9/5/2023 Meeting Minutes

​RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President John Domanski.
 
Council members present: 
Vice President Barb Kriner, Peter Fleming, Brian Whitenight, Delavan Whitenight, April Shuman and Beth Rake.
Also present were Solicitor Attorney Joseph Michetti, Chief of Police Kerry Parkes, Street Superintendent Dan Gable and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Absent from Meeting:
Mayor John LaMotte and Zoning Officer Brian Anderson.
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard:
Resident, Scott Oldfield, proposed for an increase in the number of chickens (up to six) be permitted in the Borough, as he finds 2 chickens are inadequate. Peter Fleming asked if he had any roosters, Mr Oldfield stated he only has hens. Resident, Mary Beth Palmer stated her chickens are pets. Resident, Jillian Johnson owns 2.5 lots and has 16 chickens. Resident, Sara Ombongi sent a letter to Council stating she owns one (1) acre of land and has four (4) chickens; permissible according to § 285-36. Sara stated chickens are a benefit in many ways.
Solicitor, Attorney Michetti stated according to § 285-36, properties under 20,000 square feet (approximately ½ acre) are limited to two (2) chickens. One acre is 43,560 square feet.
 
Resident, Leah Tedford asked if something could be done regarding the tractor trailer trucks damaging properties in Riverside. She would like to see signs prohibiting trucks from entering the Borough. She has contacted PennDot and was told a study would need to be done, the Borough would have to hire an Engineering Firm to do the study. Several residents have experienced property damage from these drivers following their navigation and not reading signs. There are signs in the Borough. John Domanski stated the Borough will contact firms to inquire about a traffic study.
 
Resident, J.W. Synder complimented the Street Department for repairing a dip in the road on Blue Hill Drive, saying it was taken care of within two (2) days of his request. Mr Snyder also stated the Borough has a great Street Department whom takes their jobs to heart. He also complimented the Police Department for their work and how quickly they respond.
 
Old Business:
Minutes of 8/7/2023 were read.
Beth Rake made a motion to approve the Minutes, Peter Fleming seconded the Motion. All in favor.
 
Zoning Officer Report:
Brian Anderson’s report was looked over by Council, as he was not in attendance.
Beth Rake made a motion to approve the Zoning Report, Brian Whitenight seconded. All in favor.
 
Street Department Report:
Dan Gable presented his report. He stated they had to board up some windows at the former school property, as the windows were broken out. For the start of school, they painted the road markings at the school, Stop Bars and the Railroad crossings. Dan also mentioned he has received many compliments on the Boyce Road repair work. John Domanski asked Dan if the Salt quota was met last year, Dan stated it was. But there is plenty of salt left to start the season with. Dan stated we are responsible to purchase 60% of the allotment specified. Barb Kriner stated 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 made a motion to accept the Street Department report, with Barb seconding. All in Favor.
 
Southside Fire Company Report:
Barb stated there has not been any property damage.
Beth made a motion to accept the fire company report. Brian seconded. All in Favor.
 
Police Report:
Kerry Parkes presented his report, he stated a Medical Marijuana Enforcement Grant is being worked on. This will pay to send an officer for Drug Recognition Expert training. Kerry state the National Night Out was a huge success again this year.
Brian motioned to accept the Police report, Barb seconded. All in favor.
 
Mayor’s Report:
No report was submitted.
 
Solicitor Michetti Report:
Attorney Michetti commented on the “Right-of-Way”; stating it is the Borough’s responsibility to maintain the Right-of-Way areas.
Brian made a motion to accept the Solicitor’s report, with Beth seconding. All in Favor.
 
Borough Life:
A resident made a comment on the Borough’s Facebook page asking if Trick-or-Treat Night could be moved to Saturday, 28th from 6:00 – 9:00pm versus on Halloween night, the 31st . Beth Rake stated she will check with the Boy Scout Troop to see if they would mind changing to the 28th.
Upcoming events are Halloween and the Parade of Lights on December 9th at 5:30pm.
Barb made a motion to accept the Borough Life report, Brian seconded. All in Favor.
 
New Business:
West End Sewer Project is moving along. Danville Borough has signed the documents needed.
John Domanski mentioned the Borough will start to enforce its’ Ordinance regarding Trash due to the vulture issue. Trash must be placed in containers, with a lid. There will be an ad in the Press Enterprise and the Daily Item reminding residents to use containers for their trash. Barb made a motion to place an ad in two (2) newspapers regarding the trash ordinance. Beth seconded the motion. All in Favor.
 
Motion to Approve:
The MailChimp email program was rejected by Motion of Barb Kriner, with Beth Rake seconding. All in Favor.
Brian Whitenight made a motion, Ratifying the Action, permitting the Danville Cheer Leaders to place ribbons on the bridge for the start of football season. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
Barb made a motion to permit DAR (Daughters’ of the American Revolution) to place a Danville Ferry Crossing Historical Marker in Riverside. Brian seconded the motion. All in Favor.
 
Action Items:
Vultures – Council is waiting for an estimate to have USDA come in and trap the vultures.
John Domanski would like to hold a town Hall Meeting in the future to update residents about projects in the Borough.
 
Executive Session:
At 8:36pm, Barb made a motion to move into Executive session. Brian seconded. All in Favor.
 
At 9:18pm, Brian made a motion to go back into Regular Session. Beth seconded the motion. All in Favor.
 
John Domanski appointed Brian Whitenight to oversee the Street Department.
Dan Gable will report directly to Brian.
 
Barb made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Brian seconded the motion.
Council adjourned at 9:20 o’clock pm.
 
Respectfully Submitted:
Lisa Fritz
Secretary