RIDLEY PARK, PA
September 16, 2014
The Ridley Park Borough Council met in regular session on the above date in Council
Chambers of the Ridley Park Borough Hall. Council President Bob Berger called the meeting to
order at 7:00 PM.
Please note that these minutes are a SUMMARY of what transpired in a public council meeting
on the above referenced date.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Eberle.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Council President Berger, Councilor Broadhurst, Councilor Mattus,
Councilor Snow, Councilor Glenn, Councilor O’Mahoney, Councilor Endriss-Dalessio and Mayor
Eberle. Also Present was Mr. Angelos, Esq. and Engineer Charles Catania.
MINUTES
Motion to approve the minutes of August 19, 2014 Councilor Mattus/Councilor Glenn
Yea: Broadhurst, O’Mahoney, Glenn, Mattus, Snow, Endriss-Dalessio, Berger
Nay: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
Motion Approved
All in Favor
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Eberle discussed various topics including the Victorian Fair which featured warmer than
usual weather and a good turnout. The event was sponsored by the Recreation Board. He
noted that he was present for the original version of the Victorian Fair which was then called the
Town Fair and was held in the center of town. It was held in September 1986 and was not very
successful, with under 100 people attending. The 3rd year the fair was held it was moved to the
lake and was much more successful. Bev Kapange suggested changing the name to the
Victorian Fair and now it includes paddle boats and provides scholarships.
The 5K run sponsored by Main Streets and the HeadStrong Foundation was discussed. Mayor
Eberle announced that a family support home is in our area. The Rubber Duckie Regatta was
held the same day as the run and featured lane markers placed in the lake with ducks being
forced down to a finish line by a stream of water provided by the fire company’s firehose. The
winner received $500. Both events were in their first year and everyone looks forward to seeing
them grow.
The Mayor showed a photo of Thayer Street many years ago as a dirt lane. It was named for a
local resident, as were many streets in the borough. Bartol was named for a resident who
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invented a sugar process and is one of the founders of the Union League in Philadelphia. Mr.
Sellers invented a standard system for screws and nuts.
Motion to Approve the Mayor’s Report: Councilor Mattus/Councilor Glenn
Yea: Glenn, Mattus, O’Mahoney, Broadhurst, Snow, Endriss-Dalessio, Berger
Nay: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
Motion Approved
COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE/PERSONNEL – COUNCILOR PAUL MATTUS
Councilor Mattus discussed the MMO payment of $118,501. There will be a pension committee
meeting Thursday at 7pm. The payment of the bills was also mentioned in the amended amount
of $357,855.13 and a report on franchise fees was given.
Motion to accept the Finance Report, Councilor Glenn/Councilor O’Mahoney
Yea: Glenn, Broadhurst, Snow, Mattus, O’Mahoney, Endriss-Dalessio, Berger
Nay: None
Abstained: None
Absent:None
Motion Approved
PUBLIC SAFETY – COUNCILOR HOLLY O’MAHONEY
Chief Donkin reported that the Fire Company won the 2013 Life Safety Achievement Award.
After congratulations were given he went on to describe the hard work of the fire prevention
committee and their upcoming activities planned for Fire Prevention Week. Mayor Eberle
commended the fire department on their achievement.
Chief Bascelli announced that children were back to school and encouraged motorist caution.
He also announced details regarding a reported attempted abduction of a middle school student
in Ridley Park. He provided details of a white van with a ladder rack that was indicated as the
suspect vehicle. Police continue to investigate the report but everyone was encouraged to call
in with any pertinent details.
Councilor O’Mahoney congratulated the fire department and then went on to discuss National
Preparedness Month, the CodeRed service that was recently purchased in the borough and the
grant that paid for this service. A follow-up discussion of using the CodeRed service for
situations such as Chief Bascelli’s announcement was mentioned.
Mayor Eberle stated that he had spoken to Chief Bascelli about the establishment of a formal
Anti-Crime unit for special duties in the borough.
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Motion to accept the Public Safety Report Councilor Mattus/Councilor Glenn
Yea: Glenn, Broadhurst, Snow, Mattus, O’Mahoney, Endriss-Dalessio, Berger
Nay: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
Motion Approved
PARKS & PROPERTIES – COUNCILOR JIM GLENN
Councilor Glenn reviewed topics including the HARB recommendations made at the previous
work session due to time constraints. He also discussed mosquito spraying and streamside
maintenance in response to complaints from Jeanne Franz and Kathy Zang at the work
session. He read from the CRC pamphlet about buffer areas between the lake and the park
area. He indicated that he will put that information on the website.
Motion to accept the Parks & Property Report Councilor Mattus/Councilor O’Mahoney
Yea: Glenn, Broadhurst, Snow, Mattus, O’Mahoney, Endriss-Dalessio, Berger
Nay: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
Motion Approved
COMMUNITY RESOURCES – COUNCILOR SAMANTHA SNOW
Councilor Snow discussed her committee’s continued revisions of the trash/recycling ordinance.
She also thanked everyone for coming out to the Victorian Fair. She read the library report
which featured information on fall children’s programs, reading to pets, the writer’s group and
the change of hours for fall. She noted the date of the Main Streets fair as October 12th and
mentioned the success of last week’s Zumbathon.
Motion to accept the Community Resource Report, Councilor Endriss-Dalessio/Councilor Glenn
Yea: Glenn, Broadhurst, Snow, Mattus, O’Mahoney, Endriss-Dalessio, Berger
Nay: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
Motion Approved
COMMUNICATIONS – COUNCILOR MICHELE ENDRISS-DALESSIO
Councilor Dalessio discussed the recent issue with the broadcast of the last business meeting.
Due to an apparent defect in the DVD player, the meeting was recorded in segments which
affected its ability to be broadcast. Thanks were offered to Ted Williams and Perry Artese for
diagnosing the issue, ordering new equipment and handling the repairs. The Business
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Association meets tomorrow and the Athletic Club will be celebrating Homecoming on
September 27th. The Barnstormers will be presenting Rocky Horror and it was mentioned that
the senior information was the same as usual.
Motion to Approve the Communications Report Councilor Mattus/Councilor Glenn
Yea: Berger, Glenn, Broadhurst, Snow, Mattus, O’Mahoney, Endriss-Dalessio
Nay: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
Motion Approved
PUBLIC RELATIONS – COUNCILOR DAN BROADHURST
Councilor Broadhurst reported that the 9/11 meeting of the Historical Society had to be
rescheduled but a 10/19 walking tour conducted by Keith Lockhart would be the organization’s
first event of the year. It starts at 4pm. School board information included the fact that the
school will be moving to a 6point grading system and also mentioned a new citizenship
requirement for all high school students. They must acquire 80 units in 4 years.He also
mentioned Terry Rowlyk getting a $500 grant for the jazz group and Jabari Whitehead who is
the principal at Upper Merion and is being featured in a WebMD article.
Councilor Mattus asked about the strike and contract negotiations and how that may affect
taxes and the budget next year. Councilor Broadhurst did not know but indicated he would ask.
Motion to Approve the Public Relations Report Councilor Mattus/Councilor Snow
Yea: Glenn, Broadhurst, Snow, Mattus, O’Mahoney, Endriss-Dalessio, Berger
Nay: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
Motion Approved
PLANNING & ZONING COUNCIL PRESIDENT BOB BERGER
Councilor President Berger discussed the 307 Sellers application that will be before Planning in
Spetember, the 5K run as well as the 150 or so ducks that were in the Rubber Duckie Regatta.
He thanked the Ridley Park Fire Department, Police Department, Highway crew and Tinicum
Twp. Ambulance. He also promoted the favorite dish competition at the Farmers Market. It will
be held at the Taylor Community Foundation booth on 9/18 at 5 pm. There will be gift
certificates for restaurants as prizes. On a final note, the CDCA 2006 metering program was
discussed. Our meter will be checked by the engineer. Councilor Broadhurst thanked Council
President Berger for his efforts relating to the CDCA.
Motion to Approve the Planning & Zoning Report Councilor Mattus/Councilor Glenn
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Yea: Glenn, Broadhurst, Snow, Mattus, O’Mahoney, Endriss-Dalessio, Berger
Nay: None
Abstained: None
Absent: O’Mahoney
Motion Approved
JUNIOR COUNCILORS REPORT –
Absent – He did email and remains focused on services for the community. Councilor
Broadhurst asked if perhaps the schools required community service could be incorporated into
the junior councilor’s service project.
BOROUGH ACTIVITIES
BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT – DAWNMARIE HUMAN
Ms. Human discussed the latest activities involving code enforcement issues, MS4 audit,
parking meter inspections, administrative items, bridge follow up, paving in October and
continuing pothole reports.
Motion to accept the Borough Manager’s report Councilor Mattus/Councilor Glenn
Yea: Glenn, Broadhurst, Snow, Mattus, O’Mahoney, Endriss-Dalessio, Berger
Nay: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
Motion Approved
BOROUGH SOLICITOR – MR. ERNIE ANGELOS
Mr. Angelos continues to work with the trash committee on the trash/recycle ordinance. He also
noted it is tax appeal season and although the borough does not take the lead on handling tax
appeals, he wanted everyone to be aware that he will be bringing them forth for approval. The
school has the lead role on tax appeals.
ENGINEER’S REPORT – MR. CHARLES CATANIA, JR.
Mr. Catania discussed the Hinkley Avenue Bridge inspection (over Stony Creek), and the need
to authorize bids for the 2015 budget. He estimated the repair costs to be approximately
$24,000. The Tome Street sewer inlet repair was mentioned as was the Hillside bridge
meeting. The settlement taking place on Robert & Dean Street was determined to be from a
private lateral.
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PUBLIC COMMENT
Kathy Zang – 250 W. Ridley Avenue wanted to follow up on the comments made on behalf of
the junior counselor. She felt someone should contact the LEO club at the school as they do
community assistance projects. Her daughter is in that club. She also stated that she thinks the
lake looks terrible and she heard the information about the need to keep a natural buffer that
CRC Watersheds recommends but she thinks it is disrespectful to people who bought memorial
benches. She felt she could take her bench back but Councilor Glenn explained she made a
donation to the lake and we buy the benches. She then stated she just won’t take care of her
bench anymore. She thanked Corporal Frazier for assisting at a call involving an accident. She
appreciated his help.
Grace (?) 23 Partridge Ave. was very upset that when she had to get a CO for her property,
Code Enforcement was asked to take note of the property behind her which had months worth
of dog feces, a ripped tarp on the home, overgrown weeds and other violations. However, it has
been 5 months since the information was taken and Mr. Tartaglia has done nothing. Councilor
O’Mahoney explained about the abatement program and indicated that it could be used for an
occupied property. She then addressed Council President Berger about why it should take 5
months and he stated he would get a response and update for her tomorrow.
Mike Gale – Discussed herbicide spray in the park. He downloaded a copy of the Roundup
label, called an 1-800 number and represented that they told him that there should be a 4 hour
reentry time for the park where it was used. He feels we should post signs. Council President
Berger agreed and stated that was fair enough. There was also a brief discussion of spray
times and whether spraying was happening at dusk or early in the morning. It was
undetermined.
Andy Furman – 419 Pomeroy revisited the previous budget discussions of what he feels to be a
$275,000 deficit. Various scenarios were discussed including the difference in the highway
funds, contributions by Aqua, etc. Council President Berger was asked to comment. Declining
tax revenues and other revenues of over $800,000 was discussed although Council President
Berger indicated he did not have the benefit of budget material in front of him. Mr. Furman also
felt that we were about $270,000 over budget for the Sector 5 Police Grant. Councilor Glenn
attempted to explain that it is a 3 year grant and funds do not come into it anymore. It is over.
The Borough Manager explained that his rationale was totally incorrect and those accounts
have been closed and audited. In fact, there remains a few thousand dollars in the account
awaiting an issue to be worked out with some equipment.
The resident at 16 Partridge asked when there will be people ticketed for speeding on Sellers
Avenue and described how bad he felt it was. Chief Bascelli indicated that special details have
been assigned to that area with many tickets written. The resident felt that this was a big
revenue opportunity for the town but the Chief explained that enforcement has to be for the sake
of enforcement because in fact the borough spends money every time they write a ticket. We
only get $12.50 and have to send officers to court and pay overtime in many cases. He restated
that enforcement there would continue because it is necessary but wanted to clarify that it does
not make the community any money to write tickets.
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Recommendations
FINANCE COUNCILOR MATTUS
Motion To Approve Payment of the Bills List for September, 2014 in the amount of $357,855.13.
Councilor Mattus/Councilor O’Mahoney
Yea: Glenn, Broadhurst, Snow, Mattus, O’Mahoney, Endriss-Dalessio, Berger
Nay: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
Motion Approved
Motion to Approve payment of $118,501 for the 2015 mmo Councilor Mattus/Councilor O’Mahoney
Yea: Glenn, Broadhurst, Snow, Mattus, O’Mahoney, Endriss-Dalessio, Berger
Nay: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
Motion Approved
There was a brief discussion about the interest payment on the previous MMO and how that
came about. The Borough Manager explained how the payment was to be made at the end of
the year, she was out ill and the payment was made 2 weeks later. However, the check was not
cashed and that was not discovered until the bank statement for February arrived in March. The
interest payment is made back to the pension account.
OLD BUSINESS
Councilor O’Mahoney discussed the new ticket system Chief Bascelli has been working on
which is in use in other communities and better accounts for tickets and monies.
NEW BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT
Councilor Mattus/Councilor Glenn
AIF
Respectfully Submitted
DawnMarie Human
Borough Manager
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