RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, November 6, 2023 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President Barb Kriner.
 
Council members present: 
Vice President Brian Whitenight, Peter Fleming, John Domanski, April Shuman and Beth Rake.
Also present were Solicitor Attorney Joseph Michetti, Chief of Police Kerry Parkes, Zoning Officer Brian Anderson and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Absent from Meeting:
Mayor John LaMotte, Delavan Whitenight and Street Superintendent Dan Gable
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard:
Guests in the Audience were Northumberland County Commissioners Joe Klebon and Sam Schiccatano.
They said they were happy to attend the meeting. The Commissioners stated Grants have been given to the Borough, with a one million dollar Grant being the largest amount they have given a municipality. There is also one Grant in process. Justin Skavery, the Northumberland County Planning Coordinator is currently working on Grants for the Police Department, guiderails and drainage improvements at the Airport in Riverside. John Domanski asked if Merck has been in contact with the County regarding the closure. They stated Merck has only been in contact with the Assessment Office regarding adjustments to their assessments.
John Thanked the Commissioners for coming to the meeting. Barb wished them luck in the Election on November 7th.
Resident, Mary Paladin presented a letter to Council regarding the recent fireworks. She stated the fireworks have been escalated to a high level of disturbance for residents, Veterans coping with battle experience, pets and wildlife. Due to the time of year of the fireworks being set off, sparks were flying into leaf covered yards. Mary stated her windows were shaking and lamps were vibrating. In her letter, she made some recommendations that she would like Council to consider and review the Code. Brian Whitenight stated the decibels are low and within the Code and Laws. Barb said Council will review the Code.
 
Old Business:
Minutes of 10/16/2023 were read.
Brian Whitenight made a motion to approve the Minutes, John Domanski seconded the Motion. All in favor.
 
Zoning Officer Report:
Brian Anderson read his report.  Barb asked Brian how many permits are out there. Brian stated four (4) permits are currently out there. Brian Whitenight asked how he knows the work has been completed by the permit deadline. Brian Anderson stated he actually goes to the property and does a visual inspection.
Brian Whitenight made a motion to approve the Zoning Report, John Domanski seconded. All in favor.
 
Street Department Report:
Council read over the report, as Dan was not able to attend the meeting. The Street Department is continuing to collect leaves through Wednesday, November 22. Peter made a motion to accept the Street Department report, with Beth seconding. All in Favor.
Southside Fire Company Report:
September’s Chief’s report was submitted. They were busy in Rush Township with MVA’s, trees down and an automatic alarm. John Domanski made a motion to accept the report. Brian Whitenight seconded the motion. All in Favor.
 
Police Report:
Kerry Parkes presented his report, he stated Brad Harvey has been re-certified as a Taser Instructor. The fireworks were held without incident. Kerry said Trick-or-Treat Night was a huge success this year; but he does recommend it be held the same night as Danville and Mahoning Township in the future.
Beth motioned to accept the Police report, Brian seconded. All in favor.
 
Mayor’s Report:
A report was not submitted. John Domanski said John LaMotte is not a good participant as the Mayor of Riverside. Attorney Joseph Michetti (Solicitor) reminded Council there was talk at a previous meeting, where he (Attorney Michetti) suggested Council Members speak with the Mayor regarding their concerns. Barb said he hasn’t finished anything; he quit the Boro Life Committee and also stepped down as a Council Member. Peter feels the Mayor is an A-Political position. Barb stated, “Our vision for Council is that everyone has a voice and/or opinion. Everyone should be able to participate.” Barb said she feels as if John LaMotte stepped away from Council and Boro Life because he wanted to control everything.
 
Solicitor Michetti Report:
Attorney Michetti did not have anything to report.
 
Borough Life:
Beth stated Halloween was very busy this year. Brian said they gave out 120 hotdogs, among other treats and beverages. Barb mentioned that Trick-or-Treat was moved to a Saturday versus a school night, at the request of several residents.
April stated they will need to meet to discuss the Parade of Lights Parade, which will be held on December 9th.
Barb made a motion to accept the Borough Life report, Brian seconded. All in Favor.
 
New Business:
John Domanski made a motion to proceed with the Statewide LSA Resolution, which will enable the process of a Grant for the West End Sewer Replacement. Peter seconded the motion. All in Favor.
 
Motion to Approve:
Document scanning: Beth said it would be a good idea to have all of the office documents scanned. Peter feels the Borough is behind the times with the current storage system. All agreed to get quotes for the process of scanning the documents.
 
Action Items:
Planning & Zoning: Barb would like to have a Council Member attend the meetings to keep Council informed. The question was raised if a Council Member can also sit on the Planning & Zoning Committee. Solicitor, Attorney Joseph Michetti stated a person cannot sit on two boards. John Domanski said he would like to be the liaison between Council and the Planning/Zoning committee.
Barb mentioned the Sewer Contract with Danville Borough. Barb will touch base with Brindy in Danville to ask if Riverside could use the generator blue prints from Danville.
 
Executive Session:
At 7:51pm, John made a motion to move into Executive Session. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 
At 8:10pm, Brian made a motion to go back into regular session, with John seconding. All in Favor.
 
John made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Peter seconded the motion.
Council adjourned at 8:11 o’clock pm.
 
Respectfully Submitted:
Lisa Fritz
Secretary

AGENDA
BOROUGH OF RIVERSIDE COUNCIL MEETING
November 20, 2023
 
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
 
CALL TO ORDER
 
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD: 
I.    OLD BUSINESS
       A. Minutes of 11/6/2023 meeting 
II.  BORO LIFE COMMITTEE
       A. By Laws
III. NEW BUSINESS      
IV.  MOTION TO APPROVE
       A. 2024 Budget
​       B. Resolution for PA Department of Community and Economic Development
V.   ACTION ITEMS
       A. Sewer Contract w/Danville Borough
 VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
       
 
 
           
 
         
           
         
 
ADJOURNMENT
NEXT SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING IS Monday, December 4, 2023

RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President Barb Kriner.
 
Council members present: 
John Domanski, Peter Fleming, Brian Whitenight, April Shuman and Beth Rake.
Also present was Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Absent:
Mayor John LaMotte and Delavan Whitenight Jr
 
Citizen (s) present:
Clark Shuman, Frank Maciejewski and Stu Shrawder
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizen Stu Shrawder asked Council if the Borough would be interested in pursuing an extension for 8th Street, as it would open up access to the property he recently purchased and possibly further development. John Domanski asked Mr. Shrawder put the request in writing to Council, they will then forward to the Solicitor for further advice. Peter Fleming stated usually the Developer puts roadways/streets in.
 
Old business:
Approval of the minutes of October 2, 2023.
Brian made a motion to approve the minutes, John Domanski seconded the Motion.  Approved by all.
Follow-up from the Town Hall Meeting held on October 10; April felt it was very successful. Citizens had good questions and concerns. April said some residents would like to see more of those types of meetings. Barb stated it was a wonderful wealth of information for the residents.
 
Southside Report:
Barb presented the August report. Beth made a motion to accept the report. Brian seconded. All in favor.
 
Borough Life:
Beth stated the Boy Scouts will be doing Trunk or Treat on Saturday October 28th, from 6:00pm until 9:00pm. Trick-or-Treat Night in the Borough is also on 10/28. Brian Whitenight will be doing fireworks shortly after 9:00pm. Council will be hosting Hotdogs, Warm Cider, Hot Chocolate, Popcorn and Candy in the Park by the Borough Municipal Building.
Peter made a motion to accept the Borough Life report, with Barb seconding. All in favor.
 
New Business:
A generator proposal was submitted by Larson Design Group. Brian Whitenight asked if another proposal could be sought. John Domanski stated that Larson Design Group is the engineering company doing the East and West End projects and feels they should be the company to do the generator. John made a motion to accept LDG’s proposal, with Peter seconding. Brian Whitenight opposed the generator proposal. The remaining Council Members were in favor of the proposal.
 
Motion to Approve:
West End Sewer project Resolution was submitted by Larson Design Group. Beth made a motion to accept and sign the Resolution. John seconded. All in favor.
John mentioned there are several properties with septic tanks under porches, decks or garages, even some with bad pumps. Residents will be responsible for the removal or filling of those tanks. The Borough will pay for the first pumps that are not in working order, then the residents will be responsible thereafter. John made a motion to have the Solicitor review the Sewer Ordinance and to see if any changes/additions are necessary. Peter seconded. All in favor.
 
Barb Kriner, as Council President was made by motion of John, Brian seconded. All in favor. The Vice President was made Nomination of April Shuman to appoint Brian Whitenight. John seconded. Beth Rake will remain as Pro tempore (Pro tem). These appointments are active until the Re-Organization Meeting on January 2, 2024.
 
Action Items:
John Domanski stated the company Pennvest has low interest rate loans for Municipalities to pursue improvements. John said Grant monies could be used to pay off the loans.
 
Brian mentioned possibly meeting with Merck Representatives to discuss utilizing Merck’s treatment facility as a sewer treatment plant for Riverside. John Domanski will contact Merck to set up a meeting.
 
Budget Meeting Dates were set for the following dates: 10/18 and 10/25 to start preparing the 2024 budget.
 
Resident David Decoteau submitted a letter questioning why he has received a sewer bill when there has not been running water or any bathrooms at a property he owns for the past three (3) years. Council members asked Zoning Officer, Brian Anderson to visit the property.
 
No Executed Session was held.
 
John Domanski made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Brian seconded the motion. All in favor. Council adjourned at 7:55 o’clock pm.
 
Respectfully Submitted:
Lisa Fritz
Secretary

AGENDA
BOROUGH OF RIVERSIDE COUNCIL MEETING
November 6, 2023
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
CALL TO ORDER
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD: 
GUESTS:
Northumberland County Commissioners: Joe Klebon and Sam Schiccatano
 
I.        OLD BUSINESS
              A. Minutes of 10/16/2023 meeting.
II.       ZONING OFFICER REPORT
III.      STREET DEPARTMENT REPORT          
IV.       SOUTHSIDE FIRE COMPANY REPORT
V.        POLICE REPORT
VI.       MAYOR’S REPORT
VII.     SOLICITOR MICHETTI REPORT
VIII.   BORO LIFE COMMITTEE       
IX.       NEW BUSINESS
              A. Statewide LSA Resolution for a Grant on the West End Sewer Replacement              X.        MOTION TO APPROVE
              A. Document Scanning     
XI.     ACTION ITEMS
            A. Planning and Zoning Commission Appointments
XII.     EXECUTIVE SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
NEXT SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING IS Monday, November 20, 2023 @ 7:00 P.M.