February 6, 2023
TELFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 6, 2023
7:30 PM
I. CALL TO ORDER
President William Ashley called the Telford Borough Council meeting of February 6, 2023 to order at 7:30 p.m.
II. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The invocation was given by Council Vice President Emiline Weiss, followed by the pledge of allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL
Present at the meeting were President William 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, Public Works Director Gary Yoder, Solicitor James Jacquette and Recording Secretary Tracey Inman.
Prior to citizens’ comments, Council President Ashley inquired if anyone in attendance would be audio or video recording tonight’s meeting, or live streaming. Telford resident John Waldenberger advised that he would be live streaming the event on Facebook.
Council President Ashley also announced that the Council met in Executive Session prior to tonight’s meeting to discuss real estate.
IV. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS- AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
There were no citizens’ comments regarding agenda items.
V. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Council Vice President Weiss asked that the approval of the minutes from the January 3, 2023 meeting be deferred until the March 13, 2023 meeting as there was an error regarding the announcement of David Landis’ death and his being the founder of Landis Supermarket. David Landis was the CEO and Board Chair of Landis Supermarket, and not the founder. Additionally, Mr. Landis was on the January 3, 2023 agenda to be appointed to the to the Telford Industrial Development Authority Board, term to expire 1/1/28. Due to Mr. Landis passing, a replacement will be appointed to the Telford Industrial Development Authority Board at a later date.
VI. TREASURERS REPORT
Interim Borough Manager Cary Vargo announced that the financial reports as of December 31, 2022 were included in the packets. The 2022 YTD revenue collected was $3,246,149, the 2022 YTD expenditures collected were $3,081,366 and the 2022 fund balance of $164,783. Mr. Vargo also advised that the total unallocated fund balance, as of December 31, 2022 was $384,750, which is 12% of the general fund budget. The GFOA recommends an unallocated fund balance of between 16% and 20% of regularly re-occurring expenditures.
Council Member Taylor made a motion to accept the Treasurers Report. Council Vice President Weiss seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
VII. MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Jerry Guretse advised that he recently met with Telford Police Chief Randy Floyd and Telford Public Works Director Gary Yoder to discuss matters pertaining to Telford Borough. Mayor Guretse also advised that he accompanied Officer Seville on a ride-along through the Borough on Friday, February 3rd.
VIII. POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Police Chief Floyd presented the Telford Police Department written report for the month of January 2023. Chief Floyd announced that on behalf of the Telford Police Department, both he and police staff employee Alana Stanziano, recently traveled to Harrisburg to attend a police accreditation ceremony. Chief Floyd also advised that the Police Department recently received a license plate reader funded by a grant from Montgomery County.
IX. FIRE REPORT
Telford Fire Department Representative Robert Sparks provided a written report for the file. Mr. Sparks advised that there were 24 incidents in January. Mr. Sparks also reported that the members of the fire department recently completed blood borne pathogen training and that the fire department received $15,000 in grant funding.
X. EMS REPORT
The VMSC report noted 65 EMS calls in the month of January 2023.
XI. LIBRARY REPORT
Wendy Leshinskie provided a written report for the file.
XII. BOROUGH STAFF REPORTS
Public Works Department- Gary Yoder
Public Works Director Gary Yoder provided a written report for the file. Council President William Ashley commented on the new stop sign additions in the Borough and a discussion ensued regarding signage in the Borough. Resident Katherine Farina of 620 S. Main St commented on the number of accidents at Main St and Central Avenue and advised that she would like the Borough to consider illuminated signage to alleviate the number of accidents.
Manager’s Report- Interim Manager Cary Vargo
Interim Borough Manager Cary Vargo advised that there was a retirement luncheon held for outgoing Finance Director Craig Davies. Mr. Vargo updated Council on the Borough’s new Finance Director.
Mr. Vargo also announced that site work for the 2022 audit was recently completed, the website upgrade continues, the Police Department improvement project was recently advertised, and the search for a new Borough Manager is underway. The annual risk management meeting was held on January 17 with no issues or concerns identified.
Mr. Vargo concluded his report with a proposed change to the Council Meeting schedule. The new schedule would reflect Council meeting on the second and third Monday of each month instead of the first and third Monday.
XIII. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS’ REPORT
Building Official’s Report- Jesse Hill, Keystone Municipal Services
A written report detailing permits issued during the month of January 2023 was submitted for Council.
Solicitor’s Report- James Jacquette, Timoney Knox LLP
Borough solicitor James Jacquette advised that there were no action items.
Engineer’s Report- CKS Engineers
Pat DiGangi and Mary Stover from CKS Engineers presented information to Council on the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4).
Mr. DiGangi answered questions regarding the Franklin Alley swale. Council President Ashley discussed the possible acquisition and management of grants.
Council Vice President Weiss discussed letters to homeowners pertaining to easements. Council Member Taylor inquired about the timeframe for a public meeting for impacted residents.
XIV. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance and Administrative Committee- Emiline Weiss
Motion to approve revised fee schedule.
Council Member Taylor made a motion to approve the revised fee schedule. Council Member Kratz seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.Motion to appoint Blaine Bergey as Treasurer for Telford Borough.
Council Vice President Weiss made a motion to appoint Blaine Bergey as Treasurer for Telford Borough. Council Member Taylor seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
Motion to approve revised schedule of Borough Council business meeting dates.
Council Member Kratz made a motion to approve changing the Council meeting dates from the first Monday of the month to the second Monday of the month. Council Member Kulhanjian seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote. It was agreed that the dates would be updated on the website and advertised.
Approval of payments to vendors for the month of January 2023
Council Member Kratz made a motion to approve payments to vendors for the month of January 2023 in the amount of $148,591.55. Council Member Crouthamel seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
Approval of total payments for the month of December 2022
Council Member Kratz made a motion to approve payments to vendors for the month of December 2022 in the amount of $394,261.47. Council Member Taylor seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
Planning and Zoning Committee- Carolyn Crouthamel
Council Member Crouthamel advised that there was no report.
Council President Ashley added that the Indian Valley Regional Planning Commission had a meeting on January 25th.
Environmental Committee- Spencer Kulhanjian
Council Member Kulhanjian advised that the Northern Montgomery County Recycling Commission did plan to hold a meeting in February, though the meeting was outside of the normal cadence of the Commission's quarterly meetings. A meeting had been attempted in January, but due to the fact that not enough commissioners were present, the meeting had to rescheduled, hence the ad hoc February meeting.
Council Member Kulhanjian also advised that he would not be attending the February meeting of the commission due to a schedule conflict but that he planned to be in attendance at the next standard meeting in April.
Public Works/Buildings & Plant Committee- Robert Jacobus
There was no report.
Public Safety Committee- William Ashley
Council President Ashley made a motion to approve the appointment of Sara M. Miller to the position of part-time police officer with the Telford Borough Police Department at a rate of $24.00/hour, contingent upon the successful completion of the required background and testing. Council Member Crouthamel seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
Council President Ashley made a motion to approve the list of events provided by the Telford Borough Fire Department (re-affirmation of a previous approval). Council Member Kulhanjian seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
Development & Culture Committee- John Taylor
Council Member Taylor advised that Souderton Connects will host “So You Think You Can Cook”, an amateur cooking competition, on March 8th. Council Member Taylor also advised that the 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on April 1st at Centennial Park, and that Telford Happenings will hold a volunteer meeting on February 8th at the Borough building at 5:30 PM. Council Member Taylor concluded his report with the announcement that the Telford tree lighting ceremony date has been set for December 8th, 2023.
XV. OTHER BUSINESS
Prior to citizen’s comments, Council President Ashley asked for consideration from Council to allow a cat rescue to hold a fund-raising event in the parking lot of the Telford Marketplace parking lot on April 29th.
Council Member Taylor made a motion to allow the cat rescue to use the parking lot for their fund-raising event on April 29th. Council Member Crouthamel seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
XVI. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS
Council President Ashley advised the audience that they would be afforded three minutes each to speak and advised that comments should be limited to Telford Borough residents.
The following Telford Borough residents offered commentary regarding the Indian Valley Public Library:
Natalie Cimonetti, 162 W. Broad Street, Telford
Robert Jacobus, 424 S. Main Street, Telford
Michelle Kane, 275 N. 3rd Street, Telford
Margaret Pugliese and minor child, 234 N. Washington Street, Telford
Neal Grendon, 118 N. 3rd Street, Telford
Iris Zavala, 37 W. Ridge Avenue, Telford
Kaitlin Derstine, 27 S. Hamilton Street, Telford
Kathleen McDaniel, 301 E. Church Avenue #12, Telford
Megan Corbo-Syrellis, 416 S. Main Street, Telford
Katherine Farina, 620 S. Main Street, Telford
John Waldenberger, 149 N. 4th Street, Telford
Meredith Torres, 206 W. Lincoln Avenue, Telford
Eric Kratz, 214 Crestview Drive, Telford
John Harrell, 31 Branch Avenue, Telford
Wendy Leshinskie, 141 N. Hamilton Street, Telford
The following non-residents offered commentary:
Joey Bimson, 421 Edgewood Drive, Telford (Hilltown Township, Bucks County)
XVII. ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Taylor motioned for adjournment and Council Member Kratz seconded the motion. The motion passed with a 7-0 vote and the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracey Inman
Administrative Assistant
