President Thomas 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, Steve Lance, Rich Strawn, Kathleen Weiss, Thomas Stinnett and Mayor David Gerstenberg

            R. Strawn motioned to approve the minutes of the September 10, 2008 Council Meeting and E. Bartosiewicz seconded.  Unanimous.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

            A letter was read from Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs to inform us that the President Don Carman had passed away due to an auto accident.

            A letter was read from John T. Keck, Spotts, Stevens and McCoy, addressed to Bi-State Construction.  SSM has reviewed the Delaware Canal Pedestrian Bridge shop drawings and found some deficiencies.

            A flyer from Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Education Institute is offering a course in Subdivision & Land Development Review in November if anyone is interested.

            A letter was read from Bil Mitchell and Sarah Dieterichs, owners of the Guitar Parlor stating they are offering Riegelsville Borough a custom built Bil Mitchell homegrown flat top guitar to be raffled and the proceeds used to fund downtown improvement projects.

            A letter was read from William Dudeck, Borough Solicitor, in reference to the dedication and exchange of easement for Tax Parcel # 38-006-219, Saxton Property.

            A letter was read from William Dudeck, Borough Solicitor in reference to the Moll Tri-party agreement.

            A letter was read from T. Stinnett, Council President to Barbara Bare, Riegelsville Tax Collector accepting her letter of retirement with deep regret.

REPORTS

           President-No Report

           Mayor – No Report

CITIZENS COMMENTS: Borough Council invited Riegelsville Postmaster Mike Graf to discuss the USPS rules that will affect many of the Borough residents.  Mr. Graf did stress that this is the USPS rules not his own.  The USPS has to provide one free form of delivery.  M. Graf said if you received a letter in your P.O. Box then you have an option to put up a rural delivery mail box at your home or if you wish not to then you will need to pay for a box at the P.O.  Residents voiced their concerns with the safety issue of putting a box up in their sidewalks.  Resident asked who was going to take care of the sidewalk once you drill to put in a box; T. Stinnett stated that the Borough Ordinance states that the home owner needs to maintain safe sidewalks.  A resident also asked if they could put up a cluster box up; M. Graf replied yes but they are expensive and the PO will not pay for it.  A resident asked if the mail could be delivered directly to the house.  M. Graf stated that a municipality needs to have 2,500 people in order to get delivery directly to the house.        

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community Affairs – Citizen’s comments:  S. Masteller received a letter from Michael Graf, Riegelsville Postmaster in reference to the Boroughs delivery service.  At the time of our post office box renewal, we can be provided with one of three options:

1. If carrier delivery is approved, the Post Office will provide you with assistance on the placement of your rural-style mailbox.

2. If carrier delivery is denied, you will be eligible for a free post office box at the Post Office as long as you reside within this municipality.

3. If carrier delivery is approved, but you wish to keep your post office box, you will be asked to pay the fee that is applicable for the size of your box.  Remarks: Council suggested that the Borough combine the Box 551 to the Water Company’s 494.  T. Stinnett said we should get T. Macaluso thoughts. 

M. Graf said he will talk one on one to each resident that has questions.  Council would like to ask M. Graf to come to a Council meeting; S. Masteller will check to see if he can come on October 8th.  Council stated that instead of putting up a rural mailbox on 611 that we could combine the Water Company Post office box and the Borough post office box together and then we would only be paying for one post office box.

             Zoning: Phil Neas, Borough Building Code Official was not able to come to the meeting tonight so he reported to S. Masteller that he did not issue any permits.  Council would like to have P. Neas write a letter to La Casa Pizza in reference to the Clothing Box taking up valuable parking.  Parking was one of the Zoning Variance issues that needed to be solved.   

            EMS News: S. Lance reported that EMS has lost another Board member and they are seeking new members.

Recreation Board News: Sherry reported nothing new for the Recreation Board; the next meeting is Monday September 29th at 7PM.

Library News: E. Bartosiewicz reported they are still looking for a Library Director to replace Becky Finberg.  Library is hosting their Annual Flea Market on Saturday September 20th, 2008

Fire Co. News:  They are having their 110th Anniversary Celebration @ 1pm on Saturday September 29, 2008.    

Utilities- Comments from the citizens:  None expressed.

S. Lance stated the there are 5 priority Line Valves that need to be repaired; 2 valves need to be done before the new vehicular canal bridge goes in since they are on Delaware Road.  S. Masteller will contact W. Dowd Excavation to get him to come and look at the work that needs to be done.  M. Brady continues to work on the curb stops.

0Streets and Properties – Comments from the citizens:           Sgt. Murphy and Cpl Romanic, of the Pa State Police Dublin Barracks came to inform the Borough what services the State Police provide for our borough.  Sgt. Murphy presented a PowerPoint presentation and reported that the borough has had 106 incidents so far this year and they also do a Bridge check during each shift so that is 352 times so far.  The busy incident times are midnight to 3am and again at 6pm due to commuters.  Sgt. Murphy also said he knew that TPR Groman is coming to the Borough at the end of the month to discuss  a Community Block Watch with Borough residents.  S. Masteller received information from Forks Township Police about the Plastic “Slow Down” signs that could be put in residents lawns.  S. Masteller researched 2 different quotes.  T. Stinnett asked S. Masteller to get more information from TMA in reference to how often we can use of the speed trailer.  S. Masteller reported that the yearly dues would be $86.36 for the Borough.

            T. Macaluso found a lawn mower for Matt for only $50.00.

            S. Masteller reported that Kiwanis sent a letter asking if they could use the park for the fall roll-out on November 2 and also to hang 2 road signs.  Council all agreed.

            T. Stinnett asked if S. Masteller received a message from Carl Dicker, Borough Engineer, with revised shop drawings from Bi-State for the Pedestrian Bridge.  T. Macaluso also asked what happens when the Pedestrian Bridge bills start coming in.  T. Stinnett suggested T. Macaluso call Stephanie from Pennoni Associates Inc. and ask this question.

            W. Dowd Excavating, Matt Brady, Steve Lance, Dick Meade and Sherry Masteller met yesterday to discuss the water valves that need to be replaced or repaired.  W. Dowd will get back to the Borough with an estimate. 

Finance- Comments from the Citizens: None present

            K. Weiss asked if the Borough had hired a new Tax Collector yet.  S. Masteller ordered a Pennsylvania Tax Collector’s Manual and then information can be used in the hiring process. 

            K. Weiss asked if Matt was going to paint the curbs before the Pumpkin Festival; S. Masteller will check with Matt.  S. Masteller asked M. Brady if he was going to paint the curbs this fall.  Matt said that because of the lack of enough yellow paint he would wait untill the spring.

            The rest of the meeting Council worked on the Budget.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS-

            Approval of check to Swamps $1908.38 (Dump Truck repair and Inspection)

S. Lance motioned to approve R. Strawn seconded Unanimous

           Adoption of Resolution #R-05-08 for Council authorizing the acceptance of the dedication and exchange of easements as to Bucks County Tax Map parcel #38-006-219 (Saxton Property) E. Bartosiewicz motioned to adopt S. Lance seconded Unanimous

NEW BUSINESS-   None

                       

APPROVAL OF BILLS-

S. Lance motioned to approve bills as listed R. Strawn seconded Unanimous

        

Meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm.  Next Council Meeting scheduled November 12, 2008

 7:30 pm.

 

 

 

 

                                                                       Sherry L. Masteller,

  Borough Secretary