President Thomas E. Stinnett called the regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call was taken. PRESENT: Thomas Stinnett, Ann Moyer, Ed Bartosiewicz, Audrey Kenny, Rodney Scott and Mayor Stokes. A. Kenny motioned to approve the minutes from November 8, 2017. R. Scott seconded. Unanimous.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Letter received from Lance Lawn Care appreciating the Borough’s business this past year.
Email dated December 12, 2017 Audrey Kenny has officially been appointed to a new job with PEMA and will need to resign her seat on Borough Council effective 12/31/2017. R. Scott motioned to accept Audrey Kenny’s resignation with regrets and A. Moyer seconded. Unanimous.
REPORTS:
President – T. Stinnett reported that the new format for the “Rville Happenings” looks great. The font will be made larger in the next issue. Tom thanked Amber Campbell for assisting with the new format.
Mayor – Mayor Stokes reported to Council that there has been a lot of dumping at the Borough Park by the Parking lot/Canal. Rodney will get a heavier chain and put on the fence & more NO DUMPING signs.
Is there an update on 428 Poplar Road violation, S. Masteller will check with J. Kopchak Zoning officer.
Rodney will look at 429 Poplar Road Trees on Friday December 15, 2017.
Mayor Stokes thanked Audrey Kenny for serving on Council and said you will be missed and good luck with your new job at PEMA.
COMMENTS OF CITIZENS:
2 Borough Residents present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Community Affairs
Discussions:
Zoning: Jim Kopchak, Borough Zoning Officer reported to Council:
- 8 Building permits: 5-720 Easton Road for Dean’s Deli, Finished Basement, Oil Tank install, Paver patio-fence-ramp.
- 1 Zoning permits: 1-Re-Roof.
- 1274 Easton Road- Stop work order, plans submitted-waiting for Todd to approve for FEMA compliance. No new update.
- 428 Poplar Road, Property maintenance violation letter was sent out on October 11, for trash & yard waste on the property.
Library News: Borough office received the November 2017 Directors report, the minutes have been filed in the Borough office. Joanne Walsh, Library Board President, reported to Council:
- The new stair lift chair was installed, state certified and ready for library patrons. New carpet was installed also.
- Riegelsville Halloween Parade was a success.
- Fall Book Sale starts November 17th.
- December 7th, Author Mary Schafer will talk on Metal Detecting for beginners.
- December 17th, Cookie Sale and Posh Presents.
Proposed Walking Trail: Todd Myers, Borough Engineer will be attending the December 6, Committee meeting to update Council.
Fire Co. News:
- November 19 is breakfast.
- Free Community Dinner is Saturday December 2.
Riegelsville Enhancement Committee News:
- 2018 Calendars are selling well.
UBREMS News: They had a meeting but nothing to report.
Rec Board News:
- Car show was a success even though the weather was not the best, the show totals will be completed soon.
Riegelsville Emergency Management:
- Nothing to report.
- Riegelsville Planning Commission: Discussion will be 3 current Ordinances- Sidewalk, Alcohol on Borough Property and Water hookup fees. S. Masteller will get the Borough properties parcels to T. Stinnett to add to the Alcohol parcel.
Utilities
Discussions:
Borough Solicitor is looking over the agreement from Mike Sullivan, (Water Operator) with “Private Utilities Enterprises”. Will be added to the December Finance meeting on December 6, 2017- then passage during the December 13. 2017 Borough Council meeting.
Ken Kerstner is getting parts for the Well #2 Chlorine Pump issue..
There was a memo to Municipal officials that the Pennsylvania General Assembly recently passed a new gambling expansion law legalizing a number of new gambling forms and venues. Act 42 of 2017 authorizes the placement of ten Category 4 casinos on the Commonwealth. Council agreed that they would oppose this and will look at a draft resolution during the Council finance meeting on December 6 before Borough Council on December 13, 2017.
Penn DOT 5 year Winter Agreement for the Borough to plow Delaware Road, the agreement will be added to the December 13, 2017 Council meeting for approval.
Council looked over the cistern evaluation report and will give to the new Water Operator to prioritize the list.
Streets & Properties
Discussions:
ES2 Environmental Systems & Equipment Service, Inc. serviced the Chlorine Injector at Well #2. They will send a quote for 2 new scales.
Sonny and Tony continue to work on the apartment, they are prepping to paint.
Todd Myers, Borough Engineer reported to Council that the meeting with DEP was very positive.
Todd reported that they can put a boardwalk across the wetlands with space between the boards for the sun to go through. It would be 50 ft. long, 30 ft. boardwalk plus 10 ft. apron on each end of the boardwalk. The proposed water line could be bored horizontal. Todd showed Council the updated plan and asked if Council was OK with the boardwalk plan- they all agreed. T. Stinnett asked S. Masteller to get in touch with Wayne Dowd about the water line quote.
- Stinnett reported to Council that William Dudeck is looking over the draft ordinances for the current Alcohol, Sidewalk, Water Rates and connection fees that the Riegelsville Planning Commission have prepared.
Finance
Discussions:
Council discussed closing out the Tenant’s escrow account and agreed that it can be added to the December 13, 2017 Council agenda.
The Borough’s Tri Eagle energy generation current contract will be up for the 3 year renewal 12/2018. S. Masteller will contact them to ask if we need to lock in before the end of the 2017 for the current rate.
The draft water operator contract will be discussed with Michael Sullivan then added to December 13, 2017 Council agenda.
Council discussed the “Category 4 casino draft ordinance that will be added to December 13, 2017 Council agenda.
Council received the 2018 Cowan Associates Fee Schedule.
The 2018 draft budget and water rate increase resolution will be added to December 13, 2017 Council agenda for approval.
Council looked over the financials.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Approval of the 2018 Budget. A. Kenny motioned to approve and E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of Ordinance #238, Tax Levy for 2018 13.25 Mils. (No tax increase). A. Moyer motioned to approve and R. Scott seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of Borough’s Entrust energy generation current contract will be up for the 3 year renewal 12/2018. Price 0.0592 R. Scott motioned to approve and E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of “Private Utility Enterprises, INC.” operation and maintenance contract for the water facilities of the Riegelsville Water Company. Commencing January 1, 2018. R. Scott motioned to approve and A. Moyer seconded. Unanimous
Approval of Resolution R-07-17 (Replace R-05-17) “Master Casting Agreement” with Penn DOT. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve and A. Kenny seconded. Unanimous
Approval of Resolution R-08-17 “Prohibit Category 4 Licensed Casino”. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve and R. Scott seconded. Unanimous
Approval of Resolution R-09-17 “Water Rate increase 2018”. ”. R. Scott motioned to approve and A. Moyer seconded. Unanimous
Approval of Resolution R-10-17 Winter Traffic Services agreement with Penn DOT 5 year. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve and A. Kenny seconded. Unanimous.
Approval to advertise Ordinance #239 amending Mailbox/Alcohol on Borough Property. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve and A. Moyer seconded. Unanimous.
Approval to close out of the tenant’s escrow account and mail to him. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve and A. Moyer seconded. Unanimous.
ES2 Quote for Water Co. $3491.50, New Water inlet assembly, Corporation stop for ejector and 2 mechanical scales. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve and A. Moyer seconded. Unanimous.
Approval for the Borough Secretary, Treasurer and Fulltime Borough Laborer to carry over up to 6 personal/sick days into the following year. R. Scott motioned to approve and A. Kenny seconded. Unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS: None to report.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: A. Moyer motioned to approve bills. A. Kenny seconded. Unanimous.
Borough office closed December 18, 22, 25 and 26.
RE Org meeting is Tuesday January 2, 2018 7pm.
NO December 20, Community Affairs/Utilities meeting.
NO January 3, Streets/Finance meeting.
Next regular Council Meeting January 10, 2018 7:00pm.
Meeting adjourned 8:33 PM.