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, Rodney Scott and Mayor Stokes. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve the minutes from April 12, 2017. A. Kenny seconded. Unanimous.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Todd Myers, Borough Engineer reported to S. Masteller that the amount of Wetlands on Spring Hill Road may affect the placement of the parking lot for the open space trail project.
REPORTS:
President – T. Stinnett reported to Council that he attended a presentation “Bridges Across the Delaware River” on May 9. It was an illustration about the bridges that span the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The speaker was Joe Donnelly, Deputy Executive Director of Communications for the Delaware River Joint Bridge Commission.
Mayor – Mayor Stokes reported he spoke to Craig Cardone in reference to the clogged drain on 611 that he has always helped maintain until now it seems to be clogged farther into the pipe. Craig called PennDot and they said the Borough is responsible for that. Mayor Stokes told him to contact Rep Quinn’s office. S. Masteller emailed Mayor Stokes our PennDot contacts. A complaint came in for 428 Poplar Road for a very large Brush pile. S. Masteller will send out a violation to the property owner.
COMMENTS OF CITIZENS: One Borough resident and Frank Preedy-Riegelsville Emergency Management Coordinator. Preedy discussed with Council that he would like the Council members to appoint Jason Anderson, Michael Myers as Deputy and reappoint John Panasiuk, Ray Kenny to the EMA Team. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to appoint & reappoint members. R. Scott seconded. Motion carried with one Abstention (A. Kenny) 3-1 F. Preedy will be attending the Bucks County quarterly training.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Community Affairs:
Discussions:
Zoning: Jim Kopchak, Borough Zoning Officer reported to Council that 2- Building permits were issued for Nelson- Deck w/pergola and Nelson-Kitchen remodel. 2-Zoning permits were issued Nelson- Deck w/Pergola and Nelson- Garage Addition. 919 Easton Road received a Junk Car and property maintenance violation and the Tenant has been cleaning the place up. 636 Easton Road was issued a “Stop Work order”, the property owner may need an extension of time, which will need to be a written request. 519 Easton Road, Mr. Szablowski is requested 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. At the “Special Exception” Hearing he stated that he will only make 1 or 2 prototypes a year. The ZHB convened on Thursday, 23 March, 7PM. A decision was made to approve the special exception with conditions.
Ash Lane “Dunlap Lot” Michele White, prospective buyer, is requesting multiple variances to build a 3 bedroom Cape Cod style home. The following variances are needed:
1) Relief from section 502 (b) minimum lot area of 15,000 square ft. (Actual lot size is 6795 Sq ft)
2) Relief from section 502 (b) minimum lot width of 100 ft. (Actual width is 68 ft.)
3) Relief from section 502 (b) maximum building coverage, 20%. Building coverage proposed is 21.8%.
4) Relief from section 502 (b) maximum front setback 40 ft. You are requesting that the front setback be reduced to 20ft.
5) Relief from section 502 (b) maximum side setback 15 ft. Proposed side setback is 7 ft.
She is aware of the previous ZHB decision and she submitted a “Right to Know” application to get copies of the records in the file.
The sale of the property is conditional on ZHB granting the variances.
Scott asked if a permit is needed for a paver’s wall at 210 Fern Road, Jim will look into it. R. Scott was asked by a Borough resident if Basketball hoops are allowed in the middle of sidewalks, Jim reported that is a safety issue and the property owners need to be notified. There is an abandoned car on Sycamore, S. Masteller will contact the State Police.
Library News: S. Masteller, Borough Secretary received the April 2017 Directors report, the minutes have been filed in the Borough office. Estelle Bloom, Library Board Trustee reported to Council the following:
- The 4th Barnes & Noble Book fair on April 7th & 8th at the Easton Store located in Easton Pa was not very well attended.
- 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 “Fish Fry” served on average 205 people per week.
Riegelsville Enhancement Committee News: The next meeting is set for Wednesday April 26 at 7pm.
UBREMS News: E. Bartosiewicz reported no new news.
Rec Board News: Community Easter Egg Hunt was on April 14, we helped parking cars again this year.
Karin will give us an update on the egg hunt. So far the 4/5 & the 8/9 Girls Softball will be playing on the Softball field. Mayor Stokes and his men’s team has their first game Sunday April 22.
Riegelsville Emergency Management: Frank Preedy, Emergency Management Coordinator reported
to Council that he received background checks for Mike Myers, and will get them for Jason Anderson. John
Panasiuk will be the computer help on the team. Can we use the Borough Building for the Post Office if there is
an emergency? A. Moyer asked if a different background check is needed for Volunteering instead of an
Employment check. They will look into this.
Riegelsville Planning Commission: The next meeting is set for May 1, 2017 at 7pm. They are
making a few changes to the proposed Mailbox Ordinance.
Utilities:
Discussions:
Water bills were mailed out April 13, 2017 and are due May 5, 2017. Matt Brady reported that there was no issues during water meter readings this quarter and usually after the winter there is a few.
Council discussed the plow damage at 319 Fairview Road, pictures were emailed. Council decided that the area by the hydrant should be repaired by the Riegelsville Road crew. Before next winter we need a send out “Helpful Winter notes to Borough Residents”.
Matt Brady reported that only a few curb stops need to be found.
Hydrant Flushing is set for Monday May 1-May 5, 9pm-midnight.
Tilley performed their yearly inspection on the Borough Fire Extinguishers.
Streets & Properties:
Discussions:
- Bartosiewicz reported to Council that the Express-times had an article on “Busy bridges: Traffic trending up at toll crossings, dips at free spans” DRJTBC- Riegelsville Bridge 2016 average daily traffic, 3,400- same as 2015.
The Borough office received an email in reference to putting a trash receptacle next to the Pedestrian Bridge by the Canal. Council said that is a good idea, S. Masteller will look into the cost of the last one.
The Borough office received a copy of a resolution from Township of Hopewell, NJ in reference to PennEast Pipeline. T. Stinnett stated that the resolution that the Borough approved is all we need to do.
Council discussed the Bamboo violation at 503 Easton Road, the violation needed to be taken care of by June 14, 2017.
Brady reported that they are starting crack sealing 5/8/17 with Spring Hill Road, Sherer’s Hill, Fairmont and Edgewood Road.
Finance:
Discussions: Brady would like to purchase a Stihl Kombisystem that has brush & Pruner attachments. Council discussed the purchase and would like more information and then a decision can be made. A suggestion was to purchase the system piece by piece since we are over budget in the general fund for tools.
Council discussed the new truck quotes. One concern was is the truck going to be undercoated.
An increased volume of the per capita bills have come in due to the discount $9.80 by May 1st.
The Borough insurance adjuster reported that nothing has been paid out for the fender bender of the parked vehicle in Easton.
Council looked over the financials.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Approval to purchase the 2017 F-550 4×4 truck $39,355.00 from Koch 33 Ford costar. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve. R. Scott seconded. Unanimous.
Approval to purchase the body, hydraulics, spreader, snowplow & lights $37,122.00 for new truck chassis. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve. A. Kenny seconded. Unanimous.
Approval for the 2017 Street project not to exceed $24,000.00 with the Asphalt, Aggregate and the Labor cost, Costar contract pricing. We will do the job when Durham does theirs too. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve. A. Kenny seconded. Unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS: Council discussed the current steam boiler service contract and would like S. Masteller to look into this. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to discontinue the current contract. R. Scott seconded. Unanimous.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: A. Kenny motioned to approve bills. E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous.
Next Council Meeting June 14, 2017 at 7pm.
Borough office will be closed May 16 & 29, 2017.
Meeting adjourned 8:10 PM.
Sherry Masteller Borough Secretary