NEWVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL PUBLIC WORK SESSION MEETING MARCIZ-ZUALAT/AOOI PM The public work session oft the Newville Borough Council was held on' Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 7:00 PM at the Newville Borough office, 4 West St. Newville PA 17241 and via Zoom with livestreaming on the Newville Borough YouTube channel. The meeting was called to order by President Scott Penner. Theinvocation was offered by Borough Solicitor Marcus A. McKnight III, Esquire, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. On roll call, the following members were present: Joey Diehl, Michael Croutch, Jack Erickson, and Scott Penner. Robert Darius and Edward Sinkovitz were absent. Also, present: Borough Manager Fred Potzer, Mayor Randy Finkey, and Borough Solicitor Marcus A. McKnight, II. Visitor Tim Potts from Save Claremont. Citizen Comments: Tim Potts on behalf of Citizens Saving Claremont had presented a letter to Borough Council in October that the commissioners were going to pursue plans to sell Claremont Nursing Home. In December there were nine organizations, all for profit, that were interested in bidding. That has now been narrowed down to two: All Air from New Jersey and Transitions from Maryland. The commissioners are planning on making site visits to facilities owned by these corporations and then decide who gets the winning bid. Citizens Saving Claremont ist trying to slow down this process. There weren't any public hearings before they decided to sell Claremont. There have only been two Zoom meetings that were not well publicized or well attended. Meanwhile, Citizens Saving Claremont has put together a Facebook page with aj petition Claremont in one form or another has been in operation for 192 years. It is unique in its foundation and mission to serve low-income people. Claremont has a higher Medicare rating than either of the two bidders. Neither have a good track record when it comes to buying non-profits, tending to reduce staff and lower salaries to increase profit, according to Save Claremont. This Commissioner Jean Foschi is not going to support the sale of Claremont at this time. She agrees with the Save Claremont organization that there needs to be more time spent to make a decision. In 2018, Claremont made a profit but in May 2020 when covid hit, there was a loss of $1.81 million dollars in operating revenue due to decrease in occupancy ofresidents. Again, this year the commissioners had to put $2 million dollars from the county general fund tol balance thel budget ofoperating costs because ofcovid. Two other commissioners (Eichleberger and Di Filipio) appear determined to sell Claremont and have not been interested in hearing from Citizens to Save Mr. Potts stated the facility's projected worth is $31.9 million dollars this year and quite possibly could be worth $42 million dollars including the land and outbuildings of the property. Save Claremont doesn't know what the bids are for Claremont. Mr. Potts offered that it doesn't make sense to sell at a $20-million-dollar loss to save two million and they do not know what will be done with thei money ori ifthe commissioners are going to use the money to subsidize care to the Citizens to Save Claremont are: represented by a cross section ofmembers, including former commissioner, Rick Roveno, Sherry Knowlton formerly ofMedicaid, aj political science professor, Jim Hoffman withl Dickinson College, al lobbyist inl Harrisburg and a Carlisle School Board member to1 name a few. Their mission ist toj pause the sale ofClaremont until more concrete information can and has had more than 2,000 signatures. results in the high turnover: rate of staffing. Claremont. people who cannot afford private care. Taxpayers deserve tol know the facts. Page 1of4 be obtained. This would include utilizing a portion of the $45 million dollar county reserve, increasing Medicaid reimbursement and looking into a co-ownership option with Cumberland County. With the vaccine available to its residents the rate of positivity rate has decreased eighty percent. With this, the hope is toi increase its residency from approximately 160: residents toi its pre- covid occupancy of 250. A suggestion was made by Scott Penner to have Fred Potzer draft a resolution under Mr. McKnight's review. Mr. Croutch approved the motion and was seconded by Mrs. Diehl to draft a resolution to pause the sale of Claremont Nursing Home. All present were in favor. Motion passed with four (4) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. Legal Matters: Mr. McKnight is drafting Resolution 2021-05 regarding an inter- governmental agreement with Southampton Township-Cumberland for trash collection and recycling. He will also be drafting for South Newton, Cooke, and Penn also and will have it ready Petitions for alcohol sales in Newville Borough are going well and the projection of obtaining 155 signatures for the ballot in May looks promising. Only registered voters in the Borough of] Newville are permitted to sign. The deadline to sign is Tuesday, March 9. Also Mr. McKnight stated there wasac conflict ofinterest between someone on thel Planning Commission and a Civil Service Commissioner according to case law regarding the Civil Service Commission. Mayor Finkey will be swearing in Scott Anderson on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 and has yet to hear back from Susan Salisbury. Since the Planning Commission is a recommending Mr. McKnight would likei toi move: forward witht the subdivision plans for the new: municipal building. Mr. Potzer recommended Carl Bert be appointed for the subdivision. The cost would be approximately $3,000 -$ $4,000 since much of the work has already be done. Motion by Mrs. Diehl and seconded by Mr. Erickson to authorize Carl Bert R. S. to prepare the survey plan. Motion for next month's meeting. body, Mr. McKnight provided case law to show no conflict exists. passed with four (4) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. Borough Council to fill a vacancy on the Zoning Hearing Board. Administration Committee: Mr. Croutch has not received any recommendations from Concerning the bids for the North Corporation Street improvements, there have been four Economic Development Committee: Mr. Erickson gave an update on their last meeting. The meeting was held February 25,2021 at' 7:00: ini the Borough office. There is a diverse group of members which include a senior in high school, a doctor, a dentist, a pastor, day care owners, business owners and renters. A lot of discussion concerning the survey and what residents wish to see come to. Newville. Housing and youth activities were on the top ofthe suggestions. There will Mr. Erickson reported there was 300+responses toi the survey. Themany responsesi included business /services, food, coffee, antique and consignment shops. Another option discussed was to have existing businesses in the surrounding municipalities expand to Newville. Andrea Greene is looking into Real Estate firms for listings that small businesses could contact in viewing locations. Offstreet parking wasi mentioned as another concern. The county has aj program that acquires and repurposes blighted properties. This may be help in adding parking for the local companies to date. All bids will be received on March 12, 2021 at 10:00 AM. not be meetings every month. The next meeting is scheduled May 11th. Borough. Page 2of4 Parks and Recreation: Improvements to thej press box /maintenance shed at the Newville Community Park will be discussed at the 7:00 PM: meeting via Zoom on March 23, 2021. At the next Recreation Commission meeting, authorization for public advertisement ofthis meeting was motioned by Mr. Erickson and seconded by Mrs. Diehl. All were in favor. Motion was passed The summer recreation program was discussed and a schedule has been set for the fourth Friday of the month tol have al band in town by the fountain. The first scheduled to perform is the Big Spring High School band and chorus on May 28th. Second will be Vintage Crew on. June 25th. Itv was discussed about to have food trucks available during these events and aj possibility ofLong Shot Winery be aj part ofi it. More events and a band schedule for the rest of the summer will be with four (4) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. discussed during the March 23, 2021 meeting. Public Safety: Upgrade to the computer server at the Newville Police Station will be needed due to the new body cameras the police are now using. A proposal from Morefield Communications was received in the amount of $1,393.00. The police force will also be retiring the Dodge Chargeri rin their fleet when iti is replaced with ai new patrol car. The chiefhas looked into al lease to purchase program with Kovatch Ford in Nesquehoning PA. Mid Penn Bank requires a 20% down payment and will finance 80%. Also, will be looking into Ford Motor credit and will Anotheri truck has struck thej pole again at thet traffic light. There has been no: response from PennDOT but Mr. Potzer has submitted the letter to Kathleen Gunnell with Senator Ward'so office. have more information on this ini the next monthly meeting. Regarding the sidewalks, notices will go out in April. OualityofLife: Recognition certificates were suggested for Mike Bender and Bob Barrick. Mike Fry and Irv and Barb Nelson were also suggested for their services. Mr. Croutch made a motion to give a Certificate of Appreciation to Mike Bender, Bob Barrick, Mike Fry and Irv and Barb Nelson for contribution to. Newville, seconded by Mrs. Diehl. All were in favor. Motion was Now is the time to start requesting donations for the car show. Mrs. Diehl has tentatively scheduled the Wounded Warriors Car Show for September 18, 2021. Motion to move ahead with the car show by Mrs. Diehl, seconded by Mr. Croutch. All were in favor. Motion was passed with passed with four (4) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. four (4) affirmative and zero (0): negative votes. Old Business: There was no old business to discuss New Business: There was no new business to discuss Announcements: March 2-3 sidewalks are being hand swept March 4-5 state road sweeping First week of April all streets will be swept curb to curb Tax: news: EIT collection is up by 25% from last year at this time Adjournment: With no further business to come before the Newville Borough Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:31 PM on a motion by Mrs. Diehl, seconded by Mr. Croutch. All were in favor. Motion was passed with four (4) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. Page 3 of4 Upcoming meetings: Newville Borough Planning Commission, March 10, 2021 at 7PM Newville Borough Water and Sewer Authority, March 15, 2021 at 7PM Newville Borough Council, March 30, 2021 at 7:00PM Newville Borough Council Work Session, April 6, 2021 at 7PM Minutes recorded by: edydbiman Jody Hoffman, Borough Secretary/reasurer Page 4 of4