President Thomas E. Stinnett called the regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:30 p.m. February 8th, 2012. Following the Pledge of Allegiance a roll call was taken. PRESENT: Edward Bartosiewicz, Rodney Scott, Thomas Stinnett, Kathleen Weiss and Mayor Stokes E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve the minutes of the January 11, 2012 Council Meeting and R. Scott seconded. Unanimous.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Letter dated February 2, 2012 from PPL Generation, LLC- in reference to downstream user notifications according to section 901 of the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act of July 5, 1989,
35 P.S.S6021.901.
REPORTS:
President – T. Stinnett reported to Council that the Pennsylvania Legislature approved the House Bill (HB) #1950 An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for an unconventional gas well fee and for transfers from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund on Wednesday February 8th, 2012. This Bill will affect all municipalities’ current ordinances on gas drilling.
Mayor – Mayor Stokes reported to Council that he has contacted Upper Makefield Township and Yardley to inquire about the “duckbill Backflow valves” that they use to control flood waters in drains. Mayor Stokes will get more information to Council.
CITIZENS COMMENTS: Elaine Albrecht, Riegelsville Enhancement Committee member reported to Council that their Super Bowl Hoagie fundraiser was a success, profited $301.00.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Community Affairs: Zoning: K. Clayton, zoning officer, reported to council that the 141 Delaware Road property owner has been sent a letter in reference to the dead tree that needs to be removed. S. Masteller did receive a phone message to let K. Clayton know that the owner, T. Kreider, is waiting for one more bid for the tree removal. C. Cardone is working on his plans for an apartment at 671-673 Easton Road.
Riegelsville Kiwanis: Council had invited representatives of the Kiwanis and State Police Sergeant Turk to this meeting to discuss the Annual Fall-Rollout car show fundraiser burnouts. S. Mathias, a Kiwanis member, said that this past year she notified the State Police of the event and requested police coverage around 2pm when the burnouts usually begin. Sergeant Turk did have 2 officers on duty for the car show but additional help was needed. He will attend a future Kiwanis meeting to discuss a solution for this year’s event. S. Mathias stated how the annual car show is their big fundraiser for the year. S. Masteller spoke on behave of the Riegelsville Recreation Board stated that the Car show is also their biggest fundraiser of the year, selling food out of the concession stand. Council, Kiwanis and Sergeant Turk continued to discuss the dangers related to the “Burnouts”.
Fire Co. News: E. Bartosiewicz reported that Fire Co. Breakfast is Sunday January 22, 2012 8am to 12:30pm. Fish-fry Fridays will start on February 24th 5pm to 7pm.
Library News: Library Board member Priscilla Clay reported to Council the January 2012 Board Meeting minutes. AARP tax volunteers will be at the Borough Hall February 7,2012 to April 10, 2012 to do your taxes. Planning for summer reading 2012 is underway. This year’s theme will be “Night”. For kids: “Dream Big-read! And for teens, “Own the night”.
December Statistics:
Public Count: 538
Circulation: 1,215
Items lent out (In-County): 157
Items Borrowed (In-County): 214
Internet Use: 71
Historic Room Visits: 4
Total Cardholders: 1,076
Collection size: 16,673items (9,747 adult +6,926 Easy, Juvenile & Young Adult)
Riegelsville Enhancement Committee (REC) News: Minutes were received from the pocket park patio project via e-mail to the Borough office and distributed to Council. Hoagie sale fundraiser will be Super Bowl Sunday February 5, 2012, $6.00 per hoagie.
EMS News: They are still seeking a member for the board from Riegelsville.
Rec Board News: The next fundraiser is set for March 25th Filled Basket Bingo. Rodney Scott will be taking over the running of the Baseball/Softball program from Joe Evanowski.
Riegelsville Emergency Management: John Panasiuk sent the Borough office minutes from the December 19th, 2012 meeting.
Utilities: S. Masteller faxed the signed proposal for the Well#3 adaptor to Barry Hoffman, Electrical Contractor on January 12, 2012.
Council discussed renting the meeting room to Borough residents that are not non-profit organization.
Med-Ed will be sending payment for the lane to be fixed at Well 1& 2 that was damaged by Med-ed trucks during the power outage storm in October/November 2011. W. Nicholas will be doing the repair.
The phone book still has the Riegelsville Police listed; S. Masteller will look into this.
Streets & Properties: E-mail was received from Scout Master Ralph Riegel stating there is a scout who is about to work on his Eagle Project. He is building a brick patio and memorial in the center of the cemetery. They will be replacing the 40 foot flagpole and need to use a backhoe. They asked if the Borough could assist with the backhoe. Council suggested asking M. Brady if he wanted to work the Backhoe. R. Pursell also offered to help if M. Brady could not help.
R. Scott is going to put together a proposal for a carport for the backhoe to go in. R. Pursell went around the Borough with M. Brady to look at all the Borough properties and what M. Brady takes care of.
R. Pursell would like to see the equipment on maintenance programs. The backhoe should be looked over as well. S. Masteller suggested Riegelsville Auto. R. Scott will stop and talk to Troy Holzworth, owner of shop.
R. Pursell reported that there are quite a few speed limit signs that are very hard to read like at Sycamore/Spruce. S. Masteller will have M. Brady go thru the streets and then put an order together.
M. Brady would like permission to remove the tall shrubs in the triangle by the Borough office since they do not look very good. Council said yes they can be removed and maybe the Riegelsville Enhancement Committee could work on replacing the shrubs.
R. Pursell reported to Council that he looked at the generator that would be used at the Borough office building and suggested we see about getting it fixed since it is fairly new. Council suggested contacting Borough resident, Fred Raub to see if he could look at it and repair it.
Finance: Mayor Stokes reported to S. Masteller that he spoke to the Realtor, Michael Strickland who is selling the Weiss barn and property at the north end of the Borough and the price is as follows: Barn&1.44acres $199,000.00, 19 acres $349,000.00, and .63 acres $149,000.00.
T. Macaluso is waiting for the proposal from the Co. that will be printing the Borough’s per capita bills.
Council looked over the 2012 Lien report.
The General Primary Election will be April 24, 2012 and General Election November 6th, 2012.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Public hearing is scheduled for March 8th, 2012 at 7pm Proposed Ordinance #222 Entitled,” An Ordinance amending the Riegelsville Borough Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map dated January 15, 1989, as amended”
Approval of check to Lehr’s Auto for $583.43 (Utility truck, Ball joint repair) E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve. R. Pursell seconded. Unanimous
Council discussed the St Lawrence Water line issue.
Todd Myers, Borough Engineer asked Council what direction Council would like him to proceed once the Land development application comes into the Borough office. Council would like T. Myers to go over the plans and comment on any zoning issues he might find.
NEW BUSINESS:
None to report
APPROVAL OF BILLS: K. Weiss motioned to approve bills as listed. R. Scott seconded.
Meeting adjourned 8:50 PM