Newville Borough Council

NEWVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 AT 7:00PM

The regular monthly meeting of the Newville Borough Council was held on September 30, 2014 at 7:00PM in the Newville Borough Office, 4 West Street, Newville, Pennsylvania. The meeting was called to order by Council President Jody Gilbert at 7:00PM. 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 , Karl Smith and Jody Gilbert. Also present were: Mayor William A. Toth, Borough Solicitor Marcus A. McKnight, III, Police Chief Randy Finkey, Borough Manager Fred Potzer, Administrative Assistant Myra Barrick. Visitors: Robert Darius, Dr. Jack Showley. News media: Curtis Garland for the Valley Times Star and Samantha Madison for the Sentinel.

Citizen Comments: Robert Darius explained he has “Power of Attorney” to represent the owner of the proposed jewelry store. Mrs. Gilbert responded the plan will be addressed under new business. Dr. Jack Showley commented that a news article that appeared in the Sentinel as part of a real estate insert was poorly written and grossly inaccurate. Chief Finkey commented that he read the article and could not understand where the Sentinel obtained the crime statistics. Dr. Showley commented that he has paid to advertise in the Sentinel and is very concerned that the newspaper has done the community a great disservice.

Minutes: The minutes of the August 21, 2014 special meeting and the August 26, 2014 regular monthly meeting were approved on a motion of Mr. Sinkovitz, seconded by Mr. Fry All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes.

Finances: The payment of bills was approved 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 Treasurer’s Report was approved on a motion of Mr. Fry, seconded by Mr. Sinkovitz. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes.

Reports: -Fire Chief: There was no report. -Police Chief: Chief Finkey reported that calls for service were a lower in the month of August. The Mayor’s report shows revenues of $1,828.31. The Chief updated members of Council regarding the meetings that have been held to address dispatching problems associated with the police west talk group. He advised Council that the county is considering the use of a silent dispatch method for police. Radio transmissions for dispatch will be replaced by computer messages sent from the 911 center to patrol cars in the field. This will almost certainly require an upgrade of the patrol car computers. The report of Chief Finkey was accepted as presented. -Code Enforcement Officer: The reports of Officer Pyatt and Officer Koser were accepted as presented. -Emergency Management Coordinator: There was no report. -Chief Plants Operator: The report of Mr. Lehman was accepted as presented. -Water and Sewer Field Operations: The report of Mr. Lehman was accepted as presented. -Zoning Officer: The report of Mr. Potzer was accepted as presented. -Street Superintendent: The report of Mr. Handshew was accepted as presented. -WCCOG: No report. -WEMA: No report.

-Solid Waste and Recycling Coordinator: The report of Mr. Handshew was accepted as presented.

Legal Matters: A motion was made by Mr. Harry, seconded by Mr. Fry to approve an agreement between the Borough of Newville and the Pennsylvania Department of Education for a $30,000 School Resource Officer Grant. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes.

Solicitor’s Report: Mr. McKnight is in the process of sending notices to customers who are delinquent with their trash collection bills. The right-of-way agreements required for the opening of Zeigler Street extended should be prepared for the next Council meeting. Borough Council will be required to adopt an Ordinance before the alley can legally be opened.

Committee Reports: -Finance: Mr. Smith reported that EIT for the month was received as follows: CAP TAX $60.79; Cumberland County Tax Bureau $10,882.13. -Personnel: Mr. Harry reported that the Personnel Committee met on September 28, 2014 to interview four applicants for winter maintenance. The applicants must complete a driver’s check before final recommendation is made to council. A letter was received from Chief Finkey regarding the six month probationary period of Officer Dodson. He has successfully completed the first half of his probationary period. A motion was made by Mr. Harry, seconded by Mr. Sinkovitz to approve a six-month step raise for Officer Dodson in the amount of $1,500. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. A motion was made by Mr. Fry, seconded by Mr. Sinkovitz to approve adding Officer Dodson as Code Enforcement Officer, and to approve that each officer assigned to the code enforcement detail shall receive $5,616 per year, effective immediately. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. -Public Safety: Mr. Fry reported the Public Safety Committee will meet with representatives of the fire company on October 2, 2014 at 7:00PM in the firehouse to discuss common goals to improve public safety within the borough. -Recreation: Mr. Sinkovitz reported a Boy Scout Troop from Shippensburg recently enjoyed a campout at the Newville Trailhead. The new sidewalks on West Street provide not only safety for the students of the Newville Elementary School, they provide a wonderful recreation opportunity for borough residents wishing to jog or enjoy an evening walk. -Public Works: Mr. Heckendorn reported that fall brush collection will be held on October 6-7, 2014. The employees are busy preparing the equipment for winter. A motion was made by Mr. Harry, seconded by Mr. Sinkovitz to approve assistance to the Borough of Newburg with fall leaf collection. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes.

Old Business: A motion was made by Mr. Harry, seconded by Mr. Fry to authorize the Borough Manager to issue a “Notice to Proceed” to Valley Quarries Inc. for the 2014 Street Resurfacing Program in the amount of $50,000. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes.

New Business: A motion was made by Mr. Harry, seconded by Mr. Smith to accept a recommendation of the Planning Commission to approve the site development plan of Hamoon Gold and Jewelry to establish a jewelry store and office at 6-8-10 West Big Spring Avenue. All were in favor, with the exception of Mr. Fry who abstained. Motion was passed with five (5) affirmative votes, zero (0) negative votes and one (1) abstention – Mr. Fry. A motion was made by Mr. Harry, seconded by Mr. Smith to require that Hamoon Gold and Jewelry must comply with all provisions of the Newville Zoning Ordinance relating to business signs. 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. Fry to approve the preliminary and final subdivision plan of the Walter Fickes Trust for the creation of two new parcels on Little League Avenue. 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. Fry to approve the 2015 police and non-uniformed pension MMO’s as presented by Thomas Anderson and Associates. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. A motion was made by Mr. Fry, seconded by Mr. Harry to award a bid for the 2015 lawn maintenance services in the amount of $6,975 to Myers Landscaping and Lawn Care. 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. Smith to award a bid for the 2014- 2015 Emergency Snow Removal Equipment Contract to Blue Mountain Excavating. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes. Mr. Sinkovitz urged the Borough Council to consider a mandatory retirement age for all employees. A motion was made by Mr. Harry, seconded by Mr. Smith to authorize the Borough Solicitor to prepare an Ordinance that will abolish the two ward voting system in favor of at- large voting throughout the borough. All were in favor, with the exception of Mr. Sinkovitz who was opposed. Motion was passed with five (5) affirmative and one (1) negative vote.

Correspondence: A motion was made by Mr. Sinkovitz, seconded by Mr. Fry to approve free meter parking on Big Spring Avenue on October 4, 2014, in conjunction with the John Graham Library Fall Festival. 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 approve a request from the Newville Joint Veterans Council to hold the annual Veterans Day Service on November 11, 2014 at 11AM at the fountain. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) negative votes.

Borough Manager’s Report: The report of the Borough Manager was accepted as presented.

Mayor’s Comments: Mayor Toth reported that there were no wedding ceremonies performed during the third quarter. No fees were collected.

Council President’s Remarks: Mrs. Gilbert had no comments.

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Newville Borough Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15PM on a motion of Mr. Harry, seconded by Mr. Fry. 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 October 28, 2014 at 7:00PM in the Borough Office. MINUTES RECORDED BY:

______FRED A. POTZER

Borough Manager/Secretary