January 5, 2026 Meeting Minutes

RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President, Stephen Wagner.
 
Council members present: 
Peter Fleming, Barb Kriner, Ken Gardner and Mike Steimling Sr.
Also present was Solicitor Attorney Michetti, Police Chief Kerry Parkes, Street/Sewer Lead, Dan Gable, Zoning Officer Brian Anderson and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
 
Citizens present:
Gerry Knapp, David Hughes, George Dalious, Scott Cox and Ruth Peck.
 
Pledge of Allegiance
Reorganization Meeting began with the Mayor Swearing in of Elected Officials:
Peter Fleming, Kenneth Gardner, Michael Steimling Sr, Rebekah Lenig, Robert Rickard and Ruth Peck.
Mayor then asked for Nominations for President, Vice President and Pro-Tem.
Barb made a Motion for Stephen Wagner as President; Mike seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Barb made a Motion for Kenneth Gardner as Vice President. Steve made a Motion for Peter Fleming as Vice President. A show of hands then took place for votes, with Barb voting for Ken Gardner; Peter, Steve, Rebekah and Mike. Rob voting for Peter as Vice President. Ken did not vote.
Barb made a Motion for Kenneth Gardner as Pro-Tem. Steve made a Motion for Michael Steimling as Pro-Tem. A show of hands then took place for votes, with Peter, Barb, Mike Rob and Ken voting for Ken. Steve and Mike voted for Mike Steimling.  All in Favor for Ken Gardner as Pro-Tem.
Stephen Wagner, President, then took over the meeting.
Barb made a Motion to approve all up for re-appointment: Solicitor, Secretary, Engineer, Zoning Officer, Sewage Enforcement Officer, Building Inspection Underwriters as building inspector. Mike seconded. All in Favor.
Barb made a Motion to re-appoint Planning Commission Members: Arthur Chap, Jay Jones, Carl Romanski and John Hockenbrough. Rob seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Barb made a Motion to re-appoint Zoning Hearing Board Members: R. Craig Hort, Walter Reichen and Carolyn Bausch. Rob Seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Barb made a Motion to appoint Jordan Klimas to Emergency Management Director. Ken seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Reorganization meeting adjourned at 7:09pm.
 
Citizens to be Heard:  
Dave Hughes, President of the Susquehanna Airplane Modelers said he was encouraged to attend the meeting to inquire about the proposed Solar panels on the airport grounds. He said he does agree with solar panels in any way shape or form being placed on the grounds at the airport.  Dave Hughes said the Modelers have not been contacted at all. Steve stated that the Borough knows nothing at this point. Solicitor, Attorney Michetti, stated they will need to comply with local ordinances, planning and zoning. Dave Huges said, “In closing, these solar farms are one ugly sight.” Steve said some residents are also upset about solar panels. Rob Rickard asked Dave Hughes when their lease with the airport expires. Dave said their lease expires in November 2026.
Resident, Dan Haas said he has had chickens coming into his yard since November 2025, they have torn up his yard. Brian Anderson stated he did talk to the neighbors, and they said they would put up a fence. Dan said, “what the neighbor told you was he would repair his fence.” Brian said he would talk with the neighbors again about the chickens.
Old business:
Barb made a Motion to approve the 12/15/2025 meeting minutes. Mike seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Zoning Officer Report:
Brian Anderson read over his report for December 2025. Brian said the group home on Avenue A was now incompliance with Borough codes/ordinances. The group home on Avenue F and third Street had lighted exit signs installed. Brian will do an inspection the week of January 12th. Ken Gardner said in the past, he has asked for addresses to be listed, Brian said he would do that. Ken also questioned the fees on Brian’s report. Brian stated he is paid $35.00 per hour working with commercial properties vs 20% of the total for the property. Barb made a Motion to accept the report, with Rob seconding. All in Favor.
Street Department Report:
Dan Gable mentioned the Street Department has had several blockages due to wipes being flushed, Dan said Danville Borough has had issues with wipes also blocking their lines. They had a blockage at the Laundromat in Riverside, where traffic had to be controlled by Chief Parkes, in order for the blockage to be cleared. Steve Wagner ‘Thanked’ Chief Parkes for the traffic control while the Street department employees were working to clean out the blockage. Dan would like to let residents know that wipes should not be flushed, even if they say on the package that they can be flushed. Dan also stated that there is lot of grease in the lines that needs to be cleaned out by Adams Sewer & Drain company at least once a year. Rob asked if a basket could be put in manholes to help catch some of the debris. Dan said no, it would slow up the flow. Mike asked if they knew where all the grease came from. Dan said he does not know. Mike suggested installing a grease trap somewhere down the road. Ken asked Attorney Michetti if any other municipalities have an ordinance regarding the flushing of wipes. Attorney Michetti said he was not aware of any.
Leaves that still need to be collected should be bagged and left at curbside. Residents should call the Street Department at (570) 275-5338 to have any bags picked up. Barb made a Motion to accept the Street Department report. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
Southside Fire Company Report:
Barb said the fire company reported there were a lot of trees and wires down due to the high winds. Barb said the fire company will be holding several fundraisers for America’s 250 celebration: a Cash Bash on January 24th and Sportsman Bingo on March 21st.  Barb asked Dan if the fire company trucks could be moved over to the Street Department. Dan said he could work with them on that. Barb will have Jon Stassel contact Dan to coordinate. Rob made a Motion to accept the reports, with Barb seconding. All in Favor.
Police Report:
Kerry read over his report. Mike asked him if he could break down the mileage on each vehicle about once per quarter. Barb made a Motion to upgrade the internet for the municipal building from 300Mbps to 500Mbps for a three-year plan, saving approximately $17.00 per month. Mike seconded the Motion. All in Favor. Peter made a Motion to accept the Police Report, with Barb seconding. All in Favor.
Mayor’s Report:
Todd said he attended the Parade of Light, which was well attended considering how cold it was. Todd swore in the new EMA Director, Jordan Klimas, after this meeting. Todd prepared an informational letter he would like to send out to residents. Barb made a Motion to accept the mayor’s report. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
Solicitor Michetti Report:
Attorney Michetti drew up a Resolution for Riverside Borough to join PLGIT, which permits municipalities to invest monies at higher interest rates. Steve made a Motion to enter the Resolution joining PLGIT. Barb seconded the Motion. All in Favor. Steve made a Motion to authorize the Secretary, Lisa Fritz to be the contact for PLGIT. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
Ken made a Motion for President, Steve Wagner to sign the two ‘Hold Harmless’ Resolutions to indemnify Riverside Borough, regarding Andrew Rupp, Riverside Borough full-time Police Officer, also working in two other municipalities part-time. Peter seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Mayor, Todd Oberdorf asked the Solicitor if the Borough would be liable for our officer on the Columbia/Montour SWAT? Solicitor Michetti stated, ‘No.’
Solar panels and Wind turbines – Attorney Michetti stated the Borough can adopt ordinances to enhance provision. He also stated that the residential credit expires for solar panel installation. Ken Gardner asked if there is any downside to the Borough for strengthening solar ordinances. Attorney Michetti said, ‘No.’ Ken would like to study and review solar ordinances. Attorney Michetti suggested to speak with an Engineer about types of solar panels. Mike Steimling said, we need to be careful what we allow in, due to the disposal of solar panels. Attorney Michetti provided Council with a solar ordinance to review from another township. Attorney Michetti stated he would get more solar ordinances from other areas for review. Council will discuss it at a future meeting.
Ken said, back in the summer, Council suggested an ordinance on preventing large trucks from parking on streets, he asked if Attorney Michetti had worked on it. Attorney Michetti doesn’t think the Borough should prohibit large trucks from parking in the Borough but could list over a certain length of trucks. The ordinance must be a reasonable one, so the Police can enforce it. Council will investigate options.
Peter made a Motion to accept the Solicitors’ report, Mike seconded. All in Favor.
Borough Life:
Barb said they are continuing to raise money for the America 250 celebration.
Unfinished 2025 Business:
Ken made a Motion to have the Secretary follow the Street Department Union contract, for fringe benefits. Rob Rickard said he would like to table the decision until the next meeting, as he does not feel he can make an informed decision. He would like to read over the Employee Handbook and the Street Department Union contract. Council members decided to table the Secretaries’ sick, vacation and meeting benefits.
Dan is getting information on recycling containers for at the Borough Garage. He said the Borough’s cost would be $100.00 for the container. Barb said people with a Danville address, living in Riverside are taking their recyclables over to Danville’s recycling containers. She reminded Riverside residents that they may not take their recycling over to Danville. Steve said we do need to research recycling for Riverside Borough.
Ken made a Motion for Council Members to attend the boot camp the virtual training held on March 6th and 7th, as it covers many topics. The fee is $150.00. Barb seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Ken said at the 12/22/2025 Insurance meeting, it was decided to keep the current insurance. In interest to potentially save some money, Ken feels that the liability should only be for three Police Officers, not four.
New Business:
Fire Tax – Barb stated the Southside Fire company paid off their truck, so they do not need the use the fire tax monies for that payment. Attorney Michetti will review the law on Fire Tax to look at the purpose the Fire company will use it for. Barb made a Motion to put the Fire Tax money into a CD. Rob seconded. All in Favor.
Barb made a Motion to go back to two meetings per month, except for the months of May, June, July and August. Rob seconded, stating there are a lot of issues coming up and we should have the second meeting. All in Favor.
Motion to Approve:
Action Items:
Steve said the $312,000.00 Grant must be used by June 2026 on upgrading the sanitary waste and manhole covers on the East End. Steve also stated he would like to pay off the loan on the West End Sewer project if possible. He will contact PennVest to inquire about paying the loan off.
 
Executive Session:
None held.
 
Peter made a Motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:06pm. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Fritz
Secretary