The tenth meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council for 2005 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, Martha Bertolet, Tina Yoder, Dale Schlenker, Jeanette Heckman

Members Absent – None

Also Present – Solicitor John Speicher, Lynda G. Albright, Borough Manager, Kim Y. Berger, Recording Secretary, Mayor Del Rosario (7:35 p.m.)

Visitors – Heather Breininger, Chief Michael Painter, Maria Herne (Pottsville Republican), Dan Roman (Item), Dennis Schwoyer, Kerry Delong, Norma Berger, Sylvia Summons, Scott Kreider, Rick Boyd, D. Vallce, Lori Guldin, Alean Tray

A motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Tina Yoder to approve the amended agenda

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, T. Yoder, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

COURTESY TO AUDIENCE

Lori Guldin was present to request that council look into adopting a resolution whereby the pay for the Mayor be suspended for any month that he does not attend a council meeting.

This is something that the Borough of Cressona is or has already adopted.

Ms. Guldin has also stated that she was contacted by the State Ethics commission and they stated that no legal advice can be given over the telephone, however, she will be visiting the Law Library in Reading to find out if an individual can hold two elected offices at the same time.

Councilwoman Wilkinson stated that she checked into this question and there is no conflict between the two offices and the Mayor can hold both offices at the same time. Ms. Wilkinson suggested Ms. Guldin check out the website www.inventpa.com.

Scott Kreider handed out copies of the proposed changes to the Barta bus schedule. Mr. Kreider requested assistance from the council. The bus route times will be cut by 70% and since he is a rider of the system, he has seen an increase in the number of people taking the bus. There will be petitions presented to Barta at the meetings listed on the brochure. Mr. Kreider requested some support from council and for council to tell Barta that we need the times we currently have.

Richard Boyd stated the analysis was based on riders both directions. It could be that there are riders going to Reading, but not coming back. Mr. Boyd stated that their budget has been cut due to the fuel costs.

A motion was made by Martha Bertolet and seconded by Dale Schlenker to approve the minutes of May 9, 2005 meeting as submitted.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, T. Yoder, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Tina Yoder to approve the following reports: Engineer’s Report, Safety Committee Report and Finance Committee Report.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, T. Yoder, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT ISSUES

Flows at the plant have returned to normal. Plant personnel continue to deal with poor settling sludge. Polymers to assist in settling are being used as required.

The sludge dewatering device has been delivered and plant personnel are setting it up. If the trial goes well, this process should reduce disposal costs and labor to handle the plant’s solids.

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. continues to work on a preliminary design for the expansion of the wastewater plant. The planning module for an expansion of the WWTP to 1.5 MGD has been submitted to DEP. Meetings continue to be held with the design team as the project progresses. A verbal report will be presented to the Board.

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. submitted the Penn Works application for the grant to build the wastewater plant. A request for additional information was received from DCED and a response was completed. Commitment letters for the local funding were included. Telephone conversations were held with Penn Works review agents. A verbal report will be presented to the Board.

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN and I/I WORK

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. is continuing dialog with DEP on the Connection Management Plan. Televising and repairs of the collection system are complete for the 2004 contract. A meeting was held at Systems Design Engineering, Inc. with Ed Corriveau from PA DEP Planning Section on the Hamburg project. A verbal report will be presented.

MID-ATLANTIC CANNERS

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. continues to talk with MACA on future needs.

PROJECTS

Design of the upgrade/expansion of the Pine Street Pump Station is progressing.

Charles Fitzpatrick and Systems Design Engineering, Inc. continue dialogue with Tilden representatives on the proposed Inter-Municipal Agreement and representation issues.

PA Act 57 requires the recalculation of tapping fees prior to the end of June 2005. Systems Design Engineering, Inc. is preparing recalculation for discussion.

Safety Committee

May 17, 2005

The committee met at 3:30 on the above date with the following persons present: Lynda Albright, Martha Bertolet, Tammy Wilkinson, Dale Schlenker, Chief Painter and Chuck Figard.

Items discussed were:

Ordinance Update – Ordinances for a 15-minute loading zone at Kurtz’s, the Lemon Alley correction and changes in towing procedures will be combined in a single ordinance, thus avoiding multiple charges.

Part-Time Police Officers – Chief Painter expressed a need for a part-time officer in the near future; however, more work remains before any recommendations will be made to council.

Veteran’s Request – A Memorial Day Salute to veterans will take place at the older (southern) section of the Pine St. Cemetary at l:00 p.m.

Negotiations – The Police Association president has requested time/date to begin negotiations. The first meeting has been set for Thursday, June 9 at 4:00 p.m.

Police Department Evaluation – Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) will soon complete our requested evaluation of the police department. The evaluation is intended to indicate strengths and weaknesses in the department.

Traffic Control – Several ideas were discussed concerning traffic control at 4^th and State Streets that would create a more efficient movement of traffic through that intersection. Penn Dot will be Queried to determine what will be permitted since Penn Dot owns both streets.

The meeting ended at 5:20 p.m.

Chuck Figard

The committee met at 6:30 p.m. on the above date with the following persons present: Lynda Albright, Tammy Wilkinson, Jeanette Heckman, Dale Schlenker, Allen Shollenberger, and Chuck Figard.

The subject discussed was the Emergency Management Services Tax (EMST)

The problem is confusion concerning collection of this new tax, authorized by a recently enacted law effective January l, 2005. Borough employers and self-employed persons were given two months (January and February) to pay the tax after which a 10% penalty was assessed. Some computer technicalities caused problems.

Discussion was held to determine the fairest way of dealing with the time element and the penalties assessed. Recommendations were forwarded to council for the final decision.

Charles Figard

OLD BUSINESS

On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Charles Figard to award the storm sewer project on North 4^th Street from Poplar to North Crescent Avenue to Reading Site Contractors, Reading, PA. The cost will be $41,104 and will be covered by Liquid Fuels funding.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, T. Yoder, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Safety Committee, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Tina Yoder approving the request for the Vets to hold a Memorial Day Salute at the Cemetery on Pine Street.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, T. Yoder, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Charles Figard to approve a "Resolution of Support" for Deena Kershner, Rick Boyd, Roy Heffner, Donna Palko and Allen Shollenberger to participate in a blueprint communities initiative which will help to provide the necessary tools for community revitalization.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, T. Yoder, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Martha Bertolet to approve payment of invoices totaling $54,274.67.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, T. Yoder, C. Figard, D, Schlenker

NAYES – None

T. Wilkinson abstained from Met-Ed (family member works for them).

AT & T 26.10

BCMHIPG 20,076.84

BURKHARDT MECHANICAL 160.00

CINDY ROWE AUTO GLASS 357.27

COPY WORLD 482.00

EMC INSURANCE CO. 4,404.28

GALLS INC. 78.96

HAMBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY 543.85

CHRISTOPHER HARTZ 76.32

CARL HEIN 277.95

KISTLER O’BRIEN 89.25

KUZAN’S TRUE VALUE 74.80

LEISAWITZ, HELLER, ABRAMOWITCH 1,756.59

M & T BANK 12,711.56

J P MASCARO 6,811.21

MAZAIKA CONCRETE 1,603.10

MET-ED 2,690.28

MEIT 188.50

THE OFFICE SERVICE CO. 76.73

ONE TOUCH TO WIRELESS 19.99

PMHIC 1,036.35

PA STATE ASSC. OF BOROS 10.00

QUILL 58.49

ES SAVAGE 126.61

SCOTTS LAWN SERVICE 75.00

SOCIETY CLEANERS 20.00

ROGER STETZLER 60.00

SYSTEMS DESIGN ENGINEERING 123.75

TRIANGLE COMMUNICATIONS 248.53

WEIS MARKETS 10.36

TOTAL $54,274.67

A motion was made by Tina Yoder and seconded by Charles Figard to authorize the Council President or the Vice-President to attend the settlement of the land purchase from Dake, Inc.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, T. Yoder, J. Heckman, C. Figard, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

MEMORIAL DAY FESTIVITIES – MAY 27 THROUGH MAY 30, 2005

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. on the motion of Tina Yoder and seconded by Tammy Wilkinson.

ATTEST:

Kim Y. Berger
Recording Secretary/Office Manager