Call to Order President Guy Tucci called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Roll Call Attendees: Guy Tucci, President, Mary Taufer, Vice President, Council Members- Tamara

Chacko, Jerad Cypher, Absent Charles McHugh, Matt Boice, Absent, Solicitor Dennis Makel, Michael

Gomber, Mayor, Absent, Sarah Boyce, Widmer Engineering, Secretary, Sandy Motichak, Mark Connors, Constable,

Pledge of Allegiance Led by President, Guy Tucci

Motion Tamara Chacko, second Charles McHugh to approve minutes July 5, 2016. Motion passed.

Motion Mary Taufer, second Matt Boice, to approve bills, – General $ 32,983.49. Motion passed.

Public Comment

Reca Panian, 89 Christman. Ms. Panian addressed Council on behalf of approximately 17 residents that attended the meeting. Ms. Panian told Council she attend the last meeting which the Mayor wanted Council to consider putting on a referendum the sale of the “Green Space” owned by East Washington Borough.

She wanted to know the status.

President Tucci said no one has presented any plans/documents to the borough to date. Nothing has been done. Code Enforcement Officer, Amodei-Mascara indicated that no developer has come forward and it is just talk. Discussion continued. Council Member, Chris Mascara said many council members are not in favor of the sale. Council Member Matt Boice also said that there are many other important issues in the borough to address. No action taken.

Danial Bird, 34 Thayer Street. Mr. Bird asked Council when the road would be paved and the new catch basin that was installed in front of his home is not functioning. He asked when that would be fixed. Also, when the Columbia Gas subcontractor or when the catch basin was installed, the asphalt-cold patch splattered all over his siding, railing and porch. He wanted to know who is responsible for cleaning the siding on his house Solicitor Makel said he would take a look at the house and email his contact at Columbia Gas and get back to Mr. Bird.

Paulette Marasco, 78 South Wade. Ms. Marasco requested she be granted permission to pay her 2016 Real Estate taxes at the discount rate based upon she has never been late in paying her taxes in the past.

Motion Mary Taufer, second Tamara Chacko, to approve the request by Paulette Marasco, 78 South Wade Avenue, to pay the discount rate of her Real Estate Taxes based upon history of never having been late on payment of her taxes. Motion passed.

Action Items

 Motion Mary Taufer, second by Chris Mascara to approve demolition permit for garage/shed at 38 South Wade, JR and Angel Shaw, owners. (EWB Planning Commission reviewed documentation, photos and recommended demolition). Motion passed.

 Motion Matt Boice, second Charles McHugh, to approve to advertise the Ordinance for Washington-East Washington Joint Authority (WEWJA) to amend the articles of incorporation to increase the terms of existence to 50 years. Solicitor to advertise ordinance. Motion passed.

 Motion to approve Adult Exercise Equipment – quote from B.E.A.R. of PA $3,946.20 requested by Park and Shade member – Reca Panian. (Does not include site preparation). Council Member McHugh asked if the equipment was safe for a 14 year old teen and was there any weight restrictions?

Discussion with Council and Solicitor Makel suggested Ms. Panian check to see if there were any grants available through the DCNR (Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources) for parks and equipment. Tabled by Council.

 Council discussed the need for a definitive procedure for quotes presented to Council prior to the council meeting. It was suggested that quotes be presented to Council 5-10 days prior to the meeting so Council could review the quotes. Sarah Boice, Widmer Engineering, stated that a chart or reference checklist be generated listing dollar amounts needed for quotes or bids and advertisement requirements. Solicitor Makel and Sarah Boyce to discuss and generate chart.

 Council Member Mascara asked why East Washington Borough police reports were not reported in the Newspaper. Chief David Bradley stated that reports are filed with District Justice Jay Weller and if it is a serious offense, such as a shooting, heroin drug incident, something of criminal offense it is in the newspaper. Misdemeanors such as theft from leaving your car open, or noise nuisance such as dogs barking are not listed in the paper.

 Council Member Mascara reported to Council that PENNDOT had some additional asphalt available from the paving project. After a discussion with Aaron Lucero, Public Works, a decision was made on behalf of the Borough to pave Gray Alley.

Motion Mary Taufer, second Charles McHugh, retroactively approve actions by Council Member Mascara to pave Gray Alley due to PENNDOT having extra time and materials (asphalt) after doing our paving project.

Motion passed.

Sarah Boyce, Widmer Engineering, updated Council on the status of the Christman Avenue Storm Project. Ms. Boyce gave an overview of the project to include the project scope of work, schedule of advertisement dates in August and indicated that the borough needs to secure easements or agreements from residents for the proposed work site. Bids available via Widmer website. Bid to be awarded at the September meeting. Mr. Tom Shade requested he review the bid and proposal. Documents are available in the Borough office.

President Tucci addressed Council and members of the audience because currently there is several opening for volunteers to serve on the Zoning Hearing Board (need 1 member), Planning Commission (need 2 members).

Residents asked Council to explain the function of the Planning Commission. Chairman David Posner, Planning Commission, said the Planning Commission function falls under the PA Municipalities Planning Code. The commission makes recommendations to the governing body regarding zoning ordinances, subdivisions, land development, proposed residential development, and/or building code and housing proposed amendments. The Planning Commission meets on an as needed basis.

Motion Matt Boice, second Chris Mascara to appoint Ray Dunlevy and Mike Robinson to serve on the Planning Commission and Tim Hildebrand to serve on the Zoning Hearing Board effective immediately for remainder of the unexpired terms of office. (4 year term ending 2020). Motion passed.

Reports

Secretary

Public Works – Aaron Lucero, Public Works, stated the paving project done by PENNDOT-Agility Agreement is complete. Six Stop signs and four No Parking signs erected. Mr. Lucero requested Council accept bid for inlets on South Wade.

Quote:

HLS Landscaping, Garrett Hettman, $7,394.00

Bob Burns, Robert C. Burns, Co. $8,600.00

Motion Mary Taufer, second Tamara Chacko, to award South Wade inlet quote to HLS Landscaping, Garrett Hettman in the amount of $7,394.00 Motion passed.

Motion Chris Mascara, second Mary Taufer, to authorize payment to A-1 Asphalt in the amount of $3,157.00 as set forth on August 1, 2016. Motion passed.

Police -Report on file in the office. Chief Bradley told council that a contract for police road detail had been signed by Stephanie Hardenstine, Columbia Gas. Same contract as with the City of Washington.

Motion Tamara Chacko, second Chris Mascara approve the contract with Columbia Gas and East Washington Borough police for road detail services assisting Columbia Gas construction project. Motion passed.

Motion Mary Taufer, second Matt Boice to approve the transfer of $3,500.00 from PLGIT (Liq. Fuels) fund to the General Account for the purchase of speed bumps in the borough. Motion passed.

Code Enforcement and Zoning Officer – Ms. Amodei-Mascara reported that grass was cut on 19 Thayer and is determining who to bill for the cost of cutting the grass. Citations issued and or hearings attended noted in her report. She requested an amendment to the current zoning ordinance for setback requirements that may have been omitted when the ordinances were codified. Discussion began regarding certain issues such as dirty siding, broken shutters, color of paint and trim. Ms. Amodei-Mascara stated that those issues cannot be enforced because those items are dictated through a Home Owners Association agreement and not normally undertaken by municipalities. In regard to the tree ordinance, Ms. Amodei-Mascara requested a more legal process for determining what is/is not a dead tree. Nothing specific was decided.

Motion Chris Mascara, second Mary Taufer to authorize the Solicitor to amend the zoning ordinance to include appropriate side yard setbacks. Motion passed.

Council Members:

* Guy Tucci – President Tucci addressed the council with his concern about the speeding on East Beau Street. Brandon Neuman accepted President Tucci’s invitation to sit on his porch and observe the speeding cars and traffic on Beau Street. Representative Neuman said he would suggest to the Legislature in Harrisburg that Local Police can use RADAR to enforce speeding in their municipalities.

* Mary Taufer – No report

* Matt Boice – No report, however Mr. Boice commented that it was nice to see folks from the community come to the meeting and encouraged residents to attend more regularly.

* Tamara Chacko – No report. Council Member Chacko told Council that during the 2015 annual audit with Lisa Vipperman, Palermo/Kissinger, the borough doesn’t overspend or under spend. Council is fiscally responsible. Based on the Audit, Council Member Chacko wanted to commend Secretary-Treasurer, Sandy Motichak for doing a great job with the finances of the borough. All requests for documents were in order and provided in a timely manner.

* Jerad Cypher – Absent

* Chris Mascara – No report.

* Charles McHugh – Council Member McHugh complemented Code Enforcement Officer, Cheryl Amodei-Mascara for her work and he sees improvements to some properties in the borough. Asked why streets were not being sprayed because there is an overgrowth of weeds on some streets. Council Member Mascara said any resident can spray on their own property however, public works personnel need to be licensed and DEP can fine the borough if we are spraying without the proper license.

Mayor – Absent

OLD Business

Solicitor – Solicitor and several council members and public works personnel met prior to the meeting with PA American Water to discuss an Agreement between the parties. PA American Water is going to replace some water lines in the Borough. Agreement to be signed and finalized.

Solicitor Makel said he has not received a response from Columbia Gas regarding the Agreement he sent to Columbia Gas.-Nisource. It was suggested by the Code Enforcement Officer to calculate the number of holes dug (in regard to road opening permits never applied for) to date and invoice Columbia Gas. No action taken.

Solicitor Makel advised Council to get out of the garbage business and have the Waste Hauler bill the resident/customer directly. Current Waste Hauler contract expires the end of 2016. Solicitor Makel will have specifications and Waste Hauler bid documents for the next meeting. George Retos bankruptcy case has been extended.

Motion Mary Taufer, second Tamara Chacko to enter Executive Session for personal reasons at 9:45 pm.

Resume meeting at 9:55 pm.

Motion Chris Mascara, second Matt Boice to authorize Sandy Motichak, Secretary-Treasurer to set up direct deposit for all employees. Motion passed.

Motion Chris Mascara, second Charles McHugh to advertise for a part-time road crew laborer, Public Works Department, at a salary of $10.00 per hour effective September 1, 2016. No benefits. Motion passed.

Motion Guy Tucci, second Chuck McHugh to continue the meeting at the call of the president. Motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra Motichak, Secretary