MINUTES

 

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL

 

MAY 21, 2009

 

7:15 P.M.

 

 

1.                  Council President Kim Diddio called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM.   Borough Manager Barbara K. Quarantello called roll.  Members present:   Ms. Diddio, Council members Joanne Kochanski , Eric Scelza, Boyd Weiss, and Matt hew Abell.  Mayor Charles Baughman and Borough Solicitor Ralph Matergia were present.  Vice-President Neil Allen was absent.   Jeffrey Ewen arrived at 7:18 PM. 

 

2.                  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

3.                  Public Input:  None.

 

4.                  Approval of Minutes:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the minutes from the Council meeting on May 6, 2009.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

5.       Monthly Administrative Reports:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the monthly administrative reports.  Motion passed unanimously.  Lt. Kimmins was present to address any police related issues.  Mrs. Kochanski and Mr. Weiss reported the increase in skateboards and bicycles on Main Street .  Mr. Weiss added the description of a tall, thin, dark-haired man who goes back and forth on Main Street on a skateboard on the double yellow line.  Lt. Kimmins confirmed enforcement is getting back into warm weather patrols which are reflected in the monthly statistics.  He recorded the information and will make patrols aware of this situation.

 

6.       Treasurer’s Report:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the monthly treasurer’s report.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

7.       Old business:

a.       Consider authorization to enter into an agreement with CGI Communications, Inc. for a Community Video Tour Book.  Mayor Baughman and Rich Berkowitz need more time to discuss the details of this agreement. Mrs. Quarantello recently spoke with the company and any ads they sell, the purchaser will also have the video of their own business on their website.  The videos are provided by this company from their own server.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to table this until the next meeting.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

8.       New Business:

a.       Consider request of the Housing Authority of Monroe County for reduced cost seasonal pool passes for the summer of 2009.  Mrs. Quarantello stated this has been before the Park and Recreation Committee and they authorize the request.  Mrs. Heimbach added it is half price for 25 families.  Motion to approve by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza.  Motion passed unanimously.  Mrs. Kochanski asked about free pool passes for volunteers and Borough employees.    Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza to approve pool passes for volunteers and Borough employees.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

b.       Consider request of the Pocono Mountains Art Group to hold their 63rd Annual Courthouse Square Art Show and to bag the meters along North 7th Street between Main and Monroe Streets.  Mrs. Quarantello stated it is for July 4th and she also checked with Jacob Stroud Corporation and it doesn’t conflict with anything they are doing that day.  Mr. Ewen asked if the Street Dept. would be bagging the meters.  Mrs. Quarantello said Mrs. Goll will be working late on July 3rd and she would bag them then.  Motion to approve by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

c.       Consider authorization to enter into a Fire Sprinkler Inspection Contract with Apex Fire Protection, Inc. for the parking deck fire suppression system.  Motion to approve by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

d.       Consider approval of the second of two SROSRC lists of 2009 Summer Pool/Park Employees and their rate of pay.  Motion to approve by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Ewen.  Motion passed unanimously.  Mrs. Kochanski asked when the pool is opening.  Mrs. Quarantello indicated the pool was filled today, the heater was turned on and it will be opening May 30th.  An in-service meeting was held with the lifeguards since this is Niki’s first year running the pool.

 

e.                  Consider approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Monroe Silk Mill for alterations to their building located at 827B Ann Street to include pointing of brick masonry on all sides of the building, patching of the existing brick where needed, and installation of new windows on the front of the building.  Motion to approve by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell.  Motion passed unanimously.

f.                   Consider approval of a Resolution approving and authorizing the revision use of FFY 2006 CDBG for revising the use of funds from Street / Road Improvement activity No. 9 to Storm Sewer System activity No.3.  Mr. Guernsey said they have started to repair sidewalks and curbing on Scott Street using the 2006 CDBG money.  However, the storm sewer has deteriorated such that it needs to be replaced before paving. The 2006 CDBG money can be used to fix the storm sewer if a resolution is passed to change the use.  Then it can settle for a year and CDBG money will be available to pave.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the resolution.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

9.               Solicitor’s Report.  Nothing to report.

 

10.     Mayor’s Report:  Nothing to report.

 

11.     Council members’ Reports: 

Mr. Ewen received a complaint via email from a lady who was walking with kids back from Bryant Street Park and someone came out of Bryant St. and almost hit her.  He asked Mr. Ace if they could get the crosswalks painted and Mr. Ace indicated it would be done soon.  She also asked Mr. Ewen if they could get a flashing light at the intersection of Bryant and Park.  Mr. Ewen thought it had been discussed in the past and was turned down because it was very expensive.  She also asked for a sign on the road but that road does not belong to the Borough.  Mrs. Kochanski thinks that turning that section of Bryant into a one way going east.  Consensus of Council to refer to staff and bring it to the next meeting.

 

Mr. Abell has received complaints about the Recycling Center hours from people who work full time during the week.  Could the hours be changed to Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday to accommodate this request?  Mrs. Quarantello will bring it up at the next Recycling Center Meeting.

 

Mr. Weiss asked for a codes meeting to discuss cell tower height limits.  He also asked about the status of the cell tower proposed down by the Borough shed.  Mr. Matergia said the draft lease agreement is in his office for review.  Ms. Diddio asked Mr. Weiss to be on the Codes Committee.  Mr. Wilkins will send out potential meeting dates next week.  Mr. Weiss also asked for an update on the building across the street.  Mr. Wilkins stated a citation has been filed; there is a warrant out for the owner’s arrest.  Mr. Matergia said once the warrant is served, he would be in custody and seen by the District Magistrate to set a date for a hearing and set bail or confinement.

 

12.     Manager’s Report: 

          a.       Mrs. Quarantello has a request from Frank Dickinson whose wife will qualify for Medicare shortly.  Once she is, his insurance from the army will cover the portion that Medicare doesn’t cover.  He is asking if we’d consider allowing him to do a partial buyout because she would come off our insurance policy.  Frank would go from a family rate to a single rate saving the Borough $599 per month effective June 1, 2009.  Take the partial buyout which is $1000 and prorate the buyout where we’d pay him a lump sum of $583 but we’d save $3700 this year if she comes off the policy.  She must prove she has insurance elsewhere.  The Borough is not required to do it and Frank could keep her on our policy.  Ms. Diddio said to be careful because this is part of the union contract.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

          b.       Mrs. Quarantello received a request for a partial pension plan withdrawal from Glen Anthony.  He has over $12,000 in the plan and has requested to withdraw $2500 to buy a car to get to work.  This would be a one time withdrawal and is a hardship.  Mr. Weiss asked how this affects his retirement.  Mrs. Quarantello said it will reduce his benefit because he can’t buy it back in.  Mr. Matergia asked if he could borrow from the plan.  Mrs. Quarantello indicated that is not possible.  Motion to approve by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Weiss.  Motion passed unanimously.

          c.       Mrs. Quarantello had a request from Bill Hoffman of the group that is trying to raise money to open the new ASPCA.  Next Friday, May 29th, he is asking to lock up dignitaries on the sidewalk by Brownies at 7th and Main Street from 10 am – 2 pm.  He will leave a 5 foot walkway on the sidewalk.  They are asking for 3 free meter bags so the jailed dignitaries can be seen by motorists passing by.  Ms. Diddio, Chief Baujan, Lt. Kimmins are some of the people being jailed to raise money.  Motion to approve by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Weiss.  Motion passed unanimously.

          d.       Mrs. Quarantello received a letter from Penn Dot this week informing us that they will be bidding on a project in the Borough on N. Fifth Street between Main St and Rt 447.  Penn Dot will also be doing a survey of our handicap ramps to make sure they were installed properly.  Our engineer has been working with Penn Dot to get this done.

 

          e.       A meeting was held on May 20th between Mrs. Quarantello, Ken Brown, Mr. Matergia, Mr. Provoznik and the engineers to discuss the purchase of the property next to the WWTP.  They recommend to Council to add to the C1 zoning under governmental services and facilities allowing a special exception in a C1 so they still have to come to the Zoning Hearing Board and go through that process.  They recommend to advertise the ordinance for public hearing and adoption.   Motion to advertise ordinance by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

13.     Consider Approval of Bills:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the bills on warrant #052109.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

14.     Executive Session:  None.

 

15.              Adjournment:  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mr. Scelza, to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 7:51 PM.