MOUNT GRETNA BOROUGH

MINUTES

December 12, 2011

 

 

Charles Allwein, President, called the meeting of the Mount Gretna Borough Council to order at 7:00 p.m.   The meeting was held in the Boardroom, rear of Post Office, Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania.

 

Charles B. Allwein, President                                        John Hambright, Vice-President

William Kleinfelter                                                        Virginia Minnich                                   

Linda Bell, Secretary/Treasurer                                     Keith Kilgore, Solicitor

William Care, Public Works Director/Code Enforcement Officer

 

Council members absent: 

Joseph Shay, Mayor – Fire Company activities

Michael Bell

 

Kathy Hackelman, Lebanon Daily News

 

Virginia Minnich made a motion to accept the November meeting minutes as presented. William Kleinfelter seconded the motion. All were in favor.

 

John Hambright made a motion to accept the November Financial Report and Invoice listing as presented. Virginia Minnich seconded the motion. All were in favor.

 

President Allwein read the November police reports. A copy of the report is attached and heretofore made part of the minutes. 

 

FROM:                                               

PA State Assoc of Boroughs                Nominations for 2^nd Vice President of Association

PA State Assoc of Boroughs                Annual Report & Directory

Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority        Meeting minutes available on website - www.goglra.org

Lebanon Community Library                 December Newsletter

Lebanon County Controller                   Copy of Audit of District Judge Christine Heck

            Bobbi Warshaw, Borough Resident      Copy of Lebanon Daily News Article

 

President Allwein elaborated on the newspaper article which Bobbi Warshaw shared concerning the Palmyra Library getting paid whenever anybody switches electricity suppliers through its website. 

 

Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority Representative: President Allwein reported that Karl Kerchner is willing to continue serving as the Borough’s representative to GLRA for an additional five year term. John Hambright made a motion to appoint Karl Kerchner as GLRA representative. Virginia Minnich seconded the motion. All were in favor.

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

 

 

MAYOR:  No Report

 

MOUNT GRETNA VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY: No Report

 

SOLICITOR:  No Report

 

William Care gave the following report:

 

Leaf & Brush Collection: Leaf collection has been completed for the fall. Brush collection is on going due to the large amount of tree damage caused by the October snow storm. Although most has been collected, brush is still being placed curbside. 

 

Reports of dangerous trees and limbs are still being made to the office. We are dealing with these as needed.

 

Street Patching/Paving: Mr. Care met with a contractor concerning preparing bid specification guidelines for seal coating. Hopefully, the bid process will be completed in time to have the project completed prior to the summer season.

 

Bid Requirements: Bid requirements have changed for municipal governments. No bid required under a cost of $10,000.00; three phone quotes for costs up to $18,500.00.

 

Equipment:   No Report

 

Retaining Wall at 309 Lancaster Avenue: No Report

Brown Avenue Project: No Report

 

CODE ENFORCEMENT:   No Report

 

 

Pennsylvania Chautauqua:  The Chautauqua board approved the proposed budget as presented at the November meeting. Chautauqua Maintenance Fees will increase .07% from $710.00 in 2011 to $716.00 for 2012; Garbage/Recycle Fees will increase from $175.00 to $180.00 per the hauler’ contract. The public safety fees increase from $164.25 to $171.63 per police contract.

 

Mount Gretna Authority: The Authority approved the proposed budget as presented at the November meeting. The new budget includes a 1.48% increase in water assessments rates and a 3.5% increase in sewer assessment rates. 

 

2012 Budget: William Kleinfelter made a motion to approve the 2012 budget as presented at the November meeting. The budgeted tax rate remains the same (no increase) as the past three years, at 15.97 mils. John Hambright seconded the motion. All were in favor.

 

 

Ordinance #178: Virginia Minnich made a motion to adopt Ordinance #178 fixing the rate of tax for the fiscal year for 2012 at 15.97 mils. John Hambright seconded the motion. All were in favor.

 

Resolution # 12-12-11: William Kleinfelter made a motion to adopt resolution #12-12-11 to continue the earned income tax and real estate transfer tax for 2012 at one percent each. Virginia Minnich seconded the motion. All were in favor

 

Resolution # 12-12-11(A): John Hambright made a motion to adopt resolution #12-12-11(A) appointing the certified public accounting firm of Stanilla, Siegel and Maser, PC to make an independent examination of the accounting records of the Borough. Virginia Minnich seconded the motion. All were in favor.

 

Resolution # 12-12-11(B): Virginia Minnich made a motion to adopt resolution #12-12-11(B) that all or any portion of the liquid fuels funds of the Borough for year 2012, otherwise designated for construction, reconstruction or widening of roads, streets, bridges and drainage structures, shall be used for the purpose of maintenance and/or repair of existing roads, streets, bridges and drainage structures. William Kleinfelter seconded the motion. All were in favor.

 

 

 

Virginia Minnich made a motion to adjourn. William Kleinfelter seconded the motion. All were in favor.

 

ADJOURNMENT

7:40 PM

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

  

Linda A. Bell, Secretary/Treasurer

Mount Gretna Borough Council