FLEETWOOD BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES
_X_ BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING __ BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP
Date: May 09, 2016
Roll Call:
_x_ Suzanne Pittella Touch
_x_ Pete Merkel
_x_ Jim Meals
_x_ Chris Young
_x__ Ralph Touch
_x_ Colin Boyer
_x__ John Rothenberger
_x_ Tammy Gore, Mayor
_x_ Doreen O’Neil, Secretary
_x_ Andy George, Esq.
Also Present:
_x_ Greg Ebeling, Public Works Director
___ Robert Weidner, Highway Commissioner
_x_ Greg Geisinger, Police Sergeant
_x_ Barry Isett & Associates – Ryan Kern
___ Reading Eagle
___ Patriot _________________
The regular monthly Borough Council Meeting held at 110 West Arch Street, Suite 113
was called to order at 6:34pm by Borough Council President Suzanne Touch.
Police Department:
Police Sergeant Geisinger reported on the April police activity in the Fleetwood Borough
and Richmond Township and submitted the monthly report. Citations have increased by
30% from last year. Chief Stinsky would like to have 2 or 3 additional part-time officers
added to the force. The new police vehicle will be equipped and ready to place in service
by 05-23-16. Police coverage hours for the Franklin Street construction zone has been
submitted to PennDot for reimbursement.
Guests: See Attached list.
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Barry Isett & Associates Update
Ryan Kern reviewed the engineer’s report that was submitted to Council on 05-09-16 via
email.
MS4 Files:
On April 5th, BIA representatives met with the Public Works Director, Greg Ebeling.
They discussed the Borough’s upcoming MS-4 annual report submission. Greg provided
Ryan with the file for BIA to obtain copies of the previous reports. BIA will be preparing
the 2016 report for the upcoming late Spring submission. BIA is currently working on the
annual report and will coordinate with Borough staff accordingly.
Pedestrian Walkway (Main Street):
A representative from BIA attended a site meeting in April. Additional correspondence
with the contractor and inspectors has occurred over the past 3 weeks.
Pool Project:
The contractor (Midatlantic Construction) is waiting for an approximate time from the
coping manufacturer for completion fabrication date. Once they receive that data, they
will issue an anticipated construction schedule. Completion by Memorial Day will
depend upon the coping manufacturer.
North Richmond Street (between Washington and Arch Streets):
BIA spoke to Greg Ebeling about the upcoming utility work on Richmond Street and the
potential to reconstruct the street in 2017. The Authority’s engineer (Arro) sent BIA
additional information. Ryan provided Greg with a price quote of $3,750 to perform a
topographic survey of the street. Ryan (BIA) needs authorization from Council to
proceed with survey.
Discussion that a new water main would be installed in this section of the North
Richmond Street. Construction on this section of road will need to wait until the Franklin
Street construction is completed.
Motion for BIA to do the topographic survey at a cost of $3750. The cost of this survey
will be paid from the Water Department.
Made by: Pete Merkel
Seconded by: John Rothenberger
__X_ Motion Carried
___ Motion Failed
Grants:
Chris will be meeting with Mary Himmelberger (Barry Isett & Associates - grant writing
specialist) to discuss what grants are available for projects.
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Barry Isett & Associates Update (continued):
Tennis/Basketball Courts (Arch and Green Streets):
Tammy asked that Ryan (BIA) look at the plans for converting this area to a parking lot.
The original plans that Justin had drawn up with the current size of lot would allow for 46
parking spaces. Tammy asked Ryan to review the plans, the use of land to get as many
parking spaces possible, and provide estimates to Council.
Ryan mentioned that no additional permits are needed to remove the septic tanks.
Ryan needs to evaluate if expanding the size of lot is possible and how it would affect the
water run-off. Chris mentioned that estimates need to be given to Council for the
project; the cost is part of the Capital Budget.
Committee Statuses:
Codes Committee:
Basketball Nets in Street
A guest inquired about basketball nets sitting in the street and the safety of children
playing basketball in the streets. Council suggested resident speak to the
parents/guardians of the children regarding the concern of the children’s safety. Resident
could contact police using the non-emergency number (610-655-4911) when children
playing in street is creating an unsafe environment.
A guest mentioned that they have contacted the Police and left messages but calls are not
returned. Council mentioned that the police will not deal with zoning issues. Suzanne
will speak to Chief Stinsky about calls not be returned to the resident.
A guest questioned Council about Peace and Good Order ordinance and neighbors
bouncing ball against his fence constantly. The guest could contact the non-emergency
police number regarding the noise and possibly talk to neighbors about refraining from
bouncing the ball against his fence.
Ordinances:
Wording on some of the ordinances were amended. Re-codification was done to have all
code numbers on the ordinances. Ordinances cannot be adopted since they were not
advertised. Discussion was held as to the best way to advertise the amended ordinances
due to the volume. Chris requested that at a minimum the amended ordinance covering
fire pits be advertised until a decision can be made on the best way to advertise all the
other amended ordinances.
Motion for Andy George, Esq. to look at generalizing the advertising of the amended
ordinances. If any problems with this, then at least advertise for the amended Burning
Ordinance.
Made by: Chris Young
Seconded by: Ralph Touch
__X_ Motion Carried
___ Motion Failed
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Streets/Highway:
North Franklin Street Construction/PennDot
Greg Ebeling provided an update. Discussions regarding concerns of 3 gas lines that
were hit and water problems of service ripped from main. Water lines should be
completed this week. UGI is currently working on gas lines; they may bring in another
crew to help with installations. Verizon is on strike, this could slow down the project.
PennDot is waiting on Verizon. Discussion by Council regarding the safety concerns of
the gas lines that were hit, etc. What are the corrective actions to the problems that have
occurred so far and what did the utilities/PennDot do to address protocol? Suzanne will
compile a letter regarding the safety concerns to share with Council and have Greg take
to the next PennDot meeting. Chris will provide information to Suzanne as to the
location of the 3 gas lines that were hit.
Fleetwood Bible Church would like to hook into Fleetwood sewer and eventually water.
A T-Line will be run to the church property. A letter was given to the church asking for
them to compile a letter that their sewer capacity will come out of the Richmond
Township sewer capacity. The water line on the east side of North Franklin Street is
being extended and dead-ended until the church gets right-of-way from the Peter’s Farm.
Richmond Township has agreement for the church to do; the church needs to do a
module for DEP.
Fire Hydrant that is currently on the east side of Franklin Street (across from the
Fleetwood Grange) will be moving to the west side of Franklin Street (Fleetwood
Grange side).
Discussion that PennDot is doing more testing in two areas. They will advise Council on
the results.
Greg mentioned that the ordinance calls for 24” curbing. They did receive ok to put in
18” curbing with additional blacktop. Brandon (PennDot) and the road construction
engineer discussed with Greg that with the 18” curbing, the quality of black top will be
upgraded, so only need to do 2” of blacktop vs 3” of blacktop. The upgraded blacktop
will be a big improvement for traffic wear-and-tear and weather conditions.
Suzanne questioned about amending the curbing ordinance of 24” to 18”.
Chris asked how it’s being documented as to what PennDot is putting down for road
layers. Greg will ask PennDot for paperwork detailing the road layers and products being
used.
Greg will ask Bobby Weidner for copy of original letter that notes what PennDot was
going to use for road layers and give copy to Suzanne. Suzanne will draft new letter.
Suzanne thanked Greg for staying on top of this project.
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Streets/Highway (continued):
New Street Lights for Area of Road Construction
Tammy had a meeting with Met-Ed representative regarding the conversion of the current
Cobra Head sodium street lights to Cobra Head LED street lights. Act 129 allows the
borough to convert them. It would cost approximately $12,000 to convert all Cobra
street lights in the borough. To convert just the street lights on Main Street and 662 to
Cobra LED lights would be less than $2,000 (estimated that there are less than a dozen
lights under 10-years old at $160-200 each along these streets). There is a formula that
takes the remaining life of the light and calculates the cost to convert if under 10-years
old. Most of the lights on these streets are over 10-years old and would incur no cost to
convert.
Met-Ed can do a study (at no cost to the borough) and provide options/prices to Council.
If Med-Ed does the study, the borough is not committed to doing the conversion. Met-Ed
would provide the amount of savings to the borough by converting to LED. Minimum
number of lights to convert is 12 and then in groups of 12.
Tammy reported besides the Cobra lights (that are currently in place), there are 2
decorative street light options (Colonial and Acorn). The decorative lights are $1800$2000 per light and do not need to be done in groups of 12.
Street lights can be placed on both sides of the street. Currently there are 5 lights on one
side of Main Street between Richmond and Franklin Streets. PennDot would need to do
a study to see if the illumination meets the requirements for the state road and traffic
conditions. Chris questioned if there would be a cost for the state do a study of the
illumination produced by the new lights if they were to be installed.
The borough would be responsible for the cost to do the trenching and number of lights
being purchased. This would need to be coordinated with the Main Street construction.
It was also stated that currently there are other utility services that are attached to the
existing street light poles. Street lights would need to have a cutoff to keep light from
shining into people’s home.
Question if there are grants available for converting the lights; would need to have BIA
check into this.
Further discussion on this project will be addressed at the May 23, 2016 Workshop
Meeting.
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Redevelopment:
Tannery Lot
Motion for Mayor Tammy Gore to sign grant for Tannery Parking Lot.
Made by: Ralph Touch
Seconded by: John Rothenberger
__X_ Motion Carried
___ Motion Failed
1 East Main Street Property
Pete reported that the 1 East Main Street property was surveyed. Andy has drawings.
Greg to layout with stop blocks, paint lines and add signage to the balance of remaining
property at this address.
Finance:
Motion to approve payment of monthly bills as submitted and reviewed by Finance.
Made by: Ralph Touch
Seconded by: Jim Meals
__X_ Motion Carried
___ Motion Failed
Other:
Fleetwood Volunteer Fire Company Audit Report
A copy of the March 2016 Compliance Audit for the Fireman’s Relief Association of the
Fleetwood Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 report for January 1, 2012 thru December 31,
2014 will be submitted with the May 9, 2016 Borough Council Meeting Minutes.
Barry Isett & Associates, Inc. Fee Schedules
Motion to accept the Building/General Permit, Electric Permit, Mechanical Permit and
Plumbing Permit Fee Schedules. A copy of these schedules will be submitted with the
May 9, 2016 Borough Council Meeting Minutes.
Made by: Ralph Touch
Seconded by: Pete Merkel
__X_ Motion Carried
___ Motion Failed
Pension Plan
Discussion of defined benefit verses defined contribution for new full-time non-uniform
employees. Chris will forward information via email to Council members to review.
Motion to further investigate defined contribution for new full-time non-uniform
employees.
Made by: Chris Young
Seconded by: John Rothenberger
__X_ Motion Carried
___ Motion Failed
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Other (continued):
Water Department Employment
There were 10 applications and 4 of these were qualified. One dropped out and the other
3 qualified applicants were interviewed. An applicant was selected from these 3 to be
hired. The selected employee has previous experience running water and sewer projects.
Motion to approve hiring the selected employee with probation status and then hire to
full-time status.
Made by: Chris Young
Seconded by: John Rothenberger
__X_ Motion Carried
___ Motion Failed
EIT Requests
Discussion regarding the EIT ordinance amendment. Andy mentioned that ours is the
same as other municipalities that his office deals with.
Motion for Andy George, Esq. to advertise the new Berks EIT Ordinance.
Made by: Ralph Touch
Seconded by: Pete Merkel
__X_ Motion Carried
___ Motion Failed
Handicap Parking Request
Colin stated that a handicap parking request was submitted for 105 S. Chestnut Street.
Discussion that resident needs to be notified that the handicap spot is not theirs; any
handicap person can park in that designated spot. This area will need to have the curb
painted blue and signage added. The handicap parking permit needs to be renewed
annually.
Motion to approve the request for handicap parking space for 105 S. Chestnut Street.
Made by: Colin Boyer
Seconded by: Ralph Touch
__X_ Motion Carried
___ Motion Failed
Civil Service Meeting
Motion for Andy George, Esq. to advertise the Civil Service meeting scheduled on
June, 9, 2016 at 7:00pm in Room 113 of the Community Center located at 110 West Arch
Street, Fleetwood PA.
Made by: Chris Young
Seconded by: Ralph Touch
__X_ Motion Carried
___ Motion Failed
Motion to approve the minutes of the April 11th borough council meeting and the April
25th borough council workshop meeting.
Made by: Ralph Touch
Seconded by: Chris Young
__X_ Motion Carried
___ Motion Failed
Motion to adjourn meeting at 8:31pm.
Made by: Jim Meals
Seconded by: Colin Boyer
__X_ Motion Carried
___ Motion Failed
Submitted by:
Doreen O’Neil, Borough Secretary
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