PRESENT: President Tompkins, Vice President Rich, Councilpersons Harbaugh, Hegele, McElroy & Palmer, Mayor Hawkes; Borough Manager Zollers, Assistant Secretary Hegele, Solicitor Keurney, Chief Gardner, Fire Marshal Myers & Engineer Dougherty.
ABSENT
Councilman Forgeng 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 everyone involved in the Holiday Parade. He announced two new businesses in town, a new woman’s apparel store on Penn Street and Sam’s Italian Bistro next to Borough Hall.
Chief Gardner and Mayor Hawkes issued Commendations to Officer Christopher Swoyer and Officer John Gibson for their actions physically disarming an intruder at a home on Bonair Avenue in July. Council and the audience thanked both officers for the great work in protecting the residents of Hatboro.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT – President Tompkins thanked everyone involved in the Holiday Parade this past weekend.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Kalnajs gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of October 2017. He noted a balance of $3,536,816.88. Interest earned for the month totaled $1,811.40 on all accounts.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT – Solicitor Keurney stated she was notified that Wawa representatives cannot make the December ZHB hearing. A tentative date of January 11th, 2018 has been set, once this is finalized the hearing will need to be advertised.
ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Dougherty stated he had no report this month.
MANAGER’S REPORT – Manager Zollers provided the following updates:
- York Road in Warminster has been paved, paving has been scheduled for Hatboro portion of York Road however Penndot is requesting Hatboro repair a Penndot owned pipe from 1945. He stated the Solicitor will be responding to Penndot.
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT – Chief Gardner provided the following updates:
- Parade went well without incident. Thanked Fire Police, events all year and this big cannot happen without all their help.
- County Records Management System Update. Chief reviewed highlights and costs involved in using this system which he is recommending.
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 Harbaugh, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0
Approval of Warrant List, Payment of Bills, Manual Checks and Transfers – Vice President Rich motioned to approve the warrant list, payment of bills, manual checks and transfers for the month of November 2017, motion seconded by Councilwoman McElroy, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
President Tompkins asked that the Fire House Improvement Fund transfer not come from General Fund but General Capital Fund. Manager Zollers stated he will have that corrected.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 23rd, 2017 Council Meeting – Vice President Rich motioned to approve the October 23rd, 2017 meeting minutes, motion seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
November 13th, 2017 Committee Meeting – Councilwoman McElroy motioned to approve the November 13th, 2017 Committee meeting minutes, motion seconded by Vice President Rich, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
FIRE COMPANY EXPENDITURE LIST – Councilman Palmer motioned to approve the Enterprise Fire Company Expenditure List for October in the amount of $3,642.98, motion seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
FIRE COMPANY CAPITAL EXPENDITURE LIST – Councilman Hegele motioned to approve the Enterprise Fire Company Capital Expenditure List for the month of October in the amount of $5,000.00, motion seconded by Councilman Harbaugh, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
DVIT RSF CREDITS – Councilman Harbaugh stated Assistant Secretary Hegele has notified Council of additional funding, as a result he is recommending Council use a third for each fund, approximately $35,000. Vice President Rich motioned the use of 1/3 of each fund, up to $35,000 of RSF Funds for the 2017 Borough Operating Budget, motion seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
ESXROW RELEASE #1 TOLL BROTHERS – HATBORO STATION PROJECT – Councilman Palmer motioned to approve Line of Credit Release #1 in the amount of $277,913.00, motion seconded by Councilwoman McElroy, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
ESCROW RELEASE ARCADIA – STATION PARK PROJECT – Vice President Rich motioned to approve escrow release in the amount of $2000.00 for initial project review, motion seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
CASE – LANCASTER AVENUE – SIDEWALK WAIVER – Vice President Rich motioned to consider sidewalk waver for this project, motion seconded by Councilman Palmer. Councilmen Palmer, Hegele, Harbaugh, Rich, Tompkins & Councilwoman McElroy all voted no for a waiver to install sidewalks for the Lancaster Avenue project, motion denied 6 no votes – 0 yes votes.
BASKWILL PROJECT RELEASE/CLOSE PROJECT – Vice President Rich motioned to approve project close out escrow, end of maintenance period escrow in the amount of $1920.00, motion seconded by Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
FACILITIES REQUEST – BOROUGH HALL – CLOCK RECEPTION – Vice President Rich motion to approve the use of Borough Hall for Clock reception, motion seconded by Councilman Harbaugh, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
MAIN STREET HATBORO – HOLIDAY SHOPPING – METER FEES – Councilman Harbaugh motioned to approve Main Street Hatboro request to pay for all parking meter fees for one day Holiday Shopping on December 9th, motion seconded by Vice President Rich, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
SPECIAL UPDATES – There was no special updates from Council this month.
OLD BUSINESS – There was no old business to come before Council this month.
NEW BUSINESS
- Zoning Hearing Board – Wawa: President Tompkins stated the December 14th date has been cancelled by the applicant, the January 11th date once confirmed will be announced and advertised.
- Web Address Update – President Tompkins stated the incoming Council would like to hatboro.gov email, he stated the cost is about $400.00 yearly. He believes this is a good idea other than the costs. There was no further action on this matter.
- Conditional Offer of Employment – Hatboro Police – Chief Gardner stated the Civil Service Commission met earlier today and certified the list of three candidates for the position of patrol officer. He is requesting Council to permit him to extend conditional. Councilman Hegele motioned to extend conditional offer of employment for a police officer to replace retiring officer based on state exam and physical, motion seconded by Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
President Tompkins stated since this was a new item not discussed at Committee, he opened the floor for public comment. Nancy Guenst, Academy Road stated this is a great idea to get this process moving. The Borough was losing Officer Plum’s longevity and senior patrolman salary saving some money. She said a yes vote is a good vote.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Ron Battis, W. Moreland Avenue asked for clarification on meeting dates for December. President Tompkins announced December 4th and December 18th.
Ed Henry, Bonair Avenue asked about the Lochel’s Proclamation. Assistant Secretary Hegele stated the Lochel’s were very busy for the Thanksgiving Holiday and could not make it, we will try next month.
He thanked Council for making the developer on Lancaster install sidewalks.
Ed Moll, Academy Road stated his calculations for the budget are a 12% increase, he asked what changed and why the increase. Councilman Harbaugh stated it was less than 12%, it was a 10% increase. He stated expenses are up 25% and taxes have remained the same. He stated there have been contract increases and the revenue is flat. Councilman Harbaugh stated this was a hard decision, he did not want to see a tax increase but without one there may have had to be been a drastic reduction in services. Councilman Harbaugh stated there has been an increase in debt service for renovations to borough buildings, prior debt and much needed work to Borough Hall. Mr. Moll thanked Council for their efforts.
Nancy Guenst, Academy Road asked where the money for the projects were borrowed from. President Tompkins stated Borough Authority and TD Bank. She stated Council was paying to borrow their own money. She asked why more money was not borrowed from TD Bank. President Tompkins stated the Authority interest is reinvested in the Borough. Treasurer Kalnjas explained how the loan from the Authority worked. He stated this is better for the Borough since the Authority cannot invest, they only have CD’s. This is a win as the authority gets a better return on their investment and the money improves the town.
Ron Battis, W. Moreland Avenue asked about the status of the Pennypack Bridge Project. Engineer Dougherty stated it is scheduled for June 2018, it is still going to be done. There is a grant with a June 2019 deadline.
Mr. Battis asked about the two developments in process and if they are being watched as they are not being built by the original applicants that were before the Borough. President Tompkins and Engineer Dougherty both assured Mr. Battis that the projects are being inspected. Mr. Battis questioned the depth of a pit at Hatboro Station. Engineer Dougherty stated it is a secondary pit, if there are any changes they must go through Council. He stated there is a basin for the reservoir irrigation system, it needs to some extra work and he will consider the depth and if there is a change or the fence height needs to be changed he will let staff know.
ADJOURNMENT
The November 27th, 2017 meeting of Borough Council was adjourned at 7:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane C. Hegele
Assistant Borough Secretary
Transcribed by Assistant Borough Secretary Diane Hegele