The Telford Borough Council meeting held this date was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by President Carolyn Crouthamel with the following members in attendance: Robert Baker, Scott Hillegass, J. Allen Landis, James Schaeffer and Mayor Jay Stover. Also present were Manager Mark Fournier, Solicitor Mark Weand, Public Works Director Gary Yoder, Police Chief Randall Floyd, Tax Collector Emiline Weiss, Recording Secretary Megan McShane, Richard O’Brien, Jim Ennis & Jesse Hill from Keystone Consulting Services, Jerry Guretse and Earl Trauger from the Telford Fire Company, Eagle Scout John Hulik and members of John Hulik’s family, members of Boy Scout Troop 214, resident David Snook and 2 other Borough residents, a court report and a press reporter. Jeffrey Maxwell and Stanley Nyce were absent.

 

The invocation was given by Carolyn Crouthamel, followed by the pledge of allegiance.

 

SPECIAL RECOGNITION:

 

Mayor Jay Stover presented Eagle Scout John Hulik with an award, recognizing the completion of his Eagle Scout project. John’s project consisted of researching, creating and distributing an Emergency Weather Pamphlet to Telford area businesses and residents. Mayor Stover thanked John on behalf of Telford Borough, and John thanked Mayor Stover, Borough Council and Joe Rausch, Emergency Management Coordinator, as well as the Borough Manager for the award. He also thanked his family and his Troop for their help and support.

 

PUBLIC HEARING: Conditional Use Application from the Telford Fire Company

 

Council President Carolyn Crouthamel announced that there would be a Public Hearing to discuss a Conditional Use Application from the Telford Fire Company.

 

The Public Hearing opened at 7:38 pm and Richard O’Brien read the Public Notice that had been issued for the Conditional Use Hearing. He then reviewed the Conditional Use Application and gave an overview of the exhibits that were attached to it.

 

After Mr. O’Brien’s presentation, Chief Floyd stated that the proposed sign poses no safety issues.

 

There were no comments from the audience and the Public Hearing was closed at 7:54 pm.

 

A Baker/Hillegass motion carried unanimously (5-0) granting Conditional Use Approval to the Telford Fire Company for their electronic sign. 

 

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:

 

A Hillegass/Schaeffer motion carried unanimously (5-0) approving the minutes of the July 1, 2013 Borough Council meeting.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: We received the written monthly report for July, 2013 for the file.

 

Manager Mark Fournier reported that we’ve taken in 81.85% of our revenues and have spent about 57.85% of our expenditures.

 

A Landis/Schaeffer motion carried unanimously (5-0) approving the Treasurer’s Report.

 

MAYOR’S REPORT:

 

Mayor Jay Stover reported that he attended the July Council meeting and the Library Board meeting. Mayor Stover also informed Council that the Brews for Books fundraising event was held on Saturday, July 20^th at the Library and was well attended.

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Manager Mark Fournier informed Council that he, along with Gary Yoder and Rob Ruth, will begin the interview process for the laborer position this week.

 

Mr. Fournier also reported that a meeting was held with DEP and EPA to discuss the possible implementation of TMDLs in the Indian Creek, and the potential costs that would be associated with it. Another meeting will be held with DEP and EPA in October to continue that discussion.

 

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

 

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

 

Solicitor Mark Weand reviewed the latest correspondence from the attorney for Rock Community Church. After a brief discussion, a Hillegass/Schaeffer motion carried unanimously (5-0) rejecting the waiver of Borough real estate taxes for the Rock Community Church on West Broad Street.

 

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

 

COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:

 

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE: Mr. Hillegass

A-1       A Hillegass/Baker motion carried unanimously (5-0) accepting the payment of the bills for the month of July, 2013 in the amount of $ 321,701.00.

 

A-2       Manager Mark Fournier reported that the Borough staff is preparing amailing to send to all landlords who have rental properties in the Borough.

            Per Ordinance # 283, landlords owning property within the Borough ofTelford are required to annually submit tenant information to the Borough.

            Landlords will have 30 days to update and complete the Landlord-TenantRegistration Form and return it to the Borough office. A follow-up letter will be mailed after 30 days to those who do not respond, and failure tocomply could result in fines up to $600.00, and/or additional penalties.

            Ignoring the request may result in Telford Borough having to seekcompliance of this request before the District Justice. The consensus ofBorough Council was that this needed to be enforced as it will make our tax records more complete.

           

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE: There was nothing to report at this time.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE: There was nothing to report at this time.

 

PUBLIC WORKS/BUILDINGS & PLANT COMMITTEE: There was nothing to report at this time.

 

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Mr. Schaeffer

 

PS-1     A Schaeffer/Landis motion carried unanimously (5-0) adopting Ordinance # 399,an ordinance authorizing Telford Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 of Telford, Pennsylvania to recover the reasonable cost of firefighting materials, equipment, and hazardous abatement materials arising from environmental incidents, firefighting incidents, safety and rescue incidents, and vehicular accidents from insurancecompany involved.

 

DEVELOPMENT & CULTURE COMMITTEE: There was nothing to report at this time.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

 

Manager Mark Fournier reported that the public works crew will be installing handicapped ramps at 6 locations throughout the Borough in the near future prior to street paving.

 

James Schaeffer briefly mentioned the tragic passing of Brett Moyer from P.K. Moyer & Sons, and other Council members shared comments about Brett and how much he will be missed.

 

Jerry Guretse from the Telford Fire Company thanked Council for their assistance with passing Ordinance # 399 and granting the Conditional Use for their electronic sign.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

 

Borough Council entered into Executive Session at 8:42 pm to discuss a matter of litigation and personnel matters.

 

Borough Council closed executive session at 9:12 pm. No action was taken.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:13 pm by a Hillegass/Baker motion.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Mark D. Fournier

Secretary