Pen Argyl Borough Council held their Reorganization and Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 7:00 P. M. in Council Chambers.
Pledge of Allegiance:
Mayor Mikal Sabatine opened the Council Meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Oath of Office:
In the first order of business Mayor Sabatine administered the oath of office to the re-elected Council Members for four (4) year terms: Angelo Uliana, 1stWard; Jan Surotchak, 2ndWard; Robert O’Donnell, 3rdWard and David DePalma, 4thWard.
Mayor Sabatine also administered the oath of office to Tax Collector Michael Zavacky for a two (2) year term.
Roll Call:
The following Council Members were present and responded to roll call: Michael Nasatka, Angelo Uliana, Daniel Carrescia, Jan Surotchak, David DePalma, Dean Minnich and Robert O’Donnell. Councilman Andrew Medellin Sr. was absent.
Also present in addition to Mayor Sabatine were Borough Manager Robin Zmoda and Borough Secretary Dolores Savitz. Attorney Alan McFall was filling in for Borough Solicitor Peter Layman who wasn’t able to attend tonight’s Council Meeting.
Re-Organization of Council:
Following the roll call, Mayor Sabatine conducted the re-organization of the Council. Mayor Sabatine asked for nominations for office of Council President. Councilman Jan Surotchak made a motion to elect Michael Nasatka as Council President, seconded by Councilman Daniel Carrescia. Unanimous vote by roll call.
Mayor Sabatine asked for nominations for the office of Council Vice President. Councilman Robert O’Donnell made a motion to elect David DePalma as Council Vice President, seconded by Councilman Dean Minnich. Unanimous by roll call vote.
Mayor Sabatine asked for nominations for the office of President ProTem. President Pro Tem presides over Council when both the President and Vice President are absent but there is still a quorum. Councilman made a motion to elect Councilman Dean Minnich as President ProTem, seconded by Councilman Jan Surotchak. Unanimous by roll call vote.
Council President Michael Nasatka presided over the Council Meeting after the election of officers.
Re-Appointments and Appointments:
Councilman Angelo Uliana made a motion and seconded by Councilman David DePalma to make the following re-appointments and appointments:
David DePalma – Planning Commission, five (5) year term, expires 12/31/16
John Hunt – Municipal Sewer Authority, five (5) year term, expires 12/31/16
James Davey – Zoning Board, five (5) year term, expires 12/31/16
Dean Parsons, Carl Meixsell Jr., Shawn Campanaro, Ryan Shafter and Michael Marsh – Bureau of Fire Prevention, yearly appointment
Disruptive Conduct Board of Appeals – David Mutton, Alternate Tenant, two (2) year term, expires 12/31/14
John Cuono and Council – Vacancy Board, yearly appointment
Keith Valentine, Sewage Enforcement Officer and James Kleinle as alternate, yearly appointment (Both are employed by Borough Engineer Barry Isett & Associates).
Roll call was taken of the motion and all Council Members voted in favor of the motion, unanimous vote by roll call.
Appointment of Council Member to the Borough Disruptive Conduct Board of Appeals:
Councilman Daniel Carrescia made a motion to appoint Council President Michael Nasatka as the Council Member to the Borough Disruptive Conduct Board of Appeals, seconded by Councilman Jan Surotchak. Unanimous by roll call vote.
Advertise for vacancies:
Councilman Jan Surotchak made a motion to authorize Borough Manager Robin Zmoda to advertise for the vacancy on the Civil Service Commission; the vacancy of an alternate rental owner and also for the vacancy of a member and alternate of a recognized community group for the Disruptive Board of Appeals for rental units, seconded by Councilman David DePalma. Unanimous by roll call vote.
Appointment of Borough Representatives:
Councilman Angelo Uliana made a motion and seconded by Councilman Jan Surotchak to make the following appointments of Borough Representatives:
Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) – Andrew Medellin Sr., Delegate and David DePalma, Alternate
Municipal Conference Committee – Mayor Mikal Sabatine, Delegate and Michael Nasatka, Alternate
Watershed Advisory Committee (LVPC) – Michael Nasatka, Delegate and David DePalma, Alternate
Northampton County Tax Collection Committee – Robin Zmoda, Delegate and Daniel Carrescia, Alternate
Roll call was taken of the motion and all Council Members voted in favor of the motion, unanimous vote by roll call.
Council Liaison to Borough Municipal Sewer Authority:
Councilman Jan Surotchak made a motion to re-appoint Councilman Dean Minnich as Council Liaison to the Borough Municipal Sewer Authority, seconded by Councilman David DePalma. Unanimous vote by roll call vote.
Setting of Council Meetings and Workshops for year 2012:
Councilman David DePalma made a motion to hold Council Meetings on the 1stTuesday of every month at 7:00 P. M. and to hold Workshops on the last Tuesday of every month at 7:00 P. M., both Council Meetings and Workshops to be held in Council Chambers, seconded by Councilman Robert O’Donnell. Unanimous vote by roll call.
Resolution NO. 2012 – 01:
Borough Manager Zmoda presented Resolution NO. 2012 – 01 pertaining to fixing fees for applications and permits for the establishment, repair, alteration or abandonment of on-lot septic systems, pursuant to the provisions of Section 103.5 of the PA Sewage Facilities Act 35. Councilman Dean Minnich made a motion to accept and approve Resolution NO. 2012 – 1 as presented, seconded by Councilman David DePalma. Unanimous vote by roll call.
Visitors:
None
Public Works Report:
All Council Members were given a copy of Public Works Director Steven Bender’s December report to review. Bender was not present.
Zoning Report:
All Council Members were given a copy of Zoning Officer Barry Kehler’s December report to review. Kehler was present.
Police Report:
All Council Members were given a copy of the December Police Report to review, total receipts of $2,973.40. Police Chief David Strawn was present.
Fire Chief’s Report:
A copy of the fire company’s 2012 elected officials and committees was given to all Council Members for approval. Councilman Dean Minnich made a motion to accept the list of the fire company’s 2012 elected officials and committees, seconded by Councilman Daniel Carrescia. Unanimous vote by roll call. Special Note: Councilman Robert O’Donnell was out of Council Chambers when the vote was taken.
Minutes:
Councilman Angelo Uliana made a motion to approve the Minutes for Regular Council Meeting of Tuesday, December 13, 2011, seconded by Councilman David DePalma. Council Members voting in favor of the motion were: Angelo Uliana, Daniel Carrescia, David DePalma and Dean Minnich. Council Members voting abstained were: Michael Nasatka and Jan Surotchak. Special Note: Councilman Robert O’Donnell was out of Council Chambers when the vote was taken.
There being four (4) yes votes and two (2) abstained votes the motion carried.
Correspondence:
Harold Coleman, Secretary of Carriage Homes at Mary’s Mountain Estates Association – The Association thanked the Borough the expeditious repair work done on Nottle/Gus Street.
Courtney Lepore, 111 N. Schanck Avenue – Concerned with the odors coming from the landfill. Borough Manager Zmoda stated that she had spoken to Scott Perin at Waste Management today and they are aware of the odor problem and they are trying to solve the issue. Council acknowledged that Waste Management (W/M) has odor issues, however, this situation is unacceptable. Further since W/M is taking in less tonnage at the landfill there shouldn’t be the odor problems. Councilman David DePalma made a motion to authorize Borough Solicitor Layman to write a letter to W/M concerning the odor issues, the odor problems are intolerable and unacceptable, request from W/M what steps they will be taking to remedy the odor situation, seconded by Councilman Daniel Carrescia. Unanimous vote by roll call. The letter is to be signed by all Council Members and copies of the letter are to be sent to the local and regional DEP and also Plainfield Township.
Blue Mountain Community Library – Thanked Council for the year 2011 donation of $8,100.00.
Slate Belt Council of Governments (COG) – Respectfully request that Council reconsiders and rejoin the COG. No action was taken by Council.
Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Sabatine requested that the Police Committee meet with him after Council Meeting.
Planning Commission:
Nothing to report.
Solicitor’s Report:
Councilman Jan Surotchak made a motion to authorize Borough Solicitor Layman to prepare and advertise the necessary ordinance which eliminates contributions by the participants of the Police Pension Fund for the February 7thCouncil Meeting, seconded by Councilman David DePalma. Unanimous vote by roll call.
Sanitation, Solid Waste & Recycling:
Council Members were given a copy of the Wastewater Treatment Plant December Report to review.
Finance, Tax Exoneration, Insurance & Personnel:
All Council Members received a copy of a letter dated December 22, 2011 from Consulting Actuary, John D.Vargo from Conrad Siegel Actuaries for the Police Pension. Vargo recommended three (3) assumption changes for the January 1, 2011 Actuarial Valuation: (1) the pension plan currently uses the GA1983 Mortality Table, this table has become somewhat antiquated and recommends the change to the RP2000 Mortality Table; (2) the second change involves the disability assumption, currently the plan uses a 1.0% disability load, recommends to use the SOA LTD87 male table with six (6) month elimination; and (3) the third change involves the retirement age assumption, currently this assumption assumes that an officer retires at his/her earliest retirement date, specifically age 50 and 25 years of service, recommendation is that this assumption is changed to age 53 and 25 years of service to reflect the expectation that officers are now more likely to work beyond age 50.
Borough Solicitor Layman had reviewed Vargo’s three (3) recommendations and by letter dated December 28, 2011 agreed that the Borough use the RP2000 Mortality Table. With regard to the other two (2) changes, Layman deferred to Conrad Siegel. Layman believes that the Borough has every right to follow the recommendations of its actuary and cannot be criticized for following these technical recommendations. Councilman Jan Surotchak made a motion to accept and approve the three (3) changes as recommended by Vargo, seconded by Councilman David DePalma. Unanimous vote by roll call.
All Council Members were given a draft copy of the treasury report, due to that the bank statements have not been received yet with the monthly interest amounts. Borough Manager/Treasurer Zmoda will prepare the treasury report and also a yearly budget comparison for the February Council Meeting.
Councilman Dean Minnich made a motion to authorize the printing of the 2012 Borough Personnel Directory, seconded by Councilman David DePalma. Unanimous vote by roll call.
Property & Utilities:
Nothing to report.
Community Outreach:
Nothing to report.
Animal Control Officer:
No report for the month.
Borough Manager’s Report:
Nothing to report.
Payment of Bills:
The following bill amounts were presented for payment: General Fund, $18,525.70; Sewer Fund, $42,832.28; State Fund, $3,553.12; Garbage Fund, $63,000.00; Reserve Money Market Fund, $4,631.95 and Police Wish List, $84.80. Councilman Jan Surotchak made a motion to pay the bills
as presented, seconded by Councilman Angelo Uliana. Unanimous vote by roll call.
Executive Session:
Borough Manager Zmoda requested an executive session to discuss personnel issues. Councilman David DePalma made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues, seconded by Councilman Dean Minnich. Unanimous by roll call vote. Council went into Executive Session at 7:47 P. M. and reconvened at 7:53 P. M. Special Note: Borough Secretary Savitz left at 7:48 P. M. and the rest of the Minutes were taken by Borough Manager Zmoda.
Harry Wyant’s Life Insurance Policy:
Councilman David DePalma made a motion to surrender the Life Insurance Policy on Harry Wyant, seconded by Councilman Jan Surotchak. Unanimous by voice vote.
Teamster’s Recommendations:
Councilman Daniel Carrescia made a motion to approve the Teamster’s negotiating committee’s recommended offer, seconded by Councilman Dean Minnich. Unanimous by voice vote.
Adjournment:
Councilman David DePalma made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Jan Surotchak. Unanimous by voice vote. Council Meeting adjourned at 7:55 P. M.
Workshop – Tuesday, January 31st– 7:00 P. M.
Regular Council Meeting – Tuesday, February 7th– 7:00 P. M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dolores B. Savitz
Borough Secretary