Conshohocken Borough

 

The President of Council Mr. Paul McConnell called the meeting to order. Prayer of Council was said by Heather Hall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said. Members of Council present at the meeting were: Mr. Jason Salus, Mr. James Griffin, Ms. Carolyn Maye, Mr. Anthony Tucci, Mr. Robert Stokley, Mr. Edward Phipps and Mr. Paul McConnell.

 
Mr. Marabella announced that there was an executive session at 6:00 P.M. to discuss litigation, personnel and Act 511 Tax Appeals.

 

Mayor Frost swore in the new Police Officer, Eric Hall.

 

Mr. Marabella gave the Treasurer’s report for the month of June 2011.

 

 

June 2011

 

 

 

 

      

 

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

 

A motion was made by Mr. Tucci to approve the amended minutes of the June 15, 2011 Council Meeting removing Jack Coll’s discussion. Motion was seconded by Mr. Salus. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that there is a meeting scheduled for September 14, 2011, at 7:30 P.M. with residents to discuss the expansion of the Veterans Memorial Park.

 

Resident, Joseph Januzelli, questioned the Resolution for making the 100 Block of East Third Avenue a Residential Parking Zone. A motion was made by Ms. Maye to adopt a Resolution for Residential Parking Zones for 1-6 West First Avenue, the 100 block of East Eight Avenue and not including the 100 block of East Third Avenue. Motion was seconded by Mr. Tucci. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that a request was made for an additional parking area and one-way street request for West Hector Street.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that parking kiosk stations for the Borough are being discussed.

 

Record in the minutes that on July 6, 2011 Borough Council held a Waiver of Off-Street Parking Hearing for 109 Fayette Street. Ms. Stetler explained the purpose of the hearing and the owner of the Hair Salon, Mr. Sergio Tosti, explained the hours of operation and the number of employees. Mr. Griffin made a motion to approve the request for the Waiver of Off-Street parking contingent on the owner having two (2) off street parking spaces. The motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley. Everyone voted in favor of the motion except Ms. Maye and Mr. Tucci who were absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that Penn Dot has approved the two additional stop signs in the Borough that they were looking at, one at East Elm Street and Ash Street and the other is at East Hector Street and Jones Street.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to adopt an amended Resolution that does not endorse or support the County Safety Communications System upgrade for the Borough’s radios. Motion was seconded by Mr. Tucci. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the West Elm Street Bridge Project will be bid in October 2011, notice to proceed will be issued in January 2012 and the estimated reopening is November 2012. 

 

A motion was made by Ms. Maye to waive the permit fees for SS. Cosmas and Damian for the air conditioning replacement work. Motion was seconded by Mr. Salus. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Office Supervisor interviews will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2011, at 6:00 P.M.

 

A motion was made by Ms. Maye to hire a Code Enforcement Secretary. Motion was seconded by Mr. Salus. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that at the next Personnel Committee meeting there will be a discussion regarding the Borough of Conshohocken’s conference reimbursement policy for Elected Officials. 

 

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to adopt the Solicitor’s recommendation for a Personnel Manual update for our FMLA policy concerning amendments for leave for members of the armed services. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the September Articles for the Newsletter are due August 5, 2011.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that at the August Workshop meeting Council will have an outline of the proposed changed to the Rental Ordinance for their review.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Salus to authorize an application to the Home Depot Foundation for a hedge border fence for the Community Garden. Motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Tucci to approve $15,200 in expenditures for the Community Garden.

Motion was seconded by Mr. Salus. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Paul Hughes, Engineer from Remington, Vernick & Beach explained the Fayette Street Streetscape Infill Project Grant work. A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to authorize the Engineer to proceed with this Project. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to accept the Engineer’s request for engineering fees for the Fayette Street Streetscape Infill Project Grant work for $32,593. Motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

Mr. Marabella announced that the work on the wall behind the property at 225 East Hector Street in Aubrey Collins Park will begin around July 25, 2011.

 

Record in the minutes that on July 6, 2011 Mr. Phipps made a motion to reject the “A” Field Regrading bids and authorize the Engineer to rebid the project. The motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley. Everyone voted in favor of the motion except Ms. Maye and Mr. Tucci who were absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the “A” Field Regrading project bids will be received on August 2, 2011. The field is scheduled to be closed after Sunday, October 9, 2011 for this project.

 

Record in the minutes that on July 6, 2011 Mr. Griffin made a motion to approve the $2,275 additional cost for Mary Wood Park Improvements Project Phase I be paid out of the Parks and Recreation Maintenance budget account. The motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley. Everyone voted in favor of the motion except Ms. Maye and Mr. Tucci who were absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Committee needs to discuss the use of grant funds in Sutcliffe Park.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that we received a Grant from the State for $250,000 for the concession stand project and the Committee is working with the Developer concerning the Parks and Recreation Impact Fee work for this project.

 

Mr. Phipps announced that there will be free concerts in Sutcliffe Park on August 2^nd and August 16^th from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that there will be a rugby game at the “A” Field on July 23, 2011 at 5:00 P.M.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that a meeting with the property owners adjacent to the Boathouse Project was held on July 14, 2011.

 

The Mayor’s report for the month of June

 

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to accept the Police report for the month of June. Motion was seconded by Ms. Maye. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that residents have voiced their concerns with teachers parking all day with permits on East Third Avenue.

 

A motion was made by Ms. Maye to approve Officer Walter’s request for Educational Reimbursement for Montgomery Community College classes – Social Problems 103 and Correctional Process 240 at a total cost of $750.00 for courses plus book cost. Motion was seconded by Mr. Tucci. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to hire Eric Hall as a new Police Department Officer. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that work is being done on the 2011 Mid Year Budget.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Actuary meeting with Borough Council and the employees to discuss the January 1, 2011’s Actuarial report is set for September 7, 2011 at 6:00 P.M.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that interviews for the Human Relations Commission appointments will be held on September 21, 2011 at 6:00 P.M. 

 

A motion was made by Mr. Salus to accept the Revitalization Plan recommendation for a Communications Plan for the Borough and accept DeFazio Communications proposal pending receiving grants for this project. Motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley. Roll call vote was taken.

Mr. Salus, Mr. Griffin, Ms. Maye and Mr. Phipps voted yes. Mr. Tucci, Mr. Stokley and Mr. McConnell voted no. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that discussion will be held in August regarding the planning funds available through DVRPC’s TCDI program. TCDI funds provide for 80% of the study cost with a 20% match required from the Borough.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Montgomery County Planning Commission has speakers available to discuss model ordinances in the areas of residential use and design, open space preservation, environmental protection and mixed use and commercial design. If Council is interested in a presentation there is a full list of potential topics that were included in Council packets.

 

Record in the minutes that on July 6, 2011 Mr. Salus made a motion to deny the Tax Appeal of David and Tamara Bryant for the abatement of interest and penalty on their assessment. The motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. Everyone voted in favor except Mr. Stokley who had to leave early and Ms. Maye and Mr. Tucci who were absent. Motion passed. 

 

Record in the minutes that on July 6, 2011 Mr. Salus made a motion to deny the Tax Appeal of Hallowell Court Apartments LLC for the abatement of interest and penalty on their assessment. The motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. Everyone voted in favor of the motion except Mr. Stokley who had to leave early and Ms. Maye and Mr. Tucci who were absent. Motion passed.

 

Record in the minutes that on July 6, 2011 Council instructed Mr. Marabella to record in the minutes the questions asked by Mr. McConnell and the answers given by Mr. Marabella to the following questions: Mr. McConnell question 1 – when was the Borough of Conshohocken Tax Millage increased? Answer by Mr. Marabella – December 2007 for the tax year 2008. Mr. McConnell question 2 – Was Mr. McConnell on Council at this time? Answer by Mr. Marabella – no. Mr. McConnell question 3 – was Mr. Coll on Council? Answer by Mr. Marabella – yes. Mr. McConnell question 4 – was there ever a tax increase when he was on Council? Answer by Mr. Marabella – no.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Salus to release the 2011 Budgeted contribution to the Colonial Neighborhood Council for $6,000. Motion was seconded by Ms. Maye. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Engineer’s Reports items were included in the Committee reports.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that Council has copies of the Borough’s monthly calendars for review.

 

 

 

Chief Orler updated everyone that the documents he received from Jack Coll last month were already investigated by the Police Department and County and that person was found guilty.

 

Joseph Januzelli, 305 Spring Mill Avenue, commented that if Council markets the town more they should check with the residents first.

 

Gerry McTamney, West 11^th Avenue, stated that he was concerned with PECO’s work on our trees and that the Shade Tree Commission should look into this. He was informed that the Commission has already done this. He also asked Council to look at height restrictions on buildings.

 

Mr. Stokley stated that the 3^rd of July fireworks were a great event again this year and he thanked the Police, Fire Police, Public Works and Fire Companies for their hard work to make this a success.

 

Mr. Salus asked Mr. Stokley if he knows of any curbs and sidewalk work that would have been completed during his time served as Public Works Chairman for friends of elected officials and Mr. Stokley said no.

 

Meeting adjourned 8:45 P.M.

 

 

 

Francis J. Marabella

Borough Secretary