City Council

FORTY FORT BOROUGH DECEMBER COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2013 The December meeting of Forty Fort Borough Council was held on Monday, Dec. 2, 2013 at the Borough Building, 1271 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, PA with V‐P Frank Michaels, presiding in the absence of President Joseph Chacke. V‐P Michaels called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with the following members of council present: Dorothy Craig, Robert Craig, Karen Martinelli, via telephone and Charles Rick Kamus. Joseph Chacke & Betty Mascelli were absent. Also present was Mayor Boyd Hoats, Jr., Chief Dan Hunsinger, Manager Barbara Fairchild, Atty. Wm. Watt’s & Mark Voyack from Quad 3 Group & Bonnie Arnone, Secretary. Rev. Lukish began the meeting with an invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Mayor Hoats. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Mr. Craig to approve the minutes of the Nov. 11, 2013 meeting with the following correction: The decision to pay Shirley Zolner for her sewer bill for a lateral blockage she claimed was the result of a main blockage was tabled until further information was received from WVSA. Second by Mrs. Craig. Roll call voted showed all council present in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Motion by Ms. Martinelli to approve the minutes of the Nov. 18, 2013 work session. Second by Mrs. Craig. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. COMMUNICATIONS: Ms. Fairchild read the following pieces of correspondence: Report from WVSA that could not confirm that there was a sufficient enough of a blockage in the main on Englewood Terrace to cause lateral blockage for Shirley Zolner at 1921 Englewood Terrace. A letter will be sent to Ms. Zolner explaining that we cannot reimburse her due to this report. A letter from Carol McCullough of 1814 Murray St. requesting a cost share reimbursement for the removal of her tree on the tree lawn. It was noted that the fund has been depleted. She will be sent a letter to advise her of same and to suggest she seek reimbursement after Jan. 1, 2014. A letter from DEP stating Turkey Hill’s final notice of intent to remediate following a spillage at that location recently. A letter from USDA stating that the borough can use the excess funds for full width paving of roadways where sewer lines are completely replaced. There are several other uses the money can be used for. SHADE TREE COMMISSION: Carol Seltzer stated that she would like to get a picture taken with council, her and the Tree City USA Flag that she has. She also stated that Precision Tree Service has incorrectly pruned a tree at 1902 Wyoming Ave. by topping the tree. She stated that several trees were recently planted at no cost to the borough. TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Mr. Kamus to accept the November 30, 2013 treasurer’s report as presented. Second by Mr. Craig. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. ENGINEER’S REPORT: Mark Voyack, Quad 3 Group, was present to state that a notice to proceed had been given to Mr. Rehab to begin the sewer restoration project. UGI & PA American Water Co. has also been advised of the roadways where restoration will be performed in the event they had any planned projects for the same streets, possible cost sharing could be arranged. They are finishing up the PENDOT Highway Occupancy Permit application process. They have received notification that they can begin the plans for the borough’s street paving project which should commence spring of 2014. GENERAL BUSINESS: Motion by Mr. Craig to accept the following department reports: Mayor/Police Dept., Kingston Fire Chief, Code Enforcement Officer and the minutes of the WVSA meeting. Second by Ms. Martinelli. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Mr. Michaels noted that Chief Dan Hunsinger has been working on a new web site for the borough which will provide better accessibility for residents to see important information about the borough & police department. He was thanked for all his efforts. Motion by Mr. Craig to Direct the Solicitor to prepare all necessary documents for a $250,000.00 Tax Anticipation Note with First Keystone Bank at an interest rate of .97%. Second by Mrs. Craig. On the Question: Ms. Fairchild noted the following: This is a one year TAN at a rate of .97%, due on or before Dec. 31, 2014 with no penalty for pre‐payment. All legal fees are the responsibility of the borrower. Roll call voted showed all council present in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Motion by Mr. Craig to approve the second reading of the 2014 budget and advertise same for approval at a special council meeting set for 7:25 PM on Dec. 16, 2013. Second by Mrs. Craig. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Ms. Fairchild stated that she would like the Tax Ordinance & Sewer Ordinance tabled until the Dec. 16, 2013 special meeting. Ms. Fairchild stated that she wanted it clarified that the new contract for the Public Works Dept. which was accepted at the November Council meeting includes the following: Public Works Employees will receive the following days as full days off: Good Friday, Christmas Eve & New Years Eve.  Motion by Mr. Craig to accept Resolution #2013 – 20 for the Local Share Account Application for Municipal Repairs. Second by Ms. Martinelli. On the question: It was noted that these funds are from the gaming grants and that there is a $100.00 application fee. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Motion by Mr. Craig to accept Resolution #2013 – 21 for the Local Share Account Application for Paving of certain roads & alley ways. Second by Mr. Kamus. On the question: Ms. Fairchild stated that since the replacement of all street signs would not be necessary, she has re‐directed these funds to this project. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Motion by Mr. Craig to accept Resolution #2013 – 22 for the LSA – West Side Council of Governments. Second by Ms. Martinelli. On the question: Ms. Fairchild stated that the COG will submit an application through West Wyoming Borough for police cruisers for member communities as a whole. She stated that all maintenance & repairs would be the responsibility of the borough as this would be owned solely by the borough. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Ms. Fairchild stated that she has received a proposal from South Jersey Energy for providing the borough for all electric supply currently received thru UGI. There will be a possible savings of $1880.91 per year going with South Jersey Energy. Council stated that they would like to give UGI the opportunity to match or better the amount provided by them. This topic will be tabled to the Dec. 16, 2013 special meeting. Due to the fact that there are several items to be discussed at the Dec. 16, 2013 special council meeting, a motion was made by Mr. Craig to hold the special meeting beginning at 7:15 PM to discuss & vote on the Energy Analysis, Tax & Sewer Ordinance & 2014 Budget. Second by Mrs. Craig. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Council was provided the 2014 Salary Resolution #2013‐23 which will be voted upon at the Dec. 16, 2013 special council meeting. Motion by Mr. Craig to add the 2014 Salary Resolution #2013‐23 to the items to be discussed & voted upon at the Dec. 16, 2013 special council meeting beginning at 7:15 PM. Second by Mrs. Craig. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Motion by Mr. Kamus to pay all bills as presented. Second by Ms. Martinelli. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. At 8:25 PM, council went into Executive Session to discuss Volunteer Fire Co. personnel matters. Council re‐convened at 8:39 PM from Executive Session. At this time. V‐P Frank Michaels presented Mayor Hoats with a gift for the many years of service he has given the borough in his capacity as Mayor. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Craig at 8:40 PM with a second by Mr. Kamus. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Council will hold a special meeting of council on Monday, December 16, 2013 at 7:15 PM with the work session to immediately follow. Respectfully submitted, Bonnie Arnone Secretary