WILSON BOROUGH
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA
APRIL 25, 2005

ABSENT: 
                  None

Also present were: Mayor David S. Perruso, Solicitor Louis S. Minotti, Jr., Code Enforcement Officer Paul R. Corriere, Assistant Superintendent Ron Behler, Chief Michael Collins 

READING OF THE MINUTES: 
The Minutes of the April 11, 2005 Council Meeting were approved on a Motion by Mr. McGowan. Second by Ms. Lilly.

PRESENTATION OF MATTERS BY PERSONS PRESENT:
1. Ed Voletto of 154 S. 18th Street informed Council that he witnessed employees from Pysher Lawn throw dog feces into the alley by the Marine Corps League when they cut the lawn at the substation. Mr. Reiss stated that he had spoken to a gentleman from Pysher Lawn who had complained about people not cleaning up after their dogs. Mr. Reiss felt that if a few people got fined they may start to clean up after their dogs. Mr. Reiss did inform Pysher Lawn that they could not throw the dog feces in the alley. Mr. Voletto was requested to notify the Borough with the times that dogs are in the area doing their business and the Police will be notified.

2. Chris Cahoon of 38A N. 21st Street appeared before Council to discuss an incident he recently had involving a parking ticket he received when he parked on Borough property. Mr. Cahoon stated that he had gotten approval from the baseball association to pay for the ticket out the association funds. Ms. Lilly resented Mr. Cahoon was using taxpayer's money to pay for a personal parking ticket. Mr. Minotti refused comment on the matter. Mr. Reiss added that he did not like the language Mr. Cahoon used to the police officer giving him the ticket.

3. Attorney Joseph Bubba appeared before Council on behalf of Andy Bubba and Sandra Plant. Mr. Bubba and Ms. Plant have received an approval from the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board on their request for a subdivision. Attorney Bubba requested that appropriate persons sign the mylars for the subdivision. Attorney Bubba presented Ms. Lohrman the mylars for signatures. 

COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS:
1. Ashley Allen of 1833 Lehigh Street requested permission to use Meuser Park for the completion of her Girl Scout Gold Project. Ms. Allen would like to use the park for a blood drive and the collection of items to send to the soldiers who are in Iraq.

2. A letter was received from Mark Weidner concerning the Eagle Court of Honor ceremony for Michael Lienhard on May 1, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Jane's Roman Catholic Church.

3. A letter from Melanie Smith was received informing Borough Council that she would not be reapplying for the position of Swimming Pool Manager because of health reasons. 

4. A letter was received from the Wilson Midget Football Association requesting the use of Fisk field and Meuser Park for football and cheering practice. Football practice will begin in August and cheering practice will begin in July. Permission was also requested for the use of Meuser Park on August 4, 2005 and August 5, 2005 for a cheering clinic for the Wilson midget cheerleaders.

5. A letter was received from Mary Wendland requesting permission to block off the 1900 block of Fairview Avenue on August 20, 2005 for their 7th Annual Block Party.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: 
1. Mayor Perruso informed Council that he had already prepared the Proclamation for Michael Lienhard in recognition of his Eagle Scout award. 

2. Mayor Perruso informed Council that 98% of the work has been completed in the Police department. Mayor Perruso thanked Council for allowing the work to be completed. He stated that Public Works had done a wonderful job. Mayor Perruso invited Council to see the department after the meeting was adjourned.


COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOROUGH MANAGER:
1. Ms. Lohrman informed Council that the Annual PSAB Conference would be held from June 19, 2005 through June 22, 2005 at the Hershey Lodge. Ms. Lohrman requested Council members let her know if they planned to attend so she could get the reservations in. Mayor Perruso, Mr. Starniri, Mr. Reiss, and Mr. McGowan acknowledged that they would be attending the conference.

2. Ms. Lohrman reviewed the information concerning the recent meeting between the school district and Borough officials on the lease for the field adjacent to Lauer Middle School, the proposal for surveying the athletic field, and a lease concept for the Avona Little League Field. Ms. Lohrman shared with Council Mr. DeEsch's opinion letter that he did not have any objection to the lease. Ms. Lohrman informed Council that the school district had elected to approve the proposal from Don Frederickson because Mr. Frederickson had already completed much of the work and his proposal was significantly lower. Mr. Klass expressed his concern over some problems that the Borough had previously with Mr. Frederickson's work. Mr. Reiss stated that he had the same concerns with Mr. Frederickson as he had, but would also go with Mr. Frederickson's proposal. Mr. McGowan expressed his concern over the use of third party in the lease agreement. Mr. Reiss felt the third party was the Rec Board. Motion to approve the items brought forth by the Wilson Area School District by Ms. Lilly. Second by Mr. Klass. Affirmative votes were cast by: Mr. Feinberg, Mr. Klass, Ms. Lilly, Ms. McGinley, Mr. Nixon, Mr. Reiss, Mr. Schug, and Mr. Starniri. A negative vote was cast by Mr. McGowan. Motion carried by an eight to one vote.

3. Ms. Lohrman informed Council that the Wilson Borough Town Meeting had been held on April 21, 2005 at the community center concerning the Borough's business revitalization program. Although the attendance was not what we had hoped, seven people had volunteered to serve on the steering committee. Ms. Lohrman hopes to add a few more people to the committee. The first meeting of the steering committee is tentatively scheduled for May 10, 2005.


REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:

GENERAL GOVERNMENT:
None

FIRE:
None

POLICE:
None

PUBLIC WORKS:
None

PARKS AND RECREATION:
1. Ms. Lilly on behalf of the Rec Board asked Mr. Minotti if the Baseball Association were paying Mr. Cahoon's parking ticket if it were a misappropriation of funds. Mr. Minotti stated that he would not discuss the matter in public. Ms. Lilly requested a Caucus.

2. A gentleman from the audience offered to provide management services to the Borough for the pool. Mr. Reiss requested that the gentleman discuss the matter with the General Government committee after the meeting.

ATTORNEY: 
1. Mr. Minotti informed Council that Roy White of Easton Suburban Water Authority has received the deeds for the land located at 15th and Ferry Streets and in the 2000 block of Hay Terrace. Mr. Minotti has received the agreement for the land swap minus Exhibit A and Exhibit B and the right of way and construction easements. Mr. Corriere stated that the subdivision has been processed with the exception of signing the mylars. Motion to proceed with Mr. Minotti's approval and receipt of exhibits by Mr. Starniri. Second by Mr. Feinberg.

2. Mr. Minotti informed Council that he had written to Attorney Thomas Traud regarding the 1987 agreement between the Borough of Wilson and the Antonian, Ltd. for payment in lieu of real estate taxes, but had no received any response. Mayor Perruso added that he and Ms. Lohrman had met with Kelli Bruce and gentleman in this regard. Ms. Bruce expressed her concern that the agreement may not be valid as their signatures were not attested. Antonian, Ltd. is presently paying the county $1,000.00 a year in lieu of taxes. Mr. Minotti did not feel the school district would come to play in the matter as they were not providing any services to Antonian Towers. Mr. Minotti requested the matter be tabled until the next Council meeting.

MECAB:
1. Mr. McGowan informed Council that US Communities was the speaker at the last MECAB meeting. Communities will be allowed to become members. The next MECAB meeting will be on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the Monroe County Center.


OLD BUSINESS:
None


DEFERRED BUSINESS:
1. Motion to accept the Letter of Resignation from Melanie Smith by Mr. Starniri. Second by Ms. Lilly. Ms. Lohrman was directed to send letter.

2. Ms. Lilly inquired as to what will happen about the selling of preseason pool passes since a Pool Manager has not been hired. The passes will go on sale beginning May 5, 2005. Mr. Reiss directed Ms. Lilly to assign the Assistant Pool Manager to sell the passes. Ms. Lilly requested to meet with the Parks and Recreation committee and the Rec Board after the meeting.

3. Motion by Ms. Lilly to permit the midget football association to use Fisk field for practice beginning in August. Ms. Lohrman was directed to notify the association that parking may not be available when practice starts. Mr. White stated that he will look into getting the highway permits for the parking lot after the agreements have been signed. Second by Mr. McGowan.

4. Motion to allow the midget cheerleaders to use Meuser Park for a cheering clinic on August 4, 2005 and August 5, 2005 by Ms. McGinley. Second by Ms. Lilly.

5. Motion by Ms. Lilly to allow the 1900 block of Fairview Avenue permission to close the street on August 20, 2005 for a block party. Second by Ms. McGinley.

6. Motion to allow Ashley Allen to use the tennis court parking lot in June for a blood drive by Ms. McGinley. Second by Mr. Klass. Ms. Lohrman will make sure the event does not conflict with the Lions Fair.


NEW BUSINESS:
1. Mr. Klass inquired about the process for water shutoffs on delinquent garbage and sewer bills. He had received an inquiry from a resident who had fallen behind. Mr. Reiss explained that the Borough had allowed payment arrangements in the past, but it didn't work. Ms. Lohrman stated that she had to transfer $45,000.00 from our reserve account to make the payments due to Easton Area Joint Sewer Authority. The Borough cannot continue to do this.


ORDINANCE:
None


RESOLUTIONS:
None


BILLS AND ACCOUNTS:
Bills of $107,608.26 by Ms. McGinley. Second by Mr. Starniri. Mr. McGowan inquired as to what the MMOs were on the Treasurer's Report. Ms. Lohrman explained that they were the payments to the Police Pension Fund and to the Non-Uniform Retirement Fund. As interest is accrued on the account, Ms. Lohrman pays them as soon as possible to cut down on the interest. State Aid for the Pension accounts arrive the beginning of October.


ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Feinberg made a Motion to adjourn at 8:29 p.m. Second by Mr. Nixon and Council concurred.

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