M. Diane McGaughey, Council Vice President, opened the scheduled Borough Council Meeting at 7:30 PM, in the Council Meeting Room, 212 Unity Terrace, Rutledge, PA.
After the salute to the flag, the following Council members answered roll call: Jack Borsch, Kurt Morrison, Tom Kopp, Diane McGaughey, Brian Costello, and David Waltz.
Also present: G. Guy Smith, Esq., Police Chief Brian Craig, Mayor Scott Shields
Not present: Greg Lebold
Public Comment: Kevin Cunningham, 20 Rutledge Ave., President of the Rutledge Girls’ Club, asked Council for use of the ball field at Triangle Park for the 2010 softball season. Mr. Cunningham stated that practice starts on March 20, and the season opens on April 18. Mr. Cunningham stated that he’d like to have a clean-up day, and a port a potty. There were softball signups yesterday, and 21 kids signed up. There will be another signup on Tuesday night. Mr. Cunningham stated that Bob Hunt did a great job last year.
Mr. Cunningham would like to have a flag flying when the field is in use. Harry Mirra stated that he can get a 3′ X 5′ flag from the Amvets Post in Morton. If a larger flag is desired, the cost can come from the Triangle Park budget.
Kurt Morrison stated that Mr. Cunningham should send a letter of request to use the ballfield, and provide proof of insurance for the Girls Club.
Rita Kramer, 106 Rutledge Ave., complained that her neighbor, Steven Smith, 112 Rutledge Ave. has been running a landscaping business from his home for years. Mrs. Kramer made two complaints last year and nothing has been done. Complaints were made about her property, and Harry Mirra was there in a flash to make her correct a situation that could not be seen from the street. Her neighbor’s property looks like a city dump- there is a freezer chest, construction materials, and a dump truck on the property. At 5:00 AM, the truck warms up outside her window. There are trailers coming and going. Mayor Shields advised Mrs. Kramer to call 911 if there are noise disturbances. Mrs. Kramer stated that something should have been done years ago. Kurt Morrison stated that the Borough took Mr. Smith to court, and neighbors supported Mr. Smith’s business, and the judge sided with him and not the Borough. Mrs. Kramer stated that, if she tries to sell her house, she has to inform the buyers that there is a landscaping business next door. When Mrs. Kramer files a complaint to Council, she is told “We are working on it.” It has been 8 years.
Diane McGaughey stated that Mayor Shields and Greg Lebold will discuss the issue. Harry Mirra stated that he inspected the property the same day of Mrs. Kramer’s complaint, and took pictures of the property and gave them to the Solicitor. Solicitor Guy Smith stated that the Borough can put on a case, but the final decision is with the judge.
Minutes: MOTION by Jack Borsch, Second by Brian Costello, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Reorganization Meeting of January 4, 2010, Council Meeting of January 4, 2010, and Work Session of January 25, 2010. MOTION approved unanimously.
Tax Collector’s Report: Randall Poe distributed a report of the 2010 tax bills that have been mailed out. Expenses to date for postage and envelopes are $243.16.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Cash Flow report for the month of January 2010.
Code Enforcement Report: Harry Mirra read his report for January.
1 Notice for a van parked on the front lawn on Morton Ave. has been corrected. Mr. Mirra stated that snow must be removed from sidewalks 24 hours after the snow stops falling.
There was a fire at 224 President Ave.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Scott Shields read the Police Report for January. There were: 1 Accident, 17 Police Calls, 6 Motor Vehicle Citations, 26 Parking Tickets, 5 Complaints, 2 Assist Fire Co., and 4 Assist Ambulance.
1/8/10 DUI arrest on Rutledge Ave.
1/25/10 100 Block President Ave.- 1 egg thrown at house
Correspondence:
1) $500 grant was received from the Delaware County Conservation District for the informational sign at the Rain Garden.
2) PA Environmental Council issued the $20,000.00 grant check for the Rain Garden Project at the Triangle Park to Catania Engineering, instead of Rutledge Borough.
3) Delaware County Association of Boroughs – request for ad for the ad book for the April banquet. Last year, the Borough’s ad was full page for $100.00. MOTION by Ton Kopp, Second by Brian Costello to purchase a full-page ad for $100.00 for the Association’s ad book. MOTION approved unanimously.
4th of July: Nothing to report
Communication: Nothing to report.
Ordinance/Trash: Brian Costello stated that he is impressed with the residents’ participation in recycling. Mr. Costello walked through the Borough twice to see how many residents are recycling. Jack Borsch stated that he tried to contact Blue Mountain Recycling to get a list of what is to be recycled, but has not had an answer back. Mr. Borsch spoke with the trash collectors, who said that they will pick up whatever is in the recycling containers.
Solicitor Smith stated that he has been in contact with a representative from the Bureau of Waste Management regarding a letter that had been sent about Rutledge Borough’s recycling program. Rutledge must have a recycling coordinator – Jack Borsch was appointed. DEP is asking for the Borough to comply with 15 standards that could cost the Borough thousands of dollars to implement and pay for each year. Mr. Smith is trying to have the Borough avoid paying for requirements that it can’t afford by meeting minimum requirements that it can afford.
Diane McGaughey stated that ordinances need to be worked on with the Zoning Hearing Board. The Borough received a grant for $10,000 in the past for codification of ordinances.
Building: Nothing to report.
Sewer: Nothing to report.
Shade Tree Commission: Jack Borsch reported that the committee meets monthly, and is looking into the next grant for tress. Karl and Pat Eilensfeld will attend a meeting on volunteerism and creation of a historical committee. Mark King had developed an ordinance to set up structure for a historical committee. On June 7, 2010, the Borough will be 125 years old, and will be acknowledged by the PA Association of Boroughs. The committees are working on a celebration.
Highway: David Waltz stated that he has filed for a $400,000 grant for road improvements through stimulus funds.
Recreation: Nothing to report.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp reported that there were: 13 alarms, with time in service of 11 hours, 40 minutes, and 4 drills with time in service of 9 hours, 0 minutes, in January 2010.
Manpower response – Full Compliment-10, Undermanned – 1, Scratched -2, Late Response – 0.
There were 2 local alarms:
1 E. Sylvan Ave. AFA
234 President Ave. – Bldg. Damage to the front porch.
R.F.C. History- The 1976 fire report for the year was presented by chief Jack Borsch. There were 10 fires in Rutledge for a loss total of $935.00. The fire company also responded to 74 mutual aid calls.
Mr. Kopp read the 2009 Activities Report. There were 220 alarms with time in service of 134 hours, 46 minutes, and 47 drills with time in service of 109 hours, 5 minutes, 34 miscellaneous activities with time in service of 71 hours, 50 minutes.
Mr. Kopp reported that the GMC Jimmy was inspected, and the siren is out of service. They are hoping to hear from the Attorney General in a week or so regarding approval of the Fire Co. merger.
Kurt Morrison asked if a lot of Fire Cos. Responded t the fire on President Ave. Mr. Kopp reported that Swarthmore, Rutledge, and Morton responded Prospect Park’s RIP team also responded. Swarthmore’s arial tower was 1st on the scene, and then Morton’s pumper. A lot of compliments were received on the quick response.
Finance: Diane McGaughey stated that the purchase of ICC books was discussed at the Work Session, but the expense has not been budgeted. The budget for 2010 is tight. Ms. McGaughey asked if there was a less expensive way to get the needed information. Solicitor Smith stated that he donated the PA Municipal Lawsource to the Borough, and it has some of the information. Mr. Smith will find out if there is a way to get them from the State- he will try to get information from Bryan Lentz. Mr. Smith stated that Boroughs have to pay hundreds of dollars to comply with state mandated requirements.
Solicitor’s Report – Solicitor Smith stated that the Statements of Financial Interest need to be completed and given to the Secretary.
Old Business: None
New Business: Diane McGaughey reported that there will be a meeting on April 6 at the Borough, and rain barrels will be available to residents of Rutledge, Nether Providence, Rose Valley, and Swarthmore. 50 barrels will be delivered the day before.
Public Comment: Bob Hunt, 209 Linden Ave., inquired about the fire at 234 President Ave., and why Swarthmore were the 1st responders. Was there a problem with Rutledge Fire Co. responding, and did the train tracks cause a delay ? Jack Borsch stated that Swarthmore has 2 paid drivers, and Rutledge is all volunteer. Mr. Hunt asked if the Folsom Fire Co. would respond, because it is only 3 blocks away. Mr. Kopp stated that the fire would go through county radio. Mayor Shields asked the Fire Co. to prepare a statement of procedure of what happens when there is a fire call.
Mr. Hunt reported that he is still having a problem with the snow plow- it only comes up 2″. He is concerned about a heavy snowstorm coming and not being able to plow properly. Kurt Morrison helped Mr. Hunt for several hours to try to fix the plow. The plow is oversized for the truck. The plow needs to be reattached. Mr. Hunt stated that it is too dangerous to drive to Neimeyer’s in Newtown Square. David Waltz stated that the snow plow is mounted incorrectly and that he would look at it.
Mr. Hunt stated that the salt spreader is not working properly.
Bills for February 1, 2010:
MOTION by Jack Borsch, Second by Kurt Morrison, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $25,552.51. MOTON approved unanimously.
MOTION by Kurt Morrison, Second by Jack Borsch, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $1,000.07. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Jack Borsch, Second by Kurt Morrison, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund in the amount of $29,831.25. MOTON approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:41 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano, Secretary