MINUTES OF THE BOROUGH OF - Narberth Borough

							                        MINUTES OF THE BOROUGH OF
                        NARBERTH COUNCIL MEETING
     The regular meeting of the Narberth Borough Council was called to order in the
Municipal Building, 100 Conway Avenue, Narberth, Pa. on April 14, 2008 at 8:00 P.M.
by Council President Mary Jo Pauxtis.
     Present
   Messrs.:
     Heidi Boise
     Andrew Haankenson
     Nancy V. Lotz, (Ms.) Vice President
     Mathew Pettigrew
     Bob Wegbreit
     Michael Quinn
     Mary Jo Pauxtis, (Mrs.) President
     Also Present:
     Thomas Grady, Mayor
     William J. Martin, Borough Manager
     Marc Jonas, Borough Solicitor
     Frederick C. Hansell, Jr., Assistant Borough Manager

       Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, as led by Councilman
Wegbreit, it was moved by Vice-President Lotz and seconded by Councilman Quinn that
the minutes of the March 5, 2008 Caucus Meeting and March 10, 2008 Council meeting
be approved as circulated. Motion carried.
       President Pauxtis called upon the Mayor, Tom Grady for his report. The Mayor
reported the Police department continues to monitor bus stops and the officers stop and
introduce themselves to the school children. Meet the Mayor will continue this Friday at
9:00 AM the corner of North Narberth Avenue and Windsor Avenue with Lt. Pavoni and
one of the officers on hand to help answer questions. Officer Battista was “shadowed”
by two students from St Margaret’s school who observed his actions for a whole shift.
Movie night this Friday night will feature Alvin & the Chipmunks. The Narberth Otters
rugby team won against Bishop Shanahan on Sunday afternoon. The police department
green initiative continues to take effect and the officers are instructed to walk their beat
for at least one hour per shift.
       Ms. Linda Waddell, President of the Board of Trustees of the Narberth Community
Library presented the regular monthly report of the Narberth Community Library
Trustees for the month of February 2008 showing receipts, disbursements, and
circulation statistics for the month. The report shows circulation for the month of 2,225
volumes that is an increase of 44 volumes from last month and an increase of 1,402
volumes from February 2007. The February 29, 2008 balance sheet lists assets totaling

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$65,125.31 comprised of $9,973.53 that is the balance in the Citizen’s Bank Board
designated Fund; $5,409.11 which is the balance in the Citizen’s Bank Building Fund;
and $49,742.67 which is the balance in the Citizen’s Bank Operating Checking Account.
(See # 1) The library completed a very successful fundraiser last Friday night at Evivva
restaurant. The wine tasting party raised over $6,000.00. The Library will participate in
NarbEarth Day. The Board will begin interviewing new librarians to replace Christine
Jackson who is retiring June 30, 2008. The Library will sponsor the Circus as a
fundraiser on May 10th with assistance from the 4th of July Committee. The Library
submitted a DCED grant to representative Mike Gerber’s office to start a play-away
collection that is a self-contained battery operated Ipod/MP3 player. The Library will
sponsor Science in the summer with a grant from GlaxoSmithKline.
       President Pauxtis read the March 31, 2008 report of the Borough Treasurer, Mrs.
Leslie E. Marshall, which was received and was ordered, filed for audit. (See # 2) The
report shows an opening balance of $17,592.41; receipts of $1,219,943.37;
expenditures of $938,615.99 and adjustments of +1,138.10; leaving a closing balance of
$300,057.89. The Trial Balance submitted by the Borough Office is in Balance. (See #3)
The Schedule of Invested Funds shows a March 31, 2008 balance of PLIGIT
investments of $1,121,571.26. (See #4)
       The March 31, 2008 report of the Borough Tax Collector, Mrs. Regina Watson,
was received and ordered filed for audit. (See # 5) The Tax Collector has collected
39.834% or $950,951.83 of the 2008 Real Estate Tax duplicate of $2,387,286.82 leaving
an unpaid balance of $1,436,335.84; 39.834% or $225,441.13 of the 2008 Solid Waste
Tax duplicate of $565,951.53 leaving an unpaid balance of $340,510.65; and 41.369%
or $77,411.72 of the 2008 Sewer Tax Duplicate of $187,124.94 leaving an unpaid
balance of $109,713.06 for bills issued February 1, 2008.
       The Borough Solicitor, Marc D. Jonas had no report.
       The Borough Manager, William Martin, reported that tonight’s agenda includes
possible action on the traffic study conducted by GAI consultants. The results of the
study were received in the Borough Office Friday afternoon at 3:30 PM and were
distributed to all members of the Highway Committee. The Manager asked that this
agenda item be removed since there was not enough time to review the study.
                             STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
       Vice-President Nancy Lotz, Chairman of the Building and Zoning Committee,
presented the April 14, 2008 report showing permit activity for the month of March 2008:
24 permits issued; cost of permits $3,440.00; cost of construction $157,085.00; 20 jobs
completed; 40 building inspections made; 2 curb and sidewalk permit issued; 2 curb and
sidewalk inspections made; 2 use and occupancy certificates issued; 6 plumbing
permits issued, 2 plumbing permits completed; no heating equipment permit issued, no
heating equipment permits completed. (See #6) The committee will present a resolution
later in tonight’s meeting approving sub-division # 2008-01.
       Michael Quinn, Chairman of the Public Safety Committee presented the April 14,

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2008 report of the Narberth Police Department, (See #7) showing Police statistics for the
month of March 2008; The meter violation reports for 2008 shows 313 meter violations
for the month. (YTD 1,516) Receipts for the month totaled $4,935.00 (YTD 13,770.00)
(See #8) The two-hour zone report shows 105 violations for the month of March 2008
(YTD 368) (See #9) and the Report of District Justice Kathleen Valentine, together with
a check in the amount of $2,330.89 representing collections for the month of February
2008. (See # 10) The report of the Narberth Fire Company for the month of March 2008
was also read. (See # 11) The Fire Chief reported 17 calls for the month. (YTD 55) The
breakdown of calls is 78% in Lower Merion Township and 22% in Narberth Borough;
also there were 18.73 training hours. Councilman Quinn thanked the Fire department
and Police Department for their prompt attention to a chimney fire Saturday at his
house.
       Councilman Andy Haakenson, Chairman of the Highway Committee, read the
man-hour report for Highway Department, showing 937.5 man-hours worked for which
the Department was paid $17,455.52 for the period February 15, 2008 to March 20,
2008. (See #12)
       Council member Bob Wegbreit, Chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee
presented the monthly report of trash and recycling collection for the month of March
2008. During the month of March 140.16 tons of trash were collected along with 14.80
tons of commingled recyclabes and 38.76 tons of newsprint, cardboard and mixed
paper. Costs incurred for the month included $22,992.45 for trash and recycling
collection contract; $9,390.72 tipping fee to the county; $492.60 tipping fee for brush
collection; $638.32 recycling tipping and hauling; labor costs totaled $2,746.10 for 113
hours. Receipts for special pickups totaled $320.00. (See #13)
       Council member Bob Wegbreit, presented the April 14, 2008 report showing that
during the month of March 2008, there were no dog bites, no cat bites and no
communicable diseases reported. (See # 14) The Health and Welfare Committee met
prior to tonight’s meeting to discuss the status of the Shade Tree Inventory project.
Morris Arboretum is conducting the Shade Tree Inventory of all of the trees in the right of
way. 850 trees were identified by the initial windshield survey and 485 trees have been
completed and will be summarized in a tree management report. Our inventory will also
be assimilated into the Lower Merion Township GIS system, and Davey Tree Company
will assess the tree cover in a detailed report ordered by Lower Merion Township. The
Township staff has offered the use of their systems to access the data from our
inventory. The Shade Tree Commission is also exploring a new comprehensive revision
to the Shade Tree Ordinance that will incorporate permits and management of the
shade tree inventory.
       Councilwoman Heidi Boise, Chairwoman of the Property Committee, presented
the April 14, 2008 report. (See # 15) During the month of March 2008:
       1. Approximately 250 lbs of turf seed has been distributed to the main municipal
          field.

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      2. Repairs have been made to the equipment at the Sabine Avenue Park.
      3. A new vehicle has been ordered to replace the play equipment car at the
          Sabine Avenue Park.
      4. The Sabine Avenue Park as well as the tot lot at Candy Cane City has received
          sand deliveries to revitalize the safety impact areas.
      5. The two (2) replacement sand diggers in the seven and under areas of the
          playground have been ordered and should be delivered in April.
      6. Repairs have been made to the gutters on the field house and new faucets
          have been installed in the lavatories.
      Matt Pettigrew, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the April 14, 2008
Schedule of Bills covering General Fund expenditures of $2,253,988.76 and Highway
Aid Fund expenditures of $16,272.13 (See # 16) It was moved by Councilman Quinn,
seconded by Councilman Haakenson, that Council approve the Schedule, the Borough
Treasurer draw checks, be approved by the President of Council, attested by the
Borough Secretary, and all bills paid. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
      Councilman Bob Wegbreit, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee
had no report.
      Councilwoman Boise, Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Bridge Committee had no report.
      Councilman Haakenson, Chairman of the Ad-Hoc School Building Committee
reported that contact has been made with the Lower Merion School District over the
reclamation of the old Narberth School Building. Both attorneys are discussing the
agenda for a potential meeting.
      President Pauxtis asked if there was any citizen present who wished to address
Council on any subject?
                     CITIZEN COMMENTS
      There were 50 members of the public present for tonight’s meeting. Joe Regan,
representing the Lower Merion FOP Lodge # 28 spoke in support of keeping the local
Police Department and officers who have been hired and taken an oath when hired to
protect you as citizens and possibly put their lives on the line to protect you. He said it is
a very unsettling feeling to go to work every day, put your life on the line, not knowing if
your will still have a job at the end of the day. He said case law should be reviewed
carefully to see if this type of consolidation could legally be made. Mr. Regan asked if
other departments beside the Police department were being reviewed to see if other
cost savings were being evaluated also?
      President Pauxtis said that the FOP will be included in the process from the very
beginning and were notified as soon as the letter was made public. President Pauxtis
said that the Borough did not initiate this process, but the Council has a fiduciary
responsibility to its taxpayers to explore many different proposals. Other departments
may be reviewed depending on the outcome of this review and budget considerations to
save money.
      Tom Davis of 5 Shirley Road why this type of discussion is not posted and

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communicated to all residents. He said that less then 10% of the residents have any
knowledge of the discussions being pursued by Borough Council. He said that in this
day and age there are better means to electronically communicate to all residents
immediately important issues.
       Brian Fee of 316 Windsor Avenue asked if residents could be better informed
about local issues by posting what issues are to be discussed on the agenda for all
meetings? President Pauxtis said any resident is welcome to come to any Council
meeting.
       Andy Bees of 15 Windsor Avenue spoke in favor of keeping taxes reasonable. He
asked if it was possible to put on a local referendum local decisions such as what to
raise taxes for and local preferences.
       President Pauxtis said that as elected officials it was their responsibility to make
these important decisions to represent the taxpayers in Narberth. That is the fiduciary
responsibility of the Borough Council. President Pauxtis encouraged all residents to
actively attend all of the Council meetings and have an active voice in their local
government.
       Ed Ginn of 216 Dudley Avenue spoke in favor of maintaining our local police force.
He asked about the decision making process, getting information to residents to have
input. He asked what criteria would be used to evaluate Lower Merion’s offer?
       James J. Conway, Jr. of 407 Dudley Avenue a resident since 1998 and a member
of the Narberth Police Department about the timing of the letter received from Lower
Merion Township and the time it took to make it public. If the decision is made to
eliminate the department who would notify his seven-year old that his job had been
eliminated. He asked if other departments were being examined to eliminate waste and
save the taxpayers money. He asked if the Borough really needed a $149,000.00 street
sweeper? Do we need to pay someone $80,000.00 to count the trees? He asked how
many back door meetings took place before the letter was made public?
       Bill Waterman of 15 Chestnut Avenue said he moved to Narberth in July of 2004
and when they looked at communities choose Narberth because of its small town values
including having its own Police Department.
       Rich Kramer, President of FOP Lodge # 28 said he was here to support the 7
officers that might potentially loose their jobs, because of the potential action by
Borough Council. He said he has many friends in Narberth, including the officers and
that to loose the department is to take the heart out of the community. He asked if the
letter received from Lower Merion Township was an unsolicited letter?
       Bill Battista, a member of the Police Department since June of 2004 asked about
losing his job and finding a new job he said he has pride in serving the community, he
has served in other departments and choose to join this department from another
department for the potential. He asked what incentive there was to keep doing a good
job if his job was in jeopardy.
       Susan Bode of 109 Dudley Avenue asked if the Council was going to renegotiate

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the contract with the Police Department? She said that Council had the upper hand in
on-going negotiations if it was also considering eliminating the department.
       Al Millar of 127 Conway Avenue asked if there was a drop-dead date to reply to
the Lower Merion request. He asked who would gather the information necessary to
make an intelligent decision? He asked that all the information be shared with residents
so they were kept up to date.
       Karen Ament of 3 Shirley Circle asked if more information would be made
available to Borough residents, she suggested posting it to the Borough’s website or
distributing it electronically. Councilman Pettigrew said he has always let his neighbors
know what is going on Borough Council and he invited all residents to keep attending
the Borough’s posted meetings and ask questions in the public comment section.
       Theresa Grady of 23 Windsor Avenue pointed out that the notice posted on the
bulletin boards for tonight’s meeting makes no mention of discussion of the Police
Services contract with Lower Merion Township, there was also no posting on the
Borough’s website of the agenda for tonight’s meeting.
       President Pauxtis reported seven letters were received during the month. A thank
you letter from K. Suzanne Stone for the Borough’s assistance in dealing with a sanitary
sewer blockage. (See # 17) A thank you letter from PALM (Positive Aging in Lower
Merion) and VMSC and New Horizons Senior Center thanking the Borough for its
contribution. See #18,19 & 20) there was also a thank you from the Narberth Business
Association for the Borough’s assistance in the Great Narberth Leprechaun Hunt. (See
# 21) A letter from Ben Bagnell of 212 Dudley Avenue asking that a bench be purchase
for the Narberth Playground in memory of Mr. Harry Berry. (See # 22)
                                   RESOLUTIONS
       Vice-President Lotz, Chairman of the Building and Zoning Committee moved the
adoption of Subdivision # 2008-01. Councilman Haakenson seconded this motion.
Motion approved by the unanimous voice vote of Council.
       Councilman Sam Quinn moved the appointment of Joseph C. Rudolf of Reed
Smith as professional consultant in the upcoming police negotiations. Councilman
Pettigrew seconded this motion. There was discussion of the terms of the agreement,
the hourly rate to be charged and the possibility of establishing a cap on total charged
by Mr. Rudolf. Appointment approved by a six (6) to one (1) roll call vote of Council,
Councilman Wegbreit voting in opposition to this appointment. A letter dated March 17th
was received by Council President and Mayor Grady from Mr. Chupein, representing the
FOP, Lodge No. 28, the bargaining agent for members of the Narberth Borough Police
Department.
       Action on agenda item 8c was postponed until the report can be thoroughly
studied.
       Under new business, Councilman Wegbreit said he believed it was not ethical to
continue negotiations on a new Police Contract when the question of possibly
eliminating the Police Department was being explored with the Lower Merion Township

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Commissioners. There was discussion of this topic, and the mechanics of investigating
the terms of the Police services agreement, the timing and criteria and exchange of data
with Lower Merion Township.
      Councilman Wegbreit moved because of the ethical nature of entering into
modifying the existing police services while entering into collective bargaining with
FOP Lodge # 28 that the negotiations with Lower Merion Township to modify the
agreement be postponed until additional information is provided to Borough Council
within 30 days. There was discussion of the ethical standards used, the time limit and
the effect upon existing contract negotiations. Councilman Quinn seconded this
motion. Motion approved by a unanimous voice vote of Council. President Pauxtis
asked the Borough Manager to proceed with exchanging data with Lower Merion
Township and report back to Council.
      Unfinished business there was discussion of the unfinished Civil Service rules and
regulation. Councilman Quinn said he was waiting for additional information from the
Mayor and Borough Manager. Councilman Quinn said he would schedule a meeting of
the Public Safety Committee and continue the discussion of the items on their agenda
including task force hours, and the Civil Service Rules and regulations.
      There being no further business to come before Council this evening, President
Pauxtis entertained a motion to adjourn, so moved by Councilman Wegbreit, seconded
by Councilman Quinn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:07 P.M.

                       Respectfully submitted,



                       Frederick C. Hansell, Jr.
                       Assistant Borough Secretary
                       Assistant Borough Manager

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