TREMONT - Borough council President Bob Donmoyer experienced a "straw that broke the camel's back" moment on the day that was to be his final council meeting.
"Since last month's meeting I've had numerous people approach me to stay on council, and I couldn't make up my mind," he said as he opened the July 7 meeting, "However, I received a letter today which was the straw that broke the camel's back."
Although Donmoyer did not reveal whether the unsigned letter was complimentary or insulting, he said he decided upon reading it to officially withdraw his resignation from the council. He did, however, resign his position as president.
Solicitor Chris Hobbs advised the council members that they could proceed immediately to appoint someone to fill the seat, or they could wait until the end of the meeting. They agreed to act immediately and, with only one nomination, Vice President Jim Scheibley received unanimous support of the members. However, before accepting, Scheibley listed the various community activities with which he is involved.
"With all I have, I don't think I want to take on another stressful job," Scheibley said. However, he added, "I can try."
Police coverage
Several residents in attendance questioned police coverage, or rather the lack of coverage, with one woman who did declined to provide her name suggesting that the council get rid of the part-timers.
"There are more weekends without police than weekends when there are," the woman said.
"I'm tired of it, also," Mayor Roger Adams said.
He also agreed if they don't want to work, they should be let go. He added, however, there are times when they could be working elsewhere.
The council finally agreed to hold a law and order committee meeting after the council meeting. In addition to Adams, Scheibley and Chairwoman Paulette Yuschock comprise the committee.
Demolition
A representative of Madonna Enterprises, Port Carbon, attended the meeting to provide an update on the demolition of properties at 58 and 60 E. Main St. The project began July 7 and most of the debris was to be cleaned up by July 11 followed by ground grading. A discussion followed concerning water runoff, which the representative said he would have a "better feel for when the debris was cleaned up".
The representative also noted that a property damage claim had been filed with the company by the neighbor to the left side of the demolished properties. Yuschock said she had spoken to the man and he claimed he had a lot of damages inside his house, but when she asked him if she could see it, he informed her the insurance company was handling it.
Tremont fire Chief James Koppenhaver also had a concern about water runoff since the old fire house experiences water in the basement during storms. It was noted that mortar was not used when the stone foundation was built in 1878.
Code enforcement officer
Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Bruce provided his monthly report of follow-ups on the four or five property violations that he received from the previous code enforcement officer, Jerry Fasnacht.
Bruce said he tried to contact the people Fasnacht had previously mentioned, but they did not respond. Following a discussion on a property on West Laurel Street and Vaux Avenue, it was agreed Marty Sowers, Light-Heigel, would assist him in completing what needs to be done to condemn the properties.
Bruce said he had issued nine quality of life tickets and five property maintenance violations. There were also 11 additional quality of life violations being researched.
Also mentioned were vehicles sitting on borough property. He said he spoke with the police chief who could more quickly identify the owners using a vehicle identification number, but has had no response on that issue, either.
Donmoyer asked whether Bruce would like to have an assistant since he works full-time.
"If it reaches that point, I'll let you know," Bruce said.
Fire company
Koppenhaver said that the borough fire company had responded to eight calls during June. He thanked volunteers from Frailey Township who helped with hydrant flushing. Roads supervisors Bill Mindler and Scheibley also assisted.
According to Councilman Roger Adams, the fire company's wing night will be held the second Thursday night of the month beginning Sept. 11 and continuing until Super Bowl Sunday.
Pool
A motion by Scheibley, also president of Tremont Baseball Inc., to waive the rental fee for the swimming pool for a pool party from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 10 was not immediately seconded. This prompted Scheibley to inform the members that he would donate his council check. Donmoyer agreed to also donate his check to allow for the waived pool fee.
"We discussed we weren't going to waive the fee (at the workshop)," Councilman Adams said, adding that the borough would have to pay the lifeguards.
"I'm asking you to look at what the kids do to support the nicest facility in the county," Scheibley said. "We've always waived the fee."
Although Councilman George Schaeffer finally agreed to second the motion to waive the fee, he said the borough really can't afford to lose the money. It passed with Adams, Schaeffer and Donmoyer voting "yes," Yuschock voting "no" and Scheibley abstained.
In related business, the agenda listed a reminder for the council and community members to refer rentals to replace the $1,050 monthly loss of income from the former Child Development Center and Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 rooms. The agenda also noted an additional $675 rental may also be lost for the next Xplosion Softball season.
Another loss of income is related to the lack of hours worked by the part-time officers since the borough can not devote 40 hours per month covering Frailey Township. That income helps make the SUV loan payment.
Hours
A request from secretary Linda Gately to increase her hours to complete an Auditor General's Office pension reporting compliance report as well as complete a PA Emergency Management Agency large project report was not approved. A recommendation from Donmoyer that Gately take a day off during the week and work on Saturday when she would not be disturbed was approved instead. Donmoyer noted also that the new printer/copier they had purchased is still not hooked up, which will save her time.
A complaint from Schaeffer concerning how the water company patches roads was briefly discussed. Scheibley noted that the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority does not get the road opening permit money back, which is currently $750, until the road is returned to its original condition.
"It's cheaper (for SCMA) a lot of time not to get the money back," Scheibley said.
Other business
- The secretary will send letters to local heating oil companies requesting bids on 3,000 gallons of fuel oil for the 2014-15 heating season. The quote should include a 10 percent down payment and monthly payments thereafter.
- In order to comply with the state Department of Transportation regulations and not affect the amount of liquid fuels money the borough receives, the council approved a quote from U.S. Municipal of $1,189.10 to purchase regulatory and warning retro-reflectivity signs that Mindler will install.
- The council approved the use of the Community Room for another Interfaith Network Pennsylvania Department of Health Immunization Clinic from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 6. Vaccinations for tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis and flu shots will be available by appointments which must be made with the Department of Health by calling 570-621-3114. A $5 co-pay may be waived for those uninsured/underinsured.
- The Tremont Library's Chinese Auction will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. Aug. 2 and from 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 3 in the Clay Street gym.
- State Sen. David Argall, R-29, will meet with residents from 8 to 9 a.m. Aug. 18, instead of July 14, at the firehouse
- The list of vacant properties where Mindler has been cutting grass will be forwarded to Hobbs to be included on the property liens.
- The council approved a fee of $125 for a six-hour period for the Tremont Community Organization who will be sponsoring a free swim day on a date to be determined.
- Water aerobics classes from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays were approved, organized by Amber Perkins. Participants will be asked to make a donation to cover lifeguards with the remainder donated to the borough.
- The first installment of workers' compensation through AmeriHealth in the amount of $5,851.81 was due July 1. The total bill for the year July 1, 2014, to July 1, 2015 is $18,316.
- The painting of fire hydrants was approved last year but has not been started. The project was discussed, and it was decided Bruce would assist in getting prisoners to help with the project. According to Koppenhaver, each hydrant must be flow tested to determine what color it is painted since that tells any fire fighter which hydrant has the best flow.