Conshohocken Borough

The President of Council Mr. Paul McConnell called the meeting to order. Prayer of Council by Mr. Tucci, and the Pledge of Allegiance were said. Members of Council present at the meeting were: Mr. James Griffin, Mr. Edward Phipps, Mr. Robert Stokley, Mr. Anthony Tucci and Mr. Paul McConnell. Ms. Carolyn Maye arrived at 7:10 p.m. Mr. Jason Salus was absent.

Mr. McConnell announced that Mr. Salus had a loss in his family and would be absent. Mr. McConnell requested a moment of silence for Mr. Salus’ family.

 

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

 

Mr. Marabella announced that there was an executive session prior to discuss personnel matters. 

 

Mr. Savona announced that there was a Tax Appeal by NS Assisted Living Communities, Inc. Mr. Savona recommended to deny the Appeal. Mr. Griffin made a motion to deny the appeal. Mr. Tucci seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus and Ms. Maye who were absent. Motion passed.

 

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

 

                       November 2011

 

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

 

A motion was made by Mr. Tucci to approve the minutes of the November 16, 2011 Council Meeting. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps.   All voted in favor except Mr. Salus and Ms. Maye who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Solicitor provided recommendations regarding Curbs and Sidewalks Policies and Procedures. Council agreed to discuss this matter at the January workshop meeting.

 

Mr. McConnell announced that Ms. Maye arrived.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that Council had for consideration a motion to authorize the contribution of the 1990 Ford Fire Truck and the Police Department’s 1983 GMC Rescue Truck, which are currently not in use, to the Terry Farrell Firefighter Fund. Captain Mike Maxwell of Washington Fire House No. 1 spoke regarding the fund and explained that Terry Farrell was a firefighter who lost his life in the September 11 World Trade Center attacks. Captain Maxwell stated that the Fund’s “Surplus Equipment Program” collects good usable fire equipment and gear and distributes the equipment to Fire Departments that do not have the tax base to purchase firefighting equipment that is needed. Mr. Tim Lohan, who manages the Fund, stated that this donation would go to the Alabama Fire College. Mr. Lohan further stated that a steel remnant of the World Trade Towers is currently stored at Washington Fire House No. 1 and would be transported by the donated Fire Truck on its travels to Alabama. The donation ceremony will be held at Washington Fire House and the equipment will begin the journey.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to authorize the contribution of the 1990 Ford Fire Truck and the Police Department’s 1983 GMC Rescue Truck to the Terry Farrell Firefighter Fund. Mr. Phipps seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve the appointment of Mr. Stephen Phipps as Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator for another two (2) year term. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor by Roll Call vote except Mr. Ed Phipps who stated that Mr. Stephen Phipps is his brother and recused himself and Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Ms. Maye to approve a Resolution for Land Development approval for 516 Fayette Street. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that Council had for consideration a motion for a Resolution for Land Development approval for 539 Spring Mill Road. Mr. Ratosky, owner and developer of the property, spoke about the application and requested a reduction of the fee-in-lieu for open space dedication from $3,000 per residential unit to $2,000 per residential unit. Council agreed to discuss the matter further at the January workshop to determine the appropriate fee-in-lieu amount.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve a Resolution for Land Development approval for 539 Spring Mill Road conditioned upon removal of paragraph 5 which provided a waiver for a fee-in-lieu of open space in the amount of $3,000 per residential unit proposed to be constructed. Ms. Maye seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.  

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the planting has been completed for the Open Space Greening Project.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve a change order for the Open Space Green Project which involves no change in cost and only a change in species being planted. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.  

 

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to approve a change order for the 2011 Road Program in the amount of $4,461 to complete work on the west side of 8^th Avenue at Maple Street. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.  

 

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to accept the Engineer’s recommendation to extend the contract for the 2011 Road Program for 75 days. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.  

 

A motion was made by Ms. Maye to approve the Laffredo Construction invoice for $3,600 for sinkhole repairs. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the last Fall Leaf Collection will be the week of December 19^th. 

 

Mr. McConnell announced that Christmas tree pick-up will occur on Wednesdays. Mr. McConnell stated that artificial trees should not be put out for yard waste pick-up and that all decorations shall be removed from trees.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Engineer has recommended that Council provide a liaison for the Wayfinding Signage project. Council agreed to discuss the matter at the January workshop meeting.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to approve the Engineer’s proposal for engineering the Wayfinding Signage Project in the amount of $4,072. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps.  All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to authorize the Borough Manager to release escrow to John Staley for 110 E Hector Street in the amount of $24,495.00 pending payment of all outstanding invoices with $7,193.50 to remain in escrow. Mr. Tucci seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.  

 

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to accept the Engineer’s recommendation to extend the contractor’s contract for the “A” Field regrading project for 52 days. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.  

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the change order for use of funds for Sutcliffe Park has been approved allowing the funds to be used for the basketball courts.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to waive the requirement for the Concession Stand Project to apply to the Montgomery County Conservation District for an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan review. Mr. Phipps seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that Borough representatives and the Developer met with management and residents of Riverwalk to discuss the Boathouse Project.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to make an additional contribution of $8,050 to the Fellowship House to help fund programs. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.

 

The Mayor’s report for the month of November

 

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

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Police are collecting Toys for Tots again this year.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to approve Officer Kammerer’s request for education reimbursement for Montgomery County Community College for Political Science 124 course for $375 plus books cost. Mr. Tucci seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent.

 

Record in the minutes that there was a 2012 Budget meeting on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. where Council reviewed the proposed 2012 Budget.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve the 2012 Budget which is balanced for a total of $10,350,400. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Ms. Maye to approve the Real Estate Tax Ordinance for 2012 which sets the tax rate at 3.5 mills. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent.  Motion passed.  

 

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to approve an Ordinance which updates the Borough of Conshohocken Police Pension Plan for the 2011 Compliance Amendment for Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008. Mr. Tucci seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve the transfer to the Capital Fund the budgeted transfers for 2011 of $50,000 for a trash truck and $300,000 for Capital Improvements. Ms. Maye seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.  

 

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to advertise the Workshops, Councils and some Committee meeting dates for 2012. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Zoning, Sewer Authority and Vacancy Board applicants will attend the Council Workshop meeting on January 4 at 6:30 p.m.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to approve the 2012 Fee Schedule. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve a Resolution for the ING Revised 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan Agreement. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Salus who was absent. Motion passed.  

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Solicitor has provided an Engagement letter for 2012 to Council for consideration.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Borough Council Reorganization meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 3 at 7:15 p.m. Council has been provided draft agendas. Council also discussed that there will be changes to the structure of the Committees.

 

Record in the minutes that on December 7, 2011, Mr. Phipps made a motion to accept the 2012-2014 Memorandum of Agreement for the Police Department. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor except Mr. Tucci who was absent. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Engineer is requesting to be reappointed for 2012 and that their rates are the same as 2011. 

 

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.

 

No public comment was provided.

 

Mayor Frost thanked the Fire Companies and Police for delivering Santa to Borough Hall for the lighting of the Christmas Tree. 

 

Mr. Griffin wished everyone Happy Holidays.

 

Mr. Stokley wished everyone Happy Holidays.

 

Mr. Phipps wished everyone Happy Holidays.

 

Mr. Tucci thanked the 5^th Ward for supporting him during his term as a Council Member. Mr. Tucci also thanked his family for their sacrifices during the time that he served on Council.

 

Mr. McConnell thanked Mr. Tucci for his time that he served on Borough Council.

 

Mr. McConnell thanked Mr. Salus for the time that he served on Borough Council and announced that Mr. Salus was going on to the County as Treasurer.

 

Mr. McConnell thanked Ron for his time that he spends filming Council meetings.

 

Mr. McConnell thanked the Engineer, the Solicitor, and the Staff for their time and dedication to the Borough.

 

 

Meeting adjourned 8:20 P.M.

 

Francis J. Marabella

Borough Secretary