David Waltz, Council President, opened the scheduled Work Session Meeting at 7:39 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, Marlaina Kloepfer, Marie Govannicci, Daniel Werner, Diane McGaughey, James Jones, Tom Kopp
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Robert S. Hunt, Jr., Esq.
Public Comment: None
Building Permits: Dan Werner reported that a deck permit and garage permit were submitted tonight.
Finance: Daniel Werner asked Council for their 2016 Budget requests. Mr. Werner and David Waltz will discuss the 2016 Budget on Wednesday, October 28.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp stated that he gave the Morton-Rutledge Fire Co.’s 2016 budget to Mr. Werner. Rutledge Borough has no Fire Marshall as of August 2015.
4th of July Committee: Marie Govannicci stated that the Tree Lighting Ceremony will be on Monday, December 7, 2015, at 7:00 PM. The Mayor will make arrangements for the Silvertones to sing, and there will be a Santa’s mailbox.
Tree Commission: Marie Govannicci reported that the Commission is getting more organized. They would like to change the meeting day from Wednesday to Thursday in 2016. The Commission will replace the tree that died in front of the Community Center and pay for it, if funds allow. This area is now Zone 2, and the odds that newly planted evergreens will survive are not good. The Commission removed a tree from Chambers Memorial Church’s property to the Triangle Park.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Sewers : Jim Jones reported that Catania Engineering is still working on installation of the temporary flow meters. General Pipe Services submitted a preventive maintenance contract for $10,000.00 per year, which includes camera and jet washing of the Borough’s sewer mains. Mr. Jones will check to see if it covers cutting roots. The Federal Court ruled that DELCORA must pay to redo Chester City’s sanitary sewer lines. There have been many overflows and DELCORA was fined $1.3 million for them. There are no details yet about how this will affect the budget.
There was one PA One Call.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that the Committee is setting up emails for the Borough representatives, and they can be linked to personal emails.
Planning Commission: There was no meeting. The Committee will try to do a better job of reporting to Council.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Cunningham stated that he will make arrangements with the Silvertones to sing at the Tree Lighting Ceremony. The streetlights are repaired. The Mayor will hand out candy on Halloween at the Community Center from 5:30-8:00 PM. Discussed parking tickets and issuing citations. The Secretary at the Swarthmore Police Dept. will do them for $25.00 per hour. She can complete 6-7 in one hour. The Mayor will give unpaid tickets to the Secretary to send out letters.
Streets : Nothing to report.
Old: David waltz stated that he received five applications for the highwayman position. Council reviewed them, and candidates will come in on November 2 for interviews. Bob Hunt has been doing the work free of charge.
The elevator is running.
The Solicitor prepared an ordinance to adopt the 2015 Property Maintenance Code.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2015. The voting machines will be delivered on Friday.
New: Mr. Waltz and Mr. Jones will look at getting two filing cabinets for the Borough Office.
An application has been submitted for a Zoning Hearing for an addition at 132 President Ave.
Marie Govannicci reported that the Welcoming Committee delivered five baskets to new residents.
Marie Govannicci reported that she would like to change the name of the 4th of July Committee to the Rutledge Borough Activities Committee in an effort to attract more volunteers. MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by Jim Jones, to change the name of the 4th of July Committee to the Rutledge Borough Activities Committee. MOTION approved unanimously.
David Waltz donated a fax machine to the Borough.
Marie Govannicci state that she and Marlaina Kloepfer met regarding renovations to the first floor meeting room. They would like to drywall the room and paint it, and install picture frame molding at a cost of $5,971.00. They would like to have the gas fireplace painted at a cost of $170.94.
They would like to add recessed lighting on the sides and two dimmer switches at a cost of $920.00.
MOTION by Marie to accept the bids to drywall the room and paint it, and install picture frame molding at a cost of $5,971.00, to have the gas fireplace painted at a cost of $170.94, and to add recessed lighting on the sides and two dimmer switches at a cost of $920.00.
Diane McGaughey asked how much they plan to realize financially in additional revenue by doing the renovations. She is concerned about the spending because the Borough needs money to do sewer work. Dan Werner stated that the property has to be maintained. MOTION approved with a majority of YES votes. Ms. Kloepfer abstained.
Solicitor’s Report : Solicitor Robert Hunt reported that the Zoning Hearing Board denied the Fire Co.’s appeal.
Solicitor Hunt reported that he has a final version of the proposed Flood Plain Ordinance required by FEMA so that residents in a flood plain area can get flood insurance. Mr. Waltz has to send a letter stating the no building permits were issued in that area since 2009.
The Code Enforcement Officer needs to be appointed as the Borough’s Flood Plain Administrator.
Mr. Waltz needs to be appointed as the alternate.
Reorganization of Council is on January 4, 2016.
Solicitor Hunt stated that he will resign at the end of the year.
MOTION by Dan Werner, Second by Marie Govannicci, to go into Executive Session at 9:06 PM to discuss the Fire Co.’s Zoning Hearing. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Dan Werner, Second by Jim Jones, to go out of Executive Session at 9:20PM. MOTION approved unanimously.
Meeting adjourned 9:21 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary