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, Charles McHugh, Absent, Matt Boice, Absent, Chris Furman for Solicitor Dennis Makel, Michael Gomber, Mayor, Rich Rush, Widmer Engineering, Secretary, Sandy Motichak

Pledge of Allegiance Lead by President, Guy Tucci

Motion Mary Taufer, second Chris Mascara to approve minutes November 7, 2016. Motion passed.

Motion Tamara Chacko, second Mar Taufer, to approve bills, – General $ 49,755.92, Payroll 637.47.

Motion passed.

Public Comment

Mark Day – Owns rental at 400 East Beau. Mr. Day asked Council about garbage billing and fees. Council Member Taufer explained effective January 1, 2017 Republic Services will bill consumer, not East Washington Borough. Council has awarded Republic the contract and rates have been set. Mr. Day was directed to contact Republic Services about garbage fees for 2017.

Joe Fulton-28 Thayer Street, Mr. Fulton commented on the great job of paving on Thayer Street, however he is concerned about speeding on the road. Chief Bradley responded that in the spring speed humps are to the placed on Thayer, Christman and several other roads in the borough which will slow down traffic.

Mr. Fulton also asked about a light at the park. Aaron Lucero, Public Works, stated that there currently is a light at the park and a sign that the park closes at dusk. Consequently, there should not be anyone in the park after dusk. Discussion continued regarding speeding and construction in the borough.

Bill Difabio, Lemoyne Avenue Mr. DiFabio asked about leaf pick-up and speeding on Lemoyne. Mr. DiFabio was seated between Aaron Lucero, Public Works, and Chief David Bradley. He stated that most of his concerns had been answered as talking to both Mr. Lucero and Chief Bradley just prior to the meeting.

Mr. Lucero assured Mr. DiFabio that leaf pick up would continue and Lemoyne Avenue would be picked up during the next week. Chief Bradley told Mr. DiFabio that his officers will going throughout the borough because there has been several arrests due to drug overdoses. .Mr. DiFabio was concerned about some activities on Lemoyne around 3:00 am. Chief Bradley advised him to call 911 immediately.

Mr. DiFabio thanked everyone for their cooperation.

 Motion Tamara Chacko, second Chris Mascara, to approve Ordinance No. 531, 2017 Budget.

Motion passed.

 Motion Chris Mascara, second Jerad Cypher to approve Ordinance No. 530, 2017 Real Estate

 Mills – 0.002749507 per mill or 2.7 Mills. Motion passed.

 Motion Chris Mascara, second Jerad Cypher to approve Ordinance No. 528 – Ordinance to amend

the Articles of Incorporation for additional 50 years for the Washington-East Washington Joint Authority.

Motion passed.

 Motion Mary Taufer, Chris Mascara, to approve Ordinance No. 529 – Amend Ordinance 291 Streets and Sidewalks to add specifically Section 291-32 A, B, C, 4C, adding police protection during construction and other activities. Motion passed.

Reports

 Secretary – Secretary Sandy Motichak received correspondence from PA Dep of Revenue, State Police Fine received.

 Public Works Department – Leaf pick up will continue for a couple of weeks. Loader is ordered and should be delivered around the 3 rd week in December.

Police Department – Chief Bradley reported there was a burglary and 2 over doses in the borough. UCR reports done.

Council Members:

* Guy Tucci – No report

* Mary Taufer –No report

* Matt Boice – No report

* Tamara Chacko –Requested the street light be fixed on Christman Ave.

* Jerad Cypher – No report

* Charles McHugh – Absent

* Chris Mascara – Mr. Mascara stated he is to follow up with Ken Wescott regarding an agreement for recycling of our leaves. However, currently, the City of Washington is not charging the Borough for this services.

Discussion about Sheraton Road Slide.

Rich Rush you won’t’ have GeoTech report until next week. The company bores 15 feet down. Put in a water collection system. New catch basin. Boring tell how far to go for god native soil. After the GeoTech report is received, options presented and proceed with the next step. Recommend design plans and bid out the project.

Mr. Tucci said we ought to put up barriers, it is dangerous. Mr. Mascara said he was waiting for the new Loader machine to be delivered because it was needed to move the barrier to Sheraton.

Mr. Mascara asked do we need to fix this road or can we close it and use the other road? That is my question? Are you in agreement with me Rich, close it down and do exploratory things? Mr. Rich Ruch, we will be done exploring, do you want to do it I the middle of January? Mayor Gomber, it needs to be shut down, then shut it down. If someone gets hurt, we are liable. Mr. Tucci, you can put something up there. Mr. Aaron Lucero, I will put up horses tomorrow. Mr. Mascara, he has big concrete barriers. Mr. Guy Tucci and warn the two neighbors. Do we want to proceed with the process to fix it? Mr. Tucci we will have to fix it. Mr. Mascara, do we need to fix this road or can we close it and use the other road.

That is my question. Ms. Mary Taufer, the question would be if we decide not to do anything there still a danger to the community is a slide? Mr. Mascara, it is not going to stop sliding. Mr. Rich Rush, the only issue now is if you want to shut this road down completely You dig. You basically cut the hillside back.

What you would end of doing is .The guy on the upper side, where the lawn comes back cut the lawn back to native soil. You would have to get cut this back to his yard. You would excavate the slide. Then you would never have the road there. Or the second option is several people conversing. Mr. Mascara we have to do something. Mr. Tucci said we have to do something. We need to talk to those neighbors.

At least 3 of them. Mr. Mascara do we want to proceed with plans about repairing the road? Mr. Rich Rush. All that has been done so far is the GeoTech study. Mr. Rich Rush wait until next month for plans. Mayor Gomber said sooner than next month. The road needs closed. Close the road. Mr. Tucci, I would like someone else that has expertise say Ok this road is worth saving or what is recommended.

Mr. Rich Rush options you will have is whether you want to reconstruct or close. Mr. Mascara addressed Mr. Lucero to close the road tomorrow, correct, contact the residents, make them aware, contact EMT’s

Emergency Management Personnel, telling them that road is closed and to take care of all of that. Mr. Lucero responded yes.

Engineer – Stated status of Sheraton Project above.

Mr. Rush stated he needed approval for 2nd phase of Christman Ave. Project. Work Order Change Check 5242 Independent Enterprises, Work Order Change $11,931.60 – – Sheraton Road Repair Status

Motion Mary Taufer, second Chris Mascara to approve Check 5242 in the amount of $11,931.00 payable to Independent Enterprises, for Work Change to Christman Ave. Project. Motion passed.

Mayor

Mayor Mayor Gomber stated he awarded the following awards:

1) Business person of the year – Gary Weinstein CEA Washington Hospital- Lives in East  Washington and we thank  him for providing the  leadership to continue to provide our community excellent health care and services.

2) Physician of the year, John Frazier, MD  Dr Frazier resides in East Washington and been one of the top Cardiologist in his field. He has provided many members of our community great care for their medical care

Solicitor Mr. Furman stated that he needed authorization to approve the Republic Contract agreement conditioned on Solicitor Makel and Code Officer, Cheryl Mascara working out the final language in the contract agreement.

On Columbia Gas agreement, Mr. Furman stated he needed confirmation on what has been done and what needs to added or corrected to language on the Columbia Gas Agreement with the bond to be 5 years instead of 3 years which they previously agreed to Also, resident’s requests Mr. Bird and Mr. Lingg at 33 and 34 Thayer Street.

Mayor Gomber gave to Mr. Furman corrections/revisions to the current sidewalk ordinance to be reviewed by Solicitor Makel.

Motion Chris Mascara, second Jerad Cypher, to accept the contract with Republic Services after conditioned on appropriate language being re-issued with the Solicitor and the Code/Zoning Officer.

Motion passed.

Motion Chris Mascara, second Mary Taufer, to accept the agreement with Columbia Gas after conditioned on appropriate language being re-issued with the Solicitor and the Code/Zoning Officer (5 Year Bond change). Motion passed.

Solicitor Makel’s email Discussion: Washington-East Washington Joint Zoning Ordinance – Section 109 of the MPC defines the appropriate notice to owners of property and/or mineral rights. This matter and the date of the public hearing should be discussed at the next council meeting to set a date and time for a public hearing regarding the proposed zoning ordinance and the SALDO?

Mr. Furman said he was familiar with the MPC. Discussion continued and Mr. Tucci stated that via East Washington Planning Commission took corrections to the Washington-East Washington Joint Planning Commission changes to the joint zoning and joint zoning map. Changes were made moving back the educational district and a draft ordinance was to be reviewed. It then was to go to the County Commissions.

45 day review. Are we ready to have a public meeting to adopt it? Do we have the draft? Mr. Tucci stated we are not in a position yet to have the meeting. Council member Cypher questioned who is to notify all owners of property and/or mineral rights. According to the MPC, municipality is required to provide written or electronic notice of public hearing. It is our obligation, what the MPC tells us what to do. Who is proposing the ordinance. As a joint ordinance, it will be our responsibility to do it. It is a matter of due process].

If you pass an ordinance that affects the rights of a property owner, they have to be notified. Open tax rolls, 300 feet around and notify residents from the names on the tax rolls. MPC says if you are going to pass this joint zoning ordinance, you need to give notice. Mr. Furman said he would have to check with Mr. Makel as to who is responsible and will advise Council.

Council Member Mascara stated that on November 23, 2016, Cody Liggett, no longer employed, hurt at home, broken thumb, our part-time person. He produced a letter that he is restricted to light duty. We also have an applicant for part-time work, Garrett Hettman, worked for us before. $13-$14 per hour. He has two plows and two spreaders and had experience so we can use them. We may need some doors for the salt storage area. Aaron has some good ideas would you like to expound on those. We looking at options to cover the salt storage area. Chris Mascara, also need some additional storage area to protect the new loader and accessories. We do have a pad out back Permanent non-heated garage type. We should have enough room out here on the pad.

Motion Chris Mascara, second Mary Taufer, to hire Garrett Hettman as a Part-Time employee at $13.00 per hour, no benefits. Motion passed.

Chief David Bradley stated that he got word that Columbia Gas does not want to come back to the borough and do Wilmont because unable to work with the borough. They don’t want to start because of problems with the borough. Mr. Furman and Mr. Mascara both stated they should have paid their permit fees. Follow the Ordinance. They got a great deal on this project.

In executive session council discussed personnel issues.

Motion by Mary Taufer Second by Tamara Chacko to upgrade Aaron’s phone plan to 600 minutes for approx. $75 per month.  Passed unanimously.

Motion by Mary Taufer Second by Tamara Chacko to pay Aaron’s hospital bills as presented by Chris Mascara for approx. $1,500, to be paid on Dec. 6, 2016.  Passed unanimously.

Motion by Chris Mascara Second by Mary Taufer to recoup approx. $900 of the insurance premium refund from Aaron’s pay over 12 months from January 2017 to December 2017; and to authorize Chris Mascara to obtain a note from Aaron guaranteeing the repayment of the approx. $900 and to include approx. $75 in charges for the cellular phone overage as presented.  Passed unanimously.

Motion by Chris Mascara Second by Mary Taufer to continue the meeting at the call of the president at 9:00 p.m.

Motion, Chris Mascara, second Jerad Cypher, to continue the meeting at the call of the president. Motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra Motichak, Secretary