Conshohocken Borough

BOROUGH OF CONSHOHOCKEN

COUNCIL MEETING

APRIL 15, 2009

Meeting called to order by the President of Council Mrs. Sandra Caterbone. The Prayer of Council was given by Mr. Stokley and The Pledge of Allegiance was said.   Members of Council present at the meeting were Mr. Jason Salus, Mr. Paul McConnell, Mr. James Griffin, Mr. Robert Stokley and Mrs. Sandra Caterbone.  Mr. Anthony Tucci and Mr. Edward Phipps were absent.

Congressman Sestak met with Council before the meeting to discuss with them how Borough residents could contact his office with any of their questions or requests.

President Caterbone read a Resolution for Anna Shatz’s 100^th Birthday and presented it to her family.

A motion was made by Mr. Salus to adopt a Resolution honoring one of our Borough residents, Anna Schatz, who will be celebrating her 100^th birthday on May 2^nd.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed. 

Fire Chief Bob Phipps presented retired Fire Chief badges to Retired Chiefs Jesse Stemple and Robert Zinni.

Mr. Marabella reported to Council that the worksheet which details all open and closed actions was attached, if there are any deletions or additions to let him know.

Ethic statements are due by May 1, 2009.

Our 2008 Audit will begin on May 18, 2009.

Mr. Marabella reminded Council that after Council Meeting there will be an Executive Session to discuss real estate and personnel matters.

Mr. Marabella gave the Treasurer’s report for the month of March, 2009.

March 2009                         Total 2009

Cash Receipts                          $706,668.31                      $1,778,665.43

Cash Disbursements                 $389,118.07                      $   967,624.05

Payroll Paid                              $222,629.69                      $   672,850.20

Net Cash Surplus/ (Deficit)       $  94,920.55                      $   138,173.18

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to accept the Treasurer’s report and pay all Borough bills. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve the minutes of the March 18, 2009 Council meeting. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to sign the contract for the fireworks after receiving a letter from Mr. Liam McGuigian insuring adequate money has been collected for the cost.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin.  Mr. McGuigan stated that we have a little over one-half collected to date with more contributions coming in daily. All voted in favor.  Motion passed.

Box elder trees have been removed.  Chemical Exterminating will be doing a treatment on Friday for box elder bugs and ticks.

Little League Opening Day will be Saturday 4/18/09 at 10:00 a.m.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to authorize receiving bids for the “A” Field building stucco project and pay for the project cost out of the Parks and Recreation impact fees.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to authorize the staff to repair the wall at 225 East Hector Street.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to adopt a Resolution for submitting  a DCNR Grant for a feasibility study to connect the County Cross County Trail. There will be a 50% match for this Grant and the Grant application is for $20,000 to $25,000.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed. 

A motion was made by Bob Stokley to replace 2 generators at the “A” Field  and authorize this expenditure from the Parks and Recreation Impact Fees.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Salus.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who recussed.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to authorize the hiring of 2 additional summer help public works employees.

Authorization would be to rehire Anthony Scott and hire Eric Reid.

Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin.

All voted in favor.

Motion passed.

Announcement was made that there is only one (1) position left for summer help.

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin authorizing Public Works Department to either sell or send to auction a 1981 International truck with no body.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley authorizing the Manager to release escrow to Shaffer Builders in the amount of $15,356.17 plus interest earnings less any bills.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed.

Mr. Griffin reminded residents that the Rambler’s new schedule is Mondays and Fridays Only.  Mr. Marabella announced that this was advertised as a Press Release.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to adopt a Resolution for handling any Police Open Records requests.  Motion was seconded by Mr. McConnell.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to adopt the  Environmental Advisory Council Ordinance.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed.  Mr. McConnell announced that volunteers would be needed.

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to authorize the Code Department to sell one of the code vehicles.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed. 

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell for Council to accept the Emergency Management Director Job Description after the solicitor’s review.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to extend the Towing Contracts for one (1) year.  Roll call was taken.  Mrs. Caterbone, Mr. Salus, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Stokley all voted in favor.  Mr. Tucci and Mr. Phipps were absent.  Five voted in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion was made to record in the Minutes the vote taken on April 1, 2009 authorizing the Staff to submit a COPS – CHRP Grant for an additional Officer for the Police Department.  Motion was made by Mr. Stokley.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Salus.  All voted in favor.  Mrs. Caterbone and Mr. Tucci were absent from the meeting.

An anouncement made for the residents in the Borough to be aware that people were in the neighborhoods saying they were there to assess for HUD repairs.  Residents were advised to call office or police if approached.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to waive the handicapped parking fee for the resident at 303 East Elm Street.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to authorize the staff and the solicitor to prepare an Ordinance and all necessary documents to join the DVHIT Trust.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Salus.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed.

Mr. McConnell announced the May 2009 Library events for the month and all of Council has a copy.  He also stated that the information was on the Borough website.

A motion by Mr. Griffin was made to adopt a Resolution for Land Development approval for 212 Wood Street (Hammer’s Junk Yard).  Motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed.  The Solicitor asked Mr. Ratoskey if he agreed with the Resolution and Mr. Ratoskey said he did.

A motion was made by Mr. Salus authorizing the staff to implement a Shared Ride Reimbursement Program for only the senior (65 or older) residents in the Borough.  Motion was seconded by Mr. McConnell.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed.

The Mayor’s report for the month of March 2009:

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to accept the Mayor’s report. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A crossing guard is still needed at 3^rd & Fayette Street.  The Police Chief stated that someone is interested and they can start in September if Council agrees.

The Conshohocken Car Show is scheduled for June 6, 2009 with a rain date of June 13, 2009. Mayor Collins stated that the committee is working on making this event a Community Day with a lot of activities for everyone to enjoy.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to allow the Friends of the Forgotten motorcycle ride on June 7, 2009, pending approval from PennDot.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley authorizing the Police Department to have Public Works destroy the old bicycles that are in storage and send them to the scrap yard.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to adopt a Resolution for a Land Development approval for 312 West 4^th Avenue.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to adopt a Resolution naming September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and allowing ribbons to be place around the trees on Fayette Street.  Stipulation was made that at the end of the month all the ribbons must be removed.  Motion was seconded by Mr. McConnell.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed.

An anouncement was made that the 2009 Farmer’s Market will open on Fridays starting May 1, 2009.  The hours will be from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

A motion was made by Mr. Salus to hire Carol Smith as Market Manager for the Farmer’s Market. Motion was seconded by Mr. McConnell.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed. 

The Wastewater Authority will meet with Council and the public at the Council Workshop Meeting on May 6, 2009 at 6:15 p.m. to update everyone on the overall operation of the Authority.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Mr. Ty Borkowski questioned Council on who should be called when there are project soil problems.  He was informed that Mr. Paul Hughes of Remington, Vernick and Beach should be the person to be called.

Mr. Leili, 333 W. Elm Street, asked a question concerning Hammer’s Junk Yard storm water management.  Mrs. Caterbone and Mr. Rob Ratoskey answered his question.

Mr. Gerry McTamney, 239 W. 11^th Avenue, stated he had a few questions about the Verizon building and Code Enforcement problems (i.e. weeds and signs).  He asked what the Borough was doing about all of their building (i.e., what plans for the future) and he said he was still receiving phone calls from residents about signs in the right of way and weeds growing.  Mrs. Caterbone announced that no residents should call Mr. McTamney because he is no longer a Borough employee and all calls should be made to the Code Department at Borough Hall.

Mr. Bill Pierce, E. Hector Street, spoke about problems with cats and skunk odors in his neighborhood.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to adjourn meeting.

Meeting adjourned 8:15 P.M.

Francis J. Marabella

Borough Secretary