ROCKLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
OF May 9, 2005

The Rockledge Borough Council met at 7:30 p.m. on May 9, 2005, at the Rockledge Volunteer Fire Company. After the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance were recited, the roll was called as follows: Mr. Denelsbeck, Mrs. Walz, Mr. Mori, Mr. Beady, Mr. Kelleher, Mr. Caffrey, Mr. Casey and Mayor Costello.

Motion was made to accept the minutes from April 11 and April 25, 2005. All were in favor.

The following additions were made to the agenda:

Recreation: Mrs. Walz added a discussion regarding a new Parks Advisory Committee.

Finance: discussion regarding adopting a resolution received from Berkheimer.

Mr. Mori made a motion to adopt the agenda. All were in favor.

Law and Planning:

Mr. Beady made a motion to accept the monthly Building Inspector’s Report. All were in favor.

Mr. Beady announced the rescheduling of the 302 Huntingdon Pike Zoning Hearing from May 11 to May 18, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the Firehouse. A second Zoning Hearing has been scheduled for the same evening for 35 N. Penn Avenue.

Finance

Mr. Casey made a motion to accept the monthly bills, Mercantile Tax Report, Tax Collector’s Report, and Financial Report. All were in favor.

Mr. Denelsbeck asked Mr. Bresnan to review a resolution that Berkheimer sent regarding collection of Earned Income Tax. Mr. Casey read the Resolution aloud. Act 192 signed by the Governor required a different format for reporting and collection of earned income tax. This resolution was adopted and was given the number 2005-05.

Public Service

Mr. Caffrey announced that $6,844.00 was received from the 904 Recycling Performance Grant applied for in September of 2004.

Mr. Truman and Mr. Caffrey are currently working on the Spring Newsletter. Mr. Caffrey stated that he and Mr. Truman are also working on the Recycling Implementation Grant due in June.

Mr. Denelsbeck asked Mr. Caffrey to see what can be done regarding the Rockledge Website.

Public Safety

Mr. Mori motioned to accept the Police Report, Fire Marshall’s Report, and Fire Company Report. The Second Alarmer’s Report was again not present. All were in favor.

Mr. Mori made mention of the Police Report. He noted that the Police Department has attended quite a few trainings recently. He wanted the public to be aware that almost none of these trainings were at the cost of the taxpayers. The Chief, Mayor, Sgt. Miller, and Mr. Reinhardt are attending an Emergency Disaster Training this Wednesday and Thursday which was also funded by a grant.

Mayor Costello commented that he and Chief Leary are always looking for avenues to increase the knowledge of the Police Department.

Streets, Lights, and Sewers

Mr. Kelleher motioned to accept the Streets Department and Streets Opening Reports. Mr. Denelsbeck made mention about the Streets Opening Report including a permit for Fillmore Street from Aqua. All were in favor.

Streets Crew has started their grass cutting season. They are also working on the storm inlets and potholes. The loops at Robbins Avenue have been fixed.

The traffic light should be completed in June. The Aqua work should be completed in August.

Work will begin on the paving bids, so that paving will start as soon as the Aqua work is complete.

Mr. Denelsbeck announced that there would be an Executive Session tonight to discuss a legal issue with Aqua.

Recreation

Mrs. Walz made a motion to allow the 100 Block of N. Sylvania to have their 3rd Annual Block Party on July 2, from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. There will be a DJ there from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. All were in favor.

Mrs. Walz made a motion to allow Fox Chase Nursery School to use the Jarrett Avenue Playground on Wednesday, May 25, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, with a rain date of May 26, 2005. Certificate of Insurance has been received. All were in favor.

Summer Camp will run from June 20 through July 29. Police background checks on all counselors have come back okay. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that a personnel file should be kept on each camp employee to include their employment application and police background check.

Mrs. Walz asked anyone interested in serving on the Parks Advisory Committee to contact her.

Property

Mr. Beady commented on the building renovations for the Police Department and Borough offices. Both sites have been completely gutted and everything is running smoothly and on schedule.

Mr. Denelsbeck announced that very shortly colors will have to be chosen. There are a few problems at 121 Huntingdon Pike. The door that they cut into is only 34” wide. The heater and plaster board wall is causing the opening to only be 33”. This can be removed and the heater replaced, but it is not in the plan.

A change order will be received soon for the steel beam over the door in the Police Station due to some deterioration. There is also an issue from the resident next to the Police Station. The retention wall will be on his property line. He has about a foot and a half of grass which we will have to be dug up to put in the wall. The resident is requesting that this foot and a half be paved. A change order will be prepared regarding this. The most significant change order will be the steel beam issue. Kise Straw doesn’t believe it is absolutely necessary that it be replaced, but we will wait for the change order to see the estimate.

Personnel

Nothing at this time.

Public Comment

Mr. Denelsbeck asked for public comment on any topic.

Mr. Goldberg stated that the Agenda notes that the 100 block of N. Sylvania is to take place on July 3. Council voted on a July 2 date. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that it is to be held on July 2.

Mr. Wynne asked if the Parks Advisory Committee was replacing another committee. Mrs. Walz stated it was replacing the Rockledge Open Space Advisory Committee.

Mr. Denelsbeck announced that Election Day is May 17, 2005. Polls open at the Firehouse at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.

Mr. Diegel stated that there is a cast iron “Rockledge” sign at the Borough Garage. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that this sign will be placed outside the new Borough Hall once it is completed.

Mrs. Walz made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session. All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Grace Metzinger
Assistant Borough Manager