President Thomas E. Stinnett called the regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:30p.m. December 8, 2010. Following the Pledge of Allegiance a roll call was taken. PRESENT: Edward Bartosiewicz, John Panasiuk, Rodney Scott, Thomas Stinnett and Kathleen Weiss ABSENT: Mayor Stokes
E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve the minutes of the November 10th, 2010 Council Meeting and R. Scott seconded. Unanimous.
E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve the minutes of the November 17th, 2010 Special Council meeting (Pedestrian Bridge lighting project) and R. Scott seconded. Unanimous
CORRESPONDENCE:
A letter was read from Lance Lawn Care thanking the Borough for the lawn care business this past year.
REPORTS
President- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
Mayor – absent
CITIZENS COMMENTS: None to report
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Community Affairs:
Fire Co. News: E. Bartosiewicz reported that the monthly breakfast has been slow due to the Delaware Bridge being closed on the weekends. The north end of the Borough today November 17th was without power so that could become a problem since Well #3 is the Boroughs main source of water, E. Bartosiewicz will check with the Fire Co. on the progress in getting a generator. Fire Activity report from September and October 2010 was received.
Zoning: Kip Clayton, Borough Zoning Officer, issued one roofing permit. 1248 Easton Road received
the final inspection. Renovation plans for 805 Easton Road are in review.
Library News: Joanne Walsh, Library Board member reported the Library report to Council as follows: The Fall Book Sale Fundraiser is scheduled for November 19, 20 and 27th, 2010. December 19th, 2010 will be the Holiday Cookie Sale and Posh Gifts Fundraiser. The Library has received a large rotating collection of Blu-Ray Movies and documentaries; includes popular titles for both adults and children.
Statistical Highlights for October 2010:
Walk-in patrons: 656
Circulation: 1,572
Internet use: 52
Items lent out (within Bucks Co.) 214
Items borrowed (within Bucks) 241
Historical room visitors: 6
Total Cardholders: 1,094
Total Collection Size: 16,652 items
Riegelsville Enhancement Committee (REC) News: The next meeting is scheduled for Monday November 22, 2010 at 7pm at the Borough Hall. Local Coupon Booklets are available for purchase at local businesses and the Borough Office for $20.00.
EMS News: Borough Office received the September 2010 approved minutes and the October unapproved minutes and the financial statements for year ended December 31, 2009. There is an opening on the board starting in January 2011 and they would like to have a representative from Riegelsville be appointed. S. Masteller reported that Dave Masteller may be interested but needs more information. S. Masteller will give D. Masteller the contact information.
Rec Board News: The next Recreation Board meeting is Monday November 22, 2010 at 7pm at the Borough Hall. The Car Show was a great Success!! Approximately $1900.00 was raised that day.
Utilities: Comments from the citizens: K. Weiss stated that the water is leaking from the faucet in the cemetery near the stone wall. S. Masteller will have M. Brady look into this. K. Weiss also reported that the stop sign on the alley by emergency squad road needs to be straightened. S. Masteller will have M. Brady fix this sign.
Matt Brady, Borough Laborer and Wayne Dowd, excavator, discussed that the sidewalk needs to be replaced on Durham/Delaware Road where the hydrant was replaced plus there are three more sidewalks that need to be replaced due to water repairs this year. W. Dowd gave a estimate of $1200.00 and stated he would like to get them done before the weather gets to cold to work with cement. Council unanimously agreed for the work to be done but it will be authorized at the Council meeting on December 8th, 2010.
Council discussed increasing the Water rate from $55.00 to $65.00 a quarter for 2011. This will be added to the Council agenda for December 8th, 2010
Dick Meade, Borough Water Operator reported to S. Masteller that we need to invest in a rebuilt back-up chlorinator and the cost will be approximately $600.00 to $800.00. Council suggested waiting until January before the purchase.
William Key, Borough Engineer, reported to Council that the Borough Water line that runs under the PennDot Canal Bridge may be an issue with the new bridge footers. D. Meade, Borough Water Operator and W. Key, Borough Engineer will continue to explore the possible issues with this project.
R. Scott spoke to Jim Bellis, Borough Resident about the Met-Ed price increase that will go into affect January 1, 2011. Jim Bellis will attend the December 1st, 2010 Streets and Properties Committee meeting to discuss the specifics with Council.
Streets and Properties: Borough resident sent an e-mail to the Borough office referencing street parking issues during the Kiwanis Fall Roll-out. Cars were parked on both sides of Ash Lane and Fairview Road making it difficult if any emergency vehicles would have needed to get through. Council suggested that for next year no parking signs and cones will be put on the roads.
Discussions:
Todd Myers, Borough Engineer, sent the Borough office information on the reconstruction of the PennDot Canal Bridge that will possibly interfere with the Borough water line.
Mayor Stokes asked if the Borough received an estimate from Wayne Nicholas for the water work that needs to be done on Wayside way. S. Masteller replied that she has not received that but she will call and remind W. Nicholas. Mayor Stokes reported that the sidewalk in front of 111 Delaware Road apartment building is all broke up and tree roots have raised the walk and it is very dangerous. S. Masteller will pass this message onto Kip Clayton, Borough Zoning officer to investigate.
Jim Bellis reported that Met-Ed’s capped rates will be released January 1st, 2011. Residential rates will increase approximately 2% and Commercial rates will approximately increase 25%. This will increase the street lighting costs for the Borough. J. Bellis said the website: www.energysavepa.com has information that the Borough could use. S. Masteller will look into this information plus contact Met-Ed and ask for information for changing the wattage of the street lights and report back to Council at the Utilities meeting December 15th, 2010.
Misc.
Boy Scout Troop #127 Annual Food Drive Saturday December 11th and Sunday December 12th, 2010
Finance: Comments from the Citizens: No one present
T. Macaluso, Borough Tax Collector, suggested increasing the Duplicate tax bill from $3.00 to $5.00. This resolution will be voted on during Council December 8, 2010
Palisades School District are changing who collects their Earned Income Tax, this will affect the Borough’s properties that are in the Palisades school district. Council will need to pass a resolution during Council meeting on December 8, 2010. A letter will be sent to Berkheimer announcing this change.
Council will have a special Council meeting on December 22, 2010 at 7:30 approving the 2011 budget and tax levy ordinance. Council will approve the advertisement of this special meeting during the December 8, 2010 Council meeting.
August 11, 2010 Council passed a resolution authorizing the written demand for payment under and pursuant to improvement and escrow agreement dated March 29, 2004 to Fern Meadows and Stonebridge bank and all the paperwork was sent certified on August 26th, 2010 and the signed return receipt was dated August 27th, 2010. W. Dudeck, Borough Solicitor suggested to Council that the Borough should submit a civil complaint at District Magistrate Judge Dubree’s office. Council suggested T. Macaluso, Borough Treasurer represent the Borough on this matter.
The remainder of the meeting was working on the 2011 Budget.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Approval to advertise Ordinance #217 (2011 Tax Rate 11.25 mills) K. Weiss motioned to approve E. Bartosiewicz seconded Unanimous
Approval to advertise the 2011 Budget J. Panasiuk motioned to approve R. Scott seconded Unanimous
Approval of Resolution R-09-10 Water rate increase minimum charge per quarter $65.00 R. Scott motioned to approve J. Panasiuk seconded Unanimous
Approval of Resolution R-10-10 Duplicate Tax bill to $5.00 K. Weiss motioned to approve R. Scott seconded Unanimous
Approval of Resolution R-11-10 Earned income Tax Collector for Borough Properties that are in the Palisades School District K. Weiss motioned to approve J. Panasiuk seconded Unanimous
Approval of Resolution R-12-10 LST tax collection agreement with Keystone R. Scott motioned to approve E. Bartosiewicz seconded Unanimous
Approval of check to Community Fire Co. #1 $3,456.01 ( Closeout the Fire Protection Fund) R. Scott motioned to approve J. Panasiuk seconded, E. Bartosiewicz abstained (Member of Fire Co.)
Approval of Check to Harmony Press $850.00 (Riegelsville Enhancement Booklets) E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve R. Scott seconded Unanimous
Approval of Check to PAN Companies Inc. $39,423.00 (2010 Paving Project) E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve R. Scott seconded Unanimous
Approval of Check to Quaint Oak Bank $4,265.97 (Closeout Escrow Account) K. Weiss motioned to approve E. Bartosiewicz seconded Unanimous
Approval of Check to W. Dowd Excavating $768.00 (3 sidewalk replacements) E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve R. Scott seconded Unanimous
Approval of Check to W. Dowd Excavating $348.26 (Hydrant Repair) R. Scott motioned to approve E. Bartosiewicz seconded Unanimous
Approval of Check to W. Dowd Excavating $1650.00 ( New Hydrant) R. Scott motioned to approve E. Bartosiewicz seconded Unanimous
T. Stinnett asked where Kip Clayton, Zoning officer, is with the #530 Easton Road property maintenance issue. S. Masteller will check with K. Clayton on this issue.
No Committee meetings on December 15th, 2010 and January 5th 2011 due to the Holidays.
E. Bartosiewicz reported to Council that during the Community Fire Co. #1 business meeting on Tuesday night the member of the Fire Company voted unanimously to share the cost of the generator whose main purpose to supply electricity to Well #3. The estimated cost is $30,000.00.
NEW BUSINESS:
Kay Winters from Bucks County Writers would like to use the Borough meeting room for their monthly morning meeting. Council unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
K. Weiss motioned to approve bills as listed. E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10pm.
Special Council meeting December 22, 2010(to pass 2011Budget and Tax Levy Ordinance)
Next Council Meeting will be January 12, 2011 at 7:30 pm.
Special Council Meeting
December 22, 2010
President Thomas Stinnett called the Special Council Meeting to order at 7:40 PM. Pledge of allegiance and Roll Call was taken.
PRESENT: Thomas Stinnett, Kathleen Weiss, Ed Bartosiewicz, John Panasiuk and Rodney Scott
OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor Stokes, Sherry Masteller, Borough Secretary
ABSENT: Solicitor William T. Dudeck
Proof of Publication Meeting Notice was presented for Council to View.
Motion to adopt the 2011 Budget R. Scott motioned to adopt J. Panasiuk seconded Unanimous
Motion to adopt Ordinance #217 Tax Rate for 2011 at 11.25 mills, (9.75 General, Fire Protection 1 mill, Ambulance and Rescue .5 mill) E. Bartosiewicz motioned to adopt K. Weiss seconded Unanimous
Approval of Check to Quaint Oak bank $11.35 (Parcel Split Refund)
Approval of Check to Tammy Macaluso, Tax Collector $24.51 (Tax Collector Exp. Reimbursement) R. Scott motioned to approve both checks E. Bartosiewicz seconded Unanimous