Blossburg: Borough Council Minutes

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245 Main Street, Blossburg, PA 16912

Borough Council Minutes April 19, 2004 6:30 PM
PUBLIC HEARING April 19, 2004 As advertised a public hearing was held on April 19, 2004 at 6:00 P.M. In the Council Room of the Borough Building, 245 Main Street, Blossburg, PA . The purpose of the public hearing is to comply with the requirements of the Municipal Planning Code giving the public an opportunity for comments and suggestions regarding an ordinance changing the zoning map of the Borough of Blossburg entitled territory making addition to 1 - 2 heavy industrial use district and creating an additional s - 1 public use district. Attendance: Mayor John Backman; Council President Jerome Ogden; Vice-President Tonya McNamara; Councilmembers Raymond Kaminski, James Holleman, Cheryl Bubacz, Thomas Bogaczyk; Borough Solicitor Patrick Barrett; Borough Manager George D. Lloyd; Borough Secretary Mary Signor. No public comment. Hearing closed 6:29 P.M.
Pledge of Allegiance recited. The regular Blossburg Borough Council meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M. in the Council Room of the Borough Building, 245 Main Street, Blossburg, PA, by Council President Jerome Ogden.
Attendance:	Vice-President Tonya McNamara; Councilmembers Raymond Kaminski, James Holleman, Cheryl Bubacz, (absent, Timothy Roupp), Thomas Bogaczyk; Mayor John Backman; Borough Solicitor Patrick Barrett; Chief Ronald Steffen; Borough Manager George D. Lloyd; Borough Secretary Mary Signor; Charles Freeberg KCC Committee; Chester Lutomski; Han-Roe Associates, Inc. (Jim & Bob); Theresa Mahosky Hamilton Township Supervisor; Glenn Bastian; Scott Bastian.
Agenda
Minutes: The minutes of the March 8, 2004, meeting were approved on motion of Thomas Bogaczyk; second, Raymond Kaminski. All in favor.
Treasurer's Report: Report accepted subject to audit on motion of Raymond Kaminski; second, James Holleman. All in favor.
Bills: Bills to be paid on motion of Thomas Bogaczyk; second, Raymond Kaminski. All in favor.
GUESTS: Chester Lutomski attended the meeting to discuss smoke from outside fuel burning appliances. President Jerome Ogden said the problems with outside fuel burners have been brought up before. Discussions on how some surrounding communities have passed ordinances outlawing external fuel burning devices. Borough Manager George Lloyd reported that Putnam Township just passed such an ordinance a few weeks ago. Putnam Township's ordinance requires any existing external stoves to have their chimneys extended up to a minimum of 20', prohibits any future outside fuel burners and has a Grandfather Clause for existing fuel burners. Mr. Lloyd contacted Putnam Township for a copy of their ordinance and is also to check with Wellsboro Borough. President Ogden stated the problems with these outside fuel burners will be looked into and some sort of action will be taken. Mr. Lutomski thanked Council and left the meeting. Han-Roe Associates, Inc., (Bear "A" Bar owners, Jim & Bob), attended the meeting to obtain approval from the Council to purchase a PLCB transfer liquor license from D. Tomlinson, Inc., Morris Run, PA, Hamilton Township. This newly purchased liquor license will be used in their facilities located in the Borough of Blossburg. At the present time Bear "A" Bar has a hotel license. The purchased liquor license will replace the existing hotel license. Han-Roe Associates, Inc. needs approval from Council before a Public Hearing can be set up. The owners assured Council the transfer of the liquor license will not affect any changes in their business operation. Motion for a resolution to approve the transfer of Hamilton Township restaurant liquor license to the Blossburg Borough was made by Raymond Kaminski; second, Thomas Bogaczyk. All in favor. Charles Freeberg attended to report for the KCC Report and the Tioga County Concerned Citizens Committee, Inc. (TCCCC). The TCCCC will hold a meeting on April 20, 2004 at 7:00 P.M. in the Kiwanis Building at Island Park, Blossburg, PA. All are welcome to attend the meeting. Mr. Freeberg asked for Charles Andrews, President - TCCCC, Inc., about the information on sites for new wells. Borough Manager George Lloyd stated there are three sites designated along East Creek Road the Blossburg Municipal Authority are looking into and are in the process of contacting the property owners for permission to get on the property. TCCCC, Inc. asked permission to put up a 4' x 4' temporary "No Dump" sign on the corner of North Main Street and North Williamson Road. No permit is required for this sign. Permission was granted. Theresa Mahosky, Hamilton Township Supervisor, updated Council on PA Waste Resources, new developers of a proposed landfill site on Barney Hill in Hamilton Township. These are the same people as the first group who tried to propose the other landfill a year or so ago. Mr. Robert Rovner is PA Waste Resources contact person. There isn't a written request from PA Waste Resources yet. Mr. Robert Rovner and another PA Waste Resources representative are to attend the next Hamilton Township meeting on May 4, 2004 at 7:00 P.M. in the Hamilton Township Building. EXECUTIVE SESSION REQUESTED BY BOROUGH SOLICITOR AT 7:03 P.M. RECONVENED 7:18 P.M.
Reports :	Mayor : Nothing to report at this time. Police : Everyone had received a copy of the report. The Police report was accepted on motion of Tonya McNamara; second, Cheryl Bubacz. All in favor. Chief Steffen contacted the Travelers Protective Association of America. They are going to supply the department with DNA kits for the Head Start Children at no cost. Chief is going to contact the high school and see if they are interested also. Travelers Protective Association of America also support bike rodeos. Chief asked if a rodeo could be held on the Island Park. Borough Manager to check with Recreation Board to see if this would be permitted. Police Department had a meeting with Mr. Kotulka and Mr. Lindner at the school for the purpose of setting up a task force for any emergencies that might happen in school. In the event of such an emergency in our school system, the Blossburg Police Department is too small and would not be able to handle such an incident without assistance. What is being set up is county wide - where departments (PSP, surrounding Police Departments, Constables, Fire Companies, etc.) would come together in a crisis. A meeting was held with all surrounding school superintendents. If this turns in to an organization, it could be possible to apply for grant money. A letter was received from Father Brian Clarke requesting the Blossburg Police Department to patrol the St. Mary's Cemetery more often due to vandalism. Borough Manager : Borough Manager Report accepted. Motion of Cheryl Bubacz; second, Thomas Bogaczyk. All in favor. Borough Manager George Lloyd announced hydrant flushing will be held April 25, 2004 to June 01, 2004. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, PA to pick up the Blossburg Borough Council Minutes 1871 - 1979 (17 volumes) on April 20, 2004. The records to be microfilmed by the Commission. The Commission will retain the original negative and make a positive copy available to researchers in the Archives Search Room. The original minute books will be returned to the Blossburg Borough upon completion. Used equipment: Borough will have to advertise for sale of 1991 ž ton Chevy Pickup. Motion to advertise bid of 1991 ž ton Chevy Pickup was made by Cheryl Bubacz; second, Thomas Bogaczyk. All in favor. Borough Manager asked if Council would be interested in using D-Ring notebooks for the use of filing Council information throughout the year. All members thought the notebooks would be useful. The notebooks to be ordered. Spring Cleanup will be scheduled for May 10 - 14, 2004. Same rules as last year. Tioga County Probation Department to start cleaning up Island Park on May 3, 2004. Additional volunteer Island Park cleanup is scheduled for May 8, 2004 at 8:00 A.M. Rain date is May 15, 2004. President Jerome Ogden asked if the Borough Garage be scheduled for a paint job. The garage looks bad when you compare it to the Pool Building. Motion to approve the painting of the Borough Garage by Thomas Bogaczyk; second, Raymond Kaminski. All in favor. Borough Manager's: Activity Log. Planning Commission : Meeting of March 30, 2004. Reviewed Ronald & Loretta Steffen's building permit for a side yard variance to build an addition to their home located at 140 Main Street and the rezoning of property located at 103 -109 Gulick Street for the purpose of Ward Manufacturing expanding. Zoning Hearing Board: Meeting on April 14, 2004. Approved Ronald & Loretta Steffen's variance to build in side yard area. Recreation : Meeting held on March 29, 2004. No minutes received. Fire Department : No report received. Police: Nothing further to report. Television : President Jerome Ogden explained why the lower channels were messed up. Over the winter the main line coming off the mountain got a split in it and froze. Repairman is working on fixing the problem. Williamson Road Television Co. is working on installing the emergency alert system. No new channels will be added at this time, because of the expense for the new tower and emergency alert system. Library : Thomas Bogaczyk reported on the library monies. The Blossburg Memorial Library has applied for a 2004 Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Grant. The grant money will be used for a new heating system, air conditioning and ADA sinks. Street Committee : Glenn Bastian and Scott Bastian were at the meeting to present a map of the Dollar General survey map. 5'6" of overhang was built into Hanibal Street right-of-way. Glenn and Scott Bastian would like to clean title up. Maps were left with Council to review. Street Committee to meet on April 22, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. to review and suggest solutions. K.C.C. : Charles Freeberg reported on the KCC building. The last four to five weeks the KCC is doing well with their finances due to rentals of the building. The organization balance is $2,430.93, plus another deposit of $500.00 is to be put in the bank tomorrow. The Booster Club gave the KCC $250.00 towards the utility bills when they used the building last year. The Blossburg Improvement Association is going to give the KCC a donation towards the heating system. NPHS Student: No student yet. Mr. Fran Jaquish and Mrs. Jeanie Carlson to be contacted to ask if they might help get a NPHS student representative for Council. Committee Business Development: Councilmember Tonya McNamara attended the first meeting of the "Main Street Program" which was held on March 31, 2004 at 6:00 P.M. in the Riverside Housing Community Building, Blossburg, PA. Interest by the attending people was enough to set up another meeting on April 21, 2004 at 6:00 P.M. downstairs in the Blossburg Library. This "Main Street Program" is in the planning stages of improving the quality of Blossburg, which will benefit everyone. By organizing this program, funding may be available to improve businesses and help bring customers into Blossburg.

Old Business:	Evaluation: Under review by Borough Solicitor and Borough Manager. Pedestrian Bridge: Fencing installed to prevent kids from getting on outside railings. Dedication is May 27, 2004 at 5:30 P.M. Minor Sub-Division/Cul-D-Sac: Nothing to report. Building Codes: Ordinance for adoption of the International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings needs to advertised in May w/the Public Hearing & Adoption in June. A rate schedule needs to be set up. Old Railroad Property: Borough Solicitor and Borough Manager to review and check into selling off property. Pension: Remove from agenda. Motion of Thomas Bogaczyk; second, Raymond Kaminski. All in favor. Ordinance for 911 Readdressing: Remove from agenda. Motion of Raymond Kaminski; second, Tonya McNamara. All in favor. Tioga County Historical Society: Remove from agenda. Motion of Raymond Kaminski; second, Thomas Bogaczyk. All in favor. TCAB Dinner Meeting: Remove from agenda. Motion of Cheryl Bubacz; second, Raymond Kaminski. All in favor. Sale of Old Ambulance Building: Borough Solicitor Patrick Barrett to advertise. Accept bids and review on April 26, 2004 at a reconvened 6:30 P.M. Council Meeting. Bids should be in by 4:00 P.M. on April 26, 2004. Decorating Community Christmas Tree: Tonya McNamara to contact North Penn High School for an interested school organization willing to take over the decorating. Sally's Retirement Party: Remove from agenda. Motion of Tonya McNamara; second, Cheryl Bubacz. All in favor.

New Business:	Tioga County Concerned Citizens Committee, Inc. (TCCCC) 2004 Membership Drive: Councilmember Thomas Bogaczyk asked Council to join the TCCCC to show their support for the TCCCC. This organization is fighting hard to keep new landfills from coming into our community. Motion to join the TCCCC was made by Raymond Kaminski; second, Cheryl Bubacz. All in favor. Blossburg Water Company - Water Rate Increase: To go into effect for July 2004 billing. New rates $55.00/5,000 gallons, $3.00/1,000 gallons up to 300,000 gallons. $2.75/1,000 gallons over 300,000 gallons. Farmer's Market on Weekends: To be advertised in Penny-Saver to see if community is interested. Blossburg Electric Assessment for the Borough of Blossburg: Raymond Kaminski presented a check in the amount of $500.00 from Laurel Health System's for a contribution to Blossburg Electric Assessment by Quad 3 Group. The check will be deposited into the Blossburg General Fund and coded as such. Survey - Dollar General Property: Need right-of-way change on Mill Street. The Street Committee to meet on April 21, 2004 at 6:30 P.M. in the Blossburg Memorial Library. AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING MAP OF THE BOROUGH OF BLOSSBURG ENTITLED TERRITORY MAKING ADDITION TO 1 - 2 HEAVY INDUSTRIAL USE DISTRICT AND CREATING AN ADDITIONAL S - 1 PUBLIC USE DISTRICT: Borough Solicitor Patrick Barrett stated Borough Council has an ordinance to approve. Prior to the regular scheduled Borough Council meeting held on April 19, 2004, a Public Hearing was held with no public comment on the two changes for the Blossburg Borough Zoning Map. The industrial district involves all the surrounding properties on Gulick Street alongside of Ward Manufacturing. An additional S - 1 zone was created in the public use district for the property of the new Fire and Ambulance Building located at 324 Main Street. The ordinance has been advertised three times according to planning code. The ordinance is ready for Council approval. Motion to adopt an ordinance was made by Raymond Kaminski; second, Cheryl Bubacz. All in favor.

Announcements: TCAB Dinner, Thursday, April 22, 2004 - Elkland, PA Blossburg Firemen's Ambulance Association and Blossburg Volunteer Fire Department - annual appreciation banquet, Saturday, April 24, 2004 - RSVP, April 21, 2004.


ADJOURNMENT: Meeting will not adjourn as there are some items to be completed. The meeting was dismissed at 8:50 P.M. by President Jerome Ogden, to reconvene April 26, 2004 at 6:30 P.M. in the Council Room of the Borough Building, 245 Main Street, Blossburg, PA. Mary C. Signor, Borough Secretary