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, Rodney Scott. ABSENT: Audrey Kenny, Ann P Moyer and Mayor Stokes attended PA State Police meet and greet new Sergeant Kevin Smith. R. Scott motioned to approve the minutes from June 14, 2017. E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Booklet dated May 2017- DVRPC”Municipal Statistics for Southeastern Pennsylvania” was received.
Letter dated June 16, 2017 was read from Upper Bucks Regional Emergency Medical Services, Inc.
Letter dated June 20, 2017 was read from Eastern Upper Bucks Senior Center, thank you letter.
Letter dated June 23, 2017 was read from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Letter dated July 7, 2017 was read from Borough Resident, Ellen M. Clemens.
REPORTS:
President – T. Stinnett reported to Council that Audrey Kenny, Ann Moyer and Mayor Stokes are meeting the new State Police Sergeant Kevin Smith that is why are absent from Council this evening.
Mayor – Absent due to attending the Sergeant Smith meet & greet.
COMMENTS OF CITIZENS: One Borough resident and Brian Greene, Trail Manager with Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. Discussion will be during the New Business.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Community Affairs:
Discussions:
Zoning: Jim Kopchak, Borough Zoning Officer reported to Council that
4- Building permits were issued.
- 519 Easton Road- Interior Demolition.
- 519 Easton Road-Pool House.
- 305 Delaware Road- Remove Underground Storage Tank.
- 923 Easton Road- Swimming Pool.
3- Zoning permits were issued.
- 923 Easton Road-Swimming Pool.
- 237 Emergency Squad Road- Patio.
- 519 Easton Road- Pool House.
Enforcement Activities:
320 Spring Hill Road has an unsafe pool-no barrier protection- continued discussion and violation letter going out June 22, 2017
122 Maplewood Road, waiting on demo permit application.
636 Easton Road submitted revised plans on June 14, 2017.
1274 Easton Road was issued a “stop work order” for working without permits, permit applications were picked up and compliance date is July 19, 2017.
210 Fern Road, issued zoning violation notice for construction of retaining wall without permits.
Zoning Hearing Board- “Ash Lane Dunlap Lot”- prospective buyer Michele White, the variances were denied, pending possible appeal. Denial letters went out this week.
Library News: S. Masteller, Borough Secretary received the June 2017 Directors report, the minutes have been filed in the Borough office. Beth Banko, Library Board Trustee reported to Council the following:
- Science in the summer begins June 26, summer reading starts June 22.
- The stair chair lift from AmeriGlide project is under way.
- Library will be presenting 5 author talks August –November.
Fire Co. News: E. Bartosiewicz reported to Council that Sunday June 18(“Father’s Day”) Fire Breakfast served 403. Five new members joined the Fire Co. CPR class for Fire Fighters and Auxiliary was June 13 & 15.
Riegelsville Enhancement Committee News: E. Albrecht reported to Council that they continue to work on the 2018 Calendar.
UBREMS News: E. Bartosiewicz reported to Council that on July 24, 7:30pm they are inviting Township Supervisors, Borough Council members and Mayor Stokes to discuss their overview of their organization.
Rec Board News: Girls Softball is almost done they have a few play-off games and then the All-star game(Not at the Borough Fields).
Riegelsville Emergency Management: Nothing to Report.
Riegelsville Planning Commission: No meeting in July. T. Stinnett would like Council to look over
the draft mailbox ordinance. T. Stinnett suggested they look into regulations for “Air B & B’s”.
Utilities:
Discussions:
The Commercial Credit application is ready for the Borough to switch to Blue Flame/Kenderdine’s for the Borough’s Boiler service and Oil delivery for the Borough building.
The power was out on Monday June 19 at 3:40 pm so all 3 wells were down, Well 3 Generator is running to give the Borough residents water. There was 3 poles on Spring Hill/ Sunnyside that needed to be replaced due to the storm. Power was restored on Tuesday June 20, at 1:30pm. S. Masteller will Contact Met- Ed to check on their maintenance schedule for our area.
- Scott found a gas heating unit that may work for the borough garage.
Streets & Properties:
Discussions:
Ellen Clemens presented a letter requesting council to vacate an unopened alley. Group discussion regarding the request as to the status of the alley that runs behind her house. She has maintained that as a driveway for more than 21 years. The group consensus was that it was not an alley and it is not maintained by the borough.
The group discussed sidewalk quotes from Dowd and S & M. We will ask to have the quote from S & M on agenda for July.
Finance:
Discussions:
Group discussed Sherry’s request to sign up for a Stress Management class – we support this attendance.
Group reviewed finances – all seem ok. If we are going to proceed with the parking lot, we need to find the money for this expense.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Approval for S & M General Services LLC estimate to redo front Sidewalk at Borough Hall $3,900.00, Step replacement at Pedestrian Bridge $775.00, Water Co Replace 4 sidewalks $1,500.00. Total $6,175.00.
- Scott motioned to approve estimate and E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous
NEW BUSINESS:
Brian Greene, Trail Program Manager with D&L National Heritage Corridor introduced himself and introduced the new programs for 2017 which include: “Trail Tenders”-Volunteer Clean ups, Preserve Trail & history. “Trail Patrol’- Volunteer ambassadors, report problems. “Trail Towns” Promote tourism, Improve local economy. Brian discussed that there is 53 Municipalities along the trail, and Riegelsville is one of them. If the Borough would like to join this program there would need to be 2-3 volunteers to join the steering committee. Council will continue to look into these programs.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve bills. R. Scott seconded. Unanimous.
Next Council Meeting August 9, 2017 at 7pm.
Meeting adjourned 8:25 PM.
Sherry Masteller
Borough Secretary