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, Diane McGaughey, Thomas Ash, Jack Borsch and Kurt Morrison.
Also present: Mayor Scott Shields, Police Chief Brian Craig, G. Guy Smith, Esq.
Not Present: Mark King
Minutes: MOTION by Jack Borsch, Second by Kurt Morrison, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of October 6, 2008 and Work Session of October 27, 2008. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: Anthony DiTomasso of Comcast Cable distributed copies of a draft cable agreement. Rutledge’s contract expires in June, 2009, but Mr. DiTomasso would like the new agreement to be signed by December, 2008. If the Borough signs a 15-year agreement, Comcast will give the Borough a $5,000 grant and free internet service.
Tax Collector’s Report: Leonard Michael reported that $1,778.10 was collected in October.
Treasurer’s Report – Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Cash Flow report for the month of October 2008.
Code Enforcement/Building Inspector Reports – Harry Mirra read his report for the month of October 2008:
Correction notices were issued for: abandoned car, house number not visible from street, and high grass. All have been corrected.
Three non-traffic citations were issued;
1 Court case scheduled for November
2 Court cases delayed until December
1 Zoning permit completed
Mr. Mirra stated that parking on front lawns is prohibited. Please report any offenders to the Borough Office.
Mayor’s Report – Scott Shields read the police report for October, 2008.
There were: 7 Parking Tickets, 16 Police Calls, 11 Complaints, 5 Citations, 1 Assist Fire Co., and 1 Assist from other police.
10/3/08 – Vehicles racing in the 200 block of Linden Ave.
10/10/08 – Intruder on the unit block of Linden Ave.
10/11/08 – Dog running loose on the 100 block of Linden Ave.
10/17/08 – Disorderly group of juveniles in the 200 block of Linden Ave.
10/27/08 – Burglary in the unit block of S. Morton Ave.
10/29/08 – Large fallen tree limb blocking the sidewalk in the unit block of Linden Ave.
Mayor Shields stated that Tinicum Twp. has asked the Borough to pass a resolution showing support of its opposition to the FAA’s plan to enlarge the Philadelphia International Airport by obtaining property within Tinicum Twp. MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Kurt Morrison, to approve Resolution 2008-11-03, a resolution that supports Tinicum Twp.’s opposition to Philadelphia International Airport’s capacity enhancement program. MOTION approved unanimously.
Mayor Shields stated that Council is working on the 2009 Budget. A fee of $6,671.oo is imposed by the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority for trash disposal in 2009. Residents currently pay a trash removal fee. The Delaware County Borough Association opposes the fee, and is concerned about the numbers the Authority is using to calculate the fee.
Correspondence:
1) Aqua PA – $15,300 check for street repairs needed on Swarthmore Ave. as a result of Aqua’s repairs to its water lines
2) IRM – Residents of 215 Linden Ave. have hired a new attorney and are suing for damages to their residence as a result of a sewer backup on July 6, 2007
3) Delaware County Borough Association – Meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2008, at 6:30 PM at Darby Borough’s offices
4) PLGIT – Temporary increase in FDIC coverage to $250,000 until December 31, 2009
Committee Reports:
Ordinance/ Trash – Nothing to report
Building – Nothing to report.
Sewer– Nothing to report.
Highway – Thomas Ash reported that lawn services are blowing leaves in the street, and they are getting into the storm sewers. Harry Mirra stated that he caught two people and gave them warnings.
Recreation – Kurt Morrison reported that fence repairs are needed at the Triangle Park – he is looking at prices.
Public Safety – Tom Kopp reported that there were 27 alarms, with time in service 11 hours, 52 minutes and 4 drills with time in service 8 hours, 25 minutes in October. There was one local alarm in the unit block of Linden Ave.
Mr. Kopp reported that on Saturday, November 1, 2008, a memorial was dedicated to the fallen firefighters in the county. There were 64 plaques. Bricks are available for the walkway for $50; family names may be inscribed.
The search and rescue demonstration scheduled for Tuesday was cancelled due to bad weather.
Mr. Kopp reported that the Fire Co. has 2009 Entertainment Books for sale, and lottery tickets for $5.00, for the month of November.
Finance – Nothing to report.
Solicitor’s Report: G. Guy Smith reported that he needs to meet with Council to discuss the Comcast Cable agreement – there are questions that need to be answered.
Old Business :
Jack Borsch reported that the Rutledge Shade Tree has announced its members:
Chairman – Karl Eilensfeld
Vice Chair – Cathy Myers
Secretary – Pam Kennedy
Treasurer – Sue Borsch
Pat Eilensfeld, Elizabeth Svenson, Elaine Lennox, Richard Bryn, and Jack Borsch, and Diane McGaughey are the Borough Council liasons. The committee is working on bylaws and rules and regulations. The committee will have a bake sale outside the Borough building on election day.
Greg Lebold stated that Pamela Poe has resigned as Health Officer due to a conflict with her job, and applications for the position will be accepted. The candidate should be in a health-related field or have a background in health-related issues.
Kurt Morrison stated that bids were solicited for the Rain Garden Project at the Triangle Park, and he recommends that the bids be rejected and rebid in the winter to get a lower price. The lowest bid was $35,000, from JMC Contractors.
MOTION by Kurt Morrison, Second by Thomas Ash, to reject the bids received on October 3, 2008 for the Rain Garden Project at the Triangle Park, unadvertised for bids at a later date. MOTION approved unanimously.
Kurt Morrison reported that the Borough has applied for a PECO Growing Green grant for the Rain Garden at the Triangle Park. MOTION by Kurt Morrison, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve Resolution 2008-11-02, a resolution stating the Borough’s intention to apply for a PECO Growing Green Grant for the Rain Garden Project at the Triangle Park. MOTION approved unanimously.
Mr. Morrison reported that the PEC grant for the project is extended to 2009.
New Business: Diane McGaughey reported that the 2009 Budget was reviewed at the Work Session, and a lot of costs have gone up. Scott Shields stated that there will be a 9% increase overall. Renovations in the Borough have caused the assessments to go up. Police services will go up 11% in 2009. There has been no Borough tax increase since 1991. On the income side, hall rentals are down.
Diane McGaughey stated that $7,000.00 is budgeted in 2009 for Triangle Park improvements, and the 4th of July Committee donation was increased by $50.00. There is also a donation for the Shade Tree Committee to help get it started.
MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Kurt Morrison, to approve advertisement of the 2009 Budget. MOTION approved unanimously. The budget is available for public inspection and the final budget will be approved on December 8, 2008.
Public Comment:
Cathy Myers, 210 President Ave., stated that the Shade Tree Committee will have a bake sale and accept donations on election day.
Harry Mirra stated that AMVETS in Morton sends out 6-8 care packages per month to the troops in Iraq. Donated items may be dropped off at the Borough Office.
Greg Lebold stated that there will be Salute to the Troops event at Rosetree Park on November 9, 2008, from 10-4. Politicians will make speeches, and donations will be accepted for military organizations that help the troops after they have returned from combat zones.
Dennis Myers, 210 President Ave. stated that he received two letters from the Borough Solicitor on October 7 regarding the Zoning Hearing Board.. He did not have any discussion with Scott LeFante regarding the erection of his fence on Linden Ave. prior to him putting it up. Mr. LeFante approached Mr. Myers after the fence was put up, and he received a notice that it was in violation of the Borough‘s fence ordinance. Mr. Myers could not believe that Council members would not discuss the issue with him to get his side of the story before referring it to the Solicitor. Mr. Myers does not need to be reminded of his duties. Mr. Myers resigned as a Zoning Hearing Board Member. Mayor Shields stated that no one was trying to insult him. Kurt Morrison stated that Council is a trusting group, and never thought Mr. LeFante was being untruthful. Mr. Myers phoned Greg Lebold and stated that he had not given Mr. LeFante any instructions regarding the fence. Mr. Lebold spoke with Mr. LeFante again, who again stated that he had been given advice on three occasions by Mr. Myers. In hindsight, Council should have gone to Mr. Myers to get his side of the story before the letters were sent. A permit has been issued for the fence with certain conditions. Council respects Mr. Myers, and appreciates the contribution he has made to the Borough.
Bills for November 3, 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 $8,729.90. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Thomas Ash, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $929.86. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Thomas Ash, Second by Jack , to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund in the amount of $21,409.32. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:47 PM
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Borough Secretary