Work Session Meeting Minutes-Tuesday, September 18, 2018.
The Trafford
Borough Council held a work session on Tuesday, September 18, 2018, at 7:01
p.m., in the Manchester Room.
Council
President, Kris Cardiff, called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of
Allegiance and Moment of Silence.
Members in
attendance:
(Present) Kris Cardiff, Council President Edward
Llewellyn, Mayor
Lesile Peters,
Councilwoman Ashley Stack, Borough Manager
Joshua Sanders,
Councilman Chelsea
Dice, Solicitor
Casey Shoub,
Councilman Brian Lindbloom,
Fire Chief
(Absent) Carol
Morrow, Councilwoman Zachary Cole,
Councilman Cheryl Petersen, Councilwoman
Council
President Kris Cardiff introduced Rep. George Dunbar.
Representative
George Dunbar informed the audience of the services his office provides. Rep.
Dunbar informed the audience he has been in office for the past eight years and
has served four terms and has served Trafford for two of the eight terms. Mr.
Dunbar also serves as the vice-chair for finance, and gaming.
Pat
Paola 74 First Street: Expressed her concerns to Rep. Dunbar regarding idling
trains. Rep. Dunbar stated his hands are tied due to federal regulations. Rep
Dunbar will draft a letter on her behalf and send a copy to Senator Toomey and
Congressman Lamb. Mrs. Paola thanked Rep. Dunbar.
Rep.
Dunbar asked Councilman Cardiff of the status of the Brinton Avenue situation
during the storm.
Solicitor
Dice stated there was a mandamus action filed against the borough requesting
release of a bond. Lanalex Clloyd, LLC filed a preliminary injunction and the
judge ordered the company to pay additional monies towards the bond. The repair
work that was done to repair the sewage line was done improperly. With this
last storm, if there is damage to borough property or third parties there is a
possibility the borough will file a counter claim or file a separate
complaint.
Rep.
Dunbar provided Councilwoman Peters with a booklet with all the Commonwealth’s
grant opportunities. The Commonwealth Financing Authority releases grants every
year.
Ron
Scarano 103 Cavitt Ave: Mr. Scarano reported with the flood he lost the entire
bottom of his home along with his yard. The stream at Foster Dr. went beyond
its boundaries. Questioned why this is not being maintained. The water came all
at once, it was a wall of water.
Solicitor
Dice informed Mr. Scarano until the borough can identify whom is responsible
for the surge of water. What was the cause of the surge. The borough is not
taking any responsibility. Solicitor Dice also informed Mr. Scarano the borough
falls under the Tourte Immunity Act. If it was a pond on someone’s private
property that caused the surge of water, any affected party has the right to
file an action against the property owner.
Mr.
Scarano questioned if the maintenance crew is on a preventative maintenance
schedule. Borough Manager Stack assured Mr. Scarano the public works does what
they can we are a small municipality.
Mr.
Scarano was very upset that no one from the council showed up to check on the
residents. He also thanked council for providing dumpsters.
Mary
Dobos 207 First Street: Ms. Dobos reported to council, the creek on Foster
Drive was dredged years ago when she was a girl, of this isn’t addressed it
will happen again. Ms. Dobos was very upset no one from council showed up.
Solicitor Dice stated the creek runs through private property and the borough
would not dredge a creek on private property.
Fire
Chief Lindbloom stated his department had 47 responses in 24 hours.
Borough
Manager Stack stated she did come into town on Sunday while her own home was
being flooded.
Councilman
Shoub informed the audience there were multiple areas with flooding: South
Trafford, First Street, Brinton Ave, Belleau Wood Blvd, and Woodlawn.
Joe
Kingston 525/527 Brinton Ave: Mr. Kingston stated he takes pride in being a
property owner here in Trafford. He’s had the same tenants since 1984.
Questioned council what he is to do for his property and his tenants’ property
that has been damaged with raw sewage. Solicitor Dice stated Mr. Kingston can
file suit against Lanalex Clloyd, LLC if the insurance adjuster is in agreeance
that the damages have been caused by raw sewage.
Lynnwood
Leeman 334 Fourth St: Mr. Leeman expressed his dislikes for the way Public
Works conducts their maintenance. Mr. Leeman also questioned the code
enforcement officer’s procedure. Borough manager Stack informed Mr. Leeman the
Public Works Department is short staffed, we will forward all complaints to the
foreman. Code Enforcement complaints must be filed on paper, these complaints
get remediated within a few days.
Councilwoman
Peters informed the audience FEMA has disaster loans/grants available. She also
informed the audience to check with their tax preparer’s to file for a $100.00
damages deduction and possibly 10% off of your gross income to account for your
allowable losses.
Councilman
Shoub suggested to Mr. Scarano to place the mud/dirt on the street and the
Public Works will pick it up. Just please call the borough office to
coordinate.
Fire
Chief Lindbloom provided a report and pictures on problem areas where flooding
occurred.
Councilman
Cardiff thanked Fire Chief Lindbloom for all is help.
Jennie
McCafferty 305 Wallace Ave: Questioned the status of the Storm Sewer on Wallace
Avenue. Mrs. McCafferty stated she has talked to the Borough Manager on several
occasions. Borough Manager Stack stated the Borough Engineer has assed the
storm sewer and has deemed it private property. The engineer reached out to
Penneco and they too assed it as private property. Mrs. McCafferty stated where
her garage is, it was a borough owned easement and can provide a copy of the
property survey. Borough Manager Stack stated she will review the file and get
back to her. Councilman Shoub stated the area was vacated in the 50’s. Solicitor
Dice stated if the borough did vacate the road all adjoining property owners
take responsibility down the middle.
Councilman
Cardiff informed the audience the next regular business meeting will be held
Tuesday, October 2, 2018.
The
meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.