BOROUGH OF GLENOLDEN

GLENOLDEN, PENNSYLVANIA

 

COUNCIL MEETING                                                     SEPTEMBER 18, 2007

 

MR. DANZI                                                                            MR. MCGARVEY 

MR. PFAFF                                                                            MR. QUINN                      

MR. BOOTHBY                                                                        MS. NELSON

MR. PUPPIO                                                                          MR. MCGETTIGAN

MR. HOOVER                                                                       MAYOR BATHURST                                                                    

                          

PRESIDENT DANZI – Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

President Danzi – Before we get into our regular order of business, I’d like to call the Mayor up front and he’ll have the pleasure of swearing in one of our new police officers.

 

Mayor Bathurst – Scott, do you want to come forward? We have been very fortunate in Glenolden and over the past several years that we have been using the services of our part time officers we have had quite a few outstanding candidates. It is with pleasure that we take a brief moment tonight to swear in our newest part time officer in, so Scott if you would place your hand on the Bible, raise your right hand and repeat after me: I, Scott Sander, do affirm and swear that as a part time Police Officer in the Borough of Glenolden, I will uphold the Constitution of the United States, Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and all of the Borough rules, regulations and codes, so help me God. Scott, Congratulations! (Applause)

 

President Danzi – Back on the record. Okay, I’ll entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting.

 

MOTION by Mr. Quinn seconded by Mr. Pfaff to approve minutes of the previous meeting. MOTION CARRIED

 

MOTION by Mr. Quinn seconded by Mr. McGarvey to approve the Treasurer’s Report.

MOTION CARRIED

 

BIDS & CORRESPONDENCE – No bids. Two pieces of correspondence. To Tom Danzi, President of Glenolden Borough Council To Whom It May Concern, I regret to inform you that I am resigning from my position as a member of the Zoning Hearing Board for Glenolden Borough effective September 7, 2007, and that’s from Bob Havens.

From Steven Mummert, Glenolden Borough Council, Please be advised that I, Steven Mummert, will resign my position on the Planning Commission with the intent to go onto the Zoning Hearing Board. Thank you, Steven Mummert. That’s it.

 

MOTION by Mr. Quinn seconded by Mr. Boothby to go out of the regular order of business to hear from the public with any questions pertaining to the motions listed on the agenda. MOTION CARRIED

 

PRESIDENT DANZI – Any questions on agenda items tonight? 

 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

FINANCE & LAWMr. McGettigan            No new report

 

 

PUBLIC & SAFETYMr. Quinn

 

 

CASH

CHECKS

TOTAL

Parking Tickets

637.00

770.00

1,407.00

Accidents

77.00

  390.00

467.00

Dog/Weeds/Snow

0.00

0.00

0.00

Magistrate Tozer

0.00

*4,795.03

*4,795.03

D.U.I.

0.00

262.32

262.32

Totals

$714.00

$6,217.35

6,931.35

          * July fines

 

   43

Crimes Code Arrests

  111

Vehicle Code Arrests/Citations Issued

   144

Parking Tickets Issued

     0

Borough Ordinance Citations

    632

Incidents

 

 

Glenolden Fire Company Report for August, 2007

 

Maintenance Report:

- All trucks were kept clean throughout the month

- Weekly inspections and routine maintenance performed on each truck.

- Weekly equipment checks performed on each truck.

 

The following is a list of extra repairs and/or maintenance performed on the apparatus.

 

Extra Activities performed by the members:

Fire prevention week is October 6th to 13th.

Glenolden Fire Company is holding a fire safety day on October 6th from 10-2 at Robin Ford.

 

Fire/ Drill Report for August 2007

 

No. of Alarms

In Town

Out of Town

Y.T.D.

Answering

Alarms

Minutes in Service

Man

Minutes

22

8

14

244

24

372

3163

 

 

No. of Drills

YTD

Total Members

Attending

Total Minutes

In Service

Total Man

Minutes

3

31

15

180

2040

 

 

 

 

Nature of Alarms

 

 

House

Service

Call

PECO

Equip.

M.V.A.

Fire Alarms

Investi-

gation

1

1

1

1

3

1

Mutual Aid - Assist for Fire: 14

 

 

HIGHWAY & LIGHTS Mr. Boothby

 

POTHOLES

Patched and filled various potholes throughout the borough

 

STREET CLEANING

Ran street sweeper throughout the borough

 

GRASS CUTTING

Cut grass and weed whacked around the bridges.

 

OTHER JOBS PERFORMED

Routine cleaning & maintenance done throughout the borough as needed

Signs replaced and straightened throughout the borough

Cleaned street sweeper

 

EQUIPMENT

All fluids checked and maintained

 

TOTAL HOURS WORKED              350

TOTAL OVERTIME                    0

TOTAL COMP                                       0

 

 

HEALTH AND SEWERMr. McGarvey

Sewers were checked and maintenance performed on the following dates: August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31.

 

OTHER JOBS PERFORMED

Checked & cleared various blockages throughout the borough.

 

EQUIPMENT

Cleaned and maintained machinery.

 

TOTAL HOURS WORKED                  45

TOTAL OVERTIME                          0

TOTAL COMP TIME                         0

 

 

·        Health & Sewer Report for the month of August 2007

 

Street Openings                                             2            Total fees collected            $250.00 Plumbing permits issued                           5           Total fees collected    $460.00

            Plumbing Registrations issued               2           Total fees collected    $150.00

 

Turned over to the Borough Secretary the total sum of:            $860.00

 

 

HEALTH OFFICER – Phyllis Duffy     

 

July  2007                                                                               

                                                                       

Communicable Diseases Reported:  0                            

Animal Bites Reported:  0                                                                

Inspections/licenses issued:  12

 

Joe’s Water Ice   389 MacDade Blvd.

Lukoil    441 S. MacDade

Pizza Villa   381 S. MacDade

Dino’s Bar & Grill   110 S. MacDade

Sam’s Saloon/Restaurant    105 S. MacDade

Taco Bell     121 N. MacDade

Wendy’s Restaurant     132 N. MacDade

Kevin Michael’s Bar    3 S. MacDade

Dave’s Pizza    36 S. MacDade

American Legion    4 S. Glen

New Moon Café     117 S. Chester Pike

Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant     126 N. Chester Pike

 

Complaints:

Glenolden Swim Club-responded to Borough Council re: complaint.

411 W. South-complaint about dirty pool-owner has cleaned pool.

507 Urban Ave-problem with cat as only tenant-cat left via window.

17 E. Ashland Ave-problem with stagnant water on rear patio-spoke to owner.  Referred this to code enforcement.

 

August 2007:  Attended Delaware County Community Pandemic Planning seminar.                                                                                  

                        .

Respectfully Submitted,

Phyllis Duffy, RN MHR

 

 

PARKS & PROPERTYMr. Kerstetter

Picked up trash at all borough buildings and in the parks

 

OTHER JOBS PERFORMED

Cut and trimmed grass at all borough properties

Completed routine maintenance, repairs and cleaning as needed throughout the parks and borough offices

Cut up and removed large tree that fell in the creek and cut down 4 small trees hanging in creek

Fixed caboose on train at playground

 

 

TOTAL HOURS WORKED      177

TOTAL OVERTIME                  0

TOTAL COMP TIME                         0

 

BUILDING & ZONING – Mr. Pfaff

 

·            Building and Zoning Report for the month of August 2007

 

            Total Building/Zoning Permits issued-34        Total fees collected   $4,830.00

            Total Contractor Registrations            -33            Total fees collected   $2,625.00

 

Total Building and Zoning fees turned over to the Borough Secretary:       $7,455.00

 

  ·          Use and Occupancy Report for the month of August 2007

 

            U&O’s issued                                       23            Total fees collected            N/A

            U&O application fees collected            17            Total fees collected            $1,700.00

Re-inspection fees collected                        4            Total fees collected            $   650.00

 

Total Use and Occupancy fees turned over to the Borough Secretary:           $2,350.00

 

 

ENGINEER Ms. Nelson 

 

Boon and Glen Sewer Slip Lining

Change Order #1 was sent to the Borough Manager on July 19, 2007 for execution. The executed copy was sent to the contractor on July 25, 2007. They have notified our office that they will be performing the slip lining operations tomorrow. It will require large equipment, so they will be matting the ground. They are responsible for repair of any damaged property. We recommend photos be taken prior to the activities taking place.

Handicap Ramps Project

On July 23, 2007, we notified the four unsuccessful bidders and prepared the contracts for A to U Services, Inc. A pre-construction meeting was held upon full execution of contracts on September 7, 2007 and a Notice to Proceed prepared with October 25, 2007 set as the completion date.

Tree and Walkway Restoration Project

We processed pay requests for Associated Paving Contractors, Inc., one to the County in the amount of $50,378.15 and one to the Borough in the amount of $2,018.57.

Knowles Avenue Underpass

On August 8, 2007, an application for a Right of Entry was submitted on behalf of the Borough to CSX Transportation. Once issued, it will allow us to proceed with the survey and soils investigation required for the project. In preparation for the survey work, we have requested information from utility companies to mark their lines on plans we provided.

Road Program

A preliminary estimate has been prepared in the amount of $65,780.00 for repairs and resurfacing on five street locations. The estimate also includes repairs required as a result of PENNDOT’s inspection of the Hibbs Avenue bridge over the Muckinapates Creek. The repairs consist of patching concrete and replacing the railing.


SOLICITOR – Mr. Puppio                No new report       

 

 

PRESIDENT DANZI – Old / New business

 

 

PUBLIC SAFETY – Mr. Quinn                               

 

MOTION by Mr. Quinn seconded by Mr. Pfaff to adopt Ordinance 2049 repealing Section 31-1 entitled Compensation and Section 31-17 entitled Earnings of Ordinance 1043 establishing the Police Pension adopted on Sept. 24, 2002 and replacing with Ordinance 2049 Section 31-1 entitled Compensation and Section 31-17 entitled Earnings to conform with the state auditors findings. MOTION CARRIED

 

 

FINANCE & LAWMr. McGettigan

 

MOTION by Mr. McGettigan seconded by Mr. Boothby to adopt Resolution 17-07 to approve a 10-year amortization of unfunded actuarial accrued liabilities for the police pension plan.

MOTION CARRIED

 

MOTION by Mr. McGettigan seconded by Mr. McGarvey to adopt Resolution 18-07 to appoint Berkheimer as per-capita tax collector for the initial term commencing September 1, 2007 and ending December 21, 2010 and any subsequent renewal terms thereafter. MOTION CARRIED

 

MOTION by Mr. McGettigan seconded by Mr. Pfaff to adopt Resolution 19-07 to appoint Donna McGrenaghan as liaison between Glenolden Borough & Berkheimer for the express purpose of sharing confidential tax information with the district for official purposes. MOTION CARRIED

 

MOTION by Mr. McGettigan seconded by Mr. Boothby to adopt Resolution 20-07 to appoint Berkheimer as Glenolden Borough’s tax hearing officer under and pursuant to the local taxpayers bill of rights for the express purpose of adjudicating appeals there under. MOTION CARRIED

 

MOTION by Mr. McGettigan seconded by Mr. Pfaff to adopt Resolution 21-07 to authorize Berkheimer to impose and retain costs of collection on delinquent per-capita taxes.

MOTION CARRIED

 

MOTION by Mr. McGettigan seconded by Mr. Pfaff to adopt Ordinance 2048 prohibiting

loitering upon any public access property and to provide penalties for the violation thereof.

MOTION CARRIED

                    

 

HEALTH & SEWER – Mr. McGarvey                    No new report

 

 

PARKS & PROPERTY- Mr. Kerstetter                     No new report

 

 

HIGHWAY & LIGHTS – Mr. Boothby                No new report

 

 

BUILDING & ZONING – Mr. Pfaff         

 

MOTION by Mr. Pfaff seconded by Mr. McGarvey to appoint Chili’s Inspection Services as 3rd party inspectors to enforce the Uniform Construction Codes for the Borough of Glenolden.

MOTION CARRIED

 

MOTION by Mr. Pfaff seconded by Mr. McGarvey to accept the resignation of Robert Havens from the Zoning Hearing Board. MOTION CARRIED

 

MOTION by Mr. Pfaff seconded by Mr. McGarvey to accept the resignation of Steve Mummert from the planning commission. MOTION CARRIED

 

MOTION by Mr. Pfaff seconded by Mr. Quinn to appoint Steve Mummert to the Zoning Hearing Board for the Borough of Glenolden. MOTION CARRIED

 

President Danzi – I’ll ask the Mayor to come up and swear in Steve Mummert to the Zoning Hearing Board.

 

MAYOR BATHURSTI, Steve Mummert, do solemnly swear and affirm that as a member of the Glenolden Zoning Hearing Board, I will do my best to uphold the rules and regulations of the Borough codes and to fulfill those duties to the best of my ability, so help me God.  Okay, thank you Steve. (Applause)

 

President Danzi – Okay now it’s time to hear from the Mayor.

 

MAYOR BATHURST – One of the things that’s encouraging is just to see then number of young residents that are becoming involved in the various boards and commissions of the Borough. For some of us that have been around for awhile and no I don’t go back to the horses and firehouse, it’s very encouraging that these guys are stepping forward.  On a note, with the Police department, Officer Illich continues to heal, continues to be in therapy and it’s just a matter of waiting to see if all of that damage is going to be worked itself around. Also our officers were involved in the last two weeks over in the school zone an operation called smooth operator. They were there Thursday and Friday the week that school opened for an hour for school traffic and then they spent the remaining hours on the Borough observing speeds and issuing citations. They were also active on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of this past week. This was through a state grant and from what I understand from the Sergeant and the Chief were very successful in patrolling around town. For now, that’s it.

President Danzi – Thank you for that.

 

PRESIDENT DANZI – Now, a motion to go out of the regular order of business to hear from the public tonight.

 

MOTION by Mr. Quinn seconded by Mr. McGarvey to go out of the regular order of business to hear from the public.  MOTION CARRIED

 

PRESIDENT DANZI – Anyone from the public wish to address us tonight?

 

Donna Rothe, 302 S. Sharp Avenue- We’re having a problem with a piece of property across the street and I spoke to Mr. Hoover about it. I was wondering what’s going to be done. We see rodents and the house is not occupied. It’s been attended to by the code enforcement officer and all that and we’d been in contact from California with the property people whatever you know a mortgage company I guess but it stinks and those hot days in August. I’ve been through the house when the bank people were there. My neighbors and all of us are concerned about the rodent problem. We’ve seen I’m gonna say rats, there could be possums (inaudible). Is something gonna be done? Are they gonna be able to go into that house or can the borough? It’s a code violation, it’s health, it’s absolutely a health hazard. They are cutting the grass out front. Now we also have a property on the other end of the corner on Inskeep and Sharp that’s being rented to those people. Why isn’t it being brought up to code, why isn’t something being done with that and the trash around that property. My other neighbors Mr. Stevens and Miss (inaudible) shouldn’t have to see what is on the side of that house, you know but that I believe is directly 309, it’s 309. It’s not good and this winter there might be people living in there or they go in they won’t be able to breathe. Has anything been done Mr. Hoover? I left the mortgage company or whoever’s in charge of cutting the grass at this point the number at the borough hall, you know at the borough office to contact them, you know cause we been doing it the neighbors.

President Danzi- We’ll address Mr. Hoover, I just want to get some information myself. I’m aware of the property and as far as I know the bank, with a call from the borough, was at least taking care of cutting the grass and maintaining the outside. You have notified the borough directly that there was rats and stuff like (talking over each other) Okay one at a time. I know Brian wants to answer you, I’m aware of some of the property and I’ll tell you this, this isn’t just one house, we have a few houses and we sat down with the solicitor, we have some properties that are not being maintained, we’re looking into getting bids and going ahead to have the grass cut, the bushes cut, pay it through borough taxes and then put a lien on the house, so we are taking some steps when it’s needed to do that. In the meantime, Brian, are you aware of what’s going on?

Mr. Hoover – In reference to the corner property, that actually was owned and then apparently sold a month or so ago to the attorney for the family. We cited the property and the property owner on numerous occasions. They have now gone over to Judge Tozer at District Court.

Ms. Rothe – Are they still living there though, what if they didn’t have a current U&O that they wouldn’t be able to occupy the house?

Mr. Hoover – They are still living there and it went to settlement or I’m not exactly sure how this entire thing is going

Ms. Rothe – I believe on the 15th of July something was settled and the property is no longer owned by the person living there.

Mr. Hoover – That is exactly correct and they did not notify the borough that the property changed hands. There was never a Use & Occupancy or a CO issued for the property to go to settlement with because we were unaware that it went to settlement. The original owners are still living in there. I know that the code enforcement officer is in touch with the attorney that owns the property and they’re attempting to bring it up to code at this point. The property that the bank owns, we’ve been in contact with that bank basically, weekly to try to get their people out there. They have been maintaining the outside of the property.  The borough really doesn’t have the authority to go inside the property to tear out and clear out whatever’s in there.

Ms. Rothe – Even if it’s a health hazard?

Mr. Hoover – It’s in foreclosure and we understand that it is a health hazard.

Ms. Rothe – I don’t want what’s living there to come over here, we are having problems with mice because of the situation.

Mr. Hoover – I understand

Ms. Rothe – We have out of nine houses on the street, on Sharp and around that corner, four of them are vacant. They’re four big houses that stand over there and it’s like all the rest are properties you know

President Danzi – Wait, we have been talking to Mr. Puppio quite frequently and trying to determine how we can legally deal with these properties. Some of them have kids, they’ve lived there, we’ve talked about padlocking the doors and doing some things but there are some issues that are keeping us from legally doing that. All I can tell you is we’re trying to come up with a plan that allows us to address this. Now we certainly can send a health officer in and we can do that. The problem is what can we do? Nobody’s living in there, the bank (talking over one another). I can tell you this, first thing tomorrow morning we’ll get a hold of Phyllis Duffy, get her to go through the house and write a list and Mike I can get with you and maybe we can resend a letter to the bank directly on behalf of the Borough. I’ll work with Mr. Puppio to figure out

Ms. Rothe – Because my neighbors would be glad to you know we were actually going to sign a letter and send it ourselves but what action do we have you know, so we’re all aware of it every neighbor on the block is aware of it. Mr. Hoover probably has gotten phone calls.

President Danzi – We have and there are a few properties that we’re struggling on with some issues. Citations go into District Judge Pete Tozer, he rules on them. Some cases there are warrants out for some of the people that own these properties or live there but it’s not getting them to comply with cleaning up or fixing them up or whatever they may need.

Ms. Rothe – Would I be able to (inaudible) public record, Mr. Hoover’s records get information on a contact he has so I can go back to my neighbors and maybe we can go on from there also as people directly affected by it with our property values over there. Contacts he’s had and when he called them so I can say well the Borough called you on this day and spoke to this person and this contact.

President Danzi – I’m sure, if he has some records of when he called them. I was aware that there were times when the grass was growing at random, seems like he would call the bank and within the next week they would cut it. Have they been keeping up on the outside?

Ms. Rothe – If not my neighbor goes over there and tries to cut it, pretty much but it still stinks. When it was a hundred degree weather the last thing I want to smell is my neighbors house across the street.

President Danzi – I don’t blame you.

Ms. Rothe – Okay, thank you.

 

Caroline Fairfield, 304 S. Sharp Avenue – I had spoken during the May election to Mr. Hoover, Mr. Quinn and Mr. McGarvey regarding the Borough re-instating the Glenolden Historical Commission. I don’t know if you were aware we did used to have one but it somehow disappeared. I think that it would benefit the Borough if we would consider re-establishing the Historical Commission and I do wanted to share with you cause there’s a reason I think it’s important. Over the summer I guess before I spoke to our council members I had the pleasure of meeting through on-line I answered a posting for a history website from a gentlemen who was looking for family and he happened to be a Ridgeway Aldan ancestor and he was real excited cause you know he had no idea that there was information here in the county regarding his grandfather and great-grandfather and whatever, and grandmother. So, he’s actually coming in October to visit Glenolden for you know cause his roots run here. So and I just thought it was you know after speaking to him and then speaking with our council members just thought it was maybe something that we would benefit from with grant money and well anything for the preservation of what we have here. So, I just wrote a little letter that I’d just like to hand in, I was gonna send it but since I’m here tonight.

President Danzi – Just so you know, unfortunately they’re not active, but we had a name that we do have a historical person but he’s not very active.

Ms. Fairfield – I tried numerous times to get in touch with Mr. Stan.

President Danzi – I think we put his name in that so we could have an official person handling that because there’s not a whole lot of historical stuff going on. We don’t have a commission just had his name in there, and does know a reasonable amount of history of the Borough but unfortunately he’s not very active.

Ms. Fairfield – I was fortunate to obtain quite a bit of information myself so that’s what I think I would be willing to share with anybody that’s a member of the commission you know I will be glad to help out but I just think it’s time and since we’re starting a new year we might have, we’ll have a new councilwoman, I think it would be fortunate that we would definitely benefit from, it wouldn’t hurt. Thank you.

President Danzi – Thank you.

 

 

PRESIDENT DANZI – Any one else wish to address Council t