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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.
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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.