December 6, 2021
The Telford Borough Council meeting held this date was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President John Taylor with the following people in attendance: Miles Arnott, Bill Ashley, Robert Baker, Carolyn Crouthamel, Spencer Kulhanjian and Jeffrey Maxwell. Also present were Mayor David Snook, Public Works Director Gary Yoder, Solicitor Jim Jacquette, Fire Company President Jerry Guretse, Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Sparks, Police Chief Randall Floyd, Tax Collector John Fenstermacher, Margie Stern from the Indian Valley Public Library and residents Wendy Leshinskie, Dale Nice, Lori Rappold and Emiline Weiss. Manager Mark Fournier was absent.
The invocation was given by Spencer Kulhanjian, followed by the pledge of allegiance.
Council President John Taylor took a moment to congratulate Miles Arnott and Jeff Maxwell on their successful re-election bid. He also congratulated Emiline Weiss on her successful campaign to win a seat on Telford Borough Council. Mr. Taylor wanted to recognize that this will be both Mayor Snook and Councilman Bob Baker’s last full Council meeting and thanked them for their service and volunteerism to our community.
PUBLIC HEARING – ORDINANCE #424:
The Public Hearing opened at 7:32 pm and Ordinance #424, the Tax Levy Ordinance for 2022, was considered.
There were no comments from the audience and the Public Hearing was closed at 7:33 pm.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:
An Arnott/Crouthamel motion carried unanimously (7-0) approving the minutes of the November 1, 2021, Borough Council meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Council President John Taylor reported that the Borough has taken in 103.43% of its revenues and spent 85.26% of its expenditures as of the end of November 2021.
A Crouthamel/Kulhanjian motion carried unanimously (7-0) approving the Treasurer’s Report for November 2021.
MAYOR’S REPORT: We did not receive a written monthly report for the file.
Mayor David Snook reported that the Mayor’s Dinner was well attended. He also indicated that this is his last meeting as Mayor and wishes the best to our newly-elected Mayor Jerry Guretse.
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 did not receive a written monthly report for the file.
Margie Stern from the Indian Valley Public Library wanted to thank the Borough Council for all of their support, and she also reported that the Library is back to normal hours but not at full capacity; they are keeping the curbside pick-up along with the adult virtual programs.
Councilman Arnott commented on reminding Ms. Stern on the issue of the constituents concerns on the placement of certain material in the location of the children’s section in the Library.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
MANAGER’S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
BUILDING OFFICIAL’S REPORT: We did not receive a written monthly report for the file.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT: We did not receive a written monthly report for the file.
Solicitor Jim Jacquette advised that there would be a litigation update to discuss in our Executive Session and that it was confirmed that Telford Happenings, Inc. received non-profit status from the IRS this month. Bob Baker requested confirmation that Telford Happenings Inc was 501 (c) (3). The Solicitor confirmed that yes, it is, and added that the Lutheran Home process is going along well.
ENGINEER’S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:
Resident Dale Nice wanted to thank the Public Works Department for all of their hard work on collecting leaves. Mr. Nice also wanted to bring attention to parking in the alley behind West Broad Street. He indicated that for the past three years, the Popcorn Works employees have been parking in the alley, which is causing trucks not to be able to pass through. He also indicated that there is a business in a barn, and they are also blocking the alley on a consistent basis.
Chief Floyd indicated that he would personally check it out.
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE: Ms. Crouthamel
A-1 A Crouthamel/Arnott motion carried unanimously (7-0) adopting Tax Levy Ordinance #424 as presented.
A-2 A Crouthamel/Ashley motion carried unanimously (7-0) accepting the 2022 holiday schedule as presented.
A-3 A Crouthamel/Maxwell motion carried unanimously (7-0) authorizing the tax certification fee to be increased from $20.00 to $40.00.
A-4 A Crouthamel/Ashley motion carried unanimously (7-0) authorizing payment of bills for the month of November 2021 in the amount of $260,323.31.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE: There was nothing to report at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE:
E-1 An Arnott/Crouthamel motion carried unanimously (7-0) authorizing the appropriate officers to sign the Northern Montgomery County Recycling Commission Compost Agreement Renewal as presented.
PUBLIC WORKS/BUILDINGS & PLANT COMMITTEE: Mr. Ashley
Council Member Bill Ashley commented on how well of a job the Public Works Crew did on the leaf collection and all of the decorations. He also referenced that the Indian Valley Regional Planning Commission will be starting a comprehensive study for the Indian Valley Public Library.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Mr. Arnott
PS-1 An Arnott/Kulhanjian motion carried unanimously (7-0) approving the following additional activities for the Telford Volunteer Fire Company: Souderton Holiday Parade on December 4th, fire police assistance at Sellersville Winterfest on December 7th, Telford Tree Lighting on December 10th and the Telford Fire Company Santa Run on December 18th.
DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURE COMMITTEE: Mr. Baker
DC-1 Council President John Taylor informed Council that the Telford Tree Lighting will start at 6:00 p.m. with Santa arriving at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 10th. He also indicated that Goodwill will be providing hot dogs, coffee, and hot chocolate, Girl Scouts will be providing cookies, and the Boy Scouts will be providing smores.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Council member Miles Arnott wanted to thank Robert Baker and Mayor Snook, the two key leaders for their services and dedication to our Borough. He also wanted to welcome Emiline Weiss to Council and Jerry Guretse as our new Mayor.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Telford Borough Council entered Executive Session at 8:20 pm to discuss a matter of personnel and litigation.
Borough Council closed Executive Session at 8:50 pm.
An Arnott/Ashley motion carried unanimously (7-0) approving a salary increase for Chief Randall Floyd for $4,000.00 above and after the annual increase.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm by an Crouthamel/Arnott motion.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Windfelder
Recording Secretary
