MINUTES January 15, 2024  NORTH CATASAUQUA BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING  CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE ROLL CALL PRESENT:  President Peter Paone, Vice President John Yanek, Councilpersons: Adam Landis, Mike Macsisak, Michele Hazzard. Mayor Molchany, Solicitor Stephanie Steward,  Secretary Tasha Jandrisovits, Treasurer Annette Englert Jessica Cope, Dan Snyder and Kaitlyn Lawton  ABSENT:  Also in attendance was Police Chief Christopher Wolfer and Fire Chief Roger Scheirer.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES  MOTION:  By Mike Macsisak to approve the minutes from the reorganizational meeting on. January 2nd. 2nd by! Michele Hazzard. No additional  discussion, all in favor.  MOTION:  By Mike Macsisak to approve the minutes from the regular meeting on January 2nd. 2nd by Adam Landis. No additional discussion, all in favor.  PEOPLE PRESENT  Marc Hillenbrand - Marc stated he was here as ai taxpayer. He saw article in the Catty Press that an Operations Assistant Manager position was hired. Wants to know what the position Pete discussed that we hired the position to help the office, it was part time before and is now afull-time position. Annette retired, we hired a replacement who lasted 4 mos, We posted the treasurer position full time, but Annette offered to come back part time. We determined a need for the operations assistant position to go full time. Handles complaints, rental and CO inspections, problem properties, etc. It was basically a swap of hours from Treasurer to this role. Position was advertised, Tasha confirmed it was advertised ini the Catty Press in December and on the website. Pete noted we had another candidate who interviewed for the position as well. We went into executive session to discuss; however, the position was hired during regular  does? How did we hire in executive session and not advertise,  Page: 1of7    council meeting. It was also confirmed this is the only paying position Roger holds, the rest of Marc then asked what is happening with our fire department - where is our equipment and when coming back here. Pete commented that last year we participated in the DCED study- looking for ways to cooperate with Catasauqua. North Catty fire has not disappeared, membership still the same, still a fire department, looking for a newi truck to replace, nearing end of service, Catty looking at their own truck. Not sure what heard otherwise. As far as moving the equipment back up here to the fire station, we will do what serves both boroughs the best. Roger said they are going offt the recommendations from the state study, not working separately as fire departments, response time is quicker, more volunteers, more calls, from both departments. North Catty only has 7 members. Pete discussed that the state study has been talked about for a year in meetings and published. Marc said we never had a problem before running out of both departments. Roger noted we have a 100% zero failure rate since Barry Hessinger = asked what additional costs are incurred due to beingi in Catty- - Pete stated none; if anything is saves us money as their station is newer and set up better. Marc-asked if merging then why two new trucks, Pete said we still have 3 pieces of our apparatus. We haven't seen a full merger coming for years. One truck is coming up on life Roger stated its the NFPA lifespan, and that every! 5 years we do an ISO: study - which took us from a! 5to a31 lowered our insurance rating, which for citizens is supposed to lower their fire insurance. You need certain levels to meet in ISO, to do inspection, pump capacity, gear,  the things he does are volunteer.  working with Catty, no scratches = no failure to get an engine out.  span.  training, manpower and hours. ISO study is open to the public. asked ifi it is necessary if merging, do we need 3 or 41 trucks.  Barry Hessinger - concerns about expense, newi truck. Appreciates we are filing for grants. But Pete asked - sO do you want to see us merged with Catty or not? Merger will not be done before at truck needs to be replaced. What is the community sense? From the state study, a lot ofa areas of cooperation were identified, we have been discussing this at meetings for the last year and al half, Roger shares the statistics, how the cooperation is working, how they have brought down response times. Marc asked how they can say it's faster to respond in North Catty from ai truck in Catty. Pete. said because half the time when North Catty ran from here, there was not enough volunteers that would show up to get a truck out. Or not have a driver. Susan Hirner- North Catty Fire Department, getting less and less, more quitting all the time, not enough people to fill the positions. She has never seen the department this small. Roger stated noi firefighter has left in the past year. The only person who left was fire police person. Mr. Druckenmiller- Asked what was being done at 1507 Lincoln. Stated there are already parking problems, Pete stated zoning allows, it will be a new double and has met the requirements for parking. There is not much we can do to prevent our: subdivision and land  Page 2of7    development is from 1996-V we joined the multi municipal comprehensive plan, we can split uses among the community. Issues, parking, zoning laws will all be reviewed over the next year Thomas Eroh -S said he heard that 408 Buttonwood is going to be 2 ranch homes with no  and a half: so we can tailor to fit the needs of our town.  basements on slab.  Mrs. Yenser $1055 collected for Charotin from her husband's passing. She has lived here her whole life, trains and fire trucks are a part of town. Wondering what happens if someone donates to the Charotin, which is an excellent choice. Pete stated money still goes to the Charotin, they are the fundraising arm of the fire department. Mrs. Yenser said she is proud of North Catty and we outshine all boroughs. Pete stated he encourages any and everyone ini the community to volunteer and thanked those who already do. Mrs. Yenser then also shared her  appreciation and gratitude for Cpl. Santiago.  Discussion between people present and council members continued.  OFFICE REPORT - Tasha Jandrisovits End ofy year close outs. TREASURER REPORT - Annette Englert  Working on upgrades and fixes with both Stratix and Diversified  Weed Inc. Annual maintenance agreement.  Park $972 Complex $1866 5% increase Motion to approve 2024.  MOTION: Year-end reports  By Mike Macsisak to approve the Weeds Inc. agreements for the park and the complex. 2nd by. John Yanek. No additional discussion, all ini favor.  Balance $120, 788, 40 Balance = sewer fund $307,631.90  $125k sewer to general fund, start the year once monies come ini to pay bill.  1239 garbage invoices $633k mailed tomorrow. 1223 sewer invoices $227k mailed January 12 Police association community days $2100 Summer concert series $4000  Hotel tax grant  1099, IRS 945, vendors, PennDOT actual use report, liquid fuels, annual recycle grant, PCED tax information forms, elected and appointed officials  Page 3of7    PUBLIC WORKS SUPERVISOR REPORT-Travis Brett- no report.  CIVIL SERVICE - Roger Scheirer - no report. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORT - Roger Scheirer FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT - Roger Scheirer POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT - Chief Wolfer  50 calls for. January SO far. Fit tested today and successfully passed.  December Dispatched calls-  2023 December Total -266 (Baseline) 2022 December Total- 311 (16.9% decrease) 2021 December Total- 228 (16.7% increase) 2020 December Total-368 (27.7% decrease) 2019 December Total- 406 (34.4% decrease) 2013 December Total-107 (148% increase)  December 2023 Call-for-service breakdown  Domestic violence inj progress- 17 Shooting/Stabbing 1 animal complaints- 3 Suspicious activity- 6 EMS- 21 Fire calls-3 MVA's-5 911 hangup's-1 Welfare check- 10 Assist other PD-12 Theft-3 Vandalism- 2 Assault-1 Fight in progress- 2 Public drunk-1 Fraud- 1 Harassment-1 Wanted persons- 2 Warrants served- 4 Psych emergencies- 3 Terroristici threats-1  Page 4 of7    Emergency PFA's-5 Abandoned vehicle- 3 Use offorce- 1 Parking tickets- 6 Traffic citations- 20 Vehicles impounded- 2  Summary arrests- 30  2-Disorderly conduct  1-Parking in al handicapped spot without a placard 4- Operating vehicle with expired inspection 1-C Operating vehicle with expired registration 3-F Failure to stop at properly posted stop sign 1-Turning without proper signal 1-Parkingi in a no parking zone 1-C Operating vehicle without working headlights 2- Operating vehicle without working taillights 1-0 Operating vehicle without a valid driver's license 1-C Operating vehicle with suspended driver's license 4-P Passing a school bus with activated stop arm (BusPatrol) 1-D Driving the wrong way on a one-way street 3-F Failure to stop at a properly posted stop sign  2-C Careless driving  1-Abandonment of vehicle 1-Failure to pay parking ticket  Misdemeanor arrests- 19  1-P Possession of a schedule 1 controlled substance 2-P Possession of a small amount of Marijuana 3-F Possession of drug paraphernalia 1-D DUI Schedule 1 controlled substance 1-D DUI general impairment unsafe driving 3-D Domestic violence assault 4-D Domestic violence Harassment by physical contact 1-Criminal Mischief $200+ 1-D Domestic violence Terroristic threats 2-D Direct' Violation of a Protection From Abuse Order  Felony Arrests- 0  Moving Forward Page 5 of7    We have been invited to attend and provide al life coach to the 2024 PSP Camp Cadet in June. Cpl. Santiago has volunteered to represent our PD for the duration. Created and implemented a newly updated mandatory wear ballistic vest SOP.  Handicapped parking request  1340 3RD Street. Placard verified valid until 2026, no off-street parking available.  Purchases for approval  2d door locks for the Cpl. & Sgt. Office $328.58 currently a $90 promotion  TRAINING COMPLETED  Icompleted dark web and cybercrime investigative training through NW3C Cpl. Santiago, Administrative Assistant Bailey, andicompleted Pennsylvania Incident Based Reporting System Training through the Pennsylvania State Police  Handicap parking 1340 3rd street - no off-street parking placard verified.  MOTION:  By Adam Landis to approve handicap parking at 13403rds Street. 2nd by Michele Hazzard. No additional discussion, alli in favor.  Door locks = one CPL. And one SGT.-$ $328.00 on sale now.  MOTION:  By Mike Macsisak to the purchase oft two digital door locks for Cpl. And Sgt. Offices, on sale for $328 now. 2nd by Adam Landis. No additional  discussion, all in favor.  OFFICE INSURANCE & PERSONNEL REPORT - Adam Landis - no report.  PUBLIC' WORKS REPORT John Yanek - no report. RECREATION COMMITTEE REPORT - Michele Hazzard LAW COMMITTEE REPORT- - Michele Hazzard - no report. PUBLIC PROPERTY & PARKS REPORT Jessica Cope no report.  Next Recreation Committee meeting on Wednesday at 6:30pm in boro hall.  Page 6of7    PUBLIC: SAFETY-POLICE - Michael Macsisak PUBLIC. SAFETY-FIRE REPORT - Daniel Snyder  MAYOR REPORT - William J. Molchany CPLSantiago -t thank you.  Mrs. Yenser - asked about the garbage rate. Expensive for single fixed income people. Pete said  itisnot meant to generate revenue we charge what we pay for the service. Received news that one of our liens was paid in full and willl be satisfied.  SOLICITOR REPORT - Atty. Stephanie Steward  COUNCIL PRESIDENT REPORT Peter Paone  Roof leak - Pete discussed roofl leak. We may need to patch as an emergency repair, but long term we need to have a structural study done to determine damage and permanent fix. 31 times in the past 8 years we have had major leaks. Dave, as borough engineer, will review and come up with prices. We can then do an RFQ and go out for bid. Reaching out to Senator Nick Miller and others for grant monies. We will also review making the  2nd floor accessible, by having elevator installed at same time.  NEW BUSINESS No new business. APPROVAL OF BILLS  MOTION:  By Mike Macsisak to approve payment of all invoices. 2nd by Michele  Hazzard. No additional discussion, all in favor.  ADJOURNMENT  MOTION:  ByJ John Yanek to adjourn the meeting at 8:11pm. 2nd by Mike Macsisak.  No additional discussion, all in favor.  ATTEST: Fasha.  Borough Secretary Page7of7