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Millerstown Borough Council Meeting Minutes August 3, 2020 Those in attendance: President Rob Shipp, Vice President Tim Ritzman, Council members Rich Fegley, Donna Showers and Kevin Hertzler. Mayor Scott Arbegast, Secretary Karen Knellinger, Plant Manager Dave Stroup, Plant Operator Wade Blanchard. President Shipp called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Public and Private Concerns Tom O’Connell, JVB manager gave an update on drive through and sidewalk paving to take place this fall. He asked if handicapped parking or bank customer only parking could be placed on Sunbury Street. He has had several elderly fall from the handicapped spots in the parking lot and the access would be easier. The Street Committee will review and give their recommendations. Several residents have complained about profane signs in the Borough. The Council cannot mandate removal of the signs since this right is protected by the Second Amendment and freedom of speech. Several complaints have been received about properties with high grass or weeds. Warning letters have already been sent and will be followed with a second letter. If no response, the District Justice will be contacted concerning fines.   The minutes from the last regular meeting were previously emailed and reviewed. Councilmember Fegley made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Councilmember Showers seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. The bills/receipts/expenditures were reviewed and discussed. Councilmember Hertzler made a motion to approve the bills and expenditures. Councilmember Fegley seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.  Street Committee Report Councilmember Showers received several positive comments about the road resurfacing. Dave advises since the paving is complete, the Penn Dot HOP permit has been closed. Chestnut Street will need some top soil on one side. Street Committee Report cont. Councilmember Ritzman will contact the resident on Sunbury Street as to the status on water runoff created by pipes originating from the property.  Sewer Committee Report The Municipal Authority is working with the engineer on refining the grease trap ordinance. Water Committee Report A tree fell at the reservoir pulling the electric line from the building. The chlorine pump was shorted, the solenoid coil to the knife gate, the gate valve and lights in the chlorine building were all damaged. Councilmembers Fegley and Ritzman cleared several trees off the PPL lines. Secretary Knellinger has filed a claim with the insurance company. The total coliform report needs to be revised to check chlorine residuals weekly at the tap at the tower. Wade and Dave have been working on the back up generator. The block heater burned up and another will need to be ordered. Councilmembers Ritzman and Showers will work on getting the ordinance ready for backflow prevention and a timeline for the commercial users first followed by the residential connections.   Finance Committee Report Solicitor Dissinger has completed the tax free letter to the bank for the vehicle purchases. The check is ready and the truck will be picked up Wednesday. Afterwards, it will go to US Municipal Supply for the plow and cinder spreader install. The dump truck will not be ready for pick up until January of 2021. A letter was presented by the Millerstown Ambulance League advising call volumes and asking for any available funding. Council discussed with the purchase of two new trucks, the budget will be extremely tight for the remainder of 2020 and 2021. Although a worthy cause, the finance committee will keep this in mind for 2021 budget.  Solid Waste Committee Report None Engineer’s Report The engineer is not in attendance but the report from HRG engineer Justin Medinsky was read. He reminded Council of the DEP regulations to have a backup portable generator or establish a contract to rent one and provide a back up pump for emergency installation within two years. The back up generator repair is in process of repair. They have not received a formal plan on the Greenwood School District Track Improvement project. The final solar project plan has been approved and construction underway. Justin is currently working on renewal of the NPDES permit with Dave; the application must be received by December 2nd.  No updates from DEP on the tower repair to take place late August or September.  Mayor’s Report Additional cameras at the tunnels were discussed.  Solicitor’s Report Solicitor Dissinger is currently working on the Comcast contract renewal, the tax free letter was received by JVB and a zoning ordinance review is underway. Old Business   Wade is attending water certification classes weekly, with the exam sometime in November. New Business None Zoning Permit Zoning Officer Reilly advised one permit for a deck at 10 South Market Street was approved. A motion was made by Councilmember Ritzman to adjourn. Councilmember Fegley seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be held Monday, September 14th at 7pm.