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Approved December 2020 Council Minutes

President Thomas E. Stinnett called the Zoom regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:01 p.m. December 9, 2020.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call was taken. PRESENT: Thomas Stinnett, Ed Bartosiewicz, Kate Brandes, Rodney Scott and Mayor Stokes. ABSENT: Ann P Moyer.

Motion to approve the November 10, 2020 Council minutes with the ratification of the total approval of bills to include the additional payment to EMC Insurance for monthly billing paid by e-check in the amount of $2,066.71 on November 17, 2020. With this payment total bills for the month of November 2020 were $44,443.33.  K. Brandes motioned to approve   E. Bartosiewicz Seconded.   Unanimous. 

CORRESPONDENCE: None to report

REPORTS: 

President: T. Stinnett- Nothing to report.

Mayor: Mayor Stokes reported to Council that he performed a wedding today.

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS:  Please state your name, you have 3 minutes to speak.

3-Borough residents present on Zoom.  No one spoke.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Community: Ann P Moyer called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm on November 18, 2020 via Zoom. We are recording this meeting. If anyone makes inappropriate comments, tries to sell something, is attacking someone, etc. you will be removed from this meeting.

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

Others Present:   Jim Kopchak-Borough zoning officer, Frank Preedy- Borough EMC and Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary.

Concerns from citizens:  Please state your name, you have maximum 3 minutes to speak.

2 borough resident on Zoom, No one spoke.

Discussions:

Zoning: Jim Kopchak, Borough Zoning Officer Permits: Zoning permits: 2- Residential Re-roofs, 1-Commercial Re-roof, Building permits: 1-Commercial Re-Roof.

Enforcement Activities:

  • 129 Maplewood Road- No update, Will reach out to property owner to see if there is an update.
  • 715 Durham Road- No update.
  • No Zoning Hearings scheduled.
  • 303 Poplar Road proposed garage, driveway and parking pad on hold. Received the 11/13/2020 court decision.

Library News: Borough office received the October 2020 Directors report minutes have been filed in the Borough office. A. Moyer reported they are running the best they can during this very difficult time.

  • E. Bartosiewicz reported that the Library will be closed November 23-28, 2020, due to window installation. Sorry for an inconvenience.
  • Becky-Children’s Librarian has put online story time on hold due to lack of attendance, hopefully it will be up and running in the New Year.

Fire Co. News:

  • E. Bartosiewicz reported that the Fire Co they continues to go on calls (17 for October) and a lot of practices but no fundraisers.  They participated in a heavy equipment rescue training and soon they have confined spaces rescue training.

Riegelsville Enhancement Committee

  • No meetings at this time.
  • A. Moyer reported that St Peter’s Lutheran Church is looking for someone to take over the Volunteer Coordinator for the Luminaries project on Christmas Eve & Day after for clean-up. The enhancement Committee donates the money to provide the candles each year.  S. Masteller continues to get more info from B. Callahan and will report back to Council. T. Stinnett is willing to pick up the candles. Council members have said they could help too once a schedule is established. This a so beautiful to light up Riegelsville on Christmas Eve.
  • A. Moyer reported that there are some 2020 Riegelsville calendars left and maybe Becky could use them for crafts at the Library or if anyone wants any we could give them away. A. Moyer will take some to her schools are teacher too.  S. Masteller will gather they rest of them money and past year calendars too.

UBREMS News:

  • E. Bartosiewicz reported nothing new to report just answering calls. 111 calls in October.  They have been going to a few sporting events too.

Rec Board News:

  • R. Scott reported that he did reach out to a few companies to service the John Deere tractor before it is put away for the winter. Rodney will send an email to Recreation Board.
  • S. Masteller needs to ask Marie if they want the hand wash station back, it has been emptied so it doesn’t freeze in the winter.

Riegelsville Emergency Management:

  • Preedy picked up PPE for the Fire Co. from Bucks County on Tuesday November 10 and dropped it off to Joel Roney-Riegelsville Battalion Chief.
  • Preedy also talked to J. Roney about the “Round-up” fundraiser at Kimberton Food Store.
  • Preedy will be attending an after meeting to evaluate the six months after the Covid started.

Riegelsville Planning Commission:

  • T. Stinnett reported they did not have a meeting since it would have been the day before election and no one could use the meeting room due to the sanitation before the Election the following day.

Meeting adjourned 7:15 pm.    No meeting in December 2020, Next meeting January 20, 2021   7pm

 

Utilities: Rodney Scott called the Utilities meeting to order at 7:16 pm on November 18, 2020 at the Riegelsville Borough Hall.

We are recording this meeting. If anyone makes inappropriate comments, tries to sell something, is attacking someone, etc. you will be removed from this meeting.

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

Others Present:   Jim Kopchak-Borough zoning officer, Frank Preedy- Borough EMC and Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary.

Concerns from Citizens:  Please state your name, you have maximum 3 minutes to speak.

2 borough resident on Zoom, No one spoke.

Discussions:

  • S. Masteller reported that after the Borough Hall Boiler had the yearly service done the technician with Haley Heating said to watch the water tank because there was a little water around it.  M. Brady contacted Haley because there was water again and it needs to be checked out.
  • Council has the copy of the Draft Resolution for Water rate increase that will be added to the December 9, 2020 Council agenda for a vote.
  • E. Bartosiewicz asked if we have heard anything from Aqua NJ in reference to the draft agreement with the Riegelsville Water Company. R. Scott looked over all the information and will contact Mike Sullivan- Riegelsville Water Operator to discuss the questions that have come up.

Meeting Adjourned: 7:25 pm

No meeting in December 2020, Next meeting January 20, 2021   7pm

 

Streets & Properties: Ed Bartosiewicz called the Streets & Properties Zoom meeting to order at 7:00 pm on December 2, 2020. We are recording this Zoom meeting.  If anyone makes inappropriate comments, tries to sell something, is attacking someone, etc. you will be removed from this meeting.

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

Others Present, Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary.

Comments from Citizens:   Please state your name, you have maximum 3 minutes to speak.

2- Borough residents present. Cory Campbell, Borough resident on Spring Hill Road reported that on Saturday due to Mariton Sanctuary off od Spring Hill Road was closed people were looking for a place to walk and parked down by Riegelsville trail on Spring Hill road  because there is no signs for no parking yet. C. Campbell asked Council during the last meeting about this too.  Signage has been placed on the trail but the barriers have not been constructed yet, due to shipping. Something temporary needs to go up.  T. Stinnett will meet with M. Brady- Borough employee to put something up.

Discussions:

Front Porch on Borough Building- S. Masteller reported that we only have one quote so far. E. Bartosiewicz was waiting for another contractor.

Borough Building Down Spout- Council will look over Cowan, Borough Engineers suggestion to fix it now that the roof is replaced. S. Masteller will contact Cowan for a specs for a contractor to perform the project and present quotes.

Borough Building Front Porch- E. Bartosiewicz reported that the front porch needs to have the gutter replaced.  The gutter is 26 feet long.

Keystone Library Grant Renovation update- E. Bartosiewicz reported  that the flashing was done on the roof, so that is done.  The windows are all in except for 3 are still on order. E. Bartosiewicz talked to Terri & Becky at the Library and they are pleased and it is very quiet with the new windows and no wind coming in the windows like before.  T. Stinnett stated that we took out the plaster repairs from this project right.  S. Masteller stated yes that was taken out and will need to be rebid.

Trail update- S. Masteller reported nothing new on the trail.

Spring Hill Road traffic calming- S. Masteller reported that T. Myers, Borough engineer confirmed the field survey by Traffic Planning and Design will be completed by the end of next week and their needs report to follow a few days later.  T. Myers will let S. Masteller know ASAP what the exact date their team will be in the field so you can contact the Campbell’s.

Delaware Hill mulching update- S. Masteller has a call into Charles and connect tomorrow December 4.

Meeting adjourned 7:18 pm Next Streets/Properties meeting will be held on February 3, 2020 at 7:00 pm.

Finance: Kate Brandes called the Finance meeting to order on December 2, 2020 at 7:16 pm.

We are recording this Zoom meeting. If anyone makes inappropriate comments, tries to sell something, is attacking someone, etc. you will be removed from this meeting.

Members Present:

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

Others Present: 

Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary.

Comment from Citizens:   Please state your name, you have maximum 3 minutes to speak.

2- Borough residents present.  No comments.

Discussions:

  • The Draft 2021 Budget will be voted on during December 9 Council.
  • Ordinance #243 Tax Rate will be voted on during December 9 Council.
  • Water rate increase resolution for 2021 will be voted on during December 9 Council.
  • Council looked over the finances. T. Stinnett had 3 questions: with REMARKS:
  1. 01-331-120 page 3, Local Code violations are a little lower than last year, have the

Zoning/Building permits that are in violation and pay double fees been put into this total?  REMARKS: This is money received from the Magistrate’s office.

  1. 01-427-500 Household Hazardous waste program $130.00 we didn’t pay this yet? REMARKS: Letter is coming from Bucks County Planning Commission the week of December 7, 2020.
  2. 38-392-035 Highway aid on the income side page 16 transfer from highway aid $6,680.00, need explanation. REMARKS:That is the money transferred in to the equipment reserve fund.
  • T. Stinnett asked if we need to add the New Bucks County resolution from Tax Claim to the December

Council meeting agenda.  S. Masteller stated that it can go on the Council agenda since William Dudeck Borough Solicitor will need to look the document over.

Meeting adjourned at 7:27 pm.

Next Finance meeting will be held February 3, 2021 immediately following Streets/Properties

 

ESSENTIAL BUSINESS:

Approval of the Draft 2021 Budget. K. Brandes motioned to approve and E. Bartosiewicz seconded.  Unanimous.  

Approval of Ordinance #243, Tax Levy for 2021 15.00 Mils (1Mil increase from last year) Proof of Publication certification was received. R. Scott motioned to approve and K. Brandes seconded.  Unanimous.  

Approval of Resolution R-05-20 “Water Rate increase for 2021” K. Brandes motioned to approve and R. Scott seconded.  Unanimous.  

Approval of Resolution R-06-20 to reappoint Allen Madnick to Zoning Hearing Board. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve and R. Scott seconded.  Unanimous.   

Approval of pay request #1 (Library renovations) recommendations from Cowan Associates $71,550.00 to Pro-Com.  E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve and K. Brandes seconded.  Unanimous.

Approval of change order #1 (Stone RecreationTrail) recommendations from Cowan Associates $470.00(will be added to the final payment below) to Charlie Nansteel Tree & Excavation. R. Scott motioned to approve and E. Bartosiewicz seconded.  Unanimous.

Approval of final payment #5 (Stone RecreationTrail) recommendations from Cowan Associates $55,482.03 to Charlie Nansteel Tree & Excavation. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve and R. Scott seconded.  Unanimous.

Approval for a 2 year extension from ord #227 Septic system maintenance 413 Poplar Road. R. Scott motioned to approve and E. Bartosiewicz seconded.  Unanimous. 

Borough received two quotes for the Library ceiling plaster repair: one from George Renner Plastering LLC $1200.00 and second from Neil Curry/ Stone Restoration $225.00. Approval of Low Bid quote for $225.00 from N. Curry/Stone restoration. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve and K. Brandes seconded.  Unanimous.   

Approval of William, Dudeck-Borough solicitor to draft a resolution in reference to the resolution that the Bucks County Tax Claim passed on August 13, 2020 in regards to the 5% commission that tax claim retains when collecting the Borough’s delinquent municipal taxes. K. Brandes motioned to approve and R. Scott seconded.  Unanimous.   

APPROVAL OF BILLS:  

Total Bills & Payroll: $159,676.87   E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve bills.  K. Brandes seconded. Unanimous.

Meeting adjourned 7:18 PM.   

Next Council meeting January 13, 2020 at 7:00pm

No December 16, Community Affairs & Utilities meeting.

No January 6, Streets & Properties & Finance meeting.

Sherry Masteller

Borough Secretary

 

Zoom recording link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/srclPVJJas0SXFS1SHFQRlnrZvVT9ftg47feQCMonPRDTLl7LqpTZIBE8jd6Mx4.Dbq5RF4j_CUviFIX

 

Password: bj0mwME+

 


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