Millerstown Borough Council Meeting Minutes

November 2, 2009

Those in attendance: President Bill Roush, Vice President Ken Druckenmiller, Councilmen  Rob Sweger, Rob Shipp, Mike Sweger, Dave Stroup, Secretary Karen Knellinger and Kevin Jacobs.

Meeting called to order.

Special Guest Speaker

The mayor arranged for Trooper Lynham from PA State Police, Newport Barracks, to give a presentation on the Neighborhood Watch Program. Resident Dave Suarez volunteered to head the program to watch the community for crime and be the liaison between the police and the community. The trooper gave him all the necessary forms to get the watch started and a community meeting will be scheduled to get everyone involved. Neighborhood Watch signs can be purchased from the police for a minimal cost of $10-15 per sign. Council agreed to support the program with Mr. Suarez as the leader and a public meeting to be scheduled. Several residents attended the meeting to show support of the program.

Public and Private Concerns

None

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

The bills/receipts/expenditures were reviewed. Councilman Rob Shipp questioned the purchase of paint. President Roush explained the borough paid for the paint and supplies and the church volunteered to paint the tunnels. However, with so much rain, the walls are too wet and the project will need to be done in the spring. All the supplies are in the garage at the borough building. Councilman Rob Shipp made a motion to approve the bills and expenditures. Councilman Mike Sweger seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.

Street Committee Report

Chair Russell is absent but the salt shed is almost finished. Stone needs to be laid on the road in front of the shed. Salt mix from Pennsy is $68.95 per ton plus $175 per truck delivered, for a total of $1600 plus. We used approximately three loads last year. Council approved the order of a load now and then review for a second load after delivery. 30x30 signs to post for begin and end borough maintenance are $83.93 each, and four are needed. The direction from the council is to plow to the borough line and not beyond. The only exception is to turn around safely and no favors for anyone. A motion was made by Councilman Rob Sweger to purchase and install the signs. Vice President Druckenmiller seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. Dave has a quote from Styndinger to fix Iron Mt Road past the shed, 3 loads of shale, a roller and a cat for $675. Councilman Rob Shipp made a motion to approve the work. Councilman Mike Sweger seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. The s turn to the reservoir needs to be opened. Dave will contact Jeff Losch for an estimate.  

Sewer Committee Report

The impeller on the pump has been repaired and reinstalled. The Municipal Authority made an application for their own EIN #. The Sewer Authority met prior to the meeting with Kevin. Up until now, a treatment plant of the same size has been planned, now DEP wants to up the MGD from .1 to .12 to prevent any I&I overflow issues. Glace and DEP feel the current grant should cover the additional cost, which is needed on the hydraulic side not the BOD loading. The Act 537 Plan and applications will need to be modified and another permit renewal application made. The Act 537 Plan will need to be amended along with the environmental studies and at the next meeting readopt along with another public hearing. Sewer Committee member Rob Sweger questioned why this was not sized correctly prior to now. Kevin’s response was to ask DEP. Councilman Mike Sweger wants to know how close to the actual original flow is the average MGD but DEP wants 2.5 times beyond the amount. Councilman Rob Shipp wants to know how this agreement can be changed after the original plan was submitted and how much more could this cost. Kevin advises the grant money should cover the extra costs. Councilman Shipp questioned when DEP can keep changing their minds and Kevin advises they can continue throughout the entire project and EPA can also make changes. Kevin needs authority to proceed to submit the amended plan. Councilman Shipp made the motion to proceed with the modifications to the Act 537 Plan. The motion was seconded by Vice President Druckenmiller. Councilman Rob Sweger - nay, Councilman Mike Sweger - nay, President Roush - yea. Motion carried 3-2. Part 1 application and part 2 will need to be signed and notarized and returned to Kevin. Glace will advertise for the December meeting for a public hearing. Kevin gave Councilman Shipp the changes to the zoning ordinance to fit the floodplain ordinance for the next meeting.      

Water Committee Report

All valves have been re-exercised. 5 meters have been replaced and wired.  

Finance Committee Report

Budget planning is complete. Secretary Knellinger will advertise and ready to adopt at the December meeting. The Authority has signed and returned the contract for the H2O Grant.  

Solid Waste Report

The recycling program is to be cancelled by the County. Secretary Knellinger and Greenwood Township Supervisor Benner had discussed the cost of the roll off to be $600 per month. There was some discussion if this could be split equitably for Greenwood, Tuscarora and the borough but more information is needed. A meeting is to take place at the end of the month with the county.      

Engineer’s Report

See above  

Solicitor’s Report

None.  

Mayor’s Report

None

Old Business

Councilman Russell is not present for the update on the purchase of a generator and sump pump. As previously mentioned, the tunnel painting has been delayed because of being too wet. A useable email for the sewer plant needs to be found, the provider is pa.net. Rodney is to contact Vice President Druckenmiller early on Saturday morning and he will find it.

New Business

Councilman Shipp presented Resolution #39 for the Cap Tax Fee Schedule to collect revenue for overdue fees. Mr. Bunt has reviewed this and most of the county is adopting. Councilman Mike Sweger made a motion to adopt Resolution # 39. Vice President Druckenmiller seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.

Zoning Permits

Salt shed; borough. Porch on Sunbury; Donbaugh, Fence; Pisani 1 N. Market St.

Adjournment

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

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

Councilman Rob Shipp made the motion to adjourn. Vice President Druckenmiller seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.

The next meeting will be held Monday, December 7, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the borough building.