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Borough Council Minutes
April 11, 2005
        6:30 PM
Pledge of Allegiance recited.

Council President Jerome Ogden called Blossburg Borough Council regular meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. in the Council Room of the Borough Building, 245 Main Street, Blossburg, PA.
Attendance: Vice-President Tonya McNamara; Councilmembers Raymond Kaminski, James Holleman, Cheryl Bubacz, Timothy Roupp, Thomas Bogaczyk; (absent, Mayor John Backman (out of town)); Borough Solicitor Patrick Barrett; Chief Ronald Steffen; Borough Manager George D. Lloyd; Borough Secretary Mary Signor; Charles Freeberg KCC Committee; V.I.B.E. President Heidi Jones; V.I.B.E. members Sandra Olson, Donald Krause, Lonny Frost, Sarah Gilkinson, Steve Losee.

GUESTS: Shane and Bryon Hicks-Lee, 173 St. Mary's Street are residents of Blossburg Borough. They both were attending the meeting for observation.

Agenda
Minutes: The minutes of the March 14, 2005, meeting were approved on motion of Raymond Kaminski; second, Tonya McNamara. All in favor.

Treasurer's Report: Report accepted subject to audit on motion of Thomas Bogaczyk; second, Raymond Kaminski. All in favor.

Bills: Bills to be paid on motion of Tonya McNamara; second, Thomas Bogaczyk. All in favor.

Reports : NPHS Student:  N.P.H.S. Student Representatives did not attend meeting tonight.

K.C.C. :  Charles Freeberg reported the organization's regular checking account balance is $2,429.29 with all bills paid.

Committee Business Development:  Blossburg V.I.B.E. (Visions in Business and Entertainment)

Motion to approve and execute 1st year Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Grant Contract of $30,000.00 was made by Cheryl Bubacz; second Thomas Bogaczyk. All in favor.

After review by Borough Solicitor, a motion to approve and execute Municipal-Main Street Organization Sub Recipient Agreement with V.I.B.E., with additional request by Council President, Attachment F was added to agreement. This attachment includes provision that V.I.B.E. will provide Quarterly reporting to Borough Council on program progress and itemization of expenses charged to grant. Timothy Roupp made motion; second Cheryl Bubacz. All in favor.

Requisition #1 in the amount of $10,000.00 will be the first withdrawal from grant. These monies will cover projected first quarter expenses.

Old Boro Hall was discussed and Council agreed not to do anything with building until September 2005, so V.I.B.E. members can develop a plan for the building to present to Council.

Mayor :  No report. Mayor is out is town.

Police :  Everyone has received a copy of the Police Report.

The Police Report was accepted on motion of Cheryl Bubacz; second, Timothy Roupp. All in favor.

Thomas Bogaczyk commented about motorcycles and 4-wheelers being out. Chief Steffen has changed patrolmen's shifts to help watch for problem vehicles.

All officers have passed Security and Performance on JNET that was installed on Police computer. There is a lot of useful information on JNET. Wellsboro and Mansfield boroughs have had this system installed for a while.

Police Department to be working on stopping cars next month for use of seatbelts. Warnings will be issued.

Chief Steffen is waiting to hear from people on bicycle rodeo.

Police Committee: Nothing further to report.

Borough Manager :  Borough Manager Report accepted. Motion of Tonya McNamara; second, James Holleman. All in favor.

Borough Manager received a request from the Salvation Army about parking their canteen in the old Borough Office/Fire House. Council has no problem as long as they have their own insurance. Mr. Lloyd to write the Salvation Army outlining possible time availability for parking, especially if V.I.B.E. purchases the Old Boro Hall in September 2005. Mr. Lloyd to measure height of door for clearance. Suggestion that the Salvation Arm may be able to use the Old Ambulance Building if new owners are approached.

Request received from Bloss Area Swimming Association asking Council to appoint two (2) of the four (4) existing members to the Association per the By-Laws of the organization. These appointments are for one (1) year term. Motion to appoint George Lloyd and Debra Everett as Blossburg Borough's Representatives was made by Thomas Bogaczyk; second, Cheryl Bubacz. All in favor. George Lloyd will write a letter to Carol Tama, Pool Association notifying them of the two appointed representatives.

Dorothy Rakoski, Tax Collector will be collecting taxes at the Borough Hall in the Council Room on April 29, 2005 from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Letter from homeowner on Davis Street dealing with unlicensed vehicles, vehicles parked every which way on borough street, trash on properties, Christmas decorations left up, and cats running everywhere. Borough Manager George Lloyd and Chief Steffen drove the street and documented any concerns that could be addressed thru ordinances. Chief Steffen is working on vehicle situation. Mr. Lloyd to draft a response letter to homeowner addressing their complaints.

TCCCC request for letter of support for their request for an EPA Targeted Watershed Grant. Council acknowledged the need for cleaning up mine acid runoff before it enters the Tioga River. Motion was made to send a letter to TCCCC, before the April 15, 2005 deadline, stating Blossburg Borough Council's support with TCCCC in their efforts to obtain an EPA Targeted Watershed Grant was made by Raymond Kaminski; second Thomas Bogaczyk. All in favor.

Thomas Bogaczyk questioned if the Kwik-Fill is allowed to have a high rise Kwik Fill sign. Borough Manager to research.

A letter was sent to homeowner of burned home located at 313 North Williamson Road. Demolition of home was started on April 9, 2005 and work is proceeding satisfactorily.

Spring Cleanup will be scheduled for May 9 - 13, 2005. Same rules as last year. Materials will be picked up on the customers regularly scheduled garbage collection day. Information will be advertised in the Penny-Saver.

Island Park cleanup is scheduled for May 14, 2005, with the rain date set for May 21, 2005. Information will be advertised in the Penny-Saver.

All Council Representatives signed a copy of latest approved Zoning Map. David Darby will get original copy laminated. The Borough will have laminated copy framed and hung in the Council Room.

Borough Manager's:   Activity Log.

EXECUTIVE SESSION FROM 7:28 P.M. RECONVENED 8:18 P.M. TO CONSULT WITH BOROUGH SOLICITOR REGARDING LITIGATION AND PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE.

Planning Commission :  No applications were submitted. No meeting.

Zoning Hearing Board:  No meeting.

Recreation :  Working with the American Heart Association for Lifeguards 1st Aid and CPR.

New Pool Rates:
$50/$95 (Early Bird Rates until June 19, 2005)
$60/$120 (Regular)
$2/$4 (Daily Rates)

Motion to re-appoint Lisa Frederick to another 5-year term (2010) was made by Cheryl Bubacz; second Raymond Kaminski. All in favor.

Fire Department :  No report received. Borough Manager to contact Terry Kreger about getting copies of reports.

Television :   Newsletter to be sent out soon.

Library :  Librarian Sharon Thomas resigned effect March 28, 2005. Library Board received seven applicants for librarian. Board has narrowed applicants down to three. Library Board will meet again to discuss.

Street Committee :  Scheduled meeting of Street Committee for April 18, 2005 at 9:00 A.M. to discuss roads for work this summer.

Open bids for Schuylkill Street/Maple Hill Road storm drainage materials. Motion to accept low bids contingent on review of Borough Solicitor and Borough Engineer was made by Thomas Bogaczyk; second Tonya McNamara. All in favor.

$ Pipe Bid - Bradco Supply Co.$9,772.00 - L/B Water Service, Inc. $10,116.80 - Chemung Supply Corp. $9,908.18

$ Basins Bid - McCarroll Precast $8,380.00 - Chemung Supply Corp. $8,806.00

Budget:  Approve purchasing extra insurance for temporarily disabled Police Officers to make up the difference between Workers' Compensation Insurance coverage and their full salary as mandated by the amended Act 193.

Motion to raise Occupation Privilege Tax from $10.00 per person to $20.00 per person for 2006 was made by Cheryl Bubacz; second Thomas Bogaczyk. All in favor.

Motion to charge $5/$1,000 of construction costs for any building permit not requiring an inspection was made by Cheryl Bubacz; second Timothy Roupp. All in favor.

The Borough needs to charge a $2.00 fee for any permit covered under the Uniform Construction Code.


Old Business:
  1. Evaluation: Councilmembers to meet again on May 9, 2005 at 6:00 P.M. to continue reviewing Personnel Policy.


  2. Minor Sub-Division/Cul-D-Sac: Information has been sent to Solicitor so Deed of Dedication can be completed.


  3. Additional Railroad Property: Borough Solicitor Patrick Barrett is working with Han-Rowe Associates & Company owners of Bear "A" Bar & Grill on purchasing railroad property behind their building.


  4. Electric System Assessment: Meeting on April 5, 2005.


  5. Home Occupation: Borough Solicitor presented information to Council for review. George Lloyd to give paperwork to Planning Commission for their review.


  6. House Condemnation: A meeting with Mr. Scroback is scheduled for April 27, 2005.


  7. Hamilton Township Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Agreement: Borough Solicitor will complete information so Council can review.


  8. House Numbering: Tonya McNamara has given copy of Borough ordinance to Blossburg Fire and Ambulance Company for review.


  9. Williamson Commercial Park Access Street: George Lloyd will work with contractor to make sure bad areas of blacktop base are removed and sub-base good before pavement top is put down.


  10. Building permit Fees / Rental Inspections: Approve lowering the area of accessory building needing inspection down to 600 sq. ft. from the existing 1,000 sq. ft. Borough Solicitor to do advertisement.



New Business:
  1. Yard Sales: Question was brought up about limit for yard sales in Blossburg. Borough Secretary to check regulations.



Announcements:
  • Tioga County Association of Boroughs Dinner Meeting will be held Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 7:00 P.M., at the Elkland Moose, 102 East Main Street, Elkland, PA. A social hour will be held at 6:00 P.M. Please let Mary Signor know if you will be attending by April 21, 2005.


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ADJOURNMENT: President Jerome Ogden closed the meeting at 9:02 P.M.

Next Council Meeting is scheduled for May 9, 2005 at 6:30 P.M.

Mary C. Signor, Borough Secretary

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