September 4, 2018
The Telford Borough Council meeting held this date was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by President Robert Baker with the following members in attendance: Miles Arnott, Carolyn Crouthamel, Mark Gehman, Jim Schaeffer, Mayor David Snook and John Taylor. Also present were Manager Mark Fournier, Public Works Director Gary Yoder, Recording Secretary Megan McShane, James Jacquette from Timoney Knox, resident Emiline Weiss and a press reporter. Jeffrey Maxwell was absent.
The invocation was given by Miles Arnott, followed by the pledge of allegiance.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:
An Arnott/Gehman motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving the minutes of the August 6, 2018 Borough Council meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Manager Mark Fournier reported that the Borough has taken in 79.32% of its revenues and has spent 58.62% of its expenditures.
Councilman Jim Schaeffer asked Mr. Fournier if Community Building Account 01-409-372 is over budget by $1,153.85 because of the new trees that were planted at the building. Mr. Fournier confirmed that yes, trees were purchased to replace some of the dead trees that were removed from the Community Building, and the small roof over the basement steps is currently being rebuilt, which was an unplanned expense.
Mr. Schaeffer also inquired about the Police – Other Services Account 01-410-490 being over budget by $7,020.55. Mr. Fournier explained that this was an unexpected expense to update the equipment that transfers data to the computer in the car.
An Arnott/Schaeffer motion carried unanimously approving the Treasurer’s Report for August, 2018.
MAYOR’S REPORT: We did not receive a written monthly report for the file.
POLICE REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
Mayor David Snook inquired about the blinking LED sign that Chief Floyd discussed in his report for the pedestrian crossing at the Church Road entrance to the Lutheran Community. Mr. Fournier reported that the Lutheran Home has agreed to buy 2 signs ($4,673.52 for two), but that it could cost the Borough up to $5,000 to conduct the proper engineering study for this sign installation. The Borough would also have to seek permission from West Rockhill Township to install it on the West Rockhill Township side of Church Road. Councilman Miles Arnott asked if the Borough could apply for a CDBG grant to help with the cost of these signs, and Mr. Fournier stated that he didn’t think these signs would fit in the parameters of the grant requirements.
FIRE REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
LIBRARY REPORT: We did not receive a written monthly report for the file.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
Mayor Snook referenced Mr. Yoder’s report and asked if security cameras will be installed at the basketball court area at Municipal Park, or if they will be installed in other locations at the park. Mr. Fournier confirmed that we are looking into putting cameras in the court area, the parking lot and the playground area.
Mr. Schaeffer asked if the Borough currently does any spraying of the spotted lanternflies. Mr. Fournier informed Mr. Schaeffer that the Borough is looking into it.
MANAGER’S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
BUILDING OFFICIAL’S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT: We did not receive a written monthly report for the file.
James Jacquette reported that there will be a Conditional Use Hearing at the October 1st Council meeting to review a Conditional Use Application from Brewscuits, a potential tenant at 100 Emlen Way. The applicant is requesting approval to establish a (C1) Retail Sales Use accessory to the LI 1 Manufacturing Use to conduct a business that manufactures dog biscuits and sells wholesale as well as retail.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE: Ms. Crouthamel
A-1 A Crouthamel/Schaeffer motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving the bills for the month of August, 2018 in the amount of $256,983.69.
A-2 Mr. Fournier referenced the request received from Generations asking Council to reinstate funding to the Meals on Wheels program. The Borough had to cut funding to different organizations back in 2012 due to budget limitations. Currently, 8% of the people going through Generations are Telford Borough residents; 2 people on the Montgomery County side of the Borough receive Meals on Wheels. The Meals on Wheels program for the Bucks County side of the Borough is funded through Pennridge Senior Center. It was the consensus of Council to hold off on making a decision until the Borough receives additional information from the Pennridge Senior Center.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE: There was nothing to report at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE: There was nothing to report at this time.
PUBLIC WORKS/BUILDINGS & PLANT COMMITTEE: Mr. Maxwell
PW-1 A Taylor/Arnott motion carried unanimously (6-0) ratifying the sale of the 2008 Ford F-250 Super Duty pick-up truck to Kevin Ramer of Lititz, PA in the amount of $16,450. Mr. Ramer was the next highest bidder on Municibid. The previous high bidder who was awarded the sale of this truck at the August meeting decided not to go forward with purchasing the truck.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Mr. Arnott
PS-1 An Arnott/Crouthamel motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving 3 additional Fire Company activities for 2018 – Bike Night in Lansdale, Sellersville Art in the Park and September Fest in West Rockhill Township.
PS-2 An Arnott/Crouthamel motion carried unanimously (6-0) authorizing the hiring of Ryan J. Sloan as a part-time patrolman contingent upon Mr. Sloan passing his required medical and psychological examinations (he already successfully passed his background investigation). Further, Mr. Sloan’s starting pay will be $18.00 per hour with an increase to $19.00 per hour after successfully completing his six-month probationary period.
DEVELOPMENT & CULTURE COMMITTEE: Mr. Taylor
DC-1 Telford Night Market Discussion
Souderton-Telford Main Streets submitted a proposal to Council to move the Farmers Market in 2019 from Saturday mornings to the 2nd and 4th Wednesday evenings during the market season (May 22nd to October 23rd).
Councilman John Taylor reported that there is a consistent issue with not enough customers coming to the market, and the vendors are not able to get enough employee help on the weekends. Mr. Taylor added that there were 15 stable vendors at the market in 2016, and that number is now down to 7 vendors. There have been more frequent no shows.
Councilman Arnott asked if the Police Department has any concerns about this proposed market format. Mr. Fournier said that he spoke to Chief Floyd and that there are no concerns with this proposed format.
After some further discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to continue investigating this option and to make sure this proposed format is discussed with the current vendors.
OTHER BUSINESS:
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Telford Borough Council entered into Executive Session at 8:13 pm to discuss matters of personnel and real estate.
Councilman Jim Schaeffer exited the meeting at 9:55 pm.
Borough Council closed Executive Session at 10:25 pm. An Arnott/Taylor motion carried unanimously (5-0) to terminate Officer David Bechtel, effective immediately, and to instruct labor counsel to issue appropriate documentation consistent with this motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:26 pm by a Crouthamel/Taylor motion.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark D. Fournier
Secretary
