BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
COUNCIL MINUTES OF JUNE 12, 1997
The meeting was called to order by President, E. M. (Sue) Kuhn at 7:30 p.m.
The secretary called the roll. Present were: E. M. (Sue) Kuhn, Joseph Giunta, Joan Giunta, Bernard McCollum, Chris Kraft (arriving a few minutes late), and Mayor, William Clossin.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly.
DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MAY MINUTES: MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MAY 8, 1997 MINUTES. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF THE MAY MINUTES: MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MAY 8, 1997 MINUTES AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Don Astheimer invoice was presented tonight in addition to the already a/p invoices to be paid. Invoice for $l,350.00 for brown and white coats to the borough building, plus pointing the bricks as required has been inspected and approved by property chairman, Bernie McCollum.
MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM IT WAS VOTED TO PAY THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE REPORT AND THE ADDITIONAL INVOICE FOR D. ASTHEIMER AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURER'S REPORT: The borough received $9,000.00 from the U.S. Postal Department. Gael Hahn would like guidance as to where this money should be deposited. It was recommended that it be deposited into General Fund. It is for Centennial Street renovations and if the project should go over budget it can be used to help out. MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Frank Holden
Month of May: Total incidents: 70 (local & state police)
Discussion concerning false/burglar alarms. Bob Brant will check into this. Up to property owners to call alarm company.
The complete report is on file at the borough office.
AMBULANCE REPORT: No representative present
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: As presented by Jim Heyser
Month of May: Number of calls: 2 Firefighters in service: 18 Time in service: 50 minutes Distance traveled: 7 miles
SFC wishes to thank those who supported the Circus and the Flea Market. 38 tickets to needy families were bought and a special thanks to those who funded these tickets. Rotary Carnival and Chicken Bar-B-Q have been the most recent events to take place.
Also, Fire Tax Account up to 6/9/97 was presented.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT: Robert Brant
l) OLD PERKIOMEN RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAY
Letter was received by R.Brant on 6/6/97. Montgomery County would like to establish a trail system thru out the county. Some buildings are in the right of way. Mr. Brant would like the authorization to intervene in behalf of the Borough of Schwenksville. Lower Frederick is also involved and will intervene. Tom Snyder would like to "get our foot in the door" and see what happens.
Bob's hourly rate is $75.00 per hr. to the borough. Doesn't know how much time is involved at this point.
Mayor Clossin: Borough has been in favor of this project all along. Should we spend additional monies? Dick Croyle who is named in this project mentioned that walking along the trail is very difficult.
MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE ROBERT BRANT REPRESENT THE BOROUGH IN THIS CLASS ACTION SUIT. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
2) SLATER/TOPOROWSKI MATTER
Mr. Brant wrote to council June ll, 1997 in reference to the correspondence of May 6, l997 regarding the present use of the property referred to in correspondence as Lots 3,4, & 5 of properties owned by the Slaters.
Tom Snyder provided photos of the property and portions which depict on Lot 3 that a number of vehicles along with storage/scrap materials, and crushed stone on the property. There appears to be a zoning violation.
Property is in R-l. Mr. Brant explained the R-l District and what is permitted. Mr. Brant recommends to council that Tom Snyder be authorized to issue a Notice of Zoning Violation and a Cease and Desist Order to the Slaters. If in 30 days, the Slaters wish to appeal said order they can make application to the Zoning Hearing Board which would have jurisdiction over this matter, otherwise, they must comply with the order.
Another inquiry of the Toporowskis's is the property owned now by Tom Slater. This is used as part of a legal landfill project. This according to Tom Snyder is proper and no permits are needed.
Mr. Slater questioned Mr. Toporowski's painting business. Mr. Slater feels that the borough should also look into this. Mrs. Slater said that the property owned by the Slaters has been assessed as a Commercial property. Mr. Brant mentioned that the county in their assessment felt that with the equipment, etc. that the property fell into conforming use. Mrs. Slater will return to the County. Mr. Slater said that equipment belongs to him and not the company.
MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO DIRECT TOM SNYDER TO ISSUE A CITATION AND GIVE DIRECTION TO THE SLATERS ON HOW TO CURE THE SITUATION. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
STREETS/ROADS: Bernie McCollum
1) Mt. View Avenue: Quotes received from five contractors for regrading and rolling. Ballast and Modified would also be needed. This would only be a temporary measure.
Tom Slater filled in the ruts recently and this will only help for the time being.
Oil and chipping will be needed which will probably cost approximately $3,000.00 Correcting the drainage problem is the main issue.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM IT WAS VOTED TO AUTHORIZE $3,000. FOR MT. VIEW AVENUE REPAIRS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
2) Sam Schwigert Property (2nd - Montgomery Ave.) Sam has unsuccessfully tried to fix the land conditions. Bernie then tried to help with no avail. What is needed is a backhoe to go thru so the weeds can be cut. This will keep out weeds, insects, and various animals. Tom will get a price and report back.
3) Centennial Street Repairs: Work should start 7/5/97 or 7/6/97 and continue for 6-8 weeks.
Bernie suggested notifying residents who typically use that street for alternative roads. Tom said that not all will be shut down at one time and as the repairs are made, he'll personally hand deliver letters to those residents involved. Post Office will remain open.
PROPERTY: Bernie McCollum
l) Outside walls and Pointing is finished.
2) Painting (outside) to begin within 2 weeks.
3) Roof has a hole in it - that is where the bats are coming in.
Bernie would like permission to call in an Animal Control person, and an Exterminator for the inside (insects). Perhaps the exterminator who does the Firehouse could do the first and second floors of borough hall.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO CALL AND ANIMAL CONTROL PERSON FOR THE BATS AND AN EXTERMINATOR FOR THE INSIDE WORK. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
4) Old Shed behind Borough Hall: Bernie would like to see it removed, perhaps the Boy Scouts would want it or it can be demolished. There is a storage shed at the Authority which isn't being used. The secretary was requested to get the name of the person(s) with the Boy Scouts who can make a decision if they want the shed for their storage elsewhere.
FINANCE/PERSONNEL: Joseph Giunta
1) Final Payment to Fire Company for Hose Fund
MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA, SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO PAY $2,500.00 TO THE FIRE COMPANY FOR THE HOSE FUND. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
2) Police Car
MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA, SECONDED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM IT WAS VOTED TO PAY OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND $2,000.00 and TRANSFER OVER TO THE RESERVE ACCOUNT SAID AMOUNT IN RESERVE FOR A POLICE CAR. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
3) Transfer Tax - $l3,000.
Received $l3,000. transfer tax (Old Age Facility). This amount is over and above what was budgeted for this year. Gael Hahn and Joe will take a look at the budget and report back at the next meeting.
Tom Snyder mentioned that the Authority's cost ran under budget for the water main on Centennial Street.
Bernie mentioned that council should consider the handicap ramp that is needed for the borough building. Sue suggested giving the finance committee this concern and any other concerns.
PARK BOARD: Tom Snyder - Nothing to report
STREET LIGHTING: Chris Kraft - Nothing to report
Mayor Clossin would like to see something done with the street lighting. Buying would be cheaper in the long haul. Tom and Chris will get together soon to work on this project.
FIRE COMPANY LIAISON: Joan Giunta - Nothing to report
POLICE COMMITTEE: Joseph Giunta - Nothing to report
BOROUGH MANAGER: Tom Snyder
1) Traffic Light at Main & Park: Will be on flashing. There is an electrical problem. This light will be shut down for a day. Discussion followed as to whom would do traffic control. There is the question of liability if volunteers are used. Frank Holden can help, but doesn't feel he can be there all day directing traffic. Board feels that responsibility is that of the company fixing the problem.
2) Centennial Street renovation: Phone company-okay. Poles cut off,now l8" high. They will be pulled out.
CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Eppley
1) Congressman Jon Fox: Would like to conduct a "Town Meeting" here at borough hall on August 9th. Board has no objections. Secretary was asked to correspond with Mr. Fox's office. Tom Snyder would be happy to open/close up the building that day.
2) YMCA letter: Invites attendance at an informational meeting to explore the possibility of initiating YMCA programming for this community. Date is June 26th at 7:00 p.m., in the Collegeville Borough Building. Sue Kuhn will attend.
James Dull, in the audience was concerned with the problem of bats. He thought that an exterminator would be called in. That is not the case, an Animal Control Person would be called.
Bernie McCollum mentioned that in order to clean up the borough building, sandblasting might be a good idea. Cost is approximately $2,500. He was told to get bids and submit.
OLD BUSINESS:
Chris Kraft (Holiday Lighting)
Chris would like some guidance as to getting these lights fixed. Materials were not available after Christmas. Hopefully, we can get materials at the end of July and early Fall. New bulbs and strings are needed. As to the timers, someone who is experienced in this type of work will be needed to repair them. Gael Hahn suggested Valley Electric, but Tom Snyder said that they don't want to be bothered with these lights. Tom will ask do some checking with "light people". Wooden boxes which are handmade also need repair. Mayor Clossin said the time to make these repairs is now, not when the lights are going up.
2) Spring Mountain Property: Sue has been in contact with the lawyer who is working with the Perkiomen Valley Water Shed on this project. Bob Brant said that funds have been extended until October l998. Per Tom negotiations are still going on.
MAYOR'S REPORT: Bill Clossin
In working with Nancy Eppley on the Landlord/Tenant Annual Report, Bill has come to the conclusion that there is a lot of work involved. Perhaps the borough could adopt a fee schedule to charge once a year for the units involved. Phoenixville Borough has such a system and it seems to be working for them.
AUDIENCE: Bruce McVain
PSofA Parade: October ll, l997. There will be a preliminary meeting on July 8th. Bruce discussed the proposed agenda.
MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO DECLARE THIS PARADE A COMMUNITY EVENT. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
AUDIENCE:
l) Tom Slater: Concerned about his property. His property is okay based on Tom Snyder's review. Bernie read Bob Brant's letter to the board.
2) Barbara Slater: The borough should check into the liability insurance on Dave Toporowski since he is painting the borough building.
3) Harvey Slater: Mentioned that Dave Toporowski has signs on his fence. Isn't Mr. Toporowski trespassing? This is a private matter between Slater and Mr. Toporowski.
4) Dick Croyle: l28 Main Street. Last year, ice came off of the borough building roof and hit a vehicle of his. Is the borough going to handle the overhang for any further problems. Bernie will look into this.
NEXT MEETING: July 10, l997 at 7:30 p.m.
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM IT WAS VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy J. Eppley, Secretary