Greg Lebold, 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: Greg Lebold, Tom Kopp, Mark King , Jack Borsch, Thomas Ash, Diane McGaughey and Kurt Morrison.
Also present: Mayor Scott Shields, Police Chief Brian Craig, Ed McGaughey, Manager, G. Guy Smith, Esq.
MOTION by Jack Borsch, Second by Mark King, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Reorganization Meeting January 7, 2008, Council Meeting of January 7, 2008, and Work Session of January 7, 2008. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: Paul Mecouch, 34 Linden Ave., is concerned about water pooling in the middle of Morton Ave. & Linden Ave. after it rains. Aqua PA caused the problem when they dug up the street to do work. Me. Lebold will follow up with Catania Engineering.
Bob Hunt, 209 Linden Ave., questioned whether there was an ordinance requiring trash cans to have lids. Squirrels have been getting into his neighbors’ uncovered trash cans, and he is worried about the situation attracting rats. Harry Mirra will look into it.
Tax Collector’s Report: Leonard Michael reported that $901.18 was collected in January 2008. Mr. Leonard stated that 2007 delinquents will be filed, and unpaid per capita taxes have been sent to Berkheimer.
Treasurer’s Report – Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Cash Flow report for the month of January 2008.
Code Enforcement/Building Inspector Reports – Greg Lebold read Harry Mirra’s report for the month of January 2008:
1 U&O House Sale
9 Active Building Permits
Snow must be removed within 24 hours.
Mayor’s Report – Scott Shields read the police report for January,2008. 3 motor vehicle citations, 16 parking tickets, 11 police calls, 5 complaints, 1 assist to ambulance, 1 accident, 1 Assist Fire Co..
Correspondence:
Robert C. Edwards Foundation- $1,000 Scholarships available for freshman going to an accredited college who are residents of a Borough that is a member of the Pa State Association of Boroughs.
Committee Reports:
Ordinance/ Trash – Nothing to report
Building – Greg Lebold stated that he submitted a letter regarding his conflict of interest in voting for a Building Code Inspector.
Sewer– Jack Borsch reported that he met with Charles Catania for prospective sewer projects. They reviewed 1991 video tapes and found 6 places that require attention. We will need to go out for bids for the projects.
Highway – Thomas Ash stated that he talked to Ron Powell regarding painting white lines at intersections and replacing old stop signs. Mr. Powell will do these when the weather gets warmer.
Recreation – Kurt Morrison reported that he had been approached to make some upgrades to the Triangle Park for the softball season: a port-a potty, an outfield fence and infield cleanup. Bob Hunt had drawn up a schematic of the ideas. Mr. Morrison will contact Catania Engineering to see if we have to go out for bids, and for any safety standards that have to be followed.
Mr. Morrison is trying to get Boeing to donate used mats to cover the grating from the storm water project.
The softball season starts on April 20, and signups are on February 10 & 24 at the Borough Building.
Public Safety – Tom Kopp read the Rutledge Fire Company’s January 2008 Report. There were: 4 fire calls with time in service of 1 hours and 21 minutes, and 4 drills with time in service of 10 hours and 30 minutes. two local alarms.
Mr. Kopp read the 2007 year-end report of activities and the top 10 responders.
Mr. Kopp stated that 40% of the residents donated to the Fire Co. Fund Drive, and 36 residents donated $100 or more.
Mr. Kopp reported that unattended cooking causes millions of dollars in damages across the US every year. Don’t get distracted by phone calls, doorbells or other conversations while cooking. Remove pots or pans from heat or turn off burners and ovens if you need to leave the kitchen.
Finance – Diane McGaughey reported that she has two proposals for Building Code Official.
Solicitor’s Report:Mr. Smith presented a resolution granting Rutledge’s approval of three new members, Newtown, Upper Providence, and Edgmont Twps. to join Central Delaware County Authority.
Mr. Smith received an order from Judge Prowd regarding the 2003 tax exemption request from Northwestern Human Services, 1 Sylvan Ave. They have paid sewer and trash taxes, but want to be exempt from paying school and Borough taxes.
Old Business :
Mark King read Resolution 2008-02-01, and ordinance that states that Rutledge agrees to execute the Supplemental Service Agreement dated December 21, 2007, to formalize the membership of the Townships of Newtown, Upper Providence and Edgmont in the Central Delaware County Authority. The new agreement will split costs 12 ways rather than 9 ways.
MOTION by Mark King, Second by Jack Borsch, to pass Resolution 2008-02-01. MOTION approved unanimously.
Uniform Construction Code Inspector:
Diane McGaughey stated that, based on interviews and cost factors, she recommends that Chili’s Inspection Service be app
ointed as the Borough’s Building Code Inspector. The cost is $55 per hour per inspection. MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Jack Borsch, to appoint Chili’s Inspection Service as Rutledge Borough’s Building Code Inspector. MOTION approved with a majority vote. (Greg Lebold abstained)
New Business: Diane McGaughey reported that Council met with the Rutledge Fire Co. to discuss the purchase of a 1992 Fire Truck. Ms. McGaughey and Mayor Shields went to a local bank to discuss financing, and refinancing the mortgage on the Borough Building. The current mortgage is 8% for 30 years. The bank will charge 6% for 10 years. The current payment is $587/month, and the new payment would be $665/month. Mayor Shields is concerned that the Fire Company is getting a balloon loan, and what would happen if the Tri-Boro merger does not go through.
Greg Lebold stated that there is an urgency to vote for the purchase of the truck, as other Fire Cos. Are interested in it. The financing of the Borough Building can be worked out later. Diane McGaughey stated the her responsibility to the Community supercedes the responsibility to the Fire Co.
Thomas Ash stated that the old truck is costing a lot to repair, and parts are hard to find.
The Fire Co. is requesting that the $400/month that is budgeted be given to the Fire Co. rather than being put into the Fire Apparatus Reserve Account. Guy Smith stated that Council can commit to 2008, but would have to authorize again after the 2009 budget is approved.
Guy Smith stated that three Council Members, Tom Kopp, Jack Borsch, and Greg Lebold submitted letters stating that they have a conflict and cannot vote on the new fire truck, because they are on the Board of the Fire Co.
MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Mark King, to use the $400 monthly deposit to the Fire Apparatus Reserve Fund to assist the Rutledge Fire Co. with the purchase of a used 1992 fire truck, from the 2008 budget, and will begin the month that the Fire Co. buys the truck and gets the loan. MOTION approved with a majority vote. YES Votes: Mark King, Kurt Morrison. Thomas Ash, Diane McGaughey; ABSTAINED: Tom Kopp, Jack Borsch, Greg Lebold
Public Comment: Paul Mecouch, 34 Linden Ave., asked that Council Members speak up so that the audience may hear.
Bills for February 4, 2008:
MOTION by Thomas Ash, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $9,441.54. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Thomas Ash, Second by Tom Kopp, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $1,085.29. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Thomas Ash, Second by Jack Borsch, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund in the amount of $21,409.36. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:34 PM
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Borough Secretary