November 7, 2022
The Telford Borough Council meeting held this date was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Bill Ashley with the following Council members in attendance: Carolyn Crouthamel, Spencer Kulhanjian, John Taylor, R. Eric Kratz, and Emiline Weiss. Also present were Mayor Jerry Guretse, Police Chief Randall Floyd, Solicitor James Jacquette, Engineer Patrick DiGangi, Finance Director Craig Davies, and Recording Secretary Diane Windfelder. Council member Robert Jacobus was absent. In the audience was Representative Steven R. Malagari, the Authority Chairman John Harrell and his wife Sandy, Dale Nice, Wendy Leshinskie, Mrs. Tricia Mellinger from 20 Branch Avenue, John Waldenberger, and representatives from the East Penn Modifiers, the Boy Scout troop #14, the Souderton Braves, and the Sadler-Suess Funeral Home.
The invocation was given by Emiline Weiss, followed by the pledge of allegiance.
Representative Steven R. Malagari presented the Telford Fire Department with a check for $50,000.00 for a new aerial siren. Council thanked Representative Malagari for his efforts.
Representatives from the East Penn Modifiers presented a check to Boy Scout Troop #14 and Cub Scout Troop #14 in the amount of $1,150.00 for camping gear.
The representatives from the Sadler-Suess Funeral home presented the Borough Council with their plans to install a crematory in their existing garage. Their proposal is to add an addition to the existing garage and install a M-Pyre 2.0 cremation equipment in the existing garage.
Representatives from the Souderton Braves are proposing a 24’ x 60’ two-story fieldhouse to replace the existing and dilapidated sheds that are currently on the property. This field house will be two stories and consist of storage on the bottom and a meeting room on the top floor. Currently, they are asking for a waiver of land development.
After a brief discussion, a Crouthamel/Taylor motion carried unanimously (6-0) granting a waiver of land development as provided for by Section 22-303 of the Borough’s Sub-division and Land Development Ordinance subject to compliance with the comments included in the CKS review letter dated November 4, 2022.
Engineer Patrick DiGangi reported that he evaluated the Franklin Alley Swale and the improvements that are needed to address the drainage issues along Branch Avenue. The swale extends from Station alley to Franconia Avenue Municipal Park and based on our evaluation the flooding along Branch Avenue properties and be reduced by clearing all overgrown vegetation and reconfigure the swale which would improve the water carrying capacity of the swale and allow more runoff. Mr. DiGangi also indicated that we submit a grant for this project, this grant is a Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewer Program grant in the amount of $146,460.10, and the borough would be required to match 15% or $25,845.90.
A Taylor/Weiss motion carried unanimously (6-0) adopting the Resolution authorizing the submission of the Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewer Program grant in the amount of $146,460.10 and designating the Council President as the official authorized to execute all documents and agreements between the Borough and the Commonwealth Finance Authority.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:
A Taylor/ Kulhanjian motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving the minutes of the October 3rd and 17th, 2022 Borough Council meeting as amended.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
A Crouthamel/Kratz motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving the Treasurer’s Reports for the month of October 2022.
MAYOR’S REPORT: A verbal report was provided by Mayor Jerry Guretse.
POLICE REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
FIRE REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
LIBRARY REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
PUBLIC WORKS 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: A verbal report was provided by Solicitor Jim Jacquette.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:
Wendy Leshinskie reported that the intersection of Fulton / Main Street has been a flooding problem and would like to know if there is anything that can be done.
John Waldenberger reported that he feels there should be a speed bump on 4th street, apparently there was a mail truck speeding up and down the street and almost hit him and his children on Halloween night. He reported it to the post office and believes the Borough should install a speed bump along 4th Street.
Mr. Waldenberger also mentioned that he believes the Borough should widely advertise the resignation of a Councilperson, making the community aware of the vacancy.
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE:
FA-1 A Taylor/Crouthamel motion carried unanimously (6-0) authorizing payment of
bills for the month of October 2022 in the amount of $673,186.87.
FA-2 A Taylor/Kulhanjian motion carried unanimously (6-0) adopt resolution 22-03 to amend the Life Insurance section from $50,000.00 to $100,000.00 and to add a probationary period to the Personnel Policy as presented.
FA-3 A Taylor/Kulhanjian motion carried unanimously (6-0) adopt resolution 22-04 to implement act 57 of 2022 property tax penalty waiver provisions as presented.
FA-4 A Taylor/Crouthamel motion carried unanimously (6-0) adopting resolution 22-05 to appoint the Finance Director as the liaison officer for Berkheimer.
FA-5 A Weiss/Taylor motion carried unanimously (6-0) adopting the 2023 budget as presented and authorizing the staff to advertise Notice of Public Hearing for the tax levy ordinance.
FA-6 A Weiss/Crouthamel motion carried unanimously (6-0) designating Cary B. Vargo, Interim Manager as the Open Records Officer, the trustee to the Delaware Valley Health Trust and the Pension Plan Administrator.
FA-7 A Weiss/Taylor motion carried unanimously (6-0) authorizing the payout of unused vacation time for the office staff due to inadequate manpower.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE: Nothing at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE: Nothing at this time
PUBLIC WORKS/BUILDINGS & PLANT COMMITTEE:
President Bill Ashley reported that the Borough received a request to use the Community Building for a scrap booking group on the 1st Saturday of each month which we tabled last month.
A Taylor/Weiss motion carried unanimously (6-0) authorizing Margo Diebold to use the Community Building for scrapbooking on the first Saturday of each month pending on the new rate.
President Bill Ashley reported that the Borough received a request from AA. The AA group would like an additional day for their meetings, currently they use Thursday at noon and Sunday evenings and would like to use Tuesdays at noon. It was the consensus to table this to the next Council meeting.
President Bill Ashley requested that Finance and Administration meet to give recommendation to the Council on their next meeting on the fee structure for the rental of the community building.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:
Chief Randall Floyd reported on a recent motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Central Avenue and Main Street; the vehicle ended up on the front lawn of a residence. Chief Floyd proposed a blinking light on the stop signs at this intersection. The intersection is shared with Souderton Borough, the Chief will coordinate Souderton Borough personnel.
A Kulhanjian/Kratz motion carried unanimously (6-0) authorizing the Chief of Police to install a blinking light on the stop signs on Central Avenue with the consent of Souderton Borough.
Chief Randall Floyd reported that a resident along North Main Street has requested the installation of a hidden driveway sign on the southbound side of North Main Street, just before you enter the borough. Chief Floyd indicated that he has PennDOT approval, but installation would be the Borough’s responsibility; PennDOT recommends that the Borough also replace the Reduced Speed Ahead sign. Coordination with Franconia Township will be needed and handled by the Chief.
A Kulhanjian/Kratz motion carried unanimously (6-0) authorizing the Chief of Police to install the hidden driveway sign and replace the reduce speed sign contingent upon the approval of Franconia Township.
Chief Randall Floyd reported that the owner of the new beer and wine takeout along Main Street has requested that parking be permitted in front of the store with a 10-minute restriction. Wendy Leshinskie spoke and indicated that his store is located across from West Broad Street and feels that this request would create a problem for cars getting around people making a left at this intersection. A concerned Fire Department volunteer expressed concerns about the fire trucks getting around a parked car and believes this request would pose hinder fire responses.
Chief Randall Floyd reported that they will be conducting a speed/volume study using a radar speed sign on Springhouse Lane, in response to a complaint of speeding. There is also an inquiry about parking restrictions on the roadway; Chief Floyd added that there has been parking along Springhouse Lane for over 35 years without any issues or concerns.
DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURE COMMITTEE:
DC-1 Chairman John Taylor reported that Waffle Mama would like to use our parking lot twice a month on the weekends for her food truck from November to March from 12 noon to 6 pm.
A Taylor/Weiss motion carried unanimously (6-0) authorizing the use of the parking lot to Waffle Mama.
OTHER BUSINESS:
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Borough Council entered Executive Session at 10:34 pm to discuss matters of personnel and real estate.
Borough Council closed Executive Session at 11:05 pm.
A Taylor/Kratz motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving a one day, 12-hour suspension of a full-time police officer for a Code of conduct violation.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 pm by a Taylor/Kratz motion.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Windfelder
Recording Secretary
