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Borough Council Minutes
December 13, 2004
        6:30 PM
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, 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; Katherine Tokarz N.P.H.S. Student Representative.

GUESTS: None present.

Agenda
Minutes: The minutes of the November 8, 2004, meeting accepted with corrections on motion of Raymond Kaminski; second, Thomas Bogaczyk. All in favor.

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

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

Reports : Mayor :  Nothing to report.

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

The Police report was accepted on motion of Tonya McNamara; second, Timothy Roupp. All in favor.

Estimated fines for November were $1,321.00. Prior District Justice fines were $852.00.

Councilmember James Holleman requested to have the number of citations issued by each officer be included on the monthly Police Reports.

Borough Manager :  Borough Manager Report accepted. Motion of Thomas Bogaczyk; second, Raymond Kaminski. All in favor.

Borough Manager George Lloyd attended a meeting in Wellsboro with FEMA Representative on flood damage reimbursement. The Borough must have $1,000.00 minimum expense to get reimbursement from Federal Government. So far, the Borough hasn't reached that total. There is a possibility that the Water Authority might qualify for the cleaning of the reservoir.

The Governor passed the increase for the Occupation Privilege Tax (OPT) from $10.00 to $52.00 per person per year. All municipalities are responsible for their own increasing. If the Blossburg Borough is to do this the existing Ordinance must be revised, then adopted. Mr. Barrett is to review. It is too late for the Borough to pass the increase for 2005, but should be looked at for 2006.

The school district is looking into adjusting their compensation for the tax collector. At the present time, the tax collector receives 3% of the taxes she collects for Borough taxes. The school district pays by tax bill. The opportunity to adjust the tax collector compensation is every four (4) years. The Borough's deadline to decide is February 15, 2005. If there is to be a change it must be adopted by resolution prior to the election petitions going out. President Jerome Ogden suggested the Budget Committee should review. Meeting date to be set at January 10, 2005 meeting.

Borough Manager's:   Activity Log.

Planning Commission :  Meeting of November 30, 2004. Reviewed Margaret Crawford and James Rakoski sub-divisions. Sub-divisions have been reviewed by County Planning Commission and approved.

Motion to accept lot additions was made by Raymond Kaminski; second, Cheryl Bubacz. All in favor.

Planning Commission reviewed new home occupation definition as supplied by Borough Solicitor.

Zoning Hearing Board:  No meeting.

Recreation :  The making of an ice-skating rink on Island Park was discussed. The weather has been too warm. If the weather would stay cold maybe an ice-skating rink could be built, but it would require a lot of work and dedication to keep the ice smooth.

Richard (Pete) Hall requested new mowers be purchased for Island Park. Also, Mr. Hall asked if the Borough would share half the cost. After a discussion by Council, it was decided to check into the leasing of mowers.

Fire Department :  No report received.

Mayor John Backman asked if the Fire & Ambulance Association could be reimbursed $80.00 by the Blossburg Borough for the purchase of food for flood victims. All Councilmembers were in favor.

Police:   Nothing further to report.

Television :   New tower is up and transfers are done. Channel 33 is back on.

Library :  Nothing to report.

A formal letter is to be sent to the Blossburg Memorial Library stating the 2005 Blossburg Borough Budget with a tax rate increase for the Blossburg Memorial Library from .149 mills to .250 mills.

Street Committee :  Nothing to report.

K.C.C. :  Charles Freeberg reported the organization's regular checking account balance is $1,947.44.

There are three (3) Christmas parties rentals scheduled for December.

Mr. Freeberg to write-up a list of rules on the use of KCC Building. The handouts to include the dos & don'ts on the use of the building. (For example, no tacks are to be used.) Rental prices are $125.00 with no kitchen facility and $150.00 with kitchen facility.

NPHS Student:  Katherine Tokarz, N.P.H.S. Student Representative attended the meeting to report on school happenings. Council President Jerome Ogden asked Ms. Tokarz if N.P.H.S. Student Advisor would be rotating students to attend Borough Council meetings. Ms. Tokarz wasn't sure. She was attending the meeting tonight because the student that was to attend had another commitment.

Council President Jerome Ogden asked if Councilmembers would have a problem moving NPHS Students and KCC up to A. and B. on the agenda. These people are attending the meetings to report on what they are to report on and leave the meetings after their report. There isn't any reason for these people to wait their turn on the agenda (K. & L.). All Councilmembers agreed to move these two (2) agenda items up to A. and B.

Committee Business Development:  Blossburg V.I.B.E. (Visions in Business and Entertainment) nothing to report.

V.I.B.E. is to be contacted requesting one of their members to attend the Council Meetings to report on their organization/groups activities.

Councilmembers discussed the number of people going in and out of the old Borough Building located at 206 Main Street. Councilmembers have concerns of someone getting hurt, etc. Borough Manager asked to lock building.

Budget:  Motion that the proposed 2005 Tax Ordinance be adopted as advertised: Borough 5.507 mills /Fire 0.568 mills / Library 0.250 mills = Total Budget $575,915.00 was made by Thomas Bogaczyk; second, Cheryl Bubacz. All in favor.

Motion to adopt all millages for Borough, Fire and Library was made by Thomas Bogaczyk; second, Cheryl Bubacz. All in favor.


Old Business:
  1. Evaluation: Nothing to report.


  2. Minor Sub-Division/Cul-D-Sac: Nothing to report.


  3. Building Codes: Borough Manager George Lloyd contacted Upper Pine Creek C.O.G. about applying for membership. Automatically will have access to their appeals board for any building code litigation. Mr. Lloyd is waiting for paperwork.


  4. Additional Railroad Property: Borough Solicitor Patrick Barrett contacting Han-Rowe Associates & Company owners of Bear "A" Bar & Grill about a 10 ft. exchange with the old Borough Building property and their adjoining property.


  5. Sale of Old Railroad Property: Acorn Market closing was held. Proceeds were forwarded to Blossburg Fire & Ambulance Association minus the closing costs.

    Remove from agenda. Motion of Cheryl Bubacz; second, Raymond Kaminski. All in favor.


  6. Electric System Assessment: Borough Solicitor reviewing.


  7. Dollar General Survey: Borough Solicitor to do.


  8. Home Occupation: Planning Commission reviewed new home occupation definition as supplied by Borough Solicitor.

    Borough Manager George Lloyd sent letters to two (2) residents in Blossburg questioning if they are operating a business out of their home, informing them they were in a residential area and how they need to apply for a special exemption at the Borough Office. One resident replied as what she was doing was only a hobby and she would stop. The other is interested in applying for the special exemption. To date, Mr. Lloyd hasn't received their application.


  9. Advertise 1991 ¾ Ton Pickup Truck for Sale: Truck was sold.

    Remove from agenda. Motion of Cheryl Bubacz; second, Raymond Kaminski. All in favor.


  10. House Condemnation: Due to the fact he was in Florida, Mr. Scroback could not make the scheduled meeting of November 19, 2004. Meeting is re-scheduled for January 10, 2005 at 6:00 P.M.


  11. Williamson Commercial Park Access Street: Base coat paving is done. Some areas will have to be cut out and repaved the spring.


  12. Fuel Bids: Received as advertised:

    Montour Oil - Diesel Winter Mix - $1.4430 per gallon
    Diesel Summer Mix - $1.3930 per gallon
    Unleaded Medium Grade - $1.3600 per gallon

    Williams Oil - Diesel Winter Mix - $1.4580 per gallon
    Diesel Summer Mix - $1.4405 per gallon
    Unleaded Medium Grade - $1.2915 per gallon

    Tioga Energy - Diesel Winter Mix - $2.019 per gallon
    Diesel Summer Mix - $1.989 per gallon
    Unleaded Medium Grade - $1.799 per gallon

    Motion by Raymond Kaminski to accept Montour Oil Bid; second by James Holleman. All in favor.



New Business:
  1. Resolution Blossburg Police Pension Plan Act 600: Annual requirement for record: Resolution for Police Pension Fund stating if necessary for officers to pay into the Pension or not. No payment required for 2005.

    RESOLUTION NO. 12 - Motion to adopt Police Pension Fund Resolution was made by Raymond Kaminski; second, Cheryl Bubacz. All in favor.



  2. Mansfield Borough, Richmond Township, Covington Township Strategic Plan and Comprehensive Plan: A letter needs to be sent requesting updated maps.



  3. . Donation to Blossburg Memorial Library in Memory of Leroy Ogden, Former Councilperson: A motion was made by Thomas Bogaczyk to make a donation to the Blossburg Memorial Library in memory of Leroy Ogden; second Cheryl Bubacz. All In favor.



  4. Reorganization Meeting for Council - January 3, 2005: Borough Solicitor Patrick Barrett reviewed and advised Council a reorganization meeting isn't required for 2005. The regular scheduled meeting for January 10, 2005 is the correct date.



Announcements:
  • Tioga County Association of Boroughs Christmas Party will be held Friday, December 17, 2004 at 7:00 P.M., Penn Wells Hotel, Main Street, Wellsboro, PA.


  • Northcentral PA Chapter American Red Cross Annual Holiday Open House will be held Wednesday, December 15, 2004 from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Tioga County Office, 120 Plaza Lane, Wellsboro, PA. Telephone (570) 724-2941.

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ADJOURNMENT: President Jerome Ogden closed the meeting at 8:15 P.M.

Next Council Meeting is scheduled for January 10, 2005 at 6:30 P.M.

Mary C. Signor, Borough Secretary

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