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WILSON BOROUGH
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA

APRIL 11, 2005

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

PRESENT:

Bob Reiss, President  Leonard Feinberg James Klass Joan A. Lilly
Louis Starniri Daneen McGinley James McGowan  Ronald Nixon David Schug


ABSENT:

None

Also present were: Mayor David S. Perruso, Solicitor Louis S. Minotti, Jr., Code Enforcement Officer Paul R. Corriere, Chief Richard Nace, Superintendent Greg Drake, Chief Michael Collins (Late)


READING OF THE MINUTES:

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

 

PRESENTATION OF MATTERS BY PERSONS PRESENT:

1. Susanne Shepperd, Borough Business Manager, appeared before Council to provide a brief overview of the Borough Business Revitalization program. Ms. Shepperd works for Northampton and Lehigh Counties and the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. The initiative is a three year pilot program for business development. Much research will be done initially. It is hoped that the information will lead to a better business mix and filling vacant store fronts. An informational meeting will be held for Borough businesses at the Strausser Community Center on April 21, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. It is hoped that 9 to 13 people who attend the informational meeting will volunteer to serve on a steering committee.

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS:

  1. Edward Melhem, owner of 1734-1736 Wood Ave., wrote a letter offering to purchase the railroad right-of-way directly behind his home.
    He is wiling to pay above fair market value immediately in cash.
  2. A letter of thanks was received from Jimmy Siegfried for the fruit basket the Borough had sent him.
  3. A letter was received from Roy White, Easton Suburban Water Authority, concerning the Delaware River Basin Commission Water Conservation Performance Standards.  Mr. White indicated that the Borough had not adopted a water conservation performance standard. A draft ordinance was sent to the Borough to assist us in adopting the necessary compliance standards
  4. A letter was received from the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church requesting permission to place a banner across Northampton Street to promote their Spring Greek Food Festival from May 20, 2005 thru May 22, 2005. The church also requested permission to place signs on posts.
  5. A thank you letter was received from the Easton Police Department for all the assistance that we and our Police department extended during their horrific time.

 

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR:

  1. Mayor Perruso once again thanked the Police department once again for assisting the Easton Police department during their recent crisis
  2. Mayor Perruso informed Council that Senator Santorum had come to the Strausser Community Center last Monday afternoon, April 18, 2005 to show his support for the Community Block Grant Program. Several people from PSAB also attended the event. Mayor Perruso felt the afternoon went pretty well.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOROUGH MANAGER:

  1. Ms. Lohrman informed Council that she had been contacted by PennDot inquiring as to whether the Borough would be closing the Tot Lot located on S. 23rd Street during the bridge reconstruction.
  2. Ms. Lohrman informed Council that a meeting had been held with PennDot on the Safe Routes to School grant. Ms. Lohrman and Mr. Ron Behler had taken the contingent throughout the Borough to show them where the crosswalks and school zone speed signs are to be installed. PennDot has notified us that curb cuts will have to be at each crosswalk. Ms. Lohrman stated that several of the curb cuts are not in the correct place and will have to be adjusted. The project must be bid out and the bids accepted by PennDot and the Borough. PennDot suggested proceeding with the project as a whole and then scale back the project if not enough funds are available. Permits and the environmental work would already be completed when and if we apply again in the future.
  3. Ms. Lohrman has received a survey from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission regarding a Lehigh Valley Greenways Plan. Ms. Lohrman requested input from Borough Council.
  4. Ms. Lohrman has received an e-mail concerning the Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program. All necessary paperwork has been completed and it is now time to decide whether or not the Borough is interesting in applying for a low interest loan for Fisk field.
  5. Ms. Lohrman, Mayor Perruso, Mr. McGowan, and Mr. Ron Behler attended a meeting with the 25th Street developers regarding the 25th Street bike path crossing. Unfortunately, the bike path will be crossing to the north of where the railroad bridge was located. With the expansion of S. 25th Street to four lanes, the right of way will be diminished to five to six feet. The developers suggested the Borough approach Weis Markets about obtaining an easement to give us more room and make it easier to get the grade down to 5%. Ms. Lohrman had spoken to Amy Riddle requesting her input on where the easement should be. Ms. Lohrman shared the information received from Ms. Riddle with Council.
  6. Ms. Lohrman informed Council that Benecon will be sending it’s members an amendment which would allow our municipality the ability to add a domestic partner to our health insurance plan. It would still be the municipality’s decision as to whether or not they wish to allow domestic partners on our insurance.
  7. Ms. Lohrman inquired as to whether or not the Borough would like to hold Government Day this year. If Council is interested in holding the event, Ms. Lohrman suggested either April 25, 2005 or May 9, 2005.
  8. Ms. Lohrman informed Council that the survey on Fisk field is scheduled to begin the end of this week. Ms. Lohrman has signed off the archeological study. Ms. Lohrman has supplied Council with a copy of the items found on site that will be sent to the museum. The Borough has 7 days in order to change its mind about giving up our rights to the finds. Ms. Lohrman spoke to Ms. Riddle about clearing the vegetation at Fisk field. Ms. Riddle did not see that clearing the area where the parking lot is to be located as long as the dirt was not disturbed.
  9. Ms. Lohrman has received a request from AARP about the possibility of putting yellow paint on the step up onto the community center porch. AARP is also willing to plant flowers again for Community Day.
  10. Mr. Lohrman informed Council that she had received a call from Tom Adams from Palmer Township. The signal work at 25th and Freemansburg Avenue has been completed. Ms. Lohrman has notified Met-Ed to remove the service from the old signal. The maintenance on the old signal has been cancelled.
  11. Ms. Lohrman requested a Caucus on a litigation matter.

 

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:

GENERAL GOVERNMENT:

  1. Mr. Feinberg informed Council that the General Government committee recommended that Council adopt the EMS tax to be enacted in 2006. Mr. Feinberg requested a $12,000.00 exemption. The Borough should generate approximately $100,000.00 in net revenue. Mr. Klass questioned about installment payments. The employer could take the tax out in installments. Motion to adopt the EMST by Mr. Feinberg. Second by Mr. Schug.
  2. Mr. Feinberg informed Council that the Borough had had several problems with abuses of the community center. The problem has been with non-residents. Mr. Feinberg recommended that the Borough honor current booked rentals by non-residents, but only allow the center to be rented to Wilson Borough residents. Mr. Klass suggested raising the fees to rent the center. Motion by Mr. Feinberg to only rent the center to Wilson Borough residents. Second by Mr. Klass
  3. Mr. Feinberg informed Council that the General Government committee is working on revising the sign ordinance. K-Mart has been putting up temporary signs around the Borough to advertise their sales. These signs have been put on private property including the Borough’s. Mr. Feinberg would like to revise the temporary sign portion of the ordinance.
  4. Mr. Feinberg mentioned to Council that the Borough seal was still on the new Police vehicle. Chief Nace felt that with the lettering already on the vehicle that the seal would be a duplication. Mr. Feinberg suggested putting the seal on the back door of the vehicle. Mr. Starniri made a Motion not to put the seal on the Police vehicle. Second by Mr. Schug. Affirmative votes were cast by: Mr. Klass, Ms. Lilly, Ms. McGinley, Mr. Nixon, Mr. Reiss, Mr. Schug, and Mr. Starniri. Negative votes were cast by: Mr. Feinberg and Mr. McGowan. Motion carried by a seven to two vote.

    Mr. Starniri made a Motion to put the Borough seal on all vehicles from this point in time forward. Second by Ms. McGinley. Affirmative votes were cast by: Mr. Feinberg, Mr. Klass, Ms. McGinley, Mr. Nixon, Mr. Reiss, Mr. Schug and Mr. Starniri. Negative votes were cast by: Ms. Lilly and Mr. McGowan. Motion carried by a seven to two vote

 

FIRE:

  1. Mr. Starniri inquired if anyone knew if there was a problem in Easton as one of our vehicles was at the Central Station. No one was aware of why the truck was in Easton
  2. Mayor Perruso suggested that Council view the picture of the old ladder truck that was sold to a fire department in Michigan. The picture is hanging on the Fire department bulletin board.


POLICE:

  1. Ms. Lilly inquired about officers being in full uniform if they were not wearing a hat.

 

PUBLIC WORKS:

  1. Mr. McGowan informed Council that Mr. Drake was preparing bids for the repaving of Lehigh Street between S. 21st and S. 22nd Sts., S. 20th Street, and Fairview Avenue. Mr. Drake will talk to Easton Suburban Water Authority about the work they will be doing on Fairview Ave.
  2. Mr. McGowan has recently returned from a LTAP meeting. One of the topics of discussion was the replacement of signals with LEDs. The savings could be around 80%. Liquid Fuel funds could be used to replace the signals with LEDs. Mr. Drake is working on getting proposals for LEDs to be installed in the Borough.
  3. Mr. McGowan has received a request from Mr. Drake requesting permission to advertise to replace Mr. Howey upon his retirement. Mr. McGowan felt that Mr. Drake could use part time help to do the work. Mr. Drake stated that he has too many people off at one time to work efficiently. Mr. Reiss added that the Public Works has had more responsibilities added to their department. Mr. Starniri inquired as to what large projects Mr. Drake had planned over the next few years. A rather lengthy discussion ensued. Motion by Mr. Klass to advertise for a replacement for Mr. Howey. Second by Mr. Nixon.
  4. Mr. Drake would like to revise the trench ordinance. He feels that what repairs to the street that need to be done should be up to the Public Works Department. Mr. Drake and Mr. Corriere will meet with Mr. Minotti to discuss what revisions should be made to the ordinance.
  5. Mr. Drake informed Council that Mr. Howey will be retiring in May after 34 years of service.
  6. Mr. Drake will be working on having the blacktop project at Jeffery field completed.

 

PARKS AND RECREATION:

  1. Ms. Lilly inquired about getting a dumpster at the Avona baseball field. Mr. Drake responded that Ms. Guth had contacted Waste Management about the dumpster.
  2. Ms. Lilly discussed the bathroom situation at the fields.
  3. Ms. Lilly has notified the baseball association about having a health inspection at the refreshment stands.
  4. Ms. Lilly informed Council that the baseball association still has not contacted Ms. Lohrman about field usage.
  5. Mr. Drake had received a call from the City of Easton about t-ball using the gardens at Lower Hacketts Park. Ms. Lilly has spoken to Mr. Calantoni about the matter.
  6. Mr. Drake informed Council that he had allowed the City of Easton the usage of signs and barricades
  7. Ms. Lilly requested a Caucus on a personnel matter.

 

ATTORNEY:

  1. Mr. Minotti is working on the review of the massage ordinance. He has spoken to the solicitor from Easton. There has been one challenge to the ordinance. Mr. Minotti is awaiting information on the challenge before he reports back to Council.
  2. Mr. Minotti is drawing up the lease for Mr. Meehan’s dog Dingo. Ms. Lohrman will supply Mr. Minotti with Dingo’s starting date.

 

MECAB:

  1. Mr. McGowan informed Council that the next MECAB meeting will be held in Monroe County at the 911 center or at the jail. Mr. Starniri inquired about whether or not the resolution was discussed at the March meeting. Mr. McGowan replied that it had been discussed and Mr. Muschlitz would be submitting it.

OLD BUSINESS:

None


DEFERRED BUSINESS:

  1. Mr. Reiss reminded Council that the railroad right-of-way Mr. Melhem was interested in was leased to Bean, Inc. Motion by Mr. McGowan to turn down the request by Mr. Melhem. Second by Ms. Lilly. Ms. Lohrman was instructed to send a letter to Mr. Melhem and inform him about a long term lease. Mr. Corriere stated that Mr. Melhem had needed the extra land for parking.
  2. Motion by Mr. Feinberg to authorize Mr. Minotti to review the draft ordinance submitted by the Easton Suburban Water Authority. Second by Mr. Starniri.
  3. Motion by Ms. Lilly to allow the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church to have a banner across Northampton Street to advertise their Greek Food Festival. Second by Mr. Nixon. Ms. Lohrman will request an updated Certificate of Insurance from the church and inform them that the Borough did not own the utility poles and could not give them permission to put signs on them.

    4. Motion by Mr. McGowan to put the Lions banner across Northampton Street when the Greek Festival is over. Second by Mr. Starniri.

  4. Motion by Ms. McGinley to close the Tot Lot on S. 24th Street during the construction of the 24th Street bridge. A lock will be put on the gate.
  5. Mr. McGowan mentioned two possible waterway areas to include in the survey by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. They along the Spring Brook and Lehigh Drive.
  6. Ms. Lohrman will contact Ms. Riddle to review her suggestion for the bike path easement as it was suggested the Borough attempt to acquire the triangle area adjacent to Weis Markets. Motion by Ms. Lilly to use her discretion in what area to discuss with Weis Markets. Second by Mr. McGowan.
  7. Mr. Reiss will have the General Government committee make a recommendation to Council in regard to the domestic partner health insurance issue.
  8. Motion by Ms. Lilly to hold Government Day on May 9, 2005. Second by Mr. Starniri. Ms. Lohrman will send a letter to Mr. Wagner
  9. Motion by Mr. Klass to authorize Public Works to paint the yellow strip at the community center and to plant flowers for Community Day. Second by Mr. Feinberg.
  10. Mr. Reiss stated his displeasure over the arrangement of the pictures in Council Chambers. No pictures were to hang in Council seating area. Ms. Lilly would like Mr. Fisk to take pictures of Wilson Borough in the present. Mr. Starniri would like Mr. Fisk to be compensated for his work.
  11. Mr. Reiss informed Ms. Lilly that he did not feel it was right to approach Chief Collins about taking the food handlers class. Ms. Lilly replied that she asked him if he was interested because he was on the Rec Board. Mr. Reiss felt the food handlers class should be taken by someone who serves on the association and actually hand the food.
  12. Mr. Feinberg inquired about the agreement the Borough had with Larry O’Neill for the completion of the bike path. Mr. Feinberg stated that the agreement stated that the path had to be completed within six months. Mayor Perruso stated that there is a large mound of dirt currently sitting on the bike path. At a recent meeting, it was mentioned that Mr. O’Neill may be willing to put money in an escrow account for the bike path construction. Mr. Minotti will look into the matter.
  13. Ms. Lilly informed Council that she had reviewed the information concerning animals taken to the Northampton County SPCA. Quite a few animals were taken to the shelter by the Police department. Chief Nace is looking into the gentleman’s credentials who will be working for West Easton.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

None

 

ORDINANCE:

None

 

RESOLUTIONS:

  1. Resolution 1118 – Borough Business Revitalization Program. Motion by Ms. McGinley. Second by Mr. Feiberg.

 

BILLS AND ACCOUNTS:

Bills of $104,798.73 by Ms. McGinley. Second by Mr. Starniri.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Feinberg made a Motion to adjourn at 9:35 p.m. Second by Mr. Nixon and Council concurred.


Transcribed from a tape.
KAREN A. LOHRMAN, BOROUGH SECRETARY