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, October 17, 2023, 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, Patrick Webber and Alexander 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 Dave Hess and Jeff Yob.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES  On motion by Dave Manzo to approve the October 2, 2023, minutes and seconded by Patrick Webber. Roll call vote taken. In favor: S. Bender, G. Hinton, D. Manzo, P. Webber.  Abstained: A. Cortezzo. Motion carried: 4-0-1.  NEW BUSINESS 1.  Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure = 2022 CDBG Grant Award- Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure said that it is an honor to be here tonight. On behalf of Northampton County, he is presenting the Borough with a Fity-thousand-dolar ($50,000) check to be used for maintenance and infrastructure in the borough. The fifty- thousand dollars is represented by Community Development Block Grant funding which flows through the County from HUD to help some of our municipalities in need ofi infrastructure repairs. When het took office in 2018 one of his commitments was an increase of assistance to the communities in the Slate Belt. Mayor Wesley Smith thanked County Executive McClure and  accepted the check on behalf of the Borough.  2.  Park Cameras Quote - Approval of Project - George Hinton said that with the installation of updates cameras they will assist the borough and the police with any incidents that may occur in the borough park. Unlike the current system, this update to the system will allow the recordings to be viewed in the borough office. The proposed system will allow for additional On motion by Dave Manzo to approve the purchase for the cameras for the park in the amount of $9,613.74 and seconded by Patrick Webber. Roll call vote taken. In favor: A. Cortezzo, G. Hinton, D. Manzo, P. Webber. Opposed: S. Bender. Motion carried: 4-1. Dave Manzo requested that Council discuss the ability to inspect rentals and house purchases when they occur within the borough. This would save time with issues when they develop and help with the implementation oft the IPMC and help with residents' quality of life. Attorney Karasek said that this was discussed at the last meeting, and he did secure copies of the Bangor Ordinance regarding inspection at the time of rental or sale. He will forward this to  cameras to be added ini the future if necessary.  3.  the Borough Manager to distribute to Council.  1    OLD BUSINESS 1  SuperHeat Quote No. 12631- - Conversion from LP to Natural Gas Approval Brian Pysher reported that this was the only quote that he received. George Hinton added that the On motion by Dave Manzo to approve the Super Heat quote. Motion died for al lack of a  quote from Super Heat was for $22,398.23.  second. 2.  2024 Budget - Approval to Advertise  Borough Manager, Louise Firestone, gave an overview of the current draft budget proposal indicating that without any tax increase there would be a shortfall in 2024. Council did discuss all aspects of the budget with regard toi increasing taxes or maintaining a tax rate of 17 On motion by Steve Bender to accept the 2024 Budget with no tax rate increase for Calendar Year 2024 and seconded by Alex Cortezzo. Roll call vote taken. Inf favor: G. Hinton, P.V Webber, S. Bender, A. Cortezzo. Opposed: D. Manzo. Motion carried with a vote of4-1.  mills.  3.  Slate Belt Regional Police Department 2024 Budget - Approval 593.0388-23.1394 On motion by Alex Cortezzo to approve the Slate Belt Regional Police Department 2024 Budget with Wind Gap Borough's municipal contribution ini the amount of $593,003.88 and seconded by Dave Manzo. Inf favor D. Manzo, P. Webber, A. Cortezzo, G. Hinton. Opposed: S.  of Municipal Portion provided by' Wind Gap Borough.  Bender. Motion carried with a vote of4 4-1. ZONING OFFICER'S REPORT  A written committee report was provided to Council prior to the meeting. See  attachment one.  Attorney Karasek reported that he did finish the ordinance for vehicles in the park. This  will be sent to the Borough Manger to be distributed to Council.  COMMITTEE REPORTS  A written committee report was provided to Mayor Smith and Council.  Brian Pysher reported that the contractor for Constitution Avenue has scheduled the installation of new curbing to begin on November 2nd. The totals project should be completed by  the end of the second week in November.  Alex Cortezzo had a question for the engineer. He asked if we could move forward with the installation of the street light on East First Street. Brian will contact Met Ed to try to  complete this project.  2    MAYOR SMITH REPORT  Mayor Smith reported that the COG meeting was cancelled for last month. Their next meeting is scheduled for October 25th, which he will attend. Last week he participated in a Voter Registration Drive at Pen Argyl High School. This was part of a service-learning project for the AP literature students. He was there with the president oft the Pen Argyl School Board. He met with Mr. Bray regarding Roosevelt Street and the borough storm sewer project.  PUBLIC COMMENT  1. 2.  Mrs. Dentith stated that there are four wheelers driving around in the grass at the park. Randy Bray, 25 Roosevelt Avenue, said that the Borough did a project there and he wants to know why he was not part oft the project. He stated that in 2013 he received al letter referencing his illegal discharge of water onto the road. During the storm sewer project, the Borough could have included his property. Brian Pysher will investigate it.  3.  Pat Sutter asked if there was something in the by-laws that if councilmen miss sO many meeting that they would be out and do they still get paid it they do not show up? Steve Bender said that sadly enough, no, they are elected officials and the Borough Code does not state that they would removed from their elected seat nor would they not forfeit their compensation. She  said that does not seem right. ADJOURNMENT  On motion by Dave Manzo to adjourn the meeting of October 17, 2023. Council agreed  unanimously. The meeting of October 17, 2023, adjourned at 7:59 p.m.  Cs Auatnu - Louise Firéstone - Borough Manager  3    OCTOBER 17, 2023 MONTHLY REPORT  TRICK-OR-TREAT STREETS:  Tuesday, October 31, 2023 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Constitution Avenue -2 2 Cross Pipe completed /10 Cross Pipe to be installed Roosevelt Street - Curb Installation, /8 grass seed/repair completed  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:  August 2023 - Parking Violations -5total  Inspection- - 3total Obstructing Driveway- -1total Commercial Vehicle- -1total  $30.00 $15.00 $10.00 $55.00  September Monthly Calls for Service 390 Police Activities The Department's hiring process has been completed. Wind Gap is awaiting answers tot the following:  Wind Gap- -9 98  Pen Argyl-149  Plainfield Township-143  K9 Handler Josh Lowe and K9: Zorro will be tested next month for Pennsylvania's  mandated K9 compliance.  Security Deposit of $4,707.50 = was it paid during the inception of the SBRPD -if Does SBRPD pay a garbage fee to the Township as part of the 70% Utilities? Has Plainfield Township shopped/locked in an electric rate? If not, this needs to be done as soon as possible in order for the SBRPD to better accurately budget for electric asi it currently stands, the electric rate for Plainfield Township fluctuates. Slate Belt Regional Police Department - Contract Negotiations are continuing. 2LSA Grants completed by Wind Gap on behalf of Slate Belt Regional Police Department Northampton, /Lehigh Counties- - $159,968.24 for 2 Ford Explorer Interceptors Monroe County $159,968.24 for 2 Ford Explorer Interceptors  so, should it be reimbursed?  1    EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:  Received Harris portable radio. No issues. The previous Motorola portable radio was  reprogrammed and is being used by the street department.  WASTE MANAGEMENT:  Neighboring Partnership Agreement: September 2023: = $70,560.82 Total Funds Received in 2023-5689,344.38  WIND GAP AMBULANCE:  113 total calls for September- = Wind Gap Boro =! 51 /Monroe Cty= 12/Transports-49 Response Times 2.30 Minutes Avg (from dispatch to responding)  FIRE COMPANY:  12 Calls for the Month of August / 99 Calls for the Year 1Motor Vehicle Accident- - unknown injuries 1Motor Vehicle Accident - with injuries  1Burn Complaint 1Fire Alarm 1Move up Assignment 2Dwelling Fires 5BLS Assist  PARK:  10/4/23 - Upper Parking Lot was paved:  Milled / Paved - Cost of 9.5MM =4 49.93 tons @ $71.72/ton = $3,580.98 Plainfield Township street department assisted with hauling materials  WIND GAP MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY:  Meeting held on' Wednesday, September 27, 2023  WGMA - Secured an Electrical rate for their facility. During the audit of electric bills, it was identified that sales tax had been paid. A request was made to Met-Ed for a refund of approximately $5,000 in sales tax and that money was received by the WGMA. Inspections - Discussion at the meeting regarding the BorouglMsrequirement for any type of home inspection prior to a transfer of property or a new tenant ini the case of a rental  unit/property. Is this a topic to be discussed by Borough Council?  2    Discussion and approval ofi fees when a customer chooses a payment method outside of WGMA available options related to Final Billing ($20)/F Fee for Returned Checks ($25)/ Fee for Discussion regarding Properties in Green Knight Economic Development Corp hook-ups Executive Session to discuss Wind Gap Municipal Authority employee benefits.  payment processing ($5). and related Male Road bridge issues.  PLANNING:  No planningm meeting was held in October.  ZONING:  Zoning Hearing Board scheduled for Thursday, October 26, 2023.  Cosmo Development (Aashish Kharb) for 125 Water Street Garage building  OFFICE/BUILDING:  Parking Lot $35,000 from 2021 Grow NORCO Grant - Deadline Dec 31, 2023  FINANCIALS: - Balances as of September 30, 2023:  General Funds: Money Market Funds: Capital Reserve Funds:  $138,155.34 $1,387,038.13 $1,772,866.80  $665,362.83-Sale of Borough Properties) (Allocation Based on 9.36 miles/ Population of 2720)  State Liquid Fuels Funds: Current Balance = $244,615.83  ESTIMATED Liquid Fuels Allocation for 2024 = $79,03.19 ESTIMATED Turnback Allocation for 2024 = $1,680.00 (Turnback allocation is for Male Road .42 miles)  DRAFT 2024 Budget - Current Shortfall= =$ $167,480.00  3    SLATE BELT COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT (SBCOG):  Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 27, 2023 was cancelled.  MISCELLANEOUS:  Attended Northampton Tax Collection Committee (NTCC) meeting on Thursday, October 12, Wind Gap Borough 2024 Administrative Fee Calculation .30% of $35,000 = $105 Wind Gap Borough - Keystone Collections Group Report - Earned Income Tax Collection Year to Date Sept 2023 = $331,639 Vs Year to Date Sept 2022 =$ $310,204  2023 at Bethlehem Township Municipal Building.  $21,435 (6.9%) Increase Yeart to Date  Northampton County - Keystone Collections Group Report - Earned Income Tax Collection Year to Date Sept 2023 = $111,502,975.95 vs' Yeart to Date Sept 20225102,823,769.50  $8,679,206.42 (8.4%) Increase Year to Date  4    Keycodes Inspection Agency Monthly Report - ending October 13, 2023 Suzanne Borzak, Zoning Officer  Council American Legion  Attended council meeting in September  Problem with the cooking oil. After visiting the site several times as well as talking to Fred, they obtained a new company. Final site visit showed that the old container was still on site and the ground was not cleaned. Fred indicated that he was going to have the company remove Letter sent to owner that no permit is needed (zoning nor UCC) to NOV issued for installation ofa fence without aj permit. Fence has been  all contaminated soil and put fresh stone down.  628 SI Lehigh Ave 104 W3dSt 389 N Broadway 154 Water St 10E E West St 136 E West St 389 N Broadway 320 Delaware Ave Ordinances 20 Green Knight 29 Mechanic St  install al handicapped ramp. removed. Roof permit issued UGI permit issued (road opening)  602-604 S Broadway NOV issued by Property Maintenance (broken windows/no windows).  NOV issued by UCC - replaced porch without the required permit Cut back brush. Indicated they will be removing it in the winter after Notice of Violation issued. They converted the home into a two-unit  the poison ivy dies residential dwelling. Permit issued for roofreplacement  Permit submitted tol Keycodes for solar panels on roof The proposed signs ordinance received comments from LVPC. PC meting needed to review to make ai recommendation to Council. Applied for and received permits for ai temporary. job trailer and electric to the trailer. Still awaiting impervious coverage resolution. Received an application for the ZHB. Prepared documents. Hearing to Talked to "Tom" regarding pulling onto E. West Street. Talked tol Randy regarding the minimum height ofar railing on a porch.  be held October 26, 2023.  Respectfully submitted, Suzanne Borzak, Zoning Officer