President Thomas Stinnett called the regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:35 p.m.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance roll call was taken.  PRESENT:    Edward Bartosiewicz, Steve Lance, Rich Strawn, Kathleen Weiss, Thomas Stinnett and Mayor David Gerstenberg

            R. Strawn motioned to approve the minutes of the October 8, 2008 Council Meeting and S. Lance seconded.  Unanimous.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

            A letter was read from Carl Dicker, Borough Engineer, to Julio Guridy, and Director of CAI Grant from DRJTB Commission in reference to the Borough requesting a time extension until March 31, 2009 due to the bridge manufacturing issues.

            A letter was read from DRJTB Commission addressed to all the CAI Grant recipients stating that they have extended the program one year to December 31, 2009.

            A letter was read from Carl Dicker, Borough Engineer stating that he received the approved shop drawings for the Pedestrian Bridge.

            A letter was read from William Dudeck, Borough Solicitor to Hon. M. Kay DuBree in reference to the Ashley Development Corporation settlement for payment to the Borough.

             

REPORTS

            President- T. Stinnett stated that before the Council meeting there was an executive session on a legal matter in reference to the Moll property.

            Mayor – D. Gerstenberg would like to schedule a Block Watch meeting at 6:30 on December 3rd 2008 before the Borough Committee meetings.  S. Masteller will send notices out.

CITIZENS COMMENTS:  Council invited Mr. Ed Letko to come to a Council meeting so we could discuss the concern that Borough resident have with both the Oxford Diabetic buildings.  E. Letko introduced himself and John Letko who is the Manager of the Old Lundies Building.  E. Letko gave Council a copy of his reminder for his employees of where they should park.  He has also addressed the issue of trash being left on the street with his employees too.  He is going to put a trash can on the corner of the building.

Borough Resident Mary Jane Norman who lives on Maplewood said she often cannot find a parking spot in front of her house or on the street at all.  E. Letko is trying to get his employees to park more efficiently.  S. Lance suggested he make the parking lot at the old bank building more efficient so more employees could park there too.  Suggestion was made to paint parking spot lines down Maplewood and in the parking lot at the old bank building..

             

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community Affairs – Citizen’s comments:  A Borough resident was concerned that the Oxford Diabetic employees are parking all the way down Maplewood and the residents can not park on the street where they live.  Also trash has increased on the street.  Council suggested asking Mr. Letko, owner of Oxford Diabetic to come to a meeting to discuss these issues.

            K. Weiss said the weeds and trees by the Borough lot needed to be trimmed.  S. Masteller will let M. Brady’s know.

            Since the Borough will not be offering Leaf Pick-up this year, Council said maybe we could put the leaves on the Open Space.  S. Masteller will check on this. 

            Zoning: Phil Neas, Borough Building Code Official was not able to come to the meeting tonight so he reported to S. Masteller that he has issued 3 permits. 

            Recreation Board News: Sherry reported that the White Oak Memorial Tree was planted by the Softball Field.  Nimaris Construction Co. called the Borough office and wanted to see if they could get permission to enter the Canal from the Borough Park.  Borough Mayor, Dave Gerstenberg, will meet with the contractor on Friday at the park.

             Library News: E. Bartosiewicz reported that Borough Resident Zeau Modig has been hired as new Library Director.

 Council would like to pursue the Local Services Tax (LST), S. Masteller will forward to Bill Dudeck, Borough Solicitor the sample ordinance as a reference.

Utilities- Comments from the citizens: None expressed.          S. Lance stated that we need to wait until after the finance meeting on November 5th to discuss if the Borough can financially repair the 2 valves on Delaware Road this year.

Streets and Properties – Comments from the citizens: None

            Betty Giddio donated a cement bench and M. Brady stained the boards and put it on the Borough lawn.

            M. Brady reported to Sherry that the dump truck needs to have the Emergency Brake fixed; S. Masteller will make the appointment.

            E. Bartosiewicz said the tractor trailers are parking in front of the Post Office to deliver to the back of the Borderline.  Other Borough residents have complained about this issue too.  Council asked S. Masteller to write a letter to Fillippo and Jenine Covello and to try addressing this issue. 

            S. Lance asked what happened to the convex mirror at the corner of Church and Delaware Road.  T. Stinnett stated a strong wind took it down.

            Borough Mayor, Dave Gerstenberg, suggests that Council needs to revisit our burning ordinance.  Council asked S. Masteller to make copies and do some research for the next Finance meeting.

Finance- Comments from the Citizens:  Ann Anderson, Zeau Modig and Debbie Jo Mitchell from the Library came to the meeting and voiced their concerns that the Borough will not be able to give its donation this year.  D. Mitchell said the money they get from the Borough will impact the State Aid for 2010.  T. Stinnett asked for them to get more information as to this possible issue from Bucks County and get back to Council.  T. Macaluso, Borough Treasurer stated that the Borough can’t give money they don’t have and this was strongly expressed by Marita Kelley, Local Government Policy Specialist from DCED. 

            Council discussed the possibility to have T. Macaluso take on the Tax Collector’s job until the terms ends in 2009.

            Council decided to set the Cook hearing date for February 12, 2009.

            The rest of the meeting Council worked on the Budget.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

            Approval to appoint Zeau Modig as the New Riegelsville Library Director.  E. Bartosiewicz motioned to appoint.  S. Lance seconded    Unanimous.

            Approval to appoint Tammy Macaluso as Borough Tax Collector for the remainder of Barbara Bare’s 2009 term.  S. Lance motioned to appoint.    E. Bartosiewicz seconded     Unanimous.

            Approval of Tri-party agreement by and between the Borough, James F. Moll, Daniel E. and Audrey J. Matthews and Mechanics Hall Foundation, LLC.  S. Lance motioned to approve   E. Bartosiewicz seconded     Unanimous.

            Approval to advertise the proposed 2009 Budget.  E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve.    S. Lance seconded.     Unanimous.

           Approval of check to Met-Ed for $1709.72 (Moving and replacing guide wires for pedestrian Bridge).  S. Lance motioned to approve.  E. Bartosiewicz seconded.   Unanimous.

            Adoption of Resolution #R-06-08 Authorization to Sign Master Casting Agreement with PennDot.  S. Lance motioned to adopt.  E. Bartosiewicz seconded.  Unanimous. 

            Adoption of Ordinance #214 enacting a “Local Service Tax” effective January 1, 2009.  S. Lance motioned to adopt.  K. Weiss seconded.   Unanimous.

            Adoption of Resolution #R-07-08 to appoint Berkheimer Tax Administrator to collect the LST.  K. Weiss motioned to adopt.  E. Bartosiewicz  seconded.  Unanimous.

OTHER BUSINESS 

 

            Mike Cavallaro, owner of Durham Gallery showed Council a sketch of what he envisions for the Moll property.  He would like to bring the building back to its original charm and make it into a Bicycle shop.  T. Stinnett stated that we are still waiting to get the tri-party agreement signed by everyone involved.

             Borough Resident Richard Bartman asked Council since the Canal is being repaired will they also fix the flood gates to help with flood control?  E. Bartosiewicz  stated that when he saw the plans they did include fixing the gates, but to get an answer S. Masteller should contact Rick Dalton from DCNR.  S. Masteller will report the answer to Council.

APPROVAL OF BILLS

S. Lance motioned to approve bills as listed.  K. Weiss seconded. Unanimous.

       

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm.  Next Council Meeting scheduled December 10, 2008

7:30 pm.

 

 

 

                                                                       Sherry L. Masteller,

Borough Secretary