PRESENT
President Tompkins, Vice President Rich, Councilpersons Forgeng, Harbaugh, Hegele, McElroy & Palmer, Mayor Hawkes; Borough Manager Zollers, Assistant Secretary Hegele, Solicitor Kearney, Chief Gardner, Fire Marshal Myers, Treasurer Kaljnas & Engineer Dougherty.
ABSENT
None
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 announced that he and Councilman Palmer recently participated in the Montgomery County Senior Games, on display were all the medals they received. They encouraged residents over 50 to participate.
Chief Gardner and Mayor Hawkes presented Sgt. Pete VanDolsen with a retirement plaque. Sgt. VanDolsen retired on May 7th after 29 years of service to the Borough of Hatboro Police Department. Borough Council thanked Sgt. VanDolsen for his service and wished him well in his retirement.
Mayor Hawkes issued and presented a proclamation to Bernie’s of Hatboro for all their work in assisting with Pet Rescues. Borough Council thanked Rick Krestchmann and Bernie’s.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT – President Tompkins announced the carnival is back and there will be fireworks this coming weekend.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Kalnajs gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of April 2017. He noted a balance of $5,717,870.37. Interest earned for the month totaled $1,117.26 on all accounts.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT – Solicitor Kearney stated she had no report this month.
ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Dougherty stated he had no report this month.
MANAGER’S REPORT – Manager Zollers provided the following updates:
- Road Sealing will begin this week, weather dependent.
- He announced the Borough received an award from the Army Corp for work done in the Pennypack Creek.
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT – Chief Gardner announced the carnival is in town and the fireworks are on Friday night at 9:00 PM. He stated there will be road closures, the rain date is Monday, Memorial Day.
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 7-0
Approval of Warrant List, Payment of Bills, Manual Checks and Transfers – Councilman Harbaugh motioned to approve the warrant list, payment of bills, manual checks and transfers for the month of May 2017, motion seconded by Vice President Rich, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
April 24th, 2017 Council Meeting – Councilman Palmer motioned to approve the April 24th, 2017 Council meeting minutes, motion seconded by Vice President Rich, Councilperson McElroy abstained as she was absent, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
May 8th, 2017 Committee Meeting – Councilman Harbaugh motioned to approve the May 8th, 2017 Committee meeting minutes, motion seconded by Councilwoman McElroy, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
FIRE COMPANY EXPENDITURE LIST – Councilwoman McElroy motioned to approve the Enterprise Fire Company Expenditure List for April in the amount of $11,413.09, motion seconded by Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
FIRE COMPANY CAPITAL EXPENDITURE LIST – Councilman Palmer motioned to approve the Enterprise Fire Company Capital Expenditure List in the amount of $24,208.40, motion seconded by Councilman Harbaugh, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
CIVIL SERVICE TEST – SERGEANTS EXAM – Councilman Harbaugh motioned to direct the Civil Service Commission to establish a list of eligible candidates for the rank of Sergeant, motion seconded by Councilman Forgeng, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
MICRO SEALING PROJECT – Councilman Hegele motioned to approve the list as submitted by Manager Zollers for 2017, motion seconded by Councilwoman McElroy, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
WOODWINDS PARK RENAMING/DEDICATION – President Tompkins stated three months ago, 13 names were presented for consideration, it was narrowed down to two and it was discussed Celano Park in memory of Joe and Arlene Celano. Councilman Forgeng motioned to rename Woodwinds Park to Celano Park, motion seconded by Councilman Hegele. Mayor Hawkes stated that Police Chief Warren Kramer made the ultimate sacrifice. Vote was taken, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
STEERING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT – Vice President Rich motioned to appoint Mr. James Kinney to steering committee, motion seconded by Councilwoman McElroy, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
BUCKINGHAM RETAIL PROPETIES LLC – AMENDMENT TO ZHB APPLICATION – Vice President Rich motioned to approve Council opposition to the substantive challenge application. Solicitor Kearney asked Council to vote to oppose the application in its entirety, motion seconded by Councilwoman McElroy, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
DOWNTOWN PARKING ORDINANCE UPDATE Councilman Harbaugh motioned to authorize staff to begin preparing changes to the ordinance, motion seconded by Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
YMCA REQUEST TO USE POOL – Councilman Palmer motioned to approve YMCA request to use pool for Swim Meets as per application with conditions as follows; reimbursement of staff costs, proof of insurance and use of YMCA indoor pool during closure, motion seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
EMPLOYEE RATIFICATION LIST – Councilman Palmer motioned to approve the Employee Ratification List for the month of May, motion seconded by Councilman Hegele. Motion carried 7-0.
SPECIAL UPDATES – Councilwoman McElroy announced that Eagle Scout American Flag Disposal Flag Ceremony is in June 14th, 2017 at Memorial Park.
Councilman Hegele asked everyone this Memorial Day to thank our servicemen/women and their families for their service and those who gave their lives defending our country. He also reminded everyone that earlier this month was Police Memorial Week and he thanked our police officers and all police officers for their service.
OLD BUSINESS – There was no old business to come before Council this evening.
NEW BUSINESS
Zoning Hearing Board Schedule June 2017
- 206 W. Montgomery Avenue & 1 South York Road – Tuesday, June 13th, 2017 at Borough Hall.
- York & Horsham Thursday, June 15th at Keith Valley Middle School
Hatboro Facilities Project – Public Works – Payment 10 – Vice President Rich motioned to approve payment request #10 in the amount of $10,348.84, motion seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
Hatboro Facilities Project – Police – Payment 10 – Councilman Hegele motioned to approve payment request #10 in the amount of $352,239.94, motion seconded by Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
President Tompkins opened the floor for comment since these two payment requests were not on the Committee agenda. Mr. Battis, W. Moreland Avenue asked if this was a final payment. Manager Zollers stated no, these requests represent work done in March.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Tony Celano read a statement regarding his parents, in his statement he wanted to try and attempt to express the honor this would have meant to his parents. He stated his parents moved here after serving their country and continued their service but this time to Hatboro and the community. They raised three kids, had a successful business and a home in Hatboro. His dad ran for Mayor in 1981 and was not endorsed by any party, he won because he knew everyone. He served for 24 years and did the best he could. He said when people came to his parent’s store, Dad would always ask customers where they were from and when they said Willow Grove, Horsham or Warminster Dad would always respond you are from the suburbs of Hatboro. He asked his Dad one day if he ever regretted not going any further than west of Pittsburg and his dad told him, no not really, he had everything he ever wanted here in Hatboro. Tony thanked everyone and said that this recognition is the highest honor ever bestowed to his parents and he knows they are saying thank you from Heaven. Tony also offered special thanks to Councilman Hegele and Assistant Borough Secretary Hegele for all their work in making this happen.
ADJOURNMENT
The May 22nd, 2017 meeting of Borough Council was adjourned at 7:34 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Alfred “Fred” Zollers
Borough Secretary
Transcribed by Assistant Borough Secretary Diane Hegele