WILSON BOROUGH
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA

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:

ABSENT:

                  Joan A. Lilly

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

PRESENTATION OF MATTERS BY PERSONS PRESENT:

    1. Mr. Reiss thanked the students in the audience who had attended Government Day. He hoped they had an enjoyable day.

COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS:

1. Ms. Lohrman reminded the Police Pension Board that there would be a meeting on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at 3:30 p.m. Members were requested to let her know if there was a problem with the date.
   
2. A letter was received from Lower Nazareth Township Board of Supervisors requesting the transfer of 132,000 gpd of Wilson Borough’s sewer capacity to Lower Nazareth Township.
   
3. Ms. Lohrman informed Council that the Borough would be hosting the MECAB Annual Tour and Banquet on May 25, 2005 at the community center.
   
4. Ms. Lohrman has received the Designation of Official Voting Delegate form for Annual PSAB convention in Hershey. It is necessary to elect or appoint by resolution our Voting Delegate and our Alternate Delegate.
   
5. A letter was received from Cynthia and Guy Gunkle of 1535 Northampton Street. The Gunkles have spoken to Mayor Perruso and Chief Nace concerning the following issues: loud stereos at the Exxon Station and CVS parking lot, drug deals in the parking lots, trash around gas station, and the dangerous conditions of the sidewalks in the area.
   
6. A letter from The Rev. Bruce D. MacLaughlin, Pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, notifying Council about a complaint the church had received concerning their newly installed carillon. Pastor MacLaughlin discussed the times the carillon played and the fact that they had turned the volume down from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. Pastor MacLaughlin would like to continue playing the carillon and requested a variance from the noise ordinance.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR:

1. Mayor Perruso informed Council that the total fines collected by Magistrate Koury were $7,802.05.
   
2. Mayor Perruso has received two requests for Handicapped Parking Signs. The first request is from Dora Ostrander of 315 S. 17^th Street and the second request is from Alan Jay Belkoff of 112A N. 15^th Street. Both requests have been approved by Chief Nace
   
3. Mayor Perruso welcomed the students who attended Government Day to the Council meeting.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOROUGH MANAGER:

1. Ms. Lohrman reviewed the letter from Amy Riddle, Municipal Engineer, concerning the bike trail along the O’Neill property. Ms. Riddle felt the construction costs were in order, but recommended a standard 10% contingency line item of $3,749.45 be added. The total construction costs would then be $41,133.95.
   
2. Ms. Lohrman requested a Caucus on a potential litigation matter.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:

GENERAL GOVERNMENT:

1. Mr. Feinberg discussed the bike trail cost estimate and the fact that Larry O’Neill had not completed the bike path in the six month time period as dictated in the bike path agreement. Mr. Feinberg suggested either Mr. O’Neill putting $75,000.00 in an escrow account for the bike path or withholding the Certificate of Occupancy for the car dealership until the bike path is completed. Mayor Perruso stated that he had received a complaint about the accumulated dirt at the site and possible disappearance of the buffer zone adjunct to a neighboring property. Mr. Minotti felt the Borough may have some problems with either of Mr. Feinberg’s suggestions. The Borough could enforce the agreement. Mr. Corriere explained the construction problems with the site and the removal of rock. Mr. Feinberg made a Motion to have Mr. Minotti look into the legality his two suggestions, i.e. the escrow account of $75,000.00 and the withholding of the CO to the car dealership. Second by Mr. Klass.

FIRE:

POLICE:

1. Chief Nace informed Council that he and Ms. Lohrman had not made much progress on the potential dog agent. Ms. Lohrman had sent the candidate two e-mails and sent a formal employment application without receiving any response. Chief Nace had contacted one of the references and it was good. Chief Nace explained that the class the agent was interested in taking would cost $1,000.00 and the SPCA would not pay for the class. Ms. Lohrman will attempt to contact the candidate.
   
2. Mr. Feinberg questioned as to when the negotiations with the Police would begin as the contract expires in December. Council has not been contacted by the union thus far. Mr. Reiss appointed Mr. Feinberg, Mr. Klass, Mr. Nixon and Mr. Starniri to negotiate with the Police when the time comes. Chief Nace stated that Officer Potope and Officer Voorhees head the union.

PUBLIC WORKS:

1. Mr. McGowan stated that the three employees who had worked for the Public Works department n the previous summers had reapplied for positions again this year. Mr. McGowan had requested to put their names forward. Mr. McGowan suggested hiring a fourth person for summer help as Mr. Howey was retiring and discuss the possibility of hiring a full time employee to replace Mr. Howey in the fall. Mr. McGowan was not sure whether the department needed another full time employee. Mr. Staniri requested a breakdown of what the job duties were before he makes a decision as to whether or not the full time position be filled. Motion by Mr. McGowan to hire four summer employees and table the full time employee decision until the fall. Second by Mr. Starniri. Affirmative votes were cast by: Mr. Feinberg, Ms. McGinley, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Nixon, Mr. Schug, and Mr. Starniri. Negative votes were cast by: Mr. Klass and Mr. Reiss. Motion carried by a six to two vote.

Questions arose to when the decision would be made as to whether or not the full time position would be filled. Motion by Ms. McGinley to rescind the previous Motion and hire four summer employees and make a decision about hiring a full time employee at the September 12, 2005 meeting. Second by Mr. Starniri. Affirmative votes were cast by: Mr. Feinberg, Mr. Klass, Ms. McGinley, Mr. Nixon, Mr. Reiss, Mr. Schug, and Mr. Starniri. A negative vote was cast by Mr. McGowan. Motion carried by a seven to one vote.

2. Mr. Starniri has received information regarding a Public Works seminar on Management Skills.Mr. Starniri hoped that Mr. Drake and Mr. Behler would attend. Motion by Mr. Starniri to have Mr. Drake and/or Mr. Behler attend the seminar. Second by Mr. Nixon.

PARKS AND RECREATION:

1. Mr. Klass introduced James Gallop from Aqua Serve Corp. Mr. Gallop has provided Wilson Borough quotes for both management and chemical services at the pool. The manager could be hired from Aqua Serve and the Borough could hire Brittany Behler as a supervisor. Ms. Behler would work a minimum of 30 hours per week as a supervisor at a pay rate of $8.25 per hour and she would also fill in any position as needed. Ms. Behler is also willing to acquire a food handler’s certification. The estimated salary of Ms. Behler would be $3,069.00 for the season. The total cost to the Borough including the services of Ms. Behler would be $18,696.50. The total savings over last years actual cost would be $300.00 and having an outside company take care of the pool would free up the employees to do other work. Mr. Starniri inquired as to whether or not the manager would be in charge of the refreshment stand. Mr. Klass responded in the affirmative. Mr. Klass discussed having floating staff to fill in where there is a need. Employees could be transferred from the basket room to the refreshment stand and visa versa. A group will work up inventory, prices, and set up controls. Mr. Hurd stated that other people may be interested in running the refreshment stand. Mr. Hurd was informed that the Borough would still be running the stand and proposals were not requested for the management of the refreshment stand only for employees for the refreshment stand. Mr. Starniri questioned about the proposals were over $10,000.00. Mr. Klass stated that the Borough had received two separate proposals that were both under $10,000.00 if paid in the discount. Motion by Mr. Klass to hire Aqua Serve Corp. to manage the pool with a favorable review of the contract by Mr. Minotti. Second by Mr. Starniri. Motion by Mr. Klass to hire Aqua Serve Corp. to monitor the pool water. Second by Mr. Starniri. Motion by Mr. Klass to hire Brittney Behler as a Supervisor at the pool and also hire former pool employees as guards and at the refreshment stand, basket room and ticket window along with five new employees.

Mr. Gallop will meet with Mr. Drake on Friday, May 13, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. at the pool.

2. Mr. Klass informed Council that the Public Works department had done a great job when they paved the parking lot at Jeffery field.

ATTORNEY:

1. Mr. Minotti informed Council that the County court had given an affirmative decision on the Steven J case. Mr. Mega has 30 days to file an appeal to the Commonwealth. Then the decision will stand. Mr. Minotti stated that the Borough can now enforce the decision of the Zoning Board. Motion by Mr. Feinberg to authorize Mr. Corriere to proceed in enforcing the zoning decision after consulting with Mr. Minotti. Second by Mr. Starniri.
   
2. Mr. Minotti requested a Caucus on pending litigation between the Borough of Wilson, Children’s Home of Easton and Beatty Contractors. No action will be needed.
   

MECAB:

1. Mr. McGowan reviewed the itinerary for the upcoming MECAB tour. The tour will begin in Wilson Borough, then proceed to Nazareth, Pen Argyl, Wind Gap, Freemansburg, and Bath. Highlights will include the 911 Center, the canal boat, and a tour of Waste Management. Mr. McGowan would like to hire a trolley to take participants around on the tour. As Wilson is hosting the even, Mr. McGowan inquired as to whether the Borough was interested in paying for the trolley at a cost of $400.00. Motion to hire the trolley at the Borough’s expense by Mr. McGowan. Second by Mr. Klass. Mayor Perruso would like all Council members make an effort to attend the MECAB dinner.

OLD BUSINESS:

         None

DEFERRED BUSINESS:

1. Mr. McGowan recommended that the request for sewer authority by Lower Nazareth Township go back to the sewer authority as that was the proper procedure. Mr. McGowan informed Council that the BLL capacity is expected to be gone by June the remainder probably going to Forks Township. In June 2005, a new set of rates will be in effect. Mayor Perruso felt that was consideration should be given to Easton Hospital. Ms. Lohrman will respond to Lower Nazareth Township requesting that they apply for sewer capacity to the authority
   
2. Mr. Reiss stated that in previous years, the President of Council was the Voting Delegate at the PSAB conference. The Alternate Delegate was a member of Council or the Vice-President of Council. Motion by Mr. Starniri to appoint Mr. Reiss as the Voting Delegate at the PSAB conference and Mr. McGowan as the Alternate Delegate.
   
3. Chief Nace informed Council that he had investigated the noise complaints at the Exxon station and CVS as outlined in the Gunkle letter. Chief Nace had officers on the premises all night without any complaints. If calls are received about the noise, the offenders are gone by the time the officers arrive. Chief Nace stated that there is only some much he can do where there are businesses open all day and night. He does not have the resources to investigate these on going complaints. Mr. Gunkle stated that having the officers on the premises negate the noise. Mr. Starniri stated that fines have been made against the violators of the noise ordinance. Mr. Corriere stated that he had gone over to the gas station and did not find any garbage on the premises. He also stated that the only sidewalks showing wear were the ones near the alley and the damage was only winter wear.
   
4. Mayor Perruso informed Council that the complaint about Good Shepherd’s carillon had come from someone on the 2000 block of Hay Terrace. No complaints have been received by the Police department about the carillon. Although several Council members were sympathetic to the church, the ordinance cannot be revised. The matter was then dropped.
   
5. Motion to approve the handicapped parking signs by Ms. McGinley. Second by Mr. Nixon.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Mr. Klass requested that Council increase the rates for pool parties. New prices suggested for the parties were $175.00 for residents and $275.00 for non-residents. Motion to approve increase for pool parties by Mr. Klass. Second by Mr. Schug
   
2. Chief Nace informed Council that as of today the Police department radios will be on 500 mhz. Chief Nace will give the old radios to the Fire department and the Public Works department.
   
3. After a short Caucus, Mr. Feinberg made a Motion to have the Solicitor and the Code Officer use the Property Maintenance Code to address the property on Ferry Street.

ORDINANCE:

       None

RESOLUTIONS:

      None

BILLS AND ACCOUNTS:

Bills of $75,941.52 were paid on a Motion by Ms. McGinley. Second by Mr. Nixon.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. McGowan made a Motion to adjourn at 8:31 p.m. Second by Mr. Starniri and Council concurred.