Pen Argyl Borough Council held their Meeting for April on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at
7:00 P. M. in Council Chambers.
Pledge of Allegiance:
Council President Michael Nasatka opened the Council Meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call:
The following Council Members were present and responded to roll call: Michael Nasatka, Jan Surotchak, David DePalma, Dean Minnich and Robert O’Donnell. Councilmen Andrew Medellin Sr. and Angelo Uliana were absent and Councilman Daniel Carrescia arrived at 7:01 P. M.
Also present were Mayor Mikal Sabatine, Borough Solicitor Peter Layman, Borough Manager Robin Zmoda and Borough Secretary Dolores Savitz.
Hiring of full time police officer:
Mayor Sabatine stated that the selection of hiring a full time officer has been made. Councilman David DePalma made a motion to hire Shawn Moskella as a full time police officer, seconded by Councilman Dean Minnich. Unanimous vote by roll call.
Mayor Sabatine administered the loyalty oath to Shawn Moskella.
Visitors:
Carol Stofflet, 103 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, stated her concerns to Council about the condition of the basketball court at the Park. Councilman Michael Nasatka informed Stofflet that the Borough had set aside funds this year to improve the court as well as the Borough is in process of applying for grant funds also for the improvements.
Public Works Report:
All Council Members were given a copy of Public Works Director Steven Bender’s March report to review. Bender was present.
Zoning Report:
All Council Members were given a copy of Zoning Officer Barry Kehler’s March report to review. Kehler was not present.
The Borough Zoning Hearing Board held a meeting on March 21, 2013 to hear the application of Kim Min Teak, 21 N. Lobb Avenue, for a change of use of the building. The proposed use will be for a Christian Prayer House. The previous use was a student dormitory. The Zoning Board granted the change of use to a prayer house/retreat with the condition that a maximum of thirty five (35) participants attend at one time and a maximum of four (4) vehicles parked on the street, consisting of cars and or vans only.
Council discussed filing an appeal for the variance motion to grant the change of use due to that it was a dormitory before and had a restriction on the parking.
Borough Solicitor Layman informed Council that he couldn’t represent the Borough due to that he had represented Teak in a former business use and therefore he had a conflict of interest.
Layman stated that an objection/appeal has to be filed within thirty (30) days of the rendered ruling. Councilman David DePalma made a motion to file an appeal when the final opinion is rendered and to retain an alternate attorney to represent the Borough, seconded by Councilman Dean Minnich. Council Members voting in favor of the motion were: Michael Nasatka, David DePalma, Dean Minnich and Robert O’Donnell. Council Members voting no were: Daniel Carrescia and Jan Surotchak. There being four (4) yes votes and two (2) no votes the motion carried.
Councilman David DePalma made a motion to retain Attorney Terry Faul to represent the Borough in the appeal, seconded by Councilman Dean Minnich. Council Members voting in favor of the motion were: Michael Nasatka, Jan Surotchak, David DePalma, Dean Minnich and Robert O’Donnell. Councilman Daniel Carrescia voted no. There being five (5) yes votes and one (1) no vote the motion carried.
Police Report:
All Council Members were given a copy of the March Police Report to review, total receipts of $4,349.54. Police Chief Strawn was present.
Fire Chief’s Report:
There was no one present to give a report.
Minutes:
Councilman David DePalma made a motion to approve the Minutes for the Regular Council Meeting of Tuesday, March 5, 2013, seconded by Councilman Dean Minnich. Council Members voting in favor of the motion were: Michael Nasatka, Daniel Carrescia, David DePalma, Dean Minnich and Robert O’Donnell. Councilman Jan Surotchak voted abstained. There being five (5) yes votes and one (1) abstained vote the motion carried.
Correspondence:
A letter dated March 14, 2013 was received from the DEP pertaining to the Grand Central Sanitary Landfill, Inc. Several violations were found (1) failure to notify the DEP of their early shutdowns due to wind conditions and (2) litter control.
A letter dated March 19, 2013 was received from the DEP that the Noncoal Surface Mining Permit has been transferred from Penn Big Bed Slate Co. Inc. to Grand Central Sanitary Landfill, Inc. per application dated August 9, 2010.
Mayor’s Report con’t:
Mayor Sabatine informed Council that Grace United Church is going to hold a Memorial Day program outside of the church this year which will be held at the Fairview Cemetery.
Council President Nasatka informed Council that Councilman David DePalma and himself attended a meeting with Plainfield Township and Wind Gap Borough officials pertaining to forming a regional police force. They have ask that a vote be taken to move forward with the regional police force, it is only a vote to move forward and not a commitment. Councilman Jan Surotchak made a motion to agree to proceed with moving forward with the next steps in the formation of a Slate Belt Regional Police Force which would be comprised of Plainfield Township, Wind Gap and Pen Argyl Boroughs, seconded by Councilman David DePalma. Council Members voting in favor of the motion were: Michael Nasatka, Daniel Carrescia, Jan Surotchak and David DePalma. Councilmen Dean Minnich and Robert O’Donnell voted no. There being four (4) yes votes and two (2) no votes the motion carried.
Planning Commission:
Nothing to report.
Solicitor’s Report:
Nothing to report.
Sanitation, Solid Waste & Recycling:
Council Members were given a copy of the Wastewater Treatment Plant March Report, the April 2nd Engineer’s report and the February 4th Municipal Authority’s minutes to review.
A letter dated March 22, 2013 was received from RETTEW pertaining to Premier Granite and Marble’s sediment tank connection. As-built drawings must be submitted to indicate that all parameters set by the Borough code are met and also the proposed connection construction must be coordinated with the Borough Zoning Officer and RETTEW’s office to coordinate proper observation.
A letter dated March 20, 2013 was also received from RETTEW concerning changes in air quality regulations pertaining to stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE).
Finance, Tax Exoneration, Insurance & Personnel:
All Council Members were given a copy of the Treasury Report as prepared and submitted by Borough Manager/Treasurer Zmoda to review. Councilman Jan Surotchak made a motion to accept the Treasury Report, seconded by Councilman Dean Minnich. Unanimous vote by roll call.
A copy of the Borough’s 2012 audit which was completed by Palmer & Company and filed with the Department of Community & Economic Development is on file in the Borough office.
Finance, Tax Exoneration, Insurance & Personnel con’t.:
Councilman Jan Surotchak made a motion to grant permission for the e-filing authorization for reports to the Department of Community & Economic Development and to authorize Council President Michael Nasatka to sign the form, seconded by Councilman David DePalma. Unanimous vote by roll call.
A copy of the Police Pension Fund Actuarial Report is on file in the Borough office.
Property & Utilities:
Nothing to report.
Community Outreach:
A copy of the Community Preparedness Meeting Memorandum from March 7th was given to all Council Members.
Animal Control Officer:
All Council Members were given a copy of Animal Control Officer Phil Bell’s March report to review.
Borough Manager’s Report:
Borough Manager Zmoda discussed with Council the Slate Belt Forward Program. The program provides for a regional economic development strategy, collaboration among units of government and a Neighborhood Partnership to enhance the Borough’s agility to strengthen its tax base, the physical appeal of the Borough and enhanced economic opportunities. Councilman Jan Surotchak made a motion to approve and sign the Slate Belt Forward Memorandum of Understanding, seconded by Councilman Dean Minnich. Unanimous vote by roll call.
Borough Manager Zmoda requested an executive session before Council adjourned to discuss personnel and potential litigation issues.
Payment of Bills:
The following bill amounts were presented for payment: General Fund, $24,375.48; Sewer Fund, $61,348.81; State Fund, $6,573.12; Garbage Fund, $73.00 and Reserve Money Market Fund, $5,242.75. Councilman Jan Surotchak made a motion to pay the bills as presented, seconded by Councilman Daniel Carrescia. Unanimous vote by roll call.
Executive Session:
Councilman Daniel Carrescia made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel and potential litigation issues, seconded by Councilman Robert O’Donnell. Unanimous vote by roll call. Council went into Executive Session at 8:11 P. M. and reconvened at 8:35 P. M.
Executive Session con’t.:
Special Note: Borough Secretary Savitz left the meeting at 8:13 P. M. and Borough Manager Zmoda took the rest of the minutes.
Police Contract:
Councilman David DePalma made a motion to extend the present police contract for one (1) year to December 31, 2014, seconded by Councilman Dean Minnich. Unanimous by voice vote.
Letter to Waste Management:
Councilman Jan Surotchak made a motion to authorize Solicitor Peter Layman to send a letter to Waste Management regarding a resolution in the dispute between the Facility Cooperation Agreement and hauling fees, seconded by Councilman David DePalma. Unanimous by voice vote.
Adjournment:
Councilman Daniel Carrescia made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Jan Surotchak. Unanimous by voice vote. Council adjourned at 8:45 P. M.
Workshop – Tuesday, April 30th – 7:00 P. M.
Regular Council Meeting – Tuesday, May 7th – 7:00 P. M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dolores B. Savitz
Borough Secretary
____________________________________________________________________________
Pen Argyl Borough Council held a Special Council Meeting Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 7:00 P.M.
in Council Chambers
The purpose of the meeting was for Council to review and take possible action regarding personnel issues and for other general business purposes.
Pledge of Allegiance:
Council President Michael Nasatka opened the Council Meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call:
The following Council members were present and responded to roll call: Michael Nasatka, David DePalma, Angelo Uliana, Dean Minnich, Daniel Carrescia and Robert O’Donnell. Councilmen Andrew Medellin Sr. and Jan Surotchak were absent.
Announcement of Executive Session on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 5:00 P.M.
Council President Nasatka announced there was an Executive Session on Friday, April 12, 2013 at
5:00 P.M. to discuss personnel matters.
Executive Session:
Councilman David DePalma made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues as requested by Borough Manager Zmoda, seconded by Councilman Dean Minnich. Unanimous by roll call vote. Council went into Executive Session at 7:05 P. M. and reconvened at 7:35 P. M.
Appointments:
Councilman David DePalma made a motion to appoint Mathew C. Walter, MCP, BCO of Barry Isett & Associates as Alternate Building Code Enforcement Officer as needed by the Borough, seconded by Councilman Dean Minnich. Unanimous by roll call vote.
Councilman David DePalma made a motion to appoint Borough Manager Robin Zmoda as Temporary Assistant Zoning Officer, seconded by Councilman Robert O’Donnell. Unanimous by roll call vote.
Property:
Councilman Dean Minnich made a motion to accept Bob Sullivan Inc.’s proposal to install two (2) Fujitsu 9,000 BTU evaporators with their own controls in the Borough Offices on the first floor for $4,100.00, seconded by Councilman David DePalma. Unanimous by roll call vote.
Adjournment:
Councilman David DePalma made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Angelo Uliana. Unanimous by voice vote. Council adjourned at 7:47 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Robin Zmoda
Borough Manager
Regular Council Meeting- Tuesday, May 7, 2013 – 7:00 P.M.