City Council

Forty Fort Borough November Council Work Session November 18, 2013 The November work session of the Forty Fort Borough Council was held on Mon., Nov. 18, 2013 at the Forty Fort Borough Bldg., 1271 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, PA with V‐P Frank Michaels presiding. V‐P Michaels called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with the following council members present: Dorothy Craig, Karen Martinelli, Charles Rick Kamus. Joseph Chacke arrived late. Robert Craig & Betty Mascelli were absent. Also present were Barbara Fairchild, Manager & Bonnie Arnone, Secretary. Jeff McLaughlin, 25 Yates St., Forty Fort, asked if resident needed to obtain three (3) estimates for tree removal to be eligible to be given a cost share amount of money from the Shade Tree Commission. He was told that they were and the two residents who recently were given money for cost share had done this. Robert Ahern, from Freedom Systems, a Municipal Management software company, presented a power point show for what they could offer the borough. The system would integrate information from all departments for sharing and offer a financial accounting which would eliminate the need for the Quick Books program currently used. The cost of the system would be $36,000.00 with a $6,585.00 annual yearly maintenance fee for three programs. There would be some upgrades needed to the current computer system that would add approx. $4,000.00. Resident, Joanne Stemmer, Bedford St., Forty Fort, asked Mr. Ahern questions about the system such as software licenses, hidden costs, etc. She then questioned council as to why the sewer bills have gone up over the past few years. President Chacke stated that the borough is currently undergoing a sewer rehab project that will deal with 40% of the borough’s sewer lines. He projects that over the next several years, the remaining sewer lines in the borough will need to be replaced or relined as well. In order to do so, a 35 year loan has been obtained in which the sewer fees will be needed to repay this loan. Mr. Kamus stated that while he likes the Freedom Software system, he does not feel that it is for us. He was told that the system would be eligible for purchase with the remaining money from the Sewer Loan. He asked about the DEP permit application status for the composting area and asked if the borough could purchase a tar kettle for the street department, which could be purchased from the Liquid Fuels account. Mr. Michaels stated that he also liked the concept of the Freedom Software Systems. He also stated that he was not in favor of setting a precedent with the payment of a $250.00 reimbursement to Shirley Zolner of 1921 Englewood Terrace, Forty Fort, PA for sewer work that needed to be done by Roto Rooter on her lateral. She had stated that the work was necessary on her lateral due to a problem with the main sewer line.  A letter from Quad 3 Group was discussed in which they propose additional work that can be accomplished re: the sewer rehab project due to the lower than anticipated bids that were received. This will be voted upon at the December 2, 2013 meeting. Borough Manager, Barbara Fairchild, updated council on the following topics: ‐ Ron Jeffrey’s fees for filing delinquencies at the Magistrate’s office for anything up to 2011. Possibility of realizing an additional $36,000.00 to $37,000.00 in delinquent fees. ‐ Switching web site hosts from PSAB to I Page. They will do it for $120.16 for 3 years. ‐ UGI bills have been charging us sales tax. Reimbursement will be requested. ‐ DEP contract requests 3 full days off where there is only currently ½ days given; those being Good Friday, Christmas Eve & New Years Eve. Vote taken at the 11/11/13 meeting was erroneously noted to be two full days off (Good Friday & Day after Thanksgiving) where there is currently ½ days off. ‐ Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to be held at 1012 Wyoming Ave., Two Chick’s Salon. ‐ A letter to be sent for Joseph Mesaros following a die test to determine where his sewer line went; Bedford St. or Wyoming Ave. Meeting ended at 9:12 PM. Next meeting of council will be held on Monday, December 2, 2013 at 7:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, Bonnie Arnone Secretary