As approved at the December 6, 2021 meeting, minutes of November 1, 2021 follow:
The Riverside Borough Council met at the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside, PA on Monday, November 1, 2021. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Council President John Domanski with the following members in attendance: Vice President Barb Kriner, Council Members Beth Rake, Peter Fleming, Kevin Romansik, Brian Whitenight, Delavan Whitenight Jr., Mayor John LaMotte and Secretary Deborah Bausch. Solicitor Joseph Michetti was absent this evening.
In the audience this evening were Andrea Helwig, April Shuman, and Clark Shuman. Both ladies are running a write in campaign for an upcoming vacant council seat.
April Shuman addressed council regarding Boyce Road and wanted to know if this is a finished product. Residents in that area are very happy with the road and inquired about maintaining it going forward. She said since it has been redone, people are driving too fast for the road. Clark Shuman asked if a Speed Limit sign could be placed there? Mayor John LaMotte asked Police Chief Kerry Parkes if he could put the speed monitor sign up on the roadway. Peter Fleming added that the borough is aware of the abuse that the roadway has taken in the past.
Old Business began with the approval of the Minutes from October 4, 2021. Motion to Approve was put on the table by Vice President Barb Kriner and seconded by Brian Whitenight. All voted for.
Topic discussed next was the sewer line for the development along Sunbury Road across from the airport. Clarification of the responsibility of the sewer pipeline falls on the homeowners in that section.
President Domanski read a note from Solicitor Michetti that explained the liability of repairs and since it is private property; costs would fall on them to be divided by the households involved.
Another topic was a letter from the Danville Municipal Sewer Authority in reference to our excessive amounts of certain chemicals being pumped to the Danville Pump Station. Our limits have been exceeded for many months. It has been a very wet year but there is a need to do more study on where these high levels are coming from. Sampling was done at Merck and the West End with no high concentrations noted. Beth Rake asked what had changed in the past 27 months to raise our levels so high? Brian Whitenight suggested we get records from back times up to present to compare where the change took place. We will contact Danville Municipal Sewer Authority for more information.
President John Domanski put the Zoning Report on the table for review; Brian Anderson was not available this evening. Report approved on a Motion by Vice President Barb Kriner; seconded by Beth Rake and approved by all.
Dan Gable, Street Superintendent, presented his report on the street department. He started by letting Council know that the Leaf Machine has broken and is out for repair. They have come up with some alternative plans to get leaves until it is returned. Quotes were shared for grass mowing in the borough; Dan stated it appears most charge around $48.00 per acre/cut. President John Domanski talked about the purchase of a new mower and had quotes from two vendors. Welliver had provided a stand-up mower for the crew to try but Dan stated none of them cared for it. Vice President Barb Kriner made a motion to purchase a Ferris 5901881 mower from Welliver & Sons when confirmed price can be locked in. We would like to take the mower in April 2022 but want to lock in the purchase now; hope to pay half of the cost now and balance when delivered in April.
Motion seconded by Brian Whitenight, and all voted in favor. President John Domanski said he would check in with Welliver & Sons to see if this would be an option for us.
There was no Southside Fire Company report this evening.
Chief Kerry Parkes then addressed Council with the Police Department report for October. He spoke of the Cobra Server Data training which is hopefully connecting state wide. Trick or Treat night was very successful. No acts of mischief were reported; Officer Eamon Shoff and Corporal “Batman Brad” patrolled the streets and handed out candy along the way. Report was approved on a Motion by Beth Rake and seconded by Delavan Whitenight Jr.
Mayor John LaMotte then talked of the great turnout for Saturday evening event in the park for Halloween. It was well attended and kids were so polite! He then asked if Council would have any issues with doing an event on December 11th for the kids? This would start out as a Parade of Lights, using the same route as our May event and end at the Borough building with Santa greeting the kids with small handouts. Homeowners along parade route could decorate their houses but most already do for the holiday. More details will be forthcoming; we will be financing the project with the donations from 150 Celebration sales. Mayor Report was approved on a Motion by Vice President Barb Kriner and seconded by Brian Whitenight with all voting in favor.
There was no Solicitor Report this evening.
Sewer billing was then put before Council. Dates of service are different for different areas in the Borough. This can lead to confusion when selling a home. President John Domanski highlighted what costs would be involved to make the dates uniform and it would not affect anyone until selling their home. On a Motion by Beth Rake and seconded by Vice President Barb Kriner, the next billing cycle will have uniform dates for all residents in the multiple areas. . All voted in favor.
Meeting Dates for 2022 were reviewed. Calendar dates approved on a Motion by Brian Whitenight and seconded by Beth Rake; all voted for.
Resolution 21-11-01, Police Pension Plan for 2022 was approved on a Motion by Vice President Barb Kriner and seconded by Brian Whitenight; all voted in favor.
The 2022 budget was reviewed for Council by Vice President Barb Kriner who had chaired the budget committee. Budget includes the addition of another full time and part time Police Officer; an additional part timer in the Street Department; a new Street Department truck and a mower. There is a deficit but that can be absorbed by our carry over funds. There will not be a tax increase!
Dan Gable stated to get a truck would require ordering soon; there are some now but they are red in color. Delvan Whitenight Jr asked if they had to be the same color and council felt it was better to stay with the white color. Dan will obtain 3 quotes as required. Our 2005 truck will be put out on Municibid for sale and the 2013 will become the new leaf truck. Budget was tentatively adopted on a Motion by Beth Rake and seconded by Brian Whitenight. All voted in favor.
Brian Whitenight then added new business with information regarding removal of the oil in the tank at the school. Pine Township in Millville would be one place to contact to recycle the oil. Clark Shuman stated there is also a place outside of Winfield that we can contact.
At 8:17 pm, Vice President Barb Kriner made a Motion to Adjourn the Regular Session and go into an Executive Session for personnel matters. Beth Rake seconded the motion. Regular Session closed.
9:04 pm Vice President Barb Kriner made a Motion to Adjourn the Executive Session and return to Regular Session. Peter seconded the Motion. Executive Session ended.
Delavan Whitenight Jr added that DOT now requires physicals for commercial truck drivers. Mayor John LaMotte said he thought that was for heavier trucks but evidently things have changed; Mayor added it runs about $50 for physical and they get a card to carry. Exam is good for 2 years.
Vice President Barb Kriner then made a Motion to go into negotiations with the Police Department and to contact a Labor Attorney for guidance in a new contract; seconded by Beth Rake and all voted for.
Negotiation committee will be President John Domanski, Vice President Barb Kriner and Beth Rake.
We will be meeting with Larson Design Group on Wednesday, November 3 at 10:30 am for further school planning.
Motion by Brian Whitenight at 9:10 pm to Adjourn Council; seconded by Peter Fleming.
Council Adjourned for the evening.
Respectfully Submitted:
Deborah Bausch
The Riverside Borough Council met at the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside, PA on Monday, November 1, 2021. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Council President John Domanski with the following members in attendance: Vice President Barb Kriner, Council Members Beth Rake, Peter Fleming, Kevin Romansik, Brian Whitenight, Delavan Whitenight Jr., Mayor John LaMotte and Secretary Deborah Bausch. Solicitor Joseph Michetti was absent this evening.
In the audience this evening were Andrea Helwig, April Shuman, and Clark Shuman. Both ladies are running a write in campaign for an upcoming vacant council seat.
April Shuman addressed council regarding Boyce Road and wanted to know if this is a finished product. Residents in that area are very happy with the road and inquired about maintaining it going forward. She said since it has been redone, people are driving too fast for the road. Clark Shuman asked if a Speed Limit sign could be placed there? Mayor John LaMotte asked Police Chief Kerry Parkes if he could put the speed monitor sign up on the roadway. Peter Fleming added that the borough is aware of the abuse that the roadway has taken in the past.
Old Business began with the approval of the Minutes from October 4, 2021. Motion to Approve was put on the table by Vice President Barb Kriner and seconded by Brian Whitenight. All voted for.
Topic discussed next was the sewer line for the development along Sunbury Road across from the airport. Clarification of the responsibility of the sewer pipeline falls on the homeowners in that section.
President Domanski read a note from Solicitor Michetti that explained the liability of repairs and since it is private property; costs would fall on them to be divided by the households involved.
Another topic was a letter from the Danville Municipal Sewer Authority in reference to our excessive amounts of certain chemicals being pumped to the Danville Pump Station. Our limits have been exceeded for many months. It has been a very wet year but there is a need to do more study on where these high levels are coming from. Sampling was done at Merck and the West End with no high concentrations noted. Beth Rake asked what had changed in the past 27 months to raise our levels so high? Brian Whitenight suggested we get records from back times up to present to compare where the change took place. We will contact Danville Municipal Sewer Authority for more information.
President John Domanski put the Zoning Report on the table for review; Brian Anderson was not available this evening. Report approved on a Motion by Vice President Barb Kriner; seconded by Beth Rake and approved by all.
Dan Gable, Street Superintendent, presented his report on the street department. He started by letting Council know that the Leaf Machine has broken and is out for repair. They have come up with some alternative plans to get leaves until it is returned. Quotes were shared for grass mowing in the borough; Dan stated it appears most charge around $48.00 per acre/cut. President John Domanski talked about the purchase of a new mower and had quotes from two vendors. Welliver had provided a stand-up mower for the crew to try but Dan stated none of them cared for it. Vice President Barb Kriner made a motion to purchase a Ferris 5901881 mower from Welliver & Sons when confirmed price can be locked in. We would like to take the mower in April 2022 but want to lock in the purchase now; hope to pay half of the cost now and balance when delivered in April.
Motion seconded by Brian Whitenight, and all voted in favor. President John Domanski said he would check in with Welliver & Sons to see if this would be an option for us.
There was no Southside Fire Company report this evening.
Chief Kerry Parkes then addressed Council with the Police Department report for October. He spoke of the Cobra Server Data training which is hopefully connecting state wide. Trick or Treat night was very successful. No acts of mischief were reported; Officer Eamon Shoff and Corporal “Batman Brad” patrolled the streets and handed out candy along the way. Report was approved on a Motion by Beth Rake and seconded by Delavan Whitenight Jr.
Mayor John LaMotte then talked of the great turnout for Saturday evening event in the park for Halloween. It was well attended and kids were so polite! He then asked if Council would have any issues with doing an event on December 11th for the kids? This would start out as a Parade of Lights, using the same route as our May event and end at the Borough building with Santa greeting the kids with small handouts. Homeowners along parade route could decorate their houses but most already do for the holiday. More details will be forthcoming; we will be financing the project with the donations from 150 Celebration sales. Mayor Report was approved on a Motion by Vice President Barb Kriner and seconded by Brian Whitenight with all voting in favor.
There was no Solicitor Report this evening.
Sewer billing was then put before Council. Dates of service are different for different areas in the Borough. This can lead to confusion when selling a home. President John Domanski highlighted what costs would be involved to make the dates uniform and it would not affect anyone until selling their home. On a Motion by Beth Rake and seconded by Vice President Barb Kriner, the next billing cycle will have uniform dates for all residents in the multiple areas. . All voted in favor.
Meeting Dates for 2022 were reviewed. Calendar dates approved on a Motion by Brian Whitenight and seconded by Beth Rake; all voted for.
Resolution 21-11-01, Police Pension Plan for 2022 was approved on a Motion by Vice President Barb Kriner and seconded by Brian Whitenight; all voted in favor.
The 2022 budget was reviewed for Council by Vice President Barb Kriner who had chaired the budget committee. Budget includes the addition of another full time and part time Police Officer; an additional part timer in the Street Department; a new Street Department truck and a mower. There is a deficit but that can be absorbed by our carry over funds. There will not be a tax increase!
Dan Gable stated to get a truck would require ordering soon; there are some now but they are red in color. Delvan Whitenight Jr asked if they had to be the same color and council felt it was better to stay with the white color. Dan will obtain 3 quotes as required. Our 2005 truck will be put out on Municibid for sale and the 2013 will become the new leaf truck. Budget was tentatively adopted on a Motion by Beth Rake and seconded by Brian Whitenight. All voted in favor.
Brian Whitenight then added new business with information regarding removal of the oil in the tank at the school. Pine Township in Millville would be one place to contact to recycle the oil. Clark Shuman stated there is also a place outside of Winfield that we can contact.
At 8:17 pm, Vice President Barb Kriner made a Motion to Adjourn the Regular Session and go into an Executive Session for personnel matters. Beth Rake seconded the motion. Regular Session closed.
9:04 pm Vice President Barb Kriner made a Motion to Adjourn the Executive Session and return to Regular Session. Peter seconded the Motion. Executive Session ended.
Delavan Whitenight Jr added that DOT now requires physicals for commercial truck drivers. Mayor John LaMotte said he thought that was for heavier trucks but evidently things have changed; Mayor added it runs about $50 for physical and they get a card to carry. Exam is good for 2 years.
Vice President Barb Kriner then made a Motion to go into negotiations with the Police Department and to contact a Labor Attorney for guidance in a new contract; seconded by Beth Rake and all voted for.
Negotiation committee will be President John Domanski, Vice President Barb Kriner and Beth Rake.
We will be meeting with Larson Design Group on Wednesday, November 3 at 10:30 am for further school planning.
Motion by Brian Whitenight at 9:10 pm to Adjourn Council; seconded by Peter Fleming.
Council Adjourned for the evening.
Respectfully Submitted:
Deborah Bausch
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