Eagles Mere Borough
Minutes
November 2, 2009

          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: Alvin Smith, Peter Glaubitz, Christelle Loftus, Bob Ryan, Dave Switzer and Secretary/Treasurer Wilson.

Public Comments:
Minutes- for the previous monthly meeting were approved on a motion from Mr. Ryan, seconded by Mr. Switzer.

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

 

Zoning Officer’s Report-
  Revenue Received:
          Realty Transfers- $2131.50
          PURTA -$178.48
Prior year Taxes-Borough:$149.26 Fire Tx:$ 35.12 (Hanley)
 A/R due for 2009-$1390.57. The balance is miscellaneous unpaid fees and trash bag fees. No reply or payment from Pendot for $234.77 for sign damages.
IRS letter stating they have not reviewed paperwork sent for 2007 w-2 correction. 
Open Records Officer Report: no requests received

Zoning & Ordinance Officer report:

  1. Arrow on Summit Ave, was added to point to the right.
  2. Sidewalks and 911 numbering– Have checked 3 sidewalks that were in questions. 2 were taken off the list for replacement. 
  3. Booth’s Plumbing Complaint regarding junk and weeds. Their junk man comes once a month to pickup at Booth’s dock area. Other pipe and materials located at the side of the building are new and have been stored there since the business has been there.
  4. Checked complaint at Griffith, no trash found.

EM Permits Issued- 
Zoning- Scott Repke- New home

    Parking Fines Collected: 2 old tickets paid.

    Code Inspections Inc- 
.         Permits Issued: Michael Scarry – bed & bath & enlarge screened porch
          Pursel- Demo old house and build new. Demo certificate received.
          Loftus- New home
          Tom Repke- Porch                                                                                                     EM Fire Co- roof
          Banse- bedroom & bath addition
McAvoy- addition family room & bedroom- has been revised do to    setback issue
          Certificate of Occupancy: Devine

Business Conducted –

  1. Emergency Plan was signed by Mr. Glaubitz. Ms. Mooney is the last signature needed and a resolution to accept the plan will be implemented at the Dec. meeting.
  2. It was suggested that Booth’s be asked to consider constructing a wall/barrier at the side of the dock to obstruct the view until it is picked up by the junk man.  
  3. Hanley sold his home,  and no funds have been received from his agent for this or any other year’s trash fees. Ms. Wilson will call the bankruptcy Attorney to find out whether any funds were collected at closing for this year’s fees.
  4. Some lightning/surge damage repairs are still pending. Ms. Wilson will call Larson again to get it done so the insurance can be settled.
  5. Lake Association is planning to hire a security person and consider enforcing membership bylaws that could remove members for causing problems at the lake. No clear solution has been presented that would deal with noise. Further discussion is needed.
  6. Gas lease for Borough property was discussed. No interest was indicated at this time. Concern was expressed regarding environmental issues and Council will continue to gather information.
  7. A Draft Budget was presented to Council along with recommendations. The Finance Committee indicated trash fees should be increased and taxes will also have to be raised about 20% to cover a shortfall in the budget. Street budget will be limited to Liquid Fuels funds received from the state. The last increase was 5% in 2004 after the last County assessment, this was the only increase in Borough taxes for many years. Council will review the budget and this meeting will be recessed today and reconvened on November 9th @ 7pm to approve the budget for advertising. The new tax rate will be determined after the budget is finalized. Assessment for the Borough was estimated by the county assessor @$117,042,600.
  8. Museum didn’t receive any bids for the flooring and lamppost advertised for sale. It will be re-bid for the December meeting.
  9. County Commissioners sent a form to be signed to requisition Liquid Fuels funds to pay Bassett Engineering for the road weight study. President Feese will sign.
  10. U/C relief from charges of $181.00 was approved on motion from Mr.Glaubitz, seconded by Mr. Switzer.
  11. The secretary requested that the minute books be digitized for easier search process. Cost estimates are being garnered.
  12. Borough Branch- It was determined that operating expenses be carried by the membership and not depend on the Borough. A donation might be considered from Council to assist with costs. Ms. Wilson will compile a report to date for expenses. Sept & Oct 72 books were checked out.

Mayor’s Notes: Mayor Hays was in touch with Dawn Bryfogle and Michelle Mccrann who lost love ones on 9/11, they approved displaying a fragment  from the Twin Towers.

Museum Notes:

It was noted that the new office on the second floor works well. The train display has been incredibly successful. It’s being considered to make the display permanent.
Street Committee: Mr. Ryan proposed that the EM zoning map have a notice added indicating that not all unopened streets and undeveloped tax parcels are buildable.
Secretary’s Notes-

  1. Penelec Right of Way was signed and recorded at the Courthouse.
  2. Records were updated for Superior Plus who purchased Montour Oil Co.
  3. COG minutes for Aug
  4. U/C report for 1st qtr Cheryl Shoemaker $2233, 2nd qtr claims: Deb Wilson- declared ineligible.
  5. INVEST has new market representative and contact person Tom Skrobiszewski.
  6. EMMA passed a resolution thanking the Council for closing Sullivan Ave for their September event.
  7. Stiffler McGraw letter advising Council they are filing application for the EMBA’s NPDES permit with DEP to continue operations of the sewer plants.
  8. Penndot:
      1. Insert from audit package notifying Borough of traffic counting to begin March of 2010on municipal roads.
      2.  letter and map for 2010-2011-shows improvements to Rt # 42 below Edkin Hill Rd.
        1. Fire company Audit reports.

The following bills were ordered paid by motion from Mr. Ryan, seconded by Ms. Loftus.
An executive session was called to discuss 2010 wages for employees.
The meeting was then recessed by the President until November 9.

Meeting Reconvened @ 7PM
November 9, 2009

 

  1. Mr. Glaubitz moved to approve the Borough budget for adverting and inspection and was seconded by Ms. Loftus. The Museum’s budget was also approved on motion from Mr. Glaubitz, seconded by Ms. Loftus.
  2. The tax ordinance will be advertised at .84 mils for general purpose and the fire tax will remain the same at .1624 mils on a motion from Mr. Glaubitz, seconded by Mr. Ryan. A hearing will be held at the December meeting to adopt the ordinance.
  3. Permission was granted to allow a Turkey Trot walk/run around the lake on November 27, 2009 by motion from Mr. Ryan, seconded by Ms. Loftus.
  4. Author of a book on the Crestmont requested and was granted permission for a link from her site to the EM Website on motion from Mr. Glaubitz, seconded by Ms. Loftus.
  5. Christmas party will be held at the community hall on Dec. 13th. $200 budget was approved on motion from Mr. Ryan, seconded by Mr. Smith.
  6. A new winter helper is needed. Mr. Feese has a candidate who is interested, and the job will be posted if not filled by this person.

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Kay L. Wilson, Secretary/Treasurer