President Thomas E. Stinnett called the regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:02 p.m. November 12, 2014. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call was taken. PRESENT: Edward Bartosiewicz, Rodney Scott, Thomas Stinnett, Kathleen Weiss and Mayor Stokes. ABSENT: Rich Pursell. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve the minutes of the October 8, 2014 Council Meeting, R. Scott seconded. Unanimous.
CORRESPONDENCE:
A thank you letter was received from Lance Lawn Care for letting them take care of the Borough lawn care.
Email received announcing the BC Borough Association meeting on Tuesday November 25, 2014 with guest speaker, Robert G. Loughery, Bucks County Commissioner. T. Stinnett will be attending.
Email received dated November 5, 2014 from Alisa Harris, PennEast Pipeline Co. “Interactive Mapping Tool”
Email received October 24, 2014 from Alisa Harris, PennEast Pipeline Co. “Open House Dates”
Email received October 17, 2014 from Alisa Harris, PennEast Pipeline Co. “FERC accepts PennEast Pipeline for Pre-filing process.
Email dated October 13, 2014 from Peter Marx, PennEast Pipeline Right – Of – Way Manager stated that they will not be abutting the Borough Open Space parcel #38-004-001.
REPORTS:
President – Nothing to report.
Mayor – Mayor Stokes reported to Council that he performed one wedding. Mayor Stokes called the State Police to make them aware of the new Canal Bridge was open and to watch for speeding.
COMMENTS OF CITIZENS:
Amanda Richardson, Borough resident that lives at 24 Delaware Road next to the Canal Bridge. Amanda asked to be put on the agenda to discuss the speed of the cars going over the bridge, her concern is she has a young child and has to cross Delaware road to get to her vehicle. Amanda asked what Council can do about the speed, she suggested speed bumps before there is a tragedy. T. Stinnett stated that Delaware Road is a State Road not owned by the Borough but we can ask PennDOT what can be done to help with this. Mayor Stokes added that around 3600 vehicles cross the bridge daily. S. Masteller will contact the PennDOT representative to see if we could put “SLOW” signs painted on the road and put up “Watch Children” signs too.
- Masteller will report back to Council and Amanda with more information from PennDOT.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Community Affairs:
Concerns from citizens: None to report, 1 borough resident present.
Discussions:
Zoning: Jim Kopchak, Borough zoning officer reported to Council that 1 Building Permit was issued:
Deck, 1 zoning permit was issued for deck. We did receive the certified cards back from Mr. Kreider on September 2 and 8. Jim attended the October 2, Zoning Hearing Board in reference to Ash Lane Parcel (TMP 38-002-024) requesting 2 variances. The request was denied by the Zoning Hearing Board.
Library News: Beth Banko, Library Board Member reported to Council that Estelle and Terri participated in the Broadband 101 training on Wednesday, September 17. Julia went to mandated reporter training in Doylestown on September 18. All librarians are now required to report incidents of child abuse. This training explained this new responsibility. Library representatives will be doing a children’s table at “Riegelsville Fall Rollout Car Show” on November 2, 2014. The Library will be hosting the “Halloween Parade” on October 25. Sherry will take care of certificate of insurance to St Lawrence Church for registering for the parade.
September statistics:
Circulation: 1473
Historic Room Visits: 5
Items added: 18
Public Count: 701
Internet use: 21
Adult programs: 3 events
Juvenile: 14 events 67 children, 51 adults
Teen Book Club:
Fire Co. News: Ed reported the next Breakfast is Sunday October 19. Todd reported they received a state debt reduction grant of $15,000.00.
Riegelsville Enhancement Committee News: Next meeting is October 22, at 7pm. They are selling
the Boscov’s “Helping Hands” shopping passes for $5.00, the event is October 21. They are setting up to sell
slates and take orders for 2015 Calendars during the October 19 breakfast and during the November 22, 2014
St John UCC Holiday Bazaar.
Riegelsville Emergency Management: Frank Preedy, Riegelsville EMA Coordinator reported to
Council that the Guest speaker from PPL was the guest speaker tonight at 6:15 to discuss the procedures are
in case of an electrical outage. The first to get helped are the 911 Center, Critical Care and the power facilities.
Everyone needs to contact Met-Ed for an outage.
UBREMS News: Adam Maziuk is resigning his position as Chief of December 31, 2014, they
are accepting resumes.
Rec Board News: Rodney reported to Council that the car show committee is meeting every Thursday
at 6:30 since it is getting close to the show on November 2, 2014.
Riegelsville Planning Commission: Next meeting is November 3, 2014 at 7pm.
Todd Myers, Borough Engineer: Discussion on a few item in the proposed Flood plain ordinance to
send to Leslie Rhoads.
Utilities:
Comments from Citizens: 1 resident present. Nothing to report.
Discussions:
The Borough office received a letter from Kenneth Kerstner asking for a consideration of waiving the water hookup fee since the current water line was routed through the Borough Hall building to the north side of his property #635 Easton Road, adjacent to the septic service line. Council stated that the line could have been rerouted due to upgrading the septic system instead of putting a new one in from 611. Sherry will contact Ken of Council’s decision not to waive the fees.
Riegelsville Fire Co. set up a new account with Liberty Propane for the emergency generator, Sherry will contact them for a quote for the Borough generator.
Jim Ott, Borough Resident sent an email in reference to not being able to use Craig Cardone’s sidewalk, Sherry explained that that sidewalk is a private not on a borough or state road right of way. Jim also would like a shield on a street light due to it lighting up his whole yard. Sherry explained that they do not do shields on the new light but maybe the wattage could be lowered.
Hydrant flushing October 20-24, 9pm to midnight.
Trick or Treat October 31, 6-8pm.
Streets & Properties:
Comments from Citizens: Tom and Elizabeth Speicher came to reiterate the letter dated October 16, 2014 they sent via email to Council in reference to the excessive and repetitive band practice noise Greg Ort’s property 410 Easton Road. Tom added that the Band was practicing Saturday and when he returned home from the Borough Park the decimal reading from 6:10pm to 6:21pm ranged from 61-71. Council asked a few questions and would like Sherry Masteller to contact William Dudeck, Borough Solicitor in reference to this issue. Tom and Elizabeth will be updated immediately when more information is available.
Discussions:
- Pursell suggested to send a letter to the Tavern about the snow plowing of the corner of Durham/611.
Borough office received the material quote for cold patch for next season.
Finance:
Discussions:
Borough office received the 2013 financial from the Fire Co.
Another proposal for an appraisal for Craig Cardone’s parking lot was received. Council suggested contacting Bill, Borough Solicitor for additional information.
Borough office received a written letter from Todd Myers, Borough Engineer to finalize the #948 Edgewood Road-paving driveway project
Borough office received a proposal for propane tanks for the Borough Hall Generator. Council had a few questions for Sherry to ask Liberty Propane and get back to Council.
Borough office received a proposal to put an automatic switch at Well #3 generator, Council had a few questions for Sherry to ask Barry Hoffman and report back to Council.
Discussion of bills.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Approval to advertise the proposed Ordinance #229 “AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING ALL PERSONS, PARTNERSHIPS, BUSINESSES, AND CORPORATIONS TO OBTAIN A PERMIT FOR ANY CONSTRUCTION OR DEVELOPMENT; PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH PERMITS; SETTING FORTH CERTAIN MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT WITHIN AREAS OF THE Borough of Riegelsville WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO FLOODING; AND ESTABLISHING PENALTIES FOR ANY PERSONS WHO FAIL, OR REFUSE TO COMPLY WITH, THE REQUIREMENTS OR PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE”. R. Scott motioned to approve, E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous.
Approval to advertise the proposed 2015 Budget. K. Weiss motioned to approve,
- Scott seconded. Unanimous.
Approval to advertise Ordinance #230 Tax Rate Levy, will stay the same 12.75 Mils. K. Weiss motioned to advertise E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of Resolution R-04-14 – PennEast Pipeline Co.
The Riegelsville Borough Council does hereby object to the design and construction of a 36-inch natural gas pipeline passing through and under Riegelsville Borough. The construction and operation of the pipeline will significantly damage protected streams, wildlife habitat, existing farm operations, and the quality of life in Riegelsville Borough.
The Riegelsville Borough Council calls for a moratorium on any and all planning for the PennEast Pipeline and requests that any such project, if approved, be removed from the pristine reaches of Luzerne, Carbon, Northampton and Bucks Counties in Pennsylvania and Hunterdon and Mercer Counties in New Jersey
The Riegelsville Borough Council seeks the cooperation of other similarly located and affected municipalities, asking that all nearby affected municipalities adopt a similar resolution.
The Riegelsville Borough Council adopts, and calls upon similarly situated municipalities to adopt a resolution authorizing each municipality to join together to enter their appearance in any proceeding before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the Delaware River Basin Commission, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and any other regulatory authority, so that by the strength of numbers they may successfully oppose the PennEast Pipeline project and have the ability to cause the relocation or termination of the project so as to prevent environmental degradation and to project the environment envisioned by the State of Pennsylvania and spelled out in the State Constitution. R. Scott motioned to approve, E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous.
Mike Reilly, Durham resident stated that while he was working his wife called and said that a representative from PennEast Pipeline Co was trespassing on their property. Mike stated that they never received a letter in reference to them using their property. T. Stinnett stated they should have received a certified letter. T. Stinnett asked S. Masteller to give Mike the contact information of the surveyors and other PennEast representatives
NEW BUSINESS: None to report.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve bills. K. Weiss seconded. Unanimous.
Meeting adjourned 8:13 PM.