Newville Borough Council s1

NEWVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING NOVEMBER 24, 2015 AT 7:00PM

The regular monthly meeting of the Newville Borough Council was held on November 24, 2015 at 7:00PM in the Newville Borough Office, 4 West Street, Newville, Pennsylvania. The meeting was called to order by Council President Jody Gilbert. The invocation was offered by Vice President Clarence Fry, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. On roll call, the following members were present: Clarence Fry, Glenn Harry, Kim Heckendorn, Edward Sinkovitz, James Swartz and Jody Gilbert. Also present were: Borough Solicitor Marcus A. McKnight, III, Esquire, Officer Jarreau Dodson, Deputy Fire Chief Bradley Stouffer, Code Enforcement Officer Timothy Wolfe, Emergency Management Director Bob Shively, Jr.. Also present: Kristi Keebaugh, Sharon Keebaugh, James Burkholder, Gail Wolfe, Colin Hurley. News media: Curtis Garland for the Valley Times Star.

Citizen Comments: Tim Wolfe thanked the Borough Council and the Public Works Department for the curbside leaf collection. The Borough Council welcomed Colin Hurley, a member of Boy Scout Troop 174 who was in attendance working to earn a merit badge for citizenship.

Minutes: A motion was made by Mr. Sinkovitz, seconded by Mr. Harry to approve the adoption of the minutes for the October 27, 2015 regular monthly meeting. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes.

Finances: The payment of bills was approved by Mr. Harry, seconded by Mr. Fry. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative, and zero (0) negative votes. The Treasurer’s Report was approved on a motion by Mr. Swartz, seconded by Mr. Fry. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. There were no Highway Aid bills submitted for payment.

Reports: -Fire Chief: Deputy Chief Bradley Stouffer presented the Fire Chief’s report. There were 27 alarms for the month of October. Houck Construction Services is in the process of completing the new roof on the rear section of the fire station. -Police Chief: The report of Chief Koser was accepted as presented. -Mayor Toth: The report of Mayor Toth was accepted as presented. -Emergency Management Coordinator: There was no report. -Chief Plants Operator: The report of Mr. Lehman was accepted as presented. -Zoning Officer: The report of Mr. Potzer was accepted as presented. -Code Enforcement Officers: The reports of Code Enforcement Officers Timothy Wolfe and Jarreau Dodson were accepted as presented. -Water and Sewer Field Operations: The report of Mr. Zeigler was accepted as presented. -Street Superintendent: The report of Mr. Handshew was accepted as presented. -WCCOG: Mr. Fry reported that the COG has agreed to assess membership dues at 50% for 2016. A motion was made by Mr. Fry, seconded by Mr. Harry to approve the payment of the WCCOG membership dues totaling $106.72. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. -WEMA: President Robert Shively, Jr. provided a WEMA update. The North Newton Township Board of Supervisors have requested that WEMA move its emergency vehicle from their garage by December 31, 2015. Presently, WEMA owns two emergency vehicles that are titled and insured by North Newton Township. Mr. Shively asked Borough Council to consider accepting title to the vehicles. He further explained that WEMA will assume all costs related to the title transfer, insurance and maintenance of the vehicles. A motion was made by Mr. Sinkovitz, seconded by Mr. Swartz to accept title of the WEMA vehicles and to add the vehicles to the borough insurance policy, provided that WEMA shall assume all costs and financial responsibilities. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. -Solid Waste and Recycling Coordinator: No report.

Legal Matters: A motion was made by Mr. Harry, seconded by Mr. Fry to approve the adoption of a Newville Borough Police Department policy for the use of body cameras. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. Solicitor McKnight shared with the members provisions of the Tax Collection Law regarding the payment of interest penalties for the late payment of taxes. It was noted that the school district and county levy a ten percent (10%) penalty for the late payment of taxes. Members agreed that the borough’s penalty for late payment of taxes should be consistent with the other taxing bodies. A motion was made by Mr. Harry, seconded by Mr. Swartz to authorize the advertisement of the 2016 tax ordinance, along with the increased penalty of ten percent (10%) for late payment of taxes. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. A motion was made by Mr. Swartz, seconded by Mr. Fry to approve the adoption of Resolution 2015-07, adopting a revised comprehensive fee schedule for the Borough of Newville. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes.

Borough Solicitor’s Report: Mr. McKnight had nothing further to report.

Committee Reports: Finance: Mrs. Gilbert reported the following collections from the Cumberland County Tax Bureau for the month of November: EIT $6,295.60, LST $384.87. A total of $25,900 in real estate and occupational taxes remain outstanding as of November 1, 2015. Personnel: No report. Public Safety: Mr. Fry commended the police department for its handling of a drug investigation and subsequent arrest at a North Corporation Street apartment. Recreation: Mr. Sinkovitz reported on a meeting held recently with the Cumberland/Perry Vocational Technical School concerning a new gazebo for the Newville Community Park. Mr. Sinkovitz shared a sketch plan of the gazebo. Plans are to construct the structure at the school, and then transport it to Newville. Assembly at the park is expected to take one day. Mrs. Gilbert suggested the Council should hold a ribbon ceremony once the park improvements have been completed. Public Works: Mr. Heckendorn reported that curbside leaf collections will end on December 1, 2015. Only bagged leaf collections will take place thereafter. Beautification Commission: Mr. Wolfe reported that the Commission’s Christmas wreath sale went very well. The members may schedule the event for early December next year. Mr. Wolfe thanked the Conifer Tree Farm for their cooperation with the event. Plans are to place luminaires at the Laughlin Mill the week before Christmas. A Christmas porch decorating contest will be judged on December 20, 2015. Four prizes will be awarded to borough residents.

Old Business: A motion was made by Mr. Fry, seconded by Mr. Sinkovitz to approve the adoption of the 2016 General Fund, Highway Aid, Rental Inspection, Street Lightings and Fire Tax budgets. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes.

New Business: A motion was made by Mr. Fry, seconded by Mr. Swartz to approve painting the curb in front of the driveway at 16A & B East Big Spring Avenue, and to post a “No Parking Driveway” sign at this location. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. A motion was made by Mr. Harry, seconded by Mr. Swartz to approve a site development plan for a new convenience store at 52A South High Street, as submitted by Kenneth Kane, subject to the applicant’s compliance with four (4) conditions of approval set by the Planning Commission. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. A motion was made by Mr. Sinkovitz, seconded by Mr. Harry to authorize the Borough Manager to advertise for a part time utility worker for the Newville Water and Sewer Authority. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes.

Police Report: Officer Dodson provided an update regarding several investigations on- going by the Newville Borough Police Department. A recent investigation led to the arrest of an individual who was operating a marijuana grow operation within his apartment on North Corporation Street. Officer Dodson reported that the department has been assisted in many investigations by information provided by the public. Several residents in attendance commended the work of the police department. It was suggested that a neighborhood crime watch program be considered for the borough. Other suggestions included increasing the frequency of rental unit inspections from five years to every three years; publishing the names of landlords who own rental properties where criminal activity takes place; holding a meeting with Newville landlords to discuss the need for better screening of tenants and closer monitoring of rental units. Officer Dodson concluded his remarks by adding that Officer Wagner is now working a patrol shift, and Officer Hoover will soon be assigned the duties of school resource officer.

Correspondence: The Friendship Hose Company No. 1, Inc. will hold its annual awards ceremony banquet on January 15, 2016 at 6:30PM. Reservations are requested by January 6, 2016. Mary Schoedel, Library Director at the John Graham Library forwarded a letter of appreciation to the Council for including the library in the borough’s 2016 general fund budget. The North Newton Township Board of Supervisors have extended an invitation to council and staff to attend their Christmas party on December 23, 2015 from 12Noon to 2PM at the township office.

Borough Manager’s Report: A motion was made by Mr. Fry, seconded by Mr. Swartz to authorize advertisement of the 2016 meeting schedule. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. A motion was made by Mr. Harry, seconded by Mr. Swartz to allow the closing of the municipal parking lot in 2016 for Jeffrey Bouder’s annual Halloween Block Party. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. It was reported that there are two period lights on Big Spring Avenue that are out of service. Borough Council directed that as the high pressure sodium lights fail, the fixtures should be upgraded to LED.

Executive Session: The Council adjourned to Executive Session at 8:07PM to discuss a personnel matter related to Emergency Management. Mrs. Gilbert announced that a vote may follow the session. Borough Council returned to regular session at 8:20PM. A motion was made by Mr. Harry, seconded by Mr. Sinkovitz to designate Dennis Powell as local emergency management coordinator and James Swartz as deputy emergency management coordinator upon the resignation of Robert H. Shively, Jr.. All were in favor. Motion was passed with five (5) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. Mr. Swartz abstained.

Council President’s Remarks: Mrs. Gilbert wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving holiday.

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Newville Borough Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:21PM on a motion of Mr. Harry, seconded by Mr. Sinkovitz. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. The next meeting of the Newville Borough Council will be held on December 15, 2015 at 7:00PM in the Newville Borough Office.

MINUTES RECORDED BY:

______FRED A. POTZER Borough Manager/Secretary