Monday, September 19, 2011

September 19th Parkesburg Borough Council Meeting



Notes from 9.19.2001 Borough Council Meeting

Council President Mel Keen thanked everyone who worked hard this past month.  An earthquake, two tropical storms, the PennDOT planning meeting.  We did well.
  • Tuesday evening is the Octorara Region Planning Commission meeting is Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM at Parkesburg Borough Hall.
  • 2012 fiscal year - planning is moving ahead
Roll Call:  All present except for Councilperson Willard Marsh (excused) and Mayor John Hagan (death in his family)

Minutes  Review:  Minutes were reviewed and approved

Treasurer’s report was read by Borough Secretary Wendy Keegen

Approval of Bills:  The bills were reviewed by Council and approved. 

No visitors comments

Police Chief’s report:  Traffic arrest 87, 21 parking tickets.  Thanked Jim Thomas and the Streets Department for help during the tropical storms.  Minimal complaints and few criminal incidents.  The generator worked fine.  When we lost power we lost phone service because phone service is provided by Comcast Cable.  Cell phones worked but not in town.  Officers had to go out of town to get cell service.  We’re in a radio dead zone with regards to the Chester County emergency dispatch.  We’re working on that.

Officers are authorized to grow beards during hunting season.  The beards can stay on up to December 31st.   At that point hunting season will be over and the department will revert back to the policy of mustaches only.

New Business

Funding of Police pension plan – Individual police officers nor the Borough will be required  to make a contribution to the pension plan during the 2012 fiscal year.  Approved by Council.

A contract with Kandi Sheller to serve as constable – administrative regional judge directed district magistrates not to serve municipal warrants on code enforcement matters.  The thought was the police would serve the warrants.  Not acceptable.  At the beginning of this month a decision was made that local constables connected to the district court would serve the warrants.  Collection of fees and fines will be made through the district courts and passed along to the municipalities.  We need to come up with a contract with their constables to serve the warrants.  Kandi Sheller is this district court’s constable; Ray Sheller is the deputy constable.  Insurance is being worked out.  Asked council to approve the resolution so the wheels can keep turning.  The motion was made and seconded.  The motion passed.

Resignation of Richard Irwin, the Borough’s Emergency Management Coordinator.  New job gives him little time to do the job.  Mel Keen read his resignation letter.  His resignation was accepted.  The borough will look for candidates.  A job description will be published in the next couple of days.

Manager’s Report – Jim Thomas reported cooperation during the storms.  Good communication.
Also the Borough has an issue on with an apartment building at 441 W First Avenue, the building has been declared unfit for habitation.  Letters have been sent, numerous citations have been issued.  Borough will secure the property.  We would like to do it ASAP.  We’ve done it before and the costs are reasonable.  There is a process and procedure we must follow.  Jim Thomas will get prices to secure the building.

Public works report – In the packet

Fire Marshals Report – None

Solicitors report – Working on West Bridge Street.  Moving forward.  The rest of the solicitor’s material is in the packet.

Streets & Property – new look to the trash bills.

Finance – Finance Committee met on 8th of September.  Committee president Chuck Persch stated the committee needed more figures from the fire company consolidation committee.  Stated committee was considering  1) eliminating the per capita tax and 2) implementing a fire tax.  The fire tax would need to be in place by the end of the year. 

Fire and police – no representatives from fire or police at our meeting due to an emergency so not much work got done.

The meeting was adjourned.

Page 1 of Parkesburg Borough Council Meeting 9.19.2011 Agenda Page 2 of Parkesburg Borough Council Meeting 9.19.2011 Agenda

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