MINUTES FROM THE JULY 14, 2008 COUNCIL MEETING

The twelfth regular meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council for 2008 was held this evening at the Hamburg Municipal Center with President Tammy Wilkinson presiding. The meeting was opened with Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Prayer.

Members Present – Tammy Wilkinson, Martha Bertolet, Elaine Swavely, Dale Schlenker, Heather Berger, Jeanette Heckman, Roger Stetzler

Members Absent – None

Also Present –Solicitor Mike Zubey, Kim Y. Berger, Office Manager/ Recording Secretary, Manager Lynda G. Albright, Mayor Del Rosario

Visitors- Chief Painter, Shane Keller (West Reading Mayor), Edward Fabriziani (Chief of Police- West Reading), Walter Shuker, Vivian Shuker, Joshua Sophy (Item), Ed Van Wert, Norma Berger, Michael Andes, David Kope, Wayne Herber, Helen Herber, Jessica Holben, Florence Brenstein, Richard Jackson, Ken Pick

NAYES – None

COURTESY TO AUDIENCE

Mayor Del Rosario read commendations for the following officers:

Officer William Kramer, Office Dave Kope, West Reading K-9 officer Wayne Holben and his K-9 Dolfo.

The Honorable Service Award was presented to each officer. Mr. Richard Jackson, who on May 17, 2008 was reported missing by his family, presented the awards on behalf of the Hamburg Police Department. With the help of the K-9 Dolfo and the other three officers, Mr. Jackson was subsequently found injured in the woods on Mountain Avenue. Had it not been for the officers and K-9 Dolfo, Mr. Jackson’s injuries could have been much worse.

Ed Van Wert, 210 Fawn Court, President of the Homeowner’s Association submitted a drawing and pictures of a storm drain problem at the intersection of Fawn and Chestnut. Mr. Van Wert stated that there was a sink hole about three years ago and the crew replaced the box at that time. About three months ago, another sink hole developed and the crew repaired it again. Last week a hole developed next to the grating of the storm drain. Mr. Van Wert stated that the water undermined the area and the crew had to replace the storm drain.

Mr. Van Wert believes that because of the street condition, cracks, etc., that this is why the storm drain is failing. He showed pictures of the streets, the drains and the pipes.

This information will be discussed at the next Road Committee.

Walt Shuker, 245 State Street, wanted to bring to Council’s attention the fact that his property is being targeted with vandalism. Someone has put graffiti on his house and garage and just recently three cue balls were thrown through his front window, luckily no one was hurt. Mr. Shuker has filed reports with the police department and is now looking for Council’s help to remedy this situation. Mr. Shuker was referred to the next Safety Committee meeting.

A motion was made by Heather Berger and seconded by Martha Bertolet to approve the minutes of the June 23, 2008 meeting.

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roger Stetzler to approve the following reports: Borough Manager’s Report, Public Works Supt. Report, Water/Sewer Supt. Report, Office Manager’s Report, Treasurer’s Report, Police Report, Code Enforcement report, Recreation Directors Report and Property and Personnel Committee Report.

NAYES – None

The Borough Manager’s report for the month of JUNE, 2008 included the following:

Normal day-to-day activities included

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

Addressing complaints and other correspondence as needed.

Meeting with John Leonforte, Codes Officer to review and discuss major projects being planned or worked on presently.

Met with Chris Madera and representatives from the Neighborhood Housing Services to discuss services that the NHS provides to Reading and now all of Berks County. Most importantly, was the discussion regarding the vacancy at Wissahickon and that they were reasonably sure it would be sold in within a few months. The positive was the Grand Street Extension project.

Met with representatives of System Design Engineering, Keith Brobst, DEP officials and EPA officials relative to the 2^nd and Walnut Street waterline replacement project. Of concern was the possible contamination that could be encountered once digging started. Samples were taken and the results were favorable and the project will move forward. There is to be a meeting in the immediate future between Hamburg Municipal Authority, Hamburg Borough Council, Systems Design, EPA and DEP to discuss on-going contaminate problems in the community and how they may be handled financially by the Borough and Authority. More information will be provided when available.

Met with Recreation and Asst. Recreation Director, along with Food Stand supervisors to discuss issues of concern. Most were handled amicably.

Recreation Director, Asst. Recreation Director and I met with a representative from Honberger Assoc. in regards to servicing the pool needs beginning next year. The biggest challenge we are facing is getting an employee certified with a pesticide license. I am hoping for the Pool Manager and another employee (either crew or water/sewer) to obtain this license.

Spent time at the pool with Guy to observe the sand problem in the pool, as well as improvements that have been made in the bathhouse and food stand. We have an extremely impressive pool area.

Reconstruction of the Catherine, Arthur, Grandview Terrace and Clover Alley commenced near the end of the month. Things went well and much quicker than anticipated. Our public works supt. was required to spend a lot of time during the project on-site.

Received letter of resignation from Donna Riegel, Receptionist, whose last day of employment was Friday, June 20, 2008. The process of rehiring has started.

Attended the breakfast meeting at the American House with members of Council, which was sponsored by the Berks County Economic Partnership.

Attended two Council meetings, Authority meeting, Planning Commission, Finance, Safety, Personnel, Property Committee and Public Relations/W/S 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 June, 2008.

Lynda G. Albright, Borough Manager

The street signs at 4^th and Port Clinton Avenue had to be repaired.

Two temporary handicap signs were dropped off for the residents who requested them.

The crack filling process has started.

The grass was mowed at all the parks and properties that we are responsible for.

The railings were painted around the senior center ramp area.

The new signs have arrived for the pool and park area. These signs have been erected.

The baby pool and the big pool are backwashed by the crew every Friday and Monday.

The fence at the pool needed some repairs.

The new diving board was received and installed by the crew.

The painting of the stop markers and crosswalks has started.

All the lines and markers at 4^th and 61 have been painted.

Weeds around the borough were sprayed.

Stones were installed along the shoulders of Port Clinton Avenue and Mountain Avenue.

The weeds in the streams and along the park bank were cut.

I, personally, spent the majority of my time with the contractors during the reconstruction of Catherine, Arthur, Grandview Terrace and Clover Alley. We worked a lot of long days to get this project completed in a timely manner.

The weeds and brush around the reservoir and the dam were cut.

We stocked piled all the material from the reconstruction of the streets at the dump.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard L. Pickel Public Works Supt.

Water

Water continues to be supplied from both wells and the surface supply. The surface supply remains adequate but the dam level is falling. Without significant rainfall the surface supply will probably be exhausted before the end of July.

We have conducted core testing in the area of the scheduled water main replacement, 2^nd and Walnut. Cores were drawn every 100 feet and an EPA associate used a handheld meter to read lead levels. The highest 4 samples were sent to the lab for confirmation. All samples were well below the levels that would classify the soils as hazardous and the project can proceed as scheduled.

We have begun replacing some troublesome valves on the filters. All the parts have been delivered and one of three valves has been replaced. This has not disrupted the operation of the plant in any way, and both filters should be ready for use in the next few weeks.

We have received the new NPDES permit and it takes effect July 1, 2008. There has been a parameter added and we will be reporting total loads to the stream for phosphorus and total suspended solids.

There was a slight glitch in the programming of a control loop in the SCADA system. The contractor has been notified and will make an adjustment within the next few days.

Consumer confidence reports are complete and have been distributed.

Wastewater

Effluent quality remains excellent. We are still adding soda ash for ph control but it is requiring less each week. The thickener is still down while we wait for parts. We have been able to juggle flows and decant supernatant from the sludge to keep from having to haul very thin sludge off sight and expect we will be able to avoid that for several more weeks.

We took the opportunity of not running the thickener to start cleaning the digester. The tank for thickened sludge has been cleaned and maintained. The outer trane of the ditch is not in use and has been emptied and cleaned.

Greg and I met with representatives of Tilden Township and their contractors responsible for installing the force main under the river. The work has started but they have run into some problems and it has not gone quite as quickly as they had hoped. The pipe is on site and has been fused into one long piece. They now expect to begin pulling it into the tunnel under the river the 2^nd week in July.

We have done some more investigative work in Ridge Lawn by closed circuit TV. Property owners with leaking laterals have been notified and asked to make repairs.

Respectfully Submitted

Keith L. Brobst

Water/Wastewater Superintendent

Throughout the month many, many letters have been written and sent for various subjects, including: weed notices, debris notices, trash notices, junk car notices, etc.

The web and municipal access channel continue to be updated.

The Authority trust report was refined.

The quarterly grease trap letters were submitted to those businesses that are required to complete them.

The Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) was printed, labeled, sorted and mailed.

I am happy to report that the season tickets have exceeded the budget for the year. The month was extremely busy with over $25,000 coming in. We have exceeded $52,000 for the season thus far.

Throughout the month our main server was down at various times. The server is almost five years old and we will need to replace it. However, we will be keeping the old one for a back up server once the new one is installed and working properly. Met with John Trubilla various times regarding this issue.

The Act 902 Recycling grant, this is for the recycling containers, was completed and submitted to DEP and the County.

The 904 Performance grant, this is for the amount of recycling that has occurred in the Borough, has also been completed and submitted.

Throughout the month assisted the Recreation Director and Asst. Recreation Director with a lot of issues regarding the pool and park.

Attended two Council meetings, staff meetings as necessary. Minutes were prepared for meetings as deemed necessary.

Respectfully submitted,

Kim Y. Berger

Office Manager

Building, Zoning and Codes Report June 2008  

Three (3) construction permits and three (3) zoning permits and one (1) paving/sidewalk permits and no (0) occupancy permits were issued in June.

Major projects ongoing or proposed are as follows:

All work has been completed, except for minor work to apply bonding agent at handicap ramp at the corner of Church & Arthur.

Grand Street extension

Plans have been submitted to Penn Dot. We hope to get through the permitting process by summer 2008 and start construction after that, with a hoped for completion date of summer of 2009.

Hawk ridge and South 4^th Street

We hope to have the HOP in July.

HAHS field house and bleachers

Work continues on schedule. Completion of project by Fall 2008.

Work on the Peach Alley Apartments project (former Wrights Building, at 239 Pine) is progressing.

A fall finish is expected.

A zoning permit application was submitted and consequently denied. A second application has been submitted and is under review.

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

Property Maintenance complaints of rubbish, weed/ high grass and Occupancy inspections continue to be addressed. Note: new Property Maintenance complaints were filed with 17 resolved and 14 still pending.

No fire safety Inspection was done this month.

John Leonforte
Codes Administrator

The month of June continued with various meetings. The meetings were with RJR Engineering, Lamar Hornberger (pool service) and Aquaserve.

For expedience, I am using a different format this month.

Repairs:

RJR Engineering fixed several issues left over from the construction of the pool.

RJR replaced valve and filter in wading pool after Aquaserve failed to replace a part.

RJR ordered the diving board, which needed replacement. Aquaserve ordered a diving board on May 1, 2008 and never delivered.

I contacted J L Hornberger pool service to correct a back feed problem with the acid pump, late June (approximately the 23^rd) and also to service our chemicals.

The filters for the main pool are leaking filter sand. RJR and JL Hornberger both agreed that we should go through the season and repairs should take place the fall of 2008 or spring of 2009.

We continue to have problems with pool lights. Mike Kershner is looking into different bulbs.

Proposal for the pool heater, which will be located in the locker room, is on going.

Chemicals were ordered from Buckman’s Inc.

One of the Hershey’s freezers went down and we lost all of the ice cream. Bill coerced Hershey into replacing their entire product and Schwann’s also replaced their product.

Programs:

I started a cleaning crew Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. to keep ahead of the filter sand and general maintenance.

We now have a lap swim for those season ticket holders Monday through Friday from 11 to 12 noon. For all other swimmers it is $5 per session.

Free swim lessons have been started for season ticket holders. Paid lesions have also been planned at $35 each for semi-private and $50 for private lessons.

CPR was held at the bandstand by Body Zone for our guards that needed to be certified. Each guard paid their expense.

We have had one swim dance and two movie nights.

Bill is planning to have a bingo in July and the prizes will consist of donated baked goods.

We are also planning a Christmas in July program for the 25^th.

Senior aerobics was cancelled for now as a result of lack of participation.

Miscellaneous:

A state inspection was held for our electrical facilities. Two fence grounds were bad, they were repaired and the poll inspection passed.

Bill was able to purchase a slate bumper pool table for the park from Craig’s list. In addition, we acquired another free refrigerator.

Bill has expanded the food stand menu, as a result of the purchase of the convection ovens, i. e. pizza, BBQ and hamburgers.

No smoking in pool area has been received well and without major conflict.

Conclusion:

The kids love the bumper pool table!

Wading pool is now functioning well.

Main pool has been consistent all season

Bill and I are pleased with the operations of the park and pool.

We are still receiving compliments on the pool and its operation.

Respectfully submitted

Guy Ketch

William Nabozny

PROPERTY COMMITTEE

JULY 8, 2008

MUNICIPAL CENTER – 3 PM

ATTENDING: Lynda Albright, Martha Bertolet, Jeanette Heckman, Elaine Swavely, Roger Stetzler & Dale Schlenker

VISITOR: Deena Kershner

George Heckman has begun repair to the Library wall.

The Property Committee recommends to Council, SDE be allowed to submit design drawings for the electrical service needed for the placement of a back-up generator for the Municipal Center. Greg Unger, engineer for SDE, has indicated there will be a cost of between $3000 & $4000.00.

Vandalism is nil at the park. Kudos to KRE Security.

Mike Kershner electric has proposed a decorative light standard for 6^th Street Court area. Lynda will ascertain all the costs to install and report back to this committee prior to installation.

After review by the Borough’s solicitors, the Mural ordinance will be advertised.

All Zoning Hearing Fees have been increased to $750.00 immediately to defray costs.

The Property Committee recommends to Council the Hamburg Vol. Fire Co. be allowed to use the pool, free of charge, for a night of recreation. Wages for lifeguards will be paid the fire company (unless lifeguards donate time).

The Property Committee instructed Lynda to receive prices to trim/remove trees at the Hamburg Park. There are numerous trees that are dead or diseased and must be dealt with.

The band shell, at the Hamburg Park needs major repair in the not to distant future. The roof leaks, the roof supports are rotting; the concrete is flaking and cracking as an example of the needs. The Property Committee recommends after the OTF use in July, the band shell not be used until repairs are made. A letter of caution will be sent to the OTF prior to their use.

No decision has been made for a deck at the pool.

The canoe ramp/walkway at the park was washed away during the last downpour. The Borough Crew repaired the area; the river wins again.

A home at 103 State St. will be purchased by the County as the first step in the Redevelopment program.

Deena Kershner (OTF) indicated the Streetscape grant is being closed out and additional governmental funds are being searched. The concrete pavement area on Pine St. is mostly complete with the remaining funds.

CHAIRMAN OF PROPERTY Dale R. Schlenker

July 9, 2008

Personnel Committee Report

Persons attending: J. Heckman, M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, and L. Albright, Borough Manager.

Items discussed:

Closing the office for day or a half-day to walk in traffic was discussed. Boyertown is trying out this concept. The idea is to give the office staff a period of uninterrupted work time. (Ponder this and give us your comments and thoughts.)

Review new job descriptions as prepared by Manager Albright and offer feedback.

Starting salary for a new office hire may fall between $10.00 - $11.00/per hr.

Review the police pension study. Policeman would like additional benefits (possibly eligible under ACT 89 as follows:)

A. Service increment increase to $500 from $100 for the 26^th, 27^th, and 28^th year of service. (Cost to the borough $6,600/yr MMO)*

B. COLA – Cost of Living Increase with a 5% lifetime cap after retirement.

(Cost to the borough $5,355/yr MMO)*

Received a letter in recognition of Elaine Swavely’s completion of 27 hours of study on land development from the Center of Community Leadership.

Received Personnel Policy to review as drafted by Solicitor Zubey.

Recommend that Council approve the agreed upon two week accrued vacation buy back for manager Lynda Albright from 2008 forward until retirement for the purpose of medical benefit investment at her responsibility.

* at this time

 

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanette E. Heckman, chairperson

On the recommendation of the Chief of Police, a motion was made by Heather Berger and seconded by Dale Schlenker to appoint Rodger Gehring as a full-time regular police officer, retroactive to June 13, 2008, after having successfully completed six months of probation.

ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, H. Berger, E. Swavely

NAYES – R. Stetzler, M. Bertolet

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Planning Commission and Property Committee a motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Heather Berger to authorize the solicitors to review and advertise the proposed Mural Ordinance.

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Planning Commission, a motion was made by Martha Bertolet and seconded by Heather Berger to submit and direct the solicitor to take care of the revised amendments to the Rehabilitation Centers Ordinance and to take whatever other necessary actions relating to these zoning amendment changes.

NAYES – None

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roger Stetzler to approve payment of invoices totaling $247,079.69.

NAYES – None

Abstentions: T. Wilkinson from Reading Eagle due to direct income and J. Heckman from Francis L. Werley, Inc.

AT & T 36.17

AT & T 487.24

ALBERT’S WAREHOUSE 339.02

ALLIED WASTE 20,664.00

ASSOCIATION OF MAYORS 55.00

BARKO CLEANING 160.00

COUNTY OF BERKS 2,430.62

BERKS PRODUCTS 177.78

BLUE FORCE POLICE WEAR 465.00

BLUE MT. COMPUTER SERVICE 1,225.00

BRIGHT SIGN 660.00

BUCKMAN’S INC 1,008.29

MG DELONG 85.00

FISHER DAM AUTO 111.00

FORT DEARBORN 316.11

FROMM ELECTRIC 111.42

GALLS INC. 1,139.97

HARTMAN JANITORIAL 1,100.00

HERSHEY CREAMERY 917.37

J. L. HONBERGER 676.30

INSIGHT 1,969.98

KANTNER’S TIRES 53.00

MIKE KERSHNER 1,968.98

RANDY KLINE 550.00

KUZAN’S TRUE VALUE 80.34

LEBANON UNITED JOBBERS 1,482.07

LOWE’S 69.77

PAUL MELNICZEK 571.80

MET-ED 5,772.53

MILLER MUNICIPAL DIVISION 780.90

MOUNTAIN VIEW SUPPLY 270.89

MEIT 145.50

NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS 685.36

PPL GAS 1,195.43

PENN PRIDE 3,285.35

PESI BOTTLING GROUP 344.25

POWERCO 9.07

QUILL 83.04

RJR ENGINEERING 1,491.76

READING EAGLE 52.15

MJ REIDER 75.00

SAM’S CLUB 242.44

RICHARD SCHAEFFER 361.00

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY 212.69

SYSTEMS DESIGN 226.13

TELCO 580.00

THREN’S AUTO PARTS 198.72

THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR 197.31

TRIANGLE COMMUNICATIONS 161.50

UNIFIRST 392.25

VANBENNETT FOOD 374.80

VERIZON 449.07

WEIS MARKETS 21.65

FRANCIS WERLEY 1,336.93

TOTAL 57,856.87

INVOICES PAID DURING THE MONTH

RODGER GEHRING 678.66

SAM’S CLUB 2,499.95

KRE SECURITY 1,854.00

WILLIAM NABOZNY 186.70

BOROUGH OF HAMBURG – GROSS 98,463.11

BOROUGH OF HAMBURG – EMPR. SHARE SS 5,942.49

BOROUGH OF HAMBURG – TRANSFER TO CAPITAL 60,536.00

MET-ED 5,760.37

BUCKMANS 1,162.52

BERKS CO. TREASURER 361.50

KUZAN’S 276.91

MEIT 145.50

ILIANA RAMIREZ 8.00

LYNDA ALBRIGHT 113.77

BODY ZONE 360.00

GUY KETCH 150.00

LORI WHITEHEAD 98.61

UNION FIRE CO. #1 OF HAMBURG 10,000.00

PETTY CASH 29.80

POSTMASTER OF HAMBURG 594.93

TOTAL 189,222.82

TOTAL FOR APPROVAL $247,079.69

Nothing to report

Attest: