MEMBERS PRESENT:
Council President,
Michael Tolmer
Council Vice President,
Bruce Ghelarducci
Council,
William Henderson
Joseph Colosimo
Joseph Verduci
Nino Petrocelli, Sr.ALSO PRESENT:
Mayor, Betty Copeland
Solicitor, Thomas McDermott
Engineer, Joe Sites
Borough Manager, Lori Collins
Police Chief, Chad King
Fire Chief, William Chilleo
SouthBridge EMS, Dan Miller – absent
Virginia Schneider – absent due to work obligation
VISITORS PLEASE STATE NAMES AND ADDRESSES
Pasquale DeBlasio – Pennsylvania Avenue; stated his appreciation for the council except Virginia Schneider and Mayor Copeland for the work that has been done over the years in an attempt to alleviate flooding, He clarified his remarks as to not including Mayor Copeland and Councilwoman Schneider saying they were both new and therefore have only been involved this past year.
Randy Thomson -Baldwin Street; asked questions about concerns he heard that the Borough was widening Baldwin Street; he didn’t understand what was happening. Council President Michael Tolmer explained that nothing was happening at this time, that the Planning Commission has been working on various solutions to alleviate flooding issues,
Dale Livingston – Cook School Road -representing the Lions Club, which was chartered here in Bridgeville area 2 years ago and has 23 members. Mr. Livingston stated the function of the Lions Club and stressed the importance of needing new members to continue the good works, Mr. Livingston listed the many areas where the Lions Club has given help to area residents such as defibrillators to the Police Department; Smoke Detectors to the Fire Department to give out to those in need; Eye Glasses for those who in need.
Dan Hupp – here with Mr. Livingston representing the Lions Club. Mr. Hupp recapped the help the Lions Club gave during the flood. He stated the group worked with churches in the area to help those in need clean up and refurbish their homes. The Lions Club was able to obtain a $10,500.00 grant from the International Lions Club to help our residents. With the help of Bridgeville United Methodist Church and Crossroads Church they were able to help 20 homes clean up; Carrier donated new furnaces to a few homes and the Lions Club paid for installation of duct work and furnace. Mr. Hupp stated the Lions Club would like to see the Borough initiate an immediate response team as a way to coordinate efforts to help in situations like the flood in the quickest way possible. This could be coordinated through churches and area groups to have a disaster recovery plan in action for storage of donated goods, donations of money and services and other ways to be able help immediately should the need arise. Mr. Hupp submitted a report of Neighbors Helping Neighbors – Flood Relief and Recovery Progress Report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.
Gary Palmer – Ella Street – addressed Council concerning areas that are in need of attention in the Borough. Mr. Palmer raised questions regarding property maintenance and abandoned vehicle compliance, Zoning Compliance Officer Lori Collins addressed Mr, Palm.er’s concerns and asked that he call her with the names and property locations and if they were found non-compliant with maintenance and/or zoning she would send the owners letters to bring the property in to compliance. Ms. Collins explained the process starting with a letter and then if issues aren’t address and areas not brought in to compliance the owner would be taken to the Magistrate. Police Chief Chad King explained the process for a vehicle being declared abandoned.
Greg Jones – Mr. Jones was here representing a consortium of churches in the area. He invited all to attend a special service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King on Monday, January 21, 2019 at the Solid Rock Revival Church at 610 Dewey Avenue. This event is sponsored by Solid Rock Revival Church, Bethany Presbyterian Church, Bower Hill Community Church and First Baptist Church of Bridgeville. Manager Collins stated she would have the event advertised on the Borough FaceBook.
Bob Fryer – Bridgeville Towers, 479 Bank Street Extension – Mr. Fryer stated his various concerns and solutions regardipg traffic issues and flooding in the Borough. Mr. Fryer stated he has received cost estimates from professionals at PennDOT and Lane Construction, Council President Tolmer requested that Mr. Fryer supply a list of names and contact information of the PennDOT professionals that Mr. Fryer states have given him prices and costs to implement his solutions. Councilman Colosimo requested the name of the professional from Lane Construction who provided the cost estimate to implement Mr. Fryer’s plan. No information was forthcoming from Mr. Fryer regarding those requests.
Mr. Fryer again brought large visuals and drawings and diagrams of his various solutions to these problems to this meeting.
Mike Chiodo – Station Street. Mr. Chiodo provided photographs of trees along the railroad t;acks near his home that are in need of either trimming or removal. Mr. Chiodo also spoke of tires and debris on the property behind the former Norwood Party House. Zoning Compliance Officer Lori Collins stated she would be in contact with her connection at the Railroad to have issues addressed concerning railroad property and that she would investigate the tires and debris behind the former Norwood Party House and deal with that issue with the property owner.
MINUTES
A motion made by Bruce Ghelarducci and seconded by Joseph Colosimo regarding the minutes of the December 10, 2018-6:30 p.m. Public Hearing as submitted, All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
A motion made by William Henderson and seconded by Bruce Ghelarducci regarding the minutes of the December 10, 2018-6:45 p.m. Public Hearing as submitted. All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
A motion made by Joseph Colosimo and seconded by Nino Petrocelli regarding the re-appointment of Gaitens, Tucceri & Nicholas, P .C. as the legal consultants for the Calendar Year 2019. All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
APPOINTMENT OF BOROUGH SOLICITOR
A motion of the Borough Council regarding the re-appointment of Gaitens, Tucceri & Nicholas, P.C. as the legal consultants for the Calendar Year 2019.
APPOINTMENT OF BOROUGH ENGINEER
A motion made by Bruce Ghelarducci and seconded by Nino Petrocelli regarding the re-appointment of The Gateway Engineers, Inc. as the consulting engineers for the Calendar Year 2019. All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
BOARD APPOINTMENTS
A motion made by Bruce Ghelarducci and seconded by Joseph Verduci regarding the re-appointment of George Aspiotes to the Zoning Hearing Board for a five (5) year term to the first Monday in January 2024. Remarks: Mr. Aspiotes has expressed his interest in serving an additional term. All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
A motion made by Joseph Colosimo and seconded by Nino Petrocelli regarding the re-appointment of Mike Connolly to the Parking Authority for a five (5) year term to the first Monday in January 2024. Remarks: Mr. Connolly has expressed his interest in serving an additional term. All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
A motion made by Bruce Ghelarducci and seconded by Joseph Colosimo regarding the re-appointment of Nino Petrocelli, Sr. to the Planning Commission for a four (4) year term to the first Monday in January 2023. Remarks: Mr. Petrocelli has expressed his interest in serving an additional term. All in favor, motion carried 5-0.
Councilman Petrocelli abstained from the vote. A motion made by Nino Petrocelli and seconded by Joseph Verduci regarding the re-appointment of Lin St. Clair to the Zoning Hearing Board for a five (5) year term to the first Monday in January 2024. Remarks: Mr. St. Clair has expressed his interest in serving an additional term. All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
A motion made by Bruce Ghelarducci and seconded by Nino Petrocelli regarding the appointment of Ron Womer as Treasurer of the Borough. All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
CURRENT ESTIMATE NO. 3- BALDWIN STREE BACKFLOW PREVENTER PROJECT
A motion made by William Henderson and seconded by Nino Petrocelli regarding the remittal of Current Estimate No. 3 – Baldwin Street Backflow Preventer Project to Osiris Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $26,915.21 for work completed to date. Remarks: M. Tolmer stated the estimate has been reviewed and approved by Engineer Sites. All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
BILL LIST
A motion made by Joseph Verduci and seconded by Bruce Ghelarducci regarding the December 2018 Final Bill List. All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
A motion made by Joseph Verduci and seconded by Bruce Ghelarducci regarding the January 2019 Bill List. All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
PAYROLLS
A motion made by Joseph Colosimo and seconded by Nino Petrocelli approving the payrolls of January 18, 25 and February 1 and 8, 2019. All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
MONTHLY REPORTS
A motion made by Joseph Verduci and seconded by Bruce Ghelarducci to accept and pay any commissions due the December 2018 Real Estate Tax Collector Report. All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
A motion made by Joseph Verduci and seconded by Nino Petrocelli to accept the November 2018 Financial
Report. All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
A motion made by William Henderson and seconded by Joseph Colosimo to accept the December 2018 Police Report. All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
REAL ESTATE TAX REFUNDS
A motion made by Bruce Ghelarducci and seconded by William Henderson regarding the following Real Estate Tax Refund due to a change in the assessment as requested by the Real Estate Tax Collector:
YEAR | LOT/BLOCK | AMOUNT | NAME AND ADDRESS |
2018 | 255-H-173 | $380.44 | SJ Group 2898 Banksville Road Pittsburgh, PA 15216 |
2018 | 255-R-316 | $275.04 | Estate of William Colussy Allyson L. Holler 111 Almond Lane Ligonier, PA 15658 |
2018 | 255-R-318 | $27.44 | Estate of William Colussy Allyson L. Holler 111 Almond Lane Ligonier, PA 15658 |
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ADMINISTRATION, BRUCE GHELARDUCCI
Councilman Ghelarducci had no report.
FINANCE, JOSEPH VERDUCI
Councilman Verduci had no report.
PARKS & RECREATION, JOSEPH COLOSIMO
Councilman Colosimo had no report.
PUBLIC WORKS/BUILDINGS, NINO PETROCELLI, SR.
Councilman Petrocelli stated that Public Works has begun ice and snow removal.
PUBLIC SAFETY, WILLIAM HENDERSON
Councilman Henderson discussed the 90-day temporary stop sign at Winfield and Lafayette streets has been successful in that there have been no violators and caused no traffic backups. He asked for a motion to make the stop sign permanent.
A motion made by William Henderson and seconded by Bruce Ghelarducci to advertise the Ordinance to install a permanent stop sign at Winfield and Lafayette. All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
MAYOR, BETTY COPELAND
Mayor Copeland reported that she had the honor of swearing in the 2019 officers for the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department. She also reported that Chief King received a thank you card from a little girl for the bicycle Buddy the Elf gave her.
POLICE CHIEF, CHAD KING
Chief King gave a statistical report of 3,234 calls answered in 2018. Chief King reported on the Buddy the Elf event on December 23, 2018. He stated there were many gifts donated that were distributed to the children who attended the event as well as the remainder of the gifts were given out by Santa and Mrs. Claus as they rode through town with the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department. Chief King congratulated the winner of the maple syrup chugging contest – Council President Michael Tolmer!
SOLICITOR, THOMAS MCDERMOTT
Solicitor McDermott stated he has provided everyone with a copy of his written report.
ENGINEER, JOE SITES
Engineer Sites stated he has provided everyone with a copy of his written report.
FIRE CHIEF, WILLIAM CHILLEO
Fire ChiefChilleo highlighted the need for more volunteers at the fire department. He stated that the smoke detectors donated by the Lions Club are handed out at fire scenes. Chief Chilleo recounted an incident where a resident checked the internet regarding carbon monoxide levels in her home and followed the directions to open windows; however when windows were later closed the levels in their home reached dangerous levels. 9-1-1 was then called. Chief Chilleo stressed the importance of calling 9-1-1. Turned out to be a faulty furnace and the end result could have been fatal. Chief Chilleo stated he will have a full report for Council next month. The department responded to over 500 calls in 2018, which was a big increase over 2017.
SOUTHBRIDGE EMS, DAN MILLER
Absent
BRIDGEVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, MARY WEISE
Absent
BRIDGEVILLE LIBRARY REPRESENTATIVE
Ray Ahrenholtz reported on the Annual Festival of Trees. He stated that the Library has mailed out their annual appeal for donations. Mr. Ahrenholtz stated that the Library Board will be holding elections for board members.
BRIDGEVILLE PARKING AUTHORITY REPRESENTATIVE
Absent.
BRIDGEVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE
Nino Petrocelli stated he had nothing to report as a member of the Planning Commission.
BOROUGH MANAGER, LORI COLLINS
Borough Manager Collins conveyed her thanks to Deb Colosimo for volunteering and helping out in the office these past few weeks and tonight. Manager Collins stated she has provided everyone with a copy of her written report.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Councilman Verduci stated that the Bridgeville Athletic Association is holding signups January
12, 17 and 26.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn