TELFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

March 20, 2023

7:30 PM

 

I. CALL TO ORDER

President William Ashley called the Telford Borough Council meeting of March 20, 2023 to order at 7:30 p.m.

II. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The invocation was given by Council Member John Taylor, 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 is 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.

Prior to citizens’ comments, Council President Ashley announced that the Council met in Executive Session on March 13^th 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 Emiline Weiss made a motion to enter into the record the minutes of the February 6, 2023 meeting. Council Member John Taylor seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

Council Member Taylor made a motion to enter into the record the minutes of the January 3, 2023 meeting. Council Member Kratz seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

VI. TREASURERS REPORT

 

Interim Borough Manager Cary Vargo presented the treasurer’s report.

VII. MAYOR’S REPORT

 

Mayor Guretse made a statement regarding the need for additional police and discussed the reduction of funds to the Indian Valley Public Library. Mayor Guretse also read a personal statement regarding the defunding of the library and a council member’s attempt to rewrite police policy regarding LGBTQ individuals.

Prior to the police department report, Council Member Taylor made a statement denouncing Council Member Jacobus’ behavior and asked that he resign from Council.

VIII. POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT

Police Chief Floyd provide a written report for the file and updated Council on the license plate reader that the Telford Borough Police Department recently acquired.

IX. FIRE REPORT

A written report was submitted for the record.

 

X. EMS REPORT

 

A written report was submitted for the record.

 

XI. LIBRARY REPORT

 

Margie Stern the Director of the Indian Valley Public Library addressed Council regarding recent threats to the staff of the library. Ms. Stern advised that complaints regarding material at the library should be directed to the library and not other entities. Ms. Stern invited Council to come tour the library facility. Ms. Stern also answered questions from some of those present in the audience.

XII. BOROUGH STAFF REPORTS

1. A.Public Works Department- Gary Yoder

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

B. Manager’s Report- Interim Manager Cary Vargo

Mr. Vargo advised that the Borough will be unveiling a new website soon and requested photos from those in attendance to use on the new website. Mr. Vargo also updated Council on the Franklin Alley swale project.

XIII. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS’ REPORTS

1. A.Building Official’s Report- Jesse Hill, Keystone Municipal Services

A written report detailing permits issued during the month of February 2023 was submitted for Council.

Borough solicitor James Jacquette advised that there were no action items.

C. Engineer’s Report- CKS Engineers

 

Mr. Vargo updated Council on the police department capital security project.

XIV. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

1. A.Finance and Administrative Committee- Emiline Weiss

 

1. Council Vice President Weiss made a motion to consider approval of a Public Meeting Attendance and Participation Policy. Council Member Kulhanjian seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

1. Council Vice President Weiss made a motion to consider a revision to the hourly fee charged by the Borough solicitor. Council Member Taylor seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

1. Council Vice President Weiss made a motion to consider awarding the Police Department security improvements project to low bidder, Walter Brucker & Co. Inc. in the amount of $64,171. Council Member Crouthamel seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
2. B.Planning and Zoning Committee- Carolyn Crouthamel

Council Member Crouthamel advised that there was no report.

1. C.Environmental Committee- Spencer Kulhanjian

Council Member Kulhanjian advised that the Northern Montgomery County Recycling Commission met in February and will meet again in April.

1. D.Public Works/Buildings & Plant Committee- Robert Jacobus

Council Member Jacobus advised that he attended the last meeting of the Telford Water Authority.

 

1. E.Public Safety Committee- William Ashley

Council President Ashley made a motion to consider the below listed items. Council Member Taylor seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

 

1. To authorize the designation of the following as “Speed Limit 25 Miles per Hour:”
   1. Spring House Lane initiating Reliance Road to property line of Telford Hills Association
   2. Countryside Lane initiating Reliance Road for its entirety
   3. Village Green Lane initiating Reliance Road for its entirety

and

1. The installation of four “Speed Limit 25” signs one each at:
   1. Spring House Lane, East Side, First property upon entry from Reliance Road
   2. Countryside Lane, East Side, First property upon entry from Reliance Road
   3. Village Green Lane, East Side, First property upon entry from Reliance Road
   4. Spring House Lane, West Side, First property upon departure from Telford Hills Association

• Telford Borough resident Walter Chwastyk commended Council on the addition of speed limit signs on Spring House Lane.

Council President Ashley also discussed the height requirement for the new fire siren. Public Works Director Yoder advised that he will provide a report on the siren height at next month’s meeting. Council President Ashley also discussed potential PP&L lights for the Borough and concluded his report by adding that he attended fire company and library meetings during the months of February and March.

1. F.Development & Culture Committee- John Taylor

Council Member Taylor discussed “So You Think You Can Cook”, an amateur cooking competition, which was held on March 8^th. Council Member Taylor also advised that the 2^nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on April 1^st at Centennial Park, and that the Indian Valley Today publication was recently distributed to residences. Council Member Taylor also recently attended the Bucks County Boroughs Association meeting which was held on March 14^th.

XV. OTHER BUSINESS

1. Council President Ashley made a motion to appoint Scott Landis to the Telford Industrial Development Authority Board, term to expire 1/1/28. Council Member Crouthamel seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.

1. Council Vice President Weiss made a motion to table consideration of a resolution approving the type of flags that can be flown on Borough properties to April’s meeting. Council Member Kulhanjian 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 to speak and advised that comments should be limited to Telford Borough residents.

The following Telford Borough resident’s offered commentary regarding the Indian Valley Public Library:

Robert Jacobus, 424 S. Main Street

Neal Grendon, 118 N. 3^rd Street

Kaitlin Derstine, 21 S. Hamilton Street

Megan Corbo-Syrellis, 416 S. Main Street

Katherine Farina, 620 S. Main Street

John Waldenberger, 149 N. 4^th Street

Eric Kratz, 214 Crestview Drive

John Harrell, 31 Branch Avenue

Bill Brosius, 325 E. Church Road

Nancy Brosius, 325 E. Church Road

Lauren Geitz, 217 W. Hamlin Avenue

Sandra Harrell, 31 Branch Avenue

Janet Russell, 263 N. Main Street

Ryan Shapella, 423 Acorn Avenue

Katie Shapella, 423 Acorn Avenue

The following non-resident’s offered commentary:

Jay Shisler, address not audible

Alvin Landis, 3055 Old State Road (non-resident, West Rockhill Township)

Tif Swartley, Thomas Drive (non-resident, Franconia Township)

There were additional speakers, however their commentary was inaudible.

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 10:16 PM.

Detailed Commentary:

The following offered commentary during the Citizens’ Comments portion of the Council Meeting:

1. Natalie Cimonetti, 162 W. Broad Street
2. After Ms. Cimonetti spoke, Council Member Jacobus countered the dialogue that Ms. Cimonetti offered. At that time Council President Ashley asked Mr. Jacobus if he wished to address the audience as a private citizen using the three minutes afforded to him.
   1. Robert Jacobus, 424 S. Main Street
3. 1. Michelle Kane, 275 N. 3^rd Street
4. 1. Margaret Pugliese, and minor child (name was not discernible), 234 N. Washington Street
5. 1. Neal Grendon, 118 N. 3^rd Street
6. 1. Iris Zavala, 37 W. Ridge Avenue
7. 1. Kaitlin Derstine, 27 S. Hamilton Street
8. 1. Kathleen McDaniel, 301 E. Church Avenue, #12
9. 1. Megan Corbo-Syrellis, 416 S. Main Street
10. 1.    Katherine Farina, 620 S. Main Street
11. 1.    Joey Bimson, 421 Edgewood Drive (Hilltown Township Resident)
12. 1.    John Waldenberger, 149 N. 4^th Street
13. 1.    Meredith Torres, 206 W. Lincoln Avenue
14. 1.    Eric Kratz, 214 Crestview Drive

Council Member Kratz addressed the audience and announced that he was appointed, not elected. Mr. Kratz does not want to remove funds from the library, but stated he takes issue with some materials found there, specifically items regarding anal sex. Mr. Kratz advised that he is serving on Council to “make the town better.”

1.    John Harrell, 31 Branch Avenue
2. 1.  Wendy Leshinskie, 141 N. Hamilton Street