MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 12, 2006 MEETING OF BOROUGH COUNCIL

The eleventh regular meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council for 2006 was held this evening at the Hamburg Municipal Center with Vice-President Martha Bertolet presiding. The meeting was opened with Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Prayer.

Members Present –Martha Bertolet, Tina Yoder, Roger Stetzler, Roy Heffner, Elaine Swavely

Members Absent – Tammy Wilkinson Dale Schlenker

Also Present – Borough Manager Lynda Albright, Kim Y. Berger, Recording Secretary, Solicitor Heidi Masano

ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, T. Yoder, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner, E. Swavely

NAYES – None

COURTESY TO AUDIENCE

Scott Kreider questioned if someone has been in contact with PA DOT regarding the parade and I-78 work. Manager Albright stated that she has been in touch with them and that the line up will not be able to be held where it normally is. Manager Albright stated that she has been in contact with the Chairwoman, Jolene Keck and she knows the situation. Manager Albright stated that the 5^th Street bridge removal will be begin on Thursday, June 15, 2006.

Deena Kershner stated that she was at the annual conference and it was very exciting. She has a lot of good new ideas and she can’t wait to get started on some of them.

ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, T. Yoder, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner, E. Swavely

NAYES – None

ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, T. Yoder, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner, E. Swavely

NAYES – None

BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT

MAY, 2006

The Borough Manager’s activities for the month of MAY, 2006 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 at various times of the month with John Leonforte to review various building projects and code enforcement issues he is working on. John and I also met with representatives of Barry Isett to discuss the possibility of the borough acquiring the state roads in the Borough, i.e., 4^th, State and Windsor Sts. Also, discussed funding methods should the borough decide to pursue this in the future.

Interviewed, along with Kim Berger, Office Manager, applicants for the part-time clerk-receptionist position. Recommendation for hire made to Personnel Committee and starting date for the position is June 5, 2006. The new employee will be working from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Met with Barry Moyer of STV Engineering to review and discuss the latest bridge inspections for the bridges owned and maintained by the Borough. At least one of the bridges will require substantial work in the near future. Will be reviewing this with the Road Committee.

Kim and I met with a representative of Pitney-Bowes regarding mandatory changes to our postage meter to comply with postal requirements.

Representatives of the Property Committee, Chief Painter, Public Works Supt. and I met with Merrill Arndt of Four-Star security to look at various options for security at the park and pool as a result of all the vandalism. A proposal will be submitted for review by the committee.

The audit of the police pension plan continued and should be finalized once the 2005 borough audit has been received.

Representatives of the Road Committee, Chief Painter, Public Works Supt. Richard Pickel and I met with Terry of Terry’s Tree Experts on-site on Church Street to discuss ideas for possible removal of the arborvitae in order to place stop signs at Church and Catherine Sts. for better visibility.

During the month, attended two regular and one special meeting of Council, one regular and one special meeting of the Hamburg Municipal Authority, Recreation Board, Finance, Property, Road, and Safety 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 May, 2006.

Throughout the month the crew changed oil in the police cars.

A lot of time was spent erecting signs throughout the borough at various locations.

Cutting of grass and weeds continues at the parks, streets, alleys, etc.

The Flood Control Dams have started to be cut.

Once again, due to vandalism, the stage was painted for the Memorial Day festivities.

Repaired more park benches.

For the contractor repairing the water leak at 4^th and 61, the crew dug out the water patch.

Spraying of weeds around town along the curbs continues.

Put down mulch around the municipal building.

Started painting crosswalks and the word "stop" around the borough.

Repaired ½" service line on Raymond Avenue.

Throughout the month assisted the contractors on N. 4^th Street and N. Crescent Avenue.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard L. Pickel Public Works Supt.

Water

While the lion’s share of water came from the dam this month we have started to run Well 5 to accommodate Wissahickon since they have started production of drinking water. We expect their consumption to increase over the next several months.

The consumer confidence report has been prepared and is in the hands of the office staff. We are on schedule for distribution in June.

The I-78 contractor hit the new hydrant at Northmont and I-78. They had Exeter Supply make the repairs.

We once again need to replace a chlorine pump at the water filtration plant. We are working with Kohl Bros. to find a different style of pump to try to eliminate wearing out these pumps

Wastewater

We continue to experience problems with ph. Influent values are normal but there is a huge drop in ph across the aeration basin. We are adding soda ash to the aeration basin and caustic soda to the effluent to control things but still reported several violations for the month. We are exploring several avenues to find the problem.

Construction is continuing pretty much on schedule. The clarifiers are ready for Dutchland to start the concrete work and Descco is laying pipe in the ditch. At the pumping station the channel monster is on site and ready for installation as soon as we have the new electric service on line which should be near the beginning of June. The roofers have started and Pikeland again has people on site.

We uncovered, opened and repaired several manholes in conjunction with the TV and grout work being done. The original scope of work has been finished with few problems found. The contractor and engineer are reconciling the money spent so far and we will then decide how to proceed.

We have received notice to participate in the EPA DMRQA program. I acknowledged receipt of the notice, ordered samples for the in house lab and notified the contract lab.

Respectfully Submitted

Keith L. Brobst

Water/wastewater Superintendent

Throughout the month of May, I continued to work with Dell, SSI and John T. regarding the server issue. We are continuing to have some problems with the Windows Server.

Due to our fax machine succumbing to its age of almost ten years, a new fax machine was purchased for the office.

The municipal access channel and the website were updated.

Assisted the various departments with issues.

Various street lights were reported as being out.

We have been receiving lots of weed complaints and these were handled by phone calls and letters.

Various workman’s compensation claims were handled.

Assisted the Jaycees on numerous occasions as they were preparing for their Family Festival.

Interviews for the part-time office clerk were held and our new part-time clerk will begin work on June 5, 2006.

Correspondence, complaint letters, handicap request letters were completed.

Throughout the month I attended two Council meetings, staff meeting and one special Council meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
Kim Y. Berger
Office Manager

May 2006

Eleven construction permits and fourteen zoning permits and Three paving/sidewalk permits were issued in May.

Major projects ongoing or proposed are as follows:

Hamburg Commons, Rite Aide and Arby’s site work is done. Intersection work is complete.

Paving work for N 4^th St and N Crescent Ave. is complete.

The former Wrights building, at Pine and 2^nd St, has been purchased and is being cleaned up, secured and

repairs are being done. Preliminary plans for development have been shown to the planning commission.

Penn Dot 78 construction project is progressing.

Sewage Treatment plant upgrade is progressing.

Work has begun at the municipal pool.

Barry Isett has been contracted to perform a preliminary study to determine if any wetland exists in the proposed area of the ramp/ jug handle From Rte 61 to Grand Street. First indication is no wetlands found beyond the bank top.

Barry Isett has been contracted to perform a preliminary study to determine cost to place a traffic light at Hawkridge and South 4^th Street. Ludgate Engineering declined to offer a proposal. WJP declined to offer a proposal. SDE may be asked to offer a proposal.

Streetscape work has begun on S 4^th Street. Eight vaults are being filled.

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

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

 John Leonforte 
Code Administrator

PROPERTY COMMITTEE

MAY 24, 2006

MUNICIPAL CENTER – 3:30 PM

ATTENDING: Lynda Albright, Roy Heffner, Roger Stetzler, Tina Yoder, Tammy Wilkinson & Dale Schlenker

Community day handouts were chosen and ordered.

Security measures were discussed and will be researched for installation at the park.

The Pool & Park Ordinance was reviewed and after further discussion was returned to the Solicitor for more clarification prior to publication.

Norman Delong has completed the repairs to the Center Field food stand. Well done.

Sustained Energy will present, shortly, their report on the six intersection traffic lights and the saving inherent to the Borough.

Eastern Air Balance has begun the corrective action needed to supply proper air circulation in the Municipal Center.

The Property Committee recommends the placement of the traffic signal pole, at 4^th & pine, to be at the northwest corner, adjacent to the M&T bank parking lot.

Prices are still being requested, so as to reduce the costs, for concrete footers at the salt storage area.

The Property Committee recommends the approval of the OTF usage of the Borough property at Front & State, for construction equipment storage, during the Streetscape improvements.

The Property Committee recommends the request of Mr. Jim Lau to place an "RV" trailer on their land, on Apple St., for a period of 6 months, while repairing their home due to fire.

Property Committee recommends North Berks Recreation group, in partnership with Sailsports, be permitted to hold their annual bike race, pending review by Chief Painter.

Chairman of Property Dale R. Schlenker

Present: Roger Stetzler, Dale Schlenker, Martha Bertolet, John Leonforte, Richard Pickel and Lynda Albright

The bill was received from the curbing contractor, but because of the delay in finishing the job, no action was taken on payment.

The paving crew started work today to grade and pave North Crescent Avenue between North 5^th Street and Poplar Street. Some problems came up with the grading of the street. Some storm drains were too high. Several problems with driveways and yards were taken care of.

Certain streets that the highway contractors are using are being broken apart by the truck traffic. The contractor should be responsible for repairing them. The solicitor or someone with PA Dot will be contacted. Estimates have been received for the roadway from Front Street to Route 61. No action taken.

On the recommendation of the Borough Solicitor, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Elaine Swavely to approve the NIMS Resolution (National Incident Management System). (copy attached with your packet for review).

On the recommendation of the Property Committee, a motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Roy Heffner to approve the request of the North Berks Recreation group, in partnership with Sailsports, be permitted to hold their annual bike race on Saturday, August 19, 2006 from 8 a.m. until noon.

On the recommendation of the Property Committee, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Roger Stetzler to permit placement of a camper trailer on Apple Street on the property of Jim Lau for a period of six months, while repairing/replacing their home due to a fire.

A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Elaine Swavely to approve payment of invoices totaling $201,983.09

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. on the motion of Tina Yoder and seconded by Elaine Swavely.