M. Diane McGaughey, Council 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: M. Diane McGaughey, Daniel Werner, Marlaina Kloepfer, Tom Kopp, and David Waltz.
Not present: Marie Govannicci, Brian Costello
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, G. Guy Smith, Esq., Police Chief Brian Craig
Minutes:Â MOTION by David Waltz, Second by Tom Kopp, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of July 2, 2012. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by David Waltz, Second by Tom Kopp, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Work Session of July 23, 2012. MOTION approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of July, 2012.
Correspondence:
1)Â Â Â Â Â PennDOT- Loan approval for road repairs- $125,000.00/10 years/1.625%- many documents to be completed- referred to the Solicitor
2)Â Â Â Â Â 2011 Financial Audit
3)     PIRMA Insurance – Legal defense and claim payment agreement for the continuation of liability coverage. New coverage- $5,000.00 medical expenses paid to park and recreation volunteers. Clarifies certain types of cyber liability claims.
Tax Collector’s Report: Thomas Heron reported that 11 parcels have unpaid property taxes totaling $18,266.00. In 2011, 6 parcels were unpaid. 2 deposits in transit- $15,000.00, 6 outside sewer bills- $22,000.00.
Public Comment: Diane Daniels, 721 Swarthmore Ave., Folsom, PA, stated that Rutledge Ave. residents are parking on 8th Ave. in Folsom because of the parking restrictions on Rutledge Ave. Neighbors are complaining because they have nowhere to park, and their driveways are blocked, at times. Ms. Daniels would like Borough Council to reconsider the parking regulations on Rutledge Ave.
Karl Eilinsfeld, 223 Linden Ave., asked if PECO had been notified of the new streetlights. Yes, the Secretary contacted PECO Energy.
Code Enforcement Report: Harry Mirra read his report for July 2012:
3 U&O Inspections- 2 Passed, 1 Failed
6 Correction Notices for high grass, bamboo, tree logs in front yard
6 Zoning Permits- 5 completed, 1 30% complete.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Kevin Cunningham read the Police report for July 2012. There were:
12 Parking Tickets        6 Motor Vehicle Citations         29 Calls           1 Assist Fire Co.
10 Assist Ambulance
7/4/12- Underage drinking and driving
7/12 & 7/23 – 2 Incidents of public drunkenness
Residents are urged to lock the vehicles parked in their driveways and on the streets.
4th of July: Nothing to report
Rutledge Girls’ Club– Nothing to report.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that she has added activities, such as the yard sale, horseshoe tournament, and new Mayor’s information to the website. Ms. Kloepfer has been looking at other municipalities’ websites to see what they are doing.
Ordinance: Nothing to report.
Trash: Daniel Werner reported that he hand-delivered a flier regarding sewer and trash/recycling issues. He spoke with three residents.
Mr. Werner spoke with the owner of Suburban Waste Services regarding what items will be picked up as trash. A resident who did a home improvement project had complained that his trash was not picked up. Solicitor Smith stated that the details of trash that the contractor will pick up should be specified in the contract.
The month of September is cleanup month in the Borough.
Building: Nothing to report.
Highway: David Waltz reported that the paperwork for the loan for road repairs has been received. The repairs will not be done in 2012. Mr. Waltz will get something in writing from the County stating that the County Aid for Road Repairs allotments from 2006-2012 will be carried over to 2013. Mr. Waltz will set a timetable for paperwork completion and construction.
Mr. Waltz is getting a price to repair a portion of the 100 block of Rutledge Ave., 6 feet by 150 feet.
Recreation: Nothing to report.
Sewer: Daniel Werner reported that the sewer repairs were approved, and we are waiting for the contractor to schedule the work.
Shade Tree Commission: Nothing to report.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp reported the activities for the Morton-Rutledge Fire Co. for July.
27 Alarms                   14 Hours   59 Minutes
3 Drills                        5 Hours   30 Minutes
1 Training                    14 Hours 45 Minutes
Mr. Kopp reported that the CFLs-energy saving light bulbs have hidden dangers, such as mercury exposure and poisoning when broken. When a person has a broken bulb, the room in which the bulb was broken should be evacuated for 15 minutes. The room should be ventilated. Do not use a vacuum cleaner. Use gloves and sweep the broken bulb into a plastic bag, seal it, and dispose of it as you would household hazardous waste.
Mr. Kopp received a letter from Governor Corbett that appoints him as the Emergency Operating Coordinator. Mr. Kopp attended a 3-hour training session at the 911call center. He will update the Borough’s procedures. There are two deputy Emergency Coordinators- Kevin Cunningham and David Waltz.
The Fire Co. will sell refreshments at the yard sale on Sept. 8. Mr. Kopp will work with Daniel Werner on a fundraiser for the Fire Co.
The Horseshoe Tournament will be on Saturday, September 15.
There was a big turnout for the SPCA event held on July 31.
Finance: 2013 budget needs were requested.
Property/Borough Building: Diane McGauhey reported that the upstairs of the Community Center is being cleaned and repaired for the upcoming rental season. Windows will be cleaned, and the curtains have been removed.
The new front door on the 1st floor will be installed this month.
Solicitor’s Report: Solicitor Smith will get the CDCA office lease to the Secretary.
Old Business: 7 Rutledge Ave.- Harry Mirra is working with the District Court to correct the property maintenance issues.
New Business– Marlaina Kloepfer volunteered to be Rutledge’s representative to the Delaware County Association of Boroughs.
The Community-Wide yard sale is on Saturday, September 8, 2012, from 8AM-2PM.
There will be a seminar on the new Borough Code on Tuesday, September 25, 2012, at 6:00 PM at the Brookhaven Borough Building.
Diane McGaughey attended a meeting on energy conservation, and the grant received from the County. A book is available entitled “Delaware County’s Power Futureâ€, that contains an energy plan and an action survey.
Diane McGaughey attended a meeting on County animal control. Currently, stray animals will be accepted by the Chester County SPCA – $250.00 per animal. The County is not sure if it will build a new facility.
David Waltz received a price quote for sidewalk replacement at the Triangle Park.
MOTION by David Waltz, Second by Tom Kopp, to authorize J. Jansen Landscaping to remove the tree and grind the stump, and clean up the growth around the garage, at a cost not to exceed $575.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
Harry Mirra has been taking pictures of properties that are in violation of the property maintenance code.
Tom Kopp inquired as to the allowance of solicitations in the Borough. Solicitor Smith stated that solicitations are constitutionally protected. Chief Brian Craig stated that residents can put a “No Solicitation†sign on their properties, and Council can create a “No Trespassing†ordinance.
Public Comment: None
Bills for August 6, 2012:
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Daniel Werner, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $13,998.54. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer , Second by Tom Kopp, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $2,136.08. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Tom Kopp, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund in the amount of $44,173.25. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:47 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary