Vice President Kathleen Weiss called the regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:40 p.m.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance roll call was taken.  PRESENT:  Edward Bartosiewicz, Kathleen Weiss, Steve Lance and Mayor David Gerstenberg

ABSENT:  Thomas Stinnett and Rich Strawn

            S. Lance motioned to approve the minutes of the July 9, 2008 Council Meeting and E. Bartosiewicz seconded.  Unanimous.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

            A letter was read from Borough Resident and Member of Riegelsville Zoning Hearing Board acting Chairman Michael Graeff will be resigning August 31, 2008.  S. Masteller will contact the Zoning Board with this information.

            A letter was read from Bucks County Board of Elections as a reminder that the General Election is November 4, 2008.

            A letter was read from Carl Dicker, Borough Engineer announcing the notice to proceed to Bi-State Construction for the Pedestrian Bridge.

            A letter was read from Marguerite Quinn, State Representative in reference to Governor Rendell signing into law Act 1, The Tax relief Act.  This complete letter is on the Borough’s Website.  Council asked S. Masteller to contact Marguerite and ask if this would also relieve the past 2 years of increased School Taxes.

            A letter was read from Marguerite Quinn, State Representative        in reference to the request for a public hearing with the House Labor Relations Committee in the near future to discuss the House Bill 1515.  This Bill is also known as the Prevailing Wage Act.

            A letter was read from William Dudeck, Borough Solicitor, to Mr. Moll’s Solicitor, Stephen B. Harris, in reference to the Moll Condemnation. 

            A letter was read from PennDot in reference to the Borough’s Liquid Fuel Tax Fund Audit.  Financial Consultant Mr. Earl Helbing reported that the Borough is maintaining a well managed investment program for their Liquid Fuels Tax Funds. No areas of concern were noted with this review.

           

 

REPORTS

            President- Absent

            Mayor – No Report

CITIZENS COMMENTS: None Expressed

            Jennifer Heisey from the Appalachian Mountain Club did a presentation on the Pennsylvania Highlands Trail Network Project.  Their vision: An interconnected trail network linking people to where they live in Pennsylvania Highlands by providing recreational opportunities and protection of their natural, scenic and historical resources.  Borough Resident, Dawn Serra is also a member of AMC and voiced that this would be a great way to preserve our land too.

             

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community AffairsCitizen’s comments: None Expressed

         Borough residents have approached K. Weiss about the high weeds and grass at 224 Easton Road.  S. Masteller will let M. Brady know and he will send the owner a letter enforcing Ordinance #191.  K. Weiss was also approached by another Borough resident about the Noise of the motors at Frigid Freeze.  Council stated that they have been a business here in this Borough for many years and this is the first time anyone has had an issue with hearing the motors run.

            Frank Preddy, Borough Resident and Emergency Management Assistant Coordinator, looked over the Best Practices Manual that Yardley Borough put together.  Frank feels that this would be a pretty good plan for the Borough to follow with some minor changes.  Frank listed 3 areas that would need to be looked at: 1. Public Notification, 2. getting a contact person with Met-Ed (Electricity) 3. 24 hour check point wristbands.  Frank suggested that maybe the Borough could get a grant to purchase weather radios to hand out the residents.    Frank stated on a separate note he wanted to applaud Council for Denying the Cook proposal.

            The Riegelsville Enhancement Committee- E. Bartosiewicz and the committee have reviewed the donation letter and are just waiting to hear back from Korie the Boy Scout.  Joanne Walsh, Borough resident and member of the Enhancement committee, sent a letter to Lowes to ask for a donations for the Borough and then she went directly to Lowes and spoke to them and told them she would acknowledge them in our next Newsletter.  Lowes was very excited and donated 2 benches for the Borough.

EMS News:  Nothing to report 

Recreation Board News: Sherry reported that the 2 All Star games brought in about $700.00 profit for the Concession stand.  Oxford Diabetic has reserved the park twice for their employees to have lunch and play some ball.  Rachel Evanowski will do the Riegelsville Relays again this year on July 28~31 from 11am~ noon for ages 4 to 12.  Last year it was a big success.

Library News: E. Bartosiewicz reported that the Library Board has 2 new members.

Zoning: Phil Neas, Borough Building Code Official, reported issued 2 permits.  Phil said it has been slow. 

Utilities- Comments from the citizens:  None expressed.

            M. Brady will be flushing the hydrants south of the Traffic light tonight from 10:30 pm~ 2am

Streets and PropertiesComments from the citizens:  None expressed.

            The letter for solicitation for the Welcome to Riegelsville signs have been approved by E. Bartosiewicz and Bob Rainey.  Boy Scout Joseph Carnes will be doing this project as part of attaining rank of Eagle Scout. Remarks: E. Bartosiewicz stated that the involvement of the Boy Scout is on hold and the Riegelsville Enhancement Committee has taken over the project to get completed.

            The Borough Dump Truck needs to have the exhaust manifold repaired.  Council said to make the appointment and get it done before the winter comes.

            Council has decided to advertise the sale of a Spreader that is not being used for $1000.00.  S. Masteller will work on writing up the ad.

Finance- Comments from the Citizens: None

             A letter was read from Kiwanis Club asking for a donation from the Borough for the Halloween Parade on October 25, 2008.  Council agreed on the $300.00 donation that was listed in the Budget.

            Bucks County Planning Commission has invited Council to the Seminar for Municipal Official on Saturday September 13, 2008. 

            Council will hold off and discuss on the current Eastburn and Gray invoice at the Council meeting.

             Bill Dudeck, Borough Solicitor has filed a Civil Complaint July 30, 2008 in reference to escrow monies owed by Ashley Development Corporation and Patrick Johnsen Subdivision.

            K. Weiss read a letter from Barbara Bare, Borough Tax Collector to Adam Maziuk, Borough Resident, in reference to a 2007 Borough Per Capita Tax issue.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS-

            Approval of check to Wayne Nicholas $430.00 (328 Easton Road Curb stop repair) S. Lance motioned to approve E. Bartosiewicz seconded Unanimous

           Adoption of Resolution #R-04-08 for Council authorizing the acceptance of the dedication and exchange of easements as to Bucks County Tax Map parcel #38-006-217 and #38-006-130, when the ordinance was read the first parcel said #38-006-17.  S. Lance Motioned to approve the resolution once the parcel number is checked and corrected. E. Bartosiewicz seconded Unanimous   S. Masteller checked on the tax assessment book for the correct parcel number; it was corrected to read #38-006-217. 

NEW BUSINESS-   

            None  

 

APPROVAL OF BILLS-

S. Lance motioned to approve bills as listed E. Bartosiewicz seconded Unanimous

 

           

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.  Next Council Meeting scheduled September10, 2008 7:30 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        Sherry L. Masteller,

  Borough Secretary