Council Meeting
July 12, 2016
Chancellor Center
President of Council Robert Walker called the regular monthly meeting of Newtown Borough Council to order at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, July 12, 2016. President Walker asked those in attendance to join him in a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Councillors Gusty, King, McDermott, Walker and Warren; Mayor Swartz and Solicitor Bolla. Absent: Councillor Grunde-McLaughlin
Public to be Heard
No one wished to be heard at this time.
Mayor's Report - Charles F. Swartz, III
Special Event Reminders
Fundraiser on July 27, 2016, 4 – 8 P.M. in the Newtown Fire Company parking lot, sponsored by Jay's Steaks & Hoagies to benefit the Newtown Fire Company
Movies in the Park – July 13th ET, July 20th Labyrinth, July 27th Pirates of the Caribbean Black Pearl, and August 3rd Star Wars-Force Awakens (begin at dusk), sponsored by Recreation Board
The Mayor reported the temporary closure of W. Penn Street on July 13 and 14, between S. State Street and the parking lot behind Newtown Centre Beer, for repairs due to construction.
Mayor Swartz reported that the Civil Service Commission is waiting for results of the written tests [taken by those applying for the full-time Police Officer position] to review later this week.
President's Report – Robert Walker
The upcoming 2016 Bucks County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events are listed on the Newtown Borough website as follows:
7/23/2016 - Central Bucks South High School, 1100 Folly Road – Warrington Township
8/6/2016 – Quakertown Community High School, 600 Park Ave (rear lot) – Quakertown Borough
8/27/2016 – Bucks County Technical High School, 610 Wistar Road – Bristol Township
Penn Street, between S. Chancellor and S. Lincoln Streets, will be closed for road repairs within the next 2 weeks for 1-2 days. The dates will be posted on the borough website.
Certificates of Appropriateness – Chris Gusty (in absence of Robert King)
v A motion was duly made by Councillor Gusty, seconded by Councillor McDermott, and carried unanimously, to follow the recommendation of the Historic Architectural Review Board and direct President of Council to sign the following Certificates of Appropriateness, thereby approving the historical appropriateness of the application, with final approval by the Code Enforcement Officer.
COA 2016-23-H Applicant: Jennifer Capozzola, 10 S. State Street, Unit 10B (2nd floor, rear), Jennifer Capozzola Photography
The applicant was seeking a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of a hanging sign and a wall sign for the photo studio.
COA 2016-025-H Applicant: Randy Appel, 212 S. State Street – Steeple View LLP, Francesca’s
The applicant was seeking a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of 11 signs: 1 hanging flag sign, 1 wall sign (composed of individual channel letters), and 9 window signs, noting:
· Approval was for the design of the signage only.
· Zoning issues related to number of signs are yet to be resolved.
COA 2016-022-H Applicants: Jeff & Sheri Sturgis, 23 S. Chancellor Street, residence
The applicant was seeking a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of a wooden fence at the sides and rear of the house.
Presentation of Minutes
v A motion was duly made by Councillor Warren, seconded by Councillor Gusty, and carried unanimously, to approve the June 8, 2016 Work Session Meeting minutes.
v Following the arrival of Councillor King, a quorum was reached and a motion was duly made by Councillor Warren, seconded by Councillor King, and carried, with Councillor McDermott abstaining, to approve the June 14, 2016 Council Meeting minutes.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget & Finance – Robert Walker, Perry Warren & Chris Gusty
Consolidated Report
v A motion was duly made by Councillor Warren, seconded by Councillor Gusty, and carried unanimously, to accept, subject to audit, the Consolidated Expenditure Report for the month of June totaling $223,754.16.
v A motion was duly made by Councillor Gusty, seconded by Councillor McDermott, and carried unanimously, to approve Phase I Escrow Release #6 for Steeple View LP in the amount of $74,215.00 as recommended by the Engineer.
v A motion was duly made by Councillor Gusty, seconded by Councillor Warren, and carried unanimously, to authorize payment to Haines Paving & Landscaping for the Centre Avenue Resurfacing Project in the amount of $31,678.00 as recommended by Engineer Canales.
Environmental Advisory Council – Perry Warren
Councillor Warren reported that he researched, revised and rewrote the Resolution from Newtown Township which opposes the Elcon Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant at the Keystone Industrial Port Complex in Falls Township. The proposed Resolution was distributed to Council, approved by Solicitor Bolla, will be discussed at the August Work Session, and acted upon at the August Council Meeting. The EAC recommends that Borough Council adopt the Resolution.
Personnel Committee –Kevin McDermott
Councillor McDermott reminded the public of the open committee positions-one for Environmental Advisory Council, two for Human Relations, one for Shade Tree Commission, and members for Ad Hoc Traffic Committee
Solicitor’s Report – William J. Bolla
Solicitor Bolla reported that the Planning Commission concluded its duties regarding the Steeple View Land Development Project. It now becomes the duty of Borough Council to review the land development and schedule public hearings. Solicitor Bolla is reviewing potential meeting dates in August for the first hearing, [following the Work Session and Council Meeting] with Attorney Duffy. Mr. Bolla reported that Mr. Duffy approved the extension of hearings past September 15, 2016. Borough Council will review the Planning Commission's report at the August Work Session.
Old Business
Councillor King requested that a note be added to the HARB Application and the Open Access Channel to prevent future demolition in the Historic District without prior approval from the Joint Historic Commission. Mr. King reported there are substantial penalties stated in the Ordinance pertaining to demolition, including wording that a $1,000 penalty per day be accrued until the building is reconstructed to its original state. There is shared concern among the Joint Historic Commission and Zoning Officer Brown. Councillor King read his note that will be further reviewed and edited by the Joint Historic Commission and HARB. Mr. King will research how other local municipalities react to demolition violations in response to President Walker's request. Further discussion will take place at the August Work Session and a vote will be taken at the Council Meeting.
Councillor Warren reported that he and Treasurer Ours were contacted by FEMA, seeking additional documentation regarding the existing claim for emergency relief funds requested due to Snow Storm Jonas. Additional funds were applied for to cover the costs of police assistance and snow removal.
New Business
President Walker reported that our auditors requested a rate fee increase last month. Since the Borough had negotiated a set fee of $12,500/year 4 years ago, and is in the 3rd year of a 3-year contract, Treasurer Ours opposed the increase. Ms. Ours, upon being informed that the audit firm changed ownership and was discontinuing municipal audits, notified President Walker and a discussion ensued with the auditor agreeing to retain Newtown Borough as a client at a cost of $15,000 per audit. The Budget & Finance Committee will be conducting a search for new Auditors for 2017.
v A motion was duly made by Councillor McDermott, seconded by Councillor King, and carried unanimously, to authorize an additional payment for the annual audit [to Weinstein & Company, PC Certified Public Accountants, formerly doing business as Stanley N. Booz & Co.] in the amount of $2,500.
Public to be Heard
No one wished to be heard at this time.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy S. Musto
Borough Secretary
ATTENDEES
Julia & Warren Woldorf
Council Minutes
July 12, 2016
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