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, November 19, 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, Jason Boulette and Alex Cortezzo. Also ina attendance were Borough Solicitor Ronald Karasek, Mayor Wesley J. Smith, Engineer Brian  Pysher, and Borough Manager Louise Firestone.  Junior Council member Olivia Bentley was in attendance.  PUBLIC COMMENT  No public comments were heard at this time.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES  Onr motion by Dave Manzo to approve the November 4, 2024, minutes and seconded by Patrick Webber. Roll call vote taken. Ini favor: J. Boulette, A. Cortezzo, M. Crossen, G. Hinton, D. Manzo, P. Webber. Abstained: S. Bender. Motion carried: 6-0-1.  NEW BUSINESS 1.  Responsible Recycling Services LLC-E Cycling Event - Approval of Invoice to be On motion by Dave Manzo to approve payment for Responsible Recycling Services LLC in the amount of $1,800 and seconded by Jason Boulette. Roll call vote taken. Council  Reimbursed by Northampton County - $1,800.00  agreed unanimously.  2.  Ordinance 516 - Oak Alley = No Parking  Brian Pysher asked Attorney Karasek to make a minor correction on page 2"...Oak Alley is approximately twelve (12") feet in width with a length of approximately one thousand nine hundred (1,900') feet from Park Avenue (on the east - should be on the west) to Alpha On motion by Patrick Webber to approve the advertisement of Ordinance 516, Oak Alley - No Parking and seconded by Dave Manzo. Roll call vote taken. Council agreed  Road (on the west = should be on the east); and, "  unanimously.  1    OLD BUSINESS 1.  Tyrone Klump Third Street Land Development - Street light alteration Brian Pysher reported that he received plans from the Design Engineer with the photometrics for the proposed streetlight. Brian recommends allowing the developer to have a single light that would light up in front of Mr. Klump's townhouse development. Brian would like to speak with Pete Albanese, Wind Gap Electric, regarding the brightness of the two different bulbs proposed prior to proceeding with selecting the best option for illumination that is  adequate for the street.  On motion by Steve Bender to proceed with the single light mounted on the Met Ed pole int the middle of West Third Street and seconded by Patrick Webber. Roll call vote taken.  Council agreed unanimously. COMMITTEE REPORTS  A written committee report was provided to Mayor Smith and Council. Dave Manzo informed Council that the Wind Gap Municipal Authority meeting for George Hinton reported that KeyCodes posted a Stop Work Order /C Cease and Desist Notice at 332 North Broadway in violation of the Uniform Construction Code. Brian Pysher added that there was a copy oft the original Stop Work Order ini the folder from the previous Zoning Officer, but the property owner has continued to ignore the Stop Work notice. There are mechanisms in the Uniform Construction Code to serve notice of violation and then fine the owner for not coming into compliance. In addition to the Stop Work Order issued by the Building Code Official (KeyCodes Inspection Agency), Brian acting at the borough's Zoning Officer sent them an enforcement notice in violation of Wind Gap's Zoning Ordinance today as well. The owner has done construction in the building, on the loading dock and completed the installation of a door. One of the workers came in last week asking for a zoning permit to put in ar retaining wall. Brian informed him that it is not legal for them to do anything there and hei is not issuing any permits until they are in compliance. Brian and George met with their engineer who wanted to bring the property into compliance sO they could work there, but to date, this has not happened. This property has had ongoing issues since the current owner purchased the Brian sent an enforcement notice to Dunkin Donuts for their lights. Brian needs to do Dave Manzo reported that 173 8th Street has satisfied their obligation to the Wind Gap Brian reported that he will be staking out the parking lot in conjunction with phase one of the project, which is on the west side oft the building, as the contractor is scheduled to start this week depending on the weather. The sub-contractor will be grading the lot in preparation for Jason Boulette asked about the easement for the Goffredo property behind us. Brian said a meeting was held and he was respectfully asked to not list the property with the access easement off East West Street. Mr. Goffredo did not want to commit to that request as he George Hinton reported that the meeting with St. Luke's Hospital was cancelled.  tomorrow evening has been cancelled.  property.  more investigation on the complaints regarding the lights at the car wash.  Municipal Authority.  Bracalente Construction to come in and put down the base course. wants to keep his options open; his intent is to list the property.  2    Jason reported that Lehigh Valley Planning, Plan Slate Belt, reviewed and produced a traffic impact study with regard to the Cubes at the Gap (f/k/a CRG). Jason encouraged all of Council to read the report as LVPC has serious concerns about the traffic impact. Brian Pysher reported that at the Plainfield Township meeting, they discussed environmental issues with the proposed subdivision of Nolan Perin's parcel. The portion that he was going to retain contains most of the contaminants. According to our Environmental Engineer, they cannot do that. Plainfield has approved the subdivision, but they intend on addressing this issue. According to DEP regulations you cannot subdivide off an area of contaminants in order to avoid completing Wind Gap Borough's Planning Commission will be reviewing the Cubes at the Gap resubmission that includes incorporating the Alpha Road bypass. The December Planning  a contaminant clean up.  meeting includes continuing the Wawa review also.  Junior Council Oliva Bentley addressed various projects that are going on at Pen Argyl  High School such as:  Knights Order - Character Ed Program  Stuff the Bus with Families First and the YMCA to Unstuff the Bus National Honors Society Induction Ceremony for 19 new members including Olivia - for which Council congratulated her for that honor. FBLA Program (Future Business Leaders of America)  Mini-thon Dance December Semi Formal Dance Winter Carnival  MAYOR SMITH REPORT  Mayor Smith reported that the COG had further discussions regarding the crack sealer. The COG is looking to purchase a storage container to put on the lot oft the Chamber of Commerce building in order to store the equipment they have obtained through their grants. The COG is interested in doing a fund raiser, but he has no additional information at this time. He will be attending the COG meeting tomorrow. The Mayor and Wind Gap Junior Council member, Olivia, met prior to this meeting to discuss ideas to engage high school students to get more involved with the community. He will plan to go to the school and speak with students  interested in local issues and government.  PUBLIC COMMENT ADJOURNMENT  No public comments were heard at this time.  Onr motion by Dave Manzo to adjourn the meeting of November 19, 2024. Council agreed unanimously. The meeting of November 19, 2024, adjourned at 7:37 pm.  Caus Austone Louise Firestone, Borough Manager  3    NOVEMBER 19, 2024 MONTHLY REPORT  STREETS:  The Street workers have completed the installation of the Park Walking Trail and the The department has been collecting leaves and responding to residents requests for  associated wall.  leave removal and potholes.  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.: 9/30/2024-10/272024  $1,633.75  In-house staff meetings to coordinate & schedule; pre-permit activities including jurisdictional agency requirement assessment & coordination; E&S control Plan prep+coord by R.C.J. & S.D. & R.M.M.; ongoing utility coordination from PA One-Call; ongoing design & CAD drafting; in progress structural calculations for new bridge superstructure & substructure modif's: ongoing right-of-way & temp const easement research & planning; com with B. Pysher &L.F Firestone; project-related scheduling project administration, coordination, correspondence  &communication provided through the stated billing period.  POLICE:  October Monthly Calls for Service Police Activities- 691  Wind Gap - 169  Pen Argyl - 187  Plainfield Township - 335  Officers investigated 11 criminal offenses and made 5 criminal arrests in the month. Conditional Offers of employment were provided to two applicants. Both applicants completed their individual psychologca/physica testing through Pocono Occupational Medicine. Both applicants passed their tests and are scheduled for the Allentown Police  Academy entrance testing on December 17, 2024.  Detective Donaldson has been accepted into the ehgh/Northampton Auto Theft Task Force. Newly assigned Detective Christopher Warning will be assuming Detective Donaldson's  schedule late December.  1    EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Dave Hess, Emergency Management Coordinator ordinance. Spoke with Fire Chief Dan Sinclair regarding issuing a burn ban.  10/28/24- Completed questionnaire from County regarding the borough's open burn REMINDER: All Elected Officials should complete NIMS IS-700 and ICS-100.  Contact Dave Hess if there are any questions.  WASTE MANAGEMENT:  Participated in E-Waste Event in conjunction with Pen Argyl Borough, / Plainfield Twp Participation lower than previous years = 31 residents (WG=10/PA=15)  At Grand Central Landfill  Neighboring Partnership Agreement: tons ($1.20 per ton)  August 2024 = $77,012.39 September 2024 = $66,900.48 Actual Funds Received in 2024=$ $714,283.26  WIND GAP AMBULANCE:  Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 20, 2024 106 Total calls for the Month of October Northampton County Monroe County Transports  38 Calls 19 Calls  45 Calls (plus 4 calls Canceled while in progress)  Average Response time from Dispatch to Responding  Northampton County Monroe County  1.69 minutes 1.91 minutes  FIRE COMPANY:  2024 Volunteer Fire Relief State Allocation = $16,605.91  25 Calls for the Month of October 21 Rubbish Fires 2 Brush Fires 2D Dwelling Fires 2Structure Fires 4 Motor Vehicle Accidents 1Wire down 4E EMS Assists 3Public Assists  PARK:  Attended a hearing on Friday, November 15, 2024 related to the Car Incident that  damaged two park benches at Wind Gap Park on August 8, 2024  2    WIND GAP MUNICIPAL/ AUTHORITY:  Meeting, Wednesday, October 23,2024  2025-F Proposal for Sewer Rate Increase $1.50 per 1,000 gallons WGMA authorized their Solicitor to send a request to the Borough asking that the Borough Draft an Ordinance regarding Grease Traps Eighth Street - Still ongoing issues regarding installation of box WGMA Office on Abel Colony Road Door locks purchased and installed 2025 Draft Budget presented - to be discussed at November meeting  PLANNING:  Meeting Thursday, November 21, 2024  3 Aide Properties at! 537 North Lehigh - Townhouses Liberty Street - Sketch Plan for 200 apartment proposal  Meeting, Thursday, December 19, 2024 Wawa Convenience Store Cubes at the Gap formerly CRG  ZONING:  Meeting Tuesday, December 3, 2024  389 North Broadway - Home Occupation  Crossroads - Appeal Zoning Officer denial to erect a Billboard at 20 Green Knight  Drive  KeyCodes Inspection Agency  332 North Broadway - Complaint  The new owners of 332 North Broadway are working on their building without permits. KeyCodes has issued Stop' Work Orders, but the owners have ignored them. The property owners have installed a loading dock and already  have tractors backing into them.  OFFICE/BUILDING:  Parking Lot/ / Concrete work/ /L Lighting/ Cameras Project awarded to Bracalente Construction-  Pre-construction meeting held on Thursday, November 14, 2024. Brian to mark out areas/utilities for sub-contractor on Friday, November 22, 2024, with work to begin  on Monday, November 25, 2024.  Parking Lot- $35,000 from 2021 Grow NORCO Grant Grant Expiration December 31, 2024  Friday, November 15, 2024, Meeting held with Emerald Property Group, Michael Goffredo to discuss the easement associated with the municipal property and the possibility of  the sale of Mr. Goffredo's property.  3    FINANCIALS: - Balances as of October 31, 2024:  General Funds: Money Market Funds: Capital Reserve Funds:  $57,510.81 $1,229,888.11 $2,225,738.77  $665,362.83 -Sale of Borough Properties) (Allocation Based on 9.36 miles/ Population of 2720)  State Liquid Fuels Funds: Current Balance = $343,014.31  PLAN SLATE BELT - Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan:  Lehigh Valley Planning Commission will attend the December 17, 2024 Council meeting  in order to answer any questions.  SLATE BELT RISING:  Slate Belt Rising (SBR) is a program of Community Action Lehigh Valley, is a neighborhood revitalization initiative designed to integrate and capitalize on the substantial assets of the individual Slate Belt communities. By leveraging the unique history, architecture, and culture of each municipality into a regional approach, SBR utilizes al Neighborhood Partnership Program to foster comprehensive community: and economic development in the boroughs of Bangor, Wind Gap, Pen Argyl, and Portland. While SBR: specifically targets these boroughs, we aim to promote development and coordinate services In 2024, SBR provided financial assistance to 4 local businesses through the Commercial Lease In 2024, SBR organized 71 teams of volunteers across seven municipalities to collect litter- over In 2024, SBR awarded 6 college scholarships totaling $7,500 to high school students in the Bangor, / Pen Argyl school districts, scholarships are. supporting the next generation of leaders in our In 2024, 20 homes participated in the Lead-Free homes program. SBR in partnership with Northampton County and Community Action Homes, launched ai first-of-its-kind program in East Bangor  for the entire region.  Subsidy Program in establishing a lasting presence in our community.  100 volunteers participated.  community.  Borough to test homes for lead hazards.  MISCELLANEOUS:  Real Estate Arby's-9 950 South Broadway sold for $1,020,000  Spanky's Car Wash -951 South Broadway sold for $825,000  4