President Thomas E. Stinnett called the Zoom regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:03 p.m. January 13, 2021. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call was taken. PRESENT: Thomas Stinnett, Ed Bartosiewicz, Kate Brandes, Ann P. Moyer, Rodney Scott and Mayor Stokes.
Motion to approve the January 13, 2021 Council minutes with the ratification of the total approval of bills to include the additional payment to BP Card for payment that was not received, paid by e-check in the amount of $422.86 on January 29, 2021. The original payment was received 2/1 by BP. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve R. Scott Seconded. Unanimous.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Letter dated January 14, 2021, Margaret Wildonger, Borough resident- change of property lines.
Letter dated January 22, 2021, from Borough Engineer, Cowan Associates- Spring hill Speed Study report.
Email received January 28, 2021 from Tom Stinnett, Secretary Riegelsville Planning Commission annual report for 2020.
Letter dated February 9, 2021 from Borough Engineer, Cowan Associates opinion letter- Lot Consolidation Margaret Wildonger. Council has more questions for the Borough Engineer before any formal decision is made.
REPORTS:
President: T. Stinnett stated that there is one addition to the Draft Agenda that everyone received during the “Essential Business”.
Mayor: Mayor Stokes helped two trucks. The one was looking for the Riegelsville Inn and the other needed help to get turned around to avoid the Delaware River Bridge.
COMMENTS OF CITIZENS: Please state your name, you have 3 minutes to speak.
4-Borough residents present on Zoom.
Corey Campbell, Borough resident reported that he missed last week’s meeting but his wife Amber talked to the guy that parked in their driveway was just counting cars not checking speeds. He was there for only an hour or so. S. Masteller will email them the report in the morning. T. Stinnett is going to contact Borough Engineer in reference to these questions.
C.Campbell also questioned that after reading the “Streets & properties” minutes, it says that the Borough will pay for the resident’s fence by the trail. C. Campbell stated they had to put up a fence so the borough can pay for that too. R. Scott stated he said Council will not pay for a resident’s fence that is their responsibility. Remarks: see “Streets & Properties” minutes below for the correction to the draft.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Community Affairs:
Ann P Moyer called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm on January 20, 2021 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: Frank Preedy- Borough EMC and Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary.
Concerns from citizens: Please state your name, you have maximum 3 minutes to speak.
Beth Banko- Library Board of Trustee member attended the Zoom.
Discussions:
Zoning: Jim Kopchak, Borough Zoning Officer Gave Council his January 2021 report, S. Masteller read it. Permits: Zoning permits: 1- Residential Deck, Building permits: 1-Tank Removals 504 Easton Road, 1- Deck.
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.
- Zoning Hearing Board pending for 303 Poplar Road.
- 546 Easton Road New Home: Sidewalk will be replaced, Borough office received multiple complaints on the condition.
Library News: Borough office received the December 2020 Directors report minutes and they have been filed. Beth Banko, Library Board acting Secretary reported to Council:
- The new windows are AWSOME- they really cut down the road noise, thanks you to Council for making this happen and also the ceiling is repaired.
- Hopefully they will be starting a go fund me page since they can’t do any fundraising due to the pandemic.
- They have a potential Bookkeeper to hire to help the treasurer.
- S. Masteller will send B. Banko the info she needs to update the Board members.
- The Library has received the “Frank E. and Seba B. Payne Foundation Grant”
- The Library is not that busy due to the pandemic.
Fire Co. News:
- E. Bartosiewicz reported that the Fire Company members are starting to get the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Riegelsville Enhancement Committee
- No meetings at this time. .
- A. Moyer asked if we had many calendars left from 2020. Maybe we can do one for 2022.
- UBREMS News:
- E. Bartosiewicz reported that the paramedics have received their Covid -19 vaccines.
Rec Board News:
- R. Scott reported that Silver Creek AA has opted out of the Palisades Softball. It was a financial decision for them. ELVS turned them down to enter as a separate organization.
Riegelsville Emergency Management:
- F. Preedy reported that the property owners at 504 Easton Road (formally Dale Wood) received a low interest grant to remove the fuel storage tanks. F. Preedy sent them a thank you note for the public service that they have done to remove them and make the Borough safer.
- Riegelsville had a close call of high water levels around Christmas during the high winds and melting snow in the river. Riegelsville was lucky but north & south of us had Canal wall collapsing issues. F. Preedy did windshield checks and properties by the river and Durham Road during and after the storm.
- F. Preedy reported that there was an article on the Tesla Car batteries are catching fire and firefighters need to have special ways to extinguish them.
- F. Preedy took a NIMS seminar in March 2020.
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.
Misc: B. Banko asked if the Borough received the check for the Libraries contribution towards the Library repairs. S. Masteller stated the borough did receive the check and it was deposited.
Meeting adjourned 7:24 pm.
Next meeting February 17, 2021 7pm
Utilities:
Rodney Scott called the Utilities meeting to order at 7:24 pm on January 20, 2021 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: Rodney Scott, Ed Bartosiewicz, Kate Brandes, Tom Stinnett and Ann P Moyer.
Others Present: Frank Preedy- Borough EMC and Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary.
Concerns from Citizens: Please state your name, you have maximum 3 minutes to speak.
1 borough resident on Zoom.
Discussions:
- Riegelsville Water Co. water usage comparison of 2019-2020. The water is pulled from 3 wells.
2020 was 5,239,400 gallons less than 2019. During the last quarter of 2019 there was 3 leaks that where found and repaired. Fall 2020 the Water Co. will schedule the leak detection maintenance again.
- R. Scott reported that they are very close to finishing the draft agreement with Aqua. This afternoon
Mike Sullivan, Borough water operator emailed Council his suggestions. Once the draft is ready it will be approved to be forwarded to Aqua. Hopefully the draft will be ready for the February Borough Council meeting.
- T. Stinnett discussed that we have received email concerns from 2 property owners by the Trail by Fern
Road/Edgewood Road that people are walking on their yards and in the industrial acres of woods (known as the pit in the 60’s). The property owners have put up no trespassing signs. The Borough has had the open space for years and also the plans for the trail that has finally been able to be constructed. The Borough has put a note in the “Rville Happenings” email list in reference to respect others property while you are walking/biking on the trail by staying on the trail. The Borough is putting up the split rail fencing to guide the walkers onto the trail. The one part of the split rail will be moved since it is on the one owner’s property. An option for property owners is to put up a fence around their property with proper permits.
- B. Banko asked if horses can go on the trail since dogs are allowed. Council said as long as the horse
riders clean up after them.
Meeting Adjourned: 7:38 pm
Next meeting February 17, 2021 7pm
Streets & Properties: Corrected Draft
Ed Bartosiewicz called the Streets & Properties Zoom meeting to order at 7:01 pm on February 3, 2021. 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.
4- Borough residents present.
Discussions:
Borough Building Front Porch- E. Bartosiewicz reported no update.
Borough Building Down Spout- E. Bartosiewicz reported no update.
Keystone Library Grant Renovation update- Borough received the Keystone Grant portion of the project $44,684.50.
Trail update- The split rail fence was removed from 945 Edgewood Road property, will be put on the Borough trail property. Signs are on order for the foot bridge that say” Caution may be slippery”. There is no winter maintenance on the trail.
Spring Hill Road traffic calming- The traffic field study was performed on 1/7/21, the review dated 1/21/21 from traffic Plan and Design, Inc. was received from the Borough Engineer for Borough Council to look over.
Rodney asked if there has been a traffic study on Sherer’s Hill Road, T. Stinnett didn’t this one was ever done. We did add SLOW painted on the roadway and there are trail signs and a crosswalk to go across to the trail. T. Stinnett asked how Council feels about adding a calming device. Suggestion was to paint SLOW on road and trail ahead/ walkers ahead on Spring Hill Road. Council discussed and will be added to the Council agenda on February 10. 2021.
Metal detecting on Borough property- The Borough has received inquiries to see if metal detecting is allowed at the Borough Park. Council discussed and is concerned that some will not fix the dirt and the Borough employees and volunteer work really hard to make the Park enjoyable for the Community. Suggestions were to put signs up and not allow it at the Park. This will be added to the Council agenda on February 10, 2021.
Pedestrian Bridge update- There are a few boards to replace in the spring, power wash and paint with a non-slip product.
T, Stinnett stated we should discuss the Edgewood/Fern end of the trail since Gabi & Corey Capell and Gary Pulak are present for our meeting. The split rail fence is being moved and the bollard will go in and that will block vehicles from going in. G. Capell stated that they have people walking on their property and G. Pulak’s property south side of the trail. They hear vehicles since it has snowed. G. Capell is worried about her young child’s safety. She told the people trespassing to get off her property. People are trespassing on G. Pulak’s property and he is concerned since he hunts on his property. No Trespassing signs are posted and he doesn’t want anyone to get hurt. R. Scott asked how long the Capell’s have lived here and if they knew there was Open Space around their property before they bought it. G. Capell stated around 5 years and unfortunately they did not know of the Open Space. All three property owners would like the Borough to put up a 52ft galvanized fence on both sides of the trail to keep people off their properties. R. Scott said the Open space was purchased approximately 15-20 years ago with the trail in mind. CORRECTED: R. Scott stated that Borough tax money would not be used to pay for your fence. G. Capell said that the trail was put on their property and she had to get it surveyed and she contacted the Borough and no one said they were sorry that the contractor ruined her property. Borough Engineer had the contractor fix their property and realign the trail per the specs.
Council said they will work together by adding more signage, getting the word out to the Borough residents and asked if the Capell’s could put up no trespassing signs too. Council will research more ways to help this Trail be a positive project for everyone to enjoy especially during the times we are in right now. There are no fences on any trail in the Lehigh Valley K. Brandes stated. Additional “No Parking” signs need to be added to the eastside of Edgewood Road (South end) due to people parking there to use the trail. That hill is used by the Riegelsville Fire Co. emergency vehicles to get off the hill.
Meeting adjourned 7:52 pm
Next Streets/Properties meeting will be held on March 3, 2021 at 7:00 pm.
Finance:
Kate Brandes called the Finance Zoom meeting to order on February 3, 2021 at 7:52 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.
1- Borough residents present. No comments.
Discussions:
- The Water Co. needs to order a backup booster for the Chlorinator at Well #3 the cost is approx. $727.00. Will add to Council agenda.
- We are waiting to receive the BC Open Space/Trail funds $55,883.75.
- We received the Keystone Grant check $44,684.50 and the Riegelsville Library check $13,488.50
- Auditor may be done with 2020 Audit next week.
- Look over the finances. T. Stinnett stated that under the general fund page 7 Engineer expenditure is for the Library renovations $3370.42. S. Masteller stated that on the Invoice report page 1 show that Engineer has 2 invoices. One invoice # 59049 is $3,220.42(Borough Hall Grant) and the invoice #59065 is $150.00 (Floodplain) with a total of $3370.42.
Meeting adjourned at 8:02 pm.
Next Finance meeting will be held March 3, 2021 immediately following Streets/Properties
ESSENTIAL BUSINESS: If anyone has any questions please comment prior to the vote.
Approval for the Riegelsville Library to have outdoor children’s Storytime starting April 2021. A. Moyer motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded. Unanimous.
Approval for the Library ceiling repair invoice for the tenant to include a 15% admin fee ($33.75). R. Scott motioned to approve, A. Moyer seconded. Unanimous.
Approval to purchase a backup booster for the Chlorinator at Well #3 the cost is approx. $727.00. K. Brandes motioned to approve, A. Moyer seconded. Unanimous.
Approval to purchase 3 “NO Metal Detecting” signs for the Borough Park. R. Scott motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded. Unanimous.
Draft agenda stated: Approval to reappoint Damian Newton and Thomas Stinnett to Riegelsville Planning Commission 4 year seat 2021-2024. A. Moyer suggested they be voted on separate. T. Stinnett, Council President stated we will vote separate.
Approval to reappoint Damian Newton to Riegelsville Planning Commission 4 year seat 2021-2024. R. Scott motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded. Unanimous.
Approval to reappoint Thomas Stinnett to Riegelsville Planning Commission 4 year seat 2021-2024. R. Scott motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded. T. Stinnett abstained. A. Moyer voted NAY
Motion approved 3 to 1, 1 abstentions.
Approval of installation of traffic calming devices based on the traffic study. Tabled for more information from Cowan Associates, Borough Engineer.
During January 2021 Council meeting the Bollards and fencing was approved for approx. $ 2128.00, the actual cost was $2360.53 difference of $232.53. A. Moyer motioned to approve, R. Scott seconded. Unanimous.
Addition to the Draft Agenda: Approval to refund the balance of the ZHB Accessory Structure Escrow $584.50, to be added to the March bills. K. Brandes motioned to approve, A. Moyer seconded. Unanimous.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: K. Brandes motioned to approve bills. A. Moyer seconded. Unanimous.
Meeting adjourned 7:33 PM.
Borough office closed Monday February 15, 2021 “President’s Day”.
Next Council meeting March 10, 2021 at 7:00pm
Sherry Masteller
Borough Secretary
Zoom recording link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/XcGl9CFxH2zOjEl5maEKzZ4250bRLdnIIuhBx0eK7r3_v9aKO5mVKVeZLoVixYQ2.VJ77dPKwbu8RdwBY
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