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Somerset Borough Council Minutes

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BOROUGH OF SOMERSET
Council Meeting – June 25, 2012

          Meeting was called to order by Mrs. Ruby Miller, Council President, opening with recitation of the Pledge to the Flag.

Present:
Paul Urbain, Ruby Miller, Frank Koval, Judy Pyle, Fred Rosemeyer, Scott Walker, Council Members.  Benedict G. Vinzani, Jr., Borough Manager; Michele Enos, Assistant to the Borough Manager; Brett Peters, Director of Finance; Randy Cox, Chief of Police; William Meyer, Mayor; Jerry Lyons, Somerset Fire Department.  (The sign-in sheet is available on file.)

Swearing In
The Mayor introduced Police Officer Kevin Huzsek and his family.  He was sworn in as a part-time Somerset Borough Police Officer.  He was congratulated, and Chief Cox presented a “Recognition to Police Officers’ Families”.

Executive Session
President Miller reported that an Executive Session was held earlier, for purpose of potential litigation.

Previous Minutes
Mr. Rosemeyer moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting of May 29, 2012, motion seconded by Mr. Urbain.
Unanimously Carried.

General Public Comments
Mr. Lyons reported that they will probably receive their new truck in December or January.  The rescue pumper will be a backup for their current rescue truck and for fire fighting. 
They received four bid estimates for the concrete floor project, with prices ranging from $20,000 to $35,000.  EADS estimate was around $18,000.

Payment of Bills/Requisitions
Mr. Walker moved; and Mr. Urbain seconded, to approve payment of the following bills:

            Check Nos. 19859 to 20023          Total Amount:  $449,726.48

            Vote: Mr. Urbain, yes; Mrs. R. Miller, yes; Mr. Koval, yes; Mrs. Pyle, yes; Mr. Rosemeyer, yes; Mr. Walker, yes.
Unanimously Carried.

Old Business

Mr. Vinzani reported that he and the solicitor had a discussion concerning the county jail, and they are in the process of suggesting an amendment to our sewer system rules and regulations.  The Solicitor said there are industrial pretreatment requirements for those that deposit or discharge into our public sewer system.  At this time we do not have anything to cover what we are experiencing with the jail discharges, and we should probably require them to get a permit and pretreatment.  Violations that have occurred are difficult to prove.   He said we should spend time and resources to prevent this from happening again. 
Mr. Rosemeyer questioned whether a grinder pump could be required.  Mr. Dirienzo said he recommends requiring them to develop a treatment facility, and then apply for a permit to install and operate it.  Screening may not be a long-term solution.
Next step would be an amendment to the pretreatment ordinance, declaring that anyone with sewage containing this type of waste is obligated to develop and apply for a permit to operate a pretreatment facility on a daily basis.  A draft will be prepared by next month.

New Business

Dues Request
Mr. Vinzani presented the request from the Somerset County Economic Development Council for payment of our annual dues.  Mr. Koval moved to authorize dues payment in the amount of $627.70 to the Somerset County Economic Development Council – motion seconded by Mr. Urbain.

                                                                                                            Unanimously Carried.
Uptown Solicitation
Concerning solicitation on our uptown streets, Mr. Meyer outlined our current rules and regulations.  Discussion followed, regarding current rules such as when, where, what times to solicit and various groups, such as charitable, students, whether local, etc.  Signs were recommended. The Vehicle Code prohibits going out into moving traffic.  Chief Cox stated that when officers observe solicitation in moving traffic they intervene and no action has ever been required beyond the first warning.

Quality Inn
Mrs. R. Miller stated that the Quality Inn is requesting to name a private roadway between the newly constructed Holiday Inn and the existing Quality Inn.  Suggested choices:  “KMD Hospitality Drive”, “KMD Hospitality Plaza”, KMD Hospitality Road”.
Mr. Cox recommended avoiding “KMD” since it can create a greater chance for confusion in a dispatch.  Mr. Dirienzo asked if it might be necessary because of another “Hospitality Drive” in the County.

            Mr. Rosemeyer moved, Mr. Urbain seconded to recommend “Hospitality Drive”.
Unanimously Carried.

Committee, Administration, Special Reports

Manager’s Report
Mr. Vinzani reported the following:
A training session was conducted by the Chamber of Commerce for companies that want to become more familiar with doing business with the Marcellus Shale Industry. A company will register and if they provide certain services, the Industry will make itself available through an internet service.         
Our insurance carrier, Selective Insurance, provided safety committee training on proper lifting techniques.
The Drought Task Force met – we are approximately 1.2 inches above our 55-year average year-to-date precipitation.  Supplies continue to exceed our water demand.
The Boys and Girls Club presented us with Certificate of Appreciation plaque for the “Young Lungs at Play” program at our Union Street Playground.
The Garden Club held a dedication ceremony Thursday at the “cannon” across from Patriot Manor. They have been invited, along with the Memorial Day Parade Committee to receive a “thank-you” acknowledgement from Council at a date convenient for them.

President’s Report      
          Mrs. R. Miller reported that West Union Street is paved and Hickory Hill and McKinley Drive are finished.  She said she was questioned on why the Borough does not replace bad curbing in town, then discovered that this is each property owners’ responsibility.  (An exception would be if our snow plows damage a curb.)  The Garden Club is now a Blue Star club, one of 66 in the state.
Chief Cox said the entity contracted by PENNDOT to administer programs to fund our traffic details gave an award to the Somerset Borough Police for the manner in which we met our goals, and we were commended on the high level in which the program is administered.  All reports are in on time; all audits worked out well, which involves Mr. Peters.  He commended Officer Deist for his contribution in running the programs.

Public Safety Committee
Mr. Rosemeyer reported that the Committee met and most of the issues discussed were personnel.  He congratulated the Police Department on their award.  He reminded all that Tuesday, August 7, 6:00 p.m., is the Somerset National Night Out, to be chaired by Officer Appel.

Finance Committee
Mr. Urbain reported the following revenues/expenses, at 41.6% of the year:

            General Fund: expenses 36.72% - revenues 64.09%
Water Revenue Fund: expenses 51.30% - revenues 39.11%
Sewer System Operating Fund:  expenses 41.11% - revenues 38.05%

Somerset Inc.
Mrs. Pyle attended the meeting of June 12th at which Trinity Park was discussed, along with suggestions on ways to have empty buildings put to use.    The Boy Scouts are looking to raise funds for a stage.  Mr. Vinzani said a letter of thanks has been sent to the Boy Scouts, along with the authorized donation.

Solicitor’s Report
Mr. Dirienzo said he noticed that we do not have a policy concerning employment references when requested to do so.  He recommended adopting a policy and has prepared the following sample for Council to consider:

All employment reference inquiries from current or former employees, prospective employers of current or former employees, or other organizations, must be directed to the Borough Manager for official response.
            Under no circumstances is any other Borough official or employee authorized to provide a written or official employment reference from the Borough of Somerset. All requests for employment references or employment verifications must contain the employee’s or former employee’s signature authorizing release of information.
The Borough Manager may release only the following information about current or former employees:   whether the person is currently employed by the Borough; the employee’s current or last job title; dates of employment with the Borough and current or final compensation paid to the employee.

            Any attempts to evaluate the employee’s performance have become a source of problems. These are really confirmations of employment rather than recommendations, and he advised filing them through the Borough Manager.  Mr. Vinzani said this has been his policy, but was never formally adopted by Council.

            Mr. Walker moved to adopt the Employment Reference Inquiry Policy – motion seconded by Mr. Koval.
Unanimously Carried.

Mayor’s Report

            Mr. Meyer reported that he attended the groundbreaking for the Turnpike Interchange modification.  Mr. Rosemeyer recommended giving a citation to the Chamber of Commerce for an outstanding job in maintaining their property.   Mr. Vinzani said we can consider a Community Improvement award.

Adjournment
Mr. Koval moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Urbain.

Unanimously Carried.

7:45 p.m.

 

___________________________
Benedict G. Vinzani, Jr., Ph.D.
Borough Manager/Secretary