4/7/2025 Meeting Minutes

RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President, Stephen Wagner.
 
Council members present: 
Peter Fleming, John Domanski, Barb Kriner, Ken Gardner and Mike Steimling Sr.
Also present was Solicitor Joseph Michetti, Mayor Todd Oberdorf, Dan Gable with the Street Department, Zoning Officer Brian Anderson and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Absent:
Delavan Whitenight Jr, Police Chief Kerry Parkes
 
Citizens present:
Drew Mumich, Rob Rickard & JW Snyder
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard:  
Citizens present to observe.
 
Old business:
John made a Motion to approve the Meeting Minutes of March 3rd. Ken seconded. All in Favor.
Attorney Michetti stated the vacant land at the former school property was sold to ‘Merck Sharp & Dohme, LLC’. John made a Motion to adopt a Resolution to authorize the sale and signatures on the settlement statement and necessary documents. Peter seconded. All in Favor. The land sold for $350,000.00. Closing will take place on April 9, 2025. Barb said, it was disappointing with Merck purchasing the land, because the intent to sell was to generate tax revenue, not a one-time income.
Ken questioned the status of selling the front seven acres of the former school property. Ken said a Motion he made at the January 20th meeting to sell the front seven acres carried. Steve mentioned the school building is a liability sitting there. Ken would like to sell the whole seven acres, John and Steve agreed. Steve asked Council members if we should sell ‘As Is’ or demolish the building first. Peter and John will contact Appraisers for proposals on having front seven acres appraised. John made a Motion to sell the whole seven acres at a public auction. Ken seconded. All in Favor.
Dan questioned the Right-of-Way, stating there is a driveway in the middle of Tract 3. Attorney Michetti stated the property owner(s) would be granted an Easement for that section of land. John made a Motion to obtain appraisals for the sale of the remaining former school property, as on the Hildebrand survey. Barb seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
 
Update on West End Sewer Replacement Project – there was a pre-construction meeting held on 2/27/2025, with Larson Design Group and Pact One representatives. Construction started the first week of April and shall be completed by 10/1/2025. All Easements have been signed by properties owners and notarized for filing. Steve ‘Thanked’ Dan and Lisa for the work they did in regards to getting sewer easements signed and notarized.
Dan stated he talks daily with Arnold from Pact One regarding the progress of the West End Sewer Replacement project. Arnold with Pact One and Adams Sewer & Drain Cleaning have located all the septic tanks. Logan Hile with the conservation district will be inspecting the soils.
 
Ken Gardner suggested taking $250,000.00 out of the Grant and put it into a CD. Mike said they should consider a high yield money market, one in which we would have access to when needed. This discussion was tabled until a future meeting.
 
Zoning Officer Report:
Brian Anderson read over his report. Brian stated there is a gentleman selling things out of his house, which is not permitted in the Borough. Ken questioned how that affects yard sales. Brian stated, you can have one yard sale per month in the Borough. John made a Motion to accept the Zoning report. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
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Street Department Report:
Dan Gable presented his report. Dan stated the backhoe radiator is leaking. He has contacted a gentleman to speak with Council member regarding a purchase of a backhoe. Dan said a John Deere backhoe is approximately $159,000.00; through Co-Stars it would be approximately $118,000.00. Dan stated up to 40% of Liquid Fuels money can be used to purchase a backhoe. The current backhoe could be placed on Municibid to sell.
Dan presented a list of roads in the Borough that need paved. Barb stated perhaps Hailstone Economics Grant Writers could help with a grant for a new backhoe. John said a drain pipe on Sunbury road, near the gun shop is rough, making the road bumpy. Dan will look at it.
Barb made a Motion to put the whole list out to bid, with John seconding the Motion. All in Favor.
Barb made a Motion to accept the Street Department report. John seconded. All in Favor.
 
Southside Fire Company Report:
None submitted.
 
Police Report:
Mayor, Todd Oberdorf read over the Police Report. In Kerry’s report, he stated Spring is coming and asked people to clean up their properties, remove any junk vehicles.
Barb made a Motion to accept the Police Report, with Ken seconding. All in Favor.
 
Mayor’s Report:
Todd read over his report for the month of March. He met with the Police department for preliminary contract negotiations. Met the Intern working with the Police.
Todd stated he received the ‘WARN’ notice from Merck, regarding the closing. Rode with Dan Gable from the Street department to review problem areas on roadways for paving. Todd also met with the BoroLife committee.
Todd stated he would like to recognize Southside Firefighter, George Wolf Jr for his 62 years of service and congratulated him on the State award that was recently presented to George.
Barb made a Motion to accept the Mayor’s report. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 
Solicitor Michetti Report:
Attorney Michetti stated he will be doing a Bring-down search on the highest delinquent sewer accounts and will then advise Council.
Attorney Michetti suggested to Council that they consider updating the zoning ordinances. He said Solar is a topic. Barb asked if municipalities get a discount on power if solar is installed. Attorney Michetti said, no. Some areas get $3,500.00 per acre to lease land out for solar.
Ken asked Attorney Michetti if he checked on the information from a collection agency regarding our delinquent sewer accounts. Attorney Michetti stated the collection agency cannot do anything more than we are doing now. John suggested to stay the course to see how payments come in and if the delinquent amount goes up, then we can re-visit the collection company.
Barb made a Motion to accept the Solicitor’s report. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 
Borough Life:
Barb said they met with the Mayor on 3/27. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt at the Southside Fire Company on April 19th at 10:00am.
Community yard sale will be on July 11th and 12th. Sign up forms can be picked up in the Borough office.
The Parade of Lights will be moved to a Sunday this year.
They are planning a 250 Anniversary celebration to be held on June 13, 2026.
John made a Motion to accept the Borough Life report. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 
New Business:
Peter mentioned he will be meeting, with the ‘DAR’, (Daughters of the American Revolution) at 10:00am on April 17th  to discuss the Gearhart sign installation.
 
Motion to Approve:
Digitizing office records – Lisa will get an update proposal for a future meeting.
Memorial Day Service will be hold in the Borough Park on Sunday, May 25th at 1:00pm.
Barb made a Motion to sign “The Proclamation for America 250 PA”. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 
Action Items:
None.
 
At 9:15pm, Mike made a Motion to go into Executive Session for personal matters. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
 
Council went back into Public Session at 10:11pm.
 
Mike made a Motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:12pm.  John seconded. All in Favor.
 
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Fritz
Secretary