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April 2019 Council Minutes

President Thomas E. Stinnett called the regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:02p.m. April 10, 2019.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call was taken.  PRESENT: Thomas Stinnett, Ed Bartosiewicz, Kate Brandes, Ann P. Moyer, Rodney Scott and Mayor Stokes.  Bartosiewicz motioned to approve the Council minutes from March 13, 2019. A. Moyer Seconded.   Unanimous.

CORRESPONDENCE:  

Borough office received Riegelsville Community Fire Co. Station 42 March 2019 Fire Response sheet- total 12 calls.

REPORTS:

President – T. Stinnett had nothing to report.

Mayor Mayor Stokes performed one wedding.  Spoke to State Police Sgt Thomas in reference to increased speeding on Delaware Road and Route 611.  Mayor Stokes had a question if they could open a bait shop out of their property, Mayor Stokes told them to talk to the Borough Zoning office.

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS:  2 Borough residents present.

Bob Ryan, Borough resident asked why they haven’t looked into a slate roof bid for the Keystone grant application. Tom stated we have not gotten a slate bid due to the high cost. Ed does not recommend going with slate due to the new process of adding plywood under the slate instead of slats. Bob asked for permission from Council to get a slate quote.  Council said yes.  Bob also heard at our Finance meeting on April 3, 2019 that the Borough’s legal budget is at 60% already and asked why the Borough is using the borough solicitor in a fight over a private alley between neighbors on Poplar Road.  Tom stated that unfortunately legal council needs to be used when the Borough is questioned over legal matters.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Community Affairs-

Ann P Moyer called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm on March 20, 2019 at the Riegelsville Borough Hall.

Members Present:  Ann P Moyer, E. Bartosiewicz, Kate Brandes, Rodney Scott and Tom Stinnett.

Others Present:   Jim Kopchak-Borough Zoning Officer, Frank Preedy-EMS Coordinator and Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary.

Concerns from citizens:   1 borough resident present, Cory Campbell has a few questions about the tree line on the proposed walking trail.  Todd Myers, Borough Engineer will be asked to attend a meeting.

Discussions:

Zoning: Jim Kopchak, Borough Zoning Officer reported to Council February & March 2019 reports:

Zoning permits: 1-Detached garage, 1-pole barn addition and 1-fence. Building permits: 1 New Oil tank.

Enforcement Activities

129 Maplewood Rd.-“Stop-Work Order” awaiting construction documents.

113 Delaware Rd. – waiting on permits.

141 Easton Rd. – property maintenance violation, appears to be cleaned up February 13, 2019

320 Delaware Rd. – property maintenance violation, compliance date is today March 20, 2019.

530 Easton Rd. complaint junk cars on property, compliance date is May 8, 2019.

Library News: Borough office received the January and February 2019 Directors report, the minutes

have been filed in the Borough office.  Estelle Bloom, Library Board member reported the following to Council.

The Library Board is updating their by-laws to make some needed changes especially the number of library board members. They have been having issues with reaching a quorum for monthly meetings in 2018 & 2019.

Looking for a volunteer Treasurer.

Our “Unwind and Uncork” fundraiser with Villa Milagro, June 1.

Summer Quest planning has begun, this year is “Outer Space Theme”. More info to come from Becky.

Proposed Walking Trail: No update.

Fire Co. News:  Borough office received the January & February Fire Response.

Next breakfast is Sunday May 19.

Fish Fry Friday Dinners are a big success until April 19.

CPR recheck seminar was March 19.

Riegelsville Enhancement Committee News:

Boscov’s “Friends helping Friends” October 16.

UBREMS News: Nothing new to report.

Rec Board News: Rodney reported to Council,

The next Rec board meeting is set for Thursday April 4 at 7pm.

Softball signups are still going on.

Riegelsville Emergency Management: Frank Preedy reported to Council that state rep Wendy Ullman

is having a meet & great on April 10.

Frank is attending quarterly training at Nockamixon on April 8, 9, & 10th.

Frank is attending a hazardous seminar May 22& 23,

Frank is attending a flood preparedness event May 30.

Riegelsville Planning Commission: No March meeting, During the April 1 meeting they will be

looking at the wireless 5G information. REMARKS: Tom reported that they are looking for a sample ordinance, Tom asked Sherry to ask Durham Township and the BC Consortium if they have a sample ordinance to share.

Meeting adjourned 7:28 pm.         Next meeting April 17, 2019   7pm

Utilities-

Rodney Scott called the Utilities meeting to order at 7:29 pm on March 20, 2019 at the Riegelsville Borough Hall.

Members Present:   Rodney Scott, Ed Bartosiewicz, Kate Brandes, Ann P Moyer and Tom Stinnett.

Others Present:   Jim Kopchak-Borough Zoning Officer, Frank Preedy-EMS Coordinator and Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary.

Concerns from Citizens:  One Borough resident present.

Discussions:

Ed suggested that the sign on Durham that reads no trucks ahead should be taken down. Sherry will ask Matt.  Remarks: Matt already removed the sign a few months ago.

P3 Generator Services is looking into the Borough Building Generator Sensor replacement or new generator.

Ed & Rodney met with S&M General Services to discuss the sidewalk quote for the Delaware Road hill project.

Council discussed that in the spring the Pedestrian bridge needs anti-skid protection on the walking boards due to the moss.

Tom told the Borough Council that there was an article in October 2018 Bucks County Herald that “Sellersville restricts truck traffic on North Branch Street”.  Maybe the borough needs to look into this too.

Meeting Adjourned: 8:05 pm

Next meeting April 17, 2019

Streets & Properties-

Ed Bartosiewicz called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm on April 3, 2019 at the Riegelsville Borough Hall.

Members Present:

Ed Bartosiewicz, Kate Brandes, Ann P Moyer, Rodney Scott and Tom Stinnett

Others Present:

Mayor Stokes and Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary.

Comments from Citizens:   3 Borough residents present.

Bob Ryan, Borough resident distributed a letter “Riegelsville Borough Hall Preservation” (Complete letter is filed in the Borough office) to Council that he understands that the Borough is applying for a Keystone Grant to replace the Borough Hall roof and windows on the second floor Library. The building is listed on the Bucks County register of Historic places. Bob would like Council to consider the benefits of wood windows and slate roofing to preserve the Riegelsville Borough Hall and further, the long-term financial condition of the Borough. Borough hall reflects the craftsmanship of the era and the area. Bob stated that members of our community own separate wood milling shops in Durham & Easton.  K. Brandes stated we had to prepare pre-bid information to the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation office, “Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission”, with specs of the project to be pre-approved from the before the final grant paperwork is sent in around April 15th. The Borough did get approved from Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation office on the specs that was given for new windows, new roof and minor repair to water damage on the interior walls.

Discussions:

The Ash Lane water line project should be ready for pressure testing Thursday April 4 or Friday April 5, hopefully the water will be tested next week.

S&M Contracting finished painting the new Bilco door.

Borough office received a call from Borough resident, Nancy McEvoy on Spring Hill Road that cars have driving very fast on the road making it difficult to get out of her driveway. Is there anything the Borough can do? Remarks: Council discussed that they are not on the curves in the road, so their driveway is visible.

Hopefully when the 212 bridge repairs are done the traffic will lesson on Spring Hill Road.

Borough Council needs to discuss a “no right turn” signs on the Delaware Road Hill with the Borough Engineer.

Council discussed the updated quote for sidewalk replacement on the 611 hill to the parking lot.

Ed discussed with Todd what material should be used on the foot bridge boards, once Todd gets the information to Ed the project will be added to the spring maintenance list.

Finance-

Kate Brandes called the meeting to order on March 6, 2019 at 7:56 pm at the Riegelsville Borough Hall.

Members Present:

Kate Brandes, Ed Bartosiewicz, Ann P Moyer, Rodney Scott and Tom Stinnett.

Others Present: 

Mayor Stokes and Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary.

Comment from Citizens:   3 Borough residents present.

Discussions:

            Grant signatures are needed for the extension letter for the DCED grant- “Walking trail”.

Kate reported to Council that the Keystone grant draft budget will be completed so next Wednesday Council can look it over. Tom suggested we meet at 6:30 to look it over and then during Council they can vote on it.

Council looked over the finances.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.

Next Finance meeting will be held May 1, 2019 immediately following Streets/Properties at the Riegelsville Borough Hall.

 UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Approval for up to $81,000.00 for the Borough’s match of the Keystone Grant application. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve. K. Brandes seconded.  Unanimous.

NEW BUSINESS:  No new business.

APPROVAL OF BILLS:  K. Brandes motioned to approve bills.  A. P Moyer seconded. Unanimous.

Next regular Council Meeting May 8, 2019   7:00pm.

Meeting adjourned 7:52 PM.

Sherry Masteller

Borough Secretary


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