President Thomas E. Stinnett called the regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:00 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. A. Moyer motioned to approve the minutes from March 8, 2017. A. Kenny seconded. Unanimous.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Letter was read dated March 30, 2017, County of Bucks Emergency Health Services- Yearly EMS Reports.
Letter was read dated April 5, 2017, Bucks County Borough Association- Funding for EPA.
Letter was read dated April 6, 2017, Upper Bucks Regional Emergency Medical Services, Inc.
REPORTS:
President – T. Stinnett had nothing to report.
Mayor – Mayor Stokes reported that he performed one wedding.
COMMENTS OF CITIZENS: One Borough resident was present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Community Affairs:
Discussions:
Zoning: Jim Kopchak, Borough Zoning Officer reported to Council that the updated fee schedule draft will be put on the April 12, Council agenda. Jim reported one zoning permit was issued for Shed at 709 Fairmont Road. Stop work order was issued at 636 Easton Road due to project not constructed per approved plans, adjusted plans have not been received yet. Zoning Hearing Board had a hearing on February 16, 2017 for 215 Ash Lane 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. Variance was granted by ZHB to allow the new deck to be 9’6” from side property line (Required set back 15’). Mr. Szablowski, Borough resident at 519 Easton Road is requesting a “Special Exception” to the ZHB for a B-9(g) Home Occupation. Mr. Szablowski would like to do business in his home under the name “Ethical Arms LLC.” He wants to use a small section of his basement to design and fabricate fire arms. There will be no retail sales. All sales will be via mail to other licensed firearms dealers. The ZHB is scheduled to hear his request on March 23, 7PM. E. Bartosiewicz will go to the meeting as a representative of the Borough.
Library News: S. Masteller, Borough Secretary received the March 2017 Directors report, the minutes have been filed in the Borough office. Beth Banko, Library Board Trustee reported to Council the following:
- The 4th Barnes & Noble Book fair is for April 7th & 8th at the Easton Store located in Easton Pa.
- 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.
- No Library Fair on May 20 just the Book Fair, they are looking into different fundraisers to try.
- Library is looking for small containers and empty paper towel rolls for summer reading program.
Fire Co. News: E. Bartosiewicz reported to Council that the first “Fish Fry” served 159 and the second “Fish Fry” served 180. Breakfast this Sunday March 19, 8am – noon. Easter Flower Sale is April 13, 14, 15 at the Antique Haven.
Riegelsville Enhancement Committee News: A. Moyer reported that the next meeting is set for Wednesday March 22 at 7pm.
UBREMS News: E. Bartosiewicz reported that they did have a March meeting.
Rec Board News: Community Easter Egg Hunt April 14, we will help park cars again this year. Sign-ups have started for Softball online. The next meeting is March 28, 2017 at 7pm. So far the 4/5 & the 6/7 Girls Softball.
Riegelsville Emergency Management: Frank Preedy, Emergency Management Coordinator reported to Council that he is attended a training at the County and gave Council the handouts. F. Preedy has been incontact with Fire Chief Todd Myers in reference to asking Mike Myers to be the Deputy Chief on the team. F. Preedy called Jason Anderson and Ray Kenny to see if they want to be on the team.
Riegelsville Planning Commission: T. Stinnett reported that during the March 6, meeting, they continued to discuss a mailbox ordinance and they discussed Borough land use implications of the Medical Marijuana Act.
Utilities:
Discussions:
Council discussed getting the Riegelsville Water Companies reservoir cleaned and inspected.
Information will be gathered and reported back to Council.
Streets & Properties:
Discussions:
Ed discussed with Council the raised sidewalk and wall under the Borough’s Footbridge.
Matt Brady discussed with Council that he does not want to get certified to be the Riegelsville Water Operator when Dick Meade retires.
Council discussed sharing our crack sealing machine with Durham Township. We would get our roads done first in the Spring/Summer and then Durham could use it in the fall. They would pay for the supplies they use.
Council discussed the sidewalk quote from S & M General Services, Council is looking into 1-2 more quotes.
Council discussed Street Sweeping the Borough Streets, it is usually done before the Memorial Day Parade.
Council discussed the specific Borough Streets- Tar & Chip Estimate from Cowan Associates, Borough Engineer.
Matt discussed the Ash Lane Lot- water hook up with Council. Matt met with W. Dowd to look at the options.
Finance:
Discussions:
Council looked over the 2016 Audit and the 2016 Financials. The Auditor filed them with DCED on March 30, 2017.
Matt discussed with Council that a new truck will cost approximately 70K-75K.
Financials were not discussed due to the Bank recs not being ready.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Approval of Ordinance #236 “Vacating an unopened alley”. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve. R. Scott seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of Resolution R-03-17 “Updated Zoning Fee Schedule”. R. Scott motioned to approve. A. Moyer seconded. Unanimous.
Walking Trail Update: Last piece for the preliminary design is the wetlands evaluation. Due to the snow and wet weather this tasks is not completed. We are schedule to walk the proposed route next week with are subcontractor. We are shooting for preliminary design for the May council meeting
Bamboo update at 503 Easton Road: The bamboo does not look like it was cut back to 2-3 feet tall by March 22, 2017 the letter was sent March 10, 2017. The rest of the removal needs to be completed by June 14, 2017 to be in accordance with Ordinance #228. A letter will be written again.
NEW BUSINESS: None to report.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: A. Kenny motioned to approve bills. E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous.
Next Council Meeting May 10, 2017 at 7pm.
Borough office will be closed April 14, 2017.
Meeting adjourned 8:05 PM.
Sherry Masteller
Borough Secretary