|
|
|
|
MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 27, 2005 MEETING OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL The twelfth 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, Charles Figard, Martha Bertolet, Dale Schlenker Members Absent – Tina Yoder, Jeanette Heckman Also Present – Solicitor John Speicher, Lynda G. Albright, Borough Manager, Kim Y. Berger, Recording Secretary Visitors –Sylvia Summons, Kerry Delong, Tim Neufeld, Alean Tray, Rick Boyd,
Heather Breininger, Chief Michael Painter ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None COURTESY TO AUDIENCE Rick Boyd was present to discuss a few points in regards to the Tilden Township Agreement. Mr. Boyd had attended the earlier meeting between the Hamburg Municipal Authority, Borough Council Water/Sewer Committee and Tilden Township. Points:
After discussion, Mr. Boyd requested that the Borough Council review this agreement very carefully before moving forward and approving it. Solicitor Speicher stated that the Council has to understand that a number of years ago, Borough Council had voted to have the Authority become an operating Authority and as such all things were turned over to the authority. The Borough really does not have the right to intervene in the financial end of the Authority again. The borough provides the personnel to help run the system but the decision-making is really up to the Authority. If the Authority really wants to do this, the Borough has no say. The Borough cannot really block the action. They can voice their opinion but that is about it. Councilman Schlenker stated that Council appoints the Authority members and they appoint them based on their expertise and knowledge. The Authority has good members and as such Council should value their opinion. Heather Breininger questioned the vandalism at the park and if the individuals are caught, do they have to pay the borough. It was stated that the individuals pay restitution to the Borough. Also, Ms. Breininger suggested that the borough involve local organizations to help keep the park clean. It doesn’t do any good though because the juveniles destroy anything that is fixed. Kerry Delong asked what are the short and long range plans for the deteriorating roadways in the Borough. Borough Manager Albright stated that a few streets are being done this year and some are scheduled for next year. For a number of years we have not used the Liquid Fuels funds due Council’s decision to use the funds for a traffic light at South 4th and Hawk Ridge. Council has now decided to use that money for needed street repairs and reconstruction and seek grant funding for any traffic signals in the Borough. Manager Albright stated that they are researching other avenues. They will be taking the Liquid Fuels funds and other funds from the Line of Credit to fix some of the roads. We cannot do all of them. This will take some time. Mr. Delong stated that there are streets all over the borough that are in desperate need of repair. Where are we going with the streets? Manager Albright stated that the crew does go out and fix the streets as best as they can, with the money, manpower and time allotted. Mr. Delong stated that the manhole covers are also an issue all over the borough. Councilman Schlenker stated that 4th Street and State Street will not be redone by the State until the I-78 project and the State Street bridge project is complete. Councilman Schlenker also stated that we have been struggling with finances for many years and have only been able to bandage these streets. A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Martha Bertolet to approve the minutes of June 27, 2005 meeting as submitted. ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None A motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Dale Schlenker to approve the following reports: Engineer’s Report, Safety Committee Report and Finance Committee Report. (Councilman Figard questioned if the meeting was held with the Mayor and Mr. Maderia. Chief Painter stated that there was no meeting held, however, the officer did meet with Mr. Maderia and everything seems to be worked out.) ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None HAMBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
Flows at the plant have returned to normal. Settling characteristics of the activated sludge process has improved greatly. The sludge dewatering device has been delivered and plant personnel are setting it up. Plant personnel started the dewatering device on June 3, 2005 and are using it almost daily. Results running the dewatering device looking promising. Filtrate from the process is significantly cleaner than from the belt press. Systems Design Engineering, Inc. continues to work on a preliminary design for the expansion of the wastewater plant. The planning module for an expansion of the WWTP to 1.5 MGD has been submitted to DEP. Meetings continue to be held with the design team as the project progresses. A verbal report will be presented to the Board. The Planning Approval for the WWTP has been approved by PA DEP. This is a significant milestone in the permitting process. Systems Design Engineering, Inc. submitted the Penn Works application for the grant to build the wastewater plant. A request for additional information was received from DCED and a response was completed. Commitment letters for the local funding were included. Telephone conversations were held with Penn Works review agents. A verbal report will be presented to the Board. CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN and I/I WORK Systems Design Engineering, Inc. is continuing dialog with DEP on the Connection Management Plan. Televising and repairs of the collection system are complete for the 2004 contract. A meeting was held at Systems Design Engineering, Inc. with Ed Corriveau from PA DEP Planning Section on the Hamburg project. Contact with Lisa Trakis from the EPA was accomplished to coordinate EPA and PA DEP schedules. A verbal report will be presented.MID-ATLANTIC CANNERS
WATER SYSTEM
SAFETY COMMITTEE The committee met at 7:00 p.m. on the above date. Present were: Lynda Albright, Adam Dries, Tammy Wilkinson, Martha Bertolet, Dale Schlenker, Chief Painter, Mayor Del Rosario and Chuck Figard. Visitors were: Chris Madeira, Lori Guldin, Rick Boyd and Danny Williams The following items were discussed: ARREST PROCEDURES A complaint was addressed concerning arrest procedures in the State and 4th St. area. A meeting will be held by the Mayor, Chief Painter and Chris Madeira to discuss the matter further and resolve the issue. REQUEST FOR A HANDICAP SIGN A resident of 535 S. 5th St. requested a sign for her residence.
Approval was withheld pending a check on off-street parking in the area. Request for a portable speed bump (changed to a permanent type) was approved for Peach Alley behind 234 North 3rd Street. HOUSE NUMBERING SYSTEM The Mayor, Borough Manager, and Safety Committee chairman will visit Chestnut Street to determine if a better numbering system can be devised for the 500 block of Chestnut Street. The present system is confusing for ambulance drivers and the police. SIGN FOR SOUTH 6TH STREET Request was approved for a "NO OUTLET" sign for that location. PART-TIME POLICE OFFICER Chief Painter made known his need for a part-time police officer to replace officer Kramer who was moved to full-time status. The committee was also reminded of the need for a new patrol car. The newest cruiser is a 2000 model with 50,000 miles. The oldest has 150,000 hard miles on the odometer and is becoming expensive to maintain. An executive session was held to discuss a personnel matter. The meeting ended at 8:50 p.m. Chuck Figard Finance Committee Report Attending: Chuck Figard, Jeanette Heckman, Martha Bertolet and Lynda Albright Lynda Albright reported there will be an increase in workers compensation due to last years audit and payroll figures have increased. The increase could be as high as $30,000. Lynda reported that we received a check from Berks EIT for $114,000.00. We have $204,000 to date and last year at this time we had received $96,000. Lynda will look into the reason for the increase. To date we have collected $74,0000 in EMS money. We have budgeted $85,000 but there is still a few days to collect the funds. The balance in the line of credit $577,178.53 will be moved into the Capital Fund and council will have to approve any draws on this account. Martha Bertolet Chairperson of Finance OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, on motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Charles Figard authorizing the President of Council and the Borough Manager to execute the easement agreement between the Borough of Hamburg and Dennis and Cynthia Dietrich giving the borough permission to place a storm sewer pipe across their property between N. 4th and N. Crescent Avenue.ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None A motion was made by Tammy Wilkinson and seconded by Dale Schlenker to approve the second addendum to the agreement between the Hamburg Municipal Authority, Borough of Hamburg and Tilden Township as per the meeting and discussion held earlier relative to additional sewage capacity for Tilden Township. ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None A motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Martha Bertolet to approve payment of invoices totaling $76,699.66 ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None T. Wilkinson abstained from Met-Ed (family member works for them). LIST OF BILLS AT & T 26.10 BCMHIPG 21,688.32 JOYCE CLAY 200.00 DELL MARKETING 407.40 EMC INSURANCE CO. 4,703.02 BETHANY EMES 25.00 EVANS FOOD DISTRIBUTORS 119.28 EXETER SUPPLY 84.00 HAMBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY 111.79 KERMIT KISTLER 50.88 LANDIS DECK 21,226.55 J. P. MASCARO 6,811.21 MET-ED 3,144.98 MILLER MUNICIPAL DIVISION 436.00 MUNIS 586.38 PMHIC 1,118.25 QUILL CORPORATION 42.28 RARITAN VALLEY DISPOSAL 13,721.59 REPPERT’S AUTO SERVICE 474.26 AMIE SPATZ 25.00 ROGER STETZLER 53.00 SYSTEMS DESIGN ENGINEERING 93.84 TERRY’S TREE EXPERTS 700.00 WEIS MARKETS 44.90 YEAGER SUPPLY 748.83 ZEE MEDICAL SUPPLY 56.80 TOTAL $76,699.66 SOLICITORS REPORT A motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Dale Schlenker to authorize the Borough Manager and the Vice-President of Council to attend the settlement of DAKE for purchase of the land for $5,000 on Tuesday at 10 a.m. This is being done in lieu of condemnation. ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None An executive session was called at 8:17 p.m. to discuss police personnel issue. Meeting reconvened at 9:11 p.m. A motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Tammy Wilkinson to hire John R. Sheperak as a part-time police officer at the rate of $12.00 per hour. ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Charles Figard to amend the current police contract section 4A to exclude primary shifts listed for the Sergeant and Corporal. ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None UPCOMING MEETINGS/INFORMATION
TBA – STREETS COMMITTEE MEETING – 3:30 P.M.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m. on the motion of Charles Figard and seconded by Tammy Wilkinson. ATTEST:
|
