WILSON BOROUGH
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA
 July 25, 2005

Also present were: Mayor David S. Perruso, Solicitor Louis S. Minotti, Jr., Chief Michael Collins, Superintendent Greg Drake, Chief Richard Nace 


READING OF THE MINUTES: 

The Minutes of the July 11, 2005 Council Meeting were approved on a Motion by Mr. McGowan. Second by Mr. Klass.


PRESENTATION OF MATTERS BY PERSONS PRESENT:
1. Three members of the Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church appeared before Council to answer questions concerning a concert their church would like to sponsor at Meuser Park on October 1, 2005 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Various area churches will be participating. Although the concert is free, donations will be accepted and will be turned over to Safe Harbor. The church requested the use of the bandshell. The church is not sure how many people may attend the concert. Chief Nace will determine how many officers will be needed to direct traffic. Mr. Feinberg explained the 1 day event insurance necessary in order to hold the concert. The church will contact Ms. Lohrman regarding the Certificate of Insurance. Motion to approve the church’s 
request to hold the concert by Mr. Feinberg. Second by Ms. Lilly.


COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS:
1. A letter was received from Marc J. Grammes, Lehigh Valley Commissioner, requesting a letter of support be sent to Governor Rendell and elected members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly regarding Lehigh County Resolution 2005-18: Requesting the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to Include a Leaser Lake Repair Project as a Component of the Growing Greener II Bond Initiative and Appropriate the Necessary Funding.

2. The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission has prepared Comprehensive Plan the Lehigh Valley…2030. Ms. Lohrman has received a copy of the plan on CD-ROM. Anyone interested in reviewing the document was requested to see Ms. Lohrman.

3. A letter was received from Mary Meuser Memorial Library requesting permission to close N. 18th Street from Northampton Street to the alley for their annual Book Fair on September 10, 2005 through September 12, 2005. In the event of rain, the Book Fair will be postponed to the following weekend with the same hours for the street closure.

4. Two sealed bids were received for the street paving around Easton Hospital.
          1. Bracalente Construction, Inc. - $139,375.00
          2. Asphalt Maintenance Solutions, LLC - $110,900.00
          Ms. Lohrman will forward the bids to Mr. McGowan for review.


COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR: 
1. Mayor Perruso has received a request for Handicapped Parking from Sherry Reiser of 2125 Birch Street. Although Chief Nace had approved the request, Mr. McGowan requested the matter be tabled for future investigation.


COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE BOROUGH MANAGER:
1. At the request of Mr. McGowan, Ms. Lohrman discussed with Ms. Pandl her suggestion to replace the purchase of the speedboard with a Removal of Architectural Barrier activity. Ms. Pandl thought the money could be utilized for the curb cut replacements as part of the Safe Routes to School program.

2. Ms. Lohrman had provided Council copies of the lease draft with the Wilson Area School District for the use of athletic fields at the middle school. Ms. Lohrman also provided Council with copies of information concerning the subdivisions on land at Philip Lauer Middle School owned by the Borough and the Wilson Area School District. Ms. Lohrman had spoken to Mr. DeEsch and he has found that the documents were in accordance with what was previously discussed with the school district. Mr. DeEsch saw no problem with the lease.


REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:

GENERAL GOVERNMENT:
None


FIRE:
None


POLICE:
1. Chief Nace informed Council that he had received the application for the Dog Agent position, but was still waiting for the gentleman to complete the Background Release Form.


PUBLIC WORKS:
1. Mr. Drake informed Council that the Borough is in the process of being sprayed for weeds.

PARKS AND RECREATION:
1. A very lengthy discussion was held on concerns expressed by Ms. Lohrman, Ms. Guth, and Ms. Behler on the Chairmanship of the Parks and Recreation committee. These concerns included: committee meeting times and invitations, the hiring of employees, the participation of Ms. Guth in the operation of the pool, and the conditions and staffing of the refreshment stand. Although Ms. Lilly, felt she adequately answered all the concerns expressed, Mr. Reiss removed Ms. Lilly as Chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee. Mr. Minotti stated that Mr. Reiss did have the right to select the committee people and the chairman. Mr. Minotti also stated that a committee has not power except in an advisory capacity. Mr. Minotti felt that committee 
meetings should be public meetings. The Borough is run by Borough Council.


ATTORNEY: 
1. Mr. Minotti informed Council that he has received a response from Antonian Towers regarding their yearly payment to the Borough. Mr. Minotti stated that the diocese was unaware of the 1987 agreement made with the Borough for the annual payment of $3,000.00. As the 2005 budget was prepared in 2004, the diocese is not in a position to make any payments at the present time. They are willing to make payments beginning in 2006. Motion to accept the payment arrangement with the diocese beginning in 2006 by Mr. McGowan. Second by Mr. Feinberg.

2. Mr. Minotti stated that he had spoken to Mr. DeEsch concerning the lease with the school district. Mr. Minotti requested a Motion to allow the President of Council authorization to execute the lease. Mr. McGowan had several questions regarding the lease. Mr. Minotti felt that the Rent item (b) was a normal part of any lease. Mr. McGowan expressed his concerns over the school district events having priority over the Borough’s. Mr. Reiss replied that rescheduled events would have been because of weather. Ms. Lohrman at the request of Mr. DeEsch had already spoken to our insurance carrier about the Certificate of Insurance. Our agent indicated that the certificate was a common request on projects involving municipal governments and school districts. The certificate could be issued within a one day’s request. Motion to accept the lease by Mr. Klass. Second by Ms. Lilly.

3. Mr. Minotti verified that the bike trail along Victor Balata has been completed in the area we had previously agreed upon. Mr. Klass stated that he had been over there and was impressed with the cooperation he had received. Mr. Minotti informed Council that Mr. O’Neill now wanted a Quick Claim Deed as the Borough had previously agreed upon. Mr. McGowan questioned the area we would be deeding over to Mr. O’Neill. The parcel did not include the area near 25th Street only the portion we had agreed upon years ago. Motion to authorize the President of Council to sign the Quick Claim Deed by Mr. Klass. Second by Mr. Starniri. Mr. Klass recommended that because Hillside Avenue was so narrow, the intersection needed improvements when the entrance was completed. Mayor Perruso stated that PennDot had told the Borough that if Hillside Avenue was used, it would have to be a high profile intersection. PennDot will provide an opinion on whatever plan was submitted to them.

4. Mr. Minotti requested a Caucus on labor negotiations. No action will be necessary.


MECAB:
1. Mr. McGowan informed Council that there will be a Reorganization meeting on Wednesday, July 27, 2005. The meeting will not be for general membership. The meeting will be for officers only.


OLD BUSINESS:
None


DEFERRED BUSINESS:
1. Mr. Starniri made a Motion not to proceed with the parking lot as presented by the Borough Engineer. Second by Ms. Lilly. Affirmative votes were cast by: Mr.Feinberg, Mr. Klass, Ms. Lilly, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Nixon, and Mr. Starniri. A negative vote was cast by Mr. Reiss. Motion passed by a six to one vote.

2. Motion by Mr. McGowan not to send a letter of support for the Reaser Lake project in Lehigh County. Second by Mr. Feinberg.

3. Motion by Mr. Starniri to approve the request from Mary Meuser Library for the street closure for their annual Book Fair. Second by Mr. Klass. Mr. Drake will post the detour signs and Chief Nace will notify the neighbors as he did last year.

4. Motion to replace the speed board sign in the CDBG 2005 application with curb cuts for the Safe Routes to School project by Mr. Starniri. Second by Mr. Nixon. Mr. Drake informed Council that Liquid Fuel funds could not be used to purchase the speed board sign.

5. A discussion was held on the triangle area needed for the bike path at 25th Street crossing. Ms. Lohrman has called Weis Markets about the issue and has not received a return call. Motion by Mr. Starniri to have the solicitor pursue the issue. If Mr. Minotti’s contact was not fruitful, Mr. Minotti could pursue condemnation. Ms. Lilly did not wish to proceed as the Borough had not received affirmation that the grant extension had been approved. Second by Mr. Feinberg. Affirmative votes were cast by: Mr. Feinberg, Mr. Klass, Mr. Nixon, Mr. Reiss, and Mr. Starniri. Negative votes were cast by Ms. Lilly and Mr. McGowan. Motion passed by a five to two vote. Ms. Lohrman will notify the engineer that the legal description of the triangle is needed ASAP and will also contact the DCNR to see what the status of the grant extension is.

6. Ms. Lohrman inquired about the subdivision request with the school district. Mr. Minotti explained that the assessment office would need a letter from us as outlined in the packets. Motion to authorize a letter to be sent to the assessment office by Mr. Feinberg. Second by Mr. Starniri.

7. Motion by Mr. Feinberg to hire two new people to replace two people who resigned at the pool. A short discussion ensued. It was stated by Mr. Klass that a part of Ms. Behler’s job responsibility is to closely monitor the refreshment stand. Second by Mr. Klass.


NEW BUSINESS:
1. Mr. Minotti informed Council that he had met with Mr. Corriere and Mr. Drake regarding updating the street opening ordinance. Mr. Minotti is working on setting up a new fee schedule. Mr. Reiss requested that the General Government committee assist with the new fee schedule. Mr. Minotti felt that a separate contract with each utility may be necessary.

2. After a Caucus, Mr. Klass made a Motion to begin the process of hiring a new employee in the Public Works department in September. Second by Mr. Nixon. Affirmative votes were cast by: Mr. Feinberg, Mr. Klass, Ms. Lilly, Mr. Nixon, Mr. Reiss and Mr. Starniri. A negative vote was cast by Mr. McGowan. Motion carried by a six to one vote.

3. Robert Crouse of 1524 Spring Garden Street appeared before Council to request that his water be turned back on. The water has been turned off due to a delinquent sewer bill. Mr. Crouse stated that he had been out of work for several months because he had brain cancer. Mr. Reiss explained to Mr. Crouse that Council had a policy not to accept payment arrangements after the accounts had gone to shut off status. Ms. Lohrman added that Mr. Crouse had purchase the house two or three years ago and had never made a sewer and garbage payment during the time he owned the home. He had accumulated almost a $600.00 balance before he had become ill. His account balance is not over $1,000.00.


ORDINANCE:
None


RESOLUTIONS:
None


BILLS AND ACCOUNTS:
Bills of $89,678.29 were paid on a Motion by Mr. Nixon. Second by Mr. McGowan.


ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Klass made a Motion to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. Second by Mr. Starniri and Council concurred.


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