MINUTES

 

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL

 

MARCH 4, 2009

 

7:15 P.M.

 

 

1.                 Council Vice-President Neil Allen called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM.   Borough Manager Barbara K. Quarantello called roll.  Members present:    Council Vice-President Neil Allen, Council members Joanne Kochanski, Boyd Weiss, Matthew Abell, Jeff rey Ewen and Eric Scelza. Borough Solicitor Ralph Matergia and Mayor Charles Baughman were also present.  Ms. Diddio was absent.

 

2.                 The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

3.                 Public Input:  Rich Berkowitz thanked Council on behalf of the Jacob Stroud Corporation for opening the Recycling Center for local businesses to drop off cardboard.

 

4.       Approval Of Minutes:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the minutes from the Council meeting on February 19, 2009.  Motion passed unanimously.  Neil Allen abstained due to absence at that meeting.

 

5.       Old Business:

          a.     Consider the Subdivision and Land Development Plan of Middletown Place

          for their property located at 51 N. Second Street .  Mr. Worthington has revised plans to submit to the Borough and to Leo Achterman for their review.  Ralph Matergia reviewed the Joinder Deed and it is acceptable.  Comment 2 is regarding the easement.  The applicant wants to preserve the easement and Mr. Matergia is content with how the easement has been handled to date.  The location of this access impacts access to the Borough streets from the traffic generated on the Douglass property.  The concern that was expressed by the engineer was how the access will be maintained during construction.  Mr. Matergia spoke with Mr. Oiler and Mr. Worthington and it was agreed the applicant will provide a construction sequence to the easement. Mr. Oiler said all other comments have been addressed.  Mr. Ewen asked a question about ponding at the side and Mr. Oiler feels intermediate grade shots should handle the ponding.  Mr. Abell asked if the sidewalk is the existing sidewalk.  Mr. Oiler said that is a ramp.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the Subdivision and Land Development plan conditioned upon entering into a development agreement.  Motion passed unanimously.

           

b.           Consider awarding bid for a used sewer jet flusher vacuum unit to Golden   Equipment Co. for $54,500.  Mrs. Quarantello said we had another bid from     Jet Vac which was higher and that this was budgeted for the first year       payment out of the sewer fund.  Motion to award bid to Golden Equipment        Co. by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

          c.     Discussion of the Stroudsburg Fire House Apparatus Floor.  Mrs. Quarantello                   stated our options as provided by David Hess of Hess Engineering: $70,000                           for one bay and $200,000 for four bays as ballpark figures and he                                    recommends the four bay project.  Council should either look into                                     obtaining property to build a new building or consider other means of                             funding.  Mr. Scelza feels an engineer should give us an exact figure on four              bay project and we would need more review by an architect before making               a decision.  We should consider purchasing the property next door but also              consider how that affects the tax base.  Mrs. Kochanski said Council should                             look into grants that are available to us and Mr. Kochanski added that Mr.                     Kanjorski said there is money available to fire departments.  Mrs.                                     Quarantello stated we need to know how much to ask for and by gathering                      more information it would provide better insight into the scope of this                            project.  Consensus from Council to allow Mrs. Quarantello to pursue                                    discussions pertaining to this topic and report back to Council.

         

          d.    Discussion of an ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg providing for a    Money Purchase Pension Plan for non-uniformed employees of the Stroud      Area Regional Police Department.  Mrs. Quarantello said this plan is funded          by employer, defined benefit plan with early retirement at age 55 with 10        years of service and also a normal retirement age at 62 years of age.  When   the pension plan was audited it was recommended to be adopted by         ordinance.  Normally state aid pays for this plan but last year state aid fell         short and it was taken out of the police budget.  Mr. Weiss would like to see real numbers and where the money comes from within the police budget if it falls short.  Mr. Scelza agrees.  Mr. Weiss asked how this will affect the   budget in the future with the expansion of SARPD and new SARPD    employees.  Mr. Matergia stated staff should check with the Police        Commission to see how they budget for this and contact Jim Phillips to come explain it to Council.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr.        Scelza, to table this issue to gather more information.  Motion passed          unanimously.

 


6.       New Business:

 

a.       Consider mailing letters of support to various elected officials regarding the Brodhead Creek Regional Authority H2O PA Grant Application for the upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant.  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve mailing letters.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

b.       Consider setting date for Spring Cleanup on June 6, 2009.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza to approve the date.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

c.       Consider setting date for Borough-Wide Yard Sale on Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, 2009 (Memorial Day Weekend).  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the date.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

7.       Solicitor’s report: Nothing to report.

 

8.       Mayor’s report:  SROSRC has the following events that Council should be aware of:  April 22 – Open house at Day Street Community Center ; June 20 – Progressive park dinner.  Also note the thickness of the latest brochure which includes a lot of new programs.

 

9.       Councilmember’s reports: 

          a.       Mr. Ewen thanks MEM for the light on Woodcliff, however, it doesn’t work.  Mr. Ace noted that MEM has been notified.  Mr. Ewen asked about the status of the traveling baseball league using Glen Park.  Mrs. Heimbach contacted Stroudsburg Little League and believes they may use the park as well.  She contacted the traveling league and informed them they are to pay for the entire field upgrade.  They are thinking about it.

 

          b.       Mr. Weiss mentioned Lot 5 has working lights installed by MEM. The town also has clean gutters and clean streets.  He also noted we don’t need to provide any more lights in this area. Mr. Scelza asked about the cost of the lights and Mrs. Quarantello will find out the exact cost and report back to Council.

 

10.     Manager’s report:  Mrs. Quarantello received a price quote of $227,837 from Golden Equipment and $276,000 from Elgin for a dustless sweeper for use during the winter.  However, 13-15 states have new regulations being introduced and these dustless sweepers will not meet the new regulations.  Mrs. Kochanski does not approve buying a new machine that won’t meet the new regulations.

 

          Mr. Ace reported that our 14 year old pay loader needs a new transmission for $12,000 and a new radiator for $6,000.  Overall it is worth about $5,000.  Mrs. Quarantello said Costars has 2 prices:  One bid from Five Star for $88,000 as a 5 year lease, 4.75% interest, payments of $20,392 each and the first payment is due in 12 months and a $15,000 trade in for our loader.  Another bid from Medico for $88,325 as a 5 year lease, 5.25% interest and a trade in of $14,000.  Five Star is the best price.  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve purchase from Five Star.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

          Mrs. Quarantello indicated we need to get chlorine bids for the Waste Water Treatment Plant.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve getting bids.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

          Mrs. Quarantello reported that the Borough of Stroudsburg is getting back $36,120 back on health insurance premiums from the co-op.  We are to receive 75% next month and 25% in June or July of 2009.  SARPD will be getting back $138,110. 

 

          Mrs. Quarantello, Tim Ace, Brian Bond, Nate Oiler and Mr. Guernsey met to discuss street projects as follows: 

 

          Scott Street :  Stone to 9th St to replace storm water sewer for $100,000.  We need to maintain 24 inch line up to Storm St and increase to a 30 inch line, then pave it in the fall or next year.  CDBG money to be used.

 

          1st Street :  Plans were designed several years ago by RKR Hess for full reconstruction of the roadway, drainage, curb and sidewalk.  It consists of a block from Garfield to Washington Street which is approx. 360 linear feet for $120,000. CDBG money could be used for the drainage portion which is about $15,000 of the cost of the project this year.

 

          2nd Street :  Pave and replace curb and drainage for $200,000. The Borough is to replace the inlets because the gas company has to fix laterals in the sewer line.  Nate wants it coordinated with the mall project.  We need to look at installing ADA ramps and a cost is yet to be determined.

 

          McConnell Street : Overlay and mill with no curb using liquid fuels money from Interborough bridge to 5th Street .  We have $293,000 of CDBG money from 2005 - 2008 and will be getting $93,000 late in 2009 once we apply for it.

 

          Wallace Street :  Paving in 2010 because the sewer line is going to be installed in 2011 or 2012 and it will be too long to wait.

          Mr. Scelza asked after using all CDGB money, how much would equal our share?  Mrs. Quarantello stated $293,000 CDGB money and $250,000 Street Fund.  We have to use $98,000 of the CDBG money by August of 2009.  Meeting with John Davis on 3/20/09 to see how liquid fuels money can be used and by when.

 

          Regarding the communication tower, an email from Richard Resnok was received indicating approval of the tower.  The tower height is 135’ and he needs to come up with a draft lease agreement but needs the following information from. Council: a monthly rental amount for the lease, current 911 address, tax parcel number and a copy of the portion of the tax map (if available) and a deed book page and reference for the property.  Mrs. Quarantello asked if Council wants her to go forward with this matter.  Mayor Baughman thought a balloon test should be performed to make sure the height of the tower doesn’t interfere or negatively affect neighbors or our town overall.  Concensus of Council to refer  this to Ralph Matergia for the draft agreement.

                  

11.     Consider Approval of Bills: Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the bills on warrant #030409.  Motion passed unanimously.

12.     Executive session:  None.

13.     Adjournment:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM.