The nineteenth regular meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council for 2005 was held this evening at the Hamburg Municipal Center with President Adam Dries presiding. The meeting was opened with Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Prayer.

Members Present – Adam Dries, Tammy Wilkinson, Martha Bertolet, Tina Yoder, Charles Figard, Dale Schlenker, Jeanette Heckman

Members Absent – None

Also Present – Kim Y. Berger, Recording Secretary, Solicitor Shollenberger

Visitors- Nikki Murry (Item), Scott Kreider, Terry Cooney (Allied Waste), Rick Boyd, Margie Bender, Kathy Maberry, Sylvia Summons, Heather Breininger, Lori Guldin, Norma Berger, Chief Michael Painter, Ingeborg Heffner

A motion was made by Tina Yoder and seconded by Dale Schlenker to approve the amended agenda.

NAYES – None

COURTESY TO AUDIENCE

Margie Bender was present to discuss the juveniles hanging at the park, destroying park property as well as personal property, running bikes down the hill, ruining the park, possible drug deals etc. Mrs. Bender was wondering if the council could create an ordinance whereby we could limit the number of people allowed to congregate at one place and one time. Solicitor Shollenberger stated that citizens have to be proactive to protect their properties.

This will be investigated during property committee.

Sylvia Summons suggested that Crime Watch be re-enacted. Chief Painter stated that he now has interest in this organization and hopes to have it up and running within the next month or two.

It was also stated that this is an area whereby we are investigating additional pathlights to help light up the area.

Ms. Guldin was present to discuss items regarding a case in litigation.

Ms. Guldin stated that the committee running Heritage Day is no longer interested in running it, neither is the OTF. She has spoken to the high school and possibly speaking to a Civic Class to take over this endeavor.

Scott Kreider wanted to know why it hasn’t been advertised more readily for people to voluntarily conserve water. It was stated that it is posted on the Municipal Access Channel. Mr. Kreider stated that there needs to be a better way to advertise this issue, possibly through the mail.

Mr. Kreider also questioned what type of material would the countertops at the center field food stand to be made of. Kim Berger stated that the material would be Formica on top of wood. Mr. Kreider was concerned that the counters would not be replaced with something better.

Mr. Kreider also questioned the no parking for King Frost. He wanted to be sure that North Crescent and South Crescent were on the list, due to the construction.

Ms. Guldin questioned the Community Aid Panel, who ran it, who was in charge. Chief Painter gave an overview of the concept. It is run through the Berks County Juvenile Probation Office and is made up of citizens to review "minor offenses" by youth.

Norma Berger questioned if the State Street Bridge (at Pizza Como) is a state bridge and if so can we have it checked for safety. With the detouring of the traffic that occurred today, and if tractor-trailers continue to use it as hard as we did, the state should take a look for safety reasons. There is rebar sticking out of the bridge. Councilman Schlenker stated that he would contact Jerry Knowles in Argall’s office.

A motion was made by Tammy Wilkinson and seconded by Tina Yoder to approve the minutes of the special meeting of September 22, 2005 and the September 26, 2005 meeting.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, T. Yoder, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Tina Yoder to approve the following reports: Borough Manager’s Report, Public Works Supt. Report, Water/Sewer Supt. Report, Office Manager’s Report, Building/Zoning/Codes Report, Treasurer’s Report, Police Report and Property Committee Report.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, T. Yoder, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

BOROUGH MANAGERS REPORT
SEPTEMBER, 2005

The Borough Manager’s activities for the month of SEPTEMBER, 2005 included the following:

Held staff meetings with supervisors to discuss, provide and receive updates on various projects and issues taking place.

Addressed complaints and other correspondence as needed.

Met various times during the month with John Leonforte, Code Enforcement Officer, for updates on projects he is working on, primarily North Crescent Avenue and Hamburg Commons, as well as various storm sewer projects and code enforcement issues throughout the borough. Bids have been awarded for the North Crescent Avenue curbing project and work is scheduled to commence in the beginning of October.

Attended a hearing at DJ Stoudt’s office in Strausstown relative to an incident at the park; however, hearing waived and will be moved to Berks County Court.

Attended a meeting with members of the Authority and Representative Bob Allen relative to funding for the upcoming sewer plant expansion/upgrade.

Attended several meetings dealing with police negotiations for 2006.

Attended special road committee meeting held on N. 6^th Street and South Crescent Avenue to discuss an issue regarding temporary road opening during I-78 construction.

John Leonforte, Code Enf. Officer and I met with a representative from PennDOT for updates regarding the I-78 project, discussed traffic during King Frost Parade and handled other related issues.

Met with representatives of Duda Actuarial Services and Smith Barney, along with police officers and council representatives to discuss issues as they relate to the police pension plan.

John Leonforte, council representatives and I met with several business owners from the south end of the Borough to discuss traffic alternatives at South 4^th, Route 61 and Woodland Road, as well as funding for a Feasibility Study.

Worked on preparation of specifications and bidding documents for the purchase of a 2004 police vehicle. Bids will be advertised in October and opened at the October 24, 2005 meeting of Council.

Trash and recycling bids have been advertised and will be opened at the first Council meeting in October.

In addition to the two regular council meetings, attended Hamburg Municipal Authority, Property committee, Safety Committee, Finance, and Personnel Committee meetings.

If anyone has any questions regarding my report, please feel free to ask.

Attached with my report are the activities of my staff for the month of SEPTEMBER, 2005.

Lynda G. Albright, Borough Manager

Repaired signs around the borough. Also erected a few new signs.

Mowing grass has slowed down, however, the weeds were still cut along the roadways. Sprayed weeds along the curbs and buildings.

Due to a tree being dead along Island Street, the crew removed this tree. It could have been a dangerous situation.

Completed winterization at the pool, including putting the items away for the winter.

The crew cut the sewer plant field.

The leaves have started their descent and the crew started the collection.

The crew did perform some extensive hot patching on the following streets: Pine Street, Grand Street, Peach Street and Franklin Street.

The crew dug the electric line for the 4^th and Pine parking lot for the Our Town Foundation.

Installed two ¾" water taps on North Crescent Avenue.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard L. Pickel Public Works Supt.

Water

Water for the month was from the wells. We have seen a steady decline in the level of the water table at the water plant. We are starting to run Well 5 on a more regular basis in an effort to ease he strain on Wells 2, 3, & 4. The Authority has asked the residents to voluntarily cut back on water use; however the State has not imposed any restrictions. Even though the well levels have dropped supplies are adequate.

Wastewater

For the first time in several years the weather has allowed cleaning of all tanks at the plant. Some aeration tanks had not been cleaned or inspected for 3 years and, surprisingly took very little in the way of maintenance.

We are still experiencing settling problems attributable to filamentous bacteria. We are treating it with chlorine and when necessary we are using a polymer as a settling aid. Digestion rates seem to be quite high in the aerators, which are driving Ph down. We are compensating with soda ash.

I met with PaDEP, Greg and his team from Systems Design on the plans and permit for the plant expansion. DEP asked for some minor modifications in regard to language and terminology on the plans but did not ask for any changes to process or design. The project seems to be moving along quite well and is on schedule.

Respectfully Submitted

Keith L. Brobst

Water/Wastewater Superintendent

Completed compiling budget figures for administration.

Pictures were taken throughout the month of various things, park, building struck by hit and run truck driver, pool bathrooms, etc.

The Municipal Access Channel and web continue to be updated.

Various correspondence was completed, including, weed notices, memos, junk car letters, grease trap letters, etc.

Updated the board list.

The web page and municipal access channel were updated.

Lowell Thomas and I met with representatives from Tilden, Windsor and Berks County Emergency Management regarding the feasibility of a regionalized EMA.

Attended a National Incident Management Course at Berks County EMA.

Completed the curb specs and sent to contractors.

Finalization of the trash and recycling bids were prepared.

Attended a State Training course regarding Effective Media Relations.

Attended two council meetings, one Safety Committee meeting and staff meetings as necessary. Minutes were prepared for all the meetings.

Respectfully submitted,

Kim Y. Berger

Office Manager

September 2005

One building permit and six zoning permits were issued in September.

John Speicher’s office is working on ordinance re: zoning amendments for special exceptions whensign proposals exceed certain zoning requirements.

Major projects ongoing or proposed are as follows:

The Wrights Building property was bid on, at public sale September 27^th .

Contact with the new owner will be made as soon as sale closes. (approx 30 days)

Hamburg Commons site work and building construction continues. Rite Aide construction has started.

Arby’s construction has started.

Wetland study of the Dump site at Belmont Ave. is complete ( We have not received plans yet.)

Main street Streetscape project is now in the design stage. Survey work is complete for 4^th street and State Street.

Penn Dot 78 construction project is progressing

Inspections were completed for residential and light commercial, previously permitted, work in the borough.

N. Crescent Ave and N 4^th St curb project has been let. Work to begin as soon as possible.

Inspections and reviews continue American hotel regarding the second phase of construction. The restaurant area on 4th St is expected to be open by the end of October.

Property Maintenance complaints of rubbish, and Occupancy inspections continue to be addressed.

John Leonforte

Code Administrator

SEPTEMBER 28, 2005

MUNICIPAL CENTER – 4 PM

ATTENDING: Lynda Albright, Jeanette Heckman, Tammy Wilkinson, Chuck Figard & Dale Schlenker

VISITORS: Gail Grill, Vivian Zweizig, John Leonforte, Zoning Officer & June Hilbert, Recreation Director

The following bids were opened for trash and recycling:

Raritan Valley - $232,200

Allied Waste (BFI) - $257,040

JP Mascaro - $319,800

Waste Mgmt. - $306,720

Waste Mgmt. - $266,760

JP Mascaro - $133,920

JP Mascaro - $453,720

A motion was made by Tina Yoder and seconded by Dale Schlenker to accept the bids and turn over to the Borough Manager, Solicitor and Finance/Property Committee for review and recommendation.

NAYES – None

Scott Kreider mentioned that when the Jaycees had collected and recycled the trees, they had collected approximately 400 and maybe the borough would like to talk to some of the organizations and see if anyone is interested in taking on this role.

On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Tina Yoder approving the purchase of a Cody Software system for the Hamburg Police Department at a cost of $10,250.00 ($10,000 of this cost is being covered by a DCED grant) and the License Agreement covering the software.

NAYES – None

Kim Berger on behalf of Mayor Del Rosario presented the second reading of the King Frost 2005 Proclamation regarding Parking Restrictions.

     On North 5^th St. between Franklin and State Sts.

     On North 5^th St. between Franklin St. and Confer Ave.

     On Franklin St. between Church and North 4^th Sts.

     On Northmont Ave. between Port Clinton Ave. and North 4^th St.

     On Maple St. between South 3^rd St. and South 5^th St.

     On 3^rd St. between Maple St. and Port Clinton Ave.

     On 4^th St. between Maple St. and Interstate 78.

     On Port Clinton Ave. between North 4^th St. and Mountain Ave.

     On both sides of William St.

On both sides of North and South Crescent Avenue

On Confer Ave. between North 4^th St. and North 5^th St.

On both sides of Chestnut St. between William and North 5^th.

On the Northeast side of Island St. at 4^Th St.

On Arch St. between Primrose and South 4^th Sts.

On the Northeast Side of State St. at 4^thSt.

On the Southwest, Northwest and Northeast corners of State and 3^rd Sts.

On the Northwest corner of Franklin St. at 3^rd St.

On the East side of South 4^th St. between Maple St. and Hawk Ridge Dr.

On the North and South Side of Arch St. between S. 4^th St. and Primrose

On the recommendation of the Property Committee, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Tina Yoder approving Norman Delong of Hamburg to replace the counter at the centerfield food pavilion at a cost of $2,800.00.

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Safety Committee, a motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Tina Yoder to approve the amended agreement with the County of Berks regarding the Mobile Computer Terminal (MCT) Project and related cost of $4,000.

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Tina Yoder to approve payment of invoices totaling $143,114.64

T. Wilkinson abstained from Met-Ed (family member works for them) and Reading Eagle due to direct income.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, T. Yoder, J. Heckman,C. Figard, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

AT&T 269.38

County of Berks 1,867.26

Berks-Mont Newspapers, Inc. 135.00

Blue Marsh Surveyors 3,191.00

Burkhardt Mechanical 240.00

Commonwealth of PA 16.25

Copy World, Inc. 241.00

EJB Paving & Materials 2,693.58

Emblem Enterprises Inc. 245.40

Fort Dearborn Life Insurance 233.06

Fred Pryor Seminars 198.00

Galls Incorporated 64.68

Gebhart’s Office Machines 24.25

Great Valley Consultants 513.61

Hartman Janitorial 850.00

Henn’s Garage 77.50

Mike Keshner 31.25

Met-Ed 5,325.35

Miller Municipal Division 455.70

Mountain View Supply 26.63

Municipal Employers Ins. Trust 188.50

National Tactical Officers Assoc. 40.00

State Workers’ Insurance Fund 6,020.00

PPL Gas Utilities 448.47

Penn Pride, Inc. 1,858.53

Reading Eagle. Co. 584.68

Reppert’s Auto Service 422.38

Telco Inc. 157.50

Thren’s Auto Parts 9.37

ThyssenKrupp Elevator 165.18

U.S. Municipal Supply, Inc. 316.65

UniFirst 246.24

Verizon 396.92

Double 8 Win Outlet 239.05

Windsor Press 96.09

Zee Medical Service Co. 5.50

TOTAL 27,893.96

INVOICES PAID PREVIOUSLY 115,040.68

Duda Actuarial Consulting Inc. 180.00

TOTAL FOR APPROVAL 143,114.64

BILLS PAID DURING THE MONTH

Borough of Hamburg – Gross Payroll 83,748.67

Borough of Hamburg – Emp. Share S.S. 4,528.19

Sam’s Club 252.99

Hilbert, June 39.13

Smith, Lauren 20.00

Berger, Kim 63.78

Moyer, Adam A 52.00

Hartman Janitorial 825.00

Spokes Bike Shop 159.99

Union Fire Co.#1 25,117.64

Petty cash 19.38

A motion was made by Tina Yoder and seconded by Dale Schlenker to authorize the solicitor to proceed with gaining tax-exempt status for the land purchased from Stewart.

NAYES – None

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. on the motion of Tina Yoder and seconded by Tammy Wilkinson.

Attest:

Kim Y. Berger
Recording Secretary/Office Manager