9/18/2023 Minutes

RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, September 18, 2023 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President John Domanski.
Council members present: 
Vice President Barb Kriner, Peter Fleming and Brian Whitenight. 
Also present was Secretary Lisa Fritz.
Absent: April Shuman, Beth Rake and Delavan Whitenight, Jr.
Citizen present was Ken Gardner
Pledge of Allegiance
Resident Ken Gardner stated he was happy to see Council acting on a solution for the Vulture situation. He questioned why they were not going in other directions regarding the birds. John Domanski stated we must follow USDA’s recommendations’ first, as per State guidelines. The first step is for the food sources to be removed; such as placing trash bags in containers and outdoor animal food(s) removed. Brian Whitenight stated other areas also have vulture issues.
Old business:
Approval of the minutes of September 5, 2023. Barb Kriner approved the minutes upon the following added language to the Street Department Report: The issue of salting the intersections and hills has been addressed numerous times in the past; therefore, it will no longer be the practice to ONLY salt intersections and hills. The Street Department should salt all roads where needed to keep residents safe.
Peter Fleming seconded the Motion.  Approved by all.
Borough Life:
Postcards will be mailed out soon. Brian stated the fireworks for the Iron Heritage were postponed due to inclement weather, they were re-scheduled for Saturday, October 28th at 9:00pm. Trick-or-Treat Night has been moved to Saturday, October 28th from 6pm-9pm, as Council received requests from residents to move Trick-or-Treat night from a weeknight, 10/31 to the weekend. Peter made a motion to accept the Borough Life report, with Barb seconding. All in favor.
New Business:
A notice was received from the Borough of Danville regarding fee increases for the maintenance of the pump stations. John Domanski would like to meet with Danville Borough Council members to discuss the increases. John will set up a meeting in the future. He would also like Peter Fleming, Brian Whitenight, Dan Gable and Eric Mayan to attend. Barb made a Motion to talk with Danville regarding the increase in maintenance fees. Brian seconded. All in Favor. Brian said that perhaps one of Riverside Street Department employees could be trained or certified to do the testing/work that Danville now does. Barb Kriner stated Danville would most likely want an outside company to do the testing. Eric Mayan does check the pump stations every day.
John D mentioned a registered letter received from Merck/Cherokee Pharmaceuticals giving notice they have filed a ‘Notice of Intent’ with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission requesting a reduced surface water withdrawal quantity for an extension of four additional years and nine months (through 2028). Resident, Ken Gardner questioned if the letter is an indication that Merck will cease operation(s)? John Domanski stated, it could possibly be in 2024; however, there will be a small crew into the future. Barb stated the Borough would lose taxes and sewer monies received from Merck once they close.
Motion to Approve:
Nothing to approve.
Action Items:
Recycling – Riverside Borough could pay Danville Borough $600.00 per month for Riverside Borough residents to take recycling to Danville’s bins. Brian feels recycling should be in Riverside, because he didn’t feel many residents would want to go over to Danville. Brian is going to check on other avenues for recycling in Riverside. The discussion was tabled by John Domanski until a future meeting. Barb stated Danville borough bills everyone for recycling.  Brian Whitenight made a Motion to table the recycling issue for now, with Barb seconding the motion. All in favor.
Barb made a Motion to go into Executive Session at 7:46pm. Brian seconded. All in Favor.
At 8:10pm, Barb made a Motion to go back into regular session. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
John Domanski set a meeting for Wednesday, September 20th at 8:00am with Peter Fleming, Dan Gable and Eric Mayan to discuss the Danville Pump Station and get some input so they can schedule a meeting with Danville Borough to further discuss the increase.
A Town Informational meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 10th, 6pm at St. Peter’s Church. State Representatives, County Commissioners, Engineers and a Grant Writer have been invited to speak. A notice will be placed on the Borough’s Facebook page, the website and in the Press Enterprise.
Brian Whitenight made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Barb seconded the motion. Council adjourned at 8:13 o’clock pm.
 
Respectfully Submitted: 
Lisa Fritz
Secretary