| MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS TOWN of BELLEFONTE, Delaware August 9th, 2004 |
Call to Order: President Michael McGrath called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The
following Commissioners were also present: Dave Wishowsky, Kathy MacDonough, and Curt
Nass.
Special Guests:
Two persons were present to make remarks as part of our series of candidate appearances.
Bob Jameson is running in the Sept. 11 primary election for 6th District State Rep. Mr.
Jameson has had a career in law enforcement and public safety; in fact, his very first arrest
was right behind our Fire House! Running for the new 8th District Council seat is Robert â
€œChuckâ€� Riley, a Navy veteran who is presently chief mechanic for the City of Newark.
Mr. Riley’s principal platform is the rescinding of the law expanding County Council to 13
members.
Minutes: The minutes of the July 12, 2004 meeting were read. There were no additions or
corrections. Dave Wishowsky moved to accept minutes as read and Mike McGrath
seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Bills: The Secretary read the outstanding bills for August. Motion was made by Dave
Wishowsky and seconded by Kathy MacDonough to approve payment of bills as read.
Motion passed unanimously.
Financial Reports: Curt Nass gave the Treasurer’s Report and the Tax Collector’s
Report for the period ending 7/31/04.
Committee Reports:
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT COMPOSITION REVIEW COMMITTEE: Beth Maloney is
out of town and could not attend tonight.
Building and Plumbing Inspectors’ Reports:
Mike McGrath has requested reports from the two inspectors. However, there was no
Building or Plumbing Inspector’s report for this meeting.
Correspondence:
A letter was received from the headmistress of St. Helena’s school. She was responding
to the Town’s earlier letter regarding parents picking up children at the school who park
illegally, or travel the wrong way down Bellefonte Ave. She assured the Town that she had
broadcast a warning about this to
all concerned parties.
A letter from Melvin Woloshin, Esq. was received asking for clarification of the Town’s
liquor policies. Kathy MacDonough contacted him and found that his client is interested in
opening a restaurant in the Phila. Pike section of the Town Business District. As long as 60%
or more of the business’s receipts are from food, there is no prohibition against serving
alcohol.
Old Business:
ELECTION: Kathy MacDonough described the process to be followed for the replacement
Town election scheduled for Sept. 1. from 7-9 p.m. Curt Nass filed for the Treasurer/Tax
Collector position. Scott MacKenzie, Mike McGrath, Wayne Norris, Jr., and Terry
Thompson have filed for the three open Commission seats. The Dept. of Elections will lend us
two voting machines, prepare the ballots, and also provide for their transportation. Our main
responsibilities are to learn to operate the machines, certify them a couple days ahead of time,
and obtain an insurance rider to protect them for the days they are in our possession.
ABANDONED CARS: Mike McGrath announced that the towing of abandoned cars not in
compliance with and/or responding to our ordinance has begun. Two cars were towed today.
TRAFFIC CALMING: Dave Wishowsky sent a list of Town residents’ addresses to
DelDOT. He has heard nothing further.
EXTRA DUTY POLICING: Dave Wishowsky reported that this is underway. We have
arranged for 8-3 hour weekday blocks of officer’s time per month, and 1-3 hour block on
weekend days. The specific days of the week are up to the officers volunteering for the duty,
and their availability.
TOWN HALL ACCESSIBILITY: Mike McGrath had Dan Muterspaw from the State
review our site conditions to assess what is needed to comply with accessibility requirements.
We will now need engineering/architectural plans in order to proceed with obtaining bids.
Kathy MacDonough moved, and Dave Wishowsky seconded, that we authorize the
expenditure of up to $1,000 to contract with Carmine Casper of H. Robertson Inc. to draw up
these plans. Motion passed unanimously.
BULK MAILING PERMIT: The Town can apply for a “permit imprint� which allows
for us to be eligible for the presort standard postage rate. Permit application is $150 and the
fee is $150 per year. This would allow us to mail newsletters and correspondence less
expensively, and insure their receipt by Town residents. Kathy MacDonough moved, and
Dave Wishowsky seconded, that $300 be authorized for this purpose. Motion passed
unanimously.
New Business:
Mike McGrath asked for volunteers for the following committees that are being formed:
ZONING/ORDINANCE REVIEW
GRANT APPLICATIONS
FACILITIES
ACCESSIBILITY
WEBSITE
Public Comment Session:
Dave Wishowsky then moved to open the meeting for public comment. Kathy MacDonough
seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
1. Mr. & Mrs. Simpson, who own 917 Fairview Ave., described the extremely poor condition
of 913 Fairview, which is apparently currently vacant. It is their understanding that the
property went up for Sheriff’s Sale and ownership has subsequently been contested. They
requested that the Town look into the matter, and also address some of the long grass and
dangerous conditions. If the owner of record cannot be determined, or be held accountable,
the Town can undertake mowing and repairs and place a lien on the property.
2. Richard Perillo, President of the BHFC, apologized for the confusion and dislocation of the
July meeting, which was held at the Fire House. An emergency circumstance had just
occurred, and the hall was needed for food service for the firefighters.
3. Miroslaw Kostyshyn, a nonresident who owns property in Bellefonte, demanded to know
the legal owner of 1123 Brandywine Blvd., and the relationship of Commissioner Mike
McGrath to the legal owner.
4. Bruce Dunlap of 1110 Prospect stated that some political meeting flyers had been thrown in
his yard.
5. Scott MacKenzie of 1010 Rosedale articulated a concern that we respect the age and
architecture of Town Hall in designing accessibility improvements. For example, a ramp could
be constructed leading to the middle set of doors, rather than to the church section doors, and
better maintain the integrity of the Town Hall proper.
6. Russ Norris asked for confirmation of the date and time of the election.
Announcements:
Mike McGrath extended sincere appreciation and thanks to the following, who diligently
cleaned up the inside of Town Hall, including doing windows and rug shampooing, and who
trimmed trees, edged, and otherwise beautified the outside: Scott MacKenzie, Terry
Thompson, and Henry Pino.
Adjournment:
It was moved, seconded and passed to adjourn; the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. The
next regular meeting will be held Monday, September 13, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall,
corner of Marion and Rosedale.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen MacDonough, Secretary
following Commissioners were also present: Dave Wishowsky, Kathy MacDonough, and Curt
Nass.
Special Guests:
Two persons were present to make remarks as part of our series of candidate appearances.
Bob Jameson is running in the Sept. 11 primary election for 6th District State Rep. Mr.
Jameson has had a career in law enforcement and public safety; in fact, his very first arrest
was right behind our Fire House! Running for the new 8th District Council seat is Robert â
€œChuckâ€� Riley, a Navy veteran who is presently chief mechanic for the City of Newark.
Mr. Riley’s principal platform is the rescinding of the law expanding County Council to 13
members.
Minutes: The minutes of the July 12, 2004 meeting were read. There were no additions or
corrections. Dave Wishowsky moved to accept minutes as read and Mike McGrath
seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Bills: The Secretary read the outstanding bills for August. Motion was made by Dave
Wishowsky and seconded by Kathy MacDonough to approve payment of bills as read.
Motion passed unanimously.
Financial Reports: Curt Nass gave the Treasurer’s Report and the Tax Collector’s
Report for the period ending 7/31/04.
Committee Reports:
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT COMPOSITION REVIEW COMMITTEE: Beth Maloney is
out of town and could not attend tonight.
Building and Plumbing Inspectors’ Reports:
Mike McGrath has requested reports from the two inspectors. However, there was no
Building or Plumbing Inspector’s report for this meeting.
Correspondence:
A letter was received from the headmistress of St. Helena’s school. She was responding
to the Town’s earlier letter regarding parents picking up children at the school who park
illegally, or travel the wrong way down Bellefonte Ave. She assured the Town that she had
broadcast a warning about this to
all concerned parties.
A letter from Melvin Woloshin, Esq. was received asking for clarification of the Town’s
liquor policies. Kathy MacDonough contacted him and found that his client is interested in
opening a restaurant in the Phila. Pike section of the Town Business District. As long as 60%
or more of the business’s receipts are from food, there is no prohibition against serving
alcohol.
Old Business:
ELECTION: Kathy MacDonough described the process to be followed for the replacement
Town election scheduled for Sept. 1. from 7-9 p.m. Curt Nass filed for the Treasurer/Tax
Collector position. Scott MacKenzie, Mike McGrath, Wayne Norris, Jr., and Terry
Thompson have filed for the three open Commission seats. The Dept. of Elections will lend us
two voting machines, prepare the ballots, and also provide for their transportation. Our main
responsibilities are to learn to operate the machines, certify them a couple days ahead of time,
and obtain an insurance rider to protect them for the days they are in our possession.
ABANDONED CARS: Mike McGrath announced that the towing of abandoned cars not in
compliance with and/or responding to our ordinance has begun. Two cars were towed today.
TRAFFIC CALMING: Dave Wishowsky sent a list of Town residents’ addresses to
DelDOT. He has heard nothing further.
EXTRA DUTY POLICING: Dave Wishowsky reported that this is underway. We have
arranged for 8-3 hour weekday blocks of officer’s time per month, and 1-3 hour block on
weekend days. The specific days of the week are up to the officers volunteering for the duty,
and their availability.
TOWN HALL ACCESSIBILITY: Mike McGrath had Dan Muterspaw from the State
review our site conditions to assess what is needed to comply with accessibility requirements.
We will now need engineering/architectural plans in order to proceed with obtaining bids.
Kathy MacDonough moved, and Dave Wishowsky seconded, that we authorize the
expenditure of up to $1,000 to contract with Carmine Casper of H. Robertson Inc. to draw up
these plans. Motion passed unanimously.
BULK MAILING PERMIT: The Town can apply for a “permit imprint� which allows
for us to be eligible for the presort standard postage rate. Permit application is $150 and the
fee is $150 per year. This would allow us to mail newsletters and correspondence less
expensively, and insure their receipt by Town residents. Kathy MacDonough moved, and
Dave Wishowsky seconded, that $300 be authorized for this purpose. Motion passed
unanimously.
New Business:
Mike McGrath asked for volunteers for the following committees that are being formed:
ZONING/ORDINANCE REVIEW
GRANT APPLICATIONS
FACILITIES
ACCESSIBILITY
WEBSITE
Public Comment Session:
Dave Wishowsky then moved to open the meeting for public comment. Kathy MacDonough
seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
1. Mr. & Mrs. Simpson, who own 917 Fairview Ave., described the extremely poor condition
of 913 Fairview, which is apparently currently vacant. It is their understanding that the
property went up for Sheriff’s Sale and ownership has subsequently been contested. They
requested that the Town look into the matter, and also address some of the long grass and
dangerous conditions. If the owner of record cannot be determined, or be held accountable,
the Town can undertake mowing and repairs and place a lien on the property.
2. Richard Perillo, President of the BHFC, apologized for the confusion and dislocation of the
July meeting, which was held at the Fire House. An emergency circumstance had just
occurred, and the hall was needed for food service for the firefighters.
3. Miroslaw Kostyshyn, a nonresident who owns property in Bellefonte, demanded to know
the legal owner of 1123 Brandywine Blvd., and the relationship of Commissioner Mike
McGrath to the legal owner.
4. Bruce Dunlap of 1110 Prospect stated that some political meeting flyers had been thrown in
his yard.
5. Scott MacKenzie of 1010 Rosedale articulated a concern that we respect the age and
architecture of Town Hall in designing accessibility improvements. For example, a ramp could
be constructed leading to the middle set of doors, rather than to the church section doors, and
better maintain the integrity of the Town Hall proper.
6. Russ Norris asked for confirmation of the date and time of the election.
Announcements:
Mike McGrath extended sincere appreciation and thanks to the following, who diligently
cleaned up the inside of Town Hall, including doing windows and rug shampooing, and who
trimmed trees, edged, and otherwise beautified the outside: Scott MacKenzie, Terry
Thompson, and Henry Pino.
Adjournment:
It was moved, seconded and passed to adjourn; the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. The
next regular meeting will be held Monday, September 13, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall,
corner of Marion and Rosedale.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen MacDonough, Secretary