WILSON BOROUGH
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA
July 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 Pro Tempore Feinberg called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Roll call followed. 

READING OF THE MINUTES: 

PRESENTATION OF MATTERS BY PERSONS PRESENT:

1.       Jordan Purdy of 2426 Victor Street appeared before Council to complain about the weeds in the Borough and in the gutters on S. 23^rd and S. 24^th Streets.  Mr. Feinberg stated that the Borough did have a weed ordinance under the jurisdiction of the Police department.  Mr. Feinberg and Mr. Minotti agreed that the weeds were the homeowner’s responsibility.  The Borough has someone licensed to spray for weeds.

2.       Dan Redington, Director of Mary Meuser Library, presented Council with the Library’s 2004 Annual Report.  The report contains statistical information concerning the library’s circulation.  Mr. Redington reviewed the improvements made to the facility and those improvements to be made shortly.

3.       Mr. Schug inquired about the status of the library trust.  Mr. Minotti explained that the Borough had filed a petition with the courts as the trust was now dry.  He did not know the current status of the petition.

COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS:

1.       A letter was received from Dan Redington, Director of Mary Meuser Library, providing information concerning the floor replacement of the tile floors in the adult and children’s departments.  Books will be stored in a trailer outside the library in the area normally used for staff parking.  Mr. Redington requested assistance from the Public Works department on August 4, 2005, August 5, 2005, August 25, 2005, and August 26, 2005 in moving the books to and from library to the storage trailer. 

2.       A letter was received from Linda Mellon, Church Secretary of Memorial United Church of Christ, requesting permission to close off the 1900 block of Forest Street on August 27, 2005 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and September 11, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for two events to be held at the church.

3.       A letter was received from Tim Long, Director of Worship Ministries of Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church requesting the usage of the band shell on Saturday, September 17, 2005.  The church is looking to host a concert day filled with music and fun for families and children. 

4.       A letter of notification was received from Jeffrey Carlton, Environmental Manager of Specialty Minerals, Inc., advising the Borough that the company has submitted an application for Plan Approval for the replacement of an existing air cleaning device at the Pyrogenics No.1 Machine Shop.

5.  A letter was received from James and Gloria Biggs of 2714 Spring Garden Street requesting Council to consider naming the tennis courts at Meuser Park “The Joseph Villiano Tennis Courts”.  Mr. Villiano was a long time tennis coach and began the summer tennis program at the park

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR:

1.       Mayor Perruso referred back to the letter from Mr. and Mrs. Biggs and added that Mr. Villiano had the tennis program and adult lessons for years.  Mayor Perruso stated that Mr. Villiano was now in ill health and naming the courts after him was a fitting tribute.  Motion to approve name the tennis courts at Meuser Park after Joe Villiano by Mr. Schug.  Second by Mr. Nixon.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOROUGH MANAGER:

1.       Ms. Lohrman informed Council that the Borough has received right of way clearance from PennDot for the Safe Routes to School project.  Ms. Riddle will be drawing up the design plans for submission and approval from PennDot.  Once the plans are approved and go out for bid, they must be approved by both PennDot and the Borough. 

2.       Ms. Lohrman informed Council that she had gotten rate quotes from PLGIT and Lafayette Bank for the matured CD at PLGIT.  The $800,000.00 was invested with Lafayette Bank for 18 months at a rate of 4.05%.  The PLGIT rate was 3.64% for a one year term. 

3.       The Borough has received the Preliminary Drainage Design plan for the 24^th Street bridge replacement project from P. Joseph Lehman, Inc.  Mr. Bryant, Engineer for P. J. Lehman, has requested formal approval on the plan from Borough Council. 

4.       Ms. Lohrman informed Council that there would be a meeting between the Edelman Street business owners and residents and the Palmer Town developers on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at 2:30 p.m.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:

GENERAL GOVERNMENT: 

FIRE:

1.       Chief Collins informed Council that he had written a citation for a Fire Code violation.  It was sent to the local magistrate and then forwarded to another magistrate.  Chief Collins ended up withdrawing the citation as the Borough had never adopted a fine schedule to go along with the ordinance.  Mr. Minotti supported Chief Collins’ position.  The setting the schedule was talked about, but never done.  Mr. Feinberg requested the General Government committee to work with Chief Collins and Mr. Minotti to adopt a fine schedule.

POLICE:

   None

PUBLIC WORKS:

1.  Ms. Lohrman informed Council that the bid had been advertised for the street repaving.  The bids should be returned and ready to be opened at the next Council meeting on July 25, 2005.

PARKS AND RECREATION: 

ATTORNEY:   

1.       Mr. Minotti requested a Caucus later in the meeting prior to adjournment on an employee suspension matter. 

2.       Mr. Minotti reminded Council that he had been requested at the last meeting to look into two additional matters.  The first matter was Mr. Reiss’ removal of Ms. Lilly from the Recreation Board.  After investigation, Mr. Minotti finds nothing in the Borough Code that permits Mr. Reiss from removing Ms. Lilly from the Board.  Ms. Lilly was appointed by Council to the Recreation Board in January 2004.  The term is not to exceed five years.  Ms. Lilly cannot be removed except for reasons of malfeasance or misfeasance.  In either case, proof would be needed.

The second additional matter was Ms. Lilly’s removal by Mr. Reiss as Head of the Parks and Recreation committee.  Mr. Minotti reviewed Ordinance 697 passed by Borough Council on March 25, 2002 which indicates that there are four standing committees of Council.  Members of the committee and the committee heads are to be appointed by the Council President.  The Council President also has the power to appoint other committees from time to time.  No standard has been set forth for any other criteria.  Mr. Minotti finds that Mr. Reiss does have the power to remove Ms. Lilly as Chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee.  Ms. Lilly requested a reason for her dismissal.  Mr. Minotti felt Ms. Lilly’s request to be legitimate and she should have the opportunity to defend herself. 

3.       Mr. Minotti is working on the proposed equity action against Eastern Comfort Assisted Living. The act would force Eastern Comfort to comply with the Wilson Zoning Board’s decision.  Although the documents are not ready to be signed, Mr. Minotti requested Council’s permission to have the appropriate officer’s sign the papers when they are ready for filing.  Motion to approve Mr. Minotti’s request by Ms. Lilly.  Second by Mr. Nixon.  Mr. Minotti felt the court may give Eastern Comfort time to comply.  After that time, they may be charged with possible contempt

MECAB: 

OLD BUSINESS:

1.  Mr. McGowan had inquired about the denial of the purchase of the speedboard with CDBG 2005 funds.  The letter from Beverly Hutzel indicated that the money may be reallocated to a Removal of Architectural Barrier activity.  Mr. McGowan was wondering what that activity might be.  Ms. Lohrman will check with Sara Pandl and report back to Council.

DEFERRED BUSINESS:

1.       Mr. Drake stated that he would try to have the department available to move the books to and from the library.  If all the available people could move the books, it may only take one day to take them out and one day to take them back in.  

2.       Motion by Mr. Nixon to approve Memorial UCC’s request for the closure of Forest Street for their two events.  Second by Ms. Lilly. 

3.       Several Council members had questions concerning the request for usage of the band shell by Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church for a concert.  Ms. Lohrman will ask for someone from the church to be present at a Council meeting to answer questions.  Police and insurance coverage may be needed. 

4.       Ms. Lohrman informed Council that she had supplied Mr. Corriere with a copy of the letter from Specialty Minerals, Inc. 

5.       Motion by approve the Preliminary Drainage Design for the 24^th Street bridge replacement by Mr.Lilly.  Second by Mr. Nixon.

NEW BUSINESS:

     None

ORDINANCE:

ESOLUTIONS:

1.       Resolution 1121 – Safe Crosswalks to School Project Reimbursement Agreement.  Motion by Ms. Lilly.  Second by Mr. Nixon.

2.       Resolution 1122 – Fee for Tax Certification.  Motion by Mr. Nixon.  Second by Ms. Lilly.

BILLS AND ACCOUNTS:

Bills of $101,032.79 were paid on a Motion by Mr. Nixon.  Second by Ms. Lilly.

ADJOURNMENT:

Transcribed from a tape.