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Contentious Johnsonburg Borough Meeting |
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Tuesday, 13 May 2008 |
By Heidi ZemachSpecial to The Record
JOHNSONBURG – Heated arguments characterized the Johnsonburg Borough meeting yesterday, and most of the arguing centered around various inconveniences and misunderstandings created by the recent Johnsonburg Bypass project and the nearly completed municipal authority's phase one sewer project.
In his report, Johnsonburg Fire Chief William Keneske described the difficulty his department had in accessing Terra Cotta Road with recent utility work being done in the area. He informed the council that no one had notified the police or fire departments that the road would be closed or made inaccessible to through traffic. The department meanwhile had received calls from irate residents about the matter, Keneske said.
Keneske and Johnsonburg Police Chief Byran Parana said they discovered that an emergency detour could have been used to access Terra Cotta Road. The entrance gate was locked by one of the private roads’ owners, possibly LandVest.
Parana also said a large was hole created during recent sewer construction work. The hole creates a hazard for cars traveling past the old Johnsonburg Hotel on Center Street.
Municipal Authority Chairman Dale DeLong said the authority had indeed notified the borough and County Control of the road closure of Terra Cotta Rd. On the matter of the pothole, DeLong said the authority was simply an advisory board that does not run the projects. Nor does the authority have the power to tell its hired project contractor how to conduct business. DeLong said the authority has done all it could to deal with issues as they occur, in a timely fashion.
Finally, Borough Solicitor Elizabeth Feronti was granted permission to write a letter to LandVest and the other property owners responsible for that emergency access road to ask permission for the borough and fire department to use the road in an emergency.
In some good news, Keneske said the fire department has been awarded a $34,000 “Fire Prevention” grant from the Department of Homeland Security, which will be spent on fire prevention and to purchase smoke detectors for seniors in the community.
In his report, Parana talked about how complaints concerning abandoned vehicles are generally handled. He told residents it is very important to come forward, in person, and inform the local police all they know about vehicles, so the vehicles can be removed by the correct authorities. Over the years, the department has removed 79 abandoned vehicles.
Although there had been no official request, the borough council approved a motion to close Market St. on May 26 for Memorial Day festivities.
Looking over the borough investments and bills, Councilman Duane Duffy questioned keeping a $400,000 fund in a year-by-year savings CD. It is currently invested in First Commonwealth Bank, and will soon reach maturity. Northwest quoted an interest rate of 2.18 percent, and First Commonwealth quoted an interest rate at 2.85 percent.
Duffy suggested the borough could get a better rate of interest if it is locked into a longer term account of three to five years. Councilman Harriet Stahli said for the past eight years the interest earned has enabled the borough to forestall raising taxes. But Councilman Lois Imbrogno strongly objected to the idea of tying up the money for a greater period, when the U.S. economy is looking so bad right now. Council voted to have Borough Manager Polaski explore the rates of interest for longer term CD investments. She will bring her findings to the finance committee before the CD reaches its maturity date of May 15. The council also authorized the finance committee to take action if they can get a better rate.
In other matters the borough council gave Feronti permission to research the purpose of a sandbar island under the Clarion River near the borough building in the Route 219 bypass construction area in order to allow Allegheny Power access t a pair of utility poles currently situated in the way of the proposed construction. Council was unclear whether the area was considered a wetlands or flood abatement area. Duffy voted against the motion.
Delong reviewed the troubles of the municipal authority in managing so many large-scale construction projects over the past five years, which has left the
authority broke and its members frustrated. DeLong defended the arduous work by the authority, saying the experience has been “horrible.” He predicted that the authority will probably disband following the completion of its work.
In unfinished business, Polaski read recent correspondence by Allegheny Power. The company promised to restore sidewalks on Harrison Avenue to the condition they were prior to the construction project.
In new business, the council considered six bids by three companies for a used Skid Steer. The bids ranged from $17,000 bid for a 2003 machine, to a $20,300 bid for a brand new machine. Council approved a motion to have Borough Street Crewman Tommy Imbrogno look over the proposed skid steers and return with a proposal. Council passed ordinance 2008-01 that permits part-time employees to opt into the retirement benefit program within a year.
They also approved signing of a quit claim deed for the Larry Casilio property, enabling him to get clear title to the property he has owned for 21 years.
Council also accepted a $2,200 bid from Maple Mountain Equipment for a tractor/ riding lawn mower for the town street crew. They also approved of having Polaski apply for a $63,000 grant application for a new flood control pump.
Finally, they awarded the borough Junior Council Person John Gadley, 18, a certificate of appreciation for his two years of service on the council.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 May 2008 )
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