Borough of East Washington
Business Council Meeting October 2, 2017 – 6:00 pm
Call to Order President Jerad Cypher called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
Roll Call Attendees: Michael Gomber, Mayor, Absent, Jerad Cypher, President, Mary Taufer, Vice President, Council Members- Charles McHugh, Matt Boice, Jan Murdoch, Guy Tucci, Jerry Cypher, Chris Furman for Solicitor Dennis Makel, Rich Rush, Widmer Engineering, Joyce Ellis, Absent, Secretary, Sandy Motichak
Pledge of Allegiance Lead by President, Jerad Cypher.
Motion Guy Tucci, second Jerry Cypher, to approve September 5, 2017 minutes. Motion passed
Motion Chuck McHugh, second Mary Taufer, to approve bills: General Account $28,134.65 and Liq. Fuels Account PLGIT $ 1,398.19 Discusssion regarding Health Insurance payment made via credit card for Aaron Lucero. Council to re-examine payment method, cancelling automatic credit card deduction and have invoice sent to the borough and paid via check. Motion passed.
Public Comment
Mr. & Mrs. Silbaugh, North Wade Ave. Mr. Silbaugh asked Council to consider changing the Burning Ordinance to state ‘NO BURNING AT ALL’ in East Washington Borough. Their concern is smoke coming into their windows and not being able to sit on their porch from the smell of smoke, etc. He stated that East Washington Borough is an urban area and never had that issue before. People seem to be burning twigs and other things.
Mr.& Mrs. Kelly Alderson requested the Council change the Burning Ordinance to state only charcoal /gas burning permitted and wanted to know how to respond if they smell smoke. Do residents call the police? How is this to be enforced.
Other residents had questions about burning ordinance.
Dawn Petrosky commented on Council’s topics.
President Cypher indicated there would be further discussion with Council and Code Officer regarding the burning ordinance. No official action taken.
2 Ms. Peggi Fawcett, Director, Transitional Employment Consultants, is concerned with the sink hole and storm water drainage on Ford Alley. Ms. Fawcett is very concerned about safety after the flooding on July 28, 2017and garbage trucks and heavy traffic on that road. Rich Rush, Widmer Engineering indicated that an inlet pipe drops into a main pipe below. Matt Boice stated he is unaware of any documentation of that being there, however, may need to come up with a plan. Will discuss with Engineer and Public Works personnel. Get a grate or cover over it for the short term.
Action Items
Motion Mary Taufer, second Jerry Cypher to authorize/advertise Budget workshop, Wed. Oct. 11, 2017 at 11:00 am. Motion passed.
Motion to Chuck McHugh, second Jerad Cypher, authorize Treasurer to transfer $49,806.00 from Local Share Account to the General Account for payment to Custom Contracting (Pay Application #1) for the Sheraton Drive Slide Repair Project. Motion passed.
Motion Matt Boice, second Mary Taufer, to approve 5 tax refunds as a result of real estate tax appeals from residents of East Washington Borough in the total amount of $3,065.86. List of resident’s tax appeals refunds on file in the office. Motion passed.
Discussion
Mr. Rob Phillips, Washington Co. Redevelopment Authority spoke to Council regarding the Community Development Block Grant that East Washington Borough will be eligible for in 2018. Mr. Phillips discussed possible projects such as Street improvement, Water/Sewer Improvements, Flood & Drainage Facilities, etc. with Council members as to what the grant may be used for. A list was present to council and further discussion will continue. Mr. Phillips recommended doing a survey of residents in an area that would qualify for the grant. Discussions and meetings to be continued.
President Cypher stated a meeting was held with Columbia Gas and an additional meeting will be scheduled in November. Columbia Gas will be upgrading their gas lines throughout East Washington Borough in 2018.
Council discussed the Salt Lot area. President Cypher noted that the area is zoned as Conservation and questioned if anything can be built at that location. Also, what regulations from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) may be imposed for any construction at the Salt Lot location.
President Cypher announced Trick or Treat (Saturday, October 28, 2017 5:00 to 6:30 pm) (Secretary to place on Website)
Vice President Mary Taufer composed a letter to the Army Corp of Engineers requesting the Corps of Engineers undertake a flood reduction investigation along Catfish Creek in East Washington and
Washington in accordance with the provisions of Section 205 of the Flood Control Act of 1948, as amended.
Reports
Secretary
Received correspondence Rosalie Hutchinson, PA Auditor General Office. 2017 General Municipal Pension System State Aid will be direct deposited on September 27, 2017 in the amount of $2,405.97.
Received notice from the Pa Dept. of Transportation that our 2018 Liq. Fuels allocation is in the amount of 57,350.53. We don’t receive that money until March 1, 2018.
Received correspondence from Washington County Commissioners that Local Share fund allocation is now being distributed by the county vs. the PA Dept. of Revenue. PA Supreme Court struck down certain parts being Act. County negotiated with the Meadows to continue the funding. Quarterly payments. If we receive excess, we are to refund it back.
Tri-County Boroughs Assn. meeting for October is hosted at Allenport, Elco & Roscoe Boroughs at 7:00 pm.
Public Works-Matt Boice- 2017 Leaf Season
Police Department–Chief David Bradley
Code Officer-Gerald Coleman
Mayor Michael Gomber-Absent
Engineer (Widmer Engineering)-Status Sheraton Drive Project
Council Members
Jerad Cypher, President
Mary Taufer, Vice President –discussed the letter to the Army Corp of Engineers above and wanted input from departments to be included the newsletter she is generating for East Washington Borough.
Matt Boice
Jerry Cypher
Jan Murdoch
Chuck McHugh
Guy Tucci
Unfinished Business
Status-Lemoyne Ave – PA American Water Co.
Solicitor (Dennis Makel) – Met with McKenzie’s and Council and received a signed Easement by McKenzie for agreed upon completion of work at their residence.
Adjournment
Motion Jerad Cypher, second Mary Taufer to continue the meeting at the call of the President.
Motion passed with unanimous vote.
CONTINUTATION OF MEETING – BUDGET WORKSHOP OCTOBER 17, 2017
Call to Order President Jerad Cypher called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
Roll Call Attendees: Jerad Cypher, President, Council Members- Charles McHugh, Matt Boice, Jan Murdoch, Guy Tucci, Aaron Lucero, Public Works, Sandy Motichak, Secretary
2018 Budget line items discussed with tentative numbers.
Motion Guy Tucci, second Jan Murdoch to approve check Gen Account $6,949.20. Motion passed.
Motion Guy Tucci, second Jan Murdoch to approve transfer of funds from Local Share Account to the General Account in the amount of $34,223 to purchase a new 2017 Ford Intecepter Police Car.
$26,715 to Tri-Stars Motors for the police car. (COSTARS) $7,617.00 to Team Force Police Light Package for Police Car. Motion passed.
Sandra Motichak
Secretary