ROCKLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
OF April 25, 2005

The Rockledge Borough Council met at 7:30 p.m. on April 25, 2005, at the Rockledge Community Center. After the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance were recited, the roll was called as follows: Mr. Denelsbeck, Mrs. Walz, Mr. Mori, Mr. Kelleher, Mr. Caffrey, and Mayor Costello.

The following additions were made to the agenda:

Streets, Lights & Sewers: Mr. Kelleher added an update on Aqua and the Traffic Signal.

Public Safety: Mr. Mori added the swearing in of a new part-time police officer.

Recreation: Mrs. Walz added a discussion regarding the Summer Program.

Mrs. Walz made a motion to adopt the agenda. All were in favor.

Public Safety

Mr. Mori deferred to Chief Leary regarding the swearing in of a new part-time police officer, Matthew Pokorny. Chief Leary spoke about Mr. Pokorny’s qualifications and achievements.

Mr. Mori made a motion to swear in Matthew Pokorny as a new part-time Rockledge Police Officer. All were in favor.

Chief Leary invited Mr. Pokorny’s family to participate in the ceremony. Mayor Costello swore in Mr. Pokorny as a new part-time police officer.

Mr. Mori made a motion to approve the list of Emergency Management Personnel. Mr. Denelsbeck asked Mr. Reinhardt if this was a complete list. Mr. Reinhardt answered yes, but as more people join they will be added to this list. All were in favor.

Mr. Mori made a motion to approve the Mutual Aid Agreement for Emergency Management. Mr. Mori read from the Mutual Aid Agreement. All were in favor.

Law and Planning:

Mr. Beady announced that a Zoning Hearing is scheduled for May 11, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rockledge Community Center regarding the property located at 302 Huntingdon Pike. An application has been made to demolish the house on this property and build a medical office with a rental apartment on the second floor. Variances regarding parking have been requested.

Mr. Mori questioned whether Council had received plans regarding this Zoning Hearing. Mr. Denelsbeck told Mr. Mori that the Zoning Hearing Board receives the plans. Mr. Bresnan advised that Council does not get involved unless the applicant was challenging the validity of an ordinance. In this case, Council would direct Mr. Bresnan to go to the hearing to defend the ordinance.

Finance

Mrs. Walz had nothing to discuss at this time.

Public Service

Mr. Caffrey announced that he and the Borough Manager have been discussing the 902 Implementation Grant for Recycling which is due June 17. They have been looking into what can be done with this grant. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that this grant involves listing what you want to use the grant for when you apply for it. When the grant is approved, we then purchase the items we listed in the grant and the money is then reimbursed to us. Mr. Caffrey stated that we have enough buckets; he would like to devote some of this money to education regarding recycling so that we can increase recycling. Mr. Mori asked if any of this money could be spent on research. Mr. Caffrey stated he did not think so. Mr. Caffrey stated that according to BFI, 40-50% of the residents are not recycling; a lot of the trash that they are picking up could be recycled. Mr. Caffrey stated that our recycling numbers from 2003 and 2004 were pretty much the same. These numbers should really be going up.

Streets, Lights, and Sewers

Mr. Kelleher announced that Mr. Denelsbeck, Mr. Truman and himself would be meeting with Mike Staerk from Aqua on May 4, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss the permit and paving fees owed to the Borough. Mr. Kelleher stated he is also requesting the Project Manager, Charlie Hall from Lenni Electric to attend this meeting. The expected completion date of the traffic signal now is early to mid-June. Mr. Hall told Mr. Kelleher today that he will not be able to finish the traffic signal project until Huntingdon Pike is repaved because the loop wires cannot be placed until the street is paved. The light will be turned on, but the loop wires cannot be placed.

Mr. Kelleher announced that the meeting with Mr. Truman and the Streets Crew went well. The baseball field at the S. Sylvania Playground is done and keys to the bathrooms were put in the gang box for Fox-Rok. Steve Ovack will be putting keys in the gang box for the softball league that uses the field on Tuesday evenings.

Rick Stoneback and Mr. Truman have already started the preliminary paving bids. Mr. Denelsbeck asked Mr. Kelleher if the water main project is close to being done. Mr. Kelleher answered that Aqua should be out of the residential areas by May and the paving bids can get started.

Mr. Kelleher stated that there were multiple problems with Caddick over the weekend. One of the problems involved 9 Borbeck Street. Apparently there was a backup in their toilet in the basement. Mr. Kelleher stated they were not sure if it was a backup in the sewer lateral out to the main line or if Caddick had damaged the pipe. Caddick sent a crew out and discovered they had not done any damage to the pipe; the resident actually had a blockage. Caddick called Zoom and ServPro. Zoom cleared the blockage and ServPro cleaned the resident’s basement. Mr. Kelleher stated that the Borough will not receive a bill for this as the Borough did not authorize that these services be performed. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that for our own records, we need to know where the blockage occurred. If it occurred in the street, it is the Borough’s responsibility. If it occurred on his lawn, then it is the resident’s responsibility. Mr. Kelleher said he would find this out from Zoom.

A few people called from Penn Street complaining of milky white-colored water. Crews were out Sunday to flush these pipes.

Mr. Kelleher has asked Mr. Truman to send a letter of commendation to Aqua regarding Mike Staerk as Mr. Kelleher states Mr. Staerk has been on top of every problem the Borough has encountered.

Mr. Denelsbeck announced that Lenni Electric removed a bush from in front of the Rockledge Vet as it was in the way of their installation of the traffic light. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that the owner of the Rockledge Vet needs to be informed that the Borough has a 16’ right of way. Mrs. Metzinger told Mr. Denelsbeck that Mr. Truman spoke with the owner today and explained the situation. Mr. Kelleher told Mr. Denelsbeck that he believes Mr. Truman is doing a good job in his new position as Borough Manager.

Mr. Kelleher asked Mr. Denelsbeck how the Borough is going to handle the situation regarding the Austrian Village grease backup. Mr. Denelsbeck stated he wants the Borough Crew to lay a paint brush down the top manhole and one at the next manhole and leave it sit down there for a month.

Recreation

Mrs. Walz announced that the Open Space Committee will be presenting the Open Space Plan to Council on May 9, at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Denelsbeck asked Council to be sure to read the Open Space Plan that they have received.

Mrs. Walz announced that Ruth Sims, 122 Blake Avenue, would like to plant two trees and place two benches at the Mill Park on Jarrett Avenue in memory of her deceased husband. Mr. Denelsbeck requested that we need to come up with a Comprehensive Plan for the parks before trees and benches are put in these parks. A Parks Advisory Board needs to be formed so that the Comprehensive Plan can be developed. Once this is done, then people may plant trees, etc., in memory of family members.

Mrs. Walz stated that a request was made by someone who has a business in the Borough for their children to attend the summer program. It was felt that since they are paying taxes on their business, it would not be a problem for their children to attend the summer program. Mr. Naudascher commented that he believes that this is not a problem, but he does not think that a child whose grandparent lives in the Borough should be able to attend.

Property

Mr. Beady announced that the Borough Manager, Mr. Denelsbeck, and himself would be meeting with Altchem and Kise Straw at the Community Center on Tuesday, April 26, regarding the start of the building renovations. Hopefully they will be giving us a date of when the renovations will begin.

Personnel

Mr. Caffrey asked if anyone new would be hired for the Summer Playground. Mrs. Walz stated that everyone has been hired.

Public Comment

Mr. Denelsbeck asked for public comment. Mr. Aungst announced that the Montgomery County Planning Commission will be drawing up a plan for Mill Park in the future.

Mr. Reinhardt announced that the Fire Company ran a Beef & Beer fundraiser on Saturday, April 23, 2005, which was very well attended. He thanked everyone for their support.

Mrs. Ivey commented on the storm drains and their conditions. She feels that the Borough needs to concentrate on fixing these drains as she feels that they are inadequate and more money needs to be budgeted for the repair of these drains. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that they would look into these problems. Mr. Kelleher stated that a list has been made of the five worst storm inlets. We only have $5,000 per year allotted to fix the inlets.

Carol Ploszay questioned the overgrowth of shrubbery from the properties on Shady Lane between Rockledge Ave. and Jarrett Avenue. Mr. Denelsbeck stated the Borough Crew would be notified of this. Mr. Aungst remarked that the Planning Commission made comments about this problem previously. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that the Community Development Block Grant (curbing Shady Lane to make it a foot wider) that has been applied for should take care of this problem.

Mr. Caffrey made a motion to adjourn. All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Grace Metzinger
Borough Clerk