The Telford Borough Council meeting held this date was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by Vice-President Jeffrey Maxwell with the following members in attendance: Robert Baker, Carolyn Crouthamel, J. Allen Landis and James Schaeffer. Also present were Public Works Director Gary Yoder, Police Chief Randall Floyd, Tax Collector Emiline Weiss, Solicitor Mark Weand, Engineer Patrick DiGangi, Mary Stover from CKS Engineers, Telford Fire Company President Jerry Guretse, Recording Secretary Megan McShane, resident Lori Rappold, and a reporter. Scott Hillegass, Stanley Nyce and Mayor David Snook were absent.

The invocation was given by J. Allen Landis, followed by the pledge of allegiance.

AUDIT PRESENTATION:

Greg Ede from Styer Associates reviewed the Telford Borough Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2015. Mr. Ede also gave a detailed overview of GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board) Statement No. 68, which is the Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions and a major addition to his financial audit of 2015.

There was a clean opinion of the Audit. A Landis/Crouthamel motion carried unanimously (5-0) accepting the 2015 Audit.

 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:

A Crouthamel/Landis motion carried unanimously (5-0) approving the minutes of the August 1, 2016 Borough Council meeting.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

As of August 30, 2016, the Borough has taken in 78% of our revenues and has spent 61.1% of our expenditures.

The Borough spent $18,400 on the refurbishment of the tennis courts. In addition, we were over budget in the Emergency Management – Machinery & Equipment category due to repairs needed on the emergency management vehicle. The Borough is also over budget in the Cleaning of Streets & Gutters – Machinery & Equipment Purchase category, since the Borough purchased a newer used street sweeper sooner than anticipated. We were already putting money aside into Capital Reserve for that future purchase, but an opportunity arose on Municibid to purchase a newer used street sweeper that’s in good condition, and was cheaper than what the Borough anticipated spending.

A Crouthamel/Schaeffer motion carried unanimously (5-0) approving the Treasurer’s Report for the month of August, 2016.

MAYOR’S REPORT: We did not receive a written monthly report for the file.

POLICE REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.

FIRE REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.

 LIBRARY REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.

 PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.

Public Works Director Gary Yoder asked that everyone continue to pray for Bill Mattson as he recovers from his recent surgery, and also asked that everyone keep Maureen Wurst in their prayers as she recovers in the hospital from a sudden illness.

MANAGER’S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.

The Acorn Avenue/School Lane Alley project has come to a halt due to a stone issue at the quarries. We must use a specific stone (DSA) as required by the Montgomery County Conservation District. A limited number of quarries in our area mine and make this stone. Currently, both quarries’ stone do not comply with their gradation requirements. They both have submitted samples to be retested to the MCCD.

BUILDING OFFICIAL’S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.

Solicitor Mark Weand and Manager Mark Fournier gave Council an update on the property maintenance enforcement actions for the Keeler properties in both Bucks and Montgomery Counties.

ENGINEER’S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.

Engineer Patrick DiGangi reported that the Borough received revised plans for 329 Erie Avenue, but the developer has not met all of the conditions that were issued for plan approval and the plan has not yet been recorded nor developer’s agreements signed.

Construction of the detention basin and installation of stormwater piping is currently underway at the Arlington Square development. Sanitary sewer and waterline construction should begin in the coming weeks.

COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE: Mr. Landis

A-1       A Landis/Crouthamel motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving the bills for the month of August, 2016 in the amount of $ 242,385.06.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE: Nothing to report at this time.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE: Mr. Nyce

E-1       As a requirement for Telford Borough’s NPDES Permit, Mary Stover from CKS Engineers gave an MS4 presentation to Borough Council outlining the DEP requirements for the MS4 program and permit application process. This will require significant expenditures and Borough effort in the next permit cycle over the next several years. Some potential projects may include stream bank stabilization and detention basin retrofit projects. The Borough will be required to apply for a new NPDES Permit in 2017.

PUBLIC WORKS/BUILDINGS & PLANT COMMITTEE: Nothing to report at this time.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Mr. Schaeffer

PS-1     Police Chief Randall Floyd reported that he has been unable to obtain a grant to purchase a new Bucks County radio for the police department, because the current one is no longer compatible since Bucks County changed their radio system.  Without this radio, there is a delay in receiving calls to assist the Hilltown Township, Perkasie Borough or Pennridge Regional Police Departments. The cost of the radio is $4,500.00.  Borough staff will incorporate the cost of the radio in the budget for 2017 if a grant search continues to be unsuccessful, as this is a valuable and important piece of communication equipment.

DEVELOPMENT & CULTURE COMMITTEE: Nothing to report at this time.

 OTHER BUSINESS:

 Councilman J. Allen Landis announced that he will be moving out of the Borough sometime in the fall and will therefore be resigning from Council. Various Council members thanked Mr. Landis for his many years of service to Telford Borough.

 The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 pm by a Crouthamel/Landis motion.

 Respectfully submitted,

 Mark D. Fournier                                                                                                                     

Secretary