BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON
The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. in Council Chambers, 125 S. Walnut Street, Slatington, PA 18080.
Presiding: Daniel Stevens: President of Council
Recording Secretary: Bryon Reed, Council Vice-President
The meeting was called to order by President Stevens at 7:12 P.M. with the following in attendance:
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS
Galen Freed None Mayor Niedermeyer Linda Steets Anthony Gnas
Bob Steets Paul Pendzick Carol Gildner Andrew Aris
Bryon Reed Ed Healy Melvin Gildner George Moyer
Daniel Stevens Robert Stettner Chad Trego
David Schnaars William Stein Bekki Baumann
Gwyneth Neff Lou Yurasits Kris Burek
Paul Hoffman Katherine Moyer Robert Herzog Jr
Ed Ziegler Ron Scheffler
Bonnie Nichols Gary Phillips
Michelle Lucien Dwight Moyer
EXECUTIVE SESSION – None at this time
President Stevens reminded everyone present to adhere to the rules and regulations during the meeting.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS – Councilor Freed made a motion seconded by Councilor Neff to approve the February 13, 2012 Council Meeting Minutes and the Workshop Meeting Minutes of February 20, and 27, 2012. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All Ayes, Nays None.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR (Agenda and Non-Agenda items)
Agenda Items:
Linda Steets – 332 Main Street (Crime Watch President) – informed everyone that the Crime Watch Hot Line is now working and explained the rules and procedures.
George Moyer – 231 Main Street – Requested to hold off until the next meeting, does not have all the facts yet.
Bekki Baumann – 314 Kern Street – She noted that at the last meeting the issue about the water rates was addressed again and the impression was given that people didn’t care about their water rates or that people feel they can’t fight the issue and it’s not worth it to make a big fuss.
She suggested that since the rates are so high, the billing/collection process should be restructured, and noted that people are willing to pay, but not all at one time. She feels that the Borough should be more lenient with requiring the payment in full, and questioned the $40.00 Posting Fee. President Stevens suggested that the resident can make payments anytime, but that the entire amount must be paid by certain time periods.
Ron Scheffler – 1335 Oakhurst Drive – addressed his question to the Chief and the Police, noting that he had walked last week one day through the school parking lots, down Center Street up to the Post Office and back and had counted 9 cars that had expired registrations and/ or invalid inspection stickers, which he felt is unacceptable. Chief Rachman replied that he should remember that the police are out answering calls as well and do not designate all their
time just to check out vehicles illegally parked. He reminded everyone that they lost 1 full-time officer, and had not put an extra 160 hours worth of budget money into the contract to compensate for this laid off officer. He noted that the town has very serious problems and that they are not going to get the attention they had in the past, due to lack of manpower. He noted that if someone calls and reports an abandoned vehicle they go out and check it out, try to trace the registration if possible, ticket it and after a period of time than they tow it away. Mr. Scheffler noted that he understands and had recently observed a female officer who was patrolling up at the school lots and doing citations, and he did commend the Police for their services. He then asked Vice-President Reed his definition of a salvage yard according to the Borough code, and proceeded to ask him if he had a permit to operate his salvage yard behind his home on Diamond Street. Vice-President Reed replied that he did not know the code offhand and denied having a salvage yard or fence and Mr. Scheffler asked him “what’s all that fenced in garbage doing in back of your residence?” Vice-President Reed noted he can talk to him later about his properties (Borough and Washington Township) in question. Mr. Scheffler was informed that his time had expired.
Bonnie Nichols – 104 N Second Street – She noted that she had called the Police about her neighbors parking on their land. It was noted that there have been issues concerning these two residents about their boundaries and Attorney Healy reminded Ms. Nichols that he had looked into the easement agreement that both parties had signed when the Trout Creek Project was done and that the Borough only needed to acquire the easements from the 2 parties. He suggested that they hire a surveyor to check the boundaries. Chief Rachman stated that this is a civil matter and that it is not the Borough’s job to litigate the issue.
Gary Phillips – Slatington Borough Authority Chair – noted that he is here to support Items 9 & 10 on the Agenda Addendum concerning the 2 resignations and recommending the 2 replacements to fill the outstanding terms on the Slatington Borough Authority.
Michele Lucien – 428 West Franklin Street – She asked if Council could pass a Resolution to hang a banner across Route 873 at Victory Park for the Duane J. Lucien Foundation Benefit which will be held in May 2012. She noted that they had spoken to PENN DOT and they informed her that the Borough would need to pass a resolution. She remarked that they had asked Council for their permission to hold the benefit at the Covered Bridge at 7th Street, as last year, but had not received any response back from the Borough, so they moved it to the Walnutport Playground. Both President Stevens and Vice-President Reed noted that the request had been granted in October of 2011 at both the Workshop Meeting and the Council Meeting. They are also asking permission to hold a 5K Race on the Slate Heritage Trail on July 21, 2012 and have obtained permission from the Historical Society already. President Stevens requested she write a letter addressing her requests to the Chair of the Human Community Services Committee.
Ed Ziegler – 104 N Walnut Street – he noted that he had received another resident’s water bill and remarked about how high her bill was. He noted the letter from Spotts, Stevens and McCoy to CRY about the plant flows for Slatington, Walnutport, and Washington Township for 2011 and questioned how the rates are calculated. He also noted that the year for the Pumping Station flows for Slatington and Washington Township should be for 2011 not 2010.
He mentioned the light at the hidden driveway on Rte 873 at Renstchler’s that hasn’t been working for the last 10 days. He remarked that Rentschler had paid to install the light and the Borough pays the electric. He was informed that it is now working and he noted that the street lights are all working and in good shape, and also the light in the 600 block of Main Street is okay.
Lou Yurasits – 207 Union Street – he again asked all of Council about what they are going to do about the exorbitant water/sewer rates and why are the residents paying twice as much as
other municipalities. Councilor Neff responded “that it doesn’t seem to matter what we tell you, you are not satisfied – there is debt in the town that needs to be paid and until that debt is paid, we cannot reduce the rates”. She noted that the person who owns the real estate pays the same rates for his units and that they all have their own lines into the property. They noted that perhaps in 5 years when the bond is paid they may be able to change the rates. He wanted to know why the Borough is paying for bottled water for the Maintenance Building, Sewer Plant, and the Borough Office and was told that money is collected from the people who drink the bottled water. Mr. Yurasits in closing stated “that he is sick and tired of hearing the same crap”. Councilor Hoffman noted that he did submit 1 or 2 proposals last year and “individually you cannot do anything about that, but collectively we need to do something, but it’s obvious we’re beyond that point”.
REPORTS
The reports of various committees, officials and officers are on file in Borough Hall and are available for public inspection.
APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TRANSFER
Councilor Hoffman made a motion seconded by Councilor Freed to approve payment of the
bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. President Stevens declared the motion passed
following a Roll Call, voting as follows:
ROLL CALL AYES NAYS
Daniel Stevens Gwyneth Neff None
Bryon Reed Bob Steets
Galen Freed David Schnaars
Paul Hoffman
MAYOR’S/POLICE CHIEF’S REMARKS
Mayor Niedermeyer noted the following: 2/14 – Attended along with President Stevens the COG Meeting and stated that most of the meeting centered around the recent tax reassessments, on 2/19 he represented the Borough at the Donald Cunningham State of the County Address, and 2/29 – he
attended the Venture Group Meeting and noted the trailhead work is on hold because of the weather, but they hope to start again on the roof soon.
Chief Rachman thanked the Mayor and the Borough crew for the great job they did painting the Police Station. He reported that the new cruiser has been ordered and they are waiting for it to come in and he also reported that the Durango required expensive repairs in order to pass inspection, and they also had an issue with one of the other vehicles, but everything seems to be working now. He than thanked Linda Steets for the Crime Watch Hot Line and reported that the Police Department is up to what their manpower compliment is for this year, Officers Dorward and Taibi are both back from recent health issues.
STANDING COMMITTEES
A. Public Safety
1. Councilor Hoffman noted that there had been a discussion at the last Public Safety
Workshop Meeting regarding the ACO position, and it was suggested that they phone
previous applicants for the position, since we had not received any more applicants from the
last advertisement. He noted that the office informed him that we had received an application from Ms. Linda Steets who is President of the Crime Watch. They interviewed her and noted that she has worked with animals in the past and is involved with community services and does volunteer work. President Stevens noted for the record that Ms. Steets is
Councilor Steet’s wife, and that he did not run for office to get Linda this position. She had
volunteered to take care of the animals at the Sewer Plant, but due to liability issues, this was not permitted. Councilor Hoffman explained the responsibilities and duties associated with this position and quoted the salary. Mr. Dwight Moyer inquired about wild animals and was told that the ACO will not be responsible for wild animals. Councilor Hoffman made a motion seconded by Councilor Freed to appoint Linda Steets to the position of the Animal Control Officer. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows:
ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN
David Schnaars Gwyneth Neff None * Bob Steets
Bryon Reed Paul Hoffman
Galen Freed Daniel Stevens
*Councilor Steets abstained because Ms. Steets is his spouse.
2. After a discussion and explanation of their proposed agreement Councilor Hoffman made a
motion seconded by Vice-President Reed to enter into an agreement with “The Sanctuary at
Haafsville”. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as
follows:
ROLL CALL AYES NAYS
Daniel Stevens David Schnaars Bob Steets Paul Hoffman
Bryon Reed Galen Freed Gwyneth Neff
3. Councilor Hoffman noted that at the February Public Safety Workshop Meeting the
purchase of a Fire Police vehicle was discussed and the request was made to ask
Council’s permission to have the Borough title the vehicle. Councilor Hoffman explained
about the vehicle purchase and Attorney Healy requested that he should probably see the
documents concerning this request before Council acts. There was a brief discussion on the need for a new vehicle and it was suggested that they table this issue until Attorney Healy has looked at the documents.
4. Fire Department Membership, Fiscal Report, Officer Acceptance – Tabled
5. The repairs to units 604 and 603 is informational
B. Human/Community Services
1. Councilor Schnaars made a motion seconded by Councilor Neff to approve St. John’s
Request for their annual Peach Festival on 08/11/2012. President Stevens declared the
motion passed following a Voice Vote, All Ayes Nays None
2. Councilor Schnaars made a motion seconded by Councilor Hoffman to approve the
Northern Lehigh Education Foundation Request (Running of the Dawgs) on 06/02/2012. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All Ayes Nays None
3. Councilor Schnaars made a motion seconded by Councilor Hoffman to approve the
D&L National Heritage Corridor Marathon/Half Marathon Request on 11/01/2012, and the
other requests listed. Mr. Gnas suggested that PENN DOT should be notified and requested
to put out flashing signs on Rte 873 to make the public aware of the race and for the safety
of the runners. Council noted that this issue would need to be taken care of by the D&L.
President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All Ayes Nays None.
4. Councilor Schnaars made a motion seconded by Councilor Hoffman to approve the Walnut Street Playground’s Request to hang banners on the playground fence advertising their 30th anniversary, 2-4 weeks prior to the celebration/block party on Friday August 10th 2012.