Approved April 3, 2023 Meeting Minutes

​RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, April 3, 2023 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President John Domanski.
 
Council members present: 
Vice President Barb Kriner, Peter Fleming, Brian Whitenight, April Shuman and Beth Rake. 
Also present were Solicitor Joseph Michetti Jr., Chief of Police Kerry Parkes, Street Superintendent Dan Gable and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Absent from Meeting:
Delavan Whitenight, Council Member; John LaMotte, Mayor and Zoning Officer, Brian Anderson.
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard:
Kay Shade, Andy & Gretchen Knouse and Ken Gardner.
Gretchen and Andy Knouse Thanked the Borough for choosing their property to install the ‘Welcome To Riverside’ sign. They plan to plant some small bushes/flowers around the posts. John Domanski spoke with Dan Merrill regarding plants, he suggested some slow growing plants.
 
Kay Shade stated the noise from the fireworks on Saturday evening 4/1, went on for an awful long time. Brian Whitenight was doing a State mandated PGI (Pyrotechnics Guild International) from 7:00pm until 8:55pm. Andy Knouse questioned why there were fireworks in the afternoon. Brian stated those fireworks were a PGI course for new applicants whom must get certified to set off fireworks. Brian stated it was posted on FaceBook and other social media sites that fireworks were going to be set off. Barb Kriner suggested it be advertised next time. Resident Kay Shade is concerned about what is being done to the community of Riverside, she said it used to be a quiet, peaceful place to live. Brian stated that the gusty winds will cause a louder noise with the fireworks. Brian said that distance and safety is covered for the fireworks.
 
Resident, Ken Gardner stated he was in attendance to observe. He did feel the noise was ridiculous and felt the fireworks went on for a long time.
Andy Knouse asked if he could set off fireworks in his yard. Brian said no, due to the fact you need to have a 150 foot clearance. However, fountains and low ground fireworks sold in stores are legal. John Domanski stated fireworks must be within the confinements of the State Law. Kerry stated consumer fireworks are legal. The noise ordinance for the Borough is ‘No Noise during the hours of 10:00pm until 10:00am’. Kerry and Brian are working on updating the Borough Code to match the State Law.
 
Old Business:
Minutes of 3/20/2023 were read. Brian Whitenight made a motion to approve the Minutes, Barb Kriner seconded the Motion. All in favor.
Barb Kriner made a Motion to accept the Minutes of the 3/1/2023 meeting with Larson Design group. Peter Fleming seconded. All in Favor.
 
Zoning Officer Report:
Beth Rake made a motion to approve the Zoning Report, Barb Kriner seconded. All in favor.
 
Street Department Report:
Dan Gable read over his report. Dan is getting another quote for a generator from DMS. Dan stated there is sediment build-up on Sabra Way and he believes it is the responsibility of the Home Owners Association to clean the detention pond. John Domanski recommended a certified letter be sent to the home owners in Sabra Way to have the retention pond cleaned out on a regular basis.
Beth Rake suggested pot holes on Sunbury Rd be filled in when possible.
Beth Rake made a motion to accept the Street Department report. Peter Fleming seconded the motion. All in favor.
 
Southside Fire Company Report:
Brian Whitenight “Thanked” the Fire Company for going to the fireworks testing on Saturday, April 1st. The Southside Fireman’s Carnival is May 23rd through May 27th. The Pet & Toy Parade will be held on Wednesday, May 24th. Local Bands will play music every evening.
Peter Fleming made a motion to accept the report and Brian Whitenight seconded the motion. All in favor.
 
Police Report:
Kerry Parkes read his report. Kerry stated Northumberland County no longer has HMR Department for mental health issues. The Police Department was not awarded the ‘Local Law Enforcement Grant’ this year. Kerry plans to meet with Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver to discuss why Northumberland County Police Departments did not receive the Grant. Kerry asked Council if he could contact the Grant Writer to do grants for the Police Department. Solicitor, Attorney Michetti suggested he contact the Grant Writer to check on their scope of work and what the additional fees might be. John Domanski feels the Borough should ask the Grant Writer to work on Grants for the Sewer projects. Kerry mentioned SCAMS; the FBI does not require Green Dot transfers to unlock your computer. Social Security does not call your house to ask for your information, as they have it. Kerry reminded people that Spring is around the corner and the Police will be enforcing the ‘Quality of Life’ program, so residents need to do their spring cleaning. Resident, Ken Gardner questioned the meaning of spring cleaning. He stated there are dilapidated structures that need addressed. Kerry said blighted properties are the responsibility of the Zoning/Code Officer. Barb Kriner said, “Our Police Department does an amazing job patrolling the area and in potential dangerous situations.”
Barb Kriner motioned to accept the Police report, Peter Fleming seconded. All in favor.
 
Mayor’s Report:
No report was submitted.
 
Solicitor Michetti Report:
Attorney Michetti recommended the Borough maintain and or replace the lights on the bridge, as per the agreement between the Borough and PennDot. Dan Gable stated the old boxes are obsolete and new LED lighting is recommended. Dan will get quotes for both the boxes and the LED lights. Riverside has 6 lights located on the bridge. Barb made a motion to replace the boxes and the lights, not to exceed $11,000.00. Barb Kriner made a motion to accept the Solicitors Report, with Peter Fleming seconding. All in Favor.
 
Borough Life:
There is a Basket Raffle being held. Drawing is immediately after the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8th, 10:00am, at the Southside Fire Company. Beth Rake made a motion to accept the Borough Life report, Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 
New Business:
Boy Scout Troop 33 will be collecting items for Dumpster Day for members of St. Peter’s Church that are Riverside residents. The Boy Scouts will take the items to the dumpsters. John Domanski proposed that Dan Gable be in charge of Dumpster Day. Barb made a motion to have Dan supervise Dumpster Day. Brian seconded. All in Favor.
 
Motion to Approve:
Replacement of two (2) “No Left Turn Signs” was accepted from TRA Electric in the amount of $8,780.00. Barb Kriner made a motion to accept the estimates, with Brian Whitenight seconding the motion. All in favor. The Solicitor opened a sealed envelope containing a quote for manhole replacement in the amount of $12,000.00. There was also another quote received from USG in the amount of $70,000.00. John Domanski recommended that all 12 manholes replaced. Brian Whitenight made a motion to accept the quote from Adams Drain and Cleaning in the amount of $12,000.00. Beth Rake seconded the motion. All in Favor.
 
 
Action Items:
PennDot Traffic Study; a letter was received from PennDot stating they would do the decal on the roadway coming East, but the Borough must purchase the decal and maintain the marking. Danville has road markings for RT 11, but PennDot maintains that marking. Barb Kriner stated Danville’s PennDot representative is a local person and Riverside has a representative from outside the area for Northumberland County. John Domanski would like to set up a meeting with PennDot Officials to further discuss the roadway markings.  
A letter was received from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection approving the sewage development for the Pine Hurst Acres Subdivision.
Pump Station Generator - Danville Borough sent a quote for a new generator in the amount of $125,000.00. Dan Gable is getting a second quote for a new generator. Peter Fleming asked if Riverside could re-visit the contract with Danville Borough.
Employee Handbook – April Shuman stated the employee handbook is almost updated. Council will review and vote on approval of the updated Employee Handbook at the May Council Meeting.
 
Executive Session:
At 8:25pm, Barb made a motion to move into Executive session. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 
At 8:42pm, Brian made a motion to go back into Regular Session. Beth seconded the motion. All in Favor. Barb Kriner suggested to nullify the Borough Manager Ordinance. Council decided to table the discussion until the next meeting. No Action was taken.
 
Beth made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Brian seconded the motion. Council adjourned at 8:45 o’clock pm.
 
Respectfully Submitted:
Lisa Fritz
Secretary