Riverside Borough

Due to a lack of a quorum, the Riverside Borough Council meeting scheduled for tonight, Feb 17,2020, is hereby cancelled!  

Feb 2 – Groundhog Day  

 Feb 3- Council Meeting – 7:00 pm
​
 Feb 12 – Lincoln’s Birthday  
 
Feb 14 – Valentine’s Day
          Danville Schools Closed
 
Feb 14 -Sewer payments due in Office prior to 3 pm to avoid late fee charge.

Feb 17 – Council Meeting – 7:00 pm
      PRESIDENTS’ DAY HOLIDAY OBSERVED -                          Danville Schools Closed
 
Feb 22 - Washington’s Birthday     
 
Feb 26 – Ash Wednesday
 
Feb 28 – Rep. Culver hosting Farmer’s Breakfast at Christ Community Church; RSVP by Feb 21

D1st Quarter sewer bills were mailed this morning.  Payments can be mailed to the office or deposited in the after hours drop slot in the office door at 415 Dewart St.  Please pay amount in the left hand column; after due date (2/14/2020) amount due is the figure in the right hand column.  Forms are available for those wishing to have the payment automatically deducted from their savings or checking account.  For those using a bill payer service, please allow time for mailing to avoid the late fee.  Payment is due in the office by 3:00 pm on Feb 14th to avoid the late fee. Delinquent accounts owing $500.00 or more are subject to a Municipal Lien being placed against the property.  Questions, please contact the office, 570 275-1751

  January 1 - Welcome 2020!     Happy New Year!!   

        January 1 - Borough Offices Closed
                                                                 
    January 2 - Danville Schools Resume Classes
       
January 4- Boy Scout Troop picking up Christmas Trees    
Phone: 570 784-7370 or 570 437-3280 prior to 1/4 to have your tree picked up.
                   
January 6 - Borough Council Meeting at 7 pm    
                                         Reorganization Meeting

January 20 - Borough Council Meeting at 7 pm     
     Danville Schools Closed for PD #6; Para Day #3
January 20-Martin Luther King Jr. Day

                         

​CHRISTMAS TREE PICK UP by Boy Scout Troop 43 will be held on Saturday, January 4th! A donation of at least $2.00 is requested; remember this is to support the Boy Scout Troop 43 so your generous donation would be most appreciated!
To have your tree picked up, please call 570 784-7370 or 570 437-3280. You must call before Jan 4th to get on the pickup list!

​The Riverside Borough Council met on Monday, November 18, 2019 in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside, PA  17868.   President Carolyn Bausch called the meeting to order promptly at 7:00 pm.  Present this evening were Vice President Peter Fleming, Council Members Barb Kriner, John Domanski, Kevin Romansik and Brian Whitenight.  Mayor John LaMotte and   Secretary Deborah Bausch were also present.  Absent this evening was Beth Rake.
There were no residents in the audience this evening.
Minutes of November 4, 2019 were put on the table for review.  Minutes accepted on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Kevin Romansik.  All voted for.
Old Business topic of discussion ensued regarding Mainzer Hill projects that were not completed last year.  Carolyn Bausch voiced her disappointment that Sudol Paving had not communicated with the borough that they would not be able to complete the projects as required.  Future communications would need to be specific with completion dates and a fine imposed if not completed. John Domanski and Barb Kriner both questioned whether it was too late to do anything about the roadway since the DSA material can require special handling.  After some discussion, it was decided to have Dan check with other vendors; Brian Whitenight suggested contacting Beagle on Logan Run Road for one vendor input.  Barb Kriner read off the name of Earthworks.  She questioned if DSA material is needed for both projects.  Peter Fleming made a Motion to have Dan contact vendors for quotes; seconded by John Domanski and all voted for.
Mayor John LaMotte had no report.  This was approved on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Barb Kriner.  All voted for.
The 2020 Budget was placed on the table.  John Domanski made a Motion to approve the tentative budget; seconded by Brian Whitenight.  All voted in favor.  Budget will be subject to approval at the December 2, 2019 meeting.
Last item of business was a quote from Larson Design Group (LDG) to complete our sewer mapping project.  Barb Kriner asked about the manhole location and connectivity as to what that would cover; would it show laterals connecting in?  LDG will be contacted for clarification as to what would be shown on this project completion of the sewer mapping. Carolyn Bausch stated the project should be discussed with Dan for his input.   The project was tabled on a Motion by Brian Whitenight and seconded by John Domanski.  All voted in favor.
At approximately 7:12 pm, John Domanski made a Motion to Adjourn the meeting.
Council Adjourned for the evening.
 
Respectfully submitted:
 
Deborah Bausch
Secretary

Have a dog in your home?  There is a free dog food giveaway being held at the stage area at Southside Picnic Grounds on Friday, December 6, 4 - 6 pm.
Many varieties available FREE for pick up.  
​Will also be available on Saturday, Dec 7th after 9 am.

​December 2 – Borough Council Meeting at 7:00 pm      
December 6 -8, 14 – Hometown Holiday Weekend –     Danville  -  See visitdanvillepa.org for events                                    
December 7 - Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

December 16 - Community Singers Program at St Peter’s UMC, 7 PM           
December 16 – Borough Council Meeting at 7 pm

Dec 19 - Danville Community Band Program - Trinity Methodist at 7:00 pm                 
                                 
 December 21 – First Day of Winter       
   
December 22 – Hanukkah (begins at sundown) 

December 23, 2019– January 2, 2020 - Christmas Break - Schools Closed 
               
 December 25 - Merry Christmas!   
                  Borough Offices Closed       
        
    December 26 – First day of Kwanzaa   
 
December 31 – New Year’s Eve      
​
TAX HOURS – Tax office is not open in December; By Appointment only!  
Phone 570 764-1393 to meet with Rebecca Steckley

As approved at the Novmber 18 meeting, Minutes of November 4, 2019 follow:
The Riverside Borough Council met on Monday, November 4, 2019 in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside.  The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Council President Carolyn M. Bausch.  In attendance this evening were Vice President Peter Fleming, Council Members Barb Kriner,
John Domanski, Kevin Romansik, Brian Whitenight, Mayor John LaMotte, Solicitor Joseph Michetti and Secretary Deborah Bausch.  Absent this evening was Council Member Beth Rake.
 
In the audience this evening were Nick Fowler, J W Snyder, Chris Henrie and Karen Blackledge, Danville News reporter.   J W Snyder and Chris Henrie were here to observe.
 
Minutes of October 7, 2019 were reviewed.  John Domanski made a Motion to approve which was seconded by Barb Kriner.  All voted in favor.
 
Budget Report for September was approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner, seconded by Peter Fleming.  All voted in favor.
 
Brian Anderson, Zoning Officer, then presented his report for September 2019.  He read his report and highlighted that a blighted property on Scenic Drive/Elysburg Road area has been sold and will be renovated.  Brian then addressed John Domanski on an issue from last meeting regarding sewer line connections.  Brian has spoken with Jim Sanders, SEO, regarding this issue.  To have to connect to the sewer main, you must be within 150’ of the line. Peter Fleming said if within 150’ home owner could be compelled to hook up but they would be going to a pressure line which may not make it feasible.  Solicitor Michetti spoke of the “Grandfather” clause that previously was for those having 10 or more acre tracts.  John Domanski also asked Brian if he could get information for our next meeting on the American Disabiity Act (ADA) Requirements for public buildings. Mayor John LaMotte researched the ADA requirements and read what he found regarding requirements to be met; Carolyn Bausch stated we do not need outside opener for the door.   Report was approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner, seconded by Peter Fleming and all voted for.
 
Dan Gable, Street Superintendent, then took the floor with the Street Report.  He stated the Flail Mower has been purchased and employees have been shown how it operates.  The tractor tires had to be filled to handle the weight of the mower.  Dan also highlighted on a possible scenario in the future regarding the gas company and home sewer lateral lines. The borough may be made responsible to locate home lateral lines.  Barb Kriner questioned about the sewer line work that was done on the tablets in the past and was informed that the home laterals are not on there; it is mostly manholes and storm drains.  Main lines are owned by the borough and makes us liable for them.  Discussion ensued as to who is responsible for line from home to main line.  Peter stated it is the home owner’s responsibility from home to street or edge of property line.  Barb asked about our sewer camera and Dan responded the camera can only go down so far.  Solicitor Michetti suggested we get our engineer involved to do the scope of our ditches and lines; he stated he had spoken with Dave Walters, LDG, and he passed him onto Chris Shaffer, LDG staff who was involved in our project in the past and could handle this project.   Barb Kriner stated if something is in the works, the borough should get a jump start on it and be pro-active .  Peter Fleming stated the companies that are in the borough, Chip Adams and RotoRooter could make the borough aware of pipe connections when they do work in the borough.
Dan then stated leaf collection has been going since the beginning of October and so far 16 loads of leaves have been gathered.  Residents should be patient as they canvas the borough to get the areas with the most leaves out for collection.  All areas of the borough are checked and collected.  The new drop site is working real well.  Dan also stated the Facebook page has negative comments; John Domanski stated the guys should only worry about Council not the comments on facebook.
 Carolyn Bausch stated there are always unhappy people and the good comments are not always put on.  Peter said the social media is for those who like to express themselves behind a curtain. Carolyn also commented to please not respond to any negative comments.  Peter Fleming continued that the street department has worked out their snow plowing, leaf collection and sewer work in a fine manner that works for the borough.  Street Report was approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner, seconded by Peter Fleming and approved by all.
 
Nick Fowler, Southside Fire Chief, then presented the fire company report.  He read the monthly figures from the report.  Nick stated the fire company has begun billing Rush and Mayberry Township for fire calls to their areas. Nick continued that of the four billed, three had no insurance.   Nick also said the annual Christmas Tree sale will begin on November 29th.    Report was approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by John Domanski.  All voted for.
 
Chief Kerry Parkes then presented the October Police Report.  Chief Parkes highlighted the trainings recently completed by his officers.  Officer Brad Harvey had been off for two weeks for the birth of his son, Chase David Harvey.  The Speed Sign had been in place in the West End area of the borough and Chief Parkes highlighted the numbers of speeders and the speed some had traveled coming through that area.  In 10 days over 8080 cars had traveled that road in the west bound direction. It was also noted the roadway had been closed a couple of days for bridge work.  The question was posed to Solicitor Michetti as to who was responsible for an empty property on D & H Avenue. Solicitor Michetti will research this property.  Chief Parkes stated he is waiting for end of year computations to see if he has enough funds to purchase a new computer for their office.  He has priced one out at about $4700.00.  He is also asking to have extra funds put into the Police Car CD for the purchase of their next vehicle.  Report was approved on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Barb Kriner.  All voted for.
 
Mayor John LaMotte spoke on his request for some updated playground equipment.  He had found two pieces of equipment.   Secretary Bausch has been in touch with Justin Skavery, Northumberland County, and he has begun a grant for us through WalMart.  We are hoping for some help with the possible $6000.00 cost for both pieces of equipment.  These pieces would be an addition to the park; the tether ball pole would be removed.  Report was approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by John Domanski.  All voted In favor. 
 
Solicitor Joseph Michetti then spoke about the project of the lines and possible ordinances.   He suggested the council should authorize the secretary to approve Chris Shaffer to meet with Dan and move forward with the project.  Solicitor Michetti said ordinances could be combined into one.  John Domanski questioned Solicitor Michetti on a statement on the sample ordinance on grass cutting he had provided previously – “Rebuttal of resumption”.  Solicitor Michetti then explained the terminology to be the action was presumed to have occurred.  Discussion also took place about enforcement which could be handled by Borough Police and Code Enforcement officer could be authorized via the ordinance.  Report was approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by John Domanski.  All voted for.
 
Under New Business, Mayor LaMotte questioned the No turn on Red sign for the intersection.  He was informed there had been a meeting with Penn Dot.  John Domanski stated we got the same answer for all our concerns, need a study done.  Engineers would need to be involved to make any change.  John further stated one good thing came from that meeting…the manholes on the bridge area were fixed. Peter questioned where the Welcome to Riverside sign is and was told it was being handled by Sudol paving.  We will get in touch with him.
 
Under Motion to Approve this evening was the Council Meeting dates for 2020.  Dates approved by Barb Kriner and seconded by John Domanski.  All voted in favor.
 
At approximately 7:45 pm, John Domanski made a Motion to Adjourn, seconded by Barb Kriner.
Council adjourned.
 
Respectfully Submitted:
 
Deborah Bausch
Secretary