BOROUGH OF WIND GAP 545 East West Street WIND GAP, PA 18091 610-863-7288 FAX 610-863-1011  Wind Gap Borough Council meeting on Monday, July 1, 2024, was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Council President George Hinton, at which time he reminded those present that the meeting was being recorded. In attendance were Council members: Steve Bender, Dave Manzo, Jason Boulette, and Alex Cortezzo. Also in attendance were Mayor Wesley J. Smith, Borough Solicitor Ronald Karasek, Borough Engineer Brian Pysher and Borough Manager Louise Firestone. Absent were Councilmen Mark Crossen and Patrick Webber.  PUBLIC COMMENT  Richard Smith, 34 Alpha Road thanked Council for putting three items on Municibid.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES  On motion by Dave Manzo to approve the June 18, 2024, minutes and seconded by Jason Boulette. Roll call vote taken. Roll call vote taken. Ini favor: S. Bender, J. Boulette, G. Jason Boulette thought the mid-month meeting was going to be cancelled. George Hinton stated that Council will keep the mid-month meeting as scheduled in case Council must take action. If no meeting is necessary, Council will be notified 24 hours before the scheduled meeting time. The necessity of holding both August meetings will be discussed at the next  Hinton, D. Manzo. Abstained: A. Cortezzo. Motion carried 4 -0-1.  Council meeting. APPROVAL OF EXPENSES  On motion by Dave Manzo to approve the expenses in the amount of $222,439.07 and  seconded by Alex Cortezzo. Roll call vote taken. Council agreed unanimously.  SOLICITOR'S REPORT See attachment one (1). ENGINEER'S REPORT  Brian Pysher reported that he is continuing to work on the park walking trail, specifically the retaining wall quantities, which has recently been staked out. A meeting was held on-site last week to discuss other options for the materials to construct the wall. The committee is in He met with Rich at the municipal complex regarding the site lighting and the location of the light poles. Brian reported that he spoke with Pete Albanese of Wind Gap Electric who will provide an electrical schematic to be submitted to KeyCodes for approval and permitting.  the process of obtaining three proposals for the wall.  1    NEW BUSINESS 1.  Families First of Pen Argyl - 5K Race - Sept 14th, 2024- Approval of Authorization for Louise Firestone reported that the Borough has been asked by Mike Sabatine, the Director of Families First of Pen Argyl, to send al letter authorizing them to run their 5K Race on Saturday, September 14, 2024, because a portion of the race will take place in the borough, and permission is required to move forward with the required paperwork to PennDOT allowing them  Families First to submit PennDOT Paperwork (Form, Race Map, Insurance)  to run the race on a state road.  On motion by Dave Manzo to approve the Families First of Pen Argyl 5K Race on Saturday, September 14, 2024, and to send them a letter of approval and seconded by. Jason Boulette. Roll call taken. Ini favor: A. Cortezzo, G. Hinton, D. Manzo, and J. Boulette.  Opposed: S. Bender. Motion carried: 4-1.  2.  KeyCodes Inspection Agency - Resignation as Zoning Officer - George reported that the Borough received a letter from KeyCodes Inspection Agency informing the Borough that effective July 12, 2024, they will no longer be able to provide zoning services to Wind Gap. On motion by Dave Manzo to accept the resignation of KeyCodes Inspection Agency and their employee who serves as the Borough's Zoning Officer, Suzanne Borzak, and seconded by Steve Bender. Roll call vote taken. Council agreed unanimously. Interim Zoning Officer = Recommendation for Collura Engineering Appointment On motion by Steve Bender to recommend Collura Engineering as the Zoning Officer  3.  and seconded by Dave Manzo. Roll call vote taken. Council agreed unanimously. JVI Letter of Credit Reduction - B. Pysher Letter of Recommendation  4.  On motion by Steve Bender to approve the request from JVI, LLC for a Letter of Credit Reduction in the amount of $240,498.07 with the remaining securities of $362,678.03 and seconded by Jason Boulette. Roll call vote taken. Council agreed unanimously. 3 Aide Properties, 357 Lehigh Avenue - The plan is for low-rise multi-family residential units = 2 stories and 8 units on al lot of 40,000 square feet. George reported that the planning meeting scheduled for June was canceled which necessitated a request for an extension oft time from the developer for this project. Ift the Borough does not receive a written extensiona decision will have to be made tonight to either approve or deny the plan. Attorney Karasek said that he believes Debra did request or contact them for an extension, but the developer nor his engineer has responded as of this afternoon. Attorney Karasek referenced the Borough Engineer's review letter that indicates a number of things that have to be done in addition to the number of units and parking, etc. This matter will expire by Monday, July 8, 2024. He recommends that Council take action to deny the plan based upon the Borough Engineer review letter, dated May 15, 2024. You can send a letter stating that you are making a motion to deny the plan unless an extension of time is received prior to July 8, 2024. Borough Council can make a motion to deny the plan or make the denial if no extension is granted prior to Monday,  5  July 8, 2024, but if one is received the denial can be rescinded.  2    On motion by Dave Manzo that Council deny the plan unless an extension oft time form is received from the developer, Mr. Aide, prior to close of business on July 8, 2024, and seconded by Steve Bender. Roll call vote taken. Council agreed unanimously. Dave Manzo said that the Wind Gap Sewer Authority would like to work in conjunction with the Borough and have discussions regarding housing inspections, new builds, rentals, and property transfers sO everyone is on the same page. This is something to think about for the  6. future. 7.  George Hinton reported that he has become aware of a proposed land development located in Plainfield Township but proposed to be accessed off of Alpha Road at the old quarry. Itis his understanding that the proposal includes an oversized pipe yard, with machinery that is overweight. George asked that if Alpha Road is al borough road would it be possible to restrict overweight vehicles and machinery. Attorney Karasek said that if an engineering study is done, pursuant to PennDOT regulations due to weight, size, etc., restrictions can be imposed. The Borough would have to direct Brian to do an engineering and traffic study to determine if the road can only hold sO much weight. Council directed Brian was directed to contact Plainfield Township and request a courtesy copy of any plans related to that property and proposed  development. OLD BUSINESS 1.  Junior Council Person Discussion - Appointment of Pen Argyl High School Student- Mayor Smith reported that he, along with George and Jason, interviewed four students. The committee is recommending Olivia Bentley. She is a rising junior, who is very articulate and is involved in music and all the great leadership organizations at the high school. Jason added that he believes that she is the best candidate and concurs with the mayor's recommendation. She is a member oft the National Honor Society, works at Weona Park, and is a peer mediator with a lot of great leadership qualities. As the committee previously discussed with Council, they would look to have the other applicants get involved serving on other borough boards. Jason stated that the. Junior Council Member term would be for the duration of the school year and as such Olivia would not be seated until school starts up again ini the fall. Mayor Smith will communicate this to Olivia and extend the offer of being involved in the committee for thei three  other students.  On motion by Jason Boulette to appoint Olivia Bentley as Wind Gap Borough Junior Council Member and seconded by Alex Cortezzo. Roll call vote taken. Council agreed  unanimously. 2.  Alex Cortezzo reported at the last meeting in Upper Mount Bethel, Cetronia Ambulance did their presentation. Alex stated that it seems like Upper Mount Bethel has already made up their mind and there will be changes coming. He will continue to update Council as this will  have an effect on Wind Gap in the long run.  PUBLIC COMMENT  1.  Bruce Eppensteiner from Center Street had questions on the development on Alpha Road. George Hinton said that a company bought the property at the old slate quarry. Their  equipment is extremely heavy.  3    2.  Richard Smith asked if the shooting range would be dissembled by the borough workers once the police are finished practicing. George confirmed that it is the plan. Mr. Smith Dave Manzo asked ift there would be a mid-month meeting. George said the committee has not started interviewing applicants yet for the street worker position. If we do not have the July 16, 2024, meeting, then a recommendation for a new employee would have to wait until the scheduled meeting on Monday, August 5, 2024, so for now. July 16, 2024 meeting is still  appreciates what has been done.  3.  scheduled. ADJOURNMENT  On motion by Dave Manzo to adjourn the meeting of. July 1, 2024. Council agreed  unanimously. The meeting of July 1, 2024, adjourned at 7:45 p.m.  aRustai Louise Firestoné, Borough Manager  4    SOLICITOR'S REPORT - R. J. KARASEK, ESQUIRE NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA  WIND GAP BOROUGH MONTH: June 2024  MEETINGS ATTENDED:  June 03, 2024 - attendance at regular monthly meeting of Borough Council June 18, 2024 - attendance at regular mid-month meeting of Borough Council  SUBDIVISION MATTERS: None LAND DEVELOPMENT MATTERS:  Receipt, Review and Administration of e-mails and Correspondence from the Applicant's Engineer and the Borough EIT correspondence as to Letter of Credit Reduction Request re 20 Green Knight Drive-Green Knight Industrial Park II Receipt, Review and Administration of e-mails and Correspondence from the Applicant's Engineer and the Borough EIT Correspondence as to Release of Maintenance Security re 550 Male Road & SR 33-JERC LII, LLC Receipt, Review and Administration of Borough Engineer ReviewL Letter and Borough Zoning Officer Review Letter-Revised Plan for 537 LehghAvenue-Singe Family attached dwelling with seven (7) units re 3 Aide Properties  ZONING AND OTHER LAND USE MATTERS:  Computer Search on County Website and Google Earth for Deed, Tax Parcel Information and Aerial View of the Property and the Preparation of the Use and Occupancy Agreement for the Minnich DCNR Forestry Vehicle Parking on Borough Receipt, Review and Administration of Addenda for Constitution and Oak Street Paving along with Resolution for Price Adjustment of Bituminous Materials for Small  Property Quantities  BriefLegal Research re Gun Range  DEVELOPMENTS ON OUTSTANDING LITIGATION: None COURT DECISIONS ON BOROUGH CASES: None  MISCELLANEOUS:  Preparation of Borough Planning Commission Meeting Agenda for Meeting of Preparation of Borough Resolution No. 2024-04 (as Revised-Acceptance of  June 20, 2024 (with Meeting cancelled) Credit and Debit cards for Borough Fees and Costs Preparation of Monthly Solicitor's Report  OUTSTANDING ITEMS: Stop Sign Ordinance Dog Park Ordinance