Riverside Borough

Subject of Meeting: Pride Month Proclamation
June 23, 2022
7:00pm
​Held in the Riverside Borough Office

​RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, May 2, 2022.  Meeting was called to order by President John Domanski with the following council members present:  Vice President Barb Kriner, April Shuman, Beth Rake, Peter Fleming and Brian Whitenight.  Also present were Mayor John LaMotte and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
Police Chief Kerry Parkes and Street Supervisor, Dan Gable were also present.
 
Clark Shuman was the only Borough resident in the audience.
 
Old business began with approval of the minutes of April 18, 2022 which was done by Motion of Brian Whitenight and seconded by Beth Rake.  Approved by all.
 
Zoning Officer Report – Brian Anderson, Zoning Officer gave the monthly report for April. He stated he has taken several calls for permits.  Peter Fleming motioned to accept the report and Vice President, Barb Kriner seconded. All in favor.
 
 
Street Department –
Dumpster Day will be Saturday, May 14, 2022 from 7:00am until 1:00pm at the Old Elementary School grounds. Notice was put on FaceBook and placed in the Daily Item.
 
Supervisor, Dan Gable presented his Daily Log Sheet, which is turned into Secretary, Lisa Fritz on a weekly basis. April Shuman would like to see the Log Reports when turned in. Dan stated Seidel Electric is the company used for the Borough. They just had a company split up; the bucket truck went to the other partner. Dan asked if Seidel could use the Borough’s bucket truck temporarily until Seidel can obtain a new truck. Dan Gable would drive the bucket truck to the site and pick it up. Solicitor, Joseph Michetti suggested we contact our Insurance company. President, John Domanski, would like estimates from other electric companies. Dan will get the estimates.
Dan received quotes for trees to be taken down and a quote for line of site at Avenue G.  President, John Domanski asked if all the tree on Sunbury Rd could be clear cut.  Vice President, Barb Kriner asked if the Street department could cut up some smaller limbs, brush, etc. April Shuman asked if the Street Department does some of the work, would the price be lowered? Barb Kriner stated there are some areas, such as Avenue G, Sunbury Road and Blue Hill Drive that should not be cleared by the Street Department; stating the smaller stuff can be handled by the Street Department. Dan Gable stated the normal trees in the Borough came to $17,000.00 and the clear cut estimate is $4,000.00. There was $15,000.00 budgeted.  Brian Whitenight asked if Council should bid out. Brian stated the same problem will be there next year, if not kept up.  Brian Whitenight asked if council should look at other options, perhaps training in-house street employees. Street Supervisor, Dan Gable stated he does not have enough employees to do that work. Vice President, Barb Kriner suggested preventative maintenance on trees before they get out of hand. Peter Fleming stated we need to stay within the budget. Vice President, Barb Kriner made a motion to use the $15,000.00 budgeted for, Peter Fleming seconded. All in favor.
Street Supervisor, Dan Gable asked Council if they could change hours for the summer months, working 6:00am to 2:30pm, as in previous years.  Council approved those hours.
Police Report – Police Chief Kerry Parkes stated the April 5th testing for a full time police officer was completed. Eamon Shoff is certified for a full-time police officer. Vice President, Barb Kriner motioned to hire Eamon Shoff as a full-time police officer, Peter Fleming seconded the motion.
Brian Anderson suggested a notice regarding Dumpster Day, be placed at the Street Department so residents are aware of the location at the old Elementary School.  Peter Fleming asked where the Riverside sign was and when it would be put back up. Brian Anderson stated it would be back up soon. Beth Rake asked if the Southside sign could be moved, as it obstructs some vision. Brian Anderson stated it is cemented in and would be difficult to move.
 
Southside Fire Company Report – Vice President, Barb Kriner stated the carnival grounds are getting ready for the Fireman’s carnival the end of May. An exhaust fan from the former Elementary school building fit in a concession stand. Brian Whitenight motioned to accept the report, Beth Rake seconded the motion.
 
Police Report – Police Chief, Kerry Parkes stated Eamon Shoff started as a full-time Police Officer. Eamon is certified as a car seat technician. Kerry looked into Body cams with ‘Watch Guard’; they will not be purchased this year, as they cannot afford to do so.
Police officers will be out in the Borough telling residents to cut grass and trim.
Trucks continue to be an issue hitting the boulders, Police officers will start giving citations for any drivers whom hit and move the boulders. The Riverside Borough insurance company will file with the drivers insurance company for payment. The driver of the Dollar General truck that hit the boulders plead guilty and had to explain what she did at her Hearing. The Fleet District Manager from the trucking company also attended the Hearing, he paid the citations for the driver. He stated that should such occurrence happens again, to contact him and he will pay for damages.
Police Chief, Kerry Parkes, stated the Traffic Control devices are federally approved.
4 Wheeler – it is running, but waiting for brakes to come in.
Kerry Parkes asked if Eamon Shoff’s Medical and Uniform could be prorated since he is a full-time Police Officer now. Also suggested Eamon get full complement of his vacation days. President, John Domanski asked if that was part of the Union contract?  Solicitor, Attorney Joseph Michetti state Council should follow precedent policy, but could adopt a resolution. Vice President, Barb Kriner, made a Motion to prorate the uniform and health, and give full complement of vacation days for Police Officer, Eamon Shoff.  Motion seconded by Brian Whitenight. All in favor.
Vice President, Barb Kriner, made a motion to accept the Police report, Beth Rake seconded the motion.
 
Mayor’s Report – Memorial Day; tents are lined up. A speaker is also scheduled. The Boy Scouts will be helping. The Community Band will play, along with the Honor Guard. Flowers will be ordered from Birds Florist in Riverside. Will need someone to do the Invocation and Benediction. April will check with Greg Molter.
 
New Business – President John Domanski is working with Supervisor, Dan Gable on a job description and objectives for his position. This should be completed by November. Beth Rake felt the job description read more as an employee job description versus a superintendent job description.  Vice President. Barb Kriner stated the written job description is a good start towards a goal. Mayor, John LaMotte stated Dan Gable is the Supervisor and he should take a day to do supervisory work in the office. Council President, John Domanski agreed. April Shuman stated Dan Gable needs to learn how to step away from work that the other Street department employees could do. President, John Domanski stated he would like to see that happen. April Shuman suggested Dan Gable do a report for his budget on a spreadsheet.  President, John Domanski stated that Street Department Supervisor, Dan Gable’s job performance will determine his pay. Vice President, Barb Kriner stated Dan Gable need to utilize his time in order to do supervisory work. Beth Rake asked if Dan was looking to Council for job details.  Peter Fleming feels like Dan Gable is starting to understand the details and duties of a Street Department Supervisor. Peter Fleming suggested that Dan work in the office a full or a half day per week to do supervisory work; perhaps bring the part-time employee, Nathan Apple in on the days Dan needs to work in the office. Council President, John Domanski suggested that Dan Gable look around the Borough and make a list of the work that needs done. Dan should write his objectives and learn how to respond, also write objectives for the other street department employees.
 
Action Items: Vice President, Barb Kriner mentioned the School Project cost for the Borough office and the Police Department; possibly adding the Street Department. Barb Kriner stated a Grant was received for the Feasibility study. Solicitor, Attorney Joseph Michetti, Jr stated the project will most likely cost millions of dollars.  He also mentioned if the project would be cost effective to renovate or rebuild. The Solicitor also stated the School project could be bid out. Beth Rake asked if the project is bid, will another fee need to be paid?  Brian Whitenight said he feels the Larson Design Group has not been clear with the information regarding the School project. Brian suggested to explore other options. Peter Fleming stated concrete numbers are needed before funding can be applied for. Peter also said there are possibly other companies looking for work. Beth Rake suggested council sit down with the Bank to discuss funding and other options. Solicitor, Attorney Joseph Michetti, Jr questioned if there was State money that could be borrowed and Grants that could be applied for.  Mayor, John LaMotte questioned if PSAB would offer help with the School project.
                Trees and brush issue in the Kipps Run, Janice Drive and Sunny Acres areas – Vice President, Barb Kriner suggested contacting PPL to see what could be or needs to be done to lessen the loss of power in these areas.
 
At 8:41 pm, Vice President, Barb Kriner made a Motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by President, John Domanski.  Regular Council adjourned.
 
At approximately 9:43 pm, Vice President Barb Kriner made a Motion to adjourn the Executive Session; Beth Rake seconded the Motion; Executive Session adjourned; Regular Council resumed.
 
Vice President, Barb Kriner stated the report for Covid money has been received, filed and approved.
 
Vice President, Barb Kriner made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Beth Rake seconded the motion. Council adjourned at approximately 9:45 pm.
 
Submitted:
 
 
 
Lisa Fritz
Secretary

​PLEDGE TO THE FLAG

CALL TO ORDER

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD:

I.    OLD BUSINESS
       A.  Minutes of March 

II. ZONING OFFICER REPORT

III. STREET DEPARTMENT REPORT
A. Paving Bids Opened
B. Street Department Liaison

IV. SOUTHSIDE FIRE COMPANY REPORT

V. POLICE REPORT

VI. MAYOR’S REPORT

VII. SOLICITOR MICHETTI REPORT

VIII.  BORO LIFE COMMITTEE

IX. NEW BUSINESS

X. MOTION TO APPROVE
A.  Adoption of Amendment to Chapter 139 - Driveways

XI. ACTION ITEMS
A. Airport Liaison Committee
B. Sewer Numbers
C. LDG Sewer Mapping Quote, West End
D. Northumberland County Grant Requests

XII.    EXECUTIVE SESSION

ADJOURNMENT

NEXT SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2022 @ 7:00 P.M.

BOROUGH OF RIVERSIDE COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022
 
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
 
CALL TO ORDER
 
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD:
 
I.    OLD BUSINESS
       A.  Minutes of  March 7, 2022
      B.  Budget Report for February 2022
      C.  Police Body Cams
      D.  Clarification of call out pay for street department employees
         
II.  NEW BUSINESS
A. Energy contract renewal

1. Handbook & manuals 

C.School basement-glass blocks
D.Employee evaluations
E.Engineers
F.Hiring of New Secretary
 
III.  BORO LIFE COMMITTEE
A.Night at the Races – April 2
 
IV.   ACTION ITEMS
A. Airport Liaison Committee
B.Sewer Numbers
C.Route 54 Signage
D.LDG Sewer Mapping Quote, West End
E.Northumberland County Grant Requests
 
V.   EXECUTIVE SESSION
 
ADJOURNMENT
 
NEXT SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022 @ 7:00 P.M.

Don't forget to change your clocks this weekend!
​Clocks should SPRING FORWARD 1 hour!

A bear has been sighted roaming in the area of Blue Hill Drive/ Blue Hill Circle.  Residents are advised to remove bird seed feeders and trash cans.  The bear is searching for food; once the food sources are removed the bear will leave the area.