9/15/2025 Council Meeting Minutes

RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, September 15, 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 Mayor Todd Oberdorf, Kerry Parkes Chief of Police and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Absent:
Delavan Whitenight
 
Citizens present:
Rob Rickard and JW Snyder
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard:  
 
Old business:
Peter made a Motion to accept the meeting Minutes of 8/4/2025. Ken seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
 
Street Department Report:
Steve mentioned that there is currently no place to dump leaves this year, as the previous land owner does not want any leaves dumped on their property anymore. Danville Borough will permit Riverside to dump up to 20 loads, normal loads are around 60. Steve contacted Merck to see if leaves could be dumped on the back seven (7) acres of the former school property they purchased.
 
Southside Fire Company Report:
Barb stated that Mr & Mrs Timothy Karr and Villager Realty donated $250,000.00 to the Fire company. They were able to pay off the fire engine truck in the amount of $140,000.00. The remaining balance was placed in an account for a new tanker truck purchase. Barb ‘Thanked’ the Karrs’ and Villager employees for the generous donation. J
Ken made a Motion to accept the report, with Mike seconding. All in Favor.
 
Police Report:
Kerry stated that National Night Out was a huge success, they gave away several bikes that night. Kerry stated he had to purchase three (3) tablets for the mandatory Windows 11 upgrade. Kerry presented Council with a resignation letter from Police Officer, Eamon Shoff, effective Friday, September 19, 2025; as Eamon has taken another position. Steve said Eamon was a well-liked Police Officer. Kerry stated he would like to replace the position with a full-time Officer, having two shifts on weekends. Mike asked Kerry if a part-time officer would work. Kerry stated he would like to our officer on for two shifts on the weekends. Barb said a part-timer would most likely have a full time job somewhere else and would not be available if needed. Barb feels the Borough needs to replace the position with a full-time officer, and feels it is very beneficial to the Borough. Kerry stated he would like Council to make a conditional offer of employment at December’s Council meeting. Resident, Rob Rickard questioned if any of the current officers need training that Eamon had. Kerry stated Eamon was a ‘Car Seat Inspector’. Council decided to further discuss the police officer position at a future meeting. Barb made a Motion to accept Eamon Shoff’s resignation. Mike seconded. All in Favor.
Ken asked resident Rob Rickard what his perspective on the whole sewer project is; Rob said rocks were not cleared up and some rocks are surfacing up through the ground. Rob also said a lot of the paving was just base material, not black top, they just tarred around some areas. Rob said overall, people were pleased with how quickly the sewer project went.
Ken asked Council members if the basement issue was fixed at Mr. Haas’s property. Steve stated it was taken cre of.
John mentioned there is a speeding issue in the Borough. He said vehicles are driving very fast. Mike also said traffic is going very fast. Peter said vehicles are using alleyways to try to get around morning commute traffic. John stated, we need a plan for traffic control. John made a Motion to accept the Police report. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
Mayor’s Report:
Todd mentioned how well the Gearhart Park dedication went, approximately 80+ people were in attendance. Todd said mulch was put in place and the letters on the marker were repainted by Karla Bloskey. Todd met the BoroLife committee regarding the PA250 celebration, they will probably hold a celebration on Flag Day in June 2026. Todd stated that three people got together and mowed the Kase cemetery. They were: Bruce Earlston from Danville, Scott Wintersteen from Rush Township and Brian Brosious from Riverside. They bagged up the grass and took it home because there was no-where to dump it. Steve stated, the Borough needs help with grass dumping. John suggested to check with Merck. Barb said maybe a small amount could be put behind the Fire Company towards the wooded area.
Barb made a Motion to accept the report. John seconded. All in Favor.
 
Motion to Approve:
Ken made a Motion to accept the proposal from Hilly Ridge for a generator at the municipal building and the electrical hook-up for the generator from Martin, with getting another estimate for the gas line installation. Mike seconded the Motion. All in Favor. John made a Motion to get gas line run to the generator with an estimate not to exceed $2,200.00. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
Barb made a Motion to accept the 2026 Financial and Minimum Municipal Obligation Report. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
Barb made a Motion to set ‘Trick-or-Treat’ night on Friday, October 31st from 6:00pm until 9:00pm. Mike seconded the Motion. All in Favor. Barb also mentioned the BoroLife committee will be doing “Halloween in the Park” on 10/31.
 
In other Business; Steve said a water conditioner was installed in the Municipal building on Friday, September 12th. Steve is looking into a Reverse Osmosis water filtration system.
John suggested the Borough should have a Liaison with Merck due to the fact they will be shutting the plant down. Mike suggested to have the Borough’s Solicitor send a letter to Merck.
Steve told Council Members that there was a statement in the Press Enterprise’s 30 Second Column signed by Terry Gearhart, complaining about Steve Wagner and Council. Terry said he did not call or send an email to the 30 Second column and he has contacted the State Police for investigation on who signed his name.
Barb commented on vacating Streets/ Alleyways by asking if it would affect the Liquid Fuels allotment the Borough receives.
Municipal Grant Seminar on October 1st at the Montour County Administration building in Danville will be attended by Secretary Lisa Fritz, Council Members Ken Gardner, Barb Kriner and Peter Fleming.
 
At 8:10pm, Mike made a Motion to go into Executive Session for personal issues. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
 
Council went back into Public Session at 8:57pm.
 
Mike made a Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:58pm.  Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 
Respectfully Submitted;
  Lisa Fritz, Secretary