Board of Commissioners

May 15, 2017 Meeting Minutes - 6 -

COLEBROOKDALE TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MEETING MINUTES OF May 15, 2017

The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of Colebrookdale Township was held on the above date at the Township Building. President Todd Gamler called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with all present joining in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The following Commissioners were present: Todd Gamler (President), William Spade (Vice-President), Commissioner Daniel Ritter and Commissioner Rudy Rivera. Commissioner Linwood Bartman arrived at 7:43 pm. Also present were Township Manager Cindy Conrad, Tax Collector/Treasure Joan Herb, CEO Paul Labe, Road Master Michael Hillegas, Solicitor Jeffrey Karver, Township Engineer John Sartor and Sergeant Amy Babb the Officer-in-Charge.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Lindsey Riegner, Boyertown Library Planning Committee member asked the Commissioners for help with traffic control at numerous intersections for a 5K Run they are working on to raise funds for the library. The event will be Sunday, August 13 beginning 8:00 or 9:00 AM starting at the pavilion. Commissioner Gamler explained they need to contact the fire police for traffic control. Various routes for the run were discussed. Ms. Riegner asked about the process to rent the pavilion. The Board concurred to waive the rental fee since the event is for the library.

Mike Bloomfield, 228 Henry Avenue addressed the Commissioners with questions about the progress of monitoring the noise from the dirt bikes and ATV’s at 254 Henry Avenue. CEO Labe said he received a proposal from one source and is waiting for additional quotes.

MINUTES

The May 1, 2017 Board of Commissioners meeting minutes and May 2, 2017 Special Meeting Minutes were presented to the Board for their review and approval. On a motion by Commissioner Spade, seconded by Commissioner Bartman, the May 1, 2017 Board of Commissioners meeting minutes and May 2, 2017 Special Meeting minutes are approved. Commissioner Ritter abstained from voting on the Special Meeting minutes as he did not attend that meeting. There was no other public comment. Motion carried.

FINANCIAL REPORTS

Treasure Joan Herb submitted the Treasurer’s Report for April 2017. There were no comments from the Board. Commissioner Gamler acknowledged submission of the Customer Balance Summary and Deposit Detail Report. Commissioner Gamler then read a list of the payment of bills from the following Township funds for approval.

General Fund Expense 5/15/17 $ 87,225.28

HRA Fund Expense 5/15/17 3,082.78

Payroll Expense 5/15/17 44,348.14

Recycling Fund Expense 5/15/17 5,816.50

Street Light Fund Expense 5/15/17 1,359.23

On a motion by Commissioner Ritter, seconded by Commissioner Spade, payment of the submitted bills was authorized.

Commissioner Gamler acknowledged submission of the Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual General Fund statement. The statement was available to the public for review.

POLICE REPORT

Sergeant Babb, Officer-in-Charge, submitted the following blotter items:

- request approval for Officer Hanna to attend classes on June 13th and 14th, 2017 in Abington at a cost of $295.00. It is a seminar on Managing the Property & Evidence Room. He will commute to the classes. The Commissioners asked if he will be back on duty from his medical leave and if not who will go in his place. Officer Hanna has a tentative return date of June 5th. and Sergeant Babb will ask other officers if they will attend should he not be back on duty. There was a motion by Commissioner Ritter, seconded by Commissioner Rivera to approve $295.00 for Officer Hanna to attend a two-day seminar on Managing the Property & Evidence Room. There were no other comments. Motion carried.

Sergeant Babb told the Commissioners as of this date new evidence room requirement procedures were put into effect and she explained her role in the chain of custody over the items of evidence. She said the room itself needs to be changed to separate drugs from weapons and ventilation needs to be installed.

- request approval for Officer Merry to attend a Patrol Rifle Instructor Course June 26-30, 2017. Only one officer is needed to take the class and is then prepared to instruct and qualify all other officers. There was a motion by Commissioner Spade, seconded by Commissioner Bartman to approve $595.00 for Officer Merry to attend a 5-day Patrol Rifle Instructor Course June 26-30, 2017. There were no other comments. Motion carried.

- request approval to purchase new ammunition boxes and metal target stands for the firing range. Various quotes for each were submitted and there are sufficient funds in the budget. There was a motion by Commissioner Bartman, seconded by Commissioner Rivera to authorize the purchase of three ammunition boxes and five metal target stands. There were no other comments. Motion carried.

- Officer Perez is in need of a new body armor vest. His vest has reached the end of its useful protection life. He is being fitted for a new vest and a grant is being researched. Commissioner Gamler noted the Township budgets for new vests each year.

- The Board of Commissioners were copied on a letter sent to Officer Perez notifying him of the removal of a written reprimand that was placed in his file in 2015. Attorney Karver said no action is required of the Board.

- Sergeant Babb and Officer Merry are working on the firearm qualification policy to be in compliant with the State requirements.

- Request for authorization for Sergeant Babb to join as an Associate Member in the Chiefs of Police Association while she is Officer-In-Charge. She noted Associate Membership is allowed by the Association in certain circumstances and will be a help in her Officer-In-Charge capacity. There was a motion by Commissioner Ritter, seconded by Commissioner Spade to authorize Sergeant Babb to apply for Associate Membership in the Chiefs of Police Association. There were no other comments. Motion carried.

Commissioner Gamer congratulated Sergeant Bab for being named First Responder of the Year and honored at the Citizen of the Year Awards event in April.

ROAD MASTER REPORT

Commissioner Gamler noted the submission of the Road Master’s work detail reports for the weeks of 5/1, 5/8 & 5/15. There were no comments.

Road Master Hillegas requested approval to purchase a trim chainsaw from Little’s for $513.46. Additional quotes were submitted at the last meeting. He reviewed the quotes with the Commissioners. There was a motion by Commissioner Ritter, seconded by Commissioner Spade to authorize the purchase of the STIHL MS 201T chainsaw for $513.46 at Little’s. There were no other comments. Motion carried.

The Road Master asked permission to regrade the road bank at the pavilion. PennDOT cut back the bank while paving N. Reading Avenue and it will be very difficult to mow. The Commissioners concurred that the road crew should regrade the area.

The Road Master informed the Board that the base repairs and paving project is finished. He praised the work that Bracalente Construction did as excellent and he would look forward to working with them again. The Manager said Charlie Paris is coming next week to close out the project. Road Master Hillegas said if there are funds left he would like to do some oil and chip and the Manager said it would have to go out for another bid.

Manager Conrad explained that BMMA is doing lateral work and will need a permit for a road opening. She asked the Board if they would consider waiving the permit. Road Master Hillegas is not happy with the way they finish the road after opening it and he has no way to know who the contractor was or contact information. The Commissioners discussed waiving the fee with the conditions that BMMA notify the Township of the location address, name of the contractor and their contact number as well as the date the work is finished. Solicitor Karver said a letter specifying this, along with the street specifications that are in the ordinance, should be sent to BMMA.

CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S REPORT

CEO Labe reported the following permit applications have been received: 42 Jonica Lane, 539 Rothermel Drive, 541 N. Funk Road, 555 Swamp Creek Road, 1025 W. Philadelphia Avenue. 473 Indian Lane submitted an application for renewal of Permit #16-026-C01. There were no comments.

CEO Labe sent a letter requesting confirmation of a business use at 1950 Weisstown Road and there has been no response. He asked the Commissioners if they wanted a violation notice sent to the owners. The Board concurred.

Concerning the driveway pipe repair by the owner at 192 Willow Road, the Manager and CEO researched the right-of-way and there is no responsibility for the Township. The stream is outside the right-of-way as well. The Board instructed the CEO to let the owner know.

The Township received from PA DEP an Earth Disturbance Inspection Report on 1917 Weisstown Road. This is handled by the County and there is no action required by the Commissioners.

CEO Labe submitted his April 2017 activity report. There were no comments from the Board.

A letter was sent to 8 Queen Ann Drive concerning a complaint received about the owner’s roaming dog and to 628 N. Reading Avenue concerning property maintenance.

Violation notices for grass/weed excessive height were mailed certified to 132 Henry Avenue, 446 N. Ironstone Drive, 1234 W. Philadelphia Avenue.

There were complaints concerning piles of tires at 600 N. Reading Avenue and they did not get a small business or driveway permit. CEO Labe will send a letter.

There was discussion concerning the number of vehicles and trailers on Mike Rhoads property. CEO Labe will look into it.

The was discussion concerning high grass at numerous properties along N. Reading Avenue and CEO Labe was instructed to send warning letters.

Concerning the permit applications for electrical service at 541 Funk Road, CEO Labe said the owner is doing the work himself. Commissioner Spade wants to see a license number if the owner gets a contractor to work on the service. The contractor installing new service at 539 Rothermel Drive did list his license number on the permit application.

SEO REPORT

SEO Labe submitted the activity report for April 2017 noting one permit issued to replace the tank at 130 Cleaver School Road. There were no comments.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

Solicitor Karver submitted for adoption, Ordinance 2-2017 Authorizing BAF&R to recover costs and explained it has been advertised in the Pottstown Mercury. There was a motion by Commissioner Ritter, seconded by Commissioner Spade to adopt ORDINANCE No. 2-2017 AUTHORIZING BOYERTOWN AREA FIRE & RESCUE TO RECOVER COSTS FOR SERVICES PROVIDED. THERE WERE NO OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS. MOTION CARRIED. Commissioner Gamler stated the Township needs an Resolution, with specific reference to this Ordinance, for the schedule of fees, costs and expenses permitted to be recovered by the fire company. Manager Conrad will prepare the Resolution for the next meeting.

Solicitor Karver submitted to the Commissioners a copy of a letter sent to FEMA confirming the correct location of BMMA’s Morysville treatment plant for their flood insurance policy. There were no comments.

Solicitor Karver explained to the Commissioners, if it is their intent, a motion is needed to terminate Police Chief Viola. There was a motion by Commissioner Ritter, seconded by Commissioner Spade, based upon the stated findings and recommendations of Attorney Muir and the Board of Commissioners previous motion of intent, to immediately terminate Police Chief David Viola. Roll call vote; Bartman – yes, Ritter – yes, Gamler – yes, Spade – yes, Rivera – no. Vote 4 in favor, 1 opposed. Motion carried.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

Engineer Sartor request approval to advertise the pollution reduction plan (PRP) for the MS4 permit requirements. There was a motion by Commissioner Spade, seconded by Commissioner Ritter to authorize the advertisement of the Pollution Reduction Plan. There were no other comments. Motion carried.

Engineer Sartor told the Board if there is difficulty negotiating with property owners to work on their properties for the PRP, the Township can resubmit the plan in 2018.

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT

There was nothing discussed at this time.

MANAGER’S REPORT

The Township received a certified letter from William Seddon on May 8, 2017 and it was submitted to the Commissioners. There were no comments.

The Township received from PA DEP a letter concerning MS4 permit update application timing requirements. This was informational only. There were no comments.

The Township received an email requesting a permit for a charity bike race September 17, 2017. Manager Conrad read the email and said there is no permit required for this event.

The Township received a letter from the Borough of Boyertown with a request for a meeting of the Joint Municipal Planning Commission. They want to discuss amending the Boyertown-Colebrookdale-Pike Joint Zoning Ordinance to consider regulations pertaining to wireless communication facilities and medical marijuana. The Commissioners discussed the need for these items to be considered and instructed Manager Conrad to work with the Borough on setting up dates for the Commission to meet.

Boyertown Area School District submitted the 2017 Census final count showing 1586 forms out of 1954 mailed were returned to the school district.