December 5, 2022
I. CALL TO ORDER
President Bill Ashley called the Telford Borough Council meeting of December 5, 2022 to order at 7:30 p.m.
II. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The invocation was given by Council Member Spencer Kulhanjian, followed by the pledge of allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL
Present at the meeting were President Bill Ashley, Vice President Emiline Weiss, and council members John Taylor, Carolyn Crouthamel, Spencer Kulhanjian, Eric Kratz and Robert Jacobus. Also in attendance were Mayor Jerry Guretse, Interim Manager Cary Vargo, Police Chief Randall Floyd, Finance Director Craig Davies, Public Works Director Gary Yoder, CPA Greg Ede and Recording Secretary Tracey Inman.
IV. PRESENTATION OF THE 2022 AUDIT
Greg Ede of Styer Associates PC presented the 2022 audit. Mr. Styer answered questions from audience members in attendance and clarified information for members of council.
V. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Vice President Emiline Weiss made a motion to approve the minutes from the meeting of November 7, 2022. Council Member John Taylor seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
VI. TREASURER’S REPORT
Finance Director Craig Davies provided a verbal report and answered questions from Council. Council Member Carolyn Crouthamel made a motion to approve the Treasurers Report. Council Member Eric Kratz seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
VII. MAYOR’S REPORT
A verbal report was provided by Mayor Jerry Guretse.
VIII. POLICE REPORT
Police Chief Floyd presented the Telford Police Department report for the month of November 2022. Chief Floyd also advised that the police department recently conducted a fourteen-day speed survey on Springhouse Lane. Additionally, Chief Floyd announced that there has been an increase in gun shop burglaries in Bucks County, as well as an increase in catalytic converter thefts in the area. Chief Floyd answered questions from Council and at their request clarified information. Mr. Ashley also inquired if new signage was up in the Borough.
IX. FIRE REPORT
Mayor Jerry Guretse provided a written report for the file.
X. LIBRARY REPORT
Wendy Leshinskie provided a written report for the file. Additionally, Ms. Leshinskie advised Council of the number of library cards in circulation and the financial benefit of utilizing the library versus purchasing books.
XI. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Public Works Director Gary Yoder provided a verbal report for Council. Mr. Yoder also advised that the Public Works Department recently concluded the leaf pickup program in the Borough and has been busy repairing potholes. Mr. Yoder answered questions from Council and clarified information on the pothole repairs. Mr. Yoder also advised that the Public Works Department has recently installed holiday decorations in the Borough.
XII. BUILDING OFFICIAL’S REPORT
Interim Borough Manager Cary Vargo updated Council on inspections and other related building department matters.
XIII. SOLICITOR’S REPORT
Solicitor Jim Jacquette advised that there was no report.
XIV. ENGINEER’S REPORT
Mr. Vargo provided an update on the Franklin Alley swale project and answered questions from Council.
XV. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS
There were no comments.
XVI. PUBLIC HEARING (TAX LEVY 2023 BUDGET YEAR)
Council President Ashley temporarily suspended the public meeting to enter into a public hearing to discuss the tax levy for the 2023 budget year. After discussion President Ashley concluded the public hearing and resumed the public meeting.
XVII. FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
A.Motion to appoint position of Borough Secretary
Council Member John Taylor made a motion to appoint Interim Borough Manager Cary Vargo to the position of Borough Secretary. Council Vice President Emiline Weiss seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
- B.Consider approval of the 2023 Budget
Council Member John Taylor made a motion to approve the 2023 Budget. Council Member Carolyn Crouthamel seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
C. Ordinance #425- Tax Levy
Council Member John Taylor made a motion to pass Ordinance #425. Council Member Eric Kratz seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
D. 2023 Holiday Schedule
Council Member Robert Jacobus made a motion to pass the 2023 holiday schedule. Council Member Kulhanjian seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
E. Payment of Bills- Month of December 2022 ($325,611.36):
Council Member Jacobus made a motion to pass the payment of bills for the month of December 2022 in the amount of $325,611.36. Council Member Crouthamel seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
F. Payment- $3000.00 to Montgomery County, PA for participation in the Indian Valley Regional Planning Commission (IVRPC) for 2023:
Council Member Jacobus made a motion to approve payment in the amount of $3000.00 to Montgomery County for participation in the Indian Valley Regional Planning Commission (IVRPC) for 2023. Council Member Kratz seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
G. Designation of a Right to Know Officer- Telford Borough Police Department:
Council Vice President Weiss made a motion to appoint Telford Police Department staff member Alana Stanziano as the Right To Know Officer for the police department. Council Member Kulhanjian seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
H. Civil Service Commission Authorization- Police Officer Testing Process:
Council Vice President Weiss made a motion to authorize the Civil Service Commission to conduct a testing process to create a list for the position of police officer with the Telford Police Department. Council Member Crouthamel seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
I. Consider approval of Civic Plus contract for the re-design and hosting of the Borough’s website:
Mr. Vargo discussed the re-design and upgrade of the Borough’s website. After discussion, Council Vice President Weiss made a motion to approve Civic Plus to move forward with the design and hosting of the Borough’s new website. Council Member Kulhanjian seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
XVIII. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE- Carolyn Crouthamel
Council Member Crouthamel advised there was no report at this time. Council President Ashley added that is information in the Council packets pertaining to planning and zoning.
XIX. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE- Spencer Kulhanjian
Council Member Kulhanjian advised that the Northern Montgomery County Recycling Commission will meet in January 2023. There was no other additional information.
XX. PUBLIC WORKS/BUILDING & PLANT COMMITTEE- Emiline Weiss
There was no report.
XXI. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE- Spencer Kulhanjian
Council Member Kulhanjian discussed VMSC as the Borough’s primary EMS provider. VMSC would merge with Souderton Ambulance and be known as “Indian Valley VMSC”. Chief Shane Wheeler from VMSC was present at the meeting and answered questions from Council. After discussion, Council Member Kulhanjian made a motion to approve a resolution designating VMSC as the Borough’s primary EMS provider. Council Vice President Weiss seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 7-0 vote.
Mayor Jerry Guretse commended Chief Wheeler for keeping everyone up to date on the merger.
XXII. DEVELOPMENT & CULTURE COMMITTEE- John Taylor
Council Member Taylor announced that the Telford Tree Lighting will be held on Friday, December 9th, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The event will be held on the grounds of the Telford Train Station.
XXIII. OTHER BUSINESS:
Council Member Taylor advised that fundraising letters have gone out for Telford Happenings and they have already received a positive response.
XXIV. ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Kratz motioned for adjournment and Council Member Kulhanjian seconded the motion. The motion passed with a 7-0 vote and the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.
After adjournment, President Bill Ashley announced that Council will meeting in Executive Session after the Public Meeting to discuss real estate and personnel.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracey Inman
Recording Secretary
