BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 14, 1998
The Schwenksville Borough Council Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Council President, Bernard McCollum.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly.
Secretary, Nancy Eppley called the roll. Present were: Bernard McCollum, Joan Giunta, E. M. (Sue) Kuhn, Chris Kraft, Jim Dull, and Mayor, William Clossin.
Dispense with the reading of the minutes of April 9, l998: MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF APRIL 9, 1998. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Approval of the minutes of April 9, l998: MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF APRIL 9, 1998. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Frank Holden
Total reports for the Month of April l998: (Combined local and state): 36. Frank's complete report is on file at the borough hall.
Townwatch: This was passed on to Bob Brant for his review and everything is fine. Ready as a police department to enforce this townwatch. Printed applications are available for residents. It was suggested that the word be spread via audience, council members, local papers. Nick Matregrano suggested that borough speak with Rick Sheppard and he can advertise by putting a notice on his sign telling about the townwatch.
Sue questioned the disturbance at the Uni-Mart Lot. Frank said that it was a minor problem and not a continual problem. Minors were involved.
Anyone found there disturbing anyone are reminded that this a private lot.
There were video cameras installed, but they weren't working properly. This is now been fixed.
Bernie McCollum: Asked the borough auditors to be present tonight and one of the reasons they were called is to
Why was there so much time spent on the audit for l997? Explanation was that there are more accounts than the previous year and more divisions were needed, that the present computer did not have in the system. Paper trails were also used.
Bernie questioned if the tax collector's audit was done? Yes, along with the borough's audit.
Present system used is "Quicken".
Mayor asked if the auditors had any suggestions on another system. No, only to incorporate the accounts that are not on the system.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Gael Hahn
Has presented to council an income/expense, expenses and cash report.
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER'S REPORT AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Bernie questioned Gael on a fax that he saw while in the office from Upper Frederick Township. This was a one time occurrence and was on something her assistant was working on that needed an answer asap.
Also, was Jo Gill paid her recent commission? Yes
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO INCLUDE IN THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AN INVOICE FOR KEENAN, CICCITTO AND BRANT. AMOUNT OF THE INVOICE IS $1,062.85. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED. This invoice came in after checks were written.
Total Accounts Payable now: $l2,604.39.
Joan would like to see snow removal monies that remain unused this year be transferred over to the Capital Reserve Fund for highways. According to Gael this is a line item and the same account.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO TRANSFER $10,000.00 OVER TO THIS CAPITAL RESERVE FUND TO BE USED FOR ANY SNOW REMOVAL DISASTER THAT COULD OCCUR IN THE COMING YEAR. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Clossin asked if anything was done on the discussion involving the PLGIT HIGHER INTEREST ACCOUNT that was discussed a few months ago? No, it hasn't been pursued. It seemed that the borough would have to leave $50,000.00 in the account to get the higher interest rate.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Nicholas Matregrano
For April: Number of calls: 3 Firefighters in service: 30 Time in service: l hour and 30 minutes Distance traveled: 6 miles.
Memorial Day: May 25th, the Fire Company will be having their annual Flea Market and Chili Cook-Off. Try to attend. Chris mentioned that the Circus was great.
AMBULANCE REPORT: No one present
SOLICITOR'S REPORT: Joseph Ciccitto
Nothing to report. Bernie had asked Bob Brant to check into the Plowing of the Unordained Roads. At the present time, the Borough Authority is plowing the roads and the Borough is not getting any revenue on the Liquid Fuels Program.
There was some discussion on this subject. Pre-existing roads are the ones in question. Borough is not obligated to plow or maintain. But this can be done if they so desire. If the roads were dedicated the borough would get revenue.
Tom Snyder, Borough Manager said roads in questions are Spring Mt. Summit, Highpoint, Upper end of Summit and some of Woodland Avenue. Tom is also working with Lower Frederick concerning Highland.
Mayor explained road ordination.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE TOM SNYDER RESEARCH THE STATUS OF THE ROADS AND THE COST TO DEDICATE THEN COMPARE THESE FIGURES WITH WHAT THE BOROUGH WOULD GET BACK FROM LIQUID FUELS MONIES. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Joan still hasn't gotten an answer back from the associations on the charges to the homeowners on fees charged for snow plowing and maintenance.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
STREETS AND ROADS: Sue Kuhn
Per Tom Snyder:
l) Cleaning catch basins and gutters: Scheduled for late May or early June.
2) Stop Signs: Tom went to a seminar recently and learned that stop signs must conform to the latest standards. If the letters are damaged on the sign and are unreadable and a person goes through the sign, the municipality could be held responsible. There are approximately 30 stop signs in the borough, some need to be replaced entirely and some can be fixed. With signs and labor, Tom estimates cost to be approximately $l,500.00. Permission was given to Tom to correct this situation.
PROPERTY: Sue Kuhn Nothing to report.
FINANCE: Joan Giunta Nothing to report.
PARK BOARD:
Tom Snyder Nothing to report.
STREET LIGHTING:
Chris Kraft Chris has been asked by various residents to increase street lights. Chris also has been looking into purchasing electric for the borough. Negotiating for cheaper electric with other companies is in the works in PA. Discussion on who should serve on this committee and it was decided that Chris would chair the committee along with Mayor Clossin and Tom Snyder.
Other: Chris Kraft
l) Cornerstone Ceremony at the New Retirement Center/Perkiomen Avenue: Last Friday, Chris attended the ceremony on opening up the cornerstone, which was probably installed when the school first existed. It was a great disappointment as most of the articles that had been placed in the copper box were destroyed as the copper box was not sealed at the top. Items recovered were various coins from the l920s, scrolls, bible cover. A lot of pulp remained and ink was off because of the water conditions prevailing. No new time capsule is planned.
2) Central Perkiomen Valley Historical Society: Planning on writing a book about the region. They request support from Schwenksville Borough. Would like a letter written by council president expressing interest and support for this project. Council gives permission.
FIRE COMPANY LIAISON: Jim Dull
l) Fire Company Budget for l998: The $3,l00. for fire hydrants: Why is this under the category for Fire Company? Who gets the money, not the Fire Company? Gael explained that the Borough Authority owns the hydrants and there is rent on these. No, the Fire Company does not get the money, the Borough Authority does.
2) Letter to Raymond Bunt, jr.: Asking for Ray's help in seeing if monies are available to firemen who have volunteered their time. Is there any compensation for these people who have given so much of their time? Ray has checked this out and no money is available, compensation is paid for those who have this as their regular job.
3) Jim would like to thank Nick Matregrano for his work on the Newsletter from the Fire Company.
POLICE COMMITTEE: Joan Giunta No report
BOROUGH MANAGER: Tom Snyder
l) Columns on Highland Avenue: Repair or Knock Down? Repairing would cost about $750.00, probably wouldn't exceed this price.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO FIX THESE COLUMNS RATHER THAN KNOCK THEM DOWN. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO REPAIR THE COLUMNS ON HIGHLAND TERRACE AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $700.00. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Note: Tom Snyder mentioned $750.00 but the motion stated $700.00
2) McKim Property: Letter has gone to the residents that the property is unsafe and is a hazard. Must be cleaned up or borough would clean up and charge homeowner. Also, the property may be so bad that it might have to be torn down.
3) l43 Park Avenue/State Game Farm Road: Another property that needs to be cleaned up.
4) Mullaney Property: Has been moved, building has not be torn down.
Tom is continually sending out letters and will get results.
5) Clemens Subdivision: Working on storm sewer permits.
6) Clossin Subdivision: In the Planning stage.
7) Colonnade Retirement Center: Alarm Systems in operation and are working. Fireshields are being put in.
8) Grant Seminar: Held in Towamencin Township with Senator Holl being in attendance. Tom had spoke to Jim Newell who is present tonight concerning the state program that support boroughs so that the boroughs'reports can be sent electronically.
9) 3rd Street: Rained out.
l0) Montgomery Avenue: Tom is meeting with Terry Benner on Friday this week. Easements should be signed by then.
Completes Tom's report.
Chief Holden mentioned to Bernie that there are still some homeowners who have not numbered their houses. This is an ordinance. Tom will check out.
Jim Newell of the Dept. of Community and Economic Development:
Mr. Newell spoke about the State's system that can be used by municipalities so that audit and budget reports can be sent electronically. The new computer which the borough office will soon have will be "2000 year ready". Jim explained that the department is making the reports that need to be filed much shorter. Example: Budget from l6 pages to 2, and Audit 60 pages to l6 pages.
They have computer program especially in the accounting areas. He explained that: Municipality applies for technical assistance, then consultants are hired at State's expense, the municipality sends their budget to Harrisburg, it is then arranged on a floppy disc. This program is the Quick Book Program-Business Accounting Package.
Mayor Clossin felt this is a great deal and the borough should accept this offer.
Sharon Morgan, auditor wanted to know the timeframe. Jim Newell said that the program would not take place until July lst. Suggested getting the paper work in asap.
MOTIONED BY JIM DULL AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO AUTHORIZE THE SIGNING OF THE DOCUMENTS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
OLD BUSINESS:
Status of the New Computer: At the last meeting of council it was voted to spend $2,000.00 for a new computer. However, after checking out the cost of the computer plus the shipping of same the cost would be $2,095.00, over the authorized cost. Bernie consulted with Bob Brant and Bob said that since this was over the amount it would have to be brought back to council. Therefore, it was not ordered.
Mayor Clossin had also been checking out prices and secured a price of $l,492.00. There would be a one year warranty. There is no "on site" work done and if any repairs were needed the computer would need to go to King of Prussia. Mayor doubts that any problems would come up. Mayor Clossin explained some of the minor differences in the computer that he has checked into and the one that Joan Giunta checked into. Joan felt it was not a bad price, but how about the software. Mayor Clossin said that software is included.
Mayor feels that the program on the present computer could be transferred over to the new one. There are some problems such as First Choice which is a large program that the secretary runs, plus Word Perfect which is used for monthly council minutes, resolutions and miscellaneous work. Old computer will stay in place for the secretary. New computer program designed for the use of accounting purposes and any new changes which may come along.
MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO PURCHASE THE COMPUTER FOR A COST OF $l,492.00. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED. A check will be cut. Bill Clossin will pick the computer up.
EXECUTIVE MEETING: Following tonight's meeting for the purpose of Personnel matters. Along with council and mayor are the borough manager, secretary, treasurer, Joe Ciccitto (in Bob Brant's place).
CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Eppley
Bernie will be attending a Visiting Nurses' Assn. luncheon tomorrow if no other council person wishes to attend.
MAYOR'S REPORT: Nothing to report
AUDIENCE: Don Buchanan - Spring Mt. Summit Apartments
Spoke concerning school buses using Pennypacker Drive. Also, Rick Sheppard is the manager for Highpoint. Don seems to have heard that the fees for snow removal and ground maintenance are $30.00 per month. At Spring Mt. Summit Apts. fees are included in the rent.
Bruce McBain - Reporter
Is the executive meeting open to the public? No. Will it be discussed after the executive meeting? No It will be mentioned at the next council meeting.
Next meeting: June ll, l998 at 7:30 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy J. Eppley
Secretary
May 22, l998