Jr., Esq.
Building: Brian Costello reported that a permit for a retaining wall at Swarthmore Ave. and Unity Terrace was reviewed and approved by Catania Engineering Associates.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that the Planning Commission has a meeting on December 9, 2013, items to be discussed are: DELCORA, parking on streets, areas without curbing, clippings, fences, and solicitation in the Borough. Ms. Kloepfer is working on a calendar of events.
Finance: Brian Costello presented the 2014 Budget. The Gas Fund income and expenses will be $16,715.00. Sewer fees will increase 23.5%, a result of an increase in treatment costs. Daniel Werner stated that the amounts for repairs should be $5,000.00 not $3,000.00. David Waltz stated that nothing was budgeted for new streetlights. All of the Borough’s streetlights were replaced in 2005. Eleven were replaced with new LED lights because the Borough received a grant. Things are tight financially. The Borough has a reserve for streetlights, and $1,500.00 will be added to it in 2014.
The Tree Committee would like to have $1,000.00 to do more plantings at the Triangle Park. David Waltz noted you cannot see what is going on in the park because of the plantings that were placed along the fence. Council agreed that the Tree Committee donation should be $500.00.
Tom Kopp noted that the Fire Co. numbers are flip-flopped.
David Waltz stated that money needs to be put away for road repairs. Diane McGaughey suggested that Mr. Waltz come up with a road repair plan. $1,500.00 will be put into a Road Repair Reserve Fund in 2014.
The mortgage for the Borough building with the Fire Co. has increased by $2,400.00. The Borough will pay an additional $200.00 per month to the principal in an effort to pay it off early, since the interest rate is 6.25%
Marlain Kloepfer stated that website fees should be zero, and newsletter fees should be $1,000.00.
Tom Kopp asked about the elevator, since there were issues in the past.
The trash fee has gone down because the anticipated trash disposal fee total for 2013 is less than expected.
MOTION by Brian Costello, Second by Tom Kopp, to authorize the Secretary to advertise the 2014 Budget ordinance. MOTION approved unanimously.
Ordinance: Nothing to report.
Property/Borough Building: Diane McGaughey reported that the garage door needs to be replaced. She is getting prices.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp reported that the streetlight at Morton Ave. and Sylvan Ave. goes off and on.
Christmas trees will be sold at the Swarthmore Fire Co., and trees can be delivered locally. A tree will be donated for the tree lighting ceremony at the Community Center on December 2, 2013.
The Fire Co. is cutting the sliding board out for a drill.
The Fire Co. is having a fundraiser. An 8’x10’ shed will be placed in the parking lot of the AmVets for the collection of clothing, shoes, purses, stuffed toys. Flyers will be available in the Borough Office.
Jerry Connelly met with Diane McGaughey on November 21, 2013 to discuss the 2014 Fire Co. budget.
The Fire Co. will work with the PA Fire Recovery Service to get reimbursement for some of the Fire Co’s. services.
Recreation: Marie Govannicci reported that the slide was taken down, and she has ordered new equipment.
4th of July Committee: The Committee has distributed a list of holiday activities: tree lighting, caroling, luminaries, Santa’s ride through the Borough.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Sewer: Daniel Werner reported that a letter was received from Catania Engineering Associates stating that any sewer backups on private property have to be reported to DEP immediately. Some fines may be imposed.
Mr. Werner stated that there have been some incidents that occurred during the last two weeks. Mr. Werner made a graph of fifteen sections for the sewer mains. Three sections have caused backups, President Ave. and the 100 block of Swarthmore Ave. Mr. Werner contacted General Sewer Service to clear the blockage. Residents need to be informed that only water, waste, and toilet paper should go into the sanitary sewer system. No paper towels or baby wipes should be put into the sanitary sewer system.
Tree Commission: The Tree Committee planted trees along the fence on Swarthmore Ave. at the Triangle Park.
Highway: David Waltz stated that he is getting process for salt. A street sign is needed on Morton Ave. near President Ave.- “No Parking This Sideâ€. A cable line is down at Morton Ave. & Sylvan Ave.
Mayor: Mayor Cunningham reported that the streets will be closed from 6:45 PM to 7:45 PM during the tree lighting ceremony. He will meet with the Fire Co.
Solicitor’s Report: Solicitor Robert Hunt reported that the homeowners at 105 Sylvan Ave. have applied for a Zoning Hearing. Mr. James Jones would like to put a roof over his rear patio, but the building coverage exceeds 20%. Brian Costello reviewed the application, and the building coverage is 21.2%.
Mr. Jones will be a Council Member as of January 6, 2014. He has not submitted his resignation as a Zoning Hearing Board member. Mr. Jones must recuse himself from the proceedings if the hearing occurs before he is sworn in as Council. The alternate Zoning Hearing Board member will be a resident for one year in    January.
Old Business: Marie Govannicci reported that she received a call stating that the shed at 230 Linden Ave. was stolen. Ms. McGaughey stated that the owners sold the shed.
Tom Kopp reported that the sliding board at the Triangle Park was taken down by the Fire Co., and stacked inside the gate.
New Business: The Borough’s representative to CDCA term expires on January 1, 2014. A representative will need to be appointed at the January 6, 2014 Reorganization Meeting.
Brian Costello thanked everyone for the last four years, and stated that Rutledge is a great place to live.
The Secretary asked Council to provide dates for the various committee meetings.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:19 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary