Meeting called to order by Denise Adams.  The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance.

Roll Call

Members Present:  Mr. Morgan, Mr. Shannon,  Mr. Dellegrotto, Mr. Esposito, Mr. Pizano, Ms. Adams, Ms. DeRoberto, Angela Coco, Junior Council

Absent:  Mayor Coleman

Motion to approve the February 7, 2012 Council Meeting Minutes.  1^st Mr. Morgan,  2^nd Mr. Shannon and unanimously carried.

Treasurers Report provided by Debra Serbin

Motion to accept the Treasurers Report as read.  1^st Mr. Morgan, 2^nd Mr. Pizano and unanimously carried.

Citizens Input (agenda items only) No comments.

Correspondence: Northeast Revenue Services is requesting permission to sell 10 trailers at a Repository Sale at a cost of $500.00 each.  Council is asking for tax information to be included in the information package before making a decision. 

Letter from Leonard Bonfanti, resigning from the Police Civil Service Commission.

Letter requesting monitory donation to assist with the Veterans of Foreign Wars/Memorial Day Parade from the  American Legion Post 833.

Letter from Atty. Sam Falcone concerning the Cherry Wood Estates roadway advising the Borough Council and the Homeowners Association to file a Petition to set aside the tax sale where the road was sold to a private individual. 

Refuse Report – Lynda Hyzenski, report on file.

Recycling Report – Karen Szwast, absent, no report.

Reports of Committees

Police – Joseph Pizano & John Morgan -  320 incidents for the month.

Finance & Insurance (Grants) -  Joseph Esposito, Larry Dellegrotto & Betty Ann DeRoberto – Finance meeting to be held soon and a report will be given at the April meeting.

Motion to transfer $500,000.00 from the PNC Sewer Fund to the 1^st National Sewer Fund.  1^st Mr. Esposito, 2^nd Mr. Dellegrotto and unanimously carried.

Fire Department - Thomas Shannon & Betty Ann DeRoberto – 47 responses year to date. Report on file.

Street/Recycling Departments – John Morgan & Thomas Shannon – A sewer collapsed on Bennett St. and a full report will be forthcoming from the contractor.  The water company recently worked in the same area and this work could be tied into the collapse of the sewer.

Parks and Recreation – Betty Ann DeRoberto & Joseph Pizano –  Thanked Mike Valenti for a donation to the Park and Recreation Fund.

Hicks Creek Maintenance –Thomas Shannon & John Morgan – nothing at this time.

Zoning – Larry Dellegrotto & Joseph Pizano – Planning meeting on March 14^th at 7:00 P.M. 

Remarks from Mayor Cassandra Coleman – absent

Junior Council Report – Angela Coco – spoke about wildlife in Hicks Creek.

Solicitors Report – Ray Hassey – nothing at this time.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Motion to accept the prepaid bills in the amount of $44,472.86.  1^st Mr. Dellegrotto, 2^nd Mr. Morgan and unanimously carried.

Motion to approve payment of $1,750.00 from the Recycling/Grant Fund to Karen Szwast as final payment associated with the Safe Waters Grant.  1^st Mr. Shannon, 2^nd Mr. Dellegrotto and unanimously carried.

Motion to rescind the February 7, 2012 motion, seeking a Request for Proposals for tax collection services to collect the Mercantile Flat Tax. 1^st Mr. Esposito, 2^nd Mr. Morgan and unanimously carried.

Motion to appoint the Centax Tax Agency as agent for the collection, administration and related services associated with the Mercantile Flat Tax at a 2% collection fee and a 10% delinquent collection fee.  1^st Mr. Esposito, 2^nd Mr. Morgan and unanimously carried.

Motion to appoint AFG Pension Administration for investment, management and administration and all related services for the Exeter Borough Police Pension Plan.  1^st Mr. Esposito, 2^nd Ms. DeRoberto, Roll Call:  Mr. Morgan – no, Mr. Shannon – yes, Mr. Dellegrotto – yes, Ms, DeRoberto – yes, Mr. Pizano – no, Ms. Adams – no, Mr. Esposito – yes.

Appointment to the Police Civil Service Commission. 

Atty. Hassey spoke that the commission has two vacancies and the first motion will be to fill the vacancy which occurred on January 1, 2012 for a six year term.

Motion to appoint Sharon Korba to fill the six year term on the Exeter Borough Civil Service Commission.  1^st Mr. Esposito, 2^nd Mr. Shannon.  Mr. Morgan made the same motion to appoint Carman Marranca and 2^nd Mr. Pizano.  At this time a lengthily discussion followed on what is the main motion and what is a amended motion. A Roll Call was asked for on the appointment of Carman Marrance.  Mr. Morgan – yes, Mr. Shannon – no, Mr. Dellegrotto – yes, Ms. DeRoberto – no, Mr. Pizano – yes, Ms. Adams – yes, Mr. Esposito – no.

Motion to accept the resignation of Leonard Bonfanti and to appoint Sharon Korba to fill the remainder of his term on the Police Civil Service Commission.  1^st Mr. Dellegrotto, 2^nd Mr. Shannon.  Mr. Morgan made a motion to appoint Jo Ellen Turner.  A lengthily discussion followed on what is the main motion or is this on motion on the question.  Discussion on Roberts Rules and does the Borough Council follow these rules.  Mr. Pizano 2^nd the motion.  Roll Call:  Mr. Morgan – yes, Mr. Shannon – yes, Mr. Dellegrotto – no the roll call was not finished because of a discussion among Council members.

Motion to rescind the appointment of Carman Marrance to the Police Civil Service Commission.  1^st Mr. Dellegrotto, 2^nd Shannon, Roll Call:  Mr. Morgan – no, Mr. Shannon – yes, Mr. Dellegrotto – yes, Ms. DeRoberto – yes, Mr. Pizano – no, Ms. Adams – yes, Mr. Esposito – yes.

Motion to table the second motion made to the Police Civil Service.  1^st Mr. Dellegrotto 2^nd Mr.  Shannon, discussion followed and Atty. Hassey asked Ms. Adams if she wanted to table the motion and she said, yes.  Motion tabled by Denise Adams.

Motion to approve the sale of the 1999 Ford Expedition, (Vin#1FMPU18L7XLB93503)

 to Miciah Zeisel for $1,000.00, sold as is.  1^st Mr. Pizano, 2^nd Mr. Morgan and unanimously carried.

Motion ratifying Patrolmen Frank Oakridge’s attendance at the North American Standard Level 1 Inspectors Certification Training for Motor Carrier Enforcement from March 5, 2012 to March 16, 2012 and April 2, 2012 to April 4, 2012 at a cost of $650.00.  1^st Mr. Morgan, 2^nd Mr. Dellegrotto and unanimously carried.

Motion to approve a agreement between Car Fax and the Exeter Borough Police Department for the handling of accidents reports.  1^st Mr. Morgan, 2^nd Mr. Shannon and unanimously carried.

Awarding of the Refuse Contract.  Motion tabled by Denise Adams.

Motion to approve Ordinance #4-2012 (the Model Ordinance”) entering into the Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust  and the Declaration of Trust for the purpose of pooling funds for investment purposes associated with the collection of the  Earned Income Tax.  1^st Mr. Esposito, 2^nd Mr. Morgan and unanimously carried.

Motion to approve a  third pickup each month of recyclables  for Jackson Twp. at a additional cost of $150.00 per month for services. 1^st Mr. Morgan, 2^nd Mr. Dellegrotto and unanimously carried with the exception of Mr. Pizano who voted, no.

Motion to accept the resignation of Debra Serbin as the Open Record Officer.  Motion tabled by Denise Adams.

Motion to accept the February 9, 2012 transfer of $25.000.00 from the Debt Service Fund to the General Fund necessary for bill payments.  1^st Mr. Esposito, 2^nd Ms. DeRoberto and unanimously carried.

NEW BUSINESS

Motion to accept the current bills in the amount of $138,237.07.  1^st Mr. Morgan, 2^nd Mr. Dellegrotto and unanimously carried.

Motion for Exeter Borough to apply for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) grant to stabilize banks in the upper portions of Hicks Creek along Schooley Avenue.”  1^st Mr. Shannon, 2^nd Mr. Morgan and unanimously carried.

Motion to place out for bid the Susquehanna Ave Resurfacing Project and sewer repairs as needed and approved by PennEastern Engineering associated with the September 2011 Flooding.  1^st Mr. Pizano, 2^nd Mr. Morgan and unanimously carried.

Motion to place out for bid the Slocum Ave and Sturmer Street Debris Basins to remove sediment in the basins to pre disaster conditions associated with September 2011 Flooding.  1^st Mr. Esposito, 2^nd Mr. Dellegrotto and unanimously carried.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Mr. Joseph McCabe of 146 Whitlock Street asked about the Sewer Funds and the O&M Fee collected.   Mr. Esposito will supply Mr. McCabe with the pending sewer projects.

Mr. Jim Moore of 3 Washington St complained about a neighbors property and asked Council to make sure the property was cleaned up.

Mr. Bob Trusavage of Store It All on Schooley Ave., asked about the Flat Tax.  Atty. Hassey explained that the tax is $500.00 on any business grossing over $500,000.00.  Mr. Trusavage will make a donation to the Parks and Recreation Fund.  He was thanked by Council.

Ms. Gacek asked questions pertaining to the refund of permit money she paid in 2010 and never built the home.  Atty. Hassey stated that there is a time limit on permits and he will speak with her after the meeting.

Mr. Roberto Reedy of 9 Washington St. complained about a neighbor’s property.  He was told to fill out the, Property Maintenance Form in the zoning office.

Mrs. Ronda Pizano of 959 Wyoming Ave asked about the motion to pick up recyclables in Jackson Twp.  She said the pickup started last week and Council is voting on it now.  Atty. Hassey said that council can take action that has a retroactive effect because it meets only once per month.  And if Council voted the matter down then the collections can no longer take place.  She asked why couldn’t her bond issues have been voted on retroactively, why some matters and not others? Atty. Hassey said the Council can only take official action once a month and this was the last Council that handled her bond issue.  She asked about the motion for the resignation of the Open Records Officer and who puts this on the agenda?  She was informed that the Chairman can but any matter on the agenda. She asked if Council has a letter of credit on the Fairway Hills Development?  Mr. Dellegrotto said that matter is being looked into by Atty. Falcone.   She asked if the Police Pension administration is done every year?  Mr. Esposito said that there are rules and regulations in place to pick a qualified firm and he would recommend the matter be reviewed every three years. She asked why the Police don’t have any say in the investment and management of the fund?  Mr. Esposito informed her that its not there money that it is for there benefit and its Councils responsible to insure the fund is properly funded.

 Mrs. Mary Pat Coleman of 1305 Wyoming Ave asked about the Comcast Contract.  Atty. Hassey stated it is still being negotiated. She asked about the Walmart Development.  Atty. Hassey explained the traffic proposals in the review phase.  She asked for information pertaining to 500 Schooley Ave Housing Development. Mr. Esposito said Council wants to gather all the information they can to make sure Luzerne County is paying there fair share to Exeter Borough.  Mrs. Coleman would like the Council to put information about the Penn Vest Loan and the O & M Fund on the borough web site.

Lindo Sabatini of 3 Fairway Drive asked about 500 Schooley and why they are not paying for trash pickup.  A agreement was made many years ago and the Council is asking for a copy of that agreement to put the development in compliance with the borough ordinances.  Atty. Hassey will supply the Council with a opinion on the Refuse Ordinances and how it applies to commercial properties.

Motion to adjourn.  1^st Mr. Morgan, 2^nd Mr. Pizano and unanimously carried.

Prepared and submitted by Debra Serbin