Millerstown Borough Council

Meeting Minutes

September 14, 2009

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

Meeting called to order.

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 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. Vice President Ken Druckenmiller seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.

Street Committee Report

Chair Russell has not heard back from Pee Wee on the use of his shed for salt storage. The price of renting a backhoe is nearly as much as purchasing one. Rod volunteered to run the loader, however, Dave could not do all the flagging because any work on the State road would require a flagger each direction. President Roush can think of several people to assist with the flagging. Chair Russell will check the price of a John Deere loader at the end of town. The type of shed and loader is still being researched at this time. Councilman Rob Sweger asked if the patching has been completed for the year. Rodney said the contractor has agreed to come back to finish up soon. Councilman Sweger advised by the old cemetery, the road continually erodes and washes out and this has been mentioned for almost three years. The contractor has been made aware do the issue. Rodney says the blacktop will need to be continued further to avoid the water eroding any further.

Sewer Committee Report

Secretary Knellinger advised receipt of a letter from the State advising the Sewer Project would require prevailing wage. Council and Kevin were aware of this.

Water Committee Report

Three valves were replaced quickly and the boil water advisory can now be lifted. The chlorinator at the reservoir was replaced but will still need to be calibrated to gallons from kilograms. The water meter at Troup’s was replaced today. The hydrants still need to be exercised. Two valves still need to be replaced because they will not turn one on Sunbury and one on Market; the valve on Sunbury is most important.

Finance Committee Report

The Authority will need pursue Penn Vest for the remaining 33% of the money needed. Kevin advises the deadline for the application is some time in November. President Roush read the MMO (Minimum Municipal Obligation) Pension Plan from PMRS.

Finance Committee Report cont.

Councilman Mike Sweger made the motion to continue to contribute no funds to the employees’ pension plan. Councilman Jim Russell seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. President Roush wants the budget planning to begin early next month. He wants each committee to go over each budget item and meet with preliminary numbers in mind. Secretary Knellinger will distribute numbers to the committees.

Solid Waste Report

Chair Russell has spoken to Wendy from CCD and Doug is now aware of the problems that have been occurring with the driver. They want to be kept informed of any issues. Councilman will try to keep a close watch on pick up days.

Engineer’s Report

Kevin advises an application will be sent for a loan/grant in Mid November and we should hear back at some time in January. Pen Vest will provide an offer either way, a loan or a grant. Kevin wants to then compare if local financing would be at a better rate. Detraglia Excavating has advised the Creek Crossing project is complete. One invoice for the bid price of $3,950 has been paid. Kevin explained the original project is to extend the force main in the bank to the treatment plant and into the river. In excavating the stream bank, a buried manhole was uncovered on the opposite side of the creek. Upon excavating, the manhole was found but the old brick mortar was leaking, and needed to be replaced. A whirlpool was also noticed on the upstream side of the encasement and was being undermined by water in the creek. Concrete was poured in the creek over the pipe. Three invoices were received, the original bid from Monday, May 4, 2009, to extend the encasement for $3,950. A motion was made to ratify the payment of the original bid by Vice President Ken Druckenmiller and seconded by Councilman Jim Russell. Approval was unanimous. The replacement of the deteriorated manhole with a precast manhole invoice total is $14,255.00. The embankment replacement with the erosion control matting is in question and Council decided to withhold 10% of the total invoice or $1,425.50, upon clarification from DEP on placement of the matting until the job is completed. Rodney questioned the placement of the erosion matting and President Roush commented if there was a problem Rodney should have been present during the installation. Rodney said it was his day off and Bill should have been present during installation. President Roush said he is not paid for the job, the employees are paid to be at any job within the Borough and next time, someone has to be present. Rodney resigned his position with the Borough. A motion was made by Councilman Jim Russell and seconded by Councilman Mike Sweger to pay the balance of $12,829.50. The third invoice is for the encasement crossing the creek. DEP allowed repair of the encasement under the existing permit. Concrete was placed on the upstream side so water washing under the pipe could be filled with concrete. A special hydraulic concrete was used at $300 a yard and approximately 40 yards was needed. The invoice total is $10,717.50. A motion was made by Councilman Jim Russell and seconded by Councilman Mike Sweger to pay the third invoice for the encasement crossing the creek. Approval was unanimous.   

Guest Speaker

Paul Zeigler from the Central Pennsylvania Energy Consortium or CPEC. The Consortium has been in existence for 12 years and is a nonprofit organization made up of municipalities, counties and hospitals. They will negotiate an electric rate, less than PPL, to save on power. A one-time fee of $100 membership fee and $100 charge per account to convert all bills for review at a rate of $10 per month for 10 months will be charged. In addition, .0025 a KWH is also charged beyond the negotiated rate. They will

Guest Speaker cont.

negotiate the best rate and if they are not lower than PPL, there will be no change. The deadline for signing a contract is in two weeks and Mr. Zeigler will need to be notified as soon as possible is Council wants to proceed.  There are no hidden fees and contracts are for 12, 24 or 36 months with no minimum usage or penalty for how much electricity is used. Several questions were answered by Mr. Zeigler for clarification on the program.

This is the second speaker to present money saving options to the Council. Prior, Benchmark explained the program they offer in anticipation of the upcoming removal of rate caps from PPL.

Solicitor’s Report

None

Mayor’s Report

None

Old Business

Councilman Mike Sweger advises the truck tires came in today. Councilman Rob Shipp is still working with Kevin on rewriting the zoning ordinance to fit the new floodplain ordinance. Councilman Jim Russell is still researching the purchase of a generator and sump pump. The size of the sump pump is in question. There was some confusion concerning the graffiti being painted over in the tunnels. MCSI and the local church still need to work out the details.

New Business

Information for a grant to plant trees sponsored by Perry and Dauphin County was distributed to Curt Black for the Park Committee and MCSI. Councilman Rob Shipp made a motion to adopt Resolution # 38, adoption for implementing the NIMS. Vice President Druckenmiller seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. Councilman Rob Sweger presented House Bill #1500. This proposal will charge the municipality per person for police protection increasing over three years from $52, $104 2nd year and $156 in the third year. Mayor Ritzman questioned if any population would be exempt from the charge. In reading the bill, exemptions only exist if a local force is paid for 80 hours. Councilman Rob Shipp commented this would be over $100,000 in the third and subsequent years. Councilman Sweger suggested letters should be drafted to Senator Corman and Representative Keller in opposition of this bill. Councilman Rob Sweger made a motion to draft a letter from Council opposing the bill. Councilman Jim Russell seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. Councilman Sweger and Secretary Knellinger will work on verbage of the letter. Councilman Mike Sweger advised a homeowner would like to abandon the concrete steps at Grave Street going out of town. Currently, they are used as a bus stop and since they are in need of repair, the homeowner is afraid of injuries. Alternate steps are in place and they are not part of a sidewalk. Council thinks since this is no longer considered part of the street, the steps are the homeowner’s responsibility and are the homeowners’ discretion.     

Building/Zoning Permits

None 

Adjournment

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

Councilman Rob Shipp made the motion to adjourn from Executive Session.

Councilman Rob Shipp made the motion to join the Energy Consortium and add all accounts over $50 for 12 months with an option for another 12 months. Councilman Rob Sweger seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.

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

The next meeting will be held on a special day, Monday, October 5, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the borough building.

NOTE:

Employee Rodney Gish asked to be rehired on Tuesday, September 15, 2009. After a meeting with the Council, Mr. Gish was allowed to return to work on Monday, September 21, 2009.