President Thomas E. Stinnett called the regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:30 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance roll call was taken. PRESENT: Edward Bartosiewicz, Thomas Stinnett, Kathleen Weiss, Stephen Lance and Mayor David Gerstenberg

ABSENT: Richard Strawn

E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve the minutes of the February 11, 2008 Council Meeting and S. Lance seconded. Unanimous.

CORRESPONDENCE

The Borough Council received a letter Borough Resident Walter Wooden resigning as the Chair of The Zoning Hearing Board. Walter thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve the Borough.

A letter was read from William Dudeck, Borough Solicitor, to Barbara L. Bachtle, Bucks County Prothonotary, in reference to the Re Appeal from the Bucks County Board of Assessment and revision of taxes for the Open Space Land.

A letter was read from John T. Keck, SSM Project Representative, to Mr. Ihlein, DCNR Assistant Park Manager, in reference to the revised plans of the proposed bridge over the Delaware Canal in the Borough of Riegelsville.

A letter was read from Richard Belon, Land Appraiser, in reference to separating the market values of the Moll Properties.

REPORTS

President- T. Stinnett stated that on 3/8/08 there was an emergency meeting for the potential flooding of the Delaware River. Riegelsville Emergency Management, Fire Chief, Fire Company Members and Borough Council Members were present. Dave Nadeau, Coordinator for Emergency Management, reported that they would not be forming the command post due to the current water level reports of cresting at 21.9 feet.

T. Stinnett and Bill Dudeck, Borough Solicitor, are working on an easement agreement with Jeff Ryan, Riegelsville Inn Owner, since The Inn will be loosing two parking spaces due to the sidewalk from the Pedestrian Bridge to the Delaware River Bridge.

Mayor – D. Gerstenberg stated that the Emergency Management Team will be holding Quarterly meetings and he will let Borough Council know the dates.

CITIZENS COMMENTS: None Expressed

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community Affairs – Citizen’s comments:

Library Board members: Margaret Fritz, Ann Andersen, Nancy McEvoy, Pat McEvoy, Beth Banko, and Library Assistant Terri Randolph came to discuss their concerned with the Municipal Building roof. Ann Andersen would like to work with the Borough and try to get grants to help cover the costs of repairing or replacing the roof. The difficult issue with the Keystone grant is that they are a 50% matching. S. Masteller will contact Joe Kulick from Durham and see who did his estimates. S. Masteller suggested that maybe she could meet with the grant helpers on the Library Board and work on a grant together. They liked that idea. Another suggestion was to find information on getting the building on the National Historical registrar. E. Bartosiewicz suggested that S. Masteller should contact Congressman Murphy’s Assistant, Larry Glick, for more information. Ann Andersen is also concerned with the roof damaging the books; she asked what the Boroughs insurance policy covers. T. Stinnett was not sure but S. Lance will look into it and get back to Library with the answers. Remarks: S. Lance contacted the Insurance Co. and the Borough has 1.9 million dollars to cover the contents of the buildings.

The next Downtown Enhancement Committee is looking into the recycling of leaves in the Borough.

EMS News: S. Lance reported that their fundraiser will be going out in March.

Recreation Board News: Sherry reported that the Basket Bingo Fundraiser will be in April.

Zoning News: Rich O’Brien, President of Keystone Municipal Services and Phil Neas, Borough Zoning Officer reported that it has been quiet in Riegelsville. They have done five building permits and one sign permit. R. O’Brien will send S. Masteller an amended invoice #12593 for Phil’s services.

Utilities – Comments from the citizens:

We have been having the reoccurring problem with the Verizon circuit line in Well #3. Verizon is working on the problem but temporarily the Well pump is on a hand timer.

Tammy Macaluso received information from Bill Dudeck, Borough Solicitor, in reference to water shut-off for customers that do not pay their bills. T. Stinnett said to ask B. Dudeck to ask our former Solicitor C. Dorsett for the step by step procedure that he prepared for M. Armstrong many years ago.

Streets and Properties – Comments from the citizens: 

  Allen Madnick borough resident received another bid for fall leaf pick up.  He will compile the bids and bring the information to Council for a decision. E. Bartosiewicz said it would be great to be able to put our leaves on our Open Space.

K. Weiss has heard quite a few complaints about the plowing this season so far. Yards are being ripped up, alleys are dug up and the gravel is left in piles on the side. K. Weiss said the Fairview Road alley was really bad. R. Strawn said they normally wait until the end of the season and fill in the holes on the alleys, but he will have Matt go and look at Fairview Alley and rake the gravel back in the holes.

The Borough received a bid from A.B.E for Street Sweeping. Council asked S. Masteller to call Martin Sweeper out of Nazareth to get a quote too. Then we will have something to compare to.

The Borough received a proposal from DAK Lawn Care. The Borough Council decided to stay with Lance Lawn Maintenance for this upcoming season. S. Masteller will contact DAK and let them know of this decision.

Finance – Comments from the Citizens: None

The Borough office received a letter from R.H. Keys in reference to renting our Community room for auditions and rehearsals for the Bucks Co. Renaissance Fair. Council would like S. Masteller to call and see if they have insurance coverage on the group before a decision is made. Remarks: S. Masteller did contact Ms. Keys and she will get back to the office.

Barbara Bare, Borough Tax Collector, gave the 2006 and 2007 lists of Borough residents that are exonerated from paying the per capita tax. T. Stinnett said S. Masteller needs to add them to the Council agenda next week for a resolution to be passed. S. Masteller called Bucks County to get information on an appointment of Deputy Tax Collector. The Deputy is a non-paying position that is appointed by the Tax Collector. Barbara Bare, Borough Tax Collector, questioned that she was not being compensated for doing the per capita bills. T. Stinnett stated that in Ordinance #156 it states that the tax shall be collected by the duly elected or appointed tax collector of the Borough. Council discussed that B. Bare has been compensated for receiving the per capita bills. K. Weiss will discuss this with B. Bare.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS-

Approval of the 2006 and 2007 Exoneration List, Per Capita S. Lance motioned

to Approve R. Strawn seconded Unanimous

Approval of Collection list to send to Berkheimer, Per Capita T. Stinnett said

Council does not need to approve

Approval of the Borough to enter into agreement with Service Electric Cable

T. V. S. Lance motioned to Approve E. Bartosiewicz seconded Unanimous

Approval of Resolution #R-01-08 The Borough of Riegelsville supports the

proposal to designate the Delaware and Lehigh Drive as a Pennsylvania Byway

R. Strawn motioned to Approve E. Bartosiewicz seconded Unanimous

Approval for Check to Eastern PA Supply Co. $672.00 for the Well #3 Booster Pump R. Strawn motioned to Approve S. Lance seconded Unanimous

Approval for Check to Severn Trent $925.00 for Water Chlorinator rebuild

S. Lance motioned to Approve R. Strawn seconded Unanimous

NEW BUSINESS-

Appointment of Adam Mazuik to Emergency Management Team pending

his Criminal Back ground check S. Lance motioned to Appoint R. Strawn seconded

Unanimous

APPROVAL OF BILLS

S. Lance motioned to approve payment of the bills to include an additional check to the Commonwealth of PA for Adam Mazuik’s background check for $10.00 plus as listed. R. Strawn seconded. Unanimous.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm. Next Council Meeting scheduled April 9, 2008 7:30 pm.

Sherry L. Masteller, Borough Secretary