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March 2013 Council Minutes

President Thomas E. Stinnett called the regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:30 p.m. March 13, 2013. Following the Pledge of Allegiance a roll call was taken.  PRESENT: Edward Bartosiewicz, Rich Pursell, Thomas Stinnett, Kathleen Weiss and Mayor Stokes.  Kathie Weiss motioned to approve the minutes of the February 13, 2013 Council Meeting and R. Pursell seconded.  Unanimous.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:  

            Letter date February 14, 2013 from Riegelsville Public Library President, Beth Banko requesting Borough Council to appoint Sallie Banko as a working member of the board.  Council proceeded with a lengthy discussion. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to appoint Sallie Banko to Library Board, R. Scott seconded. 

Motioned passed 4-1.           

 

REPORTS:

            President – Nothing to report

            Mayor – Mayor Stokes reported to Council that he called S. Masteller in reference to the procedure for new people moving into the Borough.  Mayor Stokes relayed the message to the new Borough residents to call the Borough office to give S. Masteller the information that is needed.

CITIZENS COMMENTS:  

            Borough Resident, Carly Egberts joined the Council meeting as part of her senior research project.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:         

Community Affairs:

Discussions:

Zoning:  K. Clayton, Borough Zoning Officer reported to Council that 1-renovation permit #1121 Easton Road, 1-Commercial renovation permit #711-715 Durham Road.  Waiting for a few roofing application to come back to the office for approval.

Fire Co. News: E. Bartosiewicz reported to Council that the Fire Co. has their first “Fish Fry” on 2/15.  Breakfast was 2/17, 355 served.

            Library News: Pat McEvoy, Library Board member reported to Council that the Library is trying the Movie nights again so far they had “Arsenic & Old Lace 1/31- unfortunately no one attended.  February 26, 2013 program “Heart Disease in Women” in conjunction with the Easton Hospital.  To look ahead to July 16, 2013 “Star watch Stargazing Event”. 2012 Federal and PA tax publications are now available in the Library. “Bridging Cultures” Muslim book/film Collection is being catalogued. This was purchased with a collection grant.

            January 2013 Statistics:

      Public Count: 709

      Circulation: 1,254

      E-book checkouts: 59 downloads,

      E-book users (new registrations): 3

      Items lent out (In-County): 405

      Items Borrowed (In-County): 211

      Public Computers/wifi use: 26

      Historic Room Visits: 23

      Tax Form requests: 16

      Total Cardholders: 1,052

      Collection size: 16,639 items (9,600 adult +Easy, 7,039Juvenile & Young Adult)

            Riegelsville Enhancement Committee News: “Super Bowl” Hoagie sale profit was $292.00.

      The next meeting is February 27, 2013 at 7pm at the Borough Hall meeting room.

            Riegelsville Emergency Management: The Team had a meeting on Saturday February 16, 2013 at Noon.  Borough office still did not receive an update on “Storm Sandy”.

            EMS News: E. Bartosiewicz stated the meeting was cancelled due to holiday. One ambulance is running from Midnight to 6am instead of two ambulances. They are encouraging the Fire Co. to assist EMS calls during those hours.

      Rec Board News: R. Scott reported to Council the next meeting is January 31, 2013, 7pm at the Borough Hall. Dink Lettering is giving a quote on redoing the Park sign.  SSM group is entering a contest to pick an organization to volunteer for a weekend and they have asked the Rec Board. During our last meeting we put together a list and Tom Speicher, Rec Board member is corresponding with SSM and will keep updating the rec board.  Next fundraiser is Basket Bingo on March 24, 2013. Basket Sponsors are being solicited.  T-Ball team has 10 players so far and we will have a Girls softball “B” team but not enough players for girls “A” team. 

 

Utilities:

Discussions: 

            K. Weiss reported that the Street light is still out near Frigid Freeze. S. Masteller will fax met-ed the paperwork.

S. Masteller is still waiting for a resolution from Met-Ed for changing the Street light wattage at 744 Edgewood Road.

The borough office received the 2013 Traffic Signal maintenance; S. Masteller will compare the list from last year.

County of Bucks Emergency Services has invited the Riegelsville Water Company to a meeting on April 15, 2013.

There is a water leak at 529 Easton Road, W. Dowd Excavating are scheduled to repair on Thursday February 21, 2013 at 8am. Dick Mead and W. Dowd think that the Borough received copper piping that was poor quality.

Senator Bob Mensch announced a meeting on March 21, 2013 at Quakertown Borough 6-7pm.

Bucks County Planning Commission annual report was emailed to the Borough. S. Masteller gave Council members the shorten versions of the large document.

 

Streets & Properties:

Discussions:

            Matt would like to purchase a truck charger (Self contained) for $149.00 instead of the cables for $80.00.  Council agreed that would be a better investment to purchase the self contained charger.

            Todd Myers, Borough Engineer discussed the 2013 Street Project. The ad will go in the paper 3/15-3/22 then the bid opening will be during the Streets meeting on April 3, 2013 at 7pm. Council will vote to  advertise during Council on March 13, 2013.  S. Masteller will contact R. Pursell about a few questions that T. Myers had.

            Resident at 123 Maplewood Road inquired with the office about the curb that is deteriorated in front of the house.  The Borough is in charge of the maintenance of the curbing if there is any.  Council suggested S. Masteller asks K & K Construction for a proposal.  S. Masteller will check with M. Brady to see if there are any other curbs that need repair to add to the proposal.

            Resident at 902 Fairmont Road would like to make part of his back yard a meadow with decorative grass, plants and flowers.   Council said that would be fine as long as he was not planting grass and not mowing it.  The resident also had questions about the site triangle and S. Masteller will gather the information and get it to him.

            S. Masteller will contact PennDot the week of March 18, 2013 to set up an appointment to discuss the parking issue when the temporary canal bridge is constructed.

 

Finance:

Discussions:

            Jewell Computing Solutions proposal was discussed and Mayor Stokes got Jeff on the phone so Council could ask specific questions.  Council continued to discuss and would like to get additional proposals from other companies. Discussion to have S. Masteller use back-up discs for her computer plus put copies in safe deposit box plus one set off site in case of a fire.

            Council Handbook needs to be updated so each committee chair is going to work on their committee’s information.

            S. Masteller will send Frank Preedy an email to ask if Dave Gerstenberg is still on the EM team.

            Council discussed the financials. They questioned why no back taxes where paid in January or February. Remark: T. Macaluso reported to S. Masteller that taxes are usually paid right before the sheriff sale, up to eighteen months. The water fund employee wages are at 21% and should be around 16%. Remarks: T. Macaluso reported to S. Masteller that since the meters are read quarterly so that will affect it and also M. Brady has been trying to find leaks and checking drains so that will increase the percentage.

            Council will discuss the new appointment to the library board during the Council meeting on March 13, 2013 at 7:30; S. Masteller will try to find more information for Council.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

            Any update on the Turkey buzzards/vultures in the Borough? Residents are calling the Borough Office.  T. Stinnett reported to Council that they are protected by the US Department of Agriculture. The DofA does offer to  aid in encouraging the Birds to relocate but they charge approximately $450 for this service.

            Council Hearing with Mr. Sweeney set for March 21, 2013 at 7pm.  Please let Sherry know if you are not able to make this hearing so we have a quorum.

            Approval to advertise the 2013 Street Bid project R. Pursell motioned to approve, E. Bartosiewicz seconded.  Unanimous.

            Approval of check to Bergeys Tire Service $1444.00(2000 Dump truck 6 tires, Utilities 4 tires). R. Scott motioned to approve, E. Bartosiewicz seconded.  Unanimous.

NEW BUSINESS:  

            Tax and Zoning Office copier/printer is not working correctly.

            Borough Resident Elaine Albrecht has Service Electric bundle and she lost her phone for about ten minutes on March 11, 12 2013.  S. Masteller suggested she call Service Electric to report the issue.  Council suggested that S. Masteller research the Borough contract with Service Electric and contact them.

APPROVAL OF BILLS:   R. Scott motioned to approve and K. Weiss seconded.   Unanimous

Meeting adjourned 8:51 PM.  Next Council meeting is April 10, 2013

Sherry Masteller  

Borough Secretary

 


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