RICHLANDTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES
The Regular Meeting of Richlandtown Borough Council
was held on January 11, 2010. Council President Jim Bowman opened the meeting
at 7:00pm. All Council Members were
present.
President
Jim Bowman introduced the new Council Members to the public in attendance.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There
was no Public Comment
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The
minutes for December 14, 2009 and January 4, 2010 were accepted on a motion by
Matt Scheetz, seconded by Floyd Bless, and approved by all.
PRESENTATIONS / DEVELOPER’S
ISSUES
There
were no Presentations or Developers.
COUNCIL & STAFF REPORTS
Mayor’s
Report
On January 4th, I administered the oath
of office to Councilpersons Floyd Bless, Jr., Thomas J. Gross, Jocelyn Myers, and
Matthew E. Scheetz. Following the
conclusion of the Borough Council reorganization meeting, I then administered the oath of office to
members of the Richlandtown Volunteer Fire Company.
I will be attending the workshop for
newly elected officials training on Friday, January 22nd and Saturday, January
23rd to be held at the Macungie Institute in Lehigh County.
Prior to the January 11 meeting, I administered
the oath of office to Erin Scheetz for the position of Tax Collector and Cheryl
Bryan for the position of Auditor.
One of the focuses during my first
term as Mayor is going to be dedicated to ways of improving the safety of our
borough residents. One of my "pet projects" is going to be
looking at a crosswalk project along our Main Street corridor here in
Richlandtown. With the combination of last year's paving of Main Street
and installation of new handicapped ramps at a number of intersections.
With Borough Council's blessing, I wish to contact other municipalities to see
how they obtained funding to have crosswalks painted on the road and pedestrian
signs placed at crosswalks. I intend to map out the total number
locations where these new ramps are located to see how much would be
involved. I will report with additional information at future council
meetings as it becomes available. I also look forward to working with our
Borough Manager on this project as well.
Solicitor’s
Report: NO UPDATES AT THIS TIME
Borough
Manager
1.
Updated
Fee Schedule: We will finalize the changes to the fee schedule during the
subcommittee meeting
2.
Appointments:
we are awaiting confirmation from all seatholders, and checking term expiration
dates.
3.
Snow
Reports through January.
4.
USPS
Meeting: has been Postponed for a future
date
5.
Borough
Dinner: Thursday,
6.
QNB
Online Forms: This will be discussed at the subcommittee meeting
7.
Sen.
Mensch Breakfast:
8.
The
office copier has been giving us problems as of late. Staff is doing research
on a replacement.
9.
Council
President: Committee Assignments / Organization: Committees will be grouped
into 2 larger committee groups of 3 committees and 3 Councilpersons that share
a similar task. Each Councilperson shall head up a committee, and the Mayor and
Council President shall oversee the tasks of each of these committees.
Jim Bowman provided
committee assignments for the Council:
·
Finance:
Jown Wassmer / Public Welfare: Thom Gross/ Personnel. : Matt Scheetz
·
Park
& Recreation: Jocelyn Myers/ Public Works: Floyd Bless / Buildings &
Grounds: John Calder
REPORT OF THE FIRE COMPANY
The
Fire Company received a grant in the amount of $11,722.46 for the roof
replacement. The project estimate was $18,800 for the roof with the 20-yr
warranty and gutter replacement. The Manager will check with the Solicitor
regarding the bid/quote criteria, and then work with the Chief and President on
obtaining bids/quotes.
The
Manager and Chief will work to look into Fire Marshall doing inspections of
commercial properties.
Statistics:
FINANCE COMMITTEE:
The
Water Superintendent’s Report for December was accepted on a motion by John
Calder, seconded by Matt Scheetz, and approved by all.
PUBLIC WORKS:
The
35MPH Sign at the north end of the Borough on
The
Thermoplastic Manhole Protection Rings will be installed next week, when the
representative from Flint Trading Co. will visit and provide training. These
could be reimbursed out of Liquid Fuels dollars.
Some
“Welcome to Richlandtown” flags have come loose. The Manager will repair them
when the weather improves.
PARKS & RECREATION:
Monday Jan 25, 5-8
pm Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night for Playground Fund
Sunday February 28, 1pm Home
Party Bingo $10 tickets, raffles, auction, sponsored by RFD
Flea Market coming up in April
(don't know exact date today- Tracey does. I think 3rd?)
April 16, (raindate 17) 2nd
annual Star Party- Bucks-Mont Astronomy Association will be in attendance. Time
TBA
PUBLIC WELFARE:
We
should have a work session about the Hinkle case soon.
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS:
Garage
Heat will be discussed among committee members, and a solution put forward.
The
Manager has received an estimate from Bob Schmoyer regarding improving the
safety and task lighting in the parking lot at the Borough Office. The Manager
will follow through with Bob to get this accomplished.
PERSONNELL COMMITTEE: nothing to report
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
We may want to put some brief Council Profiles and
a photo on the website.
We will distribute our Borough Contact list to the
Fire Company as well.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
The
bills were paid on a motion by John Calder, seconded by Matt Scheetz, and
approved by all.
There
was some discussion about the high heating bills for the Fire Garage from the
past month. The heat was kept up during the week when the new engine was
getting lettered. There were also a high number of calls for the month, and
every time the garage door opens a lot of heat leaves the building. The Fire Company was reminded to keep the
building at 55F, unless there is an event (like a hoagie sale, drill, or
otherwise).
ADJOURNMENT
The
meeting was adjourned at
Next Meeting:
Submitted by Joseph Geib,
Borough Manager.