RICHLANDTOWN BOROUGH

COUNCIL MINUTES

November 9,2009

 

The regular meeting of Richlandtown Borough Council was held on November 9, 2009. Stanley  Weikel opened the meeting at 7:00 P.M. All Councilmen were present.

 

On a motion by Matt Scheetz, seconded by Roy Schulenberg and passed by Council, the minutes from the October 12 were approved as received.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Residents were present to voice their displeasure over the current situation of mail delivery in the Borough. The Manager is working to have a meeting with the Postmaster and other USPS representatives to straighten out the facts and see where we can move forward. At any future public meetings, we may have a stenographer present.

 

Borough Council introduced the newly-elected members of Council. Jocelyn Meyers, Tom Gross, and Karl Raub will be replacing Stan Weikel, Roy Schulenberg, and Lloyd Ewer. Matt Scheetz and Floyd Bless were also recognized for their re-election.

 

MAYOR’S REPORT

Nothing to Report

 

SOLICIOR’S REPORT

HINKLE – The Equity action filed in the Court of Common Pleas is still pending.

SMITH – Mr. Goodwin has filed a complaint action in Equity in the Common Pleas court. He can not find Mrs. Smith to serve papers on her.

ZONING ORDINANCE AMMENDMENT – The Solicitor has provided copies of a proposed cellular equipment amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. We would like to advertise this to be approved at the next Council meeting.

 

MANAGERS REPORT

ELECTED OFFICIALS TRAINING – The manager will distribute information to the newly-elected officials concerning some training from the PSAB.

 

FIRE COMPANY REPORT

NEW FIRE ENGINE - The Fire Company will take delivery of the new 2010 KME Fire Engine this week. They hope to have it in service within 3 months. This time is needed to get the badging done on the new rig, and train the firefighters on the new foam system on the engine.  They will try and have it present for viewing at this Sunday’s Fire Department Breakfast.

 

FINANCE

2010 BUDGET – The Council worked on the preliminary 2010 Budget. It will be approved at the December 14 meeting.

EIT RULES – The Richland Township EIT Office was wondering if we wanted to add some additional rules to the collection. These rules would bring our EIT collection rules in line with theirs.  The proposed rules are:

    1. institute a late filing fee of $10.00 per taxpayer if returns not filed by April 15.
    2. 8% penalty on the unpaid liability for not filing and paying in full the quarterly estimates (if employer does not withhold the full 1.5%).

Council has decided to table the discussion for another time.

 

PUBLIC WORKS

WATER SUPERINTENDENT REPORT – On a motion by Jim Bowman, seconded by John Calder and passed by Council  the Water Superintendents report was accepted as written.

ARSENIC – The arsenic project is making slow & steady progress.  The well needs to be brought back online at Pumphouse 3. We also need to come to a solution with regards to the backflushing of the filtering media.

STORM SEWER CLEANOUT - some E-W laterals along Main St. are becoming clogged with sediment. Quakertown Sewer Dept. estimates it to be at least a full day’s work, at $350/hr.  The Manager may ask Quakertown Council to see if we can get a reduced rate.

MAIN ST PAVING – The letter will go out to PennDOT regarding our issues with the paving of N. Main St.

WEST UNION STREET – Phoebe has offered to contribute toward having West Union Street paved. Borough engineer has drawn up costs for paving.  There will be a subcommittee meeting next month to discuss the options.

EAST UNION STREET – PennDOT has completed the paving job, save for painting the lines.

 

PARKS & RECREATION

AED – Phoebe Richland donated an Automatic External Defibrillator to be used at Benner Hall.

SEWER – The connection has been completed.

OPEN SPACE DONATIONS – A savings account will be set up for all donations toward matching funds for the Open Space Grant.

 

PUBLIC WELFARE

LEAF COLLECTION – Leaves will be collected on Mondays & Tuesdays from October 19 to November 30, 2009.

FIRE POLICE - Fire Police Request: St. John’s UCC Christmas Bazaar, Nov. 21, 9a-2p.  This request was approved on a motion by John Calder, seconded by Roy Schulenberg and passed by Council.

 

NEW BUSINESS

FIRE INSPECTIONS – The Bucks County Fire Marshall sent a letter to see if we were interested in doing any fire inspections of commercial properties. We will look into the matter.

 

PAYMENT OF BILLS

On motion by Matt Scheetz, seconded by Jim Bowman and passed by Council, the October expenditures were paid.

ADJOURNMENT

 

On motion by Floyd Bless seconded by Matt Scheetz and passed by Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM

                                                                                                                Respectfully  yours,

 

                                                                                    Joseph Geib