April 7, 2014
The Telford Borough Council meeting held this date was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President J. Allen Landis with the following members in attendance: Robert Baker, Carolyn Crouthamel, Scott Hillegass, Jeffrey Maxwell, Stanley Nyce and James Schaeffer. Also present were Solicitor Mark Weand, Public Works Director Gary Yoder, Recording Secretary Megan McShane, Police Chief Randall Floyd, Tax Collector Emiline Weiss, Telford Fire Company President Jerry Guretse, resident Lori Rappold, and a press reporter. Manager Mark Fournier and Mayor David Snook were absent.
The invocation was given by Stanley Nyce, followed by the pledge of allegiance.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:
A Hillegass/Crouthamel motion carried unanimously (7-0) approving the minutes of the March 3, 2014 Borough Council meeting.
TREASURER'S REPORT:
Council President J. Allen Landis commented that Emiline Weiss had a terrific month with tax collection.
Robert Baker noted that it seems the Borough exceeded the budget by 4,000% in the Other category of the Legislative Body section of the budget. Recording Secretary Megan McShane will look into this matter with Finance Director Craig Davies and will have him report back to Council.
A Hillegass/Crouthamel motion carried unanimously (7-0) approving the Treasurer’s Report for March 2014.
MAYOR’S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
POLICE REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
Chief Floyd reported that it has been a busy time for the department, and informed Council that the building renovations are complete and look nice. He encouraged Council to stop by and see the building when they have an opportunity.
Stanley Nyce stated that he is concerned with the amount of incidents happening in the Borough, and said that he appreciates those who serve and protect the residents.
Jim Schaeffer asked Chief Floyd when District Justice Deatelhauser is retiring, and Chief Floyd stated that Justice Deatelhauser will retire at the end of the year. The police department will then be re-routed to District Court in Skippack for court matters, where District Justice Augustine presides.
Mr. Schaeffer asked if this re-districting will affect both the Bucks and Montgomery County sides of the Borough, and Chief Floyd replied that it will only affect Montgomery County. Mr. Schaeffer asked if Justice Deatelhauser is being forced to retire, and Chief Floyd answered that no, it is state law that District Justices retire at age 70, and he will be 70 this year.
FIRE REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
Telford Fire Company President Jerry Guretse thanked those who attended the annual banquet, and apologized for the delay in getting the Calendar of Events to Council. He said that the Fire Company would like to have Council come and tour the firehouse sometime.
LIBRARY REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
Stanley Nyce inquired about who is responsible for maintaining the intersection of Broad & Main Streets. Public Works Director Gary Yoder informed Mr. Nyce that Telford Borough is responsible for Broad Street, and PennDOT is responsible for Main Street. Mr. Nyce stated that he appreciates the efforts of the Public Works department to fill the holes at that intersection.
MANAGER’S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
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 reported that the Borough has received 75% of the Grant from Bucks County, and will be receiving the remaining 25% of that Grant at the end of the Municipal Park project. The $225,000 Grant from Telford Industrial Development Authority will be paid on an as-needed basis, and there is a slight hold up with the DCNR Grant in getting executed Agreements, as the department is still closing out grants to last year’s recipients.
Solicitor Weand also reported that the Borough will look to adopt the Codification in June. Mr. Baker asked if the Planning & Zoning Committee will see the final version before it is adopted, and Mr. Weand stated that yes, they will.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE: None
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE: Mr. Hillegass
A-1 A Hillegass/Crouthamel motion carried unanimously (7-0) approving the bills for the month of March in the amount of $420,081.46.
Mr. Landis informed Council that the Library funding discussion is being deferred to the Finance & Administrative Committee.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE: Mr. Maxwell
PZ-1 Bucks County Hazard Mitigation Plan
A Maxwell/Hillegass motion carried unanimously (7-0) approving Resolution 14-02, which authorizes Telford Borough to participate in the Bucks County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Plan is required by state and federal agencies for municipalities to be eligible to receive state and federal disaster relief funds after a disaster occurs.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE: There was nothing to report at this time.
PUBLIC WORKS/BUILDINGS & PLANT COMMITTEE: Ms. Crouthamel
PW-1 Spring Leaf Collection
Telford Borough will be collecting leaves from Monday, April 14th through Thursday, April 17th. Please rake leaves to the curbside. If you prefer to bag your leaves you may, but only leaves. Any bags containing grass clippings will not be collected. This schedule may be subject to change due to weather and emergencies.
In addition, residents may drop off branches at the Telford Borough Public Works Garage, located at 25 S. Washington Street, from Monday, April 14th through Thursday, April 17th between the hours of 7 am and 3 pm.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Mr. Schaeffer
A Schaeffer/Baker motion carried unanimously (7-0) approving the 2014 Calendar of Events for the Telford Volunteer Fire Company.
Mr. Landis asked Mr. Guretse how the Fill the Boot event went over the weekend, and Mr. Guretse stated that it went well.
Mr. Schaeffer asked Mr. Guretse if the Fire Company would want Council to come to the firehouse on a practice night, and Mr. Guretse stated that they would prefer to have them come on a different night.
Chief Floyd informed Council that during snow emergencies this winter, the Fire Company had crews standing by, and it was nice to have the assistance from their guys during the emergencies.
DEVELOPMENT & CULTURE COMMITTEE: There was nothing to report at this time.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Mr. Nyce asked if the Bucks and Montgomery County recycling handouts that Council received in their packets had been placed on the Borough website, and Recording Secretary Megan McShane confirmed that they had been placed on the website, and have also been posted in the lobby at Borough Hall. Mr. Hillegass asked if a handout could be placed in the water & sewer bills for the local recycling events, and Ms. McShane stated that she would talk Diane Windfelder about including a handout in the May billing.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: There was no Executive Session.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 pm by a Crouthamel/Nyce motion.
Respectfully submitted,
Megan E. McShane
Recording Secretary
