BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA

COUNCIL MINUTES OF JULY 15, 1999 BEGAN: 7:30 P.M. ENDED: 8:30 P.M.

The Schwenksville Borough Council Meeting was called to order by Council President, Bernard McCollum.

Secretary, Nancy Eppley called the roll. Present were: Bernard McCollum, Joan Giunta, E. M. (Sue) Kuhn, Chris Kraft, and Jim Dull. Absent was Mayor, William Clossin.

DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF JUNE10, 1999:

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF JUNE 10, 1999. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUES OF JUNE 10, 1999:

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JIM DULL IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 10, 1999. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

There was one question by Sue Kuhn on the Parking at the MAC machine at Union National Bank. Sue was absent at the June 10, l999 meeting and needed clarification. Minutes stand as written, they are correct.

Bernie McCollum mentioned to the audience present that an Executive Session was held June 17, l999 to discuss the Borough Authority's Water Problem(s).

Lower Frederick residents seem to be getting water now that there was a pump installation. No other progress has been reported.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Gael Hahn

    1. Disbursements for the month: $12,097.53 (some transfers)
    1. Authority Bills: Borough hasn't received a bill since January. In speaking with Fred Kehs bills can be paid off at two months at a time until paid.
    2. There was a question on one of the bills. Cost of tree work at the Park was to be split between the Borough and the Borough Authority. Now the Authority is aware of the problem and it will be straighten out.
    3. Sue questioned the bill for Building Repairs (Sewer Line) in back of the Borough Hall. Needed extensive repair, sewage going on the ground.

APPROVAL OF THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Gael Hahn

    1. Receipts and Expenditures Report, Deposit Detail, and a P & L Report

Joan mentioned that Account #414 is over budget, Gael felt that it was for ordinance work. Bernie: Isn't that a wash item?? Yes, per Gael, but transfers come into play. Bernie: County Radio? Now on a new system, shouldn't it be out of Budget? Money back?? Gael: The $834.00 is the annual charge going to the County. Frank Holden who had the radio said that this was the charge when the Borough leased the radio. Gael: This was a budgeted item and was passed. Will be under budget end of the year.

APPROVAL OF THE TREASURER'S REPORT:

MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE TREASURER'S REPORT AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

Questioned by Bernie McCollum: Account #400-300. After discussion it was decided that this expense was for the Borough's dinner. Heating bill: A May bill per Gael, Heat On???

POLICE REPORT: Chief Frank Holden

54 incidents for the Month of June 1999. No State Police Report. Frank's complete report is on file at the Borough Hall.

Frank mentioned that a big event on July 24th will take place in the Borough. The Women's Civic Club will be presenting "Perkiomen Valley Family Festival Day". Frank said that tables will be place in the park. Tables have been in storage because of mischief in the past. No resolution for this event is needed as it is listed under General Resolution for public events. Tom offered to take care of the tables.

North Elementary School: Criminal Activity, alarm activated.

AMBULANCE REPORT: Larry Politz, General Manager of LFAC

Monthly report: ll calls at the Colonnade, 60 calls for the year for Schwenksville Borough.

Organizing a "Transport Service" This would transfer residents to doctor's offices, hospitals for non-emergencies, etc. Should be in place around August.

Financial assistance: Needed to upgrade their computers.

Paid/Volunteer Workers: Majority are paid. Volunteering is a "lost art".

 

Ambulance Service/Billing: If someone needs an ambulance that person's insurance company is billed. If no insurance, available terms with those needing the service can be arranged.

SOLICITOR'S REPORT: Robert Brant

    1. Executive Meeting: Tonight to discuss Police Contract and a Real Estate Matter.
    1. Infrastructure Loan: Documents have been returned, (Calculation errors, needs to be notarized. Mr. Brant suggests that this be done asap.
    2. PECO: Purchase of Lights: Need a filing fee payment and the contract needs to be signed.

      3. MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY JIM DULL IT WAS VOTED TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,662.13 AND PAY A FILING FEE OF $350.00. CHECK TO BE MADE PAYABLE TO: "PUC". ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIED.

    3. Borough Authority: Establishment/Existence (handed out in memo form to council members. Look this over and then ask questions.

STREETS/ROADS: Sue Kuhn
    1. Mrs. Weber called Sue before the meeting tonight concerning 812 Clearfield Avenue. Sue did not get a chance to review before the meeting. There is a crack in the street and drainage is bad. Mrs. Weber said that nothing has been done to correct situation. Tom Snyder mentioned that the seam in the road poses a problem. Lower Frederick fixed their drain which should help. Shouldn't have a water problem now that there is a drought.
    1. Mrs. Weber also mentioned that "Weeds" need attention. Tom will take care of this. Passengers have trouble getting out of the cars with the weeds in the way.
    2. Montgomery Avenue: In the Infrastructure monies. Tom needs to review and will report to council soon. Drainage: Cost??? Some trees need to be removed and the road has to be away from the wall for the trash trucks.
    3. 3rd Street: (Maple-Perkiomen) was rejected. Streets/Road grants were knocked out by HUD monies. Money will go towards Community Development. Tom has reapplied.
    4. Mt. View: Still a drainage problem. Tom would like permission to include in the Drainage a separate item for the Water Main in that way it can be billed back to the Authority. Otherwise, the Authority would have to go in and do everything, Jim agreed with Tom. Jim explained the line and the disadvantages of the current line. Tom again explained the drainage problem which has been a problem all along. September should be the time a decision can be made.

      5. There will be a meeting between the Summit and Highpoint to discuss Third Street.

    5. Community Service Work: Man is signed up for work. Work needed to be done is painting of posts along the streets, painting basement of Borough Hall, kill weeds. No cost to the borough for his services. However, paint and weed killer will be needed. Cost to be approximately $350.00

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE AN EXPENDITURE OF NOT TO EXCEED $200.00 FOR THE SPRAYING OF WEEDS PRODUCTS AND PAINT FOR THE STREET SIGNS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE AN EXPENDITURE OF NOT TO EXCEED $200.00 FOR THE PAINT FOR THE BASEMENT AT BOROUGH HALL. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

PROPERTY: Sue Kuhn

    1. Still looking for a table for the meeting room.
    1. Would like to get some ideas on the type of chairs that would go with the table.

FINANCE: Joan Giunta

On the report tonight from Gael, Joan suggests that council take a look at this. There are a few areas which are high and might need to be adjusted. She will also review and make suggestions at next month's meeting.

PARK BOARD: Tom Snyder
    1. Fence and Swings going up soon. Will also be getting more swings from the school.
    1. Jim questioned? What activities are there in the Borough for Seniors? There are none. Jim feels that the borough should get involved as other communities have already.

STREET LIGHTING: Chris Kraft Nothing

FIRE COMPANY LIAISON - Jim Dull
    1. American Legion "Flag Burning event". Everything went fine, the donated used, old flags were burned properly.
    1. Any restrictions on Burning in the Borough per Joan?? Jim: Not Yet

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE THE FIRE MARSHALL IMPOSE A "NO BURNING" WITHIN THE BOROUGH. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

Nancy will also write a letter to Ralph Rosenberger. Jim will stop at the firehouse after tonight's meeting and request same and that a message on the Fire Company's sign state no burning in effect until further notice.

POLICE COMMITTEE: Joan Giunta Nothing

BOROUGH MANAGER: Tom Snyder

    1. Zoning: There will be a meeting with the solicitor, engineer and Clemens concerning his development.
    1. Brick Oven sign changed to John "O" (Tom did not know the spelling of last name.
    2. Commercial Trash Billing: Tom needs a motion because of an oversight being that the recyclable bins did not have a price put on them. Tom suggested $3.25 per month for each bin.

      3. MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO CHARGE $3.25 PER MONTH FOR EACH BIN FOR THE COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

      This is for those customers who have carts, not the bins.

    3. Street Numbering letter going out. There are homes with no numbers and some homes where the numbers are too small. Both are not in compliance with the ordinance.
    4. Borough Authority: Testing well on the Pennypacker property. Additional wells will be tested. Booster pump is in. No complaints from residents on water pressure. Loop to Zieglerville.

Sue questioned-If progress has been made in what the council members have asked for? Yes, per Tom There were questions concerning the routes laid out by the engineers.

Received a letter from DEP concerning Well #6, in back of the bank.

Chris questioned the"loops". First stage per Tom is from Leidy's up and the other piece is from the standpipe down.

CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Eppley Nothing

OLD BUSINESS:

Gael Hahn: Saturday, July 24th there will be a Perkiomen Valley Family Festival in the Park. Gael explained the various activities to be held. Parking is allowed at the churches and bank. Not encouraged to use Pennypacker (too dangerous) in crossing. The authority's lot will be used for parade preparation. Security not a problem per Frank Holden. Tom Snyder also volunteered the Schwenksville Lumber Yard for parking.

NEW BUSINESS: Nothing

MAYOR'S REPORT: William Clossin - Absent, No report

AUDIENCE: Jo Gill, 666 Main Street

Concerned over her driveway, again that a sink hole could occur if not fixed. Heavy traffic during tax season. Tom will continue to work on this problem.

Sidewalk across from Jo Gill: Was to be completed by June 30th, PennDot has left this work for other jobs. Tom will check.

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO ADJOURN TONIGHT'S MEETING. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Nancy J. Eppley, Borough Secretary