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Approved December 8, 2021 Council Minutes

 

President Thomas E. Stinnett called the regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:02 pm December 8, 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, Rodney Scott, Mayor Stokes and William Dudeck- Borough Solicitor.

Motion to approve November 10, 2021 Council minutes.  K. Brandes motioned to approve, E. Bartosiewicz Seconded.   Unanimous.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Certified letter received December 1, 2021 addressed to Borough Council c/o T. Stinnett Council President from Ann Moyer referencing her resignation from Borough Council effective November 30, 2021 was read by S. Masteller-Borough Secretary.

Letter of intent email received from Gary Chase, Borough Resident to serve on Riegelsville Borough Council was read by S. Masteller-Borough Secretary.

REPORTS: 

President: T. Stinnett reported that before the November 17, 2021 Community Affairs meeting Borough Council had an executive session in reference to an employee issue.  Tom Stinnett also asked Bob Ryan-Borough resident to take down his political sign, since the Ordinance # 222 states 20 days after the election they need to be removed. B. Ryan asked for the Ordinance, Tom gave Bob the pages that explains political signs.

Mayor: Mayor Stokes reported that he performed a wedding and has a donation for the Riegelsville Recreation Board. Received a concern from Sal-Owner of the Borderline that he would like 15 minute parking in front of his building because of the Riegelsville Inn parking there and then no room for his patrons.  Mike Cavallaro asked if Council had made any decisions with the Durham Road small parking lot. Mayor Stokes asked him to Wednesday’s Council meeting and that he will be added to the agenda.  Mr. Cavallaro was not in attendance.  There is no new update on the North end Route 611 road closure (Williams Township), still stating it will be fixed by the end of the year. Mayor Stokes also received a complaint about the political sign that has not been taken down.

Report: Sherry Masteller appointed Open Records Officer (ORO) 

November 2021

2~ RTK request received via 1- Email & 1- received certified mail.

Both needed a 30 days extension.

1~was withdrawn 2 days after the after the 30 day extension letter was sent.

1~ will be finalized by end of December.

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.

6-Borough residents present.

Michael Cavallaro, Riegelsville Property owner was on the agenda but was not present.

Beth Banko- Borough Resident asked if Council vacancy will be advertised. T. Stinnett said it will go in the Rville Happenings and the Borough Website. B. Banko said the Website isn’t working. S. Masteller did not know that the website working. William Dudeck, Borough Solicitor stated that the Council vacancy does not need to be into the newspaper.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Community Affairs: Ann Moyer called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm on November 17, 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, Jim Kopchak-Zoning officer and Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary. 9- Borough residents present.

Concerns from citizens: Please state your name, you have maximum 3 minutes to speak. No one spoke.

Discussions:

Zoning: Jim Kopchak, Borough Zoning Officer reported to Council his November 2021 report.  Permits: 5 Building permits: deck repairs, Electric for pole barn, Door with framing, commercial roof, Generator. 2 Zoning permits: Fences.

Enforcement Activities:

129 Maplewood Road- No update.

808 Durham Road update: will follow up with written “Notice of Violation”.

No scheduled ZHB meetings.

702 Durham Road is under contract.

DCED UCC quarterly report was submitted to Tammy- Borough Treasurer.

Library News: Borough office received from Terri Randolph (Director) the October 2021 Directors report minutes and they have been filed. Beth Banko, Board of trustees reported that they had the Halloween parade at the Fire House.  Riegelsville Fire Company visited for Fire prevention week with the Children. The Library will be closed 11/25/2021 and 11/27/2021 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  There will be no Cookie sale this year. Story time outreach with Pleasant Valley preschool and St Peter’s Preschool will take place once a month during the school year.

Fire Co. News: E. Bartosiewicz reported to Council that the vote did pass for Ottsville Fire Company and Riegelsville Fire Co to consolidate.  The next step is to send paperwork to the State Attorney General for authorization. Then they will reach out to the Municipalities.

Riegelsville Enhancement Committee:  A. Moyer reported that they made $50.00 from the Scarecrows contest.  They would like to decorate the outside of the Borough building for the holidays, with wreaths & new tree if Council is OK with that. The other decorations are old and need to be updated. S. Masteller reminded them that there is a timer from last year that can be used if needed.

UBREMS (Upper Bucks Regional EMS) News: E. Bartosiewicz reported that the Chief may be attending the Finance meeting to report their need for additional funding from the Borough.

Rec Board News:  R. Scott reported that the Fall Rollout Car show was a huge success, we are able to give approximately $8,000.00 back to the community.

Riegelsville Emergency Management: F. Preedy reported to Council that PEMA received the “Letter of Intent” for the Hazard Mitigation. Frank reported he had a BC Emergency services meeting and they discussed the Jamison location for Booster vaccines.  Frank reported that he has heard that Route 611 near Browns Drive north of Riegelsville may be open by the end of the year. 

Riegelsville Planning Commission:  A. Moyer invited the 3 candidates (David Brandes, Robert Ryan and David Xander) that sent letters of intent to Borough Council to fill the vacancy on the planning commission.  Each candidate introduced themselves and their qualifications to be appointed by Council.

 Meeting adjourned 7:29 pm.   Next meeting January 19, 2022 7pm

Utilities: Rodney Scott called the Utilities meeting to order at 7:29 pm on November 17, 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, Jim Kopchak-Zoning officer and Sherry Masteller-Borough Secretary.  9 – Borough residents present.

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

No one spoke.

Discussions:

S. Masteller read a letter from Michael Craig, Borough resident in reference to the Trail/Winter snow plowing. Council discussed this and Rodney will reach out and talk to Mr. Craig and Matt Brady.

Rodney gave an update on the office renovation bid, he had 3 issues.

  1. We do not need new drywall in the whole office.
  2. Painting was a little high.
  3. The 3 LED lights/installation was very high.

Charles Tomko, Borough engineer will talk to the contractor.  Rodney will update Council when he has more information.

Sherry reported that Barry Hoffman, Electrician fixed the communication issue between Well 1 & 2.   Tom asked when Mike Sullivan, Water operator is stepping down, Sherry will look it up and get back to Council.  REMARKS: January 1, 2022 John Scully-Vice President will take over for Mike.  

Meeting Adjourned: 7:38 pm   No meeting in December.  Next meeting January 19, 2022   7pm 

Streets & Properties: Ed Bartosiewicz called the Streets & Properties meeting to order at 7:00 pm on December 1, 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, Kate Brandes, 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.  No comments.

Discussions:

Borough Office renovation update: Rodney has not heard back from Charles Tomko, Borough Engineer he will reach out to him. Sherry also has not received any update.

Trail update after meeting with Todd Myers, Borough Engineer: Ed, Rodney and Matt met with Todd to see if any remediation could be done to the swale on the North and South side of Sherer’s Hill Road next to the Trail. The suggestion is to clear the brush and get it down to grass height so in the case of heavy rain events it will keep the water from topping over the road and washing out the trail.  A brush hog would need to be purchased to help with this maintenance.  Council suggested that Matt look into the pricing and get back the Council with details.

Council Discussed the PA. Department of Agriculture Spotted Lanternfly Treatment contract: They would like to treat/remove the infected trees. This program is paid by the state and federal funds and will therefore come at no cost to the owners or leasers of the property. They have noticed activity at the Borough Park. Contract will be added to December Council agenda. REMARK: Will be added to January 12 Council agenda.

Tom Stinnett, Council President reported to Council that he acknowledges that today he received Ann P Moyer’s resignation from Borough Council effective November 30, 2021.

Tom Stinnett reported that he invited William Dudeck, Borough Solicitor to the December 8, 2021 Borough Council meeting.

Meeting adjourned 7:12 pm   Next Streets/Properties meeting will be held on February 2, 2022 at 7:00 pm.  

Finance: Kate Brandes called the Finance meeting to order on December 1, 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:

Kate Brandes, Ed Bartosiewicz, 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 one spoke.

Discussions:

PEMA received the RPA (Request for public assistance) for Ida for the trail damage. Update: Stone AS3 Anti-Skid- PennDot will cost $1,046.25- 45 tons delivered. Contacted Companies from the Costar program list- no one has the stone in stock now. Sherry will email our PEMA rep to ask questions about purchasing equipment and not being able to purchase the stone.

The Draft 2022 Budget will be voted on during December 8 Council.

Ordinance #244 Tax Rate will be voted on during December 8 Council.

Council looked over the financials and had no questions.

Tom attended the quarterly BC TCC (Buck County Tax Collection Committee) meeting, they did not have a quorum. The 2022 Draft budget and the weighted average taxing authorities voting for 2022 paperwork was received for the meeting. Tom will keep Council updated.

Kate reported to Council that Tammy Macaluso, Borough Treasurer asked when she would receive the $50.00 from the Scarecrow contest that Ann Moyer said they made during the Community Affairs meeting.

Ryan Panko, Executive Director/ Chief for UBREMS (Upper Bucks Regional EMS, Inc) is reaching out to local Municipalities to give a yearly report. They are asking for more funding from all Municipalities due to increased wages and their yearly subscriptions are very low (only 16.1% get returned). Covid protocols have increased the cost of gear for the medics. Tom did report that in the Draft 2022 Budget they will get an increase in the amount that the Borough gave last year. The proposed amount is $18,000.00.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.  Next Finance meeting will be held February 2, 2022 immediately following Streets/Properties  

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: If anyone has any questions please comment prior to the vote.

Borough office renovation update: Bid was tabled on November 10, 2021. R. Scott talked to Charlie Tomko-Borough Engineer about the few issues Council had with the bid. The Contractor was able to find less expensive LED lighting and agreed to not do a complete sheetrock only where needed. Charlie has not heard back about the high cost of painting yet.

Appointment of one vacant seat (1/1/2022- 12/31/2023) on Riegelsville Planning Commission

Candidates: David Brandes, Robert Ryan and David Xander.  Kate Brandes read her Conflict of Interest memorandum to abstain from this vote due to her Husband expressing interest in the position. The signed letter was given to S. Masteller-Borough Secretary.  E. Bartosiewicz motioned to appoint David Brandes, R. Scott seconded.  Vote approved 3-0, K. Brandes abstaining.

Approval of the Draft 2022 Budget. R. Scott motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded.  Unanimous.

Approval of Ordinance #244, Tax Levy for 2022     15.00 Mils (no tax increase) E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded.

Approval to accept Ann P. Moyer’s letter of resignation from Borough Council effective December 8, 2021.

E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve, R. Scott seconded. T. Stinnet thanked Ann for her many years of Service and sorry to see her leave.

Approval to advertise for special meeting on December 20 at 7pm to appoint a council member vacancy created by Ann Moyer’s resignation. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded. 

NEW BUSINESS:  

William Dudeck-Borough Solicitor was asked by Council to gather information to see if there is a conflict of interest for Kate Brandes since she is on Borough Council and her Husband David Brandes has given a letter of interest for the vacancy on the Riegelsville Planning Commission.  W. Dudeck stated section 1103 of the Public officials and Employee Ethics Act subsection on these issues are (a) and (j). Since David Brandes is seeking appointment K. Brandes must completely abstain from any vote on filling this position. K. Brandes must sign and tender a written memorandum to S. Masteller-Borough Secretary prior to any vote.

Going forward, K. Brandes would not be prohibited in voting on any recommendation from the Planning Commission so long as nothing about or resulting from any such recommendation creates a conflict of her interest given her relationship to David Brandes. It would be best to go case by case.

William Dudeck spoke to Ann Moyer about her concerns as a resigning member of Council.  A very productive and engaging conversation.   W. Dudeck reminded Council of the importance of following formal protocols and procedures in light of same.  

 APPROVAL OF BILLS:  

E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve bills. R. Scott seconded.

Meeting adjourned 7:38 PM.   

Next Reorg Council meeting January 3, 2022 at 7pm

Next Council meeting January 12, 2022 at 7:00pm

Sherry Masteller

Borough Secretary

 

 


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