The Telford Borough Council meeting held this date was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Stanley Nyce with the following members in attendance:  Robert Baker, Carolyn Crouthamel, John Harrell, Scott Hillegass and J. Allen Landis.  Jeffrey Maxwell was absent.  Also present were Manager Mark D. Fournier, Solicitor Mark Weand, Public Works Director Donald Beck, Recording Secretaries Cathy Fried and Megan McShane, Mayor Jay R. Stover, Police Chief Douglas Bickel, Detective Randall Floyd, Tax Collector Emiline Weiss, and press reporters.  In the audience was resident James Schaeffer. 

The invocation was given by Mayor Jay R. Stover, followed by the pledge of allegiance. 

Minutes of the January 4, 2010 Borough Council meeting were approved unanimously (6-0) by a Hillegass/ Crouthamel motion. 

TREASURER'S REPORT:  We received written monthly reports for both December, 2009 and January, 2010 for the file. 

Robert Baker inquired about the shortage of grant funds for open space.  Manager Mark Fournier stated that the funds are all reimbursable from the Centennial Park project, and that the County will not let the Borough transfer funds to another park project, so the Borough will use what funds it can to improve Centennial Park.   

Robert Baker also inquired about the $42,000 that was drawn down from the capital reserve, and asked if it was drawn against the dump truck fund.  Manager Mark Fournier stated that he would clarify that information with Finance Director Daphne Hollowbush prior to the next Council meeting. 

The Treasurer’s Report for December was approved unanimously (6-0) by a Crouthamel/Landis motion.  The Treasurer’s Report for January was approved unanimously (6-0) by a Landis/Crouthamel motion. 

MAYOR'S REPORT: 

Mayor Jay Stover reported that he attended the Key Communicators meeting and that those in attendance expressed concern with the tax increase that will occur in 3 years.  He also reported that the Souderton-Telford Community Revitalization Plan Community Visionary meeting was well attended, with 65 people in attendance.  People seem very interested in what’s going on in the community. 

Mayor Stover also reported that Dr. Amuso announced he is retiring from the Souderton Area School District and that this year is the 125^th anniversary of the Borough of Telford. 

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

Mayor Jay Stover reported that the library addition project has not started as of yet. 

POLICE REPORT:  Written 

FIRE REPORT:  No fire report was given as there was no one from the fire department in attendance.  We received a written monthly report for the file. 

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT:  Written 

J. Allen Landis inquired about the sewer main on Indian Valley Lane.  Donald Beck reported that the Public Works department is looking into how they’re going to address the leaky laterals on the sewer main.  The department is reviewing different repair techniques and costs. 

Donald Beck reported that the department is currently working on curb stop repair.  Stanley Nyce asked if they were working on Broad Street, and Donald Beck confirmed that they are. 

Scott Hillegass commented that there are some icy spots on sidewalks throughout the Borough and asked if the Borough can remediate them.  Donald Beck explained that through the MS4 program, the state does not want to hook sump pumps up to the sewer line, so there will continue to be icy spots due to the water discharge from the sump pumps.  The crew is addressing those icy spots on a case by case basis. 

Donald Beck reported that the new lights have been installed at Stover Park and that they are just about finished with the project.  They must remove the old lights and poles. 

MANAGER'S REPORT:  Written 

Manager Mark Fournier introduced the Borough’s new Administrative Secretary, Megan McShane, to the Borough Council.  He stated that the current Administrative Secretary, Cathy Fried, is retiring, and thanked her for her years of service. 

Mark Fournier reported that the staff is getting ready to allocate the ball fields for the season and that the water & sewer billing was just mailed out.  He also reported that he attended the TMA meeting and that the Borough may be able to get another bike rack in 2010. 

Carolyn Crouthamel asked if the Borough was progressing on charging fees for the ball fields and stated that Telford Borough is currently the only municipality not charging fees.  Mark Fournier commented that the Borough does charge for light rentals and for use of the community building. 
 

Stanley Nyce inquired about the labor involved with the clean up of these facilities.  Donald Beck reported that the department handles trash removal, mowing and fertilizing of the fields, and added that Gary Yoder has contacted organizations to advertise on signage at Stover Park to help offset the cost of the fields.   

Scott Hillegass commented that some municipalities have facilities for the public to use and do not charge fees to use them.  He provided Perkasie Borough and its skate park as an example. 

Stanley Nyce suggested that the Council table this discussion for the time being and continue it at a future meeting. 

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

 SOLICITOR'S REPORT:  Written 

Solicitor Mark Weand reported there are no pending zoning matters.  He also reported that the Borough has reached resolution with the Sklar case and that the Borough audit was concluded. 

ENGINEER’S REPORT:  Written  

COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:   Resident Jim Schaeffer expressed his concern about the icy sidewalks and asked the Council who is responsible for taking care of them.  The Council explained that the property owner is responsible for the portion of the public sidewalk that is on their property. 

Mr. Schaeffer commented that there should not be fees for public facilities unless groups outside the community use the facilities.  He also stated that he thought the Revitalization meeting was a great meeting and concluded his comments. 

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE:  Mr. Hillegass 

A-1       A Hillegass/Baker motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving the payment of bills for the month of December 2009 in the amount of $332,197.07. A Hillegass/Crouthamel motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving the payment of bills for the month of January 2010 in the amount of $175,282.11. 

A-2       A Hillegass/Baker motion carried unanimously (6-0) to approve forwarding thelist of delinquent per capita to H.A. Berkheimer Associates for collection. 

A-3       A Hillegass/Landis motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving Resolution10-02, Resolution Declaring Telford Borough’s Support for Its Elected TaxCollectors of the Appeal by the Pennridge School District to Unfairly ReduceTheir Compensation. 

PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE:  Mr. Maxwell 

PZ-1     Carolyn Crouthamel explained there is no change to the total amount of theIndian Valley Regional Planning Commission Budget for the year 2010. A Crouthamel/Baker motion carried unanimously (6-0) to approve the IndianValley Regional Planning Commission 2010 Budget. 

PZ-2     A Crouthamel/Harrell motion carried unanimously (6-0) to appoint DavidMusselman to the Planning Commission to replace John Eskandarian withthe term to expire 1/1/2015. 

PZ-3     Scott Hillegass reported there was a good attendance at the Souderton-Telford Revitalization Plan Committee Meeting on Monday, January 11, 2010.  The community has been very supportive by completing a survey as well asattending the meeting.  The movie theater in Souderton will be the next projectand will be funded through Souderton-Telford Main Streets. 

Mark Fournier said there is marketing through Classic Towns. 

Carolyn Crouthamel informed Borough Council she was elected Chairpersonof the Indian Valley Regional Planning Commission. 

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE:  Mr. Nyce  

Stanley Nyce reported that the funds from the 2007 grant have been held up and that another audit is going to be conducted.   

PUBLIC WORKS/BUILDINGS & PLANT COMMITTEE:  J. Allen Landis stated that there was nothing to report at this time. 

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:  Mr. Harrell 

PS-1     The 2010 Schedule of Events of Telford Volunteer Fire Company was unanimously approved (6-0) by a Harrell/Hillegass motion. 

DEVELOPMENT & CULTURE COMMITTEE:  Ms. Crouthamel stated that there was no report at this time. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Borough Council entered into executive session at 8:45 p.m. 

Borough Council closed executive session at 9:03 p.m. 

Scott Hillegass reviewed a letter dated February 1, 2010 from Chief of Police Doug Bickel.  A Hillegass/Crouthamel motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving the hiring of Brett Popiny and David Bechtel. 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 p.m. by a Landis/Crouthamel motion.

Mark D. Fournier