Millerstown Borough Council Meeting Minutes

December 7, 2009

Those in attendance: President Bill Roush, Councilmen Jim Russell, Rob Shipp, Mayor Bill Ritzman, Dave Stroup, Secretary Karen Knellinger and Kevin Jacobs. Norm Shea representing the Municipal Authority.

Councilman Mike Sweger arrived at 7:15 pm.

Act 537 Plan Public Meeting opened and closed. Separate minutes for this meeting.

Regular Meeting called to order.

Public and Private Concerns

Resident Dave Suarez, chairperson for the new Neighborhood Watch Program, asked Council to attend the official kick off meeting along with the State Police, which is scheduled for January 22, , at 6pm at the fire company hall.  

President Roush addressed all of council: He thanked all council members for their hard work and dedication. After this meeting, only two existing members of council will remain for the next term. The status of the elections: Tim Reilly was reelected but has chosen not to serve. Bruce Hengst, Jackie Minium and Bill Ritzman were elected through write in votes. This would leave two open seats with Mike Sweger willing to be appointed for another two-year term. This will leave one open seat for a full council. Previously, council had pursued reducing the number of members to three versus five for the size of the borough and the difficulty in filling the council seats. This will need to be pursued further. Just four years ago, the Borough was on the verge of bankruptcy. Since then, after some small loans and many completed projects, the finances have recovered.

The minutes of the last meeting were previously emailed and reviewed. Councilman Mike Sweger made the motion to approve the minutes as read. Councilman Jim Russell seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.

The bills/receipts/expenditures were reviewed. Councilman Rob Shipp made a motion to approve the bills and expenditures. Councilman Jim Russell seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.

Street Committee Report

The repairs to the reservoir road have been completed. The end and begin maintenance signs for Iron Mt. have been received and Dave wants direction where they will need to be placed. Rodney is to talk to Grininger about the head wall on Iron Mt.; it may have to wait until spring to be repaired. Two loads of salt have been received. The Dirt & Gravel Road Program will be awarding one project for . Approval was given by Councilman Russell and Shipp to apply again for the grant for Iron Mt. Road. Steininger did some work on Iron Mt and it is in better condition. The dump truck needed a new starter and two batteries. The flywheel may have been damaged from the starter but it seems okay for now.

Sewer Committee Report

The Act 537 Plan will be readopted at the next meeting. The Municipal Authority has their own EIN # and vendor #.  M&S Services replaced the lead controller.      

Water Committee Report

A letter from Aqua PA was distributed. They purchase water systems throughout the state, some in Cumberland and Juniata County. The council is not interested in selling the water system or meeting to hear their offer. Three meters have been replaced since the last meeting.     

Finance Committee Report

Review and Adoption of Budget. Copies have been distributed and on display for the public. The projected balances at the end of ; Sewer Account +$11,225, Water Account + $1,562, Borough/General Account +$9093. There are no great excesses with no raises in taxes and minor adjustments in rentals. Electric is supposed to take a large jump but the Council was proactive and signed an agreement with Central Pa Energy Consortium. The lowest bid is with Champion Energy of Houston, Texas for 0.08715kwh as compared to PPL 0.1048 with fees .0025 for a total of .0.08975 per kwh. This is for 12 months with 20% higher or lower usage with no penalty. A report will be generated for comparison purposes and savings. The costs will be on the PPL bills. An option is for the bill to be sent monthly on quarterly. The council agreed on monthly billing. A bill is in the House for the PA State Police to charge municipalities for police protection. The Council formulated a letter opposing the charges to Representative Keller. A response was received from him that he will not be supporting this bill in the House. A response has not been received from Senator Corman’s office as this time. Councilman Mike Sweger made a motion to adopt the budget for as presented. Councilman Rob Shipp seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.

Solid Waste Report

Councilman Mike Sweger attended the recycling meeting. Two of the county commissioners present agreed to keep the recycling program in their budget until August. The county has had some ideas to continue with per carload cost or overall costs to the municipalities individually. Another option is individual haulers for curbside pick up. This issue will need to be reviewed with more information to follow.      

Engineer’s Report

At the next meeting, the resolution for the Act 537 Plan will need to be readopted. Kevin presented drawings for the new plant. At the next meeting, he should have plans for updating the collection system. An exemption letter was received from the State Museum Commission, the Archeological Phase I dig for $24,000, will not have to be performed for the sewer plant upgrade.   

Solicitor’s Report

None.  

Mayor’s Report

A fine was levied for parking in front of 35 South Market Street. The renter went before Magistrate Pete Howell and claimed an exemption for a disability. The Mayor explained to her there are no exceptions to park on the sidewalk per ordinance. Councilman Mike Sweger looks forward to the neighborhood watch program because he has had 15 gallons of gas stolen from vehicles parked in the back of his residence.    

Old Business

Councilman Shipp is still reviewing the ordinances; he has reviewed the Floodplain ordinance and returned to the engineer for him to make the necessary changes. Councilman Russell advises the generator can be purchased after December 15th, when they reopen. Rodney will need to be consulted before the purchase of the sump pump. Vice President Druckenmiller checked for a useable email at the sewer plant. Secretary Knellinger will have to contact Tim Reilly and have him review.

New Business

A letter was received from the Humane Society they do not cover Perry County and in order for them to service the area, a donation would need to be made. No action at this time. A letter from Penn Dot for three bridge rehab projects, none are in the Borough.

A letter from Penn Vest was received, the rehab sewer project was not recommended for approval for the October round of grants. The next time this would be eligible is March .  Information for the Block Grant program was discussed. The borough is not eligible for low to moderate-income thresholds unless it is a small project area to qualify. 

Zoning Permits

Cameron, William St - solar panels. Goodling, Sunbury St - addition & porch

Adjournment

Councilman Mike Sweger made the motion to adjourn to Executive Session. Councilman Rob Shipp seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.

Councilman Jim Russell made the motion to adjourn from Executive Session. Councilman Rob Shipp seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.  

Councilman Jim Russell made a motion to rent the skid loader for $2,000 from Jeremy Dudley for the 2009- winter season with an option to purchase for $8,000. Councilman Mike Sweger seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. 

Councilman Jim Russell made the motion to adjourn.  President Roush seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.

The next meeting will be held Monday, January 4, at 6:30 PM for a Reorganization Meeting with the regular meeting to follow at the borough building.