December 4, 2023 Meeting Minutes

RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, December 4, 2023 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President Barb Kriner.
 
Council members present: 
Vice President Brian Whitenight, Peter Fleming, John Domanski, Delavan Whitenight Jr, April Shuman and Beth Rake.
Also present were Solicitor Attorney Joseph Michetti, Chief of Police Kerry Parkes, Street Superintendent Dan Gable, Mayor John LaMotte and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Absent from Meeting:
Zoning Officer Brian Anderson
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard:
Resident, Ken Gardner stated he has been a resident of Riverside for 48 years and has enjoyed living in the Borough. Although, he feels there is a serious problem with Borough Officials. Ken said anyone who attends meetings or reads the minutes knows there are conflicts amongst Council members. He said there have been articles in the Press Enterprise newspaper that have not been good. He feels there should be unity and some Council members needs to bury the hatchet. Ken said if there is an Official that cannot cooperate and get along with others, they should resign.
 
Old Business:
Minutes of 11/20/2023 were read.
John Domanski would like clarification on the 11/20 minutes regarding the issues Pam Whitenight presented Council with at that meeting. John asked if the issues were resolved or if they were just pushed by the side. Beth elaborated and said a variance is not needed, as Pam Whitenight and her husband decided to build on the Whitenight land across from their home versus building on their private property, the property across the road is owned by the Whitenight family and is currently zoned commercial. Beth stated Pam was told different things which were confusing. Barb stated Brian Anderson did speak with Pam. Barb said she would follow-up with Brian Anderson, John said Council President should not be handling duties that the Zoning Officer should be doing. Attorney Michetti stated the Zoning Officer would have to act on an application and the building must be built to Code. John asked if the sewer issue on a property Pam has listed on Dewart St was resolved. Barb said Brian Anderson informed her the owner of the property is away and asked Adams Sewer & Drain to hold off on the repairs until mid-December. John Domanski also mentioned the four to five (4-5) sewer lines (that are the Borough’s responsibility) were talked about a few meetings ago, he wanted to know the status. Dan Gable said he and Brian are working with Adams Sewer & Drain on getting those repaired.
Brian Whitenight made a motion to approve the Minutes, Delavan Whitenight, Jr seconded the Motion. All in favor.
 
Zoning Officer Report:
Brian Anderson’s report was read.
Brian Whitenight made a motion to approve the Zoning Report, Beth Rake seconded. All in favor.
 
Street Department Report:
Dan Gable read his report. Leaf collection ended on 12/1. 55 loads and 96 bags were collected. John asked is that total was high or low. Dan said when he first started they had 99 loads of leaves. Dan stated when they hung the Christmas wreaths on the light poles, there were many poles that have electrical issues, Dan asked Council if he could contact TRA Electric to look at the light poles. Council unanimously agreed to let Dan contact TRA. Brian asked Dan if the drain issue on Scenic Drive was taken care of. Dan stated they were called out; however, the issue was not the Borough’s, it was on private property. Brian asked Dan to check on an adapter to help unclog lines with roots in them. Dan said there would be an issue with the Street Department cleaning those lines as they would need permission from home owners to cross their properties unto Borough right-of-ways. Dan has asked Adams Sewer & Drain and Roto-Rooter to install clean-outs when they do repair work. Dan stated home owners are required according to Borough Code to replace lines in need of repair on their property. Beth stated when properties are being sold and an inspection fails, lines are being replaced and a clean-out is being installed. Barb asked Dan to get estimates on clean-outs, Dan said he did just that this date of 12/4. Barb & Beth worked on a ‘Work Order From’ for the Street Department to use. A copy would be kept in the Borough. John asked who is going to follow up on these work orders. Peter feels Council members could look at them and then get with Dan to check on projects/work being done.  Barb asked Dan to get estimates on a backhoe. When the Borough’s backhoe needs parts, they either are difficult to get or cannot be found.  Delavan asked if there are any Grants that could be applied for to purchase a backhoe, Dan said the last he heard, there were not Grants available for equipment purchase. Peter made a motion to accept the Street Department report, with Beth seconding. All in Favor.

Southside Fire Company Report:
A report was not submitted.

Police Report:
Kerry Parkes presented his report. Kerry stated they got a good deal on body cameras and they have been using them. They entered into a five (5) year contract for the cameras. The first year fee is $1,562.00; then $1,540.00 per year after. ILEE (Instruction for Law Enforcement Education) training is scheduled for February 2024. It is two (2) half-day courses.
Resident, JW Snyder asked the Chief, Kerry if anyone has seen his deer with orange collars on. JW said he has had these deer for nine (9) years and they are his family. Kerry stated the Game Commission called saying they had reports of deer in the Borough and the Commission planned to come into the Borough and remove the collars. JW asked if seen, please contact him so he can come get them. Beth said we will keep a look-out for them.
Resident, Ken Gardner asked Kerry if he has issued any citations on trash violations or chickens. Kerry stated they had not issued citations. Ken said on a Sunday evening, he saw six (6) trash violations and just today, 12/4, he saw two (2) trash violations. Kerry stated he will his Officers know to look on Sundays for trash violations.
John motioned to accept the Police report, Brian seconded. All in favor.

Mayor’s Report:
The Mayor had nothing to report.

Solicitor Michetti Report:
The Solicitor had nothing to report.

Borough Life:
The parade of Lights will be held on Saturday, 12/9 stepping off at 5:30pm. Judging will be held at the Church. Barb spoke with a lady from the Church and they will have hot chocolate available.
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New Business:
Internet Upgrade for the Municipal building. Barb spoke with PTD (PenTeleData), as internet service is slow in the Municipal building.
John Domanski made a Motion to upgrade the internet service. Brian seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
New Agenda: Barb suggested to add more to the Agenda such as Tax Collector, Secretary, Financial, Planning, Zoning, Correspondences/Announcements, Resolutions, Ordinances, Actions Items, Community Communication topics. Secretary, Lisa, will check with PSAB on Agenda format.
2024 Meeting Dates were advertised.
The Solicitor, Attorney Michetti, stated there is no need to advertise workshops when working on the Budget. The Budget is discussed and voted on at public Council meetings.
Motion to Approve:
Nothing to approve.
Action Items:
No action items.
Executive Session:
An executive session was not held.
At 7:58pm, John made a motion adjourn the meeting, with Peter seconding. All in Favor.
Council adjourned at 7:58 o’clock pm.
 
Respectfully Submitted:
Lisa Fritz
Secretary