Millerstown Borough Council

Meeting Minutes

February 7, 2011

Those in attendance: President Bill Roush, Vice President Rob Shipp, Councilmembers Jackie Minium, Mike Sweger, Bruce Hengst. Secretary Karen Knellinger, Rodney Gish, and Bob Reisinger from Glace Associates. Kevin Jacobs arrived at 7:15.

President Roush presided, pledge of allegiance and meeting called to order.

Public and Private Concerns

None

The minutes from the last meeting were previously emailed and reviewed. Councilmember Sweger made the motion to approve the minutes as read. Councilmember Hengst seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.

The bills/receipts/expenditures were reviewed. Vice President Shipp made a motion to approve the bills and expenditures. Councilmember Sweger seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.

Street Committee Report

Rodney just received a load of salt and it should be enough for the winter. Chair Hengst is still reviewing the renumbering of Sunbury Street, a meeting will be held this month. Rodney and Dave attended the mandatory Penn Dot flagger class and are certified for three years. They will need new vest, flags and cones that are reflective. Rodney will check pricing. Also, Penn Dot has changed the requirements for street signs and they may need to be replaced eventually.

Sewer Committee Report

A letter about the overflow in December was received from DEP. No fine was imposed. A response was sent from Rodney and the Borough. Chair Shipp suggested this be attached to our Penn Vest application.

Water Committee Report

A letter was received from DEP for approval of the additional sampling tap (yard hydrant) to be completed by the end of March and sampling to begin in April and included in the reports to be sent in. Kevin spoke to Modern Pump for closure bids on the Locust Street well. Their estimate is $1,500-$1,800. He is waiting on an estimate from Eichelbergers and Kohl Brothers. They will need a well diagram. The council authorizes Kevin to obtain three verbal quotes. The County made comments on the land development plan for the plant upgrade. Kevin discussed these comments with the Greenwood Township planning commissioners and the Greenwood Township supervisors will meet on the 16th and the plans should be approved.

Finance Committee Report

There was a meeting with DEP and Penn Vest and it did not go as well as expected. The Penn Vest application will be resubmitted for February 15th and the asset management plan will be included. Other options will need to be explored and a possibility of scaling back the project. All is on hold until the final review to be announced in April. The borough did not make the needed points according to Penn Vest. There are some issues occurring in the dry season but not any overflows. Monetary implications were discussed but until April, all figures are speculation until the funding picture is clearer. Secretary Knellinger advised the 1995 loan on the tower will be done in approximately six months, earlier than expected.

Solid Waste Report

Councilmember Sweger did not have an opportunity to contact Wendy at CCD about a monthly or quarterly day for one big item disposal.

Engineer’s Report

Glace is currently working on the application for reimbursement of the Act 537 plan.

Solicitor’s Report

None

Mayor’s Report

Not in attendance. The petition for council reduction was turned in with 75 signatures and only 23 are required.

Old Business

A borough seal was presented at the last meeting designed by Tim Reilly. Councilmember Hengst made a motion to adopt the seal as presented. Vice President Shipp seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.

New Business

MSCI President Brookhart asked if they could use the borough building to host a breakfast and new member drive. It was discussed the facilities are not available for a cooked breakfast and the council prefers no heat sources be used in the building. A suggestion would be the park building or the firehouse that has ample room, a kitchen and tables and chairs. A coffee and donuts type of breakfast would be approved. New regulations on parade permits was received and Councilmember Hengst will review and make recommendations to the council. A power surge disabled the phone answering machine and a splitter switch at a cost of $139 for the sewer plant is needed to separate the fax, computer and phone system. Vice President Shipp made a motion to purchase the items. Councilmember Hengst seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous. An email from a resident was read concerning roaming cats within the borough. There is not an ordinance concerning cats only dogs and other animals. Parts have been ordered for repairing the spreader on the truck. Several residents have applied for updates to the Swiftreach program. The new wifi system and router is working as well as the new computer and Windows 7 system. Mary Maxwell has asked if the back apartment that fronts Market Street but faces Hemlock Street could use Hemlock as the address. Council approved the request. The codifying ordinances meeting needs to be rescheduled because of weather. The tractor is working well and Rodney has freed up the pedals. A meeting on February 16th at 7:00 pm is scheduled to review the address changes.

Zoning Permits

None

Adjournment

President Shipp made the motion to adjourn. Councilmember Sweger seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.

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