BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA

 

MINUTES OF OCTOBER 12, 2000

 

                The Schwenksville Borough Meeting was called to order by Council President, Bernard McCollum at 7:30 p.m.

 

                Secretary, Nancy Eppley called the roll.  Present were:  Bernard McCollum (Bernie), Patricia Katona(Pat), Gilbert Williams(Gib), Barbara Slater and Mayor, Carroll Rosenberger.  Absent was Chris Kraft.

 

                PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:  By the assembly.

 

                Dispense with the reading of the September 14, 2000 minutes:  MOTIONED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2000.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                Approval of the minutes of September 14, 2000:  MOTIONED BY BARBARA SLATER AND SECONDED IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2000.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Nancy Eppley

 

                Passed out for councils' review:  Deposit Detail for the Month of September, Disbursement Report for October, Statement of Revenue and Expenditures to Budget Comparison from January 1st through October 12, 2000.

 

                MOTIONED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AS PRESENTED.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                TREASURER'S REPORT:  Nancy Eppley

 

                Passed out for councils' review:  Statement of Cash as of September 30, 2000.  MOTIONED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER'S REPORT AS SUBMITTED.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                POLICE REPORT:  Chief Timothy Hoppes

 

                Chief Hoppes presented his monthly report and explained same.  Copy of this is on file at Borough Hall. 

 

                Letter written to Commonwealth of PA-Department of Transportation concerning Weight Restrictions on Perkiomen Avenue.  Chief Hoppes stated that it has come to his attention that the roadway for Perkiomen Avenue was laid on little or no base material.    This later on could contribute to rapid deterioration of the roadway.  It poses a safety hazard also due to the sleep incline of Perkiomen Avenue especially that road being used by the heavy truck traffic.  It was requested that PennDot further review this situation and consider some form of weight restriction on this roadway.

 

                Spring Mount Summit Numbering:  A name has been chosen for the short stretch of road near Centennial Street.  Chosen by the association was "Forrest Lane".    The address change would not take place until the first of the year.  A street sign would be put up at Centennial indicating where Forrest Lane is located.  Cost is very reasonable according to Tom Snyder for signs and posts.  Cost of numbering would be borne by the association.

 

                MOTIONED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER IT WAS VOTED TO AUTHORIZE TOM SNYDER TO ORDER AND PROCEED WITH GETTING THE SIGNS AND ERECTING THEM THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT:  Jim Keyser

 

                Thanked council for the 2000 donation to the Fire Company.

 

                Report for the Month of September:  3 calls, Firemen in Service:  20, Time in Service:  1:15.

 

                October 22nd:  Basket Bingo, doors open at Noon.

               

                November 5th:  Pancake and Egg Breakfast

 

                Permission asked for bringing the Circus back into the Borough in the Spring.  No one objected.

 

                AMBULANCE REPORT:

 

                Thanked council for the 2000 donation to the Corps.

 

                Month of September calls were 27

 

                Free Blood Pressure checks given at their station.

 

                Membership Drive starts in November

 

                2001 Entertainment Coupon Books on sale at their station

 

                Bernie mentioned the Halloween Parade is scheduled for 10/26, registration starting at 6 p.m. and parade starting at 7 p.m.

 

                Grants:  There will be a meeting at Upper Providence Township Building on 10/30 to explain the grants given out.  Reference Act 67.

 

                SOLICITOR'S REPORT:  Robert Brant

 

                Letter sent (10/12/00) to Ralph McClellan of Suburban Cable-Comcast concerning the renewal agreement.  Loren Szczesny is working with them and either he or Bob will be getting back to council for signing.  Bob wants Suburban Cable to sign first.

 

                Community Park Grant:  It was suggested and correspondence written by Pat Katona that the monies (principal and interest) be returned to the state so that the Borough's slate can be wiped clean and council can again be in good standing for grants.

 

                Tom Snyder said he recently spoke to Larry Masey of the Grants Projects Management Division and dialogue between Tom and Mr. Masey concluded that there were only a few items remaining to be settled and after that the grant would be in good standing.

 

                Pat feels that this time it would be the honorable thing to send the monies back.  There would be final inspection and invoices to be found and that creates more time.  Gib Williams appreciates all the work that Tom has put into this project, no time limit was given to Tom, but considering everything he feels that it is time to settle this.

 

                Mr. Brant was instructed to get the final figures and report back to council  with his findings.

 

                Proposed Ordinances:

 

                Boyer Alley between Fourth and Third Streets:

 

                Mr. Brant explained ways to ordain streets.  First hold a hearing knowing that the proposed ordinance has been advertised properly, have a legal description and if passed notify the owners involved within 10 days via certified mail of the action.  If owners don't agree they can request a hearing.

 

                Or, if residents want to particular road ordain/dedicated they can petition council.

 

                Questions arose concerning Snow Plowing, repair of roads after ordaining/dedicating, can the ordinance be written just to Snow Plow nothing else?

 

                Bernie mentioned the action taken at the end of 1999 concerning the roads. They must be brought up to standards before the Borough takes any over.

 

                Gib Williams motioned to adopt the ordinance as written.  No second, So motion died.

 

                Mr. Brant said that the roads in questions would need to be handled on a case to case basis.

 

                Fourth Street between Boyer Alley and Cherry Street:  No action taken.

 

                Questioned what to do next?  The above can be tabled for later, no action at all according to Mr. Brant.

 

                Sign Illumination Proposed Ordinance:  Not advertised for passage tonight.  There are a few items to be straighten out.

 

                MOTIONED BY PATRICIA KATONA AND SECONDED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS IT WAS VOTED TO ADVERTISE THE AMENDED ORDINANCE ON SIGN ILLUMINATION.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE  MOTION CARRIED.

 

                STREETS/ROADS:  Chris  Kraft     No report    Absent

 

                PROPERTY:  Chris Kraft   No report   Absent

 

                FINANCE:  Gilbert Williams

 

                Special Meeting to discuss the proposed 2001 budget.  Scheduled for Wednesday, November 1st at 7:00 p.m.  Solicitor need not be present.

 

                Other issues:

 

                North Elementary School:  Discussions on-going.  Gib will keep council advised.  Probably will receive some information in November or December.

 

                Economical/Revitalization Committee: Newly being formed.  To deal with Village Commercial.  The following names were presented for serving on this committee. 

 

                Ray Yeanish, Gilbert Williams, Chief Tim Hoppes, Jim Keyser , Fire Company, Tom Snyder, Barbara Augustine, Jac Frac, Josephine Gill, Pat Katona, Michele Smith of the Montg. County Planning Commission.

 

                A letter will go out to the above asking for their participation.

 

                Village/Commercial Sketch Plan:  Hopefully sketches will be in soon on this subject.

 

                Trail:  There are some concerns, being liability, safety, and money issues.  John Wood of the County would like to set up a contract between the County and the Borough and perhaps the Borough can see what would be reimbursable.  This generally would be development/construction costs.

 

                Pat commended Gib for his efforts, doing a wonderful job on these complex issues.

 

                Bernie feels that letters should go out to those along the proposed trail to see how they feel about the trail, etc.  Gib feels that it would be best to speak to those residents personally.  Perhaps get a packet of information to them.

 

                Lower Frederick (Spring Mountain Camp Property (formerly JVC Camps).  This issue was addressed at the Planning Commission and Roy Miller, Secretary of the Planning Commission wrote to council on the Planning Commission decision, which was agreeable to Lower Frederick.

 

                This was discussed tonight and MOTIONED BY PATRICIA KATONA AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER TO HAVE THE SOLICITOR WRITE TO DULCIE FLAHARTY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY LANDS TRUSTS THAT THE BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE APPLAUDS HER EFFORTS AND JOINS IN SUPPORTING LOWER FREDERICK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND ENDORSES AND SUPPORTS THEIR EFFORTS CONCERNING THE OPEN SPACE AND ESTABLISHING A SERIES OF TRAILS.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                PARK BOARD:  TOM SNYDER

 

                Tree to be taken down.  Share of Cost for Borough would be approximately $250.  MOTIONED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER IT WAS VOTED TO SPEND APPROXIMATELY $250.00 THE BOROUGH'S SHARE FOR TAKING DOWN THE TREE.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                Other:

 

                Drainage Mt. View:  MOTIONED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER IT WAS VOTED TO SPEND(NOT TO EXCEED0 $3,000.00 FOR THE TEMPORARY DRAINAGE PROBLEM.  THIS IS SUBJECTED TO TOM SNYDER GETTING PHONE QUOTES AND TO MAKE SURE HE GETS THE LOWEST COST POSSIBLE.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.  This is to alleviate any water/drainage problem over the winter months.  PennDot would like the Borough to go out to bid for them.  They will reimburse the costs.

 

                Mark Hughes:  85 Main Street - Sign     Under the present zoning the proposed sign would be illegal.  It was suggested that the sign be made smaller.  Mr. Brant will research further.  If there is no way to make the sign smaller, Mark would need to go to the Zoning Hearing Board.  Sign would not be lit.

 

                Ambler Saving & Loan:  Sign     Replacement.  This also will be researched by Mr. Brant.

 

                Yeanish Storage  Shed:  Underway

 

                Duda Property Garage:  Footings are in.

 

                Mast Construction:  Should be finalized by November lst.

 

                Street Sweeping:  No progress.

 

                Grant Contract:  3rd Street:  This has been awarded, $47,000.00.  Preliminary engineering completed.  Will need detailed engineering and executing of the contract.

 

                MOTIONED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY PATRICIA KATONA IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE CARROLL ENGINEERING DO THE DETAILED ENGINEERING AND THEN HAVE THOMAS SNYDER EXECUTE THE CONTRACT.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                STREET LIGHTING:  Barbara Slater      Nothing to report

 

                FIRE COMPANY:  Patricia Katona    Nothing to report

 

                POLICE COMMITTEE:  Patricia Katona   Nothing to report

 

                CORRESPONDENCE:  Nancy Eppley

 

                Received notification of the resignation of Borough Auditor, Jeanette Yeanish.  Resignation was read.  MOTIONED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY PATRICIA KATONA IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT JEANETTE'S RESIGNATION.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                Other:  Bernie McCollum

 

                Received notification of the resignation of Borough Council Vice President Member, Chris Kraft.

Bernie read the resignation letter (copy of which is on file at Borough Hall).  Council members expressed their comments on the resigning of Chris of which were expressed with sadness and heavy heart, Chris was mentioned that he has contributed much to the Borough and will be sadly missed. 

 

                MOTIONED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT CHRIS KRAFT'S RESIGNATION.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.  

 

                The secretary will send letters of acceptance of the resignations and sadness in Jeanette and Chris's leaving the various posts.

 

                MAYOR'S REPORT:  Carroll Rosenberger

 

                Read a letter from Boy Scout Leader that they appreciated attending the September meeting but were very upset with what went on a the Council Meeting.  Mayor read this letter (copy at the present in her possession).

 

                OLD/NEW BUSINESS:  Nothing

 

                AUDIENCE:  Joe O'Neil-Centennial Street   

 

                Speaking of Chris Kraft:  Lost a good man and worker/drove him away.

 

                Having all business completed, the meeting was adjourned.

 

                NEXT MEETING:  (Budget)  Wednesday, November 1st, 2000 at 7:00 p.m.

 

                                                 (Regular)  Thursday, November 9th, 2000 at 7:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Nancy J. Eppley, Borough Secretary     October 27, 2000