President Thomas E. Stinnett called the regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:03 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call was taken. PRESENT: Thomas Stinnett, Ed Bartosiewicz, Audrey Kenny, Ann P Moyer, Rodney Scott and Mayor Stokes. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve the minutes from February 8, 2017. A. Kenny seconded. Unanimous.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Letter was read dated February 10, 2017 from Riegelsville Planning Commission giving activities from 2016.
Letter was read dated March 1, 2017 from Armour & Sons Electric Inc. 2016 Traffic Signal Maintenance year-end report and 2017 Traffic Signal Maintenance.
Letter was read dated March 6, 2017 from Riegelsville Zoning Hearing Board in reference to hearing that is set for March 23, 2017.
Email was read dated March 7, 2017 from Borough Resident, Peter Ryan, in reference to a Bamboo ordinance violation.
REPORTS:
President – T. Stinnett had nothing to report.
Mayor – Mayor Stokes reported that he performed one wedding. Mayor has been in contact with Mike from State Rep Quinn’s office in reference to the pot holes on 611 and he asked when 611 would be paved. Mike replied back that it is not on Penn DOT’s 5 year plan. Mayor received a complaint from Borough resident about 428 Poplar Road having a pile of brush in the front lawn that has been there since fall. S. Masteller will forward the complaint to zoning officer.
COMMENTS OF CITIZENS: 1 Borough resident was present. E. Albrecht reported that the alley between Ash Lane & Fairview has washed out again so there is a bump. S. Masteller will let Matt know about the bump.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Community Affairs:
Discussions:
Resolution R-02-17. A resolution of the Council of the Borough of Riegelsville, Bucks County, PA, to appoint members, Dirk Odhner, David Masteller, Allen Madnick & alternate member Michael Walsh of the Zoning hearing board. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to appoint R. Scott seconded, Unanimous.
Zoning: Jim Kopchak, Borough Zoning Officer reported to Council that the draft will be complete by
March 8, 2017 Council meeting. Jim reported no permits were issued. Borough resident at 204 Fairview Road requested more time to execute his deck. Stop work order was issued at 636 Easton Road due to project not constructed per approved plans. Thursday February 16, 2017 at 7pm for 215 Ash Lane may be requesting a variance for relief from side and rear setbacks plus the proposed deck will need relief from the required side set back of 15 ft. Borough resident at 519 Easton Road asked for a written zoning opinion, in reference to a home based business under the name “Ethical Arms LLC. When the Borough receives the $60.00 required fee then the letter will be written.
Library News: S. Masteller, Borough Secretary received the “2016 Year in review” and the February 2017 Directors report, the minutes have been filed in the Borough office. A. Moyer highlighted the report:
- A large number of new books were collected for the book sale from a book store that went out of business in the Palmer park mall.
- Weeding of the Adult nonfiction collection is taking place.
- The library received a check from Bowman’s North of $616.80 from their “Mondays Matter” that is 10% of their food sales in January 2017.
- The Library was closed on February 9, 2017 due to the weather.
- They are still in need of someone to play the Easter Bunny at the Community Egg Hunt, April 14. Volunteer time is approximately 2 hours.
Fire Co. News: E. Bartosiewicz reported that they received a grant for 25 sets of gear, each is approximately $2,000.00. Gear needs to be replaced every 10 years. Tires for the vehicles need to be changed every 7 years no matter how many miles are on the vehicle. Breakfast is Sunday February 19, 8am – noon. Riegelsville
Enhancement Committee News: E. Albrecht reported to Council that the next meeting is February 22, 2017. Hoagie sale was a success.
UBREMS News: Nothing to report.
Rec Board News: Community Easter Egg Hunt will be April 14. We will help park cars again this year. Sign-ups have started for Softball online.
Riegelsville Emergency Management: Frank Preedy, Emergency Management Coordinator reported to Council that he is attending a training at the County. F. Preedy has been in contact with Fire Chief Todd Myers in reference to asking Mike Myers to be the Deputy Chief on the team. F. Preedy will be calling Jason Anderson and Ray Kenny to see if they want to be on the team.
Riegelsville Planning Commission: T. Stinnett reported to Council that there was no meeting in January. Remarks: T. Stinnett reported that during the February 6, meeting, they continue to discuss a mailbox ordinance and they discussed Borough land use implications of the Medical Marijuana Act.
Misc: Cory & Amber Campbell, Borough residents feel that it is not necessary to put in a trail on the open space, they are concerned about the parking lot by their property and their privacy. Cory asked if the parking lot can be located closer to town. T. Stinnett stated that the Open Space was purchased before Cory purchased the house. Cory is concerned that it is wetland and may not be able to put a parking lot on the land.Stinnett said that he will keep Cory updated on the progress of the project.
Roger Vonah, Borough resident discussed with Council that during plowing the drivers plowed a lot of grass into his lawn. R. Scott stated that does happen when there isn’t a curb or stakes to help the drivers with the property lines. Roger will put out stakes.
Utilities:
Discussions:
Matt wanted to know if the water line is going under the Open Space Trail. T. Stinnett stated that the trail is going to be 10 feet and width of the land is 50 feet. The water line will be done at a different time.
Streets & Properties:
Discussions:
There is a pot hole near 519 Easton Road, S. Masteller put cones in the hole since Matt was at a fire call. Penn DOT was called to fill it in and Matt will check it too since the Borough Water line is near the hole.
Council is looking over the draft Ordinance #236 vacating an unopened alley that will be added to the April 12, 2017 Council meeting.
There is a Zoning Hearing set for March 23, 2017 at 7pm- in reference to Resident Walter Szablowski, to have a home occupation-personal services, “Ethical Arms LLC”.
Bamboo ordinance violations were mailed to 503 Easton Road and 719 Easton Road.
Finance:
Discussions:
The Borough’s 2000 Ford dump truck needs an estimate of $1650.00 in repairs plus it is due for inspection in April. Council agreed that the truck needs too much work done so we should look into buying a used or new Truck. Matt is going to get some information from the costar program too.
Sue Matthias manager of Penn Community Bank sent Council their new product launch with “Business Money Markets”, Council looked over the rates and decided to stay with what they already have.
Council looked over the financials and had a question about the misc. acct. Remarks: That total was from Melanie’s back pay. The small tools acct. was $450.00 for the backpack blower & saw.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Approval to advertise Ordinance #236 “Vacating an unopened alley” ad will run 3/29 & 4/5. Review & Passage will be during April 12, Borough Council meeting. R. Scott motioned to approve. A. Moyer seconded. Unanimous.
Approval request from Peter Ryan of additional 120 days for Bamboo Violations to be removed. R. Scott motioned to approve that by March 22, 2017 the Bamboo needs to be cut back to 2 to 3 feet tall. Then the rest can be completely resolved permanently in accordance with Ordinance #228 by June 14, 2017. A. Kenny seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of Armour & Sons Electric proposal of $2070.00 for 2017 Annual Traffic Signal Maintenance. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve. R. Scott seconded. Unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS: None to report.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: R. Scott motioned to approve bills. A. Moyer seconded. Unanimous.
Next Council Meeting April 12, 2017 at 7pm.
Borough office will be closed April 3-7, 2017.
Meeting adjourned 7:58 PM.
Sherry Masteller Borough Secretary