October 3, 2022
The Telford Borough Council meeting held this date was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Bill Ashley with the following Council members in attendance: Carolyn Crouthamel, Spencer Kulhanjian, John Taylor, Robert Jacobus, and Emiline Weiss. Also present were Mayor Jerry Guretse, Public Works Director Gary Yoder, Police Chief Randall Floyd, Solicitor Andrew Knox, Finance Director Craig Davies, and Recording Secretary Diane Windfelder. Council member Jeffrey Maxwell was absent. In the audience was State Senator Maria Collett, Representative Steven R. Malagari, R. Eric Kratz, and Authority Chairman John Harrell and his wife Sandy.
The invocation was given by Carolyn Crouthamel, followed by the pledge of allegiance.
State Senator Maria Collett presented the Borough Council with a plaque for 125 years as follows:
Whereas, The Senate of Pennsylvania is always pleased to recognize those esteemed communities which, through the observance of significant events in their history, contribute to preserving the continuity of Pennsylvania’s great heritage; and
Whereas, The Borough of Telford is celebrating the momentous occasion of its one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary; and
Whereas, Established as a small village providing services such as the sale of dry goods and blacksmithing to farmers in the area, Telford Borough began providing merchants and farmers with a location to ship and receive goods and materials after the construction of the railroad during the mid-1800s. Following its incorporation as a Borough of Bucks County in 1886 and the incorporation of West Telford as a borough of Montgomery County in 1897, the two towns merged in 1936 to form Telford Borough. Currently consisting of nearly five thousand individuals, it offers a variety of restaurants and business including retail stores, salons, and barber shops, as well as a commercials district that provides services to the community and the surrounding areas. Located in the heart of the Indian Valley in both Bucks and Montgomery Counties, Telford Borough has been blessed with dedicated civic leaders who have helped it to grow and flourish, as well as diligent and productive citizens who have helped it to become an inspiring presence in this Commonwealth,
Now therefore, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania heartily congratulates the Borough of Telford on the momentous and joyous occasion of its one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary; offers best wishes for growth and prosperity in the years to come;
And directs that a copy of this document, sponsored by Senator Maria Collett, be transmitted to Borough of Telford, 50 Penn Avenue, Telford, Pennsylvania.
Representative Steven R. Malagari presented the Borough Council citation as follows:
Whereas, It always is with a deep sense of pride that the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania recognizes those communities that strive to preserve the traditions of the past as they encourage the strength and growth of community spirit in the present and for future generations: and
Whereas, The Borough of Telford is being congratulated upon the momentous occasion of its one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary; and
Whereas, Originally two separate municipalities in two counties, Telford Brough was incorporated in Bucks County in 1886 and West Telford was incorporated as of borough of Montgomery County in 1897, and the two were combined into the current community in the 1930s. A valuable present in this Commonwealth, it is a community which has always been blessed with steadfast citizens, concerned community and civic-minded leaders, lasting traditions and a resilient spirit that have helped it to thrive for one hundred twenty-five years and prepared it to meet the challenges of the future.
Now therefore, the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania pays tribute to the Borough of Telford upon the momentous occasion of its one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary; affirmatively states that its wealth of contributions over the years is a vital facet of this Commonwealth’s rich history; extends sincere best wishes for the continuations of its most worthy endeavors in the years to come;
And directs that a copy of this citation, sponsored by the Honorable Steven R. Malagari on June 6, 2022, be transmitted to the Borough of Telford, 50 Penn Avenue, Telford, Pennsylvania 18969.
President Bill Ashley read the resignation letter of Council member Jeffrey Maxwell, who will be resigning from Borough Council effective October 3, 2022. A Weiss/Taylor motion carried unanimously (6-0) accepting Jeffrey Maxwell resignation with regret and well wishes.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:
A Crouthamel/ Kulhanjian motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving the minutes of the August 1, 2022 Borough Council meeting.
A Weiss/Taylor motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving the minutes of the September 6, 2022 Borough Council meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
A Crouthamel/Kulhanjian motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving the Treasurer’s Reports for the month of September 2022.
MAYOR’S REPORT: A verbal report was provided by 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 received a written monthly report for the file.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
BUILDING OFFICIAL’S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT: A verbal report was provided by Solicitor Andrew Knox
ENGINEER’S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:
John Harrell reported that he has had no interaction with the contractors and the architect that did the work at the new Borough Building on the HVAC unit. At this time, we will need to hire a contractor to see what can be done to the unit so that it will work efficiently.
Eric Kratz lives on Crestview and would like to know what the hold up is with the Lutheran Development’s gas line. He would like to see the gas line installed before they do the final paving on this development. Gary Yoder reported that PECO received all their permits from us, and it is a scheduling problem with their contractors.
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE:
A-1 A Taylor/Crouthamel motion carried unanimously (6-0) authorizing payment of
bills for the month of September 2022 in the amount of $371,185.94.
A Taylor/Weiss motion carried unanimously (6-0) authorizing the 50/50 split for the utility billing Clerk position until the secretary job is filled.
Bill Ashley reported to Borough Council that they have an opportunity to receive an email address with telfordborough.org. This email address will cost $4.20 per email per month.
A Taylor/Jacobus motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving email address to Borough Council members not to exceed $10.00 per month per Council Member.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE: Nothing at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE: Nothing at this time
PUBLIC WORKS/BUILDINGS & PLANT COMMITTEE:
President Bill Ashley reported that we received a request on using the Community Building for a scrap booking on the 1st Saturday of each month. At this time, Council would like to table this until we get our new rates established for the use of the Community Building.
Gary Yoder asked what the status of the LED Street lightening was, and Bill Ashley indicated that the Solicitor is working on a resolution to be passed at the next Council meeting.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:
Bill Ashley reported that Public Safety Committee held a meeting on the status of the siren on the old Borough Hall Building. They are looking into installing a new modern siren on the Police department building. The cost of this siren will be in the ballpark of $30,000 to $35,000.00.
Bill Ashley reported that he received a letter from Steve Malagari inviting Borough Council to an unveiling of a signage for a newly dedicated highway for Honorable Robert W. Godshall. Mr. Malagari will be dedicating a street sign along PA Route 113 from Schoolhouse Road to County Line Road to the Honorable Robert W Godshall Memorial Highway. It will take place on October 12th at 2:00 p.m. They would also like to have the fire company bring their apparatus to this event. A Weiss/ Kulhanjian motion carried unanimously (6-0) approving the Fire Company to participate in this event.
DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURE COMMITTEE: Mr. Taylor
John Taylor reported that the Night market was a success, he also reported that the night market in November will be held on the 19th instead of the 5th and they will not be having the December night market just the tree lighting on December 9th. He also reminded everyone that the Octoberfest is on October 15 and hopes to see everyone there.
OTHER BUSINESS:
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Borough Council entered Executive Session at 8:49 pm to discuss matters of personnel and real estate.
Borough Council closed Executive Session at 9:47 pm.
A Taylor/Weiss motion carried unanimously (6-0) authorizing the hire of Cary B. Vargo as interim Manager effective immediately. Mr. Vargo will be working 20 – 25 hours per week and his rate will be $130.00 per hour.
A Crouthamel/Kulhanjian motion carried unanimously (6-0) authorizing Diane Windfelder to receive a 5% rate increase per hour. This will be retroactive as of August 12, 2022.
A Taylor/Jacobus motion carried unanimously (6-0) accepting the General release and settlement agreement of Mark D. Fournier.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:51 pm by a Crouthamel/Taylor motion.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Windfelder
Recording Secretary
