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, Kathleen Weiss, Thomas Stinnett and Mayor David Gerstenberg

ABSENT:  Steve Lance and Rich Strawn

            K. Weiss motioned to approve the minutes of the August 13, 2008 Council Meeting and E. Bartosiewicz seconded.  Unanimous.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

            A letter was read from Barbara Bare, Riegelsville Borough’s Tax Collector informing Council of her retirement on December 31, 2008.  E. Bartosiewicz made a motion to accept Barbara Bare’s retirement and K. Weiss seconded. Unanimous

A letter was read from Riegelsville Library in reference to the Wine Tasting Event

            A letter was read from Riegelsville Library Board President Beth Banko in reference to two new Board Members

            A letter was read from Becky Finberg-Past Riegelsville Library Director thanking Council for the plant she received before leaving her position

            A letter was read from Elissa G. Thorne in reference to the $1000.00 grant proposal for the “Welcome Signs”

            A letter was read from Marguerite Quinn, State Representative in reference to her legislation HB 2170 which clarifies Act 1.

            A letter was read from Michael H. Hayduk, Senior Staff Biologist U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; since no U.S. Army Corps of Engineer regulated work is proposed within the canal for the proposed Pedestrian Bridge project, this office does not require a permit.

            A letter was read from Brian M. Monahan, Solicitor representing Daniel K. Cook in reference to a Substantive challenge to Riegelsville Borough Zoning Ordinance and Curative Amendment       

 

REPORTS

            President-No Report

            Mayor – D. Gerstenberg is concerned with the placement of the temporary banner sign at La Casa Pizza.  It is blocking vehicles vision.  T. Stinnett said temporary signs are allowed for a short time but should be placed in a safe location.  S. Masteller will contact Phil Neas, Zoning Officer in training to make him aware if this problem.

CITIZENS COMMENTS: 

Allen Madnick, Borough Resident and Secretary of Zoning Hearing Board is concerned with the Red Clothing Drop box that is taking up parking spaces at the New La Casa Pizza on 611.  A. Madnick suggested having Phil Neas, Borough Zoning officer in training check into this issue.      

            Dan Marino, Borough resident, said over the weekend on Edgewood Road gun shots where fired and shot out the street light and also did damage to his property.  D. Marino would like to know what the Borough is going to do about this issue.  D. Marino did contact the police twice that evening.  Parents are extremely concerned with this incident and how in the future we can protect our children.  Mayor Gerstenberg came to the Borough office and told S. Masteller about this incident.  S. Masteller put a call into the PA State police and is waiting for a call back.  Borough residents suggested we form a Community Block Watch, T. Stinnett said for S. Masteller to call and get further information on this.  Another suggestion was to contract with another police department like Springfield Township.  T. Stinnett said that was discussed in the past and it is too large of a geographic area.  Riegelsville Borough does not have enough money in the budget to add a police department again. 

            K. Weiss said we should look into the “Slow Down” signs that residents put in their lawns.  The Borough of Quakertown has them.  S. Masteller will call around for some information and get back to Council.         

             

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community Affairs – Citizen’s comments:  Diane Allison, for State Representative, came to introduce herself to Council.

            The Borough office received the Community Fire Company’s fire activity report for May, June and July 2008.  E. Bartosiewicz also said the Community donation requests went out.  Senator Wonderling sent the Borough Office a Legislative Update announcing that the new state budget provides new tax credits for volunteer firefighters and emergency service providers.

            The Riegelsville Enhancement Committee- Bob Rainey, Riegelsville Enhancement Committee member reported that they are hosting a “Composting Seminar” Thursday September 11, 2008- at the Borough Hall.  They also received a $1000.00 grant from the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.  Boy Scout Joseph Carnes has sent out the donation letters to the businesses in the Borough and one donation was received from the American Legion for $50.00.  Joan Lance from Lance Lawn Maintenance accidentally hit the bench on the office lawn while mowing so B. Rainey is trying to see if anyone can fix it.  Remarks: Steve Yowells Owner of Riegelsville Garage was able to weld the bench and he did not charge the Borough.   J. Lance has offered to pay for the repair or replacement.  Bill and Sarah owners of the Guitar Parlor would like to donate a Guitar for a future fundraiser which will be valued at $2100.00. 

            R. Strawn would like to know how much the Borough is donating to the Heritage Day on October 25, 2008.  Council agreed on $500.00 that is listed under Community Expenses in the current budget.  K. Weiss asked if they had a rain date. R. Strawn said whatever the Kiwanis is doing for the parade.

            Bill and Sarah owners of the Guitar Parlor and other business owners are very concerned with the parking on Durham Road and the Borough Parking lot due to the employees of the Oxford Diabetic in the Old Lundies Building.  Sarah showed Council pictures of the parking lot with 2/3 of the lot used for employee parking.  T. Stinnett stated that Oxford Diabetic needs to use the Parking at the Old Bank building more efficiently.  S. Lance said that he would talk to Mr. Letko about this issue.  Council discussed making both sides of Durham road signed for 1 hour parking.  T. Stinnett stated that there used to be a handicapped spot by the Fig Tree. T. Stinnett said for M. Brady to repaint the curbs blue and also make sure there is a handicapped sign.

             Zoning: Phil Neas, Borough Building Code Official, reported he had issued 5 permits this month.  Phil said it has been slow.  A borough resident said that the Riegelsville Chiropractor should take down the banner now that they have a permanent sign in the front yard and also the permanent sign looks too tall.  Phil will check it out next week and look over their plans that Rich O’ Brien approved.  T. Stinnett mentioned that the new La Casa Della Pizza also has a temporary Grand Opening sign that Council feels should come down after 30 days.  

            EMS News: S. Lance reported that he resigned as Treasurer of the EMS.  S. Lance also reported that they had received a grant for the New Ambulance.

Recreation Board News: Sherry reported that the Heritage Committee asked the Rec Board to do the burgers and dogs.

Library News: E. Bartosiewicz reported they are still looking for a Library Director to replace Becky Finberg.

S. Masteller received 2 quotes for the trash pick-up at the Borough Hall Building.  DelGuerico’s is $41.00 a month and Allied Waste is $ 95.00 a month.  Council decided to go with Del Guericos for the trash pick-up and to also call them about getting a quote for the Garage Dumpster.  Remarks: S. Masteller called Del Guericos to get a quote for the dumpster, with 1 or 2 pick – ups a month it will be $20.00 a dump.

        

Utilities- Comments from the citizens:  None expressed.

            M. Brady is continuing to work on the curb stops and figuring out which ones need repairs. 

            M. Brady will borrow an amperage reader to take readings at Well#3 since the additional transformer is in.  Then we can get Terry Smith, Electrician, and Electrical Engineer from Spotts, Stevens and McCoy and Dick Meade, Borough Water Operator together to discuss the findings.

            A letter was sent to the Borough’s Water Customers in reference to the recent violation of the drinking water.  A test showed coliform Bacteria in the drinking water supply.  Whenever we detect coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-up testing to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present.  We did not find any of these bacteria in our subsequent testing, and further testing shows that this problem has been resolved. Remarks:  The water was tested during the normal testing circle and all tests passed.           

           

Streets and Properties – Comments from the citizens:  None present

            S. Masteller will write letters to Weiss and Lopez to inform them that the “Welcome to Riegelsville Signs” will be replaced on their property. 

            Council decided to contract the Borough’s trash and recycling pick-up with DelGuerico’s.  S. Masteller will contact the library to see if they will share the cost since they are already paying for just recycling.  Council wants S. Masteller to call DelGuerico’s and see if they could also do the Borough Garage dumpster on an as needed basis. 

            There are 2 people that are interested in buying the spreader; Council thought that $800.00 or Best Offer is good.  S. Masteller will contact the people that where interested.

            M. Brady has a need for a push mower and R. Strawn has suggested that Sherry contact Freddy Raub and Bill Miller to see if they have any used ones for sale.   

             A Memorial Tree had to be removed for the Pedestrian Bridge, so S. Masteller contacted the Will family and suggested the Borough replace the tree down at the Borough Park.  Council agreed that was a good idea.

            R. Strawn reported that the crack sealing was completed.  R. Strawn also reported that the 611 end of Fern to the bottom of Edgewood needs to be blacktopped. 

            R. Strawn asked for the check request for the Heritage Committee’s Pumpkin Festival for October’s event.  T. Macaluso will get that ready for Council.

            E. Bartosiewicz received a call from Dave Nadeau.  He would like to purchase a file cabinet for the Emergency Management information the cost is $30.00.  Council said he should go ahead and just hand the receipt in for reimbursement.  T. Macaluso also said there is an old file cabinet in the basement from the police equipment.  E. Bartosiewicz will check that cabinet out.

            Council suggested S. Masteller should write Mike Cavallaro a letter stating that the Moll property is legally in the Borough’s name and he should not be entering the building to clean it out.

Finance- Comments from the Citizens: None present

            S. Masteller suggested that since there is so much confusion with the Pedestrian Grant procedures we should get all parties involved and set up a meeting so we can all be on the same page.  S. Masteller will e-mail DRJTB Commission, Brian Keaveney, DRJTB Commission Engineer, and Carl Dicker, Borough Engineer and set up the meeting and to let Council members know too.  Remarks: The meeting was Tuesday September 9th at 4pm.

            Property taxes where paid on the Moll property, the tax totals where subtracted from the just compensation checks.  Barbara Bare, Borough Tax Collector, was waiting to hear back from Bill Dudeck before getting the check from the Borough.

            We received the bill from Verizon to replace the pole for the Pedestrian Bridge construction; it will be added to the Council agenda next week.

            On October 8th 2008 T. Macaluso and William Dudeck will be attending a hearing at Judge DuBree in reference to the Ashley and Johnson Escrow monies that are owed to the Borough.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS-

            Approval of check to Verizon-PA Inc $12,053.00 to relocate a pole and guy wire due to the Pedestrian Bridge Project K Weiss motioned to approve E. Bartosiewicz seconded Unanimous

            Approval of check to Riegelsville Heritage Day Committee $500.00 Pumpkin Festival   E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve K. Weiss seconded Unanimous

           

NEW BUSINESS-   

            Motion to appoint Kathryn Clark and Estelle Bloom to the Library Board 2008-2010 E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve and K. Weiss seconded Unanimous

           

 

APPROVAL OF BILLS-

E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve bills as listed K. Weiss seconded Unanimous

 

           

 

 

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

 7:30 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        Sherry L. Masteller,

  Borough Secretary