Eagles Mere Borough
Minutes
May 3, 2010

          The Eagles Mere Borough Council meeting was called to order on the above date by President Feese with the following Council members and Mayor Hays in attendance: Peter Glaubitz, John Huhn, Christelle Loftus, Bob Ryan Dave Switzer, and Secretary/Treasurer Wilson. In the gallery: Ms. Vauclain, Mr. & Mrs. J. Ecker.

Public Comments:

  1. Tim Borges spoke on the deteriorated condition of a small pond located at Walkups next to his property. The pond has been maintained privately in recent years to support a dry hydrant in the event of fire in that area, there is no other water source nearby. Recent flooding washed out the dam. The pond needs cleaned out and the dam replaced. He asked Council if they could (financially)assist in this endeavor since it is a safely issue for many residents of the Borough residing in that area. Council will confer with the solicitor and advise if any help is available.
  2. Mary Thompson from Benchmark Energy presented information regarding their services for energy purchase after the deregulation of rates the end of this year. Their fee would be based on the amount of savings they could provide the Borough under a 2 year contract. Council decided they would wait until after the deregulation to see how much the currently low rates they pay  increase. Information will be kept on file.

Minutes- for the previous monthly meeting and changes to the March minutes were approved on a motion from Ms. Loftus, seconded by Mr. Huhn. Correction for March minutes was the removal of comment regarding the EM Merchants Asso.

Treasurer’s Report – was accepted subject to audit with the minutes.

 

Zoning & Ordinance Officer’s Report-

  1. Complaint filed about garbage being left at the curb on Jones Ave behind the Flora Villa has been resolved. 
  2. Larson’s Lodge- a complaint has been lodged that garbage is being scattered before pickup. They will be notified that this is a continuing problem and needs to be resolved. The Street Committee Chairman will follow-up to see what the problem is and what assistance he can provide.
  3. Peddler’s permit:
    1. High Point Ranch- Darren Harriman for carriage rides. All paperwork in order.
    2.  Variety market on Saturdays @ the Stitzer lot next to the post office. Request for an application is being submitted for the fish monger, Shannon Robbins and Homer Winery under PLCB license.
  4. Zoning Permit : EMA for Playground, Doug & Karen Rider for deck extension, Michael & Dianne Kennedy for a deck extension.

Open Records Officer Report- numerous verbal requests for ordinances and maps and other general information, there have been no written requests.

 

Business Conducted – 

  1. Ordinances- noise ordinance revisions have been reviewed & Mr. Ryan will oversee these edits with the solicitor and on a motion from Mr. Switzer, seconded by Mr. Huhn the ordinance was approved for advertisement and hearing at the June meeting.

Street Bonding is still pending review by Mr. Huhn and the Street Cmte.

  1. 4th of July parade Permit application to be completed, approved by council and signed by President Feese.  Mrs. Besecker will be contacted for completion of the permit and motion to approve same came from Mr. Ryan, seconded by Mr. Huhn. It was unanimous.
  2. IRS notice that tax credits are available for small businesses that provide health insurance. Ms. Wilson will research and advise if Borough is eligible.
  3. NIMS annual compliance updates needs to be sent back by May 14th. President Feese reviewed the notations marked and the form was signed.
  4. Pligit proxy Ms. Wilson was directed to filled out and return.
  5. Federal Surplus program membership drive. The Borough is a current member and doesn’t wish to contribute to additional drives.
  6. Gas Lawnmower class action settlement will not be pursued due to minimal return for the effort.
  7. Act 537 Study for EMBA comparing repair and maintenance to installation of a pump station and decommission/reclamation of the Forest Inn sewer pond was received. Costs estimated for elimination is $353,000 with projected savings of about $10k annually in operating costs. Any comments must be sent to the EMBA in writing by June 5th. Project would be completed by fall of 2011.
  8. Quote for spring cleanup was received from D&L Enterprises which was about  $100 less than NTSWA’s 2009 billing. A motion was made by Mr. Glaubitz to sustain the savings and contract with D&L. After some discussion the motion was vacated. It was determined that the cost difference was not significant and NTSWA has been the Borough’s provider since Spring Cleanup was started. On a motion from Ms. Loftus NTSWA will continue for 2010 and requests for quotes for 2011 will be solicited from both next spring, it was seconded by Mr. Ryan. Majority approved with Mr. Glaubitz voting no.
  9. Streets- Mr. Huhn suggested that street cracks be tarred before further deterioration causes irreparable damage. He suggested Gary Rider be hired to do this, if not, contracted out to someone who can. He also noted that sidewalk inspections need to be flexible enough to maintain the grade needed to join sidewalks, yet provide adequate elevation to provide drainage. Mr. Glaubitz queried what criteria was in place for marking substandard sidewalks, also does the ordinance allow historic slate sidewalks to remain if not a safety issue. It was indicated that what was marked so far are cracked, broken or uneven blocks of more than ½ to 1 inch. He said being slippery may be more an issue for maintenance than replacement. Mr. Huhn, Street Committee Chairman, added that if there are more than 40-50% of the blocks marked as substandard then all blocks should be replaced. The Council conceded this was a good idea.  No definitive answers were decided at this time.
  10. Borough Branch: needs more shelving and a subscription for the New York Times. It was approved on motion from Mr. Ryan, seconded by Mr. Huhn. A new gardening book was received in memory of Stanley Holland. The Branch Committee was approved to respond to this and any other correspondence related to the Branch without further authority on a motion from Mr. Glaubitz, seconded by Mr. Huhn.
  11. Report on PSAB Spring Conference
    1. Betty Ann Moyer was elected to second vice president of the PSAB. Mayor Hays will compose a letter of congratulations from her and Council for this achievement.
    2. Prevailing wage changes are pending in Harrisburg.
    3. Workman’s Comp for the Fire Company- They must provide a complete list of extra curricular events planned for the year to have them approved for coverage for W/C. This needs to be done each year to assure coverage for these events. Mr. Huhn will bring this to the fire companies attention and check to see if they are paying for additional coverage. This should be an annual request made in January from the fire company, but they may request additional event coverage anytime.

Secretary’s Notes-
Future use of the Borough Hall by outside groups must be with the stipulation that they will leave the facility clean when done.

  1. Secretary PTO for May 28 & 31st and July 2nd & 5th.
  2. Penndot letter regarding locally owned bridge weight posting and permits.
  3. Code Publishers has received the minute books for scanning.
  4. Document shredding day will be on Saturday June 19th  10am-1pm. Limit 2-3 boxes per resident or small business.  Keystone Mobile Shredding will assist with lifting.
  5. Blue Cross
    1. New billing changes to SS numbers.
    2.  newsletter
  6. SJ Thomas Co. Inc. Costars approved construction company needs no competitive bidding.

The attached bills were ordered paid by motion from Mr. Glaubitz, seconded by Mr. Ryan. The meeting was adjourned by the President.
                                                                                                
Special Meeting
May 17, 2010

Being duly called, as advertised, a special meeting was held to discuss sidewalk issues raised at the monthly May meeting. Attending Members: President Feese, Peter Glaubitz, Robert Ryan, John Huhn, Christelle Loftus, Dave Switzer and Fred Mulford. Also: Mayor Hays and Secretary/Treasurer Wilson. In the gallery: Ms. E Vauclain.
Mr. Glaubitz provided 6 recommendations for consideration( see attached). Each was discussed briefly and he moved to have the 6 points adopted. After further discussion the motion was suspended and the Street Committee was directed to review each item and present a new motion including their findings on the issues. 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Kay L. Wilson
Secretary/Treasurer