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 Tuesday, July 16, 2024, 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, Mark Crossen, Dave Manzo, Patrick Webber, 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 was Councilman Jason Boulette. EXECUTIVE SESSION Council adjourned to Executive Session at 7:00 p.m. to discuss Personnel. Council reconvened the meeting at 7:21 p.m. Councilman Jason Boulette participated in the Executive Session for discussion purposes via telephone. PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Adrienne Fors, Waste Management, reported that: 1. 2. The landfill is at full capacity, just about maxing out at 2,700 - 2,800 tons per day. They are getting closer to closure with just four years at that capacity. They are working to round out their plans for submission to Plainfield Township. Once that is done and completed, they will let everyone know as it moves forward. Events that everyone is invited to are: 3 baby falcons that they will be banding on Monday at 5:00p.m., a blood drive on August 7th at 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Professional Recyclers will be coming for at tour while they are here for their annual conference, and the Chili Cookoff will take place on September 28, 2024. Cell 19 construction has started; it is the last cell. They are expecting to roll out There was an email sent to the Plainfield Township Manager requesting an 3. 4. the liner next month. easement agreement regarding Mack Road. 2. Mr. Smith of 34 Alpha Road was curious why the agenda was not posted on the Borough Website. Louise Firestone stated that it was posted on the website and also on the doors of the Municipal building last evening. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion by Dave Manzo to approve the July 1, 2024, minutes and seconded by Alex Cortezzo. Roll call vote taken. In favor: S. Bender, A. Cortezzo, G. Hinton, D. Manzo Abstained: M. Crossen, P Webber. Motion carried: 4-0-2. NEW BUSINESS 1 Full-time Street Laborer New Hire - George Hinton reported that Council held an executive session to discuss the street laborer position. As they did the interviews, they had 1 great applicants. Ini the executive session, they discussed hiring one Street Laborer as a full- On motion by Patrick Webber to hire Frank Firestone as a full-time street laborer and time employee. seconded by Dave Manzo. Roll call vote taken. Council agreed unanimously. 2. Propane Tank / Range - Approval of Municibid Auction On motion by Alex Cortezzo to accept the bids for the propane tank for $3,200 and the range for $115 and seconded by Steve Bender. Roll call vote taken. Council agreed unanimously. 3. Propane Dryer, there were no offers on Municibid. Auction On motion by Dave Manzo to scrap the propane dryer seconded by Steve Bender. Roll Council Meeting Schedule for August for Monday, August 5, 2024, and/or Tuesday, On motion by Dave Manzo to cancel the Council meeting for Monday, August 5, 2024, Zoning Officer Update = George Hinton reported that we are hoping to have more call vote taken. Council agreed unanimously. 4. August 20, 2024 and seconded by Patrick Webber. Roll call vote taken. Council agreed unanimously. 5. information soon. This will be discussed at a future Council meeting. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to discuss at this time. COMMITTEE REPORTS A written committee report was provided to Mayor Smith and Council. Steve Bender asked if all of Council were invited to the Green Knight ribbon cutting. Louise said that it came into the old Borough generic e-mail, which is not checked on a regular basis, but George Hinton added that a representative from JVI stopped by the office to inquire if anyone would be attending to represent Wind Gap. The Mayor was unavailable to attend so the Council President and Borough Manager attended. George informed that another building is proposed and in the planning stages and will be going up in Plainfield Township. At a previous Council meeting it was discussed that a development is being proposed on a property off of Mack Road in Plainfield Township. As a follow-up to that meeting, Brian Pysher corresponded with Plainfield Township and the engineer. The concern expressed by Wind Gap is the proposed for oversized loads traveling on Alpha Road and at this point, Brian could not confirm that the developer will be doing traffic study. This property proposal would fall under a special exception use, and the burden of proving a special exception is not too difficult. He stated that the developer is not proposing any improvements as the use is for storage of Louise informed Council that the Municipal Complex experienced a power outage Saturday morning and at this time it is unknown if was transformer related or a power burst. The generator was not working; but Rich was able to start it manually. The maintenance garage had some electrical issues including the fob system which prohibits the doors from being opened with the keyless fob. The air-conditioning unit ceased to work sO Super Heat was contacted and the motor and the circuit board may need replaced. Rich's office printer and equipment and drilling materials. 2 several kitchen appliances that were plugged in were also damaged. A claim has been filed Louise informed Council that the budget line item specific to the Wind Gap Ambulance Corps and reimbursement of their business auto insurance policy will be over budget at the end of the year. IfCouncil wants to approve this line item, it will be placed on the next Council meeting agenda for official action to be taken. A six-month year-to-date budget was given to Alex Cortezzo asked about the Borough's intention of continuing int the Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan, now that Plainfield is pulling out of it, and if our time would be better spent with Selective Insurance. everyone for review and questions. doing something with Plainfield and Pen Argyl. MAYOR SMITH REPORT Mayor Smith reported that there was discussion with COG, regarding the care of the street sweeper and the need to visually inspect the equipment after each municipality uses it. Steve Male, the Mayor of Pen Argyl will take the lead on checking the maintenance log and cleaning standards. The COG hired a grant writer to help with grant applications with a fee of $600.00 with at total of six grants that she will write. There continues to be ongoing EMS discussions. There is no COG meeting scheduled for July; sO the next meeting will be We are looking to bring Junior Council Members on board to get them involved and interested in local government. The Mayor is planning to swear Olivia in at the first meeting in A few months ago, we spoke about the transient license that he had to sign due to our ordinance. Currently there is a group of five going around for Frontier and because they have out of state license plates, residents are concerned with people knocking on their doors. He will attempt to get something in front of the board for their review, so he does not have to sign something that he is not comfortable with and has sole discretion to sign. The Mayor reported that he had the pleasure of marrying a couple last month; it was a small ceremony. Wednesday, August 28, 2024. September. PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Mr. Smith thought the propane dryer had a bid on it. Louise did not receive an email from the Municibid website indicating that a bid was accepted, but she will check into it. ADJOURNMENT On motion by Dave Manzo to adjourn the meeting of July 16, 2024. Council agreed unanimously. The meeting of July 16, 2024, adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Cuus Zoustone Louise Firèstone, Borough Manager 3 JULY16, 2024 MONTHLY REPORT STREETS: Oak Street - Street workers began preparation for the overlay project from East Third Work has included milling of cracked road surface, base repair which is installation and Bracalente Construction awarded bid at. June 3, 2024 Council meeting $50,592.20 Constitution Avenue = WGMA will be concluding their project starting the week of July 22, 2024. Their contractor will be milling and replacing the base course. Bracalente Construction was awarded the overlay project - $99,753.64 Paving should occur prior to the start of the school year. Street south on Oak Street to the borough line. compaction of stone, and base pavement Signal Services - Traffic Light Repairs Lehigh & Alpha - Replaced failed southbound inboard red LED = $320.00 Male Road - Replaced failed red LED on right turn signal = $521.00 (double time) PENDING ITEMS: Meeting on East First St for placement of Street Light - B. Pysher to schedule meeting with Met Ed for location of existing wiring. Funding from Gap' View Estates Escrow MALE ROAD BRIDGE PROJECT: Gilmore and Associates, Inc.: The wetlands delineation and reports have been completed. The PNDI has been completed. The Erosion & Sediment (E&S) Control Plans & Narrative Report to be completed Preparation has begun for applications) /agency permits and approvals All Field Survey' Work / Base mapping has been completed Anticipate having an Initial Plan ready for review within next couple weeks Ongoing discussions for options for phase construction allowing single lane to remain open on the bridge during construction POLICE: Monthly Calls for Service - Police Activities for June 2024: = 714 Calls Wind Gap- -1 189 Pen Argyl 1 164 Plainfield Township - 361 1 Sgt. Muccione secured a $5,000 grant from the Green Knight Economic Development Corps to purchase a K9 Bite Suit, narcotic kits for transportation of drugs for the purpose of K9 training, a K9 heat temperature alarm system for the K9 vehicle and the annual cost oft training The Department received approximately $28,618 in reimbursement from the Municipal Police Officer Education Training Commission (MPOETC) for the sponsorship of Officers Vlasaty The Department finalized a Municibid sale of the Special Services Unit (SSU) with a non- profit organization in Chicago. The ambulance was sold for approximately $22,100. Waste Management generously donated $10,000 towards the purchase ofar multi- purpose truck for MCSAP enforcement/acident recon/crime scene investigation. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Dave Hess, Emergency Management Coordinator for the K9 handler. and Petrie. 6/12/24 Attended quarterly meeting at 911 Center Prepared incident Action Plan for Fire Company carnival. Submitted plan to REMINDER: All Elected Officials should complete NIMS IS-700 and ICS-100. NCEM and PEMA. Attended carnival each night Contact Dave Hess if there are any questions. WASTE MANAGEMENT: Neighboring Partnership Agreement: 59,090.05 tons ($1.20 per ton) June 2024 = $70,908.06 Actual Funds Received in 2024: = $495,776.06 WIND GAP AMBULANCE: 119 total calls for June: Wind Gap Boro/Northampton Cty= 60 /Monroe Cty: = 25/Transports-34 Average Response Times (From Dispatch to Response) Northampton County Monroe County 1.82 minutes 2.26 minutes FIRE COMPANY: Wind Gap Fire Company hosted their annual Carnival. 20 Calls fori the Month of June / 90 Calls for the Year 1Company Fire. Alarm 3L Lift Assists 3 Wires Down 1Motor Vehicle Accident Fire 2Motor Vehicle Accidents with Injuries 4Dwelling Fires 2 2Wire Fires 1Move Up 1Traffic Control PARK: Walking Trail Retaining Wall Concrete Blocks Received three quotes - 4 Winds Concrete, Casilio Concrete, Redi-Rock Park Committee chose Casilio Concrete at a cost of $15,783 - lead time 3 weeks Fountain has been installed adjacent to the Community Garden The location will be the future site oft the Fitness Loop Water Fountain WIND GAP MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY: WGMA Meeting was held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 New Hire Plant Worker - 75% of time spent in Lab /25% on Road Property located at 2nd and Oak - Water turnoff The Sewer Authority would like the Borough toi identify sump pump issues Purchasing a Camera System - will be using on East Center St. July 16, 2024 The Municipal Authority office will be relocating to Abel Colony Road Property transfers, / New Builds / Rentals PLANNING: No Meeting was held in. June received in the office by. July 8, 2024 3 Aide Properties -5 537 Lehigh Plan was denied as an Extension of Time was not ZONING: KeyCodes Inspection Agency resigned as the appointed Zoning Officer Collura Engineering will be the Interim Zoning Officer Action Plan to determine long-term Zoning Officer issue is being worked on. No Meeting was held in. June OFFICE/BUILDING: CRITICALSYSTEMS. LLC 6/19/2024 Municipal Building Generator - Sensor message - High LPG Warning 6/21/2024 Technician dispatched - Found fuel pressure was at 8wc static and 6wc running. Found when unit is shut off, fuel pressure rises to 10wc. Found solenoid valve sticking. Adjusted fuel pressure - recommended replacing fuel solenoid. 6/26/2024 Order placed for Fuel Solenoid Valve - Quote = $762.72 (Part/Labor) SUPERHEAT (2 Service Calls for Ambulance Qtrs) 3 6/21/2024 Air Conditioning Unit for Second Floor 545 East West Street not cooling. 6/22/2024 SuperHeat on site Saturday, June 23, 2024 Cost: $766.81 Cost: $431.32 7/2/2024 Air handler has Condensation/Water Issues Power Outage Reported Saturday, July 13, 2024 approximately 9:00 a.m. Rich Fox manually started generator as it did not fire up. Power restored several hours later Street Workers dug holes and set 8 Pre-Cast Light Pole bases. Parking Lot $35,000 from 2021 Grow NORCO Grant Request for Extension December 31, 2024 GARAGE: INSURANCE CLAIM FILED: Selective Insurance Related to Power Outage on Saturday, July 13, 2024 = Damage to Garage building. Street Dept reported: A/C Unit motor/blower not working FOB system not working Officer printer not working Radio charger /coffee machine not working Power surge strip for copier blown Confirmation that the Kidney Dialysis Center DIDI NOT experience outage Confirmation that neighbor across the street DID experience outage FINANCIALS: - Balances as of June 30, 2024: General Funds: Money Market Funds: Capital Reserve Funds: $163,718.91 $1,412,568.01 $2,196,792.74 $665,362.83-5 Sale of Borough Properties) (Allocation Based on 9.36 miles/ Population of 2720) State Liquid Fuels Funds: Current Balance = $337,341.85 INSURANCE: Brown & Brown Commercial Package Renewal / Property & Casualty Selective Insurance Co. 6/1/2024-6/1/2025 Premium Increased 12.6% 4 Selective did a reassessment oft the property at 545/5 543 East West to determine a more accurate Replacement Cost Estimate Workers Compensation Renewal AmTrust North America 6/26/2024-6/26/2025 Premium Decreased .06% BOROUGH PROPERTIES: Propane Tank / Range /Dryer Advertised on Municibid- - June 191 to. July2, 2024 1,000 gal Underground Propane Tank $3,200.00 $115.00 No Bids offered GE Propane Range GE Propane Dryer PLAN SLATE BELT - Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan: Plainfield Township notified the Plan Slate Belt Steering Committee and the Lehigh Valley Planning Committee that they are withdrawing from the Plan. SLATE BELT RISING: Commercial Lease Subsidy Program will be assisting "Just Dance Dance Studio" in Pen Argyl in offsetting their rent payments. MISCELLANEOUS: Thursday, July 11, 2024 George Hinton and Louise Firestone attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 20 Green Knight Drive. Developer. JVI LLCH held an Open house for the 49,000 square ft. building in the newi industrial park. Trillion Sources will be moving into the space by the end ofJ July. Trillion Sources is a third-party logistics company that outsources and warehouses materials for e-commerce businesses. The company will have 5 employees with the potential to grow to 20 employees. The projection is only one or two trucks will enter or exit the facility per day. 5