Riverside Borough

The beautiful sunny days have brought many people to the Riverside Park.  Please be sure to take your things back home with you.  Several items have been brought into the office so if you are missing something, please stop in the office  to browse the collection table for anything you may have left behind.

As approved at the 9/18/17 meeting, the minutes of 9-5-17 follow:
The Riverside Borough Council met on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside, PA.   The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President John J Novak.
In attendance this evening were Vice President Peter Fleming and Council Members Carolyn Bausch, Caressa Compton,  Barb Kriner, Beth Rake and John Domanski.  Also in attendance were Solicitor Joseph Michetti, Mayor Joseph Oberdorf and Secretary Deborah Bausch.
 
In the audience this evening were Nick Fowler, Southside Fire Company and Karen Blackledge, Danville News Office.
 
Minutes of August 7, 2017 were approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by Peter Fleming.  All voted in favor.
July’s Budget report was approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by Carolyn Bausch.  All voted in favor.
 
Letters received in the office regarding the burning ban were discussed.  This issue had been put on the table previously for discussion and at that time resident was told to pursue the ban would require a Petition to have signatures and brought back to council.  This has not been done; two letters received were one for the ban and one to continue burning as currently done in the borough.  On a Motion by Carolyn Bausch and seconded by John Domanski, the burning in Riverside Borough will continue as is currently in place.  All voted for.
 
Brian Anderson then presented the Zoning Report for August.  He updated council on several properties that were out of compliance with Borough Regulations.  He found one illegal business (car wash) in the Borough and that business has ceased its operations.  He has been in touch with Dave Decoteau about the property that is be torn down on D & H Avenue.   He will be reaching out to Mr. Randy Bloch to see what progress is being made for demolition of his property behind the English Garden.   The Zoning Report was approved on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Beth Rake.  All voted in favor.
 
Police Chief Kerry Parkes addressed council with his August report.  He stated National Night Out was a big success.  He thanked Montour County for including the Borough in this event.  Classes were held last week at St Peter’s UM Church.  He extended a thank you to the Church for allowing the classes to be held there and also to Riverside Notary for providing vehicles for the students to get hands on for vehicle searches.   Money recently donated to the office has been spent to purchase new duty weapons.   Chief Parkes then went into the problems with grass ordinance and the repeat offenders.  Much discussion was held on this topic.  On a Motion by Caressa Compton and seconded by Beth Rake the grass ordinance was tabled until more research can be done.  All voted for. President Novak then inquired about dog law citing a resident had been attacked by a dog in the Highland Drive area.  Chief Parkes stated this has been turned over to the dog law enforcement officer. Police report was approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by John Domanski.  All voted for.
 
Nick Fowler then addressed Council with the Southside Fire Company reports for July and August.  When questioned about the Wine Fest he stated it had doubled from last year’s event and they already have a vendor lined up for next year.  Barb Kriner then added Station 70 has been added as a drop off point for supplies for Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas.  She is getting the information to Nick and the fire company.  Donations will be accepted after noon time at the Fire Company.  Both reports were approved on a Motion by Caressa Compton and seconded by Carolyn Bausch.  All voted in favor.
Mayor Joseph Oberdorf had no report.  As in the past the Mayor’s none report was approved on a Motion by Beth Rake and seconded by John Domanski.  All voted in favor.
 
Solicitor Joseph Michetti then discussed the borough property that is in question as to ownership since no deeds can be located.  He explained the options for a Quit Claim Deed and Quiet Title which involves some fees to be paid.  The two properties will be assessed for value before proceeding any further.
Solicitor Report was approved on a Motion by Carolyn Bausch and seconded by Peter Fleming.  All voted in favor.
 
Under new business, discussion was held on the borough auditors and hiring an independent firm which is what most municipalities are now doing.  Two quotes were presented to council.  Carolyn Bausch made a Motion to hire the firm of Wagner, Dreese, Elsasser and Associates, PC. and take further steps to implement the disbanding of our elected auditors; seconded by Caressa Compton and all voted in favor.
 
Barb Kriner then addressed Chief Parkes regarding junk vehicles in the Kipps Run area.  Discussion was held regarding farm machinery and trailers.
 
At approximately 7:59 pm, John Domanski made a Motion to adjourn to an Executive Session for a personnel matter; Barb Kriner seconded the motion.  Council adjourned the Regular meeting.
 
The Executive Session adjourned at about 8:18 pm on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Carolyn Bausch.  Council is now back in Regular Session.
 
Chief Parkes then addressed the Council regarding 911 calls through Columbia County.  The P1 channel has too much traffic.  He is keeping statistics for the next 30 days to monitor the calls and response times. 
 
On a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Barb Kriner, the Council Adjourned at approximately 8:29 pm.
 
Respectfully Submitted:
Deborah Bausch
Secretary

State Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver reminds residents that September is National Preparedness Month.    Visit www.ReadyPA.org to find sample checklists, contact lists and other preparedness tools to take advantage of before an emergency of any kind occurs.  Additional tips can be found at Be Ready PA on Facebook or follow @ReadyPA on Twitter.

In response to the calls concerning your new house numbers for 911 Readdressing - our UCC code states the following:
304.3  Premises Identification.  Building shall have approved address numbers placed in a position to be plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property.  These numbers shall contrast with their background.  Address numbers shall be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters.  Numbers shall be a minimum of 4 includes (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch (12.7 mm).

GIS staff are in the borough this morning(8/14/17) delivering letters. The Borough Office correct address will be:
Borough of Riverside
415 Dewart Street
P  O  Box 307
​Riverside, PA   17868-0307

The Office has a list of Borough Address Changes; it is not necessary to call to update your sewer bill.

The tax collector also has a list to show your updated address.

​It is anticipated that the residents that use Danville post office for mail will begin receiving their letters the week of August 14th.  The Columbia/Montour GIS staff will be out in the borough the week of August 14th hand delivering new address letters to those that use Riverside post office boxes for mail.
 
They will place the letter at the door closest to the road.  The resident will find the letter at one of these locations:
 

1. Between a screen/storm door and the door jamb at eye level
2. Taped to the front door (if no screen or storm door)
3. If there is a dog out in the yard, the GIS staff feels uncomfortable entering the yard or fence, and resident has a newspaper receptacle near the road, the letter will be placed in the newspaper receptacle.