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MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 27, 2004 COUNCIL MEETING The eighteenth regular meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council for 2004 was held this evening at the Hamburg Municipal Center with President Adam Dries presiding. The meeting was opened with Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Prayer. Members Present – Adam Dries, Tammy Wilkinson, Charles Figard, Jeanette Heckman, Martha Bertolet, Dale Schlenker Members Absent – Tina Yoder Also Present – Lynda G. Albright, Borough Manager, Kim Y. Berger, Recording Secretary, Solicitor Speicher Visitors- Tim Neufeld, John Timtishin, Nikki Murry (Hamburg Item), Sylvia Summons, Norma Berger, Lori Guldin, Jeff Guldin, Garnetta Heckman, Moises Arce, Tracy Arce, Kerry Delong, Pat Delong, A representative from the Reading Eagle A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Charles Figard to approve the amended agenda adding an executive session before the Solicitors report to discuss personnel issues and to amend the motion regarding extending the line of credit to include that this line of credit is subject to review by Bond Counsel. ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None COURTESY TO AUDIENCE Garnetta Heckman was present to request that something be done about the parking on the State Street Bridge near King’s IGA. The IGA has requested that their employees not park on their lot, so in turn they are parking on the bridge. With all these vehicles parking there, it makes it very difficult to cross the children for a number of reasons. 1) She cannot see the vehicles that are going to turn into the IGA. 2) They can’t see her or the children she is crossing. Mrs. Heckman wondered if the yellow line could be extended so that the cars could not park on the south side of State Street on the bridge. Safety Committee will check into this. Lori Guldin requested that the crossing guard at the State Street Elementary School stay a little longer for those students who get off the bus from the other schools. The crossing guard is usually gone by the time those 7 or 8 children get off the bus and the cars are traveling way to fast to cross the children. Manager Albright will talk to Officer Schwoyer about this situation. Lori Guldin also mentioned that there was an error in the minutes of the previous meeting. Ms. Guldin said that the minutes stated that "the lifeguard was irresponsible", Ms. Guldin stated that she did not say that but that she had said the lifeguard panicked. A motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Martha Bertolet to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2004 meeting. ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None A motion was made by Tammy Wilkinson and seconded by Dale Schlenker to approve the following reports: Engineer’s Report, Finance Committee Report and Safety Committee Report. ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None HAMBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
Flows at the plant are normal for this time of year. Treatment is within normal parameters. Plant performance has significantly improved in the last 3 weeks. Systems Design Engineering, Inc. continues to work on a preliminary design for the expansion of the wastewater plant. Planning modules are progressing for an expansion of the WWTP to 1.5 MGD. A verbal report will be presented to the Board. CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN Systems Design Engineering, Inc. is continuing dialog with DEP on the Connection Management Plan. The semi-annual report was submitted by Systems Design Engineering, Inc. this month. A bid document is being worked on for repairs found to date. No further dialog with DEP on their inquiry about a possible Consent Order and Agreement to formalize the pending upgrade/expansion has occurred.
Authority has received a letter from MACA pursuant to organic load. MACA is considering an additional capacity purchase of 200 pounds of BOD to take their long term capacity from 700 to 900 pounds. Discussions with MACA on capacity costs are planned.
WETT/NPDES Permit Renewal--A second draft permit was received and reviewed. No major changes have been proposed. The final permit has been received. Plant Expansion Study--preliminary design and planning modules are progressing. Meetings are continuing to obtain state grants for the economic development portion of the wastewater expansion. Cost estimates are currently being prepared to assist in the funding process. Dissolved oxygen/Blower automation--The equipment has been purchased for installation as authorizes at the July meeting. The equipment has arrived and is being scheduled for installation. WATER SYSTEM
FINANCE COMMITTEE September 13, 2004 Attending the meeting were Lynda Albright, Martha Bertolet, Jeanette Heckman, Chuck Figard, Tammy Wilkinson Items discussed:
/s/Martha Bertolet, Chairperson Safety Committee The committee met on this date at 3:30 p.m. Present were Lynda Albright, Chief Painter, Tammy Wilkinson, Martha Bertolet and Chuck Figard. Visitors were Sylvia Summons and Norma Berger. The following subjects ere discussed: HANDICAP SIGN REQUEST – The request was approved for 270 South 4th Street for a period of six months. NOISE/CURFEW & MOTORIZED SCOOTER ORDINANCES – The documents are being prepared by the solicitor. PLACING "NO PARKING" SIGNS – The committee recommends that organizations requesting restricted parking for special events assume responsibility for placing & removing those signs. The police would provide the signs which would be returned within 24 hours following the event. Police would continue to place and remove barricades as in the past. Lost signs would be replaced or paid for by the using organization. CHAIRS FOR KING FROST PARADE – The Borough Manager will provide information concerning placement of chairs along the parade route. The municipal channel, Merchandiser and the Item will be used to remind citizens of the time restrictions for placing chairs, benches, etc. along the route. BERKS COUNTY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS – The county system has not been satisfactory. The personal communications units carried by borough police cannot pick up Berks County transmissions. Several methods exist for improving the system but many details must be further checked, one of which is the cost of the improvement. NEWS RELEASES – The Hamburg Item has informed Chief Painter that a "lack of space" prevents the local newspaper from carrying the police report of events. Council will be provided copies of the release so that members will be aware of police activity, however this does not provide information to the borough citizens who should be informed of robberies, vandalism, etc. that may be occurring in their areas. OBSTRUCTION AT INTERSECTION – A complaint was made concerning a hedge, which limits visibility for drivers exiting south on Primrose Alley onto Island Street. The hedge extends into the alley and does block a driver’s vision. The owner will be requested to trim back the hedge. The meeting ended at 5:00 p.m. C. R. Figard OLD BUSINESS On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Charles Figard to reject the bids for the curbing work on North 6th Street. (Borough Manager Albright stated that when the bids were opened, it appeared that they were extremely high, however when reviewing the bids, it was determined that there was a lot more work included in the price. The curbing work itself was only about $9,000) ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Solicitor and Borough Manager, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Martha Bertolet to award the bid for roadbed work on North 6th Street to Landis C. Deck & Sons, Reading, PA at a cost of $30,254.00. (Councilman Figard questioned if the sewer work was included in the price. Manager Albright stated that the manholes, storm sewers, everything that was needed was included). ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None
Manager Albright certifying to Borough Council that the MMO for 2005 for the Police Pension Plan is $31,732 and for the Non-Uniform Pension Plan is $32,819.00 (This is a requirement under Act 205 and these costs should be covered by State Aid) On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Martha Bertolet to approve extending the Line of Credit for one additional year and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. This is subject to review by Bond Counsel. (Councilwoman Bertolet questioned the rate. Manager Albright stated that it would be staying the same). ROLL CALL: AYES –, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Dale Schlenker to reimburse the General Account in the amount of $18,175.62 from the Line of Credit. ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Safety Committee, a motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to permit a Handicapped Parking sign be placed in front of 270 South 4th Street for a period of six months, at which time it will be reviewed again. ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Dale Schlenker to renew the current Trash Contract with Raritan Valley Disposal and renew the Recycling Contract with J. P. Mascaro and sons for 2005 at an increase amount equal to the annual cost of living as determined by the U.S. Department of Commerce at the end of 2004 and authorize the Borough Manager to proceed with finalizing the contracts. ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to approve payment of invoices totaling $50,781.43 ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, M. Bertolet, T. Wilkinson, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None T. Wilkinson abstained from the invoice for Met-Ed do to her father working for the company. LIST OF BILLS Burkhardt Mechanical 8109.00 Denise Clare 23.90 Commonwealth of PA 126.50 EMC Insurance 4,894.09 Fromm Electric Supply 112.60 Galls 802.73 Hamburg Municipal Authority 100.41 JSC Law Enforcement Sales 87.65 Jet Office Equipment 32.95 Kantner’s Tire 15.00 JP Mascaro 6,580.88 Met-Ed 4,281.70 National Tactical Officers Assc. 64.00 Penn Fuel 32.09 Quartermaster 149.65 Raritan Valley Disposal 13,304.93 Sam’s Club 180.00 Synergetics 11,883.35 TOTAL $50,781.43 An executive session was called at 7:50 p.m. to discuss personnel issues. Meeting reconvened at 8:25 p.m. A motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Tammy Wilkinson to have the council meet with the Mayor and the Chief of Police regarding personnel issues inside the police department. ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, M. Bertolet, T. Wilkinson, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker NAYES – None SOLICITOR’S REPORT Regarding the curfew ordinance, this will be discussed with the Mayor and the Chief of Police. UPCOMING MEETINGS/INFORMATION
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. on motion of Dale Schlenker and seconded by Tammy Wilkinson. ATTEST: Recording Secretary/Office Manager |
