10/21/2024 Meeting Minutes

RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, October 21, 2024 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by Pro-Tem, John Domanski.
 
Council members present: 
Barb Kriner, Ken Gardner and Mike Steimling, Sr.
Also present was Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Absent:
Steve Wagner, Peter Fleming, Delavan Whitenight, Jr and Mayor John LaMotte
 
Citizens present:
Todd Oberdorf, Oliver and Maighread Kelly
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard:  
Resident, Oliver Kelly ‘Thanked’ the Borough for patching the tennis court. He asked if there are any plans to resurface the court. Barb Kriner said they will look into getting quotes and discuss it next year. Resident, Maighread Kelly asked Council if the sale of the former school property was the whole parcel. Barb stated they were only selling the seven (7) acres behind the school building.
 
Old business:
Ken Gardner made a Motion to approve the 10/7/2024 Meeting Minutes. Barb Kriner seconded. All in Favor.
Sewer Inspection Fee Schedule Update – John Domanski spoke with Brian Anderson regarding the fees. Brian explained that the fees were set by Council back with the help of Jackie Hart when she worked for Danville Borough.
John stated the Grant for guardrails along Pine Swamp Hollow Road has been postponed until November.
Barb asked if a new kiosk was ordered. John suggested to just order new white lettering, stating the kiosk is not in too bad of shape.
 
Borough Life:
Barb said Council members will be providing treats in the Park at the Municipal building on Halloween night, 10/31 from 6:00pm until 9:00pm. They will have hotdogs, hot chocolate, warm cider and candy.
 
New Business:
None to discuss.
 
Motion to Approve:
Barb made a Motion to Award the Sewer Project Bid from Pact One, LLC from Ringoes NJ in the amount of $1,166,050.00. Mike seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Ken made a Motion to accept Hess’s Auctioneering proposal for the sale of the seven acres behind the former school building provided if the bids do not make the reserve amount, Hess’s will not charge any other fees than the advertising. Mike seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Barb made a Motion to accept for fees the Tax Collector has set for tax certifications and duplicate bill fees. Ken seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
 
Action Items:
None.
Executive Session:
7:24pm, Ken made a Motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
7:27pm, Barb made a Motion to go back into regular session, Mike seconded. All in Favor.
 
Ken stated the preliminary budget has a deficit of $175,000.00. 2024 budget had deficit of $56,000.00. Ken stated the Borough has an unusual situation with Merck/Cherokee closing and demolishing some buildings; therefore, it is a guess at what income will be lost from Merck/Cherokee. Currently, they have approximately 176 employees. The Borough will also lose some Earned Income Tax and Local Service Taxes as a result of Merck/Cherokee closing. John stated Merck/Cherokee operations are to cease by March 2025. Mike said they plan to close by April 2025.
Medical Insurance, Liability and Workman’s Comp is estimated to increase by 5% in 2025. The budget is going to be very tight for 2025.
 
John made a Motion to adjourn at 8:05pm. Mike seconded. All in Favor.
Respectfully Submitted:
Lisa Fritz, Secretary