RICHLANDTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES
The Regular Meeting of Richlandtown Borough Council was held on September 13, 2010. Council President Jim Bowman opened the meeting at 7:00pm. Floyd Bless was absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes for August 8, 2010 were accepted on a motion by John Wassmer, seconded by John Calder, and approved by all.
COUNCIL & STAFF REPORTS
Mayor’s Report
ANIMAL CONTROL ISSUES
I spoke with Lloyd Ewer who gave me the contact for animal control issues: Verna Norris at the Department of Agriculture (215) 453-0272.
BOROUGH BANNERS
The metal straps that hold the borough banners at various locations along Main Street are in need of tightening or replacement. For example, on the pole directly in front of the Richlandtown Hotel, the bottom bracket is completely free of the 2 straps that were holding it in place and is swinging freely. Further north, one of the top brackets has freed itself from the top strap. There are others along Main Street that are showing some signs of loosening as well. These items are in need of immediate attention before a complete failure may lead to someone being injured.
COMMUNITY DAY 2010
I look forward to our Community Day this Saturday, September 18th and volunteering to help with some of the activities planned at Benner Hall.
COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
In my most recent column of the Boro Buzz newsletter, I addressed community pride and various ways that residents can help with regular upkeep on properties, including keeping sidewalks free of weeds and other debris. In addition, I not only recognized those who volunteer both time and talents in our community, but encouraged others to find out how rewarding it can be to become a volunteer and helping out in our community.
CURB/HYDRANT PAINTING & WEED PULLING
I would like to thank Dani McClanahan for her hours of time that have been spent painting curbing and fire hydrants, so far. In addition, I have pulled weeds that were growing between sidewalk, curbing and around the park benches at the water tower park along Main Street and Walnut Street.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BOOKLET UPDATE
I spoke with Joe Geib and asked if he could make a few calls so that we can meet and proceed with all of the necessary updates that are needed to the Emergency Management Booklet and be sure that enough copies are provided to the Fire Company so that there is a book in each vehicle.
Currently, I am awaiting his reply.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
In an effort to reduce the potential for future expenses, a maintenance schedule should be drafted so that certain items can be addressed on a normal routine. For example: Banner repairs, sign repair, storm drain cleaning, etc.
PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALKS
I wish to establish a meeting to look at creating a list of proposed pedestrian crosswalks. This would be subject to approval by PENDOT on area roadways that are under their “jurisdiction”. I am in the process of putting the finishing touches on a letter as mentioned above. The task force remains Dani McClanahan and myself. If anyone is interested in serving on the task force, please see me at the end of this meeting.
PENDOT LETTER
I am completing a letter to PenDot District 6-0 to cover a variety of topics and/or to seek permission on the following: dangerous intersections and the possibility of creating all-way stops in these areas, installation of pedestrian crosswalks, the mandatory street sign reflectivity upgrade and if we can get any assistance, speed limit reductions on Main and Cherry Streets.
SCHOOL BUS STOP SIGNS
I have made attempts to contact the Quakertown Community School District, without success, to see if they assist with the purchase School Bus Stops Ahead signs. For the safety of our children, I am looking to have one installed on Main Street at each end our borough limits. This would act as a reminder to drivers of the many school bus stops that take place through our community along Main Street during the school year.
STATE POLICE MEETING
Tom Gross and I met on August 10th to review a list of safety items that I will discuss with the State Police upon my visit. First, I am finishing a letter to send this month, prior to scheduling a meet and greet session with Sgt. Vincent K. D’Angelo and other troopers of the Pennsylvania State Police – Dublin barracks. Topics include: animals, motor vehicles (i.e. abondoned, ATV’s, disabled, expired inspection and registration), radar for speeding concerns, safety concerns on parking (i.e. corners, hydrants, pedestrian crossings), use of a speed reading device. In addition, we would like to establish a point of contact for certain issues and concerns.
STORM DRAINS
Having recently walked through a portion of our borough, I have noticed that several of the storm drains are becoming blocked by debris and or weeds growing around the metal storm grates. The storm drains should be placed on a routine checklist and reviewed on a normal bi-weekly schedule, or immediately after a substantial storm. Preventative maintenance will reduce a potentially expensive fix in the future.
STREET SIGN PLACEMENT
I would like to thank John Wassmer for a comment that was made regarding the location of speed limit signs on Main Street heading south from the borough limits. As a result, I have taken a closer look at where the street signs, in general, are placed throughout the borough. I created a map splitting the borough – North End and South End and have begun to look are where our signs could be better placed. This would provide us with a more accurate list of exactly the types and quantity of signs that would be needed to be purchased for the state mandated reflectivity project.
TOWING SERVICE
I have asked Joe Geib to look into obtaining information on bonded towing companies for us to review. Currently, I am awaiting his reply.
Solicitor’s Report
Zoning Matters: The solicitor provided an update on the Hinkle and Smith cases.
Phoebe Tax-Exempt Status: General terms were agreed to. The Solicitor provided Council with the draft agreement. Comments should be made within a week.
Borough Manager
Phoebe PILOT: review draft terms
SALDO Update: Proposal from Engineer to update SALDO.
MOTION There was a motion made by Matt Scheetz, seconded by Jocelyn Myers, and approved by all to allow the Engineer to work on an update to the SALDO.
Act 32: Countywide Tax Collection. 2011 Collection decision. **RESOLUTION 2010-12**
MOTION There was a motion made by John Calder, seconded by John Wassmer, and approved by all to adoption Resolution 2010-12.
Building Permit: request of waiver of permit fees for Fire Dept roof.
MOTION There was a motion made by Matt Scheetz, seconded by Jocelyn Myers, and approved by all to waive the permit fees for the roof replacement for the Fire Company.
Water Meters: to be read this week
Water Superintendent
MOTION The Water Superintendent’s Report was approved on a motion by John Calder, seconded by Matt Scheetz, and approved by all.
Arsenic Update: plans have been approved by BCWSA for the sewer hookup. We have been getting compliant arsenic readings since the system has been online.
REPORT OF THE FIRE COMPANY
Garage Door: Garage door replacement installed, along with 2 other replacements. RFD is working on a state grant to replace the remaining overhead doors.
Fire Police Requests: Please approve the following requests:
MOTION The Fire Police Requests were approved on a motion by John Calder, seconded by John Wassmer, and approved by all.
FINANCE COMMITTEE:
PUBLIC WORKS:
W. Union St.: Easement recorded from St. John’s. Engineer made contact with PPL to have pole relocated. PPL is currently on a 6-8 week schedule for pole relocations. This delay, coupled with engineering, bid advertising, and construction start-up puts us out of the Oct 31 close-out date for PennDOT Liquid Fuels projects for 2010. The project will not be completed this year. The Engineer will follow through on the pole relocation and engineering, and will have the project ready for bids come the opening of the spring 2011 construction schedule. Council would still like the Engineer to continue to prepare the bid documentation, so the project can proceed at the earliest time in Spring 2011.
PARKS & RECREATION:
Finances: $1250 income in August. Bookings lighter in
the Fall- Clothing Tree will be in this month. $9449 in fundraising account
Grants: No new news
Events: Appreciation Picnic- was held in August- Thank You to all
who came out!
Community Day- September
18th, 2010
Other
PUBLIC WELFARE:
Weed Ordinance: Inventory to be done week of 8/15.
19 N. Main St: vacant house with property maintenance code violations. Code Enforcement will look into it.
PERSONNEL
Part-Time Help: Last year’s seasonal help cannot participate this year. We will need to advertise and hire a new PT helper.
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS:
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Community Day Cleanup: John Wassmer gave direction to the Manager to clean up the weeds along the curblines throughout town in anticipation of Community Day.
School bus Stop Signs: The local school district will not assist with the purchase and installation of Bus Stop warning signs. It is up to the municipality to install them.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
The bills were paid on a motion by Matt Scheetz, seconded by John Calder, and approved by all.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40pm on a motion by Jocelyn Myers, seconded by Matt Scheetz, and approved by all.
Next Meeting: Monday, October 11, 2010. 7pm at Benner Hall.
Submitted by Joseph Geib, Borough Manager.