President Thomas E. Stinnett called the regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:00 pm January 11, 2023. 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: Ed Bartosiewicz, Gary Chase, Michael Pulsinelli, Rodney Scott, Tom Stinnett, and Mayor Stokes.
Motion to approve December 14, 2022, Council Meeting minutes R. Scott motioned to approve, E. Bartosiewicz Seconded. Unanimous.
CORRESPONDENCE: none received.
REPORTS:
President: T. Stinnett reported that Borough Council and Bill Dudeck-Borough Solicitor had a 30-minute Executive session meeting in reference to legal issue.
Mayor: Mayor Stokes reached out to Jim Kopchak- Borough Zoning officer in reference to a fence permit and has a few more things to go over next time he speaks to Jim.
Report: Sherry Masteller appointed Open Records Officer (ORO)
December 2022 1 RTK received. YTD: R. Ryan 53, A Moyer YTD 2, Smart Procure 2, Build Zoom 2, Attorney Jacobs 1 and Andrea Susten 1. YTD total RTK” s Received 61.
1-Granted within 5 business days.
No new appeals. YTD: R. Ryan 9, B. Banko 1.
Open Records Officer Hours: 1 hour- Total $19.70 to process, gather documents and if needed forward requests to agencies of the Borough. ORO YTD pay: $1566.15. ORO-Appeals YTD pay: $344.75
Treasurer: YTD pay: $188.25
Zoning officer YTD pay: $84.00
Solicitor fees:
December paid: $87.50 YTD pay: $3302.18
COMMENTS OF CITIZENS: Please state your name, you have 3 minutes to speak.
4 Borough residents present.
R. Ryan-Borough resident asked if you are voting on the Bylaws tonight, I didn’t see any draft copies on the website. G. Chase said that he is going to table due to getting more information from Title 8.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: If anyone has any questions please comment prior to the vote.
Approval of the 2022 Exoneration list for Per capita tax. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve; G. Chase seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of 2022 Delinquent & Interim delinquent per capita tax (164 resident over 18) . R. Scott motioned to approve; G. Chase seconded. Unanimous.
The Tax Collector’s 2022 Lien summary report was filed this week to Bucks County Tax Claim. G. Chase motioned to approve; E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous.
Approval to Resolution R-01-23 Reappoint David Masteller to the Riegelsville Zoning Hearing Board. R. Scott motioned to approve; G. Chase seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of change order #1 (Edgewood water main extension) recommendations from Cowan Associates Net Change $12,944.00 (Delete the install tapping sleeve and add Install 6”DIP & piping) to Passerini and Sons, Inc. R. Scott motioned to approve; G. Chase seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of pay request #1 (Edgewood water main extension) recommendations from Cowan Associates $48,149.80 to Passerini and Sons, Inc. G. Chase motioned to approve; M. Pulsinelli seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of updated December 2022 Bylaws Governing the Riegelsville Borough Council. G. Chase made a motion to table the approval; E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous. Gary would like to do more research in Title 8 and get back to Council.
Approval of Resolution R-02-23 Thomas Murtha-TNT Groundworks, LLC to incorporate the 5 parcels in Riegelsville Borough into Durham Township’s Agricultural Security Area (ASA). R. Scott motioned to approve; E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous. Tom Murtha was present and thanked Borough Council for approving this Resolution on behalf of himself, his wife and Daughter.
Approval of check $1,080.00 to Arbor Fence (Reservoir Fence repair). M. Pulsinelli motioned to approve; G. Chase seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of check $433.30 to Uline (Heater for Well#3 Chlorine room). E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve; G. Chase seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of check $486.29 to Moyer Indoor Outdoor (Steam pipe repair in apartment) E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve; G. Chase seconded. Unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS:
Borough office received notifications from 2 property owners at 805 Easton Road and 719 Easton Road in reference to trees that need to be removed on a piece of property -West side of Maplewood Road, they would like to know who owns the property so the trees can be taken care of. Todd Myers, Cowan Associates-Borough Engineer reviewed 2 ordinances to give an opinion and suggested William Dudeck, Borough Solicitor should review Todd’s opinion. The council did discuss that the Borough does have ordinances where they have vacated certain roads and should research if there are more locations that should be vacated.
The Borough Council wanted to receive ideas from Riegelsville Enhancement Committee for the restoration of the Small Borough parking lot on Durham Road. Kate Brandes reported that the group would like to put a survey out to the Borough residents for their input also. They suggested the survey go into the quarterly water bill and they will collate and summarize for Council. The council said that is a great idea. The survey can go in the April water bills and in the “Rville Happenings”.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve bills, M. Pulsinelli seconded. Unanimous
T. Stinnett had a question about the financial statement that was emailed, did we not receive all the ARPA monies. Sherry stated we did receive all the money. Sherry will have Tammy get back to Council with an answer.
Borough office will be closed on Monday January 16, “Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Meeting adjourned 7:44 PM. Next Council meeting February 8, 2023, at 7:00pm
Sherry Masteller
Borough Secretary