The Telford Borough Council meeting held this date was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Robert Baker with the following members in attendance:  J. Allen Landis, Carolyn Crouthamel, Jeffrey Maxwell, Stanley Nyce and Scott Hillegass.  John Harrell was absent.  Also present were Mayor Jay Stover, Manager Mark D. Fournier, Solicitor Mark E. Weand, Jr., Police Chief Douglas Bickel, Public Works Director Donald Beck, Tax Collector Emiline Weiss, and Raymond Fegley of Telford Volunteer Fire Company. 

The invocation was given by Scott Hillegass, followed by the pledge of allegiance.

PUBLIC HEARING:

The Public Hearing was opened at 7:31 p.m. to consider the adoption of the Telford Borough 2010 Budget.

No public comments were received.

The Public Hearing was closed at 7:32 p.m.

A Hillegass / Crouthamel motion was carried unanimously (6-0) approving the November 2, 2009 minutes.

TREASURER'S REPORT:   

A Hillegass / Crouthamel motion was carried unanimously (6-0) approving the November 2009 Treasurer's Report.

MAYOR'S REPORT: 

Mayor Jay Stover reported he attended the November Borough Council meeting and attended the Mayors Dinner.

POLICE REPORT: 

Attached are our service calls for the month of November.

In addition to routine, assigned shifts:

1. All officers received their firearms recertification.

2. Officer Minninger attended a Field Training Officer certification program.

3. Officer Fox participated in a DUI Roving patrol.

4. I attended both the Bucks and Montgomery County Police Chiefs Association meetings.

To date, all 14 applicants passed the oral portion of the civil service examination and are eligible to continue on in the hiring process.

FIRE REPORT: 

Chief Ray Fegley reported that the fire company installed a timer on the siren at the fire house that will prevent the siren from going off in the middle of the night.  The siren is set to go off from 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.

LIBRARY REPORT:  We received a written monthly report for the file.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT:

1.   Stover Park - The main control cabinet has been installed.  Swartley Bros. continues to wire the controls and lights at the Stover Park Softball Field.

2.   Storm Drainage - The storm drainage replacement at Reliance Road & Hamilton Avenue will be installed in December; weather permitting.  Due to the on-going leaf collection program, we were unable to complete this project at this time.

3.   Street Sweeping - On-going as time allows.

4.   Leaf Collection - We continue to provide scheduled leaf collection.  The daily volume collected is beginning to taper off.  We will continue to provide collection on an as needed basis until late December.

5.   Holiday Decorations - We tested and installed the Christmas wreaths along Main Street, West Broad Street, and Reliance Road.

MANAGER'S REPORT:

• Reviewed various building / zoning permit applications with the Zoning Officer and the Solicitor.
• Attended various meetings with regard to Borough Council and Telford Borough Authority.
• Attended the Bucks County Consortium meeting.
• Attended the Revitalization Plan Update meeting.
• Budget preparation.

BUILDING OFFICIAL'S REPORT:  We received a written monthly report for the file.

SOLICITOR'S REPORT: 

1. ZONING. (A) The Solicitor continues to confer with Mark Fournier to discuss pending building, zoning and inspection matters. All material is reviewed by the Solicitor on receipt for advice submission. (B) There are no pending zoning applications at this time.

2. ASSESSMENT APPEALS. (A) Warren Lumber & Millwork, Inc. The Solicitor has received no contact with regard to this real estate tax assessment appeal. (B) Washington Glen Associates LP. A hearing was held before the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals on October 27, 2009 by reason of an appeal filed by Washington Glen Associates LP pertaining the premises situate 251 S. Washington Avenue.  On November 2, 2009, the Board of Assessment Appeals rendered a decision reducing the assessment from $1,100,000 to $513,000 effective January 1, 2010.  On November 13, 2009, the Souderton Area School District filed an appeal from the real estate assessment.  Thereafter, the Solicitor filed an Entry of Appearance and Notice of Intervention with the Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Telford Borough on November 20, 2009.  By reason of the extent of the assessment reduction, this matter will be vigorously pursued by the School District and the Borough.

3. REVITALIZATION. All aspects of the Souderton/Telford Main Street Program continue to be discussed with the Manager as various issues arise.

4. BUDGET. At the last Council meeting, the Manager presented the 2010 General Fund Budget. A motion to adopt the budget and advertise the Tax Levy Ordinance was received. Supplemental reference will be initiated by Council at meeting scheduled for December 7, 2009.

5. SKLAR ACCIDENT CLAIM. As previously indicated, the defendants filed a Motion to Compel completion of the settlement agreement as approved by all parties. A court hearing on this motion remains to be scheduled by the Court Administrator.

6. CENTENNIAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. The contractor has reseeded the area in question under Borough inspection. Accordingly, the ground cover issue has been resolved. Since the contractor has been paid the balance held in retainage, this item will be deleted from further report.

7. CHIPLEY CLAIM NOTICE. There remains no response to IRM attorney correspondence dated August 20, 2009 denying liability.

8. LANDIS SUPERMARKET. Assumption of the cost to improve the traffic signals at the County Line and Church Road intersection remains an outstanding issue with the Lutheran Community having been relieved from potential contribution by reason of a traffic study and other consideration related to the current development plan.

9. INDIAN VALLEY LIBRARY COMMISSION: There remains no Solicitor contact.

10. BUCKS COUNTY WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN: The Bucks County Solid Waste Management Plan Revision remains pending with the Manager and Solicitor.

11. PA DEP NPDES STORMWATER PERMIT REQUIREMENTS. As referenced in last report, the current permit has been extended for one year following comment submission by the Borough Engineer. There is no further update.

12. LUTHERAN COMMUNITY AT TELFORD. The Preliminary/Final Plans were reviewed by Council at least meeting with approval resolution as drafted by the Borough Engineer accepted. Subsequently, the Solicitor has conferred with legal counsel for the Lutheran Community to address Development and Escrow Agreements that will be required by the Borough, and Service and Escrow Agreements required by the Authority. All detail continues to be coordinated with the Manager and Engineer. Plan revision must be submitted to CKS for approval. Other project permitting must be obtained prior to the issuance of a building permit by the Borough.

13. FIRE COMPANY SIREN. An initial report was presented to Council on July 6, 2009. Accordingly, request for attendance at the next Council meeting to provide an updated status report was initiated by Council.

14. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION. There has been no Solicitor contact subsequent to resolution approval by Council on October 5, 2009. It is assumed that the procedure to hire a new patrolman is proceeding with regularity.

15. MUNICIPAL UTILITY ALLIANCE. Prior to discussion and approval of electricity purchased by the Borough at last meeting, the Solicitor reviewed all document submissions for reference with the Manager. There has been no subsequent Solicitor contact.

ENGINEER'S REPORT:   We received a written monthly report for the file.

COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:  none

FINANCE AND ADMINSTRATIVE COMMITTEE:  Mr. Hillegass

A-1       A Hillegass / Crouthamel motion was carried unanimously (6-0) approving the payment of bills in the amount of $206,742.26 for the month of November 2009. 

A-2       A Hillegass / Nyce motion was carried unanimously (6-0) adopting the 2010 Budget with no changes.

A-3       A Hillegass / Landis motion was carried unanimously (6-0) adopting 2010 Tax Levy Ordinance No. 381.

A-4       A Hillegass / Landis motion was carried unanimously (6-0) adopting the 2010 Holiday Schedule as presented to Council.

A-5       A Hillegass / Crouthamel motion was carried unanimously (6-0) authorizing the Manager to advertise meeting schedules for 2010.

A-6       A Hillegass / Crouthamel motion was carried unanimously (6-0) approving the request of the Telford Industrial Development Authority to Finance the Lutheran Home at Telford Project in an amount not to exceed $16,100,000.

PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE:  Mr. Maxwell

PZ-1     Position vacancies on various boards

            Manager Mark D. Fournier reported that there are several vacancies on the various boards.  Mr. Fournier referenced that the Authority board has a vacancy and there are two vacancies on the Planning Commission.  Mr. Fournier asked the Council if they knew anyone that has interest in serving on these boards to have them contact the office.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE:  no report

PUBLIC WORKS / BUILDINGS & PLANT COMMITTEE:  no report

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: no report

DEVELOPMENT & CULTURE COMMITTEE:   no report

OTHER BUSINESS:   

Manager Mark D. Fournier referenced that the Tree lightning will be on Friday December 11^th at 7:30 p.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

The Board went into executive session at 8:38 p.m. to discuss personnel matters.

The Board came out of executive session at 8:51 p.m.

No action was taken.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m. by a Nyce / Landis motion.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mark D. Fournier

Secretary