MARCH 14, 2005

The First Meeting of the Council of The Borough of Wilson was held in theGuy B. Tomaino Public Safety Building at 2040 Hay Terrace, Vice-President Starniri called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call followed.

PRESENT:

Leonard Feinberg     James Klass     Joan A. Lilly     James McGowan    Ronald Nixon     David Schug    Louis Starniri, Vice-President

ABSENT:

Daneen McGinley    Bob Reiss

Also present were: Mayor David S. Perruso, Solicitor Louis S. Minotti, Jr., Code Enforcement Officer Paul R. Corriere

READING OF THE MINUTES:

The Minutes of the February 28, 2005 Public Hearing and the February 28, 2005 Council Meeting were approved on a Motion by Mr. McGowan. Second by Mr. Schug.

PRESENTATION OF MATTERS BY PERSONS PRESENT:

None

COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS:

The Borough received the following sealed bids for Public Works vehicles:

1986 Chevy Cavalier station wagon – Teddy Bare - $150.00

1982 C30 Dump Truck – Dave SchnorrBusch - $1,150.00

1982 C30 Dump Truck – Don Shafer - $1,527.50

A letter of resignation from the Police Pension Board was received from Vern Young.

An e-mail complaint was received from Dick Siebler regarding the weekly newspaper continuing to be thrown on people’s property and in the street. At the present time, the Easton Chronicle is the paper being thrown about. Mr. Minotti stated that if the practice continues he will write a letter to the paper informing them that the paper must be placed on the front porch of the residents. Ms. Lohrman will notify Mr. Minotti if complaints continue to be received.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR:

Mayor Perruso informed Council that the Public Works department had started the renovations in the Police department. Mayor Perruso did not know how long the project would take.

Mayor Perruso informed Council that the new Explorer for the Police department would be arriving tomorrow. A discussion ensued on whether Council members were aware of the purchase of the new vehicle and as to whether they were notified that it was going to be an SUV. Mayor Perruso responded that the funds to pay for the vehicle were in the 2005 budget. Mr. Feinberg requested that the Borough seal be placed on the vehicle. Ms. Lohrman will let Chief Nace know about the seal. Mayor Perruso indicated that the new vehicle would be placed in service and not be used by Chief Nace.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOROUGH MANAGER:

Ms. Lohrman provided Council members with information concerning who was eligible to serve on the Civil Service Commission from the commission’s by-laws. One member of the commission can be a member of Borough Council. Mr. Starniri asked Mr. Minotti for his opinion on the matter. Mr. Minotti did not feel there was a conflict with Mr. Klass serving on the commission.

Ms. Lohrman and Mr. Feinberg have received a proposal from David Kunsman to perform the Borough audit for the calendar years 2005, 2006, and 2007.

Ted Veresink, Wilson Borough Health Officer, has received a copy of an ordinance concerning massage, reflexology and spa establishments from the City of Easton. Mr. Veresink felt the Borough may wish to consider passing an ordinance similar to the one the city has.

Ms. Lohrman informed Council that Mr. Reiss had requested that she place on the agenda an item regarding sick pay for retiring employees. Mr. McGowan has since requested that the matter be discussed in Caucus. Ms. Lohrman requested a Caucus on a personnel matter.

At Council’s request, Ms. Lohrman contacted Mr. Swinsburg, engineer for Easton Suburban Water Authority, regarding the status of the pumping station project. Mr. Swinsburg indicated that the authority was having some problems obtaining the proper permits and they may not be able to begin construction until either late in 2005 or early 2006. Ms. Lohrman also contacted Amy Riddle, our municipal engineer, to see what the Borough would need to do to get a gravel parking lot adjacent to the pumping station. Ms. Riddle indicated that a PennDot permit would be required since the lot would have an entrance off a state highway and an erosion and sedimentation control plan would also have to be developed. Ms. Lohrman contacted Mr. Swinsburg to see if the water authority had discussed obtaining a permit from PennDot. Mr. Swinsburg replied that they had not. Ms. Lohrman discussed the PennDot permit with Mr. Drake and he will discuss the matter with PennDot. Motion by Ms. Lilly to have Ms. Riddle begin the erosion and sedimentation plan as soon as possible. Second by Mr. Klass.

Ms. Lohrman shared the drawing of where Ms. Lilly had wished to place the old pictures of Wilson Borough redone by Bill Fisk. Ms. Lohrman had received comments desiring the pictures not be placed behind the Council seating area and possibly placed in the hallway near the Secretary’s office. Ms. Lilly complained that the pictures had not been hung up in the past week. Mayor Perruso and Mr. Starniri felt the pictures should be hung where everyone could see them. The consensus of Council was to hang the pictures in Council Chambers, but not behind the area where Council sits. Ms. Lohrman will discuss the matter with Mr. Drake and send a thank you letter to Mr. Fisk for the nice job he did with the pictures.

Ms. Lohrman reminded Council members that the final Public Hearing for the CDBG and HOME programs would be held on March 28, 2005 at 6:30 p.m.

Ms. Lohrman informed Council that our application for the Home Town Streets and Safe Routes to School grant had been approved. A kick-off meeting with PennDot will be held in the next few weeks to review the procedure need to proceed with the grant. Ms. Lohrman reminded Council that the Borough will need to pay for the project and will be reimbursed by PennDot.

                    Ms. Lohrman informed Council that Senator Wonderling would be giving the Borough $5,000.00 to be used for the renovations in the police
                   department. Ms. Lilly inquired as to how the project was chosen. Ms. Lohrman stated that she had discussed the matter with Mr. Reiss and
                   since the Senator needed to know what the funds would be used for right away, Mr. Reiss suggest it be used for the police renovations as
                   several Council members were concerned as to where to funds for the renovations would come from.

         Ms. Lohrman had been requested by Mr. Reiss to have possibly the General Government committee review the fee schedule for the
         community center. Many Wilson residents have been turned away because so many non-residents have already booked the center.
         Mr. Feinberg will have the committee look into the matter.

Mr. Feinberg requested information concerning an agreement the Borough had with a Borough businessman to complete the bike path along his property within a six month period. Ms. Lohrman will check to see when the agreement was signed.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:

GENERAL GOVERNMENT:

None

FIRE:

None

POLICE:

None

PUBLIC WORKS:

None

PARKS AND RECREATION:

None

ATTORNEY:

None

MECAB:

1. Mayor Perruso stated that the Borough had not been notified of the next meeting. The
March meeting should be on the last Wednesday of the month.

OLD BUSINESS:

None

DEFERRED BUSINESS:

Ms. Lilly inquired as to when the next meeting for the bocci court will be. Mayor Perruso stated that they will be getting together soon. The committee will be notified as to the date of the meeting.

Motion by Mr. Nixon to accept Mr. Young’s resignation from the Police Pension Board with regrets. Second by Mr. Schug. Ms. Lohrman will send a letter.

Motion to appoint Mr. Klass to the Civil Service Commission by Mr. Nixon. Second by Mr. Feinberg.

Motion to accept the proposal from David Kunsman for auditing services by Mr. Feinberg. Second by Mr. Nixon.

Motion by Mr. Feinberg to authorize Mr. Minotti to review the ordinance from the City of Easton concerning massage, reflexology and spa establishments and report back to Council. Second by Mr. Schug.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mr. Minotti reported to Council that he had been contacted by Dan Redington to review a contract for a roof at the library. Mr. Minotti reminded Council that the library facility would be removed from the trust and be placed in the Borough’s name. This may put the library into the Borough’s bidding requirements. It was also discussed as to how the roofing work would be paid for. Mr. Schug will clarify the matter with Mr. Redington.

Ms. Lilly inquired as to why different garages were used for repairs. Ms. Lohrman stated that the decision was often made by Teddy Bare as to the type of work required or by the department heads.

The resolution that was requested to be prepared by Ms. Lohrman was discussed. Mr. Starniri assumed the resolution would come from MECAB. Mr. McGowan expressed his concern as a quorum may not be present at the next MECAB meeting.

Motion by Mr. McGowan to pay Mr. Howey 25% of his unused sick pay at his regular rate at the time of his retirement. Second by Mr. Feinberg.

ORDINANCES:

None

RESOLUTIONS:

None

BILLS AND ACCOUNTS:

Bills of $158,289.52 by Mr. Feinberg. Second by Mr. Nixon. Ms. Lohrman noted that the bills included invoices for the MMOs for two of the pension plans and the employee’s health insurance.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Feinberg made a Motion to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. Second by Mr. Nixon and Council concurred.