Kutztown Borough Council held a moment of silence for former Council President Malcolm A. “Mac” Eidle at their meeting Jan. 17.
“The borough council learned some sad news this evening that one of the dedicated servants of the community, Mac Eidle, passed away today,” said current Council President Kevin J. Snyder who called the moment of silence.
Eidle, 80, of Kutztown, died Jan. 17 in Lehigh Valley Hospital. He served on Borough Council for 27 years, including serving as president.
“Although Mac spent several years as vice president and president during his tenure on Borough Council, he didn’t care about the titles – he truly enjoyed the challenge,” according to a 2013 article by Borough Secretary Gina M. Ward, when Eidle retired. “After serving the Borough for 43 years, and forging the relationships that he has, one of the lessons learned that Mac wishes to impart is, ‘We may not always agree, but we can remain friends.'”
In other news, under finance and electric, costs to the water and wastewater operations have been altered due to their relocation and the resulting decrease in space occupied by the operations.
According to Borough Manager, Gabriel Khalife, the services have gone under “considerable rehab and expansion” and have shifted their operations to a plant, their cost of operations have been lowered to reflect that.
In other news, under water and wastewater, council agreed to execute the revised Erosion & Sediment Control Memorandum of Understanding with the Berks County Conservation District.
According to Khalife, the revised memorandum adjusts the understanding between the Borough and Berks County Conservation District to observe MS4 requirements handed down by the state. These requirements address how to deal with building permits that will affect water runoff and erosion.
Also under water and wastewater, council authorized the sale of Water Department truck #68 at municipal online auction.
Council also authorized the sale of steel sewer vent/trap caps to Borough residents at a cost of $15 each. These are no longer available in stores because they are an old style, and will be available at Borough Hall.
Also, council ratified several revised Water Department full time position descriptions: Uncertified Operator, Certified Water Crew Leader, Certified Operator/Filtration Plant, and Certified Operator/Distribution System.
Council will also begin to advertise the sludge hauling contract bid and will authorize SSM Group, Inc. to prepare the annual Chapter 94 Report.
In other news, the council unanimously approved the consent agenda including a request from the Kutztown Community Choir for the use of the Bandshell, for its annual “Flag Day Concert” on June 13, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. Council also agreed to waive the associated rental fees and insurance requirements.
The council also approved a request, from the Kutztown University chapter of Bring Hope Home, to host a 5K on April 30, 2017. Council has agreed to waive any associated fees, depending upon approval of the 5K route by Police Chief, Summers.
A request by Kutztown Area School District was approved. Council will waive permit application fees for the proposed Agricultural Barn, including, a zoning permit application fee of $25, a building permit application fee of $35, an electrical permit application fee of $35 and plumbing permit application fee of $35.
Under community development and public safety, the December 2016 police report has become available. The Secretary’s Office collected $3,850.00 in fines during the month of December. During the month of November, District Justice Greth collected $6,333.11 in fines and the Clerk of Common Pleas collected $329.23, also in November.
In other news, under public works, council approved a request from the Kutztown Optimist Club to hold their annual Fools Run on April 1, 2017, from 8:30 a.m. until noon, and to waive any associated fees.
Council member, Peggy Devlin, took actions under personnel. Council agreed to appoint Barbara Smith to the Vacancy Board for 2017, and James Blaukovitch was approved as an Uncertified Operator in the Water Department. Council also approved the motion enter in to a pilot Volunteer Physical Fitness Program, with the Police Association.
In other news, the Code Appeals Board has one member vacancy and one alternate vacancy, the Zoning Hearing Board has two alternate vacancies, the Housing License Appeals Board has one member vacancy and three alternate vacancies and the Telecommunications Advisory Commission has one member vacancy.
