REGULAR MEETING OF PALMERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL HELD IN BOROUGH HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018, AT 7:00 P.M. ****************************************************************************** Terry L. Costenbader, President of Council, called the duly advertised meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., with the following members present: Terry L. Costenbader, Council President Kris W. Hoffner, Vice-President Michael J. Ballard Randolph M. Gursky Richard L. Nothstein Christopher D. Olivia, Mayor Rodger P. Danielson, Manager/Secretary Donna I. McGarry, Recording Secretary Absent: Holly F. Hausman Sell William A. Gallagher VISITORS Ryan Shupp, 360 Lehigh Avenue; Nicole Swartz, 34 Penn Avenue, Palmerton; Scott Strohl, 105 Princeton Avenue; Jesse Ziegler, 760 Mauch Chunk Road; Mark Strohl, 632 Lafayette Avenue; Ron and Eve Peters, 422 Edgemont Avenue; Jason Behler, 1512 Fernwood Road, Slatington; Jared Cebrosky, 445 Princeton Avenue; Gerard Alfano, 609 Columbia Avenue. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE HEARING OF VISITORS Jared Cebrosky, 445 Princeton Avenue, is concerned about the woman who lives next to his home. He believes she is unstable and should not be living alone. The police have been called a number of times for various instances, and he is concerned for the safety of the children living in his home. The Mayor will discuss options with our solicitor. Ryan Shupp, 360 Lehigh Avenue, asked the status of emergency responses from the West End Fire Company. Fire Chief Jason Behler responded that the West End Fire Company recently suspended response to emergency calls. There is adequate staffing from the Palmerton Municipal Fire Company to ensure coverage for the town. Jessie Ziegler, 760 Mauch Chunk Road, is concerned the Municipal Fire Company is not centrally located and could not respond quickly enough to fire calls in the west end of town. He questioned the need for the West End Fire Company to suspend operations. Terry Costenbader stated that the West
End Fire Company is independently operated, and we cannot control their operation. Jason Behler, Fire Chief, read from a recent emergency call to the west end which had a response time of eight minutes. Ron Peters, a member of the West End Fire Company Board of Directors, explained that their membership has been dwindling and has only three certified firefighters. RATIFICATION OF MINUTES On motion by Richard Nothstein, second by Michael Ballard and voice vote, Council approved the minutes of the May 24, 2018 regular meeting. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS President Costenbader announced that a summary of the petitions and communications is available for public inspection in the Borough Office in the form of a weekly mail log. REPORTS OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND OFFICES 1. Treasurer s Report 5. Moving Permit Report 2. Zoning Officer Report 6. Code Compliance Agent Report 3. Police Department Report 7. Street Supervisor Report 4. Fire Chief Report President Costenbader announced that these are on file in the Borough Office for public inspection during regular business hours. MANAGER S REPORT Rodger Danielson reported: 1. Rehabilitation work has begun on the east plant industrial water system. The new Sixth Street chlorine reservoir should be online within ten days. Our engineer is designing plans for a new booster pump in the west end and a new water tank above Edgemont Avenue. These projects are being financed by the Municipal Authority. Once the tank is complete, improvements will be made to the dog park in that area by the Borough. 2. Seasonal ground maintenance and storm drain repairs are being done by the Public Works Department. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES FINANCE Kris Hoffner had no report.
PUBLIC RELATIONS/BOROUGH CODE Richard Nothstein reported: 1. On motion by Richard Nothstein, second by Kris Hoffner and voice vote, Council authorized the advertisement of Resolution 602-18 which terminates existence of the Palmerton Hospital Building Authority. BUILDINGS/RECREATION Michael Ballard reported: 1. On motion by Michael Ballard, second by Richard Nothstein and voice vote (Terry Costenbader abstained from the Pace-Makers Association request), Council approved the following use requests, subject to scheduling and availability: Applicant Facility Purpose Pace-Makers Association Park 2019 car show Naomi Betancourt Gym Zumba classes Palmerton Rifle & Pistol Club Rifle Range Rifle practice and matches Sabrina Smith Park Wedding Crusaders for a Cause Gym 2019 carnival Palmerton Preschool Elmer Valo Field Children s play day PUBLIC SAFETY Randolph Gursky reported: 1. On motion by Randolph Gursky, second by Michael Ballard and voice vote, Council retroactively approved the following: A. Appointment of Sergeant Chris Ritter as Officer in Charge during Chief Smith s June 7-11, 2018 absence. B. The request from Lehigh Township Supervisors for fire police assistance at their June 16, 2018 event. 2. On motion by Randolph Gursky, second by Michael Ballard and voice vote, Council approved the request from Fire Chief Jason Behler to take Engine 714 to training in Whitehall on July 8. STREETS & SIDEWALKS No report.
SEWER/SOLID WASTE/WATER Kris Hoffner reported: 1. On motion by Kris Hoffner, second by Richard Nothstein, and voice vote, Council authorized the advertisement of Ordinance 736 which regulates the use of dumpsters. 2. On motion by Kris Hoffner, second by Randolph Gursky and voice vote, Council authorized advertisement of Resolution 603 which sets fees for use of dumpsters. PERSONNEL Terry Costenbader reported: 1. On motion by Terry Costenbader, second by Richard Nothstein and voice vote, Council approved the following individuals for membership in the Palmerton Municipal Fire Company: Walter Haas Vincent Fronheiser Eve Peters Jason Peters Christopher Bartram DISPOSITION OF BILLS On motion by Richard Nothstein, second by Michael Ballard and voice vote, Council approved payment of the invoices and the check register as presented. REPORT OF THE MAYOR Mayor Christopher Olivia reported the Police Chief will be out due to surgery. Sergeant Ritter is training the new part-time police officer. OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS 1. On motion by Terry Costenbader, second by Michael Ballard and roll call vote, Council authorized advertisement of Ordinance 736 which amends the Fire Department ordinance. Roll Call Vote: Kris Hoffner Aye Michael Ballard Aye Richard Nothstein Aye Terry Costenbader Aye Randolph Gursky Nay Secretary recorded 4 aye, 1 nay; motion carried.
2. Richard Nothstein thanked the Mayor and Palmerton Football Team for their assistance in placing 1,200 flags around the perimeter of the Borough Park. The flags will remain until after the July 4 holiday. 3. Randolph Gursky commended the Pace-Makers Association s on the recent car show event. ADJOURNMENT On motion by Richard Nothstein, second by Michael Ballard and voice vote, Council adjourned the meeting at 7:34 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Donna I. McGarry Recording Secretary Rodger P. Danielson Manager/Secretary