ROCKLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
OF OCTOBER 10, 2005

The Rockledge Borough Council met at 7:30 p.m. on October 10, 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.

The following addition was made to the agenda: Mrs. Walz added re-establishing the Parks Advisory Committee under Recreation.

A motion was made to adopt the agenda. All were in favor.

Special Presentation: Mayor Costello presented Rockledge Fourth of July Association President, Cathy Ward and Secretary, Jean Schu with a citation from State Representative George Kenney in recognition of the 75th Anniversary of the Fourth of July Parade.

Mr. Mori made a motion to accept the September 12 and September 26, 2005 meeting minutes. 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. Denelsbeck asked Mr. Beady if special attention was being paid to the issue regarding fences and retaining walls going up around the Borough. Mr. Beady stated that a few more safeguards will be added to this process. Mr. Truman will review all Zoning Permits before they are issued. There will be an attachment added to all permits which residents will sign stating that they understand the regulations regarding zoning.

Finance

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

Mr. Casey motioned to accept Resolution 2005-07 appointing Berkheimer to collect the EMS Tax.

Mr. Denelsbeck called the roll as follows:
Mr. Casey: Yes
Mr. Caffrey: No
Mr. Beady: Yes
Mr. Mori: Yes
Mrs. Walz: Yes
Mr. Denelsbeck: Yes

The vote was 5:1 in favor of adopting Resolution 2005-07.

Mr. Casey made a motion to accept Resolution 2005-08 appointing Keith Truman, Borough Manager, as liaison between Berkheimer and Rockledge Borough. Mr. Truman explained that this regarded obtaining confidential tax information.

Mr. Denelsbeck called the roll as follows:
Mr. Casey: Yes
Mr. Caffrey: No
Mr. Beady: Yes
Mr. Mori: Yes
Mrs. Walz: Yes
Mr. Denelsbeck: Yes

The vote was 5:1 in favor of adopting Resolution 2005-08.

Mr. Denelsbeck stated that Council will take a recess at the end of tonight’s regular meeting and then reconvene to discuss the 2006 Budget.

Public Service

Mr. Caffrey had nothing to discuss at this time.

Public Safety

Mr. Mori made a motion to accept the Police Report, Second Alarmer’s report from August, and Fire Marshal’s Report. The Fire Company Report was not present. All were in favor.

Chief Leary stated that the Emergency Operations Center was opened and manned during the recent storm. All storm-related calls were handled and resolved.

Mayor Costello announced that the Annual Halloween Party will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2005 at Holy Nativity.

Chief Leary announced that on October 24 and October 26 the Police Department in conjunction with PECO will be the host agency and part of the instructional agency for a safety program for first responders. The entire program is funded by PECO. This will be held in the Fire Company Hall.

Streets, Lights, and Sewers

In Mr. Kelleher’s absence, Mr. Beady made a motion to accept the Streets Department and Streets Opening Reports. All were in favor.

Mr. Truman stated that with the exception of Montgomery Avenue from Elm to Penn the actual paving is complete. They still need to complete the seal coating and fix any broken curbs. Mr. Denelsbeck questioned Mr. Truman regarding the trench at S. Sylvania. Mr. Truman stated that it is now directing the water back into the playground.

Mr. Denelsbeck stated that the louvers on Sylvania and Robbins Avenue are now fixed. Mr. Mori stated that the louvers have been removed and there are now only louvers on the green light. Mr. Mori asked if we paid for the louvers on the red light. Mr. Truman stated that he would check into this and see if a credit is due. Mr. Mori added that the louvers are working perfectly and he feels that people are actually slowing down on Robbins Avenue. Mr. Mori thanked Mr. Truman for staying on top of this situation.

Mr. Denelsbeck announced that Mr. Truman and Mr. Kelleher have secured another $37,000 for paving from Aqua.

Recreation

Mrs. Walz motioned to re-establish the Parks Advisory Committee with Ed Lieber as Chair with members: Bernadette Ivey, John Wynne, Will Stevens, and Joyce Walz. Mrs. Walz is still looking for two additional members. These are one-year appointments. The vote was 5:1 with Mr. Denelsbeck giving the nay vote.

Property

Mr. Beady announced that the new Police Station and Borough Office are now open. He thanked everyone who was involved with the move. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that the first meeting at the new Borough Hall will be held on November 14.

Personnel

There was nothing to discuss at this time.

Public Comment

Mr. Denelsbeck stated that after the last meeting Council met in Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue and a property issue regarding 29 Robbins Avenue.

Mr. Denelsbeck asked for public comment. Mrs. Ivey asked when the renovations at the Rockledge Municipal Building would be finished. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that the air conditioning should be finished shortly and the furniture is due to arrive at the end of October. Mrs. Ivey stated that when she was leaving there recently, someone coming in for a permit was unable to locate exactly where the Borough Office was as there are no signs showing directions. Mr. Denelsbeck stated some temporary signs would be hung showing which direction the Borough Office is.

Mr. Aungst asked whether Montgomery County had received the changes made to the Open Space Plan. Mr. Truman stated he would get the changes to Mike Narcowich tomorrow. Mr. Aungst asked whether Fox Chase Cancer was moving the daycare center up to the old Franks’ Nursery building. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that Fox Chase Cancer has not indicated this to the Borough.

Bill Diegel, President of the Rockledge Volunteer Fire Company, announced that there would be a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, October 16 from 8:00 a.m. to Noon at the Firehouse. Turkey raffle tickets will also be sold. Mr. Diegel also stated that he had heard that the Fox Chase Cancer Daycare on Halstead Street is moving into the old Frank’s Nursery.

Motion was made to recess for five minutes and then begin budget discussions. All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Grace Metzinger
Assistant Borough Manager