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Riverside Framing
Millerstown Borough Council
Meeting Minutes September 14, 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
Several complaints have been received about
properties with high grass or weeds. Warning
letters have been followed with second letters. 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 Ritzman made a
motion to approve the bills and expenditures.
Councilmember Hertzler seconded the motion.
Approval was unanimous.
Street Committee Report
Dave advised the crosswalk paining is almost
complete. He is getting several estimates for crack
sealing for the upcoming budget.
Councilmember Ritzman contacted the resident
on Sunbury Street and the water runoff created by
pipes originating from the property has been
moved and neighbors contacted for approval.
Tom O’Connell updated the replacement of
concrete at the bank should be occurring later this
month.
Sewer Committee Report
Tim Reilly, Municipal Authority Chairman, will
have the refined grease trap ordinance for the
Council’s review at the next meeting. Dave advised
he will need to pump down a tank, pull up the
mixer and check the bracket for repairs.
They repaired three manholes at High and Beaver
Street with grout and will check the one at the
school for possible repair.
Water Committee Report
Secretary Knellinger filed a claim with the
insurance company for the damage at the
reservoir. A check for $1,300 was received for the
damages less the $1,000 deductible. The
additional $500 for the tree removal should also
be received shortly.
Wade and Dave have been working on the back up
generator. The new block heater has been installed
and they will get assistance from a resident with
experience with diesel generators.
A timeline is needed for the ordinance on the
backflow prevention installation. Discussion
ensued for one year or 2021 for the commercial
users and two years or 2022 for the residential
connections. Dave and Wade have volunteered to
man a booth at the annual Christmas in the Park
event for an outreach to explain to the community
the importance of the backflow prevention.
Research has been done for any assistance
programs or grants to assist the residents with the
$400 cost of installation. President Shipp is
hesitant to pass any mandates given the Covid-19
stress on the population and this may have to be
delayed.
DEP has not processed the emergency tower
repair permit and the current drought will delay
repairs to the temporary patched hole in the
tower. They will be scheduled next spring and
hope the winter will not affect the patch.
Finance Committee Report
The annual MMO (minimum municipal
obligation) for the PMRS was read with the
mandatory obligation at 0. Councilmember
Hertzler made a motion to accept the worksheet as
presented. Councilmember Ritzman seconded the
motion. Approval was unanimous.
Resolution 2020-01 was presented to apply to
authorize an application to the Pa Municipal
Assistance Program through DCED to be
reimbursed for half of the costs of advertising,
legal and administrative fees for $685 for the
adoption the new Floodplain Ordinance in 2019.
Councilmember Fegley mad a motion to accept the
worksheet as presented. Councilmember Hertzler
seconded the motion. Approval was unanimous.
Budget work sessions were scheduled for
September 30th.
Solid Waste Committee Report
A few residents were missed on Poplar Street.
President Shipp will monitor the situation and
contact the hauler if it reoccurs.
Engineer’s Report
HRG engineer Justin Medinsky is not in
attendance due to an unexpected emergency but
the report from was read. The five year renewal
contract to prepare the NPDES permit was singed
by Chair Reilly for $5,500. 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.
Mayor’s Report
Trick or Treat will be on Saturday, October 31st
from 6-8pm.
The Halloween Parade is sponsored by the Lions
Club usually the Thursday before Halloween. The
Council cautions them to observe social distancing
if they decide to hold the parade. Secretary
Knellinger will contact them for a decision.
Solicitor’s Report
Solicitor Dissinger received a contract offer from
Comcast for ten years and 5% of revenue for cable
fee. The previous contract was fifteen years and no
revenue. Councilmember Hertzler reviewed the
contract for exclusivity or maintenance
feesclause4s and found none. Councilmember
Fegley made a motion to accept the worksheet as
presented. Councilmember Hertzler seconded the
motion. Approval was unanimous.
Zoning Officer Tim Reilly has asked the Solicitor
to review the zoning ordinance as many
contradictions exist. He feels being proactive prior
to any building would better than waiting. Council
approved Solicitor Dissinger to conduct the
review.
Old Business
Wade has been traveling the Pa Turnpike for his
water certification classes weekly with the exam
sometime in November. Secretary Knellinger will
research the EZ pass application as it may be less
expensive to apply for a yearly pass then the 13
week price.
New Business
Resolution 2020-02 Perry County Hazard
Mitigation Plan from TriCounty was read.
Councilmember Fegley made a motion to accept
the resolution as presented. Councilmember
Showers seconded the motion. Approval was
unanimous.
A recent accident shutdown Rt. 322 Westbound
and tractor trailer drivers’ GPS were detouring
them on Iron Mountain Road. The fire department
and the State Police were called to back several
trucks down the road. After the incident and
residents’ complaints, signs will be posted to
prevent trucks too large from attempting to travel
the road. Dave will contact Greenwood Township
for their side to be posted as well.
New Business cont.
A thank you card from the Ritzmans was shared
for the flowers sent in sympathy of Zoning Officer
and Municipal Authority Vice Chairman John
Melville’s passing.
Also Municipal Authority Chairman Tim Reilly
thanked everyone for the sympathy flowers sent
for the recent passing of his mother.
Zoning Permits
Zoning Officer Reilly advised two permits were
approved.
Vice President Shipp made a motion to adjourn.
Councilmember Hertzler seconded the motion.
Approval was unanimous.
The next meeting will be held Monday, September
14th at 7pm.