BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA

MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2003

 

                The Schwenksville Borough Council Meeting was called to order by Council President, H. Gilbert Williams at 7:30 p.m.

 

                Present were:  H. Gilbert Williams, Barbara Slater, Donald A. Whitko, Raymond Yeanish and Mayor Carroll Rosenberger.  Absent was:  Gene Frantz

 

                PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:  By the assembly

 

                SILENCE REMEMBERANCE:  For the 2001 Disaster.  Council members and audience paused to remember the tragic event that occurred in New York, PA, and DC on September 11,2001.

 

                MINUTES:  Dispense with the reading of the minutes of August 14, 2003:  MOTIONED BY RAYMOND YEANISH AND SECONDED BY DONALD A. WHITKO IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 14, 2003.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                                      Approval of the minutes of August 14, 2003:  MOTIONED BY DONALD A. WHITKO AND SECONDED BY RAYMOND YEANISH IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 14, 2003.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TREASURER'S REPORT:  Nancy Eppley

 

Council has for their review and approval a copy of:  Deposit Detail for the Month of August for the General Account, Disbursement Report from August 18-September 12, 2003 for the General Account, Disbursement Report for September for the Liquid Fuels Account, Statement of Receipts and Expenditures from January 1st-September 12, 2003 and finally the Treasurer's Report as of September 12, 2003.  New items have been listed.  Third Street is finally finished.  Last payment to R. J.Sell.

MOTIONED BY RAYMOND YEANISH AND SECONDED BY DONALD A. WHITKO IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER'S REPORT AS PRESENTED.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                ENGINEER'S REPORT:  Kenneth Yerger

 

-Perkiomen Trail:  Assisting the Borough on as needed basis.

 

-Schwenksville Elementary School:  Continues to observe construction as the site is nearing completion.  A punch list has been prepared on construction items requiring repair/replacement for the school's contractors.

 

-Mine Hill Road:  Scheduled to begin early October on the curbs, sidewalks, and stormwater conveyance system.

 

-Zoning Map:  A draft of the proposed revisions has been distributed to the Planning Commission for review and discussion at the next PC meeting.

 

Gib mentioned that he has a request for anyone who has any knowledge for help for the "OLD POST OFFICE BUILDING".  Call Nancy if you can help in any way either with materials donated or help in restoring same.

 

                SOLICITOR'S REPORT:  Loren Szczesny

 

-Penn Vest Loan Application:  Has been submitted to DCED for approval in preparation for the Loan.   Should be closing around October 15th.  Amount is $80,000.00.

 

 

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Minutes of September 11, 2003

 

-County Open Space:  This is a new program.  Implementation will be on the ballot in November to all  municipalities. This will benefit Schwenksville Borough if passed.  Funds can be used to fix up or build.

Loren read the resolution.

 

Donald mentioned that a large proposed development might be going in at Lower Frederick.

 

MOTIONED BY DONALD A. WHITKO AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER IT WAS VOTED TO ENDORSE AND SUPPORT THE PROPOSED 2003 MONTGOMERY COUNTY OPEN SPACE PROGRAM.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

-Executive Meeting following tonight's regular meeting will be held to discuss Real Estate Matters.

 

-Refer to other items on Loren's report thru Borough Hall,  not discussed.

 

                POLICE REPORT:  Chief Timothy Hoppes

 

-Monthly report given to Council for their review.  Copy on file at Borough Hall

 

Month of August:  State Police Calls:  23      Local calls:  35 (Tim gave summary)

 

-School is now open, a crossing guard has been hired and seems to be working out.  At the present time, there are 6-8 children walking and there will be more now that Maple Hill children will be walking rather than riding the bus.

Gib thanked Tim for his help in this school venture.  Tim in turn thanked the Fire Company for their help.

Opening and related issues have gone very smoothly.  School flashers are only days away.

 

-Water Filled Barriers:  Letter has gone out to PennDot for their help in securing these barriers.  No response as yet.

 

-Dedication of the Trail:  Set for this weekend (Saturday-September 13, 2003)

 

-Dedication of a School Zone:  Should be done by way of ordinance.  Loren will work on.  Tim will be coming back to council  to ask for signs designating "Drug Free Zone"

 

                FIRE COMPANY REPORT:  No one present      No report

 

                AMBULANCE REPORT:      Nancy Eppley

 

Report sent by Dolly.  Report only goes up to July, which Nancy reported on last month.

 

                BOROUGH MANAGER:  Tom Snyder

 

-School Warning Lights:  Hopefully will be installed tomorrow.

 

-Lights that will be coming down:  There will be 4 lights.  One light at 3rd/Boyer Alley, other places to be determined.

Approval was given to Tom to spend no more than $400.00 for this change.

 

-PECO trying to get mess straighten out at Perkiomen Avenue at Moccia's.

 

Tom explained how the pole situation works.

 

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Minutes of September 11, 2003

 

Permission to attend the TIP program (Transportation Improvement Program".  This is in reference to Park Avenue.

MOTIONED BY BARBARA SLATER AND SECONDED BY DONALD A. WHITKO  IT WAS VOTED TO AUTHORIZE TOM TO ATTEND THIS PROGRAM.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

-Chris Kraft reviewed the "Old Mill" building.  This building is not on the 12 year list as yet.

 

-Main Street Repairs:  Hopefully, will be repaved within a month.  Bill Bushnell is pushing this also.

 

-564 Main Street-New drain has to be put in.  Permit has been lost, hopefully it has been found.  Problem at Jo Gill's house.  Tom said that this is another subject.  Ray is concerned that it will be paved and then tore up again.

 

-911 System:  Started yesterday and up and running.

 

-54 Main Street:  Tim and Tom are on to this illegal problem.  Someone is using the driveway.

 

-Snow Plowing on Perkiomen Avenue:  Borough plows and PennDot pays.  Generally we received a small amount.  Agreement must be signed yearly.  Borough has handled the big snow before, but not on Perkiomen Avenue.

 

                                                                COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

STREETS/ROADS:  Barbara Slater

 

Would like Tom to fax her a copy of what he does during the week.  Other members would like to receive this also.

 

FINANCE:  Gene Frantz      Absent      No Report

 

TRAIL:  Gilbert Williams

 

-Ribbon Cutting on the 13th.  Mayor will be there to cut the ribbon.  Beginning at 9:00 a.m.  If  not raining those present may walk the trail.

Things are going along very good.  If anyone sees anything that needs to be done, please inform the office.

Roy Miller feels that the upper pathway needs improvement.   Feels that steps should be put down and now fill has been added.

 

-Rt. 73/29:  Will be landscaped naturally - Will be the "Gateway into the Borough".  There will be benches and a kiosk.  A similar situation at the far end of town with a light.

 

-Lighting:  Borough will be put the conduit and the lighting.  Three areas: Rt. 73/29, behind the Firehouse, Near treatment plant, behind the old Lumber Yard and the end of town at Park Avenue.

This is all part of the grant.  Borough maintains same.  Loren mentioned that lighting is important for security purposes.

 

PROPERTY:  Donald A. Whitko        

 

Tom already mentioned the "911" installation.

 

FIRE COMPANY:  Gene Frantz       Absent     No Report

 

 

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Minutes of September 11, 2003

 

STREET LIGHTING:  Raymond Yeanish     No Report

 

MAYOR'S REPORT:  Carroll Rosenberger

 

-Main Street Repairs:  When is this going to be fixed.   Under Tom's Report

-Trail Opening:  Commissioners would  like to make sure that the trail is free of debris for opening day activities.  There is significant carpet laying around.  Tom said that Limerick Carpet is not to blame that others are using the dumpsters.  Gib wants the dumpsters emptied by opening day.  Ray offered to give a trailer to haul away the carpet, etc.  Gib mentioned that  things need to be looked out and finally straighten out the problem.

 

Donald mentioned a solution to getting the Main Street road fixed.  Put up signs to call PennDot instead of Mayor Rosenberger.

 

OLD BUSINESS:  Nothing

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Nancy Eppley:  A dinner on September 25th with hosts Pottstown Borough.  Anyone interested in going to the dinner, please contact Nancy.

 

-Regional Planning Commission will be coming to Schwenksville Borough Planning Commission in October.  Gib would like to invite Council, Mayor to come to this meeting.

 

AUDIENCE:

 

Wendy Rolli - 171 Fourth Street:  Concerns with John Garis, builder.  Is there any escrow money that the Borough is holding.  Wendy  wants to know if there are any problems, should she who is the spokesperson for 4th Street, should she contact Tom? Some things can be fixed and some are between households.  Tom mentioned that some of the street lights are off, someone took the cover off and cut the wires.

 

Wanted to know about Ordinances, are they on the Web?  Not yet, but come in the office and a copy will be given to you.  Wendy offered her help.

 

Ray:  Other 4th Street.  Ray would like to see something done very soon.  State Police appeared at Ray's home looking for a 4th Street address which is on the other side and access is not available from Ray's.  A  serious problem could occur.  Either make the road North and South.  Gib mentioned that the Planning Commission can discuss at their next meeting.  Tim Hoppes in the meantime will call into County and if it is a "911" call it should have cross streets.  Tim will make sure that the cross streets are accurate for 4th St. addresses.

 

Recessed to Executive Session.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

 

9:30 P.M.

 

Everyone still present.

 

MOTIONED BY  RAYMOND YEANISH AND SECONDED BY DONALD A. WHITKO TOPASS THE RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR DCR GRANTS ON THE CENTENNIAL PARK PROJECT.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

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Minutes of September 11, 2003

 

MOTIONED BY DONALD A. WHITKO AND SECONDED BY RAYMOND YEANISH IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE LOREN PUT TOGETHER AN AGREEMENT OF SALE FOR THE CENTENNIAL PARK AND FOR THE PURPOSED ACQUISITION OF SAME.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

All business having been completed, the meeting was adjourned.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

 

Nancy J. Eppley

Secretary

September 25, 2003