Council Meeting Minutes March 17, 2014

As approved at the meeting held on April 7, 2014, below follow the minutes of March 17, 2014

The Riverside Borough Council met on Monday, March 17, 2014 at 7:00 pm in the Municipal Building, 301 Dewart Street, Riverside.  President John Novak called the meeting to order in the presence of Vice President Peter Fleming, Council Members John Domanski, Barb Kriner, John LaMotte and Lori Steele.  Solicitor Joseph Michetti, Mayor Joseph Oberdorf and Secretary Deborah Bausch were also in attendance. Council Member Caressa Compton arrived shortly after the meeting started. 

Resident Carolyn Bausch spoke first regarding the closing of the river bridge for work on the railroad crossing.  She thanked John Domanski for his letter to the editor and she has been in contact with State Representatives regarding this issue.   President Novak then spoke of the upcoming meeting on March 24, 2014 at the PennDot Office in Montoursville.  He requested the newspaper put an article in advising residents to bring their concerns to the office prior to that date and they will be taken to the meeting.

Minutes of the March 3, 2014 meeting were reviewed.  Approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by John LaMotte; motion carried on unanimous approval.

At this time, Craig Gabbadon spoke on some new technology being researched by the Police Department.  Officer Kerry Parkes was also present to answer questions regarding the police department.    The citation writer new software and hardware were discussed in detail including usage and costs involved.   Quote given was for 3 machines since we have 3 officers onboard.  Council requested a new quote based on one machine only.  Craig stated the State Police are using the system currently and anticipates more units will be getting onboard with the updated technology.

New Business this evening began with John Domanski submitting Petitions with 700 signatures opposing the River Bridge closing.  Discussion followed about the previous meeting and the upcoming meeting as well.  John LaMotte suggested speaking with Todd Oberdorf, EMA director, to see if there were any plans to use for traffic control if a railroad accident would occur.  Mayor Oberdorf stated that scenario had happened many years ago.   There is a scheduled meeting at PennDot on March 24th as well as a public meeting to be held in Riverside.  Meeting in the Borough will be held in Fellowship Hall of St. Peter’s UM Church, Sunbury Road, on April 8th beginning at 6:30 pm.   At that time we anticipate PennDot will explain to local residents their decision on the bridge and how they arrived at that conclusion.    Mayor Oberdorf gave numbers of cars that have passed through the area using the bridge. He tracked 1250 cars traveling from Elysburg area to Riverside from 6 am - 8:15 am on a Monday; that Friday he tracked 841 cars traveling Sunbury Road to the bridge.    President Novak then stated there are at least 15 businesses in the Borough as well as 750 households.     A formal letter will be drafted to PennDot.  President Novak had been very successful with handling things via phone calls; however council felt a letter in writing should be done also.

John Domanski then gave an update on the Gas Lines.  He has been in contact with Donald Brominski from UGI and is hoping to set up a face to face meeting with him to get real time information.

Solicitor Michetti had nothing to report at this time.  There will be a meeting on Thursday morning to discuss trees at the airport; meeting will begin in borough office at 10:30 am and continue out to the airport area to see trees in question.

At 7:55 pm, Barb Kriner made a motion to adjourn into Executive Session from Regular Council.  Motion was seconded by John LaMotte.

Motion to return to Regular Council Session was done by Barb Kriner and Seconded by  John Lamotte.

Council adjourned for the evening at 8:21 pm on a Motion by John LaMotte and seconded by Caressa Compton.

Next Council meeting will be held on Monday, April 7, 2014 in the Municipal Building at 7:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted:

Deborah Bausch, Secretary