TELFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

January 3, 2023

7:30 PM

 I. CALL TO ORDER

President Bill Ashley called the Telford Borough Council meeting of January 3, 2023 to order at 7:30 p.m.

II. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The invocation was given by Mayor Jerry Guretse, followed by the pledge of allegiance.

Prior to roll call, Council President Ashley announced that David Landis recently passed away.

III. ROLL CALL

Present at the meeting were President Bill Ashley, Vice President Emiline Weiss, and council members John Taylor, Carolyn Crouthamel, Spencer Kulhanjian, Eric Kratz and Robert Jacobus. Also in attendance were Mayor Jerry Guretse, Interim Manager Cary Vargo, Police Chief Randall Floyd, Finance Director Craig Davies, Public Works Director Gary Yoder, Solicitor James Jacquette and Recording Secretary Tracey Inman.

IV. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 Council Member Crouthamel made a motion to approve the minutes from the meeting of November 7, 2022. Council Member Taylor seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

 Prior to the Mayor’s report, Council President Ashley announced that Council will meet in Executive Session after tonight’s meeting to discuss personnel.

V. MAYOR’S REPORT

 A verbal report was provided by Mayor Jerry Guretse. Mayor Guretse also announced that the recent Christmas tree lighting ceremony held in Telford Borough was a great success and he thanked those who attended and helped with the event.

VI. POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT

Police Chief Floyd presented the Telford Police Department written report for the month of December 2022.

VII. FIRE REPORT

Mayor Jerry Guretse provided a written report for the file. Mayor Guretse also provided fire call statistics for the year 2022.

 VIII. LIBRARY REPORT

 Wendy Leshinskie provided a written report for the file. Ms. Leshinskie also answered questions from Council Member Jacobus pertaining to signage displayed at the library.

IX. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT

Public Works Director Gary Yoder provided a written report for the file.

X. MANAGER’S REPORT

There was no report.

XI. BUILDING OFFICIAL’S REPORT

A written report detailing permits issued during the month of December 2022 was submitted for Council.

XII. SOLICITOR’S REPORT

Borough solicitor James Jacquette advised that there was no report.

 XIII. ENGINEER’S REPORT

Mr. Vargo discussed the Franklin Alley Swale Project and advised that a grant application has been submitted for the project. Mr. Vargo also advised that CKS will be reviewing security improvements for the police department.

XIV. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS

Megan Corbo-Syrellis, 416 S. Main Street

Ms. Corbo-Syrellis offered commentary regarding the Indian Valley Public Library and   some of the material found in books there. Ms. Corbo-Syrellis also questioned Borough Council about fees for small businesses operating in Telford Borough.

XV. COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE

             1.   Council President Bill Ashley made a motion to designate Univest National Bank & Trust Company and Quakertown National Bank as depositories for Borough funds and authorizing the Borough Manager to invest as he sees fit in the best interests of the Borough. Council Member Eric Kratz second the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

             2.   Council President Bill Ashley made a motion authorizing the Borough Manager to advertise for bids for goods and services, as needed during 2023. Council Vice President Emiline Weiss seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

             3.   Council President Bill Ashley made a motion to appoint to the following persons to noted positions: Robert Baker to the Vacancy Board, term to expire 1/1/24; Stephen Leshinskie to the Zoning Hearing Board, term to expire 1/1/26; Jason Searock to the Planning Commission, term to expire 1/1/28; Douglas Bickel to the Civil Service Commission, term to expire 1/1/28; Wendy Leshinskie to the Civil Service Commission, term to expire 1/1/28; Daniel Wurst to the Pennridge Wastewater Treatment Authority, term to expire 1/1/28 and Spencer Kulhanjian to the Northern Montgomery County Recycling Commission, term to expire 1/1/27.

             Council Member Carolyn Crouthamel seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

             4.  Council President Ashley made a motion to re-appoint Timoney, Knox, LLP as Solicitor for Telford Borough. Council Member Taylor seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

             5.  Council President Ashley made a motion to re-appoint CKS Engineers, Inc. as Borough Engineer. Council Member Kulhanjian seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

XVI. COMMITTEE REPORTS

 FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

A1.  Council Member Taylor made a motion to reappoint Cary B. Vargo as Secretary for the  Telford Borough Council for the year 2023. Council Member Crouthamel seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

A2.  Council Member Taylor made a motion to reappoint Craig Davies as Treasurer for the    Telford Borough Council for the year 2023. Council Vice President Weiss seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

A3.  Council Vice President Weiss made a motion to approve the fee resolution, but after further discussion Council agreed to table the motion to the next meeting in February.

A4.  Council Vice President Weiss made a motion to authorize advertisement of the Security Improvements Project. Council Member Jacobus seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE

 There was no report.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE

Council Member Kulhanjian advised that the Northern Montgomery County Recycling Commission will meet in January 2023. There was no other additional information

PUBLIC WORKS/BUILDINGS & PLANT COMMITTEE

There was no report

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

Mayor Guretse announced that a letter was received from the Souderton Community Ambulance advising of their merger with VMSC and that they will still utilize the ambulance facility on Reliance Rd.

Mayor Guretse also had questions for Chief Floyd regarding a letter he sent to Council advising that he has a staffing crisis. Chief Floyd answered questions from Council and provided additional information as requested.

Mayor Guretse discussed workman’s compensation and a list of events pertaining to the Telford Fire Department. It was agreed that the matter of events would be discussed at the next council meeting.

 DEVELOPMENT & CULTURE COMMITTEE

Dan Wurst, chairman of Telford Happenings updated Council on events that were held in Telford Borough. Mr. Wurst also advised that the recent tree lighting ceremony was a great success.

XXIII. OTHER BUSINESS:

 Council Member Taylor advised that fundraising letters have gone out for Telford Happenings and they have already received a positive response.

XXIV. ADJOURNMENT

Council President Bill Ashley motioned for adjournment and Council Member Kulhanjian seconded the motion. The motion passed with a 7-0 vote and the meeting was adjourned at 8:36 PM.

After adjournment, President Bill Ashley announced that Council will meeting in Executive Session after the Public Meeting to discuss personnel.

Respectfully submitted,

Tracey Inman

Administrative Assistant