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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, Recording Secretary Cathy Fried, Police Chief Douglas Bickel, and press reporters. Also present were PIRMA attorney Thomas X. McAndrew, Jr., Esq. and IRM Claim Examiner Greg Pomian.
The invocation was given by Robert Baker, followed by the pledge of allegiance.
A Nyce / Crouthamel motion was carried unanimously (6-0) approving the February 2, 2009 minutes.
TREASURER'S REPORT:
Manager Mark Fournier commented on the recently signed contract to purchase salt from PA Costars for the August 2009 through July 2010 season.
A Hillegass / Landis motion was carried unanimously (6-0) approving the February, 2009 Treasurer's Report.
MAYOR'S REPORT:
Mayor Jay Stover attended the February Borough Council meeting and the Library Board meeting. He commented on the letter indicating the collaborative efforts of the Library and Telford Borough regarding use of the ball fields. Mayor Stover also reported a meeting is scheduled for March 30th to discuss any modifications necessary to the draft of the proposed Intermunicipal Agreement.
POLICE REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
Attached are our service calls from February 1st through February 20th, 2009.
We received notification from the Municipal Police Officer's Education and Training Commission that they have tentatively approved Scott Keeler for certification. He can begin his duties as a municipal police officer.
Lieutenant Floyd, for obvious reasons, will submit his report at a later date.
A sampling of news articles regarding the homicide investigation is attached as well as other correspondence for you to review.
FIRE REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
Manager Mark Fournier reported the Volunteer Fire Company will be making renovations that include a sprinkler system and garage doors. The Fire Company asked that Telford Borough consider waiving the building permit fees for this project.
A Landis / Crouthamel motion was carried unanimously (6-0) approving that building permit fees be waived for renovations to be made to the Volunteer Fire Company building.
LIBRARY REPORT:
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
1. Snow & Ice Removal - Our public works crew salted streets, or plowed snow or cleared sidewalks on the following dates, 2/3, 2/4, 2/6.
2. Borough Buildings - We continue the renovations for a document storage room in Borough Hall as time allows. To date we have removed old abandoned wiring, replaced old galvanized water pipe with copper tubing, relocated the water meter and valves, and completed most of the framing. We are now in the process of adding new electrical outlets which will be followed by drywall installation.
At the Community Building, we installed new window well covers to alleviate leaf build up in the window wells. We are also addressing chronic water/moisture problems in the basement area utilized by the boy scouts. This will require new rain gutter, removal and replacement of sections of drywall, and some site grading. I am also compiling a list of general repairs needed at the community building and will submit a separate report.
3. Curb & Sidewalk Notices - Curb & sidewalk notices were sent out to property owners along Summit Avenue between School Lane and Main Street and along Reliance Road between Third Street and the R/R crossing. The completion date for this work is April 30th.
4. Centennial Park - During the month our public works team installed the electric panel/park information kiosk adjacent to the new pavilion. Also, landscape timber and crushed stone were installed as pads for the new bleachers at the softball field. During the month of March, we plan to complete installation of the meter base, electrical panels and remaining conduit work.
5. Stover Park - On 2/24, we met at Stover Park with the supplier and installation contractor for the new lights and poles for the softball field. They plan to begin work as soon as the materials are received.
6. Pothole Patching - We continue to patch potholes as required.
7. Athletic Fields - During the month we developed new application forms for athletic field usage. We also developed designated parking maps for Stover Park and Telford Municipal Park (Library). We are coordinating with the Indian Valley Public Library to eliminate conflicts with their planned activities.
Council member Allen Landis commended the Public Works Department for the great job done during the funeral of Staff Sergeant Mark Baum. Mark Fournier also commented on the combined efforts of Public Works Director Donald Beck and Police Chief Douglas Bickel.
MANAGER'S REPORT:
- Reviewed various building / zoning permit applications and land development plans with the Zoning Officer and the Solicitor.
- Attended various meetings with regard to Borough Council and Telford Borough Authority.
- Coordinated review and completion of the Draft Zoning Ordinance.
- Met with our insurance company representatives regarding risk management practices.
- Coordinated with the Partnership TMA regarding bicycle racks acquisition for our Municipal Park.
- Coordinated a meeting with staff on the Right to Know policy of Telford Borough.
- Met with Representatives Taylor and Harper to discuss issues relating to Boroughs.
Manager Mark Fournier reported the public works crew is working on the west side of Reliance Road. The Harleysville Savings Bank project is getting underway. This project involves the coordination with other utilities and relocation of sewer, water and stormsewer facilities. The 2008 Right of Way Clearing Project is nearing completion. He also reported the two (2) bike racks given by Partnership TMA were received today. He has also been working on the M&M Stone Quarry and TMDL litigation matters. Mark Fournier was contacted by Boy Scout Troop #14 requesting the use of the treed area behind the Community Building for a camp out on April 18th and 19th.
A Crouthamel / Hillegass motion was carried unanimously (6-0) approving the use of the tree area behind the Community Building for a camp out by Boy Scout Troop #14 the weekend of April 18 and 19, 2009.
A meeting was held with Lutheran Community at Telford to discuss the submission of plans for renovations and expansion of their existing site and the proposed future development of ground purchased from Delbar. The project will be comprised of possibly three (3) phases. Phase I will be the renovations to the skilled nursing unit and the dementia unit. Phase II will include an auditorium, pool and café. Phase III will be the development of the back portion of the property purchased from Delbar. The project Phase II and Phase III are on hold, but not cancelled, due to present economic conditions.
BUILDING OFFICIAL'S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
Mark Fournier reported the building inspector has been working on the follow-up of old building permits.
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) Rock Community Church Zoning Application. There remains no Solicitor contact. The property has not been sold. (C) Joseph Nitterour Zoning Application. As previously reported, the property use will become conforming upon adoption of the new Zoning Ordinance. (D) There are no pending zoning applications at this time.
2. ASSESSMENT APPEALS. (A) MetPro Corp. The Solicitor has received a proposed Stipulation to settle which is currently under discussion with the attorney for the Souderton Area School District, the attorney for MetPro Corp., and the attorney for the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals. (B) Warren Lumber & Millwork, Inc. There remains no activity to report. (C) Lutheran Community at Telford. The PILOT Agreement as signed by the Telford Borough officials was forwarded by the Solicitor to James F. Kratz, Esquire, legal counsel for the Lutheran Community. The Agreement, with the signature of the Lutheran Community, has not come to the attention of the Solicitor. A contact for status report has been initiated to legal counsel.
3. REVITALIZATION. DCED Funding and Bylaw amendments were presented to Council at last meeting. Other issues and aspects of the Souderton/Telford Main Street Program continue to be referenced with the Manager.
4. BUDGET. Budget items continue to be referenced with the Manager as various issues arise.
5. SKLAR ACCIDENT CLAIM. The depositions of Sandy Sklar have been scheduled for April 15, 2009 at the Montgomery County Courthouse. In the interim, settlement proposals have been exchanged between counsel of record. A report will be provided to Borough Council at executive session.
6. CENTENNIAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. There has been no activity with regard to the restrictive covenant. Project closeout detail continues to be discussed with the Manager and Engineer. The ground cover issue will be resolved this spring.
7. DELBAR TRACT SUBDIVISION. Since last report, the Solicitor has prepared a Roadway Deed of Dedication and a Grant & Bill of Sale. These documents have been submitted to the Manager for execution. The Solicitor has also conferred with the Engineer to provide advice with regard to escrow release and related issues.
8. CABLE FRANCHISE. Recent submissions to the Manager have been referenced with the Solicitor for acceptability confirmation.
9. CHIPLEY CLAIM NOTICE. The Solicitor has met with the Manager to review the extensive material submitted in the demand package by legal counsel for the Estate of Thomas Chipley. Comments from the Public Works Director and the Chief of Police have been noted. Review comments will be submitted to Thomas X. McAndrew, Jr., Esquire, at a meeting to be scheduled in the near future.
10. CURBSIDE COLLECTION OF LEAF WASTE. An amendment to Ordinance No. 368 to address handling, collection and disposal of leaf waste remains pending with the Solicitor.
11. LANDIS SUPERMARKET. This project remains under review with the Manager and Engineer. Of specific reference is the Traffic Signal Improvement at the County Line and Church Road intersection.
12. INDIAN VALLEY LIBRARY COMMISSION: There remains no update with the regard to the proposed Intermunicipal Agreement and adopting Ordinance.
13. BUCKS COUNTY WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN: The Bucks County Municipal Solid Waste Management Plan Revision continues under review with the Manager.
14. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT: Following editorial meeting on January 29, 2009, a comprehensive checklist was provided to the Montgomery County Planners by the Borough Zoning/Building Official. A response in the form of a revised draft of Chapter 27 Zoning has not been received at this time.
15. 2008 AUDIT: The Solicitor opinion pertaining to the audit of the 2008 financial statements of the Borough of Telford, as requested by Styer Associates, remains pending with the Solicitor.
ENGINEER'S REPORT:
Carolyn Crouthamel asked if Telford Borough has complied with the MS4 six-year filing requirement by March 9th. Mark Fournier responded the filing has been accomplished.
COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE: None
FINANCE AND ADMINSTRATIVE COMMITTEE: Mr. Hillegass
A-1 A Hillegass / Landis motion was carried unanimously (6-0) approving the payment of bills in the amount of $206,475.90 for the month of February.
A-2 A Nyce / Hillegass motion was carried unanimously (6-0) to award the bid for Bituminous Materials to the lowest bidders for superpave fine graded, superpave wearing 1 ½" depth and superpave wearing 3" depth to Highway Materials and the lowest bid for superpave binder d"-5" depth, superpave base 3"-5" depth and psp (coldpatch) to H & K Materials.
A Hillegass / Crouthamel motion was carried unanimously (6-0) to award the bids for Equipment Rental Without Operator to the lowest bidders as follows: Eagle Power & Equipment the 4-wheel drive loader Model #953C for 1 month; Plasterer Equipment Co., Inc. for Vibratory Roller Model #605 by the day and week, Crawler Dozer Model #550 by the day, week and month, Crawler Loader Model #953C by the day and week, 4-wheel Drive Loader Model #621D by the day and month, Hydraulic Excavator Model #CX75/9007B by the day, week and month and Model #CX160/9020 by the day, week and month; Ransome Rents for the Vibratory Roller Model #605 by the month, 4-Wheel Drive Loader Model #621D by the week, Compact Excavator Model #CX47 by the day, week and month and the Hydraulic Excavator Model #CX130/9010 by the day, week and month.
A-3 Landlord Tenant Act Enforcement Update:
Mark Fournier reported a list is being developed that itemizes the rental property address, the landlord/management company and yearly updates received. The process involves the coordination of the landlord/tenant card file, the sewer and water records and tax records.
A-4 Line of Credit Refinance:
A brief discussion was held regarding the $600,000 Line of Credit with Quakertown National Bank that requires refinancing by April 30th. Scott Hillegass commented there is a need to refinance the entire $600,000 rather than financing $400,000 and withdrawing $200,000 from capital reserve. Mayor Jay Stover asked that the loan be structured to allow prepayment without penalty. Borough Council agreed the ability to prepay without penalty should be requested. Mark Fournier distributed an e-mail from Concord Public Financial Advisors, Inc. proposing a fee of $8,500 to complete the refinance transaction.
A Hillegass / Crouthamel motion was carried unanimously (6-0) authorizing Mark Fournier to engage Concord Public Financial Advisors, Inc. at a fee of $8,500 for the entire process of procuring the refinancing for the present $600,000 line of credit and soliciting proposals from lending institutions and that $50,000 be deposited to Capital Reserve.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE: Mr. Maxwell
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE: Mr. Nyce
Stanley Nyce reported the 2006 grant money was received last month. The grant money for 2007 will hopefully be received by the end of 2009. The Environmental Committee will recognize a local business for its efforts in recycling at a dinner at the Indian Valley Country Club.
PUBLIC WORKS / BUILDINGS & PLANT COMMITTEE: Mr. Landis
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Mr. Harrell
In John Harrell's absence, Public Safety Committee member Carolyn Crouthamel presented correspondence from Telford Volunteer Fire Company requesting approval of future activities.
PS-1 A Crouthamel / Hillegass motion was carried unanimously (6-0) to approve Telford Fire Company's requests to attend the Emergency Personnel Appreciation Presentation at Grace Christian School, 320 N. Third Street, Franconia Township on 3/17/09; the Apparatus Housing at Towamencin Fire Company on 5/20/09; and the 100th Anniversary of the Norriton Fire Engine Company on 5/30/09.
DEVELOPMENT & CULTURE COMMITTEE: Ms. Crouthamel
OTHER BUSINESS:
Mayor Jay Stover reported a meeting has been scheduled to discuss the Souderton Community Pool for March 30th. This meeting is to be attended by the Finance & Administration Committee of Souderton, Franconia Township and Telford Borough. Mark Fournier will advise the Finance & Administration Committee of any change.
Council entered into executive session at 8:37 p.m. to discuss a matter of potential litigation.
Council closed executive session at 9:12 p.m.
No action was taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m. by a Landis / Crouthamel motion.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mark D. Fournier
Secretary
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