Borough Council Meeting 01-07-08

The January meeting of the Borough Council opened following the reorganization meeting.

The meeting was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call followed.

Councilman Jack Herbst was absent, all others were present.

Public Comment:

Question arose in regard to the stipulations surrounding approval of the 2008 Fireman’s carnival. Councilperson Werner noted that there was concern with parking since the pool will opening at the same time carnival is occurring. As such the request was made that carnival workers park outside the park and walk over. It was also clarified that the refreshment stand would be open, but only as long as the pool was open.

Question arose about snow emergency being defined as 12” of snow. What about ice? Etc. Mayor Keller noted that the decision was his and if there was significant ice without 12” of snow he could declare it.

The Mass Alert System is being tested every Monday at noon.

The minutes were approved along with treasurer’s report, approval of bills, and zoning and code enforcement reports. There was no emergency management report and the ambulance report was held until next month.

Economic Development Committee

• Noted that the Arts Commission was not yet named, but at the January 28th meeting it would be finalized with approval to Council at next meeting. The public is welcome to attend the meeting which is at council chambers beginning at 6:30 p.m.
• Motion to approve the 2008 rates for the park: table rental $6.00, Gazebo rental $25.00, Log Cabin $65.00 (all per day) was approved.
• Motion to approve hiring Heather Coyle as 2008 Pool/Park Manager was unanimous.
• Motion to approve use of the park by Vigilance Hose Fire Company for their annual Fireman’s Carnival from June 18, 2008 till June 21, 2008. The approval stipulates that the park parking area remains open to the public for pool and other park patrons, and that carnival employees park outside the park, and that the refreshment stand remains open while the pool is open using normal hours during the carnival dates. This was approved.
• Motion made that each year’s carnival date be approved one year in advance of event was approved unanimously.

Law

Motions approved the following:

• Fred Daugherty to a 4 year term on Planning Commission
• Myron Biggar to a 4 year term on Planning Commission
• Joseph Lichner to a 5 year term on Recreation Commission
• Pat Mondschein to a 3 year term on Zoning Hearing Board
• Gail Kromer to a 1 year term on Vacancy Board

• Motion approved Resolution No. 1 – 08 which names the new appointees to the Borough’s Boards and Commissions.
• Motion approved to set and advertise times and dates for Borough Workshops and General Business meetings for 2008. Workshops will be held on Thursday before the first Monday of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m.
• Motion approved advertisement for changes to the Borough’s Zoning Ordinance involving parking requirements (this does not have to do with Center Street Meters).

Ecology

Motions were approved to appoint the following:

• Robert Mertz to a 5 year term on the municipal authority.
• Les Little to a 5 year term on the Shade Tree Commission

Motion approved for payment of $375.00 to Robert Oswald for plowing under the leaves collected from the borough.

Public Property

• Motion approved to appoint John Reinhart to a 3 year term on Library Board.
• Motion approved use of fields at Essroc Fields by Nazareth Soccer Club for practices and games from March 1 to June 30.
• Motion approved use of Chambers on Saturday, February 2 and February 9 by Nazareth Baseball for spring sign-ups and July 12 for Fall Ball.
• Motion approved use of Chambers on occasional Sunday evenings for Nazareth Baseball meetings.
• Motion approved use of Borough Park on May 4 for baseball pictures.
• Motion approved use of small field for Fall Ball on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 5 till dusk and Saturday 9 till 3 mid August through mid October.

Called for an executive session for real estate.

Police

• Motion approved Harry Lance to a 6 year term on Borough Civil Service Commission.
• Motion to direct the Secretary to advertise for applicants for the police administrative assistant position was approved and some conversation followed related to a possible leak of information that the position was being created. It appeared from the conversation that a resume and cover letter was received but was general in nature and not specific to the position.

Police Committee Meetings will take place the 3rd Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Highway committee report was presented and approved.

Fire

• Motion approved to appoint Michael Rinker as the Borough Emergency Management Director for the Year 2008 at a salary of $2,400.
• Also approved motion to appoint Gail Kromer to a 5 year term on the Ambulance Board.

Finance

• Approved Resolution No. 1 08 A, eliminating member contributions to the Borough’s Police Pension Plan in accordance with provisions of Act 600.
• Commissioned Palmer and Company to perform the yearly audit of Tax Collector Renee Pfeiffer for the year 2007.
• Motions approved Gloria Redline and Dale Cassler as Borough Auditors effective and immediately and for the period until the first Monday of the coming new year following a general election.
• Motion approved repayment of $3787.00 dollars to the state of PA mandated by Finding Number 1 in the 2006 audit of the Borough’s municipal pension plan that must be returned to the State of Pennsylvania by January 15, 2008 (it was noted an overpayment that was the result of an error is the reason the money was paid and must now be returned).

Mayor encouraged people to visit the borough web site for the additive related to the police department.

Solicitor had not report and the Engineer reminded everyone that the ecology newsletter was sent out.

The Police Chief noted that the Community Policing event will be on 1/23/08 from 5:30 until 9:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Highway Department noted that the siren on the 30 Belvidere building was coming down on Tuesday. The sidewalks will be blocked and meters marked off.

There will be two executive sessions and nothing will be reported following them.

With that the meeting adjourned.