February 2, 2026 Meeting Minutes

RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President, Stephen Wagner.
 
Council members present: 
Ken Gardner, Mike Steimling Sr., Rob Rickard and Rebekah Lenig.
Also present was Mayor, Todd Oberdorf, Attorney Antonio Michetti and Secretary Lisa Fritz
 
Absent:
Barb Kriner and Peter Fleming
 
Citizens present:
Dave Hughes, John Domanski, Rick Rosenberry, Brian O’Neill, Drew Mumich, George Dalious, Mary Heath, Gerry Knapp, Chris Benjamin and Laurie Fitzpatrick
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Meeting Notes
Blue Wave Energy Solar Project Proposal & Discussion

• Project Overview & Status: Brian O'Neill from Blue Wave Energy presented a proposal for a solar facility at the Danville Airport. The project is in the preliminary design and due diligence phase, with formal surveys and geotechnical work pending. It involves a 25-year lease with four 5-year extensions, agreed upon with Montour and Northumberland counties. Final plans have not been submitted, and the earliest construction could begin is summer 2027, pending approvals.
• Project Specifications: The proposed facility will be a 2.98 to 3.48 megawatt AC system covering approximately 14 acres. It will use over 6,000 single-axis tracking solar panels, likely sourced from Q-Cells in Korea. The location is between the runway and taxiway in two large, flat areas.
• FAA Compliance and Safety: A glare analysis was conducted, and the project meets FAA criteria to prevent issues for pilots. Any potential glare is considered temporary and similar to reflections from water or glass.
• Business Structure: Each project is set up as a separate LLC for financial independence and liability protection, which is standard practice. Blue Wave Energy operates approximately 12 facilities, mostly in Massachusetts, and is new to Pennsylvania.
• Construction and Decommissioning: Construction is estimated to take 6 to 12 months. A bond for decommissioning is a condition required by Northumberland County, which involves removing everything to three feet below the surface and restoring the site.
• Community and Resident Concerns:
  • Residents expressed concerns about the project's impact on property values, the local environment, wildlife habitats, and visual impact on nearby houses on Sunbury Road. Blue Wave confirmed they would use vegetation screening to mitigate visual impact.
  • There was disappointment regarding a perceived lack of communication from the project developers and the borough council. The developer offered to meet with community groups to discuss impacts.
  • A member of the RC Flying Club noted that the proposed solar grid layout conflicts with their runway's offset, raising safety concerns.
  • A resident noted that an adjacent 23.96-acre parcel, zoned residential, is for sale, which could introduce more residents with a view of the proposed solar farm.

Borough's Role and New Ordinances

• Solar Energy System Ordinance: A recommendation was made for the borough council to adopt a local solar energy system ordinance to provide local oversight, as solar facilities are not currently a provided use. An example ordinance was circulated for review, with a goal to have a draft ready for the March meeting and approved by April.
• Ordinance for Large Trucks: The borough currently lacks an ordinance for truck parking. Council members were asked to bring specific ideas on limitations to a future meeting. The solicitor advised that a borough-wide ban might be legally challenged, but limiting parking in specific areas due to property damage would be a more reasonable basis.
• Data Centers Ordinance: The council discussed the high energy and water consumption of data centers and the potential to attract one to the Merck property. They considered creating a preemptive ordinance and suggested reviewing another municipality's blueprint.
• One-Way Street Proposal: A suggestion was made to make a section of Mill Street one-way to prevent traffic from backing up. The solicitor advised that a traffic and engineering study and state consultation might be necessary.
• Borough Purchasing Policy: The solicitor advised that external groups should not be given the borough's W-9 for tax-exempt purchases. Instead, all requests must be directed to a borough representative to handle directly.

East End Sewer Project

• Funding and Scope: The council approved using $354,700 for urgent repairs before funds expire in June. Issues include a collapsing terracotta sewer line in Hillside Estates and 66 manholes with deteriorating brick interiors.
• Proposed Work: The approved work from USG includes cleaning the problematic sewer line in Hillside Estates and replacing the tops, frames, and lids of 66 manhole covers on the east side, as full lining cannot be completed by the June deadline. A suggestion was made to get a comparative quote from Adams for future lining work. USG will provide a free demonstration of a complete manhole restoration.
• Project Status: Outstanding work on the West End project includes landscaping and street repairs. Joe Pfirman is preparing a letter to PAC-1 to address these issues. The East End project needs to be finished by the summer.

Department Reports and Updates

• Street Department: January was busy with snow removal, taking down Christmas decorations, and various repairs and maintenance tasks. The department was praised for its proficient snow-plowing operations. A new council member toured the facilities. It was noted that plow truck lights are in bad shape and must be replaced, with a new set ordered. Ken made a Motion to accept the Street Department report. Mike seconded. All in Favor.
• Police Department:
  • The department is dealing with recurring property damage from trucks, particularly from Western Express. A suggestion was made to draft a letter to the company.
  • A former officer is being asked to return part-time. The solicitor will contact Scott Township's solicitor to ensure an indemnification agreement is in place to protect the borough from liability.
  • Mandatory use of force training was completed, and the department has started using Plot AI for notes.
  • A police contract statement was noted as being outdated but is reportedly covered by the Chief's new contract. Mike made a Motion to accept the Police report. Rob seconded. All in Favor.
• South Side Fire Company: The report included a CO call, training, a truck brake fire, auto alarms, two structure fires, a rock slide, and a tree down. Mike made a Motion to accept the Southside Fire Company report. Rob seconded. All in Favor.
• Zoning Officer:
  • Inspections of group homes were completed and all passed, with re-inspections to occur every six months. A suggestion was made to re-inspect whenever residents change.
  • Other activities include addressing a resident with loose chickens, a house with a chimney needing repair, and ongoing efforts to contact a resident about overgrown shrubbery.
  • The owner of the "Nooning house" property by the river is clearing it out and has a permit for a shed. Mike made a Motion to accept the Zoning Officer report. Rob seconded. All in Favor.

 
 
Other Borough Business

• Airport Neighbor Complaints: A resident alleged the airport has not been a good neighbor, citing the clear-cutting of land (including a one-acre portion of their property), filing an easement after the purchase, and failing to clean up stumps and dropped trees across 15 acres. Concerns were also raised about earth-moving and pond digging in a wetlands area.
• Feral Cat TNR Proposal: The council discussed a "fee for service" proposal from a Trap-Neuter-Return organization to manage the local feral cat population. A council member will contact the organization to get a price per cat to inform a future decision.
• Review of Meeting Minutes: The minutes from the January 19, 2026, meeting were tabled for correction due to omissions and unclear items. The special meeting minutes from January 29 were approved by Motion of Mike. Rob seconded. Ken opposed. Motion carried.
• PLGIT Investment Account: A committee (Rob, Mike, Barb) was formed to manage the account. The funds are ready to be moved as per previous motions.
• Pump Station Generator Maintenance: The annual maintenance bill of $503.49 was paid.
• "Safe Digging Month" Proclamation: Mike made a Motion to sign the "Pennsylvania 811 Safe Digging Month" proclamation. Ken seconded. All in Favor.
• Electronic Recycling Program: A council member is researching options. Liability concerns were raised about outdoor collection bins. The self-sustaining program at Kulpmont, which uses funds to buy equipment like a skid loader, was mentioned as a successful model.
• Unpaid Taxes for 2025: The tax collector's list of unpaid taxes was reviewed. It was suggested to exonerate the per capita tax for deceased residents, and a council member offered to identify them on the list.
• Executive Session:  At 8:45pm, Mike made a Motion to enter an executive session to discuss personnel matters. Rob seconded. All in Favor.

At 9:15pm, Mike made a Motion to go back into Regular Session. Rob Seconded. All in Favor. Council does not have any further discussion or action to be made
Motion to adjourn  at 9:15pm was made by Rob, seconded by Mike. All in Favor.
 
 
 
Next Arrangements

• Review the January 19, 2026 meeting minutes for approval at the next work session.
• Steve Wagner asked Rebecca  to contact the TNR organization to get a price per cat.
• The PLGIT committee (Rob, Mike, Barb) will meet to discuss the allocation of funds and move designated funds into the new PLGIT account.
• The borough council will draft a local solar energy system ordinance, with council members reviewing the sample and providing feedback for the March meeting.
• The project developer (Blue Wave Energy) offered to meet with organized resident groups to discuss solar project concerns.
• The project developer will continue with due diligence, with final plans potentially submitted in late summer or early fall.
• Draft a letter to Western Express regarding property damage caused by their trucks.
• The solicitor will contact Scott Township's solicitor to arrange for an indemnification agreement regarding the part-time officer.
• Council members are to prepare their specific input for a new ordinance on large truck parking.
• Investigate the process for making a section of Mill Street one-way, including potential state requirements.
• Rob to research electronic recycling options.
• Review ordinances from other municipalities for data centers.
• Inform the tax collector about deceased individuals on the unpaid tax list for exoneration.
• Continue attempts to contact the resident on Chestnut regarding overgrown shrubbery.

The following issues that were not concluded in the meeting or lack clear action items:

1. Solar Project Unresolved Issues: The project is in a preliminary stage. Resident concerns about property values and aesthetics, along with safety conflicts raised by the RC Flying Club, were noted but not resolved. A specific decommissioning cost and bonding details are still pending.

1. Sewer System Long-Term Plan: The full resolution for the failing terracotta sewer line in Hillside Estates is deferred. The approved action is a temporary cleaning, but a long-term plan for lining or replacement, including funding and vendor selection, needs to be established.

1. Airport Neighbor Complaints: The complaints against the airport regarding property damage, easement filing, and environmental concerns were raised but no resolution or next steps were defined by the council.

1. West End Sewer Project Follow-Up: Follow-up on the West End Sewer project punch list is pending. Joe Furman needs to provide the list to Danny and send the letter to PAC-1 to ensure contractors complete outstanding landscaping and street repairs.

1. Recurring Truck Damage: The issue of trucks causing property damage is a recurring problem. While a letter to Western Express was suggested, a broader strategy to address all trucking companies causing damage was not established.

1. Group Home Inspection Policy: The council discussed implementing a policy for re-inspecting group homes upon tenant changes but did not reach a formal decision or assign an action to draft the policy.

1. New Ordinances and Proposals: The discussions regarding a data center ordinance and a proposal to make a section of Mill Street one-way ended without clear action items or assigned responsibility for next steps like obtaining blueprint ordinances or initiating a traffic study.

 
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Fritz
Secretary