Minutes of February 20, 2017

The Riverside Borough Council met on Monday, February 20, 2017 in the Municipal Building, 301 Dewart Street, Riverside.  Council opened as an Executive Session at 6:01 pm which was called to order by Vice President Peter T. Fleming.  The Executive Session was ended at 6:55 pm on a Motion by Carolyn Bausch and seconded by Barb Kriner.  All voted in favor.  The Borough Council regular session was called to order promptly at 7:00 pm by Vice President Fleming in the absence of President John J Novak.  Council Members present this evening included Carolyn Bausch, Caressa Compton, Beth Hancock and Barb Kriner.  Absent this evening in addition to President Novak were Council Member John Domanski and Mayor Joe Oberdorf.
 
In the audience this evening were Curtis Barrick, Amanda Mortimer, Jason and Jena Hess with their son, Tom Tobin and Chris Henrie.
 
Amanda Mortimer addressed Council first with a request for a waiver of late fees on her sewer bill.  She stated she did not know her husband had not been paying the bill and he has since passed away.  She is not living in the home.  On a Motion by Carolyn Bausch and seconded by Beth Hancock, a Waiver on Sewer Bill #0726 was granted in the amount of $15.00. All voted in favor.  Amanda will pay the current fee due. 
 
The next residents to speak were Jena and Jason Hess regarding a sewer issue at their property on 320 Avenue E.  They were very upset with a sewer blockage issue.  They had to call out a plumber and ended up with a bill for approximately $400.00.  She stated they had placed several calls to the Borough Street/Sewer Office but did not get a return call.  Dan Gable, Street Superintendent, addressed the issue and stated there had been a problem with the phone message getting to the correct on call person.  Jena stated the system failed her family; the web page information was not helpful with sufficient information for contact.  Had the blockage been worse she wanted to know who would be responsible for the clean up.  She also asked about being reimbursed for their plumber costs.  She was told they would need to file a claim with their homeowner policy before the borough could take any action.   There was a lengthy discussion on the sewer issue and contact procedures.  Dan stated that employee, Chris Henrie, suggested a phone number be printed on the sewer bills and council agreed this would be a great idea.  A cell phone strictly for use by on call worker for weekends was also discussed as a help with the contact when necessary.
 
Last audience member to speak was Curtis Barrick on behalf of Larson Design Group.  He presented the plans for a development by Mr. Tim Karr at 912 Sunbury Road.  This will be 4 homes with two shared driveways.  The plans were approved by the Riverside Planning Commission on Wednesday, February 15, 2017.  The Northumberland County Planning Commission will be meeting on February 28th to give final approval of these plans.  A Motion was made by Caressa Compton to approve the Plans for the development; seconded by Barb Kriner.  All voted in favor.
 
Mayor Joe Oberdorf joined the meeting at 7:30 pm.
 
Minutes of February 6, 2017 were approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by Beth Hancock.  All voted in favor.
 
Finance Reports were approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by Carolyn Bausch.  Al voted in favor.  Barb stated how much she appreciated the new format and all the work that went into preparing the report with the new computer software.    Her kudos were much appreciated by Secretary Debbie Bausch.
 
Dan Gable, Street Superintendent, presented the Street Department Report.  He stated they have completed many PA 1 calls for the gas line that is being installed throughout the borough.  We have had one significant snowfall so far this year; our salt supply is full.  The gas heater has been installed in the garage and things are much better there.  Report was approved on a Motion by Caressa Compton and seconded by Barb Kriner.  All voted in favor.
 
Next agenda item was the Letter of Resignation from Officer Kevin Romansik.    A Motion was made reluctantly by Caressa Compton to accept the resignation; seconded by Barb Kriner.  Chief Kerry Parkes then discussed the hiring of Officer Romansik as a part time officer which had been requested in the Letter of Resignation.  Discussion followed as to what benefits besides Worker’s Compensation would be needed to have a part time police officer; Mayor Joe Oberdorf stated we would need to draw up a contract to bring him on part time.  Motion was made by Carolyn Bausch and seconded by Beth Hancock to hire Officer Kevin Romansik as a part time police officer in the Borough of Riverside.  All voted in favor. Motion was amended to state that the rate of pay for the part time position would be $16.00 per hour with no benefits.  Amendment made by Caressa Compton, seconded by Beth Hancock and all voted in favor.
 
At approximately 7:46 pm, a Motion was made by Barb Kriner to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Caressa Compton. 
 
Riverside Borough Council Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted:
Deborah Bausch
Secretary