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, April 16, 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, Mark Crossen, Dave Manzo, Patrick Webber, and Jason Boulette. Also in attendance were Mayor Wesley J. Smith, Borough Solicitor Ronald Karasek, Borough Engineer Brian Pysher, and Borough Manager Louise Firestone. Absent was Councilman Alex Cortezzo. Former Councilman, Zoning Hearing Board Member and, Wind Gap Fire Company After the Pledge of Allegiance there was a moment of silence in memory of Tony Curcio, Chief/Fireman. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comments were heard at this time. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion by Dave Manzo to approve the April 1, 2024, minutes and seconded by Patrick Webber. Roll call vote taken. Council agreed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 1. April 10, 2024. Tyrone Klump = Third Street Land Development Plan - Formal request to change the curb depth from 21"1 total depth to 18" total depth - Keystone Consulting Engineers letter dated Brian Pysher informed Council that the Borough's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) has a requirement of an 18" curb. When Mr. Klump's engineer, Keystone Consulting Engineers, did the plans, they proposed a 21" curb that is actually higher than the requirement in the Borough's ordinance. Ifduring construction, the developer wants to install a taller curb, the Borough does not oppose it. Ini this case, the plans got approved and recorded with the 21" curb. Mr. Klump found that during construction, the 21" curb height causes issues ini the field sO Mr. Klump is requesting a reduction which would still be in conformance oft the ordinance. Mr. Pysher has no issue and recommends going with the 18" curb height within the On motion by Steve Bender to approve Tyrone Klump's request to change the curb depth from 21" total depth to 18" total depth on his Third Street Land Development Townhouse Plan and seconded by Jason Boulette. Roll call vote taken. Council agreed unanimously. borough standard. 1 2. Fire Company Carnival - Ordinance No, 458 - Approval of Borough Council allowing the Wind Gap Fire Company to sell, use, and consume alcoholic beverages in, at, or on the park premises at special events - Carnival Dates - June 27", 28"h, and 29th, 2024. On motion by Steve Bender to allow the Fire Company to sell alcoholic beverages in and on the park premises as part of fundraising during their annual carnival: June 27, 28, and 29, 2024 and seconded by Dave Manzo. Roll call vote taken. In favor: M. Crossen, D. Manzo, P.V Webber, S. Bender, J. Boulette. Abstained: G. Hinton. Motion carried with a vote of 5-0-1. 3. Wind Gap Ambulance Corps - ALS Provider Update George Hinton reported that Wind Gap Ambulance is a BLS "basic live support" company. Bushkill Township EMS was the designated ALS provider and when Bushkill was unavailable, Nazareth followed by Suburban would service the Borough. Because there is a small number of ambulance corps still in business, they work together to provide coverage. Unfortunately, Bushkill Township EMS will soon be out of business. Therefore, Wind Gap Borough must look for another ALS provider. George wanted toi inform Council that the Wind Gap Ambulance Corps Board will be meeting with Suburban tomorrow evening and then Nazareth sometime next week to gather information on cost and scope of service they can provide to our residents. This will be on the agenda for discussion and approval. OLD BUSINESS 1. 20 Green Knight Drive Project Update - Brian Pysher said they are progressing along and are working on putting the utilities in. They have to dig up the gas line that they put in and follow what is required by the gas company. All the improvements have not been done. There were discussions about what was proposed on the Land Development Plan and what they are George Hinton said that it was a mistake allowing Green Knight Economic to pave the road. All of the improvements have not been completed. The road has already been cut once and they are going to cut it again with more cuts to follow. Now we will have a new road with patches ini it. Keep in mind that developers come in and want to do things to get the numbers required to rectify. down. ZONING OFFICER'S REPORT provide a report for the month. COMMITTEE REPORTS Suzanne Borzak, KeyCodes Inspection Agency, serving as the Zoning Officer, did not A written committee report was provided to Mayor Smith and Council. Louise Firestone reported that the Municipal 2023. Annual Audit Financial Report for the Borough is required to be submitted to the State, with a copy going to the County by April 1 of each year. The Annual Financial Audit has been completed by the Borough Auditor, Campbell, Rappold & Yurasits and submitted on time. Louise went over the Compliance Audit for the Firemen's Relief Association. George Hinton review the findings ini the audit and what steps are being taken by the Auxiliary to be in compliance in the required time allotted by the Department of the Auditor General. On motion by Dave Manzo to accept the committee reports and seconded by Patrick Webber. Roll call vote taken. Council agreed unanimously. 2 MAYOR SMITH'S REPORT Mayor Smith reported that the Planned Slate Belt Steering Committee meeting was cancelled for this month. Lehigh Valley Planning Commission went to Plainfield Township earlier this month to give an update and overview of the plan to the new Plainfield Supervisors. The Mayor will be in attendance next month trying as the Steering Committee continues to The COG applied for a grant for two lighting systems that can be used by the COG members. The street sweeper was inspected and a battery was purchased sO the The Mayor thanked the Borough Office Staff, the Wind Gap Fire Company, and Mr. Frank Firestone for all they did for the Easter Egg Hunt. It was well attended and all comments There is no update on the Junior Council Person Program at this time. On Saturday, April 27, 2024, in conjunction with Slate Belt Rising, we have the Earth Day Clean up. They are getting at team of volunteers from Giant and hopefully from the high Mayor Smith has spoken with Ann Flood to reiterate the importance of the Male Road Bridge and the critical need to secure more funding in order to replace the superstructure and Mr. and Mrs. Smith attended the mayor's event which was very well attended and he was fortunate to receive the award for the Most Entertaining Mayor. He met Congresswoman Susan Wild and took the opportunity to speak to her about the Male Road Bridge and how important iti is to the economics of the borough. During the event, Mayor Smith had a chance to speak with other mayors as they all got to talk about their communities as he was able toi talk about Wind Gap. George Hinton said that we all appreciate him as mayor, and thanked him for Louise gave an update on the line striping. Rich Fox confirmed that he did speak with S &s Line Striping, they do not do thermoplastic and Linex Striping will not do the job because of the scope of the project and the amount of traffic. We still have Guidemark, and we have satisfied the three telephonic phone bids, receiving one bid. This topic will be on the agenda for Attorney Karasek reported that hel has commitment from Fulton Bank that they will allow the Borough to strike out the paragraph of the landlord lease provision with the Ambulance move this plan forward. sweeper is ready for use by all COG member municipalities. were positive. school. They will be picking up litter on Male Road. install a pedestrian walkway to safely travel to the Plaza. all does. discussion again at the May 6, 2024 Council meeting. Corps. PUBLIC COMMENT ADJOURNMENT No public comments were heard at this time. On motion by Dave Manzo to adjourn the meeting of April 16, 2024. Council agreed unanimously. The meeting of April 16, 2024 adjourned at 7:40 p.m. CAart Louise Firestone, Borough Manager 3 APRIL 16, 2024 MONTHLY REPORT STREETS: Street potholes filled with cold patch - Cold Patch cost for 11 ton = $150.00 Ongoing Rain and Windstorm cleanup -t trees /branches off streets/park property Mulch purchased and spread in Kiddie Play Area/Community Garden Installed bases for new: signs on Constitution Avenue Installation of camera signs on park court fence Alley potholes filled with road millings Pennsylvania One Call System (POCS) has provided the Borough with a refund of $44.63 for 2023 calendar year. The refund is a result of the annual service fee payments collected from excavators, designers, and operators who placed locate request notifications. The portion of refund is calculated based on number ofr months being a POCS member and the amount paid in base activity fees in 2023. 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 POLICE: 2024-N March Parking Violations-3total Inspection -2total Trailer on Roadway- -1total $20.00 $10.00 $30.00 Plainfield Township -3 368 March 2024 Monthly Calls for Service Police Activities 750 Wind Gap 2 232 Pen Argyl -150 SBRPD Commission Meetings will be held at Wind Gap Municipal Complex starting Tuesday, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Dave Hess, Emergency Management Coordinator May 7, 2024 3/6/2024 Responded to Borough Municipal Building for fire alarm Accidental Activation 3/20/2024 Attended quarterly meeting at 911 Center. Local Ems may be requested REMINDER: All Elected Officials should complete NIMS IS-700 and ICS-100. to assist if there are issues at their polling location during the primary election. Contact Dave Hess if there are any questions. 1 WASTE MANAGEMENT: Neighboring Partnership Agreement: 58,445.85 tons ($1.20 pert ton) March 2024 = $70,135.02 Actual Funds Received in 2024 =$ $269,132.01 WIND GAP AMBULANCE: 127 total calls for March - Wind Gap Boro = 69 /Monroe Cly-21/ranspors-36 Response Times 1.95 Minutes Avg (from dispatch to responding) 1Canceled Transport after arrival at hospital FIRE COMPANY: Calls for the Month of March 15/45 Calls for the Year 3 Motor Vehicle Accident - unknown injuries 1Gas Leak 1Spill 1F Fire Alarm 1Smoke Investigation 4D Dwelling Fires 1Vehicle Fire 3ALS Assist PARK: Park Committee met to discuss projects at the park Ordered port-a-potties for lower ballfields Ongoing dialogue with Craig Bachik, Navarro & Wright, for design location for ballfield fencing to be installed by Green Knight Economic Development Corp (GKEDC) WIND GAP MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY: WGMA Meeting was held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 The Cubes at Wind Gap (CRG) - Agreements, Escrow has not been replenished, work has Lou Pektor/Male Road Project - Feasibility Account - has requested a will serve letter. Feasibility Review Agreement submitted for 45-65 Beers Ways, requires $15,000 Escrow deposit, requesting a will serve letter. And submitting a second Feasibility Review agreement G. Schmauder, WGMA sewer inspector, will be asked to provide a monthly written Ongoing dialogue regarding the Green Knight Industrial Park II development. There has been confusion related to the lot designation. There was a Subdivision Plan Lot Designation and al Northampton County Tax Parcel Lot Designation along with a street address which all are halted. for 40 Green Knight, also requesting a will: serve letter. report. 2 identified with different numbers. When a PA One Call from contractors/engineers it has been difficult interpret which identifying numbers are being reference. Information provided to WGMA from the Borough: Wind Gap Park-Park proposal to build a fieldhouse on lower lot - proposing sewer Wind Gap Borough - paving project ini the alley behind Turkey Hill to East Center St. connection potentially at Fifth Street. A grinder pump would be installed. PLANNING: To date No Planning Commission Meeting held in April from the FIRSTTHURSDAY to the THIRD THURSDAY of every month REMINDER. - Planning Commission unanimously agreed to change Planning Meetings ZONING: Broadway. Meeting held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 Appeal of Marjorie A. Kline, Successor Trustee of the Virgina A. Smith Trust 502 North ZHB Decision: Allow 5 units /not 6 units Did not grant elimination of ADA parking spaces OFFICE/BUILDING: Concrete bases for light poles have been ordered from Bethlehem Pre-Cast Inc. 80 concrete bases $4,720 plus delivery Parking Lot $35,000 from 2021 Grow NORCO Grant Request for Extension December 31, 2024 FINANCIALS: - Balances as of March 31, 2024: General Funds: Money Market Funds: Capital Reserve Funds: $544,515.50 $675,525.34 $2,178,772.18 $665,362.83-5 Sale of Borough Properties) (Allocation Based on 9.36 miles/ Population of 2720) State Liquid Fuels Funds: Current Balance = $331,762.77 Earned Income Tax (EIT) Receivables (Comparison): 1stQtr2024 $114,707.90 Increase of $12,795.05 15+Qtr2023 $101,912.85 3 Local Services Tax (LST) Receivables (Comparison): 1s+Qtr2024 $12,301.76 Increase of $84.61 1stQtr2023 $12,217.15 BOROUGH PROPERTIES: Propane Tanks to be removed in April 23, 2024. Estimated propane remaining in tanks = 800 gallons. Will receive credit for propane, but at the cost of purchase less $1.00 per gallon. Superior Propane/Eastern Propane estimated labori is6 6 hours for 21 technicians at: at total cost of $1,590 PLAN SLATE BELT- Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan: Next Meeting Scheduled for Thursday, May 2, 2024 Pen Argyl Borough building Slate Belt Litter Pick-up scheduled for Saturday, April 27 from 10:00 am -1:00 pm Received 14 Applications for Slate Belt Rising Scholarships for both Pen Argyl Area School District and Bangor School District Students - Will award a minimum of 6 scholarships. To be announced Commercial Lease Subsidy Program will be assisting "Just Dance Dance Studio" in Pen Argyl in SLATE BELT RISING: Sign up on wwwsatebetrsingors in! May offsetting their rent payments. Pen Argyl Borough mural will be started the last week of April. SLATE BELT COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT (SBCOG): Meeting held on' Wednesday, March 27,2024 4