CLARKS GREEN BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES JUNE 15,2022  CALLTO ORDER: President Rinaldi called the meeting ofthe Clarks Green Council to order at ROLL CALL: Secretary Culbertson conducted roll call. The following were present: Mr. Egan, Ms. Igoe, Mr. Williams, Mr. Rinaldi, Mayor Barrasse and Solicitor Weinschenk were present. ABSENT: Ms. Wanchisen, Mr. Toms and Mr. Curran. Ms. Wanchisen joined the meeting at 7:50 VISITORS: John Archangelo, 719 Highland Ave., Rick Williams, 208 Maple St., Ben Freda, Abington Journal, CSPD Officer Eric Williams and Greg Kotchick, 714 Highland Avenue. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: President Rinaldi entertained the motion to accept the minutes of the May 18, 2022 Council meeting. Ms. Igoe motioned, seconded by Mr. Egan. Mr. Williams, Ms. Igoe, PUBLIC COMMENT: John Archangelo, 719 Highland Ave., asked for the EDU count for the Borough along with what we pay Quarterly to ARWA. Mr. Rinaldi stated the EDU count is 703 and the quarterly payment of $64,892 is given to ARWA. Mr. Archangelo voiced his concern on some storm drains in the Borough located at the intersection of Glenburn Road and Birchwood on the north side and the southerly side going to Grove Street along with the storm drain at the corner of Venard POLICE REPORT: CSPD Officer Williams briefly reviewed the monthly report stating they have been issuing citations. Officer Williams informed Council they have been doing walk throughs at the schools until the end ofthe school year. Officer Williams had been informed about cars going in the MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Barrasse informed Council that he had conversation with CSPD Chief Yarns about a fundraiser that will be held June 23rd behind St. Gregory's and wants to make sure there will be enough flaggers since he does not have enough officers for the event and will keep us up- to-date. Mayor Barrasse told Council the speed sensors will be re-located frequently. TREASURER'S REPORT AND BILL APPROVAL: Mr. Rinaldi reviewed the distributed Budget VS, Actual comparing balances to last month and last year. The Treasurer's report was presented by  7:02P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance.  P.M.  Mr. Egan, and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor.  and Clark Street. Mr. Rinaldi stated the DPW crew will take a look at them.  wrong direction on Glenburn Road.  Mr. Rinaldi and filed for audit. Current fund balances are as follows:  General Fund Checking Capital Fund Money Market Sewer Fund Checking Sewer-1 FNCB CD #200278057 Sewer - FNCB CD #200469681 Sewer - Wayne Bank CD #80021603 Sewer - Wayne Bank CD #80044088 State Funds Checking Total Checking/Savings  $  672,213.62 116,457.08 401,191.74 76,961.28 76,412.18 53,206.65 50,150.22 168.443.52 1,615,036.29  $    Mr. Rinaldi entertained a motion to accept the Treasurer's report and ratify the payment ofthe bills. Mr. Igoe motioned, seconded by Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams, Ms. Igoe, Mr. Egan and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor. Mr. Rinaldi informed Council the Borough recently received an email from DCED approving our request to change the LSA Grant from purchasing a backhoe to a skid steer. Mr. Rinaldi told Council a decision needs to be made on whether or not we should go forward with the purchase of a skid steer and cancel the order for the backhoe. Mayor Barrasse told Council he believes in early 2020 we applied for the grant and we thought it was going to take two (2) years andI know we have an aging backhoe that is over twenty-three (23) years old. Mayor Barrasse stated the backhoe was ordered in November 2021 and it has been delayed because of the pandemic and delivery problems. So, if we resend that order we will never be able to buy a backhoe at that 2021 price and contractually what happens to the deposit. Mayor Barrasse questioned the quotes for the skid steer and asked ifl Five Star Equipment has given us a quote. Mayor Barrasse caution Council stating he does not think it's in the best interest ofthe Borough and that Council wanted to give business to Medico Industries. Mr. Rinaldi stated ift the Borough purchases a skid steer, the grant would cover the full cost but purchasing a backhoe would require the Borough toj pay the difference $138,000 for the backhoe and the awarded grant of $75,000. A discussion took place on the need for a skid steer versus the backhoe. Mr. Egan told Council the Borough should purchase what is needed right now and cancelling the order would really not hurt the vendor because when the backhoe finally is built at the manufacturer's facility because of the delay in manufacturing it will sell immediately even at a higher price in this market. Mr. Rinaldi entertained a motion to cancel the backhoe and explore proposals for purchasing a skid steer with the grant proceeds. Ms. Igoe motioned, seconded by Mr. Egan. Mr. OTHER BOROUGH BUSINESS: Mr. Rinaldi informed Council the Borough's skid steer tires were replaced by Kost Tires since Powell's could not get the tires and had only the rims for purchase. Mr. Rinaldi told Council our previous motion from last month needs to be amended which will result in saving the Borough $10.00. Mr. Rinaldi entertained a motion to amend the skid steer purchase oft tires tol Kost Tires @ $980 and rims were purchased at Powell's at $530 total cost $1,510 from the previous approved motioned purchase of$1,520. Mr. Williams, Mr. Egan, Ms. Igoe and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor. Mr. Rinaldi entertained a motion to re-invest the FNCB CD # 200278057 maturing June 23, 2022. Ms. Igoe motioned, seconded by Mr. Egan. Ms. Igoe, Mr. Williams, Mr. Egan and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor. Ms. Courtney Wanchisen joined the meeting at 7:: 50 P.M. Mr. Rinaldi introduced a request from resident, Diane Paparo dated June 7, 2022 asking the Borough to waive sewer payments along with late charges stating the house was demolished March 14, 2022 at 315N. Abington Road noting she had purchased the property at end of October 2021. She also stated she had applied for demolition permit in November 2021 and it never occurred to her that the Borough did not know there was no house on the property. Mr. Rinaldi asked Solicitor Weinschenk for his opinion on this request. Solicitor Weinschenk stated if the house was demolished on March 14, 2022 we would have no way of knowing and it is responsibility oft the property owner to notify the Borough. Solicitor Weinschenk told Council sewer invoices are issued no matter ift the building is occupied or not and feels once we are notified the sewer charges would stop. Solicitor Weinschenk stated the property owner is responsible for the sewer payments and late charges up to June 7, 2022. After a brief discussion which included what the Borough is responsible in paying to ARWA for the number of EDUS in the Borough and considering the Borough will still be paying the extra EDU for this property. Mr. Egan suggested as a gesture of good faith and as friends and neighbors oft the Borough the Borough could waive the late charges for the First Quarter along with sewer payments for the Second Quarter of2022. Mr. Egan motioned to authorize a waiver ofthe late charges ofthe First Quarter 2022 Sewer billing along with the Second Quarter 2022 Sewer billing but payment must be made for the First Quarter 2022 Sewer billing noting the Borough was just notified of the situation June 7,2 2022, seconded by Ms. Igoe. Ms. Igoe, Ms. Wanchisen, Mr. Egan, Mr. Williams and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor. Mr. Rinaldi informed Council the Borough received a request for a donation to the Rotary Club ofthe Abington for its annual July 4th fireworks display noting Ms. Wanchisen felt it was a worthy cause. A discussion took place concerning support oft the event in the community. Ms. Wanchisen stated it has  Egan, Ms. Igoe, Mr. Williams and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor.    been aj part of our community forever and everyone utilizes it. AllofCouncil agreed it would be a good idea to donate since recent years Clarks Green had not donated. Ms. Wanchisen motioned to donate $800 to the Rotary Club ofthe Abingtons in support oft the fireworks display, seconded by Ms. Igoe. Ms. Wanchisen, Mr. Egan, Ms. Igoe, Mr. Williams and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor. Mr. Rinaldi entertained a motion to authorize Solicitor Weinschenk to process delinquent sewer liens on five (5) properties for unpaid sewer delinquencies accounts 0087, 0218, 0455, 0458 and 0591. Ms. Igoe motioned, seconded by Ms. Wanchisen. Mr. Egan, Ms. Wanchisen, Mr. Williams, Ms. Igoe and Mr. STORMWATER ISSUES: Mr. Rinaldi told Council while attending the ARWA meeting last week he was shown a video showing a stream of water coming down between the houses located at Grayson and Greenbrier Drive. Mr. Rinaldi suggested Mr. Egan speak to these residents and stated he requested a copy oft the video. Mr. Rinaldi reported this is one oft the storm water improvement projects the Borough Engineers have previously provided cost estimates. Solicitor Weinschenk stated there is an easement between those two (2) properties from the drainage ditch behind Bucknell to OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Rinaldi talked about the sidewalk ordinance noting Ms. Igoe brought this up at the last work session. Mr. Rinaldi stated the Borough has always taken the position that you can'tspot enforce the ordinance. Ifin fact, the Borough starts enforcing the sidewalk ordinance a survey ofall the sidewalks in Clarks Green Borough would be required. Mr. Rinaldi stated ifa property owner has a dangerous and unkempt sidewalk they are legally responsible. Solicitor Weinschenk informed Council of the fines and legal steps in dealing with dangerous unkempt sidewalks and suggested possibly sending the DPW crew to take pictures and note the addresses of these distressed sidewalks to provide Council some idea on how many sidewalks are in despair and if Council wants to take action. Ms. Igoe stated Mr. Marzolino has a list of sidewalks that are bad and also mention the new office building, Astra Wealth and how their rocks runoff unto Mr. Marzolino's sidewalks. Ms. Wanchisen told Council after talking with the principal from OLP School, the School has developed an emergency plan. Ms. Wanchisen questioned who is responsible for the street lights in the Borough noting the principal from OLP talked with PennDot and they told her Clarks Green is responsible. Mr. Rinaldi stated PPL is responsible for the street lights and the Borough only pays the electric bill for the usage. Solicitor Weinschenk informed Ms. Wanchisen the school is responsible for OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Rinaldi reported to Council he attended a DCED Police Regionalization meeting and saw a video presentation ofa draft Police Regionalization report at Clarks Summit Borough's conference center. Mr. Rinaldi expressed his concerns on the video presentation stating it was essentially an outline ofhow to build the police force, but it does not take into account the local communities needs along with the significantly higher costs. Newton Township's representative, Doug Pallman explained around half of their budget would be devoted to the cost of a police force under the draft plan. South Abington Township's Police Chief Gerrity disagreed with the proposed staffing stating it was not reasonable. Mr. Rinaldi told Council he had emailed the other three police contract municipalities and expressed concern police regionalization would be stopped in its tracks because of the costs to the contract municipalities. Mr. Rinaldi informed Council Newton Township rejected the report but would continue to participate in discussions ift the rest of the municipalities would come up with a financially viable plan. Mr. Rinaldi told Council he believes regional policing can be a benefit for the Abington Area if some kind ofa agreement for a regional police force that take into account the need of the specific communities. Mr. Rinaldi stated he could never support implementing the study as is noting it does not meet the Borough's needs. Mr. Rinaldi told Council at this time there are three (3) possibilities: exit the group, continuing the police force and see whether the local communities can put together a plan benefiting every community or accepting the proposed police regionalization plan as is. Mr. Rinaldi reminded Council that the Borough has a current contract with Clarks Summit Police Dept. for five and half more years, noting with this proposed plan  Rinaldi voted in favor.  Grayson Drive.  the flashing fifteen (15) mile hour speed light.    our cost for police services would at least triple. A discussion took place with the members from Council on the pro and cons ofhaving ai regional police force along with the proposed high cost. Mr. Egan askedi ifthere is a possibility ofconnecting with another regional police force in investigating the value ofsuch a police force. Mr. Rinaldi stated DCED did not really use local police regionalization in the representation but cite a few near the Philadelphia area. Mayor Barrasse warned that if Clarks Summit and Clarks Green merge police forces, there won'tbe any negotiations in the next contract. He also said that Clarks Summit and South Abington Township have large cost municipal pensions. Mayor Barrasse stated if we did enter into agreement, "what will happen to our employees?" since Clarks Green is contributing right now is an affordable small figure. Mr. Rinaldi told Council Clarks Summit Councilman Josh Mitchell has continued to publicly state some local municipalities are not paying their fair share. Mr. Rinaldi reminded Council the Borough negotiated this contract with Clarks Summit in good faith at arm's length he does not understand why Councilman Mitchell continues to state municipalities are not paying their fair share. Mr. Rinaldi reminded Council that Mr. Mitchell is the one spearheading the police regionalization talks. Mr. Rinaldi asked Council what is their pleasure should we continue meeting and possibly put a local police regionalization plan together with the local communities. Ms. Wanchisen asked ifs she can table the motion till the July meeting. Mr. Rinaldi questioned, "Why?" Mr. Rinaldi stated all we are doing is motioning to continue with the police regionalization study with the municipalities who decide to go forward. Ms. Igoe motioned to continue with the police regionalization study with the other local participating municipalities, seconded by Mr. Egan. Mr. Egan commented on the motion based on the fact that information that Council has is the report as presented, that Clarks Green should make a good faith effort with Clarks Summit Borough, South Abington Township and the other local municipalities to explore a regional police solution. Mr. Williams, Ms. Igoe, Ms. Wanchisen, Mr. Egan and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor. Mr. Rinaldi stated on behalfof the Borough I would like to thank Clarks Summit Borough and the VFW for allowing us to participate in the Memorial Day celebration it was well received by the residents. Mr. Rinaldi announced Mr. John Pullo was appointed interim President ofKeystone College noting his wife, Angie was the former Borough's Secretary/Ireasurer. Mr. Rinaldi reported Frank Besten has been appointed the Clarks Summit Council. Rick Williams, Shade Tree Commission reported he stopped at the Summit Frame to check out the tree that Mr. Sandercock stated the branches are starting to hit his building and did tell Council it is on the Borough's property. Council agreed to look for estimates for trimming the branches. Mr. Rinaldi asked Council about possibly cancelling the July 6, 2022 work session and ifanyone had any objections. All of Council agreed to cancel the work session, July 6, 2022. Resident, John Arcangelo asked if Council is operating under the committee chair organization where each Council member chairs a committee. Mr. Rinaldi stated no, the Borough Manager is responsible for those duties freeing up Council to be able to do some planning. Mr. Arcangelo expressed his concern about the absenteeism on part of some Council members at meetings stating I rarely see seven (7) Council members here noting this is very disturbing. Mr. Rinaldi stated Council is elected and when their term ends should they run, MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Rinaldi entertained the motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Igoe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:52P.M., seconded by Mr. Egan. All in attendance voted in  residents can take action by electing others.  favor.  A Gstir    CLARKS GREEN BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA June 15,2022 7:00PM  1. Call To Order and Pledge of Allegiance = President Rinaldi  2. Roll Call-Secretary Culbertson  3. Motions to approve the Council Meeting Minutes May 18, 2022  4. Public Comment 5. Police and/or Fire Report 6. Mayor's Report  7. Review of Borough Financials Budget V5. Actual Report and Motion to pay bills. Motion to amend skid steer tire purchase per Powell's inability to provide tires. Renewing of FNCB CD 200278057 (maturity 6/23/22). Request to 8. Discussion of DCED Police Regionalization Draft Report and determination whether and/or to what extent to 9. Discussion of Stormwater Issues. Review of costs estimates for Borough stormwater projects and May 31"rain 10. Old Business discussion. Update on letter to DCED requesting use of grant funding for skid steer instead of 11. Other Business/discussion, Enforcement of sidewalk ordinance. Sewer Delinquency Liens.July work session.  reduce sewerb billing 315 N Abington Road. Civic Organization Donation request (Rotary).  continue participation in the DCED outlined process.  event. backhoe.  12. Motion to Adjourn.  NOTE TO VISITORS: Please sign the attendance sheet and indicate if you wish to observe the meeting or to address Council, stating the agenda topic on which you would like to comment. Thank you.