ROCKLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
OF December 11, 2006

The Rockledge Borough Council met at 7:30 p.m. on December 11, 2006, at the Rockledge Borough Hall. After the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, the roll was called as follows: Mr. Denelsbeck, Mrs. Walz, Mr. Beady, Mr. Kelleher, Mr. Caffrey, Mr. Casey, Mrs. Kehoe, and Mayor Costello.

Mr. Denelsbeck added under Finance: motion to change the scope of funding for a grant; a few tax announcements; discussion regarding Pension Board.

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

Motion was made to accept the November 13 and November 27, 2006 minutes. All were in favor.

A motion was made 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 made a motion to adopt Resolution 2006-08 naming the Borough Manager as the Municipal Code Official and Building Inspection Underwriters as the third party agency authorized to act on behalf of the Borough. Mr. Naudascher, 130 Robbins Ave., asked for clarification on this. Mr. Denelsbeck explained that this allows the Borough Manager to write citations to residents who have violated the Municipal Codes. It also allows Building Inspection Underwriters to continue to enforce the building codes.

The roll was called as follows:
Mrs. Walz: Yes
Mr. Beady: Yes
Mr. Kelleher: Yes
Mr. Caffrey: Yes
Mr. Casey: Yes
Mrs. Kehoe: Yes
Mr. Denelsbeck: Yes

The vote being 7:0, Resolution 2006-08 is adopted.

Mr. Beady made a motion to adopt Resolution 2006-09 allowing the Borough Manager and Mr. William Kern to enforce the Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances. Mr. Naudascher, 130 Robbins Avenue asked for clarification. Mr. Denelsbeck answered that the Borough Manager would be helping Mr. Kern (Zoning Officer).

The roll was called as follows:
Mrs. Walz: Yes
Mrs. Beady: Yes
Mr. Kelleher: Yes
Mr. Caffrey: Yes
Mr. Casey: Yes
Mrs. Kehoe: Yes
Mr. Denelsbeck: Yes

The vote being 7:0, Resolution 2006-09 is adopted.

Finance

Mr. Casey made a motion to accept the monthly bills and tax collector’s report. Mrs. Baskin, Park Avenue, asked about the Michael Harkins bill. Mr. Denelsbeck explained that this is for garage rental for Borough equipment. All were in favor.

Mr. Denelsbeck announced that the Ordinance to set the tax rate had not been advertised in the proper amount of time to adopt it this evening. This Ordinance will be passed in January and the tax rate is not increasing.

Mr. Denelsbeck announced that he and the Borough Manager met with the Treasurer today and he will be assuming some of the duties being performed by the Assistant Borough Manager and Borough Manager that should roll back into the Treasurer position. An in-depth conversation was had regarding the Pension Board. This Board has not met in about two years. They will meet in January and will then meet quarterly on a regular basis.

Mr. Denelsbeck asked for a motion to amend the DCED Grant 24-825-0202. $3,000 is earmarked in this grant for recycling stations at the two playgrounds. Mr. Caffrey was able to obtain a $9,000 grant for the same thing from DEP. Mrs. Walz made a motion to move the $3,000 if permissible by the State to the purchase of playground equipment at Ciegelkowski Playground. All were in favor.

Public Service

Mrs. Kehoe had nothing to discuss at this time.

Public Safety

Mr. Caffrey made a motion to accept the Police, Fire Marshal, and Fire Company Reports. All were in favor. Mayor Costello stated that the Children’s Christmas Party at the Firehouse was a success and thanked Mrs. Ploszay for her hard work.

Mr. Caffrey stated that Chief Leary, Mayor Costello, and himself would be attending an Emergency Management meeting in Montgomery County on December 14.

Streets, Lights, and Sewers

Mr. Kelleher made a motion to accept the Streets Department and Streets Opening Reports. All were in favor.

Mr. Denelsbeck announced that Council would meet briefly in Executive Session to review the changes in Highway Aid Fund payroll.

Mr. Kelleher stated that the snow removal policy would remain the same. The Streets Crew has finished picking up leaves with the vacuum. Only leaves that are bagged will be picked on Mondays. Mr. Kelleher asked Mr. Wynne about the status of a tree that is to be planted at the Jarrett Avenue Playground. This will most likely occur in the Spring as the ground will be freezing soon.

Recreation

Mrs. Walz made a motion to start the Basketball Program January 6 running through March 25, 2007, Saturdays and Sundays 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Motion was also made to hire three aides from last year, Ian Casey, Drew Seidenberg, and Steven Walz. A fourth may be hired if need be. The rate of pay will be $7.00/hour. All were in favor.

Property

Mr. Beady had nothing to discuss at this time.

Personnel

Mr. Casey had nothing to discuss at this time.

Public Comment

Mr. Denelsbeck announced that the Tax Reform Commission for the Abington School District gave its report to the Board of School Directors that asked for a .8% personal income tax. For someone making under $74,000 in household income, this would be a tax savings because that .8% personal income tax would be offset by the property tax relief. If you make over $74,000 you will not see a savings, you will actually see an increase. This will benefit the Senior Citizens. For someone who is working, they will be paying more in school taxes. The School Directors are not happy with this as that question will be on the ballot in May. The other part of the law states that the School Board cannot raise your taxes more than the average weekly wage which this year was set at 3.4%. The County and the Borough did not raise taxes this year. Mr. Denelsbeck encouraged residents to write the School Board Directors asking them to stop complaining about Act 1 and start complying with Act 1.

Mrs. Ivey stated that the Parks Advisory Board was scheduled to meet last Tuesday, but the Borough Office was locked. Mr. Hartey apologized for this as he was supposed to inform the Board that the meeting had been cancelled.

Mr. Kirby thanked Council for setting the record straight on some issues he raised at the previous Council Meeting.

Mr. Goldberg asked if Council needed to make an announcement to allow the Borough Manager to pay any bills that may come in before the end of the year. Mr. Casey made this motion and all were in favor.

Mr. Denelsbeck stated that Council would recess into Executive Session before adjourning. Mr. Denelsbeck wished everyone a Happy Holiday!

Respectfully submitted,

Grace Metzinger
Assistant Borough Manager