Riverside Borough

A zippered hoodie was found in the Riverside park this morning and can be claimed in the office.  Our lost and found is growing already this year - two sweaters, glasses, sunglasses, hat and gloves.  Stop in the office to claim your items.
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The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 301 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, April 3, 2017.  The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President John J. Novak.  In attendance this evening were Vice President Peter Fleming, Council Members Carolyn Bausch, Caressa Compton, Beth Hancock, Barb Kriner and John Domanski.  Solicitor Joseph Michetti, Mayor Joseph Oberdorf and Secretary Deborah Bausch were in attendance also.
 
In the audience this evening were Karen Blackledge from the Danville News and Dave Decoteau.
Mr. Decoteau spoke to council regarding his property at 100 D & H Avenue.  He has found an engineer to do the elevations on his property.  He inquired about a demo permit and was informed my Brian Anderson, Zoning officer, that a permit could be obtained.  President Novak reminded Mr. Decoteau action must be taken by April 30, 2017.
 
Minutes of March 20, 2017 were approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by Carolyn Bausch.  All voted in favor.
 
Council then began discussing the gas furnace for the office building.  Quotes received were discussed and it was requested we have prices for all vendors to replace ductwork.  Secretary will contact vendors for updates; it was put back on the table until next meeting per a Motion made by Caressa Compton; seconded by Barb Kriner with all voting in favor.
 
Brian Anderson, Zoning Officer, then presented his report for March.  Sewer inspections were discussed; he stated 4 out of 5 sewers have failed the inspections and will need repaired before property can be sold.   Brian Anderson also discussed the property of Mr. Donald Cook; a criminal complaint will be filed to make his code enforcement issue a misdemeanor to get a hearing set before the district judge.  Zoning report was approved on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Barb Kriner; all voted for.
 
Police Chief Kerry Parkes discussed his report for March.  Officer Brad Harvey has completed his SFST certification.  He stated 4 candidates took the written test with 3 advancing to the physical agility exam today.  Chief Parkes also inquired about an addition to our Solicitation Permits.  One company has requested an additional day and was willing to pay for the day; however the Solicitor states we would need to amend our ordinance which was not advised.  Report was approved on a Motion by Caressa Compton and seconded by Peter Fleming.  All voted in favor.
 
The Southside Fire Company report was given to council.  Chief Nick Fowler was unable to attend the meeting this evening.
 
Mayor Joe Oberdorf stated he has a speaker for the Memorial Day Service on May 28th.  Mr. T.S. Scott will be the guest speaker.  Secretary will work on getting a tent for the day’s event so band and attendees are not in the hot sun for the program.  Report approved on a Motion from Caressa Compton, seconded by Peter Fleming.  All voted for.
 
Solicitor Joseph Michetti then addressed council.  He has 15 Municipal Liens to be filed for delinquent sewers in the borough.  Several accounts were paid up when the residents received their certified mail.
Sewer ordinance regarding inspections is working in the borough.  Report was approved on a Motion made by Carolyn Bausch and seconded by Beth Hancock.  All voted for approval.
 
Under new business, the first item was readdressing for a new lane in the Borough.  Residents of Boyce Road had not responded to a request from the 911 CIS office to select a name for their road.  Council came up with several suggestions and after much discussion, a vote was taken with the new name to be Coyote Lane.   Solicitor’s Report was approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by Beth Hancock.   All voted in favor.
 
The next two new business items were relating to support of two PSAB Resolutions.  The first would be to support Police departments to use Radar to enforce local speed limits.  Resolution of support was approved on a Motion by Carolyn Bausch, seconded by Barb Kriner with all voting in favor.  The second resolution was in support of small games of chance for community charitable organizations.  This Resolution was approved on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Barb Kriner.  All voted for the Resolution.
 
Last new business item of discussion was the Elected Auditors.  It was suggested the Borough hire an outside firm to do the annual audit. Carolyn Bausch stated an outside auditor would present a more consistent audit.  Mayor Joe Oberdorf added that as an auditor for many years, he would recommend an outside firm be hired to do the audit.  Secretary will contact some local agencies for a price to do the audit.  Elected auditor office would be abolished if the Borough hires an outside firm. 
 
At approximately 7:51 pm, Council adjourned to an Executive Session on a Motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by Carolyn Bausch.  All voted in favor.  Regular Council session adjourned.
 
Executive Session was closed and Regular Council session reopened on a Motion by Caressa Compton and seconded by Peter.  Executive session ended at approximately 8:47 pm.
 
Regular Council Session was adjourned for the evening on a Motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by Beth Hancock at approximately 8:55 pm.
 
Next Council meeting will be held on TUESDAY, April 18, 2017 due to the Easter Holiday.
 
Respectfully Submitted:
Deborah Bausch
Secretary

​Rural Fire Assistance Grants Available for Area Stations
By Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-Northumberland/Snyder)
To assist Pennsylvania’s small, rural communities better guard against the threat of fire in forested, undeveloped and unprotected areas, applications for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are now available for federal grants. Applications are due by May 18.
These grants are designed to facilitate a partnership with state officials to organize, train and equip local forces in preventing, controlling and suppressing fires that have the potential to threaten human life, livestock, crops, pastures, woodlands, orchards and farmsteads.
Rural areas or communities with fewer than 10,000 residents can apply for the grants. Funding can be used for the purchase of wildfire suppression equipment, wildfire protective gear, wildfire prevention and mitigation, wildfire training, mobile or portable radios and installation of dry hydrants.
The funds may also be used for conversion and maintenance of federal surplus property vehicles. The vehicles are presented to local departments exhibiting the greatest needs and those that commit to outfitting them for fire suppression.
Financial assistance on any project during any fiscal year cannot exceed 50 percent of the actual expenditures, including those of local, public and private nonprofit organizations participating in the agreement. The maximum grant that will be considered is $7,500 ($15,000 total project) per fire company. The grants are made available in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
To expedite the application and decision-making process, DCNR is accepting only online applications for the program. For complete grant guidelines or to apply, visit www.LyndaCulver.com and click on the “DCNR Fire Assistance Grants” link.
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As approved at the April 3, 2017 Meeting, minutes of March 20, 2017 follow:

The Riverside Borough Council met on Monday, March 20, 2017 in the Municipal Building, 301 Dewart Street, Riverside, PA.  The meeting was called to order promptly at 7:00 pm by President Pro Tempore Carolyn Bausch.  Present this evening in addition to Carolyn Bausch were Caressa Compton, Barb Kriner and John Domanski.  Absent this evening were President John Novak, Vice President Peter Fleming, Council Member Beth Hancock and Mayor Joe Oberdorf.  Secretary Deborah Bausch was present.
 
In the audience this evening were Bob Stoudt, MARC Director and his son Ben Stoudt.  Also present were Reporter Karen Blackledge and Chris Henrie.
 
Bob Stoudt addressed council with proposed signage for the proposed boat launching area off D & H Avenue.    Discussion ensued and Caressa Compton noted the area should be made available to unload/load any boats/kayaks in the area leading down the ramp.  No Parking signs were marked where they would be placed to avoid using the road along D & H Avenue which has heavy truck traffic into the Merck plant.   Questions were presented to Dan Gable, Street Superintendent regarding the area around the Danville Pump Station.  Bob explained there will be no digging or dirt removal to pave the area as this would require a permit of around $3,000.00; instead the area will be a carry in access.  On a Motion by Caressa Compton and seconded by Barb Kriner, approval was given to go forward with signage with a revision to include 15 minute load/unload sign.  All voted for.
 
Under old business, the Minutes of March 6, 2017 were approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by Caressa Compton.  All voted in favor.
 
The Financial Reports for February 2017 were approved on a Motion by Caressa Compton and seconded by Barb Kriner.  All voted for.
 
Dan Gable, Street Superintendent, then took the floor to give the Street report.  The major snow storm was very taxing on the Street Department crew.  Extra help would have been a help to the guys but they did the best they could and had several issues with trucks during the snow storm; lots of time was spent shoveling out trucks and trying to keep roads clear.  Less snow would have been better according to Dan!   Carolyn Bausch stated she has had nothing but positive feedback on the job done on our streets. 
Dan and crew are going to put a plan together so they are more prepared if this event should happen again.  Trying to get to all the areas of the borough with a 3 man crew was not an easy task; priority concern was the main roads and then the other areas were plowed. Council has asked Dan to put together an expectations list for handling this scenario in times to come.  Bringing on help for snow plowing was discussed as to what liability would be incurred as far as pay and workers comp payments.  This will be revisited with the budget meetings.   Dan Gable then also spoke of the bridge lights.  We are responsible for approximately 34 lights on the bridge; Mahoning Township has the cost of the other side of the bridge.  Electricians Seidel and Cero are putting together a quote to replace the bridge lights with LED lighting.  Right now there are grants and programs there to offset the costs. Dan explained the LED lights do not have a ballast to go bad.  To replace the bulb and ballast at the current set up would be about $500 per light pole.  The LED lights would also be a savings on the current electric bill.  It was requested that more quotes be received and also Dan will speak with the Street Department in Mahoning Township to see if we can work out something together.  Street Department report approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner; seconded by John Domanski and approved by all.
 
Dumpster day for the Borough was set for May 6, 2017 from 7 am - 3 pm at the Borough garage.  John Domanski inquired about advertising.  This will be advertised in the Danville News and Bloomsburg Press as well as our webpage and Facebook page.  Dumpster Day approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by Caressa Compton.  All voted in favor.
 
Quotes were discussed to upgrade the heating system in the Borough Building to a new gas furnace; three quotes were received but not all have the same data.  Dan Gable will check with a vendor to get clarification on his quote.  On a Motion by Caressa Compton and seconded by Barb Kriner, the matter has been tabled until the next meeting to select a vendor.  John Domanski opposed the motion; Carolyn Bausch voted for the Motion.  Matter has been tabled until April 3, 2017.
 
Invoices from the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia Montour Visitor’s Bureau were received for membership dues.  These entities have separated from each other.  It was decided to continue our membership with the Chamber; however there was not much interaction for Riverside on the Visitor’s Bureau site and it was felt that we would not join that membership.
 
At approximately 7:50 pm, Barb Kriner made a Motion to adjourn regular Council to an Executive Session for personnel matter.  John Domanski seconded the Motion and Council adjourned to an Executive Session.
 
On a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Barb Kriner, the Executive session ended at approximately 8:59 pm.  Regular Council session resumed.
 
At 9:01 pm, John Domanski made a Motion to Adjourn; Barb Kriner seconded the Motion.
Council meeting adjourned.
 
Respectfully Submitted:
Deborah Bausch
Secretary