ROCKLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2005

The Rockledge Borough Council met at 7:30 p.m. on September 26, 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, and Mayor Costello.

Mr. Denelsbeck announced that Borough Council met in a brief Executive Session prior to tonight’s meeting and would be meeting again immediately following this meeting to discuss personnel issues and a legal issue.

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

Law and Planning:

Mr. Beady had nothing to discuss at this time.

Finance

There was nothing to discuss at this time.

Public Service

Mr. Caffrey made mention of the Website. He asked Mr. Truman if the pictures of the parks could be made a little bigger. Mr. Truman said this can be done.

Mr. Caffrey discussed the idea of a “Welcome Wagon” for new residents. He suggested something be set up so that when someone moves into the town, they are given a recycling bucket and all information regarding recycling, trash pickup, local businesses, local contractors, etc. This idea was developed previously by Mr. Diegel and Mr. Aungst, but was never implemented. All were in favor of Mr. Caffrey pursuing this idea.

Public Safety

There was nothing to discuss at this time.

Streets, Lights, and Sewers

Mr. Kelleher stated that the paving project is moving along as scheduled. Negotiations are ongoing with Rob McNamara of Aqua regarding extra money owed by Aqua for paving. Mr. Kelleher is asking for $37,000 but is hoping for at least $27,000.

Traffic louver update: Mr. Kelleher deferred to Mr. Truman. Mr. Truman stated that Lenni will be out Wednesday morning to fix and install Pelco louvers at Sylvania Avenue and Robbins Avenue. Mr. Mori made it clear to Mr. Truman that the louvers should be fixed so that as you crest the hill on Robbins, you should not see the color of the traffic light.

Recreation

Mrs. Walz motioned to allow Jeanes Hospital Resource Department to use Ciegelkowski Playground for their intramural softball tournament on October 22, 2005. They have provided their certificate of insurance. All were in favor. Mr. Kelleher will make the Streets Crew Foreman aware of this event and the bathrooms will be unlocked for their use.

Mr. Denelsbeck asked Mr. Kelleher to arrange for the Streets Crew to be available for the Borough Office and Police Department move on Saturday and Sunday of this weekend.

Property

Mr. Beady gave an update on renovations. He stated the Police Department is nearly finished. The Borough Hall does not look like it will be finished by Friday (9/30/05). Mr. Beady asked Mr. Denelsbeck why the Borough Office is moving since their new offices are not quite ready. Mr. Beady stated that if the renovations were not complete then Altchem had agreed to pay the Borough Office rent for October. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that Altchem has assured him that the Police Station will be complete on Friday, 9/30/05. Altchem has also assured that the new Borough Offices would also be complete by Friday.

Personnel

There was nothing to discuss at this time.

Public Comment

Mr. Denelsbeck stated there were a few finance issues to discuss. The trash tonnage fee for next year has been set at $75.00 per ton by the Waste System Authority. Mr. Truman stated this is an increase of $7.00. The earned income tax collection for next year will be about the same as this year. The revenue from the EMS Tax ($52.00 per year) will not be seen in 2005. We will see the revenue from this in 2006, and we are estimated to receive around $45,000 from this tax.

Mr. Denelsbeck stated that the issue of registering apartment dwellers by the apartment owners for public safety issues will be looked into. This way we would have a running log of who lives in each apartment in the event of a fire, emergency, etc.

Mr. Denelsbeck announced that the Council Meetings for the month of October are scheduled for October 10 and the 24 instead of October 10 and 31 (Halloween).

The Fire Company will be having a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, October 16 from 8:00 a.m. to noon in the Fire Company Hall.

The Rockledge Fourth of July Association is having a Demonstration Show on October 23 at the Rockledge Municipal Hall, 121 Huntingdon Pike. On November 13, they are sponsoring a Casino Trip leaving from the Municipal Hall. Christmas raffle tickets will be available in November.

Mr. Denelsbeck asked for public comment. Mr. Naudascher asked where the October Council Meetings would be held. Mr. Denelsbeck stated they would be held at the new Borough Hall.

Carol Ploszay asked if the louvers would be adjusted on the Sylvania Avenue traffic light. Mr. Truman stated those louvers were being fixed along with the Robbins Avenue light.

Mr. Goldberg thanked everyone involved with organizing the Borough’s Association Dinner held at the Firehouse on 9/22/05.

Mr. Naudascher asked if a sturdier trash receptacle could be placed at the Mill Park located on Jarrett Avenue. Mr. Denelsbeck stated this would be handled.

Michael Liss asked if some type of signage indicating that children are at play on Sylvania Avenue could be painted on the street to slow down the increased traffic. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that the crosswalks would be replaced now that paving is complete. If this does not slow down traffic, then they will look into painting “SLOW” signs in the street. If this does not help, then they will look into changing the 100 block of Sylvania Avenue to a one way street going down towards Shady Lane. Dawn Liss stated that the “Watch Children” sign cannot be seen as tree branches are blocking it. Michael Liss stated that during the rush hour, northbound traffic on Huntingdon Pike is blocking the Sylvania Avenue intersection, so that it winds up being a two-light interval before Sylvania Avenue traffic can make a left. Chief Leary stated that once the crosswalks are in place they will be enforcing “do not block intersection.” When the road is sealed, they will be replacing the speed timing device line back on the highway.

Mr. Wynne asked if any type of revenue was collected from the newspaper boxes in front of Siwek’s Hardware. Mr. Denelsbeck answered no. Mr. Bresnan stated that there is no type of regulation on these boxes as they usually contain free speech newspapers. Mr. Bresnan will look into this further.

Mrs. Ploszay asked why the Huntingdon Pike traffic was so terrible this past week. Mr. Denelsbeck answered that when Sylvania Avenue was ground up for paving, the loops were ripped up. The loops were replaced today.

Mrs. Ivey mentioned that street paving looks wonderful.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Grace Metzinger
Assistant Borough Manager