The Telford Borough Council meeting held this date was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by Vice-President J. Allen Landis with the following members in attendance: Robert Baker, Scott Hillegass, Jeffrey Maxwell, Stanley Nyce, James Schaeffer and Mayor Jay Stover. Also present were Solicitor Mark Weand, Manager Mark Fournier, Public Works Director Gary Yoder, Jerry Guretse from the Telford Fire Company, Recording Secretary Megan McShane, residents Lori Rappold and David Snook, and a press reporter.

 

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

 

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:

 

A Hillegass/Maxwell motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving the minutes of the November 4, 2013 Borough Council meeting.

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

 

Vice-President J. Allen Landis announced that there would be a Public Hearing to discuss Tax Levy Ordinance #400.

 

The Public Hearing opened at 7:32 pm. There were no comments from the audience and the Public Hearing was closed at 7:33 pm.

 

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

 

Manager Mark Fournier reported that we’ve taken in 106.94% of our revenues and have spent about 93.3% of our expenditures.

 

A Hillegass/Schaeffer motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving the Treasurer’s Report.

 

MAYOR’S REPORT:

 

Mayor Jay Stover reported that he attended the Mayor’s Dinner at the Indian Valley Country Club, which was well attended. He also participated in 6 different ribbon cuttings that took place in Telford and Souderton, and he was the Parade Grand Marshall for the Souderton Holiday parade, which had close to 100 groups in it.

 

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

 

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

 

Jerry Guretse informed Council that the electronic sign is up at the Fire Company, and that the Fire Company took possession of the 2005 rescue pumper just after Thanksgiving. It will be put into service by this Saturday.

 

Manager Mark Fournier informed Council that Jerry Guretse is now the President of the Fire Company.

 

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

 

Mayor Stover reported that the wine tasting fundraiser took place on Saturday, November 9^th, and there were approximately 300 people in attendance.

 

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 thanked Mayor Stover for all of his service to the Borough. He’s had the pleasure of working with him for the last 15 years, and is really going to miss him.

 

Mr. Fournier was pleased to inform Council that the Borough has been awarded a grant for $250,000 from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for the Telford Municipal Park project. The Borough has already received funding from TBA, TIDA and the Bucks County Open Space Program for this project. Mr. Fournier informed Council that this will be the largest park project ever undertaken in the Borough at over $700,000 estimated cost.

 

Scott Hillegass stated that TIDA is very enthused about this project, and this will be one of the largest ones that they’ve embarked on, too.

 

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 complimented Mayor Stover for his outstanding career in public service and said that he has been an asset to the community.

 

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

 

Manager Mark Fournier informed Council that the Borough still has an ARLE Grant application pending.

 

COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:

 

Jerry Guretse extended an invitation to the Mayor and Council members to attend the Christmas party at the Telford Fire House on Tuesday, December 17^th.

 

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE: Mr. Hillegass

 

A-1       A Hillegass/Maxwell motion carried unanimously (6-0) accepting the payment of the bills for the month of November, 2013 in the amount of $ 218,936.04.

 

A-2       A Hillegass/Schaeffer motion carried unanimously (6-0) adopting Ordinance No. 400, the Tax Levy Ordinance for 2014.

 

A-3       A Hillegass/Nyce motion carried unanimously (6-0) adopting the 2014 Holiday Schedule as presented to Council.

 

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

 

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE: Mr. Nyce

 

Solicitor Mark Weand informed Council that he received word that, through DEP’s Recycling Program, the Northern Montgomery County Recycling Commission will be receiving $650,000, which will be disbursed to the Commission members as soon as possible.

 

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

 

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: There was nothing to report at this time.

 

DEVELOPMENT & CULTURE COMMITTEE: Mr. Nyce

 

The Telford Borough Christmas tree lighting is on Friday, December 13^th at 7:00 pm.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

 

Borough Council entered into Executive Session at 8:03 pm to discuss a matter of litigation, personnel and real estate.

 

Carolyn Crouthamel arrived at 8:15 pm.

 

Borough Council closed executive session at 8:43 pm.

 

It was the consensus of Council that, should an appeal be filed to the denial of the Preston Zoning Hearing Application, the Borough Manager is authorized to direct the Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor to handle the appeal. The Borough Solicitor will intervene but not duplicate the efforts of the Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 pm by a Hillegass/Nyce motion.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Mark D. Fournier                                                                                                                                 

Secretary