BURGETTSTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING MINUTES April 7, 2025 Call to Order by President Ken McKinney @6:12 PM Pledge of Allegiance Public comments and questions not pertaining to the agenda items will be held at the end oft the meeting. Attending: Council Members: Ken McKinney James Smith II Gary Manges Beth Hoppe Mayor: Luke Snatchko Solicitor: Lane Turturice Secretary: Debbie Resnik Treasurer: Debbie Resnik Visitors: Sheila Golonka Marcia Golonka Lisa Sinko Glen Latshaw Adara Rufer Lisa Weaverling Debbie Cowden Leslie Dubich Edward Milligan Kobe Sarracino Redcon Engineering, Nicole Rella Roll Call: All Present Executive Session - On record an Executive Session was held April 7, 2025, at 5:15 PM to 6:12 PM @ the Burgettstown Borough Building for litigation for Main Street and Personnel. No. Action taken. James Smith made the Motion to pass April 7, 2025, Regular Business Agenda. Second by-Beth Hoppe Questions/Comments: Motion Carried-None Opposed Any additions to the Regular Scheduled Agenda-None Center Avenue one way presentation was given by Redcon Engineering, Nicole Rella. Presented exhibit for the one-way street on Center Avenue. Beginning at Culley and ending at Bridge Street. Study of conducted multiple accidents occurring, children playing between cars. Penn Dot study was conducted. The council voted on the one-way street going North bound. Discussed Mr. Roberts' horse trailer and alternate route for exiting and entering. The alternative route would be to take the bypass turn around on route 18 to Hillcrest Avenue then right to Frederick Street. Mr. Roberts must use an alternate route. Officer Pasquale cannot stop traffic. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were not in attendance. James Smith made the Motion to pass the Regular Scheduled Business Minutes held on March 3, 2025. Second by-Beth Hoppe Questions/Comments: Motion Carried-None Opposed James Smith made the Motion to pass the Workshop Meeting held March 24, 2025. Second by-Beth Hoppe Questions/Comments: Motion Carried-None Opposed 1. Financials: Beth Hoppe made the Motion to pay the unpaid bills in the amount of $9,496.32. Second by-Pam Church Questions/Comments: None Motion Carried-None Opposed 2. Council Comments/Reports: Street Department-Gary Manges Discussion of the attachment for the street sweeper was discussed. Park and Recreation-James Smith II Park Report Pam Church made the Motion to accept the proposal in the amount of $7,735.00 from Elemental for the construction oft the new wall at Burgettstown Park to be paid out ofthe Capital Improvement fund. Second by James Smith Question/Comments: Motion Carried-None Opposed Question- Pam Church questioned the basketball court. The backboards were taken down and were painted by Greens Auto Service at no cost to the borough. The basketball hoops are $155.00 each. 3. Mayor Report/Police Report/Fire Report-Luke Snatchko Officer Pasquale read the report as filed. Questions/Comments: Lisa Weaverling questioned Officer Pasquale when the Center Avenue One-Way traffic takes place. Could an officer be present on Hindman Avenue during after school hours. The mayor gave upcoming events: Pumper Training with Hanover Fire Department Bingos are held on the last Sunday of each month. Gun Bash Purse Bash Easter luncheon -April 19th, No Cost 4. New Business- James Smith made the Motion to donate $500.00 towards Fix-Your-Cat for the Burgettstown Trail Cats. Second by-Beth Hoppe Questions/Comments: Ken McKinney explained that Adara Rufer was trapping the feral cats behind Walden's and fixing them out of her own revenues. Motion carried-None Opposed James Smith made the Motion to purchase new shelving from Lowes not to exceed $500.00. Second by-Beth Hoppe questons/Comments: Ken McKinney, "We first looked at Elemental shelving, but was the incorrect size." Motion carried-None Opposed Beth Hoppe made the Motion to accept and pass the Resolution 2025-005 to sell the auger at auction. Second by James Smith Questions/Comments: None Motion carried-None Opposed 5. Old Business- Burning Permits for: recreational burns will continue. Tom Repole expressed his concern with the Ordinance regarding burning and the language used to describe the materials that can and cannot be burned since Lane Turturice wrote the Ordinances. Tom Repole expressed his concerns with late night fires and smoke filled his home. Then two weeks later a fire burned at 3:30 AM. Mayor, would like to consider just having Recreational Burning and eliminating the Solid Waste Ordinance. I am not concerned with roasting chicken or recreational burns using the correct wood. Ia am concerned with the burning during daylight hours. I have photos of that. When you find trees, leaves and even trash and that is clearly a contradiction to the Ordinance, and no one is enforcing the Ordinance. Tom Repole, "The problem we are having is the police department is not enforcing the issues." Ken, "The issue is that the fire department cannot issue citations." Mayor, "The way it works now is the fire department asks them to put the fire out and if they do not put the fire out and is still giving the department problems, then the fire department is to call the Smith Township Police." Tom stated that when the brough renewed the police contract the borough when citing ordinances was eliminated. Tom, "Under the state code it states if you take over a police department you take over all the responsibilities and the main responsibilities are enforcing the ordinances." Lane, "The police only enforce ifyou should grant them that enforcement authority." Tom, "I checked into this with Harrisburg," Lane, "With who?" Tom, They stated for me to read the borough code, and I reviewed the section on contracts when someone takes contracts or takes over police departments. They take over all responsibilities." Lane, "If the code provides for that. The State Police does not provide enforcement of ordinances." Mayor, "I previously discussed the Burning Ordinance with Chief LaRue, and he will address issues ifthey arise." " Lane Turturice will review both the Solid Waste Ordinance and the Burning Permit Ordinance before the borough decides to eliminate ordinances." Citations will be issued if material is not clean wood. Mayor, Recreational Permits only will be issued." Banners- The mayor discussed the agreement on the maintenance oft the banners. The mayor and borough have received several complaints. The banners are falling and have not been placed back up. No permission has yet been asked for placing the banners on the poles as the Sign Ordinances specifically states that. Outside the Sign Ordinance what is the plan? Pam, "We have a plan." The person in charge is off on workman's compensation, When this person comes back, we have a plan. The banners that are coming down are the ones which were put up two years ago and did not have hardware. New hardware is getting put on and getting permanently attached to the banner. Mayor, "I have one here for you to look at the condition they are in." The mayor said that he cares about this program, and he stops and picks up the ones that have fallen. If someone is hurt, then you must find a way to maintain them. It is just an excuse. Pam expressed, "I HAVE A PLAN." Mayor, "Pam, the agreement was you were going to maintain them as an organization. There was no stipulation as long as no one got hurt we were going to take care ofthem. 4 The mayor feels that Pam sits on the borough council and still has not asked for permission but went to Smith Township and asked them for permission. Banners are put on poles that the borough owns. Pam, "You put them up." Mayor, "T did, and I came to the borough and asked for permission and the plan was to take them down." Mayor, "You came here and told us that you were going to keep them up and the board made that decision, and your organization did not have to ask for permission." Mayor, "When the board gave you push back you stated you would maintain them and the banners that look bad, and you would go take those down." Mayor, "Should we expect to see more banners on the poles that we own?" Pam, "Yes" Mayor, "Then do you think you should ask the borough for permission for you organization 5013C that you sit on. Pam, "I did not last year. 1 Mayor, "So you do not have enough respect for the board you sit on to stay in accordance with the Sign Ordinance." Mayor, It think this is disrespectful, but you are going to do what you want anyway." James Smith made the Motion to purchase a camera for the Street Department garage in the amount of $760.00. Second by-Beth Hoppe Questions/Comments- None Motion carried - None Opposed 6. Solicitor Report- None 7. Council Remarks- Gary Manges does not believe we need a camera in the garage. Beth Hoppe questioned the guidelines when the council needs interaction with the borough solicitor. Ken, "As it stands now it is President or Vice President." Beth Hoppe wanted to see if the council would consider taking a major vote for a plan in place for placing calls, text, or emails to the solicitor. So, that all members know what is going on or will be going on. Lane Turturice felt that the council does not contact him unnecessarily. Pam, "What happens if a council member would ask to be billed individually. Lane, "That could be done." Luke Snatchko spoke on areas around town that are being worked on. Demolitions are taking place in Center Avenue and Main Street. Good litigations are going on, but they are good ones for progress. Litigation is moving forward for water runoff. Downtown development is occurring the borough is using grants, County money, land bank, state government and especially Lane. The park is moving forward to completion. Parking lot behind Walden's is getting repaved and repaired SO we have places for people to park who are using the trail going to the Heist and Paradise on the Trail to eat. Reynolds development is moving. Johnson building has been torn down, and a developer is moving forward. Lane Turturice spoke on the conservatorship for one of the buildings on Main Street. Judge approved the conservatorship. Borough can be in control ofwhat is going into the Main Street area. Lane, "The County Commissioners are putting a lot of money into your borough. They are targeting smaller communities like yours. Ken, "I am waiting for the Liquid Fuels representative to get back with me to see if Penn Dot will core sample Main Street." Park opening date is set for Memorial weekend. Leslie Dubich expressed her concern with the engraving on the memorial rock. Leslie expressed her concerns with the back swing area. Water is not draining. Ken, "The borough will be addressing the problem." Ken, "Repaving the park is put on hold for now." Ken updated Lisa Weavering on the status of Hindman Avenue speed humps. Publication on Stop Signs 8. Public Comments/Questions: Kobe Sarracino asked ifthe potholes in the Family Dollar parking lot will be filled. Kobe Sarracino expressed her concern about the banners. She feels the BACDC should not be allowed to place any additional banners on the by-pass poles unless there is a legal written contract on the specifications on how they are going to be cared for. Kobe Sarracino stated that if something happened with the banners on the bypass or any location where the banners are placed the borough would not be responsible. The BACDC would be legally held responsible. Ken, "I feel it is a good program, and Pam did say she has a plan." Pam. "Yes" Mayor, "The ones that are falling are the original banners that were put up. The mayor feels that in the long term the borough will be having to take care ofthe banners and taking them down at the end of summer to reattach, secure them, clean them and keep them out of the sun. So, the ones that are up will be doing the same and they will be in the same predicament. Pam, "We have a plan." Kobe, "What is your plan." Pam, "We are going to put all ofthem up the correct way. Kobe, "Will the old ones be replaced with a new one?" Pam, "I would have to talk to the owners as we do not own them." Mayor, "Of course, if someone purchases something they would want something for free and they would like to have them up year-round but what is best for the community. The borough is concerned with what is important to the community Pam, "You are exactly right you do not care what the people want. It is all about getting revenge on the BACDC." Mayor, No Iam representing all the people not just the ones who bought banners." Mayor, "I got more complaints on the look of the banners." Pam, "T have not had one." Ken, "This will have to be revisited." Lisa Sinko questioned Luke about why he always berates Pam about the banners, and he never questions Greg Javens or John Nemeth. Mayor, "She sits on this board and does not even ask for permission. Lisa, "You are not king you are the mayor. Ken, "The borough did say she would need permission SO do not say she does not need permission. The borough has let it go." Pam, "T will talk to the property owners and take them down." Ken, "We did not say for you to take them down." Kobe Sarracino, "Luke has been the only on hands mayor that we have ever had. He has done a lot for Burgettstown." Lisa, "Ya" Kobe, "What" Kobe, "Then why don'tyou go into his position and do it then?" Lisa, "I would like to." Ken, "We are stopping right now there is a lot of stuff that gets said that is not true and iti is a fact that without Luke this borough would not be moving forward, and we would not be seeing any progress, and I have proof." Kobe Sarracino just wanted to confirm with Lane Turturice that the borough was not paying him for being at the Sewage Meeting. Turturice agreed that the borough was not paying him. Leslie Dubich questioned Lane on the regulations code regarding whether the code enforcement officer could go over to the pool and check if the neighbor has locks on his pool. Leslie, "I tried several numbers at the Court House to get a code enforcement number but could not get any answers. Ken, "You must call here for that." Lane, I am unaware of a municipal pool inspection program." Lane, "Ifyou feel there is a violation ofany kind you have every right to report it." Ken, "I have a meeting this week with the code enforcement officer, and I will address this issue with him." Ken McKinney addressed ifanyone has any questions regarding the park feel free to contact him to get the facts. Ed Mulligan addressed his concerns on Highland Avenue regarding noise ordinance from muscle cars. Ed Milligan the noise from the muscle cars waking up their children. Ed Mulligans had the question regarding if the code enforcement officer recommends a citation be given. Would the police implement that, or who would do that? Ken McKinney,' ," I did get your message this morning, but I am not going to discuss any ofthis ifyou. I am going to refer to our solicitor. Lane, "T would rather not discuss this situation. You spoke to the district attorney, the police and the code enforcement have all followed up on the complaints with you. Mr. Mulligan, Nothing has been done." Lane Turturice, "Things have been done." All information has been well documented. I spoke with the police today and they have never recorded or ever had any complaints in the past that you are making. Now, that does not mean the borough is not following up on them Mr. Mulligan, "Who wants to move here if this is how they are treated?" Mr. Mulligan, "That is the question I have." Lane, "What do you mean, "How you are being treated?" Mr. Mulligan, "Our neighbors can continue without any type if enforcement." Lane, "You believe there is no enforcement, but I can tell you otherwise the code enforcement officer has spoken to your neighbors." Mr. Mulligan, "So how did they comply." The police have spoken to you regarding this matter and told you thatyou need to contact 911 when the incident occurs. Not after the fact. So, you specifically let the officer know this is occurring and they will respond to the call. Mr. Mulligan stated we feel they are terrorizing our home, and she wants to move. Lane, "Your complaints have not been recorded as harassment only as code enforcement issues. So, what I have asked the police department to do is to file a citation against your neighbors. You will receive notice ofit, and you can then go to the hearing and testify in front of Judge Havelka then Judge Havelka can make a ruling on it. That is how it needs to be overseen. 9. Council adjourned into Executive Session at 7:36 PM No action will be taken.