President Thomas E. Stinnett called the regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:00 pm November 10, 2021. If anyone makes inappropriate comments, tries to sell something, is attacking someone, etc. you will be removed from this meeting.
The Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call: PRESENT: Thomas Stinnett, Ed Bartosiewicz, Kate Brandes, Ann Moyer and Rodney Scott.
Motion to approve October 13, 2021 Council minutes. K. Brandes motioned to approve, E. Bartosiewicz Seconded. Unanimous.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Received 2022 Municipal Engineering services rate from Cowan Associates, Inc.
Email received from Robert Ryan, Borough Resident intent to serve on Riegelsville Planning Commission.
Email received from David Brandes, Borough Resident intent to serve on Riegelsville Planning Commission.
REPORTS:
President: T. Stinnett reported that before the October 13, 2021 Borough Council meeting Borough Council had an executive session in reference to a legal matter. This will be added to tonight’s minutes. Ann asked if the October minutes need to be amended then add this since it was missed. Tom thinks that it is okay to add to November minutes. S. Masteller will check with the Borough Solicitor.
Mayor: Absent
Report: Sherry Masteller appointed Open Records Officer (ORO)
October 2021
2~ RTK requests received via 1-Email & 1-dropped off at the Borough drop box.
Both needed 30 days extensions.
Open Records Officer Hours: 2 Hours to process, gather documents and if needed forward requests to an agency of the Borough.
COMMENTS OF CITIZENS: Please state your name, you have 3 minutes to speak.
7-Borough residents present and Cpl. Whitbeck III from PSP Dublin Barracks.
Cpl. Whitbeck reported to Council that they continue to patrol for speeding/racing on Borough roads and State Road 611/Easton Road. Sherry Masteller, Borough Secretary/Rec Board Volunteer thanked Cpl. Whitbeck for having a presence during the Fall Rollout Car show on Sunday November 7, 2021 we had an awesome fundraiser that will benefit the Community, children’s programs and our Borough Park.
Gary Chase, Borough Resident congratulated Council members that won reelection. Gary continued to read a letter he wrote, touching on a few things that he has noticed by attending Borough meetings. He stated the US Constitution gives the federal government the authority, and the states the right, to impose taxes upon their residents. State, County and Municipal taxes may be referred to as local taxes. Municipalities are funded by local taxes, therefore the word taxes and funds are interchangeable. Pennsylvania Statutes Title 65, section 67.101 is known as the Right-To-Know Law. Under section 67.708 there is a list of (30) exemptions to a request for public records. Section 67.708(b)(1) on one of the 30 exemptions- it states” a record of disclosure is exempt from access by a requester if the record would result in the loss of Federal or State funds by an agency or the Commonwealth” Therefore, if there is a loss of funds by the Commonwealth, or Municipality, Right-to know disclosures can be denied. Gary also stated that tort is a wrongful act that cases harm and Intentional tort is a wrongful act done on purpose. Intentional tort can be and individual or it can be initiated by likeminded individuals, associates and/or family members working together, or conspiring, to cause harm. During the September and October Council meetings several board members expressed concerns about inordinate municipal funds being spent on processing Right-to-know request from 2018-2021 Solicitor fees. This is a loss of Municipal funds and loss due to the Municipal administrator’s time. It appears to Gary that this wave of RTK requests is intentional tort, if being carried out by a single individual, or affiliated individuals. These RTK requests are being initiated with the intent to harm Riegelsville proper and with the intent to cause financial distress upon its residents. The requests should be denied and Gary recommends that this Council seek legal representation beyond its solicitor to protect the town and its residents from additional loss of funds, and from the possibility of being victim of intentional tort.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Community Affairs: Ann Moyer called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm on October 20, 2021.
If anyone makes inappropriate comments, tries to sell something, is attacking someone, etc. you will be removed from this meeting.
Members Present: Ann Moyer, Ed Bartosiewicz, Kate Brandes, Tom Stinnett, Rodney Scott and Mayor Stokes.
Others Present: Frank Preedy- Borough EMC and Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary. 3- Borough residents present.
Concerns from citizens: Please state your name, you have maximum 3 minutes to speak. No one spoke.
Discussions:
Zoning: No report, Jim Kopchak has been out sick.
Library News: Borough office received from Terri Randolph (Director) the September 2021 Directors report minutes and they have been filed. A. Moyer reported that the Book sale was a success, around $5,000.00. The Halloween Parade preparations are in full swing.
Fire Co. News: The Fire Company had a Sportsman Bingo on Sunday October 17 and it went well, they are hoping to have the December Breakfast too. T. Stinnett asked why water was running down Delaware Road, the trucks pumps were having inspections.
Riegelsville Enhancement Committee: A. Moyer reported that they received 2 Scarecrows for the contest.
UBREMS (Upper Bucks Regional EMS) News: E. Bartosiewicz reported they do not have enough EMT’s and Paramedics since other Companies are paying more.
Rec Board News: R. Scott reported that the Basketball court and the tennis court got sealed today. Car show is moving along, next meeting is tomorrow at 7pm. Mayor Stokes will contact the State Police to remind them to drive by.
Riegelsville Emergency Management: F. Preedy reported to Council that PEMA received the “Letter of Intent” for the Hazard Mitigation. Frank also talked to the Company that we had received information from before to fix the pipes at the storm drains. Frank will keep Council updated on form information.
Riegelsville Planning Commission: T. Stinnett reported to Council that during the October 7, 2021 meeting they have a potential buyer for 702 Durham Road that explained their business plan to the Board. S. Masteller reported that the Borough office has received many inquiries to that property and Sherry has them email the Riegelsville Zoning office. The next meeting is Monday November 1, 2021.
Misc.
Meeting adjourned 7:16pm. Next meeting November 17, 2021 7pm
Utilities: Rodney Scott called the Utilities meeting to order at 7:17 pm on October 20, 2021.
If anyone makes inappropriate comments, tries to sell something, is attacking someone, etc. you will be removed from this meeting.
Members Present: Rodney Scott, Ann P Moyer, Ed Bartosiewicz, Kate Brandes,
Tom Stinnett and Mayor Stokes.
Others Present: Frank Preedy- Borough EMC, 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 resident present. No one spoke.
Discussions:
Council looked over and discussed Matt’s email about the leak repairs that are needed.
- Leak in service line at 130 Maplewood Road repaired. Sidewalk needs to be poured.
- Leak in 6″ main at 364 Delaware Road repaired.
- Leak in service line at 128 Sycamore Road repaired. Need to grass seed there once dirt settles.
Nate Stauffer/ Leak detector technician should be back next week to listen for second potential leak in 6″ main in area of 364 Delaware Road.
Matt will discuss the meter pit installation for 365 Delaware Road service line with Wayne Dowd.
Council received a quote from K&R Tree Services for the dead trees up at Well 1 and 2. Will be added to Borough Council agenda November 10, 2021 for vote.
Verizon and Barry Hoffman, electrician for the wells VFD system has be working together to get the communication line working between the wells.
Meeting Adjourned: 7:31 pm Next meeting November 17, 2021 7pm
7:32pm
2022 Budget Work session
Ended 7:58pm
Streets & Properties: Ed Bartosiewicz called the Streets & Properties meeting to order at 7:00 pm on November 3, 2021. If anyone makes inappropriate comments, tries to sell something, is attacking someone, etc. you will be removed from this meeting.
Members Present: Ed Bartosiewicz, Ann Moyer (left during meeting for emergency), Rodney Scott and Tom Stinnett.
Others Present Mayor Stokes and Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary.
Comments from Citizens: Please state your name, you have maximum 3 minutes to speak.
2-Borough residents present.
Discussions:
Mayor Stokes reported to Council that when Penn Dot did the line painting on Delaware Road a truck went through before it was dry and it is a mess. Council discussed that they should have had cones up or maybe there is something wrong with the paint. Sherry received a call from Borough resident that his car had paint on it from the lines, fortunately they were able to get the paint off right away. Sherry left a message with the Penn Dot representative.
Borough Building Front Porch/Steps- E. Bartosiewicz reported that he has 2 contractors to contact and if anyone else has one let him know.
BC Board of Elections Drop Box will be removed now that the election is over.
Cowan- Borough Engineer has received the final formal bids for the Borough Office update. They will prepare recommendations for the November 10, Council meeting.
Monday November 1, 2021 the Borough Steam boiler was not working so Moyer Indoor/Outdoor Service department was called and they needed to replace a the Boiler feed valve. The heat was running by 4pm.
Meeting adjourned 7:08pm Next Streets/Properties meeting will be held on December 1, 2021 at 7:00 pm.
Finance: Tom Stinnett called the Finance meeting to order on November 3, 2021 at 7:09 pm.
If anyone makes inappropriate comments, tries to sell something, is attacking someone, etc. you will be removed from this meeting.
Members Present:
Ed Bartosiewicz, Rodney Scott and Tom Stinnett
Others Present:
Mayor Stokes and Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary.
Comment from Citizens: Please state your name, you have maximum 3 minutes to speak.
2 Borough residents present. No one spoke.
Discussions:
PEMA received the RPA (Request for public assistance) for Ida. The trail damage. More information will be added when the cost of the stone is added. Council discussed that maybe something could be done that would help this to not happen again. Sherry will reach out to Cowan, Borough Engineer.
Council looked over finances, Council had no questions.
Council did not have any questions in reference to the Draft 2022 Budget. The draft 2022 Budget will be added to the November 10 Council agenda for advertising, to be voted on during December 9 Council agenda.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25pm. Next Finance meeting will be held December 1, 2021 immediately following Streets/Properties
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: If anyone has any questions please comment prior to the vote.
Borough Council received the bid review and recommendation Borough office renovation from the Borough Engineer. Rodney brought of questions that he has for Borough Engineer. R. Scott motioned to table this vote until December 8 Council meeting, A. Moyer seconded. Unanimous.
Approval to advertise the Draft 2022 Budget and the Tax Rate 15.00 Mils, Ordinance #244. R. Scott motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded. Unanimous.
Approval for TruGreen 2022 proposal of $771.76 for Delaware Hill Parking lot shrubs & down to traffic light. R. Scott motioned to approve, E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous.
Approval for K&R Tree Service estimate $4800.00, cut down dead trees up at the Well 1 & 2 Property. K. Brandes motioned to approve, E. Bartosiewicz seconded. A. Moyer voted NAY.
Motion approved 4 to 1.
*** Council approval to add to agenda: Designation of Agent Resolution R-05-21 for Pennsylvania Tropical Depression Ida DR-4618 for PEMA. A. Moyer motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded. Unanimous.
*** Approval of Resolution R-05-21 Designation of Agent (Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary) for Pennsylvania Tropical Depression Ida DR-4618 for PEMA. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve, R. Scott seconded. Unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS: None to report.
APPROVAL OF BILLS:
K. Brandes motioned to approve bills. E. Bartosiewicz seconded.
Meeting adjourned 7:36 PM.
Next Council meeting December 8, 2021 at 7:00pm
Sherry Masteller
Borough Secretary
*** Was added to the agenda during