Somerset Borough Council Minutes
Council Minutes will be posted after they are approved at the following meeting.
Meet the Somerset Borough Council Members and Staff
Public Comment Policy
The Pennsylvania Sunshine Act (65 Pa. C.S. 701, et seq.) provides that the Board or Council of a political subdivision shall provide a reasonable opportunity at each advertised regular meeting and advertised special meeting for residents of the political subdivision or for taxpayers of the political subdivision or to comment on matters of concern, official action or deliberation which are or may be before the Board or Council prior to taking official action. (710.1).
To assure compliance with the Act, to inform members of the public who may wish to make comment, and to provide for predictable and orderly implementation of the public comment period, Somerset Borough Council has adopted this Public Comment Policy.
2012 Council Meetings |
| January 23rd |
| February 27th |
| March 26th |
| April 23rd |
| May 29th (Tuesday) |
| June 25th |
| July 23rd |
| August 27th |
| September 24th |
| October 22nd |
| November 27th * |
| December 24th * |
*Council has traditionally rescheduled its November and December meetings based on the timing for budget adoption and the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The rescheduling will be done closer to these dates.
BOROUGH OF SOMERSET
Council Meeting - January 23, 2012
A meeting of the Council of the Borough of Somerset was called to order by President Ruby Miller, opening with recitation of the Pledge to the Flag.
Present:
Council members: Ruby Miller, Judy Pyle, Fred Rosemeyer, Wanda Miller, and Scott Walker. William Meyer, Mayor; Benedict G. Vinzani, Jr., Borough Manager; Michele Enos, Assistant to the Borough Manager; Tom Reilly, Consulting Engineer; Jerry Lyons, Somerset Fire Department; John J. Dirienzo, Jr., Borough Solicitor; George Svirsko, Director of Public Works; and Randy Cox, Chief of Police.
Previous Meetings - Minutes
Minutes of the previous meeting of December 19, 2011 were approved, on motion of Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Rosemeyer.
Unanimously Carried.
Minutes of the January 3, 2012 Organizational Meeting were approved, on motion of Ms. W. Miller, seconded by Mr. Walker.
Unanimously Carried.
General Public Comments
Mr. Lyons of the Somerset Volunteer Fire Department reported on the number of alarms during year 2011 – 377 alarms, largest number for any fire department in Somerset County. Mrs. R. Miller asked about the camera proposal. Mr. Lyons said they are installing the cable and it should be completed within two or three weeks.
Mr. Dirienzo said details must be worked out concerning ownership, insurance, and maintenance, which can be done by Letters of Understanding. Concerning the insurance plan, the Fire Department has its equipment covered, but the camera may need to be considered as the Borough’s equipment.
Mr. Cox said a brief meeting will be held on a presentation of the DARE Program, to show the enhancements and changes that have taken place.
Bill Payment
Ms. W. Miller moved, Mr. Walker seconded to pay the following:
Checks: 18843 to 19072 Total Amount: $387,225.28
Vote: Mrs. R. Miller, yes; Mrs. Pyle, yes; Mr. Rosemeyer, yes; Ms. W. Miller, yes; Mr. Walker, yes.
Unanimously Carried.
New Business
Mr. Costea, Somerset Candy Company, is requesting one additional reserved parking space. Mr. Vinzani said there is concern about the number of available spaces for non-reserved parking during times when we need to temporarily store snow in two of the “non-reserved” spaces. Mr. Costea said they do not show signs marking their spots. He said their staff is growing and they are attempting to hire full-time employees.
Mr. Rosemeyer moved to grant the additional “reserved parking” spot to the Somerset Candy Company in the municipal lot beside Cascio’s Fruit Market, motion seconded by Ms. W. Miller.
Unanimously Carried.
Resolution No. 2012-03
Mr. Vinzani explained that this resolution contains items that are to be destroyed in compliance with the Commonwealth’s Records Retention Act - some with the Police Department and some with the Water/Sewer Departments.
Mr. Rosemeyer moved to authorize the following Resolution, motion seconded by Mr. Walker:
Resolution No. 2012-03
WHEREAS, The Borough of Somerset adopted Resolution No. 87-02 on April 27, 1987 providing for the destruction of certain papers in accordance with the “Retention and Disposition Schedule for Records of Pennsylvania Municipalities” and;
WHEREAS, The Somerset Borough Administration wishes to dispose of some of its records in accordance with this Resolution;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following items be authorized for purging:
2004 Water/Sewer Bills
2004 Penalty Run & Account Detail Sheets
2004 Daily Cash Receipts journal
2004 Adjustments
2004 Log Books
2004 Payment Schedules
2004 Accident Reports
2007 Impound forms
2002 Stolen Vehicle Forms
2004/2005 Property Release Forms
2007/2008 Abandoned Vehicle Notification Letters
2010 Abuse petitions
2001 Trespass Letters
2006/2007 Letters In/Out
2007 Warning/Repair Forms
2007 Parade Permits
2007 Borough Permits
2005 Vehicle Calibrations
2007/2008 Complaint Forms
2008 Seized License Plates
2008/2009 UCR Reports
2007/2008 Drivers Records
2009 Due Diligence Forms
2009 Bike Registration Forms
2010 Paid Voided Parking Tickets
Unanimously Carried.
Chamber of Commerce Request
The Chamber is requesting free parking during the Antique Show, to be held August 11, 2012, along with a request for streets to be closed.
Ms. W. Miller moved to grant this request – motion seconded by Mr. Rosemeyer.
Unanimously Carried.
Jack/Ruth O’Baker Action
Mr. Vinzani reported that the Somerset Borough Planning Commission has reviewed and is recommending approval of two applications for subdivisions. He explained that a lot-line change requires a subdivision to be reviewed by our Planning Commission and approved by Council.
Mr. Walker moved to approve the O’Baker’s subdivision plans as recommended by the Planning Commission - motion seconded by Mr. Rosemeyer.
Unanimously Carried.
Alan Woy Subdivision
Mr. Vinzani explained that this also is for a lot-line change.
Ms. W. Miller moved to approve the subdivision plan of Alan Woy as recommended by the Planning Commission – motion seconded by Mrs. Pyle.
Unanimously Carried.
Manager’s Report
Mr. Vinzani reported on the following:
- He attended meeting of Somerset County Drought Task Force; all water systems report adequate supplies.
- He and Mr. Svirsko attended the bi-monthly meeting of the Somerset Area Joint Utilities plus a Time Management Seminar sponsored by the PA Highlands Community College.
- The Borough applied for a PENNVEST loan/grant several months ago and it will probably be in the form of a loan. A decision is scheduled to be made this coming week.
- Christmas decorations were removed, with assistance of the Fire Department, Penelec and the Uptown Merchants. (Mrs. R. Miller thanked all participating in this task.)
Public Works
Mr. Walker asked to set up a meeting. They selected the date/time as 6:15 p.m. before next month’s Council Meeting.
Public Safety Committee
Mr. Rosemeyer reported an extremely busy year for the Police Department, along with the Fire Department. At end of December there were 8,107 police calls. Mr. Cox said this has been a record-setting year.
Concerning the vehicle purchase, he said we only have two choices available, either a Dodge Charger or a Ford Interceptor. He said he is leaning towards the Dodge Charger. Pennsylvania law states that any public service vehicle must be of North American manufacture, which rules out the Chevy. The Dodge Charger price is not much more than the 2008 Crown Victoria that we purchased in 2008.
He said the leading concern with the police and fire emergency management is the radio system in the County. It is obsolete and will have to be updated and improved. Before the County can do anything to improve the system a radio study must be done to determine what can be salvaged from the existing system, how it can be modified and what must be brand new. We won’t know the price for Somerset until the radio study is done. Emergency Services will continue to try to have the Commissioners place this in their budget for the following year.
Solicitor’s Report
Regarding the Jefferson Township Water Proposal, Mr. Dirienzo said all are officially on board except the County Authority. He said he spoke with Mr. Rullo who will review it, but he expects it to be accepted. He said he needs to be certain that it is on record, with authorization and direction to execute it in its final form.
Mr. Rosemeyer moved to accept the Jefferson Township Water Agreement as presented by Mr. Dirienzo – motion seconded by Ms. W. Miller.
Unanimously Carried.
Mayor’s Report
Mr. Meyer said Jerry Lyons was given the Mayors Award this year at the Firemen’s Banquet. He congratulated Mr. Lyons.
He reported that Officer Charlie Santa retired from police work, leaving them without a DARE officer. Officer Rich Appel offered to step up however training is not offered in Pennsylvania so he was sent to Maryland for training and did his internship in the Baltimore schools.
The Mayor and Chief were thanked and the DARE Program will be giving a formal presentation.
Finance Committee
Mr. Vinzani reported on the Finance Committee’s year-end report for Year 2011:
- General Fund had 108% of our revenues collected, meaning we exceeded our revenue projections by 8%, a good trend. Expenses were 94.8%, several percentage points below budget.
- Water and Sewer – With 100% of the year gone our revenues were 110 percent and we exceeded revenues by 10%. Expenses were 97.7%.
- Sewer System Operating Fund – 113% of our revenues were collected and our expenses were 98.2%, a good trend.
Mr. Peters, Director of Finance, was thanked for his prudent management of the budget.
Adjournment
Ms. W. Miller moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Walker.
Unanimously Carried. 7:35 p.m.
___________________________
Benedict G. Vinzani, Jr., Ph.D.
Borough Manager/Secretary