President Thomas E. Stinnett called the regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:01 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 May 10, 2017. A. Kenny seconded. Unanimous.
CORRESPONDENCE:
“Bucks County Tour of Honor” Inviting all Bucks County Boroughs and Townships to assist in honoring our Veterans by contributing toward the trips. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to donate $100.00 like we did last few years and Rodney Scott seconded. Unanimous.
REPORTS:
President – T. Stinnett reported to Council that Borough Employee Sonny Groller’s Wife Nan passed away on Tuesday morning. Services are Saturday June 17, 2017 9:30am at Snyder’s Funeral Home in Riegelsville PA.
Mayor – Mayor Stokes reported to Council the following:
- Contacted Riegelsville Inn about a Beer Truck that was making a delivery and was speeding on Delaware Road and across the Canal Bridge.
- Met-Ed finally fixed the pole at 101 Delaware Road.
- High Weeds on Weiss Field properties was taken care of.
- Performed 2 weddings.
- Contacted Georgia Pacific in NJ in reference to the Trucks trying to cross the bridges. They suggested to call the State Police and have them ticketed. The fees are very expensive due to the weight.
- Dogs have been running off their leashes at the Borough Park and relieving themselves on the Ballfields. Volunteers including Coaches, Rec Board member and Ball players work really hard to keep our park beautiful for everyone to enjoy. It is a State Law that all dogs needs to be leashed, the Borough Park does have signs that dogs are not allowed in the Park so maybe we need to enforce those signs and ordinance.
COMMENTS OF CITIZENS: Two Borough residents.
Kevin Firth, Borough resident discussed the disrepair of the Small Borough Parking Lot on Durham Road next to Village Florist. T. Stinnett did explain that it has been discussed a few times and plans changed when Penn Dot was supposed to pave it when the Canal Bridge was replaced. T. Stinnett will have the Borough Engineer look into what needs to be done to repair it and make it more efficient.
Elaine Albrecht received a call at her home from Pam Lazor, Borough resident about a wire down on Fern Road. Pam tried to call the Fire Co. to put a cone up but no one answered and no machine. Pam stated that it was a phone line, she did call the Co. A. Kenny stated that if the 911 center was called the Fire Co would respond and have to wait for the utilities to come to secure it.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Community Affairs:
Discussions:
Zoning: Jim Kopchak, Borough Zoning Officer reported to Council that 3- Building permits were issued for Borderline- 320 Amp Panel, 303 Poplar Road- 2nd Floor Finish, 124 Spruce Road-Bath alterations. 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 requested a 60 day extension of time, which was approved and the new compliance date is June 24, 2017.
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 20 ft.
5) Relief from section 502 (b) maximum side setback 15 ft. Proposed side setback is 7 ft.
The Zoning Hearing Board convened on May 15, 2017, the Board denied the variance requests, Michele White intends to appeal the Zoning Hearing Boards decision.
320 Spring Hill Road has an unsafe pool-no barrier protection so a courtesy Violation Notice was sent out. Mr. Campbell called me and he agreed to put up a temporary silt fence. He intends to rehab the pool and put up a code compliant fence next year. I told him to put it in writing and send me a letter with the timeline.
I told him he would need to sign a hold-harmless letter indemnifying the Borough from any liability. The Borough Solicitor was notified.
Library News: S. Masteller, Borough Secretary received the May 2017 Directors report, the minutes have been filed in the Borough office. Joanne Walsh, Library Board President 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, received a check for $78.82.
- May 20 just the Book Sale, they are looking into different fundraisers to try.
- Science in the summer begins June 26.
- They have 3 quotes for replacing the stair chair lift from AmeriGlide for different models.
Fire Co. News: E. Bartosiewicz reported to Council that Sunday May 21 is Fire Breakfast 8- noon. June 3, is Roast Beef Dinner 4-7pm
Riegelsville Enhancement Committee News: The next meeting is set for Wednesday May 24 at 7pm. Boscov’s “Friends & Family” Coupon Fundraiser is October 2017.
UBREMS News: E. Bartosiewicz reported no new news.
Rec Board News: Girls Softball & Men’s Baseball games are in full swing. The Pavilion rentals have picked up too.
Riegelsville Emergency Management: Nothing to Report.
Riegelsville Planning Commission: The next meeting is set for June 5, 2017 at 7pm. They are
looking for more items to work on.
Utilities:
Discussions:
Discussion of Draft Ordinance # 237
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF RIEGELSVILLE, BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING ORDINANCE 222 (ZONING ORDINANCE) PROVIDING FOR MEDICAL “MARIJUANA DISPENSARY FACILITIES” IN THE C ZONING DISTRICT, AND FOR “MEDICAL MARIJUANA GROWING /PROCESSING FACILITIES” IN THE “I ZONING DISTRICT”, AND FOR ASSOCIATED REGULATIIONS GOVERNING THESE USES.
Council will continue to discuss this and will possible vote to approve advertising at the June 14, Council meeting.
Discussions continue with the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), in reference to their Resolution implementing Annual fees corresponds to the volume of the monthly allocations and/or daily discharge capacity. Rodney & Sherry have been going back and forth via email and phone messages, hopefully soon a resolve will happen. Remarks: Received a call that they lower the Borough’s Annual Fee from $450.00 to $300.00.
Streets & Properties:
Discussions:
The Intelligencer reported of the population changes in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. We have the lowest in 2 counties- 855.
503 Easton Road Bamboo violation will need to be completed by June 14.
Council discussed the pool barrier at 370 Spring Hill Road.
Council discussed the new Library Chair lift and they agreed to have Cowan Associates do a “Occupant Load calculations” for the Library.
Borough Tar and chipping project will be done when Durham Township does theirs too.
Finance:
Discussions:
Tammy reported that the last payment for the street loan is being paid on June 14, 2017.
Council discussed “Act 172 of 2016’ which would provide municipalities with the option to offer a real estate or earned income tax credit to active members of volunteer fire companies and nonprofit emergency medical service agencies through a volunteer service credit program. S. Masteller will contact Durham and Nockamixon and see if they are looking into this too.
Council looked over the financials.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Continued issue with Tractor Trailers trying to go over the Canal Bridge & Delaware River Bridge.
Approval to change the Current Resolution # R-05-16, Bucks County 2016 Hazard Mitigation Plan update to #R-06-16. From November 9, 2016 Council meeting and Approval to change the Current Resolution # R-06-16, In support of a citizen’s commission for legislative redistricting and congressional reapportionment to #R-07-16. From November 9, 2016 Council meeting. R. Scott motioned to approve the change the Resolution numbers and E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous
NEW BUSINESS: None to report.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: R. Scott motioned to approve bills. A. Kenny seconded. Unanimous.
Next Council Meeting July 12, 2017 at 7pm.
Borough office will be closed July 4, 7 & 10, 2017.
Meeting adjourned 7:57 PM.
Sherry Masteller
Borough Secretary