Tremont council adds two

TREMONT - Tremont Borough Council appointed two new members to its board September 11, replacing Scott Fisher and Gene Griffiths who both submitted letters of resignation last month.

Without any further explanation of the agenda which noted that seven applications had been received, council president Bob Donmoyer asked George Schaeffer who he wished to nominate. His nomination of George Stahl was seconded by Donmoyer and received a unanimous vote.

The same procedure was followed for the other seat. This time Jerry Fasnacht nominated Jim Sheibley, with Donmoyer again providing the second. Sheibley also received a unanimous vote.

The terms of office for both seats runs through the end of 2013.

Party place

A resident's request to hold a 3-year-old's birthday party in the Robert "Pete" Wiscount Veterans Park was discussed but neither the motion to use it free of charge, nor the motion to use with a $50 damage fee received seconds which meant the request was not approved.

During the discussion, resident LeDawn Schaeffer noted her disagreement with allowing an activity such as child's birthday party, stating, "It's a veterans park."

Fasnacht didn't disagree with L. Schaeffer, nor Donmoyer who suggested the damage fee, since kids were not charged to use other parks. He added, however, that the resident was out of order and should not be speaking.

With that said, L. Schaeffer got up from her seat and before exiting the meeting reminded the council that they ask former council president Laine Mack questions any time during the meeting, but other citizen's, she said, can't talk.

Another man also entered his opinion suggesting that a permit should be required if the park would be closed to everyone else. To that both G. Schaeffer and Stahl said there are other places to hold a party.

Parking

Trailer parking on borough streets had brought citizens out to the council meetings for months and a proposed amendment to the ordinance covering non-motorized recreational vehicles had been drafted by Solicitor Chris Hobbs. During a discussion at the council's August workshop, Mayor Bill Allar noted he would veto the ordinance if passed by the council since he felt there were too many loopholes. It would, said Allar, open a "can of worms" by allowing an exception for one type of vehicle. Because of that a motion to approve the new ordinance for advertising was not even made. Since Allar had not attended the August meeting, he questioned the status of the ordinance and was informed that the old ordinance is back in effect.

Railroad

Another parking problem had surfaced last month, this one along Crescent Street where the Reading and Northern Railroad Company has erected "No Parking" signs along their tracks.

Since receiving the letter informing the board of the action which would be effective August 30, Donmoyer said he has been looking for a place for residents to park. Richmond Screw, he said, has been asked, but there is always a question of liability. The borough has offered to put up a fence so people could not park close to the tracks, as well as keep the weeds cut, but the railroad company would not agreed.

L. Mack reminded the board that the railroad had agreed the crossings in the borough would receive a permanent fix when the Route 209 project was done. That fight, he noted, is between the state and the railroad. Donmoyer reported he has contacted State Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, who is trying to get funding to complete the resurfacing through the borough.

A mention of the borough charging the railroad company for each car that travels through the borough was also made last month. According to Hobbs he had not been authorized to look into that.

It was noted that there is room for cars to park between the "No Parking" signs erected by the railroad company, but, Allar reminded the residents that there must be enough room for a fire truck to get through.

Donmoyer said he would check at the courthouse to see what surveyor's maps of the area are available. "Maybe we need to survey again," he said.

Police car

Allar reported an agreement had been made with Frailey Township to raise the hourly rate for police protection until one-half of the cost of a second police car would be paid. The only used one available within the state is a 2008 Ford Explorer, though a dealership in Ohio, which is a nine-hour drive away, has many available. The Law and Order Committee would discuss the options.

Pool duty

Included with Scott Fisher's resignation from council was his resignation from his volunteer position of overseeing the community's swimming pool.

Qualifications for the position include lifeguard scheduling, concession stand and other supply purchases, maintenance, parties, lessons, and receiving receipts and deposit tracking. In addition, training for a pesticide and pool chemical application certification is required, but will be paid by the borough. Mechanical ability would also be helpful. "If no one steps forward," said Donmoyer, "the pool can't open."

Clean up

Donmoyer announced that an anonymous donor will pay for the dumpsters that had held the trash collected last month by a volunteer Christian group from out of the area. Mahantongo Recycling, Harrisburg, will also take tires at a cost of $60 per ton. Residents were informed that the clean-up has been completed and no additional trash or tires will be picked up. Donmoyer noted, however, that the borough will try to set up something again for next year.

In related business, the annual Schuylkill County Fall Clean-up and Recycling Event for scrap tires, electronics, appliances, scrap metal, and bulky items will be held this month. The closest sites are the CES Landfill the week of September 17 to September 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Porter Township municipal building, September 27-28, 2 to 6 p.m., and September 29, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other sites are available in Wayne Township, Pottsville, Ringtown, North Manheim Township, Minersville, Girardville, and the Tamaqua Transfer Station. There is a charge for some of the items.

Fasnacht expressed his thanks to some residents who offered help and tools when repairing a creek wall. Donmoyer noted that the borough is looking for volunteers to help with all sorts of work throughout the town.

A special council meeting was scheduled to be held September 17, 6:30 p.m., to open bids for creek wall improvements, as well as the repair of the Union Street bridge which has been closed to all traffic for seven years. Although a $400,000 grant had been approved for the bridge, repairs/replacement would need to meet state weight standards and that estimate had been $1.2 million. Hopefully, said Donmoyer, repairs which will require a weight restriction, will be affordable since the $400,000 grant money cannot be used.

Police activity for August includes one criminal complaint, nine traffic citations, and three non-traffic citations filed. Four written warning were issued, eight assists other police departments, one bank robbery, seven surveillance/stake outs details, three civil complaints, three on-going drug investigations, one meth lab investigation, four criminal mischief complaints, five disturbances, three harassment complaints, one harassment by communication complaint, one DUI, one game commission assist, four ambulance assists, one warrant served, eight traffic stops, one barking dog complaint, and 13 miscellaneous incidents. An officer also attended one district justice hearing.

In other business,

- Hobbs reported he has filed for a hearing with a judge in order to get a judgment against MEM (Municipal Energy Management). The hearing, he said, would be held within the next 60 to 90 days and would only discuss damages, since by default, MEM has admitted to all allegations against them.

- Although an extra food distribution day had been added, Donmoyer announced that the food pantry is in need of donations. Residents can obtain information about pre-qualifying or donating by calling 695-2131, or by e-mail at tremontfoodpantry@yahoo.com.

- Stocking of the Dollar Store will be completed on September 27 and the store should be opening soon after.

- Council agreed to advertise an ordinance amending a stop sign ordinance to add stop signs at the intersection, both east and west, of Laurel and Hand streets.

- A pre-paid order for a 'Hugs and Kisses' September 2011 flood book at a cost of $30 can be made at the borough office. According to Donmoyer, the book came in handy since some of the pictures helped document FEMA claims.

- On September 21 at 7 p.m., the Tremont Historical Society will hold a History of Halloween lecture in the Clay Street Building, along with displays of vintage Halloween collectibles.

- Until September 21, the Tremont Fire Company will be taking orders for pumpkin, shoe-fly, apple crumb, and cherry crumb pies at a cost of $7.50 each. Delivery will be September 28.

- On September 22, 12:30-2:30 p.m., the TCO will hold a chicken BBQ in the lower lobby of the Clay Street building.

- On September 28 at 5 p.m., Diakon Senior Center will host a Country Line Dance and dinner.

- On Oct 31, 6 to 8 p.m., Trick or Treat night will be held in the borough, as well as Frailey Township.

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