Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES March 18, 2025 The regular meeting of Ambler Borough Council was held Tuesday March 18, 2025, at 7:00PM at Borough Chambers located at 131 Rosemary Avenue, Ambler, Pennsylvania 19002. Council President Siskind called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Ms. Siskind, Ms. Hughes Kelly, Ms. Sheedy, Ms. Roecker Coates, Ms. Iovine, Mr. Orehek, Mr. Hui, Mr. Brubaker, Police Chief Jeff Borkowski and Borough Manager Kyle Detweiler were also present. Ms. Henderson and Mayor Sorg were absent. Approval of Minutes: Ms. Siskind made a motion to approve the Minutes of February 18, 2025, Council meeting. Second. Carried 8 -Aye. Comments from the Public: Mark Ventresca, 14 Church Street, complained of the prevalent sewer smell. Mr. Brown explained what caused the situation and that it was being delt with. Ms. Siskind explained the new meeting format. Ms. Sheedy asked if the recording issues had been resolved. Mr. Detweiler explained that it had. Finance and Planning Committee – Elizabeth Iovine - Chairperson, Committee Members: Karen Sheedy. The Committee meeting was held on March 4, at 7:00pm. Elizabeth Iovine - Chairperson, Committee Members: Karen Sheedy, Redmond Brubaker. The Committee will consider the following recommendations: 1. That the February bills be paid in the amount of $554,755.78 as follows: General ($140,210.17); Street lights ($1,082.37), Fire ($0.00), Refuse ($59,632.06); Parks & Rec ($2,905.76); Water ($166,611.20); Sewer ($22,152.93); WWTP ($155,874.93), liquid Fuels ($4,028.86); Water Capital ($2,257.50); Voided checks ($0.0). Recommendations: Recommendations: 1. That the February bills be paid in the amount of $554,755.78 2. That the five year ‘Grass Cutting & Lawn/Ground Maintenance at Ambler Borough” Municipal, Park, Recreation & Water Facilities’ Sites to M&M Lawn Care East Inc., Ms. Siskind made a motion to adopt the report. Carried 8-Aye. Public Safety Committee: Ms. Amy Hughes Kelly – Chair, Committee Members: Jennifer Henderson, Nancy Roecker Coates, and Lou Orehek The Committee meeting was held on March 4th at 7:00pm. Committee members: Amy Hughes – Chair, Jen Henderson, Nancy Roecker Coates and Lou Orehek. The Committee considered the following recommendations. 1. A Public Hearing was held and motion to authorize, codifying Ordinance 1144, an addition to Chapter 10” Health and Safety”, of the Borough’s Codified Ordinances. Carried 8 -Aye. Committee comments: Ms. Roecker Coates thanked Council for considering recommendation of an oil tank ordinance. The following business was discussed: 1. The Police Department report was reviewed. 2. The Community Ambulance report was reviewed. 3. The Fire Department report was reviewed. 4. Public works and code enforcement reports were received. Recommendations: 1. Authorization is requested to approve Resolution 2025-03, codifying Ordinance No. 1144, an addition to Chapter 10 “Health and Safety”, of the Borough’s Codified Ordinances. Carried 8- Aye. Ms. Siskind moved to accept the report. Carried 8- Aye. Public Utilities Committee: Karen Sheedy - Chair, Committee Members: Amy Hughes Kelly, Lou Orehek, David Hui The Committee meeting was held on March 4th at 7:00pm. Committee Members: Karen Sheedy - Chair, Amy Hughes, Lou Orehek, and David Hui. The Committee considered the following recommendations: 1. A motion is requested authorizing notice of intent to award the replacement and installation of Pump No. 6 at the Ambler Borough Wastewater Treatment Plant to Municipal Maintenance Co. Committee Comments: Ms. Siskind requested the total number of replacements needed to be noted. The following business was discussed: 1. The WWTP Engineer’s report was received. 2. The WWTP Superintendent’s Report was received. Recommendations: 2. Authorization is requested to award the replacement and installation of Pump No. 6 at the Ambler Borough Wastewater Treatment Plant to Municipal Maintenance Co. Carried 8- Aye. Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept the Public Utilities report. Carried 8- Aye. Parks and Recreation Committee: Jennifer Henderson – Chair, Committee Members: Redmond Brubaker, Nancy Roecker Coates and David Hui The Committee meeting was held on March 4th, at 7:00pm. Committee Members: Jen Henderson - Chair, Nancy Roecker-Coates, David Hui and Redmond Brubaker. The Committee will make no recommendations. No New business was discussed. Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept the Parks and Rec report. Carried 8- Aye. Salary & Personnel Committee: Chair –Glynnis Siskind, Jen Henderson, Karen Sheedy, Elizabeth Iovine. The Committee meeting was held on March 4th, at 7:00pm. Committee Members: – Chair, Jen Henderson, Karen Sheedy and Elizabeth Iovine. The Committee will consider the following recommendations: 1. The committee recommends approval of the agreement between the Borough of Ambler and the Police of Ambler Borough, effective January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2028. 2. The committee recommends approval to extend a conditional offer of part-time employment to Carol A. Benigno, for the position of Borough Crossing Guard. 3. The committee recommends approval to extend a conditional promotion of full-time employment to Employee ID WD-5703. 4. The committee recommends approval of a pay adjustment for Employee ID PW-8079, upon satisfactory completion of the probationary period. 5. The committee recommends approval of the resignations of Employee ID SD-4575 & Employee ID WD-1928. The following business was discussed: 1. The Borough Manager’s report was received. Ms. Roecker Coates asked for clarification regarding DVIT visits Mr. Detweiler explained the differences. Ms. Sheedy asked a question regarding equipment at the Waste Water Plant. Mr. Brown explained that the cost is greater. Ms. Siskind made motions to approve the report. Carried 8 – Aye. Other Business: Mr. Detweiler informed the Public that the dedication of the Rotary Pavilion is scheduled for June. He also offered that staff are in the process of evaluating cameras at Knight Park. Public Comment: Anna Lee Lapinsky 136 Rosemary Ave. mentioned that she was not fond of the new agenda format regarding public comment. Mark Ventresca 14 Church St. had a question regarding the Public Comment portion of the meeting. Lindsay Daku 122 Greenwood questioned what the goal to accomplish is with the new format. Mr. Breslin explained the reasons for the changes. Terrie Williams 200 Fulling Mill Lane commented that she enjoyed the new format. There being no further public comment or other business, Ms. Siskind moved the meeting to be adjourned. Carried 8 – Aye. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Wahl Kunzier Assistant Secretary Borough of Ambler