President Thomas E. Stinnett called the Zoom regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:00 pm April 14, 2021. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call was taken. PRESENT: Thomas Stinnett, Ed Bartosiewicz, Kate Brandes, Ann Moyer, Rodney Scott and Mayor Stokes.
We are recording this Zoom Council meeting. If anyone makes inappropriate comments, tries to sell something, is attacking someone, etc. you will be removed from this meeting.
Motion to approve March 10, 2021 Council minutes. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve A. Moyer Seconded. Unanimous.
S. Masteller- Borough Secretary stated that there are typos on tonight’s agenda, under “ESSENTIAL BUSINESS” The prices of oil should be $2.399 and $2.599.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Nothing to report.
REPORTS:
President: T. Stinnett reported that Council held an executive session before the March 17 2021 meeting to discuss a potential legal matter that was resolved prior to any formal action being taken.
Mayor: Mayor Stokes received a call from Borough resident in reference to a dog barking, he told them about the Borough noise ordinance and Bucks County Dog Warden. Mayor Stokes also reported that three trucks needed assistance since they can’t go over the River Bridge and forth one today but missed helping to get them in the right direction. Mayor Stokes helped a Borough resident that construction work was being done in the Borough without a permit and told the resident the Zoning Office information is on the Borough Website. Mayor Stokes assisted PA State Police officer (new to this area) locate an address in the Borough.
COMMENTS OF CITIZENS: Please state your name, you have 3 minutes to speak.
2-Borough residents present on Zoom.
Bob Ryan, Borough resident made a couple calls because he saw on the agenda that there are prices for oil and electric to be voted on tonight. Bob called a company and said he was looking for pricing on a Commercial Business in Riegelsville and pays about $5,000.00 for oil. They stated today’s price is $2.169 that much lower than $2.399 that Moyer is stated on the Agenda. Bob asked S. Masteller if there is a service contract, Sherry stated she would need to look that up. Bob asked Sherry if she called other Companies and she replied no. The Borough has used this Company for a few years. Bob asked if anyone on Council called around, most replied no. Bob also stated that with the current Met-Ed bills of approximately $2,000.00 that are being paid tonight he contacted PA Power Switch and they have about 70 companies that would need to be called to get information from. Bob has worked in the electric industry. The Commercial prices he found is much lower that what is below on the agenda. Mayor Stokes said to Bob that his time is up and Bob asked Tom is he could finish what he was saying. Tom said we can continue discussion when we get to it under “Essential Business”.
Maureen Woerner, Borough Resident does feel that it is a conflict of interest to have the Eastburn and Gray represent a Borough resident that is doing a lot consolidation since Borough Solicitor is with Eastburn & Gray. Maureen felt after reading the past minutes that the Borough will need to get legal advice to protect the Borough in the future.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Community Affairs:
Ann P Moyer called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm on March 17, 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, Jim Kopchak- Riegelsville Zoning officer, Tammy Macaluso-Treasurer and Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary.
Concerns from citizens: Please state your name, you have maximum 3 minutes to speak.
1 Borough resident attended the Zoom.
Discussions:
Zoning: Jim Kopchak, Borough Zoning Officer reported to Council his March 2021 report. Permits: 2-Zoning permits: Re-roof and Fence, 1- Building permits: Demo Garage.
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.
ZHB decision from hearing on February 25, 2021 for 303 Poplar Road “Proposed driveway and parking
pad” will be heard before the March 25, 2021 hearing.
ZHB hearing March 25, 2021 7pm for TNT Groundworks LLC/Tom Murtha (Previous owner Weiss
and/Easton Road-east side/Wayside way-North end of the Borough). “Requesting a special exception for proposed deer fence to protect his crops from wildlife”.
Library News: Borough office received the February 2021 Directors report minutes and they have
been filed. A. Moyer reported that the Library is going to put film/tint on the 2 windows in the Historical room.
Fire Co. News:
E. Bartosiewicz reported no information at this time.
Riegelsville Enhancement Committee
Nothing to update.
UBREMS News:
E. Bartosiewicz reported that nothing new to report except they continue to work.
Rec Board News:
R. Scott reported that Palisades Softball sign ups continue and are a little low right now but that maybe due to the pandemic. Rodney will be going to the park to check on the fields and see what needs to be done for the ball season. S. Masteller reported that when she was at the park this past weekend and there is a window broke in the shed and a cement cigarette holder under the pavilion is broke-Matt will remove it next week.
Riegelsville Emergency Management:
F. Preedy was on the Bucks County EMA conference call for all EMC’s. The vaccine efforts continue at the 3 college locations and have a new space opening at the Neshaminy Mall. This week there is 6000 booster shots for both Moderna and Pfizer at the 3 colleges and 6000 new doses at the Neshaminy Mall.
F.Preedy will be attending the April 7th meeting of the “BC Hazardous plan” round table.
F. Preedy reported that they received an update from PSATS (Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors) that on March 10th, 2021 the US House approved a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, which will now be sent to President Biden for approval. The Borough portion of the “American Recovery Act” should be $84,236.00~ they are restricted funds.
Riegelsville Planning Commission:
T. Stinnett asked if A. Moyer got a response from John Panasiuk after she sent an email. Ann stated she did not. Ann stated that the Borough Council was cc’d on the email and she didn’t receive any feedback either. Tom is going to drop off the Planning Commission handbook in your box at the Borough office that explains what the PC does and you will see that there hasn’t been anything that would require a meeting. Ann stated that since this is a committee that there should be some kind of a meeting or at least a summary in writing.
Meeting adjourned 7:16 pm. Next meeting April 21, 2021 7pm
Utilities:
Rodney Scott called the Utilities meeting to order at 7:16 pm on March 17, 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, Jim Kopchak, Riegelsville zoning officer, Tammy Macaluso- Borough Treasurer and Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary.
Concerns from Citizens: Please state your name, you have maximum 3 minutes to speak.
3 Borough residents on Zoom.
Discussions:
T. Macaluso has been receiving many requests from Borough residents asking when they can make payments with a credit card and online payments for their water bill. Tammy reached out to Caselle (Borough Software Company) for a proposal. There 2 parts that are needed 1-Cash receipting and 2-Invoice Cloud for viewing the invoice plus to pay the invoice. R. Scott asked if this will help us manage the billing more. Tammy stated the Water Company billing is very manageable and user friendly. This would give the resident another way to pay. As you are all aware the mail delivery has been very slow and a lot of payment are being received late. Residents are calling to say when they mailed it and Tammy sees the post mark when she receives it. This could be something for next year’s budget. Tammy will look for more information since residents will also want to pay their taxes and permits fees using an online platform. Some organizations use PayPal. More information is needed before any decisions are made.
The Borough’s energy broker, Integrity Energy has been found a new company APG&E to replace Entrust Energy that went bankrupted. APG&E has a better rate of .569 and Entrust was .592. The info will go onto the April Council agenda for approval.
The Borough received the second & final Bucks County Open Space check $55,783.00. T. Macaluso would like to check the signed agreement to see if we need to do anything else to fulfill our obligations now or in the future. Tammy aslo mentioned that DCNR offers grants usually annually for for development, so maybe for a parking lot for our new trail. There are parking lot locations on the Borough’s master park plan.
T. Macaluso has been looking for a different gas credit card instead of the BP cards, she has found Wex fleet card with the costar program. BP still owes the Borough over $100.00, customer service is horrible.
Tammy has an application that needs a signature to apply for the Wex Fleet card. T. Stinnett will sign it.
Meeting Adjourned: 7:33 pm Next meeting April 21, 2021 7pm
Streets & Properties:
Ed Bartosiewicz called the Streets & Properties Zoom meeting to order at 7:00 pm on April 7, 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 P Moyer, Rodney Scott and Tom Stinnett.
Others Present, Mayor Stokes, Tammy Macaluso- Borough Treasurer and Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary.
Comments from Citizens: Please state your name, you have maximum 3 minutes to speak.
2- 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- S. Masteller reported that there will be another quarterly report is due 4/15/21 but was emailed today. Borough office received a call from Library that the windows do not open. Ed went and looked at them today and said to make Charles Tomko- Cowan Engineer aware. Charles is emailing Pro Com and asking for an update to when the restoration on the grounds will be completed.
Trees at the Borough Hall- M. Brady-Borough Employee sent Council pictures of a few trees on the Borough hall front lawn that need to be looked at by a tree company. Ed also looked at them and said the one maple is dying and a professional should be called. Rodney said we should call Hickory Tree service, they have done work for us before. Tammy also knows a company too if we want another opinion. Council agreed to contact both of them. Tammy will get the contact information to Sherry.
Political Signs- S. Masteller reported that an email was received asking why political signs are up so early.
Sherry said she has not received this question before. The 2020 Election was very different than other years and the signs were up long after the Election Day, even up past when the new President was announced. The Zoning ordinance section 1306 (e) does state that a permit is to be obtained and a deposit (by Council resolution for the deposit fee) currently there is no resolution to go with the permit. Council continued to discuss this process and that it should be followed. Ann asked if the Riegelsville Planning Commission helps with the resolution. Tom stated the RPC can be an advisory to Council in reference to the fee resolution. Kate asked what our next step would be. Tammy suggested we see what other municipalities charge for a sign fee and then Council would need to vote and approve a resolution to go with the Zoning Ordinance. Kate would like to see something less severe than to pay to put up a temporary sign in their yard. More information will be collected.
Rodney also stated that Council needs to enforce the snow removal ordinance on sidewalks and the high grass ordinance. The property owners should be accountable for their property maintenance. Sherry had Sonny Groller- Borough OEO get a list of properties that still had snow on their sidewalks. Some of the properties listed do not have sidewalks so we need a check list so the process will be more efficient to prepare and notices can be sent out.
Durham Road/Small parking lot update- Todd Myers-Borough Engineer will get back to Council with an update.
Flower Pots at the Pedestrian Bridge area- S. Masteller received a call from a Borough resident asking if she could plant flowers in the flower pots located at the Pedestrian Bridge. Council discussed to cap an amount of $50 and see if they are going to water them too. S. Masteller will contact the resident.
Meeting adjourned 7:26 pm Next Streets/Properties meeting will be held on May 5, 2021 at 7:00 pm.
Finance:
Kate Brandes called the Finance Zoom meeting to order on April 7, 2021 at 7:19 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 P Moyer, Rodney Scott and Tom Stinnett.
Others Present:
Mayor Stokes, Tammy Macaluso- Borough Treasurer 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:
E Waste recycling event info: S. Masteller has been gathering info from 2 different companies and their fees are very far apart so more information is needed. We had done one in the past with Durham Township and they are interested again too. Sherry will forward more information when it is received. Rodney asked if we have the poundage information from the December 2018 event, Sherry will also look into that.
GovPay quote/agreement info: T. Macaluso reported that Tom and Ed had questions that were answered.
Council has the contract info so the next step would be for Bill Dudeck-Borough Solicitor to look over it.
Council agreed that Bill should look it over and maybe have it for the Council meeting next week. There are no fees for the Borough and no equipment fees either.
BP Cards Credit: T. Macaluso reported that we finally received the credit and we have started to use WEX Inc. the new company’s cards.
BC Open Space funds $55,883.75 update: The Bucks County Planning Commission (BCPC) has completed their part of the approval and now it gets sent back to John Ives for the completion and the payment to the Borough.
Borough Heating Oil update: S. Masteller reported that April 13, she will contact the Donna- oil sales rep and get the Commercial price plus cost and the fixed rate so Council can vote on that during Borough Council April 14, 2021.
Utility Truck body info: R. Scott talked to Troy at Riegelsville Auto when he say the Utility truck out and Troy asked him if he knew what bad shape the bench seat was in. Troy is going to see if he can find a good used one and let us know the cost.
Look over the finances.
T. Stinnett had a question: what are the Water system “other water revenues” Tammy stated they are water final fees and water resumption fees. No one else had any questions.
Meeting adjourned at 7:44 pm. Next Finance meeting will be held May 5, 2021 immediately following Streets/Properties
ESSENTIAL BUSINESS: If anyone has any questions please comment prior to the vote.
Approval to replace the Borough’s Generation Energy provider Entrust Energy that went bankrupted with APG&E, set rate .569 Term 60 month. 4/2021-4/2026. T. Stinnett stated that we use a broker to get the Borough the most competitive rate. B. Ryan found 68 Brokers & 57 Suppliers in the 18077 area. Mayor Stokes agrees with B. Ryan that Broker compete with each other for their clients. Council continued to discuss this. Council will wait for more information from B. Ryan.
Approval of Agreement between the Borough and GovPay to offer credit card services to residents of Riegelsville Borough. R. Scott motioned to approve, E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous.
William Dudeck, Borough Solicitor is asking Borough Council if they object to John Schaeffer, Eastburn and Gray Solicitor, assisting Margaret Wildonger with her lot consolidation. T. Stinnett stated this is what Maureen Woerner commented on and Tom asked if anyone else would like to comment. R. Scott does feel that the Borough Solicitor’s firm should not represent the property owner in this matter. A. Moyer feels that Ms. Wildonger should not use the same law firm it is a conflict of interest. A. Moyer motioned that the Council would not support Mr. Dudeck’s office/Eastburn & Gray to represent Mrs. Wildonger in the case. R. Scott seconded Unanimous.
Approval of “Moyer indoor outdoor-Oil division” either Commercial Price Plus $2.399 or
Fixed Rate $2.599. T. Stinnett asked Council if we should hold off until we see B. Ryan’s information, Rodney and Ann agreed to wait. We need to make sure we are comparing contracts. This vote is tabled.
Approval of Water Co Check $459.95 to Hach Inc. (chlorine pockets for testing) R. Scott motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of GF Check $608.63 to Diamond Communication Solutions (printing of per capita bills A. Moyer motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded. Unanimous.
Misc. T. Stinnett brought up that Council should discuss doing away with the Per capita Tax and just increase the Municipal taxes. R. Scott questioned that the tenants would not be paying any taxes. A. Moyer asked if we know how many tenants we have in the Borough. S. Masteller will gather information on number of rental units and number of tenants (anyone over 18 needs to be listed on the registration).
APPROVAL OF BILLS: E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve bills. K. Brandes seconded. Unanimous.
Meeting adjourned 7:30 PM.
Next Council meeting May 12, 2021 at 7:00pm
Sherry Masteller
Borough Secretary
Zoom recording link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/QbU8D71uL8lCBUdXUdFT4ao1Jj9-6C2rIn08qCz6tH8x1HMTEwIW_c3a9E8oOvBT.Clj9ZW5H5D6gZQ_t
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