PRESENT
President Tompkins, Vice President Rich, Councilpersons Forgeng, Hegele, McElroy & Palmer, Mayor Hawkes; Borough Manager Zollers, Assistant Secretary Hegele, Solicitor Pionzio, Chief Gardner, Fire Marshal Myers, Treasurer Kaljnas & Engineer Walsh.
ABSENT
Councilman Harbaugh was absent.
CALL TO ORDER
President Tompkins called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
INVOCATION
Mayor Hawkes gave the invocation for the meeting.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chief Gardner.
MEETING NOTES – President Tompkins announced that the first privilege of the floor is for voting agenda items only.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR – There was no comment from the public.
MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Hawkes thanked the Chamber of Commerce for hosting Cruise Night. He felt the Chamber could do a better job at publicity.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT – President Tompkins announced there was an executive session prior to the meeting to discuss a legal and contract issue.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Kalnajs gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of May 2017. He noted a balance of $4,969,504.77. Interest earned for the month totaled $2,245.20 on all accounts.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT – Solicitor Pionzio stated she had no report this month.
ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Walsh stated he had no report this month.
MANAGER’S REPORT – Manager Zollers provided the following updates:
- Announced the pool is open daily.
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT – Chief Gardner announced that the Cruise Night was a nice event, he thanked Adrienne Fisher from the Cruisers for the nice job she did with this event.
TAX COLLECTIONS REPORT – The Tax Collection Report was submitted to Council is advance of tonight’s meeting, and that copies of the report were available.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – The Public Works Report was submitted to Council in advance of tonight’s meeting, and that copies of the report were available on the sign in table. Manager Zollers stated he had nothing further to report.
FIRE MARSHAL REPORT – The Fire Marshal Report was submitted to Council in advance of tonight’s meeting, and that copies of the report were available on the sign in table. Fire Marshal Myers stated he had nothing further to report.
VOTING ITEMS
Acknowledgement of Reports – Councilman Palmer motioned to acknowledge the receipt of the tax collections, public works, fire marshal, treasurer’s reports, Borough Authority Minutes and UMHJSA minutes, motion seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0
Approval of Warrant List, Payment of Bills, Manual Checks and Transfers – Councilman Palmer motioned to approve the warrant list, payment of bills, manual checks and transfers for the month of June 2017, motion seconded by Councilwoman McElroy, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
May 22nd, 2017 Council Meeting – Councilwoman McElroy motioned to approve the May 22nd, 2017 Council meeting minutes, motion seconded by Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
June 5th, 2017 Committee Meeting – Councilman Hegele motioned to approve the June 5th, 2017 Committee meeting minutes. Vice President Rich abstained, motion seconded by Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 5-0.
School District Presentation – Superintendent Curtis Griffin, School Board Directors Polaneczky and Gockley were in attendance to go over happenings in the District. Superintendent Griffin thanked Chief Gardner and his officers for the help and protection at Pennypack and Crooked Billet School.
Superintendent Griffin reviewed with Council the District demographics, initiatives and the upcoming Crooked Billet Project. He said tonight’s visit was the first of many as the District works with the Borough to ensure open communication with the residents and the school community for the upcoming project for the new Crooked Billet school. The studies are done and they determined the school size which will include a digital learning center, full size gym, pre-school program, full size cafeteria and community section. He stated the monument will also be included and relocated as it is part of the school’s history. He stated that construction will begin in September 2018.
Mayor Hawkes asked if there would be athletic fields. Superintendent Griffin stated yes on the left side of the school.
Councilman Palmer asked where the kids would go, would they go to Pennypack? Superintendent Griffin stated they would most likely go to Hallowell and after the new school is built a decision would be made on what to do with Pennypack. He stated that process while very premature will involve Pennypack parents/community.
Mr. McElroy, Moreboro Road stated he is on the historic commission and it the monument cannot be moved at least can the district protect it, Superintendent Griffin responded yes. He stated they must go to the State Historic Commission. There was also a discussion about time capsules on the property.
School Board Director Gockley stated the Pennypack School time table is at least 4 to 6 years away. Superintendent Griffin stated studying this now, Pennypack years ago, closed and then reopened, they do not want to do that again. They want to build new schools with room for expansion.
Mr. McElroy asked what the cost would be for the new Crooked Billet. Superintendent Griffin responded about 31 million.
School Board Director Gockley stated there is an advantage for the Borough since this is a joint school district, he stated Horsham is largely a wealthy area and they are partially investing in this, the burden is not on all Hatboro taxpayers.
FIRE COMPANY EXPENDITURE LIST – Councilwoman McElroy motioned to approve the Enterprise Fire Company Expenditure List for May in the amount of $6,114.36, motion seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
2017 ROAD PAVING PROJECT – Councilman Hegele motioned to approve the 2017 Road Paving Project, motion seconded by Councilwoman McElroy, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
LINE PAINTING MACHINE – Councilman Palmer motioned to approve purchase of line painting machine for public works, motion seconded by Councilman Forgeng, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
NATIONAL GARBAGE MAN DAY PROCLAMATION – Councilman Hegele presented a proclamation to Borough Manager Zollers and Borough resident and Public Works employee Harrison recognizing the hard work and dedication of our Public Works Department.
COMCAST CABLE FRANCHISE RENEWAL PUBLIC HEARING – Vice President Rich motioned to approve the date for the hearing/advertising as Monday, July 24th at 7:00 PM, motion seconded by Councilman Forgeng, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
YEARLY ACCOUNTING TRANSFERS – Vice President Rich motioned to approve transfers for the Woodwinds project, motion Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
EMPLOYEE RATIFICATION LIST – Councilwoman McElroy motioned to approve the Employee Ratification List for the month of June, motion seconded by Councilman Palmer. Motion carried 6-0.
SPECIAL UPDATES – Councilwoman McElroy reminded everyone to vote for Lochel’s, the contest for Sweetest Bakery in America is a national contest.
OLD BUSINESS – There was no old business to come before Council this evening.
NEW BUSINESS
Zoning Hearing Board Schedule July 2017
York & Horsham Wednesday, July 12th at Keith Valley Middle School. President Tompkins stated no firm date has been set yet for August.
Hatboro Facilities Project – Public Works – Payment 11
Councilman Hegele motioned to approve payment request #11 in the amount of $22,545.15, motion seconded by Councilwoman McElroy, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
Hatboro Facilities Project – Police – Payment 11
Councilman Hegele motioned to approve payment request #11 in the amount of $158,111.06, motion seconded by Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
Sale of Warminster Road Property
Vice President Rich motioned to accept bids for the sale of parcel on Warminster Road, low bidder at $1000.00 was Yarrington Mills, motion seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
Request for Proposal – Professional Planning Services – ZHB
Solicitor Pionzio stated the Borough needs an expert witness for the Wawa case. Councilman Palmer motioned to accept proposal from Joseph Zadlo for planning services/expert witness testimony, motion seconded by Vice President Rich, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
President Tompkins opened the floor for comment since these two payment requests were not on the Committee agenda. Mrs. Phillips, Wood Street asked if the parcel on Warminster Road was not buildable because it was in a flood plain. Councilman Hegele stated Yarrington Mills is an established business that employs at least 60 people and the purchase of this parcel will help them to remain at their present location.
President Tompkins announced that Penndot would be working on the Bridge on Terwood Road therefore closing the road from 7/5 to 8/4. He stated while this work is in Upper Moreland the detour is through Hatboro. He said residents and visitors in Hatboro should expect increased traffic and possible delays. He did remind everyone that this detour will not work during the car show.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Nancy Barr, Wood Street asked about the water tower on Jacksonville Road. Manager Zollers stated the owner has applied for permits to demolish.
Joe Builiani, Broad Street stated he recently sent an email outlining concerns he has at the playground behind the pool, he stated recently young adults have been playing on the equipment and hanging out in the park. Chief Gardner responded that the police have been out and there has been no illegal activity. President Tompkins stated the Borough Manager is considering signage and a change to the ordinance to prohibit smoking in Borough parks.
Lou Polaneczky asked Council to consider allowing the smoking area at the pool to remain, he stated his wife smokes along with other pool members and eliminating this maybe an issue. He stated the people that smoke at the pool are courteous and respect those members that do not smoke.
ADJOURNMENT
The June 26th, 2017 meeting of Borough Council was adjourned at 8:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Alfred “Fred” Zollers
Borough Secretary
Transcribed by Assistant Borough Secretary Diane Hegele