ROCKLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
OF August 29, 2005

The Rockledge Borough Council met at 7:30 p.m. on August 29, 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. Caffrey, Mr. Casey and Mayor Costello.

Law and Planning:

Mr. Beady had nothing to discuss at this time.

Finance

Mr. Casey had nothing to discuss at this time.

Public Service

Mr. Caffrey asked for everyone’s opinion regarding the color schemes offered by Kayden Group for the website. It was decided to go with the one referred to as “Everyone’s Family” (family walking through park).

Mr. Truman spoke regarding a new 902 recycling program. A company in Cheltenham is taking any type of paper except for phone books and pays you for it. They will pay us per ton for any type of paper that has print on it. Mr. Truman and Mr. Caffrey will check into this program.

Public Safety

Mr. Costello stated he received a few calls regarding cars traveling the wrong direction on the unit block of Blake Avenue. He stated that you cannot see the signage at the corner of Blake and Abington completely. The Streets Crew will take a look at this and take care of any necessary trimming of trees.

Mr. Caffrey asked if the residents who received letters requesting they trim the trees hanging out onto Shady Lane have complied. Mr. Truman stated he did not think there was much improvement. Mr. Denelsbeck stated the next step would be to send them a letter informing them that the Borough will trim these trees and bill the residents.

Chief Leary announced that the Night Out Against Crime will be held on Sunday, September 11 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. He also stated that should a backlash from Hurricane Katrina hit our area that he is prepared to open the Emergency Operations Center.

Streets, Lights, and Sewers

Mr. Denelsbeck announced that a special Council meeting was held on August 22, to award the paving bid. The low bidder was Morrissey Contractors with a base bid of $396,740. They were also the low bid in all three alternates. Mr. Denelsbeck stated a motion would need to be made to approve the base bid and the Loney and Fox Street alternates. Borbeck would not be done as it cannot be afforded at this time. Mr. Beady asked if Borbeck was the least street out of the three alternates in need of paving. Mr. Denelsbeck stated this was correct. The street most in need of paving out of the alternates is Fox Street. Mr. Goldberg asked how many other bidders there were and what the second lowest bid was. Mr. Denelsbeck stated there were two other bidders and the second lowest base bid was about $450,000.

Mr. Caffrey made a motion to approve the base bid and the Loney and Fox Street alternates. All were in favor.

Mr. Truman stated that notice to proceed was sent to Morrissey today.

Recreation

Mrs. Walz had nothing to discuss at this time.

Property

Mr. Beady deferred his building renovation update to Mr. Truman. Mr. Truman stated there was a bit of inactivity at the Community Center for around two weeks. Mr. Truman sent a letter to Altchem requesting an explanation and since then there has been a full crew at both sites making rapid progress. The Police Station is about 95% drywalled and ready for finishing touches. Mr. Truman and Mr. Denelsbeck met with the President and Project Manager of Altchem earlier today. Mr. Truman stated as of this point 99% of the work should be done at the end of September as planned.

Mr. Denelsbeck stated there is some fire rated material that they need to install at the Community Center in the soffit area. This will cost approximately $400.00. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that this was discovered when they took the ceiling down today. Mr. Casey made a motion to approve this cost. All were in favor.

Mr. Denelsbeck also stated that the Fire Marshal (Russell Hellyer) suggested the installation of some fire alarms between the ceiling and floor joists in the Community Center. Mr. Hellyer suggested we spend $1200-1500 to have them hardwired. Since this is not a requirement by code, Mr. Denelsbeck stated battery operated ones would suffice. Mr. Beady asked what the contractor’s feelings were. The contractor also stated that battery operated alarms would suffice. Mr. Mori questioned that there are sprinkler heads mounted there. Mr. Denelsbeck explained that the sprinkler head is mounted so that it drops from the ceiling. Mr. Hellyer is referring to the space between the ceiling tile and the floor. Mr. Caffrey motioned to install the battery-operated alarms until next year when this topic could be revisited. All were in favor.

Mr. Denelsbeck stated there may not be enough electricity supply at the Community Center to run the air conditioning units in the rooms. This would be a design flaw issue. One of the ways to avoid this problem would be to remove the electric stove from the kitchen. This would reduce the circuit breakers by two and would take care of this problem. A better answer will be provided at Wednesday’s construction meeting. Mr. Casey asked whether the architect would be liable for this and Mr. Denelsbeck answered yes. Mr. Beady was concerned what would happen should we add another printer, etc., down the road. This will be looked into.

Mr. Denelsbeck stated that the paving at the Police Station will not be done until October 4 because the emergency generator will not be placed on the roof until October 4. Occupancy of this building will be on September 28. This move will have to be planned accordingly as the Borough Office and Police Station will be vacating 402B Huntingdon Pike at the end of September.

Mr. Mori asked about an extension that had been requested by Altchem. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that a three-week extension had been installed in their schedule and they then gave themselves a 30-day extension, which took them to November 1. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that the 30-day extension was just a cushion. Altchem has agreed to pay the rent and utilities at 402B Huntingdon Pike if they are not finished. Mr. Beady stated that Mr. Prajner has assured us weekly that they are on schedule. Mr. Mori made mention of the “full crew” at both sites. He said he stopped at the Community Center today and there were only two men working there. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that they were subcontractors, not Altchem employees.

Personnel

There was nothing to discuss at this time.

Public Comment

Mr. Mori made mention of the issue with the louvers on the Robbins Avenue traffic light. The louvers are now set to be fixed during the week of September 5. Mr. Mori questioned the delay in getting these louvers fixed. Mr. Truman stated that we have not paid them in full yet. Mr. Denelsbeck told Mr. Mori that until Lenni has finished the job, we will hold final payment.

Mr. Naudascher made comment about people parking right to the corner. He asked if the Police Department can be made aware of the people who are parking right to the corner and have them issue citations. Chief Leary stated they have issued warnings.

Mr. Wynne asked when the trash contract was signed. Mr. Denelsbeck stated it was signed in January for three years.

Mr. Denelsbeck stated there would be one personnel issue to discuss in Executive session.

Mrs. Walz made a motion to recess to Executive session. All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Grace Metzinger
Assistant Borough Manager