Call to Order   President Matthew Boice called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Roll Call   Attendees:

Mayor, Michael Gomber Absent

Solicitor, Dennis Makel

Council President, Matthew Boice

Engineer, Rich Rush, Widmer Engineering, Absent

Council Vice President, Harold Hartger

Park & Shade Chair, Reca Panian

Council Member, Charles McHugh, Absent

Secretary, Sandy Motichak

Council Member, Jerad Cypher, Absent

Council Member, Dawn Petrosky,

Council Member, Maryann Weinstein,

Council Member, Timothy Hurney, Absent

Pledge of Allegiance Lead by President Matthew Boice.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Gary Walz-Columbia Gas   Mr. Walz stated that the project was going extremely well and is approximately 60% complete.  Their subcontractor Facchiano is working right behind them and is doing the restoration.  In order to meet their end of year deadline, they may have to get another crew to complete the project.  Council Member McHugh asked why their trucks are parked on Gray Alley with full slag in them which is causing damage.  Mr. Walz said he was not aware of that and would take care of it.

• Greta Fulton and Brittany Inghram, Brownie Troop 51945 asked Council if they could plant a Northern Red Oak tree in the borough as their community service project. The girls listed three possible sites for planting the tree.  Council thanked the girls and would get in touch with them. Council member Petrosky requested that the Girl Scouts’ proposal be copied and sent to all Council Members, so that it could be reviewed and appropriately apprise Council of the request.

Dan Bird, Thayer Street.   Mr. Dan Bird asked Council what is being done about the flooding on Thayer and when Council plans on putting in a pond at the salt lot to prevent the flooding?  Mr. Bird showed photos from his phone of the high water and flooding at his home.  He also said the drain in front of his house was clogged.

1   Minutes of August 6, 2018. 

2. Bills – General Account $ 13,906.99 and Liq. Fuels PLGIT Account $ 173.80

3. Reports – Submitted to Council Prior to Meeting 

• Library Board Representative-Mr. Gerard The most important issues that are moving forward are the Cornerstone Campaign to change the financial support system to a more stable basis and the “de-commissioning” of much of non-fiction area to allow for a different use. There are many ongoing programs, but, they will probably not change, as long as they attract participants.
• Secretary
• Public Works- President Boice
• Police Department–Chief

Motion Chuck McHugh, second Maryann Weinstein, to set Halloween Trick or Treat on Saturday,

October 27, 2018 from 5:00 – 6:30 pm. Motion passed.

• Code Officer

• Park and Shade Commission-. Panian told Council the East Washington Borough Picnic was a success and received a lot of complements. The estimated cost of the picnic was less than $400.00.  One resident that recently moved to the borough commented that she had never lived in an area that had a community picnic and it was very nice. Ms. Panian and Park and Shade Committee member Katie Imler will meet with a representative from Department Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to discuss grants for the playground.

Motion Maryann Weinstein, second Harold Hartger to approve Items 1, 2, and 3 as presented. Motion passed.

4. Rich Rush, Widmer Engineering, Inc. stated that 10 Mile Paving completed the paving project on Ford Alley. Slusarczyk Excavating was delayed due to unknown people taking out the markers for the utility lines on Wilmont.  Contractor had to get the road marked again in order to proceed.  He is working on Wilmont now. . WEWJA is to camera the pipe at Lemoyne Avenue Extension. The issue appears to be more of a curb issue.  The borough will have to replace the inlet and will continue to monitor it.

Discussion and/or Action Item

Motion Jerad Cypher, second Chuck McHugh, to deny the request from Sarah Smith for a waiver of penalties for real estate taxes because no evidence has been provided that the payment of real estate taxes had been paid at the discount period, therefore, Ms. Smith is responsible to pay any penalties for the late payment of her real estate taxes.  Roll call Vote:  Boice-yes, Weinstein-yes, McHugh-yes, Cypher-yes, Hartger-yes, Petrosky-Abstain.  Motion passed.

Motion Harold Hartger, second Maryann Weinstein, to approve the 2019 Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) for Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System (PMRS) in the amount of $6,339.for the Pension Plan 63-078-N (Non Uniform Plan).  Pension Plan 63-078-P is zero –fully funded. Motion passed. 

Motion to Harold Hartger, second Maryann Weinstein, to approve East Washington Borough Emergency Action Plan. Mayor Gomber will have the Final Plan typed and available on a CD for future editing or changes. Motion passed.  Mayor Gomber told Council that Council members and any other personnel must complete the required training and submit copies of their FEMA certificates to the secretary to be in compliance with the Emergency Action Plan.  Completion of the FEMA Training Courses is necessary in order for the Borough to receive Federal Funding in the event of an emergency or catastrophic event.

November Meeting Date Change. No action taken.

Council discussed a Petition received from residents of South Watson, Elmhurst Drive and Sherwood Place regarding the deplorable and dangerous condition of those streets.  President Boice said that he is are aware of the situation and it is being addressed.  He then discussed the possibility of the contractor currently working on Wilmont may be able to replace 2 inlets on South Watson while he has the equipment in the Borough at an estimated cost of $ 6,000.00.

Motion Chuck McHugh, second Maryann Weinstein to authorize Slusarcyk replace the inlets on South Watson while he is in the borough unless a council member had an objection that they relayed to President Boice by 5:00 pm on Friday, September 4, 2018.  Motion passed.

Council Member Maryann Weinstein will contact Ms. Hilda Kudaroski who presented the petition to council.

Mr. Rich Rush stated that the Transitional Employment Consultants –Ford Alley Paving project has been completed.

Mayor Gomber told council that the curbs on North Ave. will be concrete and paid for with funds from the Community Development Block Grant administered and the General Account.  Mr. Rob Phillips, Washington County will coordinate the bidding and the project.

President Boice presented Council a binder created by the Public Works Department personnel listing the condition of roads, inlets, etc.

Council Member McHugh requested that Council consider additional speed humps on Wilmont Avenue due to speeding on that road. The cost, type of speed hump, or possible speed table was discussed however, no action taken.

Mayor Gomber asked for this topic to be deferred until it could be discussed with the Chief at a future meeting.

Council member Maryann Weinstein provided information regarding the Wellness Center and if 5 employees join the membership fees are reduced.

Mayor – Michael Gomber – The Mayor and Council talked about the field behind the First Christian School and the Washington School district using the field or other private groups using the field for practice.  The question arose as to the ownership of the field and if the school district is not using it, would the Borough want it back for their own use.

Council Members – Reports Submitted to Council Prior to Meeting

• Matt Boice, President
• Harold Hartger, Vice President – There was discussion regarding the Republic Services Waste Hauler trash contract. It was determined by Council Member Jerad Cypher upon reading the contract that Republic Services is to be notified by October 31, 2018 of the Borough’s intent to bid out the contract or automatically renew for an additional year or more. Waste Hauler Contract will be on the October 1, 2018 Agenda.

• Jerad Cypher
• Tim Hurney
• Charles McHugh.
• Dawn Petrosky

To help Council stay better apprised of legislative activity undertaken in Harrisburg, to help Council learn more about state resources that could help our Borough, and to initiate a dialogue with our State Senator, Councilwoman Petrosky invited Sen. Bartolotta to a meet and greet on Tues., Sept. 18 at 8:00 a.m. with all of Council and Borough staff.   Also requested the Hotline for Domestic Violence be added to our website.

• Maryann Weinstein

Motion Dawn Petrosky, second Maryann Weinstein to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 pm. Motion passed.