Conshohocken Borough

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

Mr. McConnell announced that there would be presentations to honor former Police Chief, James Dougherty, by resolution and to swear in new police officers to the Borough of Conshohocken Police Department. 

 

Mr. McConnell announced that there will be public comment taken before each item to be voted on; all other comments can be presented at the end of the meeting.

 

Police Chief Orler read aloud and presented a Resolution to honor former Police Chief, James Dougherty to Chief Dougherty’s family. 

 

Mr. Griffin made a motion to approve the appointment of Allyson Hassett as a part-time officer of the Borough of Conshohocken Police Department. Mr. Salus seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Phipps made a motion to approve the appointment of Sean Gregory as a full-time officer of the Borough of Conshohocken Police Department. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Griffin made a motion to approve the appointment and promotion of David Lennon as a Police Sergeant for the Borough of Conshohocken Police Department. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mayor Frost swore in three Police Officers to new positions; Allyson Hassett as part-time officer, Sean Gregory as full-time officer, and David Lennon promoted to Sergeant.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that there was an executive session scheduled after the meeting to discuss an Act 511 Tax Appeal and a personnel issue.

 

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

 

                       September 2011

 

 

A motion was made by Mr. Salus to accept the Treasurer’s report and pay all Borough bills. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Salus to approve the minutes of the September 21, 2011 Council Meeting. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to authorize the Solicitor to advertise the proposed Traffic Ordinance revisions for adoption. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Griffin made a motion to allow Staley Electric to work on Sunday to stucco their building. Mr. Phipps seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Zoning Hearing Board approved the 516 Fayette Street application with conditions and that the project will be submitted for Land Development review.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Fall 2011 Newsletter was mailed on October 14, 2011.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the committee continues to work on the proposed revisions to the Rental Ordinance.

 

Mr. Stokley made a motion to authorize the Manager to execute a Sewer Module for 539 Spring Mill Avenue which the Authority has endorsed. Mr. Salus seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Stokley made a motion to approve a Real Estate Property Tax Exemption for 424 West 10^th Avenue for a disabled Veteran. Mr. Salus seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that as part of the 2011 Open Space Greening project, shade trees have been ordered to be planted in the Borough and that the locations are currently being selected.

 

Record in the minutes that on October 5, 2011, Ms. Maye made a motion to award the bid for stormwater sewer repairs crossing Maple Street at West Fourth Avenue in the amount of $7,210 to Laffredo Construction. The motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley. All voted in favor except Mr. Tucci who was absent. Motion passed. 

 

Mr. Phipps made a motion to approve a change order in the amount of $12,750 associated with the 4^th and Maple stormwater sewer repairs. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that a pre-construction meeting has been scheduled for the CDBG Curb Ramp project.

 

Mr. Marabella provided comment regarding the emergency repair of two sinkholes. Mr. Marabella announced that Colwell Lane pipe has been replaces and that the West 3^rd Avenue repair is complete and the road is undergoing restoration.

 

Record in the minutes that on October 5, 2011, Mr. Stokley made a motion to authorize payment of $94,707.28 to Laffredo Construction for emergency repair of the sinkhole located on West Third Avenue. The motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor except Mr. Tucci who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Record in the minutes that on October 5, 2011, Mr. Stokley made a motion to award the bid for emergency repair of the sinkhole at Colwell and West Elm in the amount of $19,904 to Laffredo Construction. The motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor except Mr. Tucci who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella stated the Public Works Committee held an Electronics Collection Event on October 8, 2011. Mr. Harvey Buek provided additional information regarding the event. Mr. Buek stated that they collected approximately 2.75 tons of electronic equipment for recycling. Mr. Buek stated that the Public Works Committee would like to plan to hold the event semi-annually, with the next event to be scheduled for the spring.

 

Mr. Stokley made a motion to hire Anthony Scott as a part-time Public Works employee for $11 per hour. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed. 

 

Mr. Stokley made a motion to authorize the Manager to release escrow funds in the amount of $3,026.17 plus interest and less pending invoices to DKB Properties for the project located at 225/227 West 5^th Avenue. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed. 

 

Mr. Griffin made a motion to authorize the Manager to release escrow funds in the amount of $60,021.21 plus interest and less pending invoices contingent on furnishing a maintenance bond and satisfying all outstanding issues to HOW Properties for the project located at 1145 Forrest Avenue. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed. 

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Aubrey Collins wall contracts have been signed and the Committee is discussing delaying this work until spring.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the “A” Field regrading project has started and the tank has been removed.  Mr. Marabella stated that the work has been slow due to weather delays.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the engineer is working on the bid package for the Sutcliffe Park Concession Stand. The project will likely be advertised for proposals in late November.

 

Mr. Phipps made a motion to adopt a Resolution for the Community Development Director to make application for the PECO Green Region Grant for funds to be dedicated to improvements at Mary Wood Park. Mr. Salus seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

The Mayor’s report for the month of September

 

 

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

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Police Department will hold a shredding event on Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the third medication take back event is scheduled for October 29, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Halloween Parade, sponsored by the Mayor’s Special Events Committee, will be held on October 29, 2011. Registration will begin at Fire House No. 2 at 3:15 p.m. and the parade will begin at 4:00 p.m.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that we are continuing to work on the 2012 budget.

 

Record in the Minutes that Borough Council and employees held a meeting with the Actuary on October 5, 2011 at 6:30 P.M. The Borough’s representative, John Vargo, from Conrad Siegel Actuaries provided information on the updated costs of the Police and Fire Pension Plans.

 

Mr. Phipps made a motion to adopt a Resolution to distribute the 2011 State Aid to the pension plans this month. Mr. Salus seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Salus made a motion to approve Ms. Emily Huff to a three (3) year term on the Human Relations Commission. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Salus made a motion to approve Mr. Jason Fortenberry to a two (2) year term on the Human Relations Commission. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that letters have been sent out for the 2012 Commission and Board appointments in October.

 

Record in the minutes that on October 5, 2012, held a second Public Hearing to review the Borough’s application for 2011 Community Development Block Grant funds.   Conshohocken will apply for $125,826 from the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development for housing rehabilitation. Ms. Stetler explained that this amount represents a 16%, or $26,033 decrease from the 2010 approved funds. She stated that as a result of the decreased funding, no funds will be available for curb ramps. Mr. Phipps made a motion to approve a Resolution to apply for the $125,826 in CDBG funds. Motion was seconded by Ms. Maye. All voted in favor except Mr. Tucci who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Griffin made a motion to approve the settlement agreement for the Laferty properties assessment appeal. Mr. Phipps seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Stokley made a motion to approve a Declaration of Disaster for Hurricane Irene. Mr. Phipps seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Stokley made a motion to approve a Declaration of Disaster for Tropical Storm Irene. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Griffin made a motion to adopt a resolution to designate an agent for PEMA’s Hurricane Irene application. Mr. Tucci seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Salus made a motion to adopt a resolution to designate an agent for PEMA’s Tropical Storm Irene application. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

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

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Borough Holiday Party will be held on December 3, 2011 and the Washington Fire Company Hall.

 

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

 

Mike Clark, attorney for the Borough of Conshohocken Sewer Authority, provided comment regarding sewer rates. Mr. Clark indicated in April 2010, rates were increased to address an operating deficit by the Authority. Mr. Clark stated that the increased rates have satisfied the deficit and the Authority is now operating within its budget. Mr. Clark further stated that when rates were increased, the service fee applied was per property rather than per demand or equivalent dwelling units (EDUs) for each property. Mr. Clark stated that service fees will be adjusted in 2012 to be applied per EDU for each property, which will result in a decrease in service fees for single family properties throughout the Borough.

 

Frank Carlin of Washington Fire Company No. 1, stated that Washies took 1st Place for marching at the Pennsylvania Fireman's Convention and also took 2nd Place for light rescue. Mr. Salus suggested that a Resolution should be prepared to acknowledge the Fire Company’s achievements.

 

Donald Morrison of the Philadelphia Fight Rugby League stated that the Fight ended their season in August and hosted USA Rugby League Championship at the “A” Field. Mr. Morrison thanked the Borough for their support and also for the feature in the Fall 2011 Newsletter.

 

Mr. Matt Ryan provided an article that indicated that Conshohocken had the lowest office space vacancy rate in the area and suggested that the Borough further research the marketing and sale of the Verizon building.

 

Mayor Frost thanked the Fun Fest Committee including Angela Hendricks and Brian Coll for their hard work and a successful event.

 

Mr. Stokley thanked the Conshohocken Fire Departments for their hard work in arranging the Fire Prevention Week event and for a successful event.

 

Meeting adjourned 8:00 P.M.

 

Francis J. Marabella

Borough Secretary