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MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 8, 2008 COUNCIL MEETING The twenty-second regular meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council for 2008 was held this evening at the Hamburg Municipal Center with President Martha Bertolet presiding. The meeting was opened with Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Prayer. Members Present – Martha Bertolet, Elaine Swavely, Heather Berger, Roger Stetzler, Jeff Adam Members Absent – Dale Schlenker, Jeanette Heckman Also Present –Solicitor Mike Zubey, Solicitor Antanavage, Kim Y. Berger, Office Manager/ Recording Secretary, Manager Lynda G. Albright Visitors- Chief Painter, Maria Herne (Pottsville Republican), Michelle Park (Reading Eagle) A motion was made by Elaine Swavely and seconded by Roger Stetzler to approve the amended agenda by adding an addition under New Business. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, H. Berger, R. Stetzler, J. Adam NAYES – None COURTESY TO AUDIENCE Nothing A motion was made by Jeff Adam and seconded by Heather Berger to approve the minutes of the of November 24, 2008 meeting ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, H. Berger, R. Stetzler, J. Adam NAYES – None A motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Elaine Swavely to approve the following reports: Borough Manager’s Report, Public Works Supt. Report, Water/Sewer Supt. Report, Office Manager’s Report, Treasurer’s Report, Police Report, Code Enforcement report, Recreation Directors Report, Property, Road and Water/Sewer & Public Relations Committee Reports. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, H. Berger, R. Stetzler, J. Adam NAYES – None BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT The Borough Manager’s report for the month of NOVEMBER, 2008 included the following: Normal day-to-day activities included (AS ALWAYS) Holding staff meetings with supervisors to discuss, provide and receive updates on various projects and issues taking place. Addressing complaints and other correspondence as needed. Meeting with John Leonforte, Codes Officer to review and discuss major projects being planned or worked on presently, more specifically Firetree issues. This was discussed in depth and there have been appeals made to both the Zoning Hearing Board for a zoning denial and to the County Appeals Board for a permit denial. Both cases have are continuing. Again, a significant amount of time was spent working on water, sewer and general budgets for 2009. The water and sewer budgets have been submitted and approved by the authority at their November meeting. Rates for sewer will remain the same; however, rates for water have been increased to $4.00/hundred cu. Ft. All consumers will pay the same rate for water; there will no longer be a tiered rate. Again, this will be the first rate increase since 2002. The general budget has been submitted and tentatively approved by Council, with no tax increase. There will, however, be a $12/yr. Increase for trash and recycling pickup. Held interviews for the open receptionist position. Recommendation for hire of Toni Ruppert has been made and starting date was November 12, 2008. Met with our Insurance Representative to review this past year’s policies for both the Borough and Authority and provided updated information for 2009. Was advised that our workers comp will increase significantly due to a couple of very hefty claims, which are still ongoing.Have been gather information and reviewing the new Right to Know Law which will be in effect at the beginning of the New Year. Attended two Council meetings, Authority meeting and work session, Finance, Personnel, Property Committee, and Public Relations/W/S meetings. If anyone has any questions regarding my report, please feel free to ask. Attached with my report are the activities of my staff for the month of November, 2008. Lynda G. Albright, Borough Manager PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT NOVEMBER 2008 Throughout the month of November, the crew serviced all the borough trucks and equipment as well as repaired the stop signs at 4th and Arch and 3rd and Windsor Streets. In preparation for winter, the fountain at the municipal building was pumped out and winterized. Cold patching continues. Due to the purchase of a new pool fence, the crew assisted with removing the old fence. Leaf clean up at the park continues. Since soccer is over for the season, the park bathrooms were winterized. A broken window was fixed at the big food stand. The crew worked on the storm drain on Port Clinton Avenue. The new inlet and 100 feet of 12" pipe was installed on Franklin Street. The brush behind the dam at the reservoir was cut. Repaired a service line on N. 5th Street. The weir at the reservoir was cleaned. Respectfully submitted,
Water/Wastewater Superintendent’s Report November 2008 Water Production continues to be from the wells. The rain in the last month has raised the level of the dam several feet but the flow into the dam only goes up for a day or so then returns to previous levels indicating little recharge to the springs that feed the dam. The Borough crew and Tony cleaned the stilling well and weir to the dam. We had another fire hydrant hit by a truck. HPD located the driver and restitution is being made. The hydrant was repaired and reinstalled. We had several permit violations for ph in the discharge from the clarifier at the water plant. Since we have been on strictly well water the ph in the clarifier has been unstable and making wild swings seemingly overnight. There is little flow to the clarifier when on wells only which led us to believe that there was something being released from the solids at the bottom of the clarifier. We cleaned the clarifier and expect no further issues. I attended a seminar on water meters and their application. I am using information from that seminar to evaluate our meters, how they are installed and if they are the proper type and size. Wastewater The plant continues to produce a very good effluent. We are, however also producing an awful lot of foam which collects on the aerator and secondary clarifier. For the time being we are pumping it to the digester but it will become more of an issue as the temperature drops and it freezes on the clarifier. The contracted repairs to the collection system have been completed. Final paving will be done in the spring. Respectfully Submitted Keith L. Brobst Water/Wastewater SuperintendentOFFICE MANAGER’S REPORT During the month, we interviewed applicants for the receptionist position. After review, Council approved the applicant and Toni Ruppert started on November 12, 2008. Attended an EMA meeting with the EMA staff. On November 24, 2008, met with the representative from our insurance agency regarding policy information and coverage for 2009. The web site and municipal access channel continue to be updated with pertinent information. The annual memo and form for the municipal center use was sent to all the organizations that currently use our building. The Hamburg Area School District has finalized their Red Cross survey. The Red Cross needed this survey completed for their records when we have to use the Middle School as an emergency shelter. Throughout the month I have been conferring with two vendors for our new postage machine that has to be ordered and put into use prior to December 31, 2008. This is a federal mandate. After much haggling between vendors, the price has been reduced with our current vendor and the machine has been ordered. We hope to have this in place prior to Christmas. The budget continued to be revamped. Another fire hydrant was hit, this time at 3rd and Windsor. It was originally a hit and run accident, however, Chief Painter found the driver. Throughout the month, I have been in contact with the trucking company and their insurance company so that we could receive reimbursement. Attended two Council meetings, staff meetings as necessary. Minutes were prepared for meetings as deemed necessary.
HAMBURG BOROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT
Building, Zoning and Codes Report November 2008 Six (6) construction permits and no (0) zoning permits and no (0) paving/sidewalk permits and nine (9) occupancy permits and one (1) fire safety inspection were issued in November. Major projects ongoing or proposed are as follows: Grand Street extension Our engineer has resubmitted our HOP application with responses to all 37 PennDOT comments. Soonest approval seems unlikely before January. Ken Pick from the county reported that he is optimistic funding will be available when we are ready to begin construction in 2009. Hawk ridge and South 4th Street Penn Dot returned our HOP application with comments. The comments will need to be addressed by our engineer and plans resubmitted. Soonest approval seems unlikely before January. HAHS field house and bleachers Work is virtually complete. One issue with L&I accessibility remains to be resolved. Fire Tree Rehab center A third zoning permit application was submitted and consequently denied. Fire tree, now Orange Stones, has appealed the third zoning permit denial . Fire tree has appealed to the appeals court the ZHB decision to uphold denial of zoning permit application #2. Orange stones has appealed denial of the construction permit application to the County construction appeals board. This appeal is pending. residential and light commercial Inspections were completed for residential and light commercial previously permitted, work in the borough. Property Maintenance complaints of rubbish, weed/ high grass and Occupancy inspections continue to be addressed. Note: new Property Maintenance complaints were filed with 3 resolved and 4 still pending. Fire Safety Inspections One (1) fire safety Inspections were done this month. John Leonforte Codes Administrator RECREATION DIRECTORS REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2008The month of November continued with staff meetings, meetings with Lynda Albright, Rick Pickel, J/M Fence Co., and NBR. In last month’s report there was an error and a need to further clarify. The error was that the chemical controllers are Chemtrol 250’s rather than 200’s. The cost estimate to replace the ORP and PH probes is $175 - $200 each. The fence installation is complete. The workmanship by J/M Fence is excellent. There are a few projects to be completed: landscaping, new ground wires, repair of underground wire for the pool lights, etc. The process of installing the hot water heater for the showers and concession stand by Allen Schaeffer and Ricky Pickel is in the beginning stages. The problem with the sand residue in the pool is still not resolved. Employment applications for the 2009 season are now being accepted at the Borough. Interviews are tentatively set for December 30th and 31st. Have A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Respectfully submitted Guy Ketch Recreation Director PROPERTY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 11, 2008 MUNICIPAL CENTER – 3PM ATTENDING: Lynda Albright, Martha Bertolet, Elaine Swavely, Jeanette Heckman, Roger Stetzler, Jeff Adam & Dale Schlenker VISITORS: Kim Emes, KME Security; Guy Ketch, Rec. Director & Deena Kershner, OTF
P.S. The Property Committee would like to thank Dave Argall for securing the funding for the Hamburg Pool Fence. CHAIRMAN OF PROPERTY Dale R. Schlenker ROAD COMMITTEE REPORT In Attendance: Martha Bertolet, , Roger Stetzler, Dale Schlenker, Lynda Albright – Borough Manager; John Leonforte – Building Inspector Visitor – Dennis Degler –He wanted to talk about why we wanted to close Franklin between Apple & 3rd St. The reason being the South wall was falling apart because of the vibration from E. S. Savage’s tanker that would use that road. He uses another road now. The committee decided to close that stretch for 90 days to find out if there would be any complaints. There were none. The Mayor pointed out one thing. The resident that lives on the corner parks his pickup aside of his house next to the roadway. The problem is he has to drive over the curb and sidewalk to park there. Before we can make a decision to close it permanently we must know where the property line is. John will talk to the engineer to get that information for us. Road work for 2009 will be St. John’s Road & Geary Drive if funds are available. Letters were sent for curbing to be installed. The project could possibly be moved ahead 1 year. The project for the following year would be Greenwood St. John will be checking into the cost for line & grade for curbing. Update on State Street Bridge, the bidding will go out June of 2009. Roger Stetzler Road Committee Chairman Water/ Sewer & Public Relations Report November 24 2008 Water/Sewer Public Relations committee met this date at 6:30 p.m. Those present were Jeff Adam, Martha Bertolet, Elaine Swavely, Jeanette Heckman, Roger Stetzler and Lynda Albright. Lynda reported that the Authority was raising water rates effective January 1, 2009. Current rates are as follows: 0-2000 $3.25/ 100 cu ft 2001-20,000 $3.05/ 100 cu ft 20,001 + $2.90/ 100cu ft Beginning January 1 2009 there will no longer be tiered rates on water; there will be a flat rate of $ 3.75 /per hundred cu ft for all water no matter the usage. This, however, is the first water rate increase since 2002. Jeff Adam, Water/Sewer Committee Chairman OLD BUSINESS On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Heather Berger and seconded by Jeff Adam approving the Resolution and Commitment letter and closing documents dealing with the $150,000 Tax and Revenue Anticipation Note. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, H. Berger, R. Stetzler, J. Adam NAYES – None (Chief Painter questioned if Manager Albright would be the officer for only Borough related issues. He stated that he was under the impression that the Police Department had to have their own Right to Know Officer. Solicitor Zubey stated that Chief Painter should forward to him whatever documentation he had on this.) ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, H. Berger, R. Stetzler, J. Adam NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Heather Berger and seconded by Roger Stetzler making the following re-appointments:
ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, H. Berger, R. Stetzler, J. Adam NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Heather Berger and seconded by Jeff Adam authorizing Masano Bradley to intervene in the Firetree appeal. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, H. Berger, R. Stetzler, J. Adam NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Solicitor’s office, a motion was made by Jeff Adam and seconded by Heather Berger to approve and authorize the appropriate Borough officials to execute the partial release of access easement, the easement as more fully described in the release of access agreement to the Hamburg Municipal Authority. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, H. Berger, R. Stetzler, J. Adam NAYES – None A motion was made by Heather Berger and seconded by Roger Stetzler to approve payment of invoices totaling $200,434.01. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker
NAYES – None LIST OF BILLS AT & T 498.14 Allied Waste Mgt. 20,664.00 Barko Cleaning 120.00 County of Berks 2,430.62 Blue Force Police Wear 187.00 Blue Mountain Computer Service 475.00 Keith L. Brobst 100.00 Burkhardt Mechanical 1,654.66 Denise Clare 200.00 Joyce Clay 200.00 Clearsource 1,800.00 Computerized Reporting Service 342.00 Dynatech Controls, Inc. 345.00 E-Mac Dairy Brush Co. 83.50 Endenburg Welding Co. 25.00 Lynn Ernst 200.00 Fisher Dam Auto 70.00 Fort Dearborn Life Insurance 302.41 Gorman & Associates P.C. 2,500.00 Hamburg Auto Parts 110.77 Hartman Janitorial 1,100.00 Hess Embroidery & Uniforms 417.46 Innovative Resource Group 1,063.04 Kantner’s Tire Service 15.00 Mike Kershner 259.40 Kozloff Stoudt 1,926.75 Kuzan’s True Value 116.81 Anthony Lascala 300.00 Met-Ed 5,977.74 Mountain View Supply 3.58 Nextel Communications 650.56 PA Dept. Labor & Industry-E 36.00 PA Local Govt. Sec. Assn. 100.00 PA Section AWWA 100.00 Penn Pride, Inc. 1,326.57 Postmaster of Hamburg 180.00 Reading Eagle Co 29.57 Reliable Office Supples 20.98 Roger Stetzler 45.00 Russell Stichter 200.00 Thren’s Auto Parts 308.28 ThyssenKrupp Elevator 197.31 Tyler Technologies Inc. 7,614.19 UGI Central Penn Gas 1,688.77 UniFirst 344.36 Verizon 417.72 Weis Markets 14.58 Zee Medical Service Company 14.25 TOTAL $56,776.02 BILLS PAID DURING THE MONTH Rich Leymeister 102.38 KRE Security 1,548.00 Borough of Hamburg 50,000.00 Borough/Payroll 89,433.77 Postmaster of Hamburg 782.88 Berger, Kim Y. 82.18 Sam’s Club 143.51 Gehring, Rodger 71.34 Berks Co. Treasurer 15.00 Mazaika, Dave 79.99 Petty Cash 9.60 PA UC Fund 1,389.34 TOTAL 143,657.99 56,776.02 GRAND TOTAL 200,434.01 SOLICITOR’S REPORT There will be a short executive session held after the meeting to discuss personnel issues and pending litigation. No action will be taken. INFORMATION ITEMS DECEMBER 9, 2008 @ 3 p.m. – Property Committee-will be rescheduled DECEMBER 9, 2008 @ 6 p.m. – Library Board Meeting – Library DECEMBER 16, 2008 @ 6 P.M. – Safety Committee-will be rescheduled DECEMBER 16, 2008 @ 7 p.m. – Planning Commission - CANCELLED DECEMBER 17, 2008 @ 7 p.m. – Authority DECEMBER 29, 2008 @ 6:30 p.m. – Water/Sewer & Public Relations DECEMBER 29, 2008 @ 7 p.m. – Year End Council meeting Chief Painter stated that a few weeks ago, there was some vandalism throughout the borough whereby properties and vehicles were spray painted. Two officers worked on tips they received and have apprehended 5 juveniles and 1 adult who are responsible for all the damage. Chief Painter is waiting estimates from all the property that was damaged and charges will be filed. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m. on the motion of Heather Berger and seconded by Elaine Swavely.Attest:
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