Consent Agenda Addition 3-17-09 Gennaro A.Marino P.E.
Mayor Green
Kutztown Borough Council
Dear Elected officials,
In reference to my letter to you of 3-16-09 I have attached page 4 of the Purchasing Handbook and underlined some reasons for exemptions of bids and if there were no bids on the Blonder Laboratories Inc. contract, the contract is illegal because it does not meet requirements of the exemptions. The exemptions are “provided they do not constitute new additions, extensions or enlargements of existing facilities and equipment.” This contract is an addition and an extension of services of HU. It also does not qualify under paragraph 7 professional services. This contract should be put out for bid to be legal.
Sincerely, Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
CONSENT AGENDA QUESTIONS 3-16-09
Consent Agenda Questions 3-16-09 Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
www.marinoreport.com
Mayor Green
Kutztown Borough Council
Dear Elected Officials,
The agenda for the Tuesday Council Meeting was finally posted on the Borough website today. Under the Consent Agenda the fifth item is: Ratify the issuance of a purchase order to Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc., Old Bridge NJ, in the amount of $119,511.87 for machinery and equipment for the transition of head end to Digital.
My first question is, being the contract was for more than $10,000 when was the public bid held for this contract?
My second question is, according to the Borough Code aren’t items on the Consent Agenda be discussed separately?
My third question is, is Hometown Utilicom paying for this contract and are these funds coming from the $1.3 loan made for Hometown Utilicom?
I am faxing you this letter to let you know that if this contract was not bid according to the Borough Code it is illegal and if you vote for legislation that you know is illegal at the time of the vote and is later found illegal you can be sued personally. And a high priced contract such as $119,511.87 should be voted on and discussed individually and not lumped together with other legislation. Again this is just another underhanded way of keeping expenses of HU out of the limelight.
Sincerely, Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
www.marinoreport.com
Mayor Green
Kutztown Borough Council
Dear Elected Officials,
The agenda for the Tuesday Council Meeting was finally posted on the Borough website today. Under the Consent Agenda the fifth item is: Ratify the issuance of a purchase order to Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc., Old Bridge NJ, in the amount of $119,511.87 for machinery and equipment for the transition of head end to Digital.
My first question is, being the contract was for more than $10,000 when was the public bid held for this contract?
My second question is, according to the Borough Code aren’t items on the Consent Agenda be discussed separately?
My third question is, is Hometown Utilicom paying for this contract and are these funds coming from the $1.3 loan made for Hometown Utilicom?
I am faxing you this letter to let you know that if this contract was not bid according to the Borough Code it is illegal and if you vote for legislation that you know is illegal at the time of the vote and is later found illegal you can be sued personally. And a high priced contract such as $119,511.87 should be voted on and discussed individually and not lumped together with other legislation. Again this is just another underhanded way of keeping expenses of HU out of the limelight.
Sincerely, Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
KUTZTOWN BOROUGH DEBT 3-14-09
Kutztown Borough Debt 3-14-09 Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
www.marinoreport.com
Mayor Green &
Kutztown Borough Council
Dear Elected Officials,
The Borough Debt in January 2002 was about $14 million and after paying $9,088,000 in principal and interest for 8 years the Borough debt at this time is still about $14 million. But now the annual payment for interest and principal will increase about $80,000 to $1,216 000 a year. In the year 2000 this debt payment was $580,452 a year.
The Kutztonian News of Summer 2001indicates that the 2000 Budget was about $11 million and the 2001 Budget will be about $15 million. The present 2009 Budget is about $21 million.
This disastrous financial situation was brought on by you and your predecessors to support Hometown Utilicom which loses about $1 million a year. About $4 million of the Borough debt of $14 million is attributed to Hometown Utilicom and I think the total gross revenue from the subscribers for the past 7 years is less than $4 million.
I hope one of you comes to your senses and looks into the Borough finances as you look into your own. You all being very frugal I am positive that your personal finances do not resemble the Boroughs.
After losing Apex, Hometown Utilicom should be sold if possible, but shut down in one way or another. You have not made public how HU is spending the $1.3 million loan. The residents of the Borough deserve a complete financial report on Hometown Utilicom immediately.
My next letter will analyze the Budgets from 2000 to and including 2009.
Sincerely, Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
www.marinoreport.com
Mayor Green &
Kutztown Borough Council
Dear Elected Officials,
The Borough Debt in January 2002 was about $14 million and after paying $9,088,000 in principal and interest for 8 years the Borough debt at this time is still about $14 million. But now the annual payment for interest and principal will increase about $80,000 to $1,216 000 a year. In the year 2000 this debt payment was $580,452 a year.
The Kutztonian News of Summer 2001indicates that the 2000 Budget was about $11 million and the 2001 Budget will be about $15 million. The present 2009 Budget is about $21 million.
This disastrous financial situation was brought on by you and your predecessors to support Hometown Utilicom which loses about $1 million a year. About $4 million of the Borough debt of $14 million is attributed to Hometown Utilicom and I think the total gross revenue from the subscribers for the past 7 years is less than $4 million.
I hope one of you comes to your senses and looks into the Borough finances as you look into your own. You all being very frugal I am positive that your personal finances do not resemble the Boroughs.
After losing Apex, Hometown Utilicom should be sold if possible, but shut down in one way or another. You have not made public how HU is spending the $1.3 million loan. The residents of the Borough deserve a complete financial report on Hometown Utilicom immediately.
My next letter will analyze the Budgets from 2000 to and including 2009.
Sincerely, Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Professional Computer Systems Co. Bid Request
Professional Computer Systems Co. Bid Request March 13, 2009
www,marinoreport.com
Kutztown Mayor &
Kutztown Borough Council
On March 11, 2009 I submitted a Right to Know Law Request to the Borough to see the bid documents and the bid results for the contract concerning Professional Computer Systems of Dennison Iowa. The amount of the contract was for $185,000.
The contract was voted on at the December 2008 Borough Council Meeting. The first vote (page 17546) was to hire Professional Computer Systems Co. for $ 185,000 contingent upon the acceptable review by Borough Staff and the Solicitor. The vote was unanimous.
The minutes of the meeting also show 2 pages later (page 17548) an off the agenda motion and second to ratify the agreement with Professional Computer Systems Company.
It is going to be very interesting to see the bid details. When was there an acceptable review by Borough Staff and the Borough Solicitor? When was there a bid opening and review?
This is just another example of the Borough Elected Officials of doing business with complete arrogant and ignorant defiance of the laws of the Commonwealth.
The last Computer Contract was with a firm from Borough Manager Vettraino’s hometown in Michigan. How did the Borough end up with a firm from Iowa? Aren’t there any computer firms in Pennsylvania that are capable of fulfilling the contract?
You will have to explain this situation sooner or later.
Sincerely, Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
www,marinoreport.com
Kutztown Mayor &
Kutztown Borough Council
On March 11, 2009 I submitted a Right to Know Law Request to the Borough to see the bid documents and the bid results for the contract concerning Professional Computer Systems of Dennison Iowa. The amount of the contract was for $185,000.
The contract was voted on at the December 2008 Borough Council Meeting. The first vote (page 17546) was to hire Professional Computer Systems Co. for $ 185,000 contingent upon the acceptable review by Borough Staff and the Solicitor. The vote was unanimous.
The minutes of the meeting also show 2 pages later (page 17548) an off the agenda motion and second to ratify the agreement with Professional Computer Systems Company.
It is going to be very interesting to see the bid details. When was there an acceptable review by Borough Staff and the Borough Solicitor? When was there a bid opening and review?
This is just another example of the Borough Elected Officials of doing business with complete arrogant and ignorant defiance of the laws of the Commonwealth.
The last Computer Contract was with a firm from Borough Manager Vettraino’s hometown in Michigan. How did the Borough end up with a firm from Iowa? Aren’t there any computer firms in Pennsylvania that are capable of fulfilling the contract?
You will have to explain this situation sooner or later.
Sincerely, Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
MARINO STANDS TALLER 3-8-09
MARINO STANDS TALLER 3-8-09 www.marinoreport.com
Saturday it was 71 degrees and I tooled around the Borough with my Corvette and I was very happy. All my friends and admirers waved and honked at me and shouted keep up the good work.
The 29 comments I received on my last 3 posts tell me I am on the right track. My detractors seem to be running out of names to call me. And the threats and personal fabrications are increasing. And my detractors demand answers and explanations but do not give me a name and an address to send them to. How can no names be so demanding and some of them also give me free advice.
I do not have to prove any of my accusations and questions of the Borough are true the proof is in the pudding. If my statements weren’t true the Borough Solicitors that usually bill the Borough about $120,000 a year would tell me to stop my letters. The Solicitors tell the Borough Elected Officials and appointed employees not to answer my letters which means all my statements are true.
Here is one fact detractors, divide the dollar amount of your Kutztown Borough electric bill by the number of KWHs and you will see it comes up about 20 cents per KWH. Then do the same thing to a Met Ed or PP&L electric bill outside the Borough and you will find the cost to be about 10 cents per KWH. Yes Borough residents pay about double that of what residents outside the Borough do. Please work up the courage to ask your Elected Officials that you defend if this is true.
My critics could also check the 2008 or the 2009 Budget or in fact any Budget since HU started and you will find that the revenue from the HU subscribers is always less than half of the total HU revenue. You will see that most of the HU revenue comes from within the Borough through schemes, scams and shams set up by the Borough to move funds from all Borough Departments into HU. This means that the Borough is the best customer HU has. I have stated this many times and my statements have never been challenged by the Borough or the anonymous Borough supporters. This also proves Mr. Dawson of CCG Consulting, (cost $20,000) also conveniently did not mention this fact.
Please detractors show some guts and ask the Borough Financial Experts if I am right about these 2 facts before you continue your personal attacks on me.
I am in the process of writing my next post.
Sincerely, Gennaro .A. Marino P.E.
Saturday it was 71 degrees and I tooled around the Borough with my Corvette and I was very happy. All my friends and admirers waved and honked at me and shouted keep up the good work.
The 29 comments I received on my last 3 posts tell me I am on the right track. My detractors seem to be running out of names to call me. And the threats and personal fabrications are increasing. And my detractors demand answers and explanations but do not give me a name and an address to send them to. How can no names be so demanding and some of them also give me free advice.
I do not have to prove any of my accusations and questions of the Borough are true the proof is in the pudding. If my statements weren’t true the Borough Solicitors that usually bill the Borough about $120,000 a year would tell me to stop my letters. The Solicitors tell the Borough Elected Officials and appointed employees not to answer my letters which means all my statements are true.
Here is one fact detractors, divide the dollar amount of your Kutztown Borough electric bill by the number of KWHs and you will see it comes up about 20 cents per KWH. Then do the same thing to a Met Ed or PP&L electric bill outside the Borough and you will find the cost to be about 10 cents per KWH. Yes Borough residents pay about double that of what residents outside the Borough do. Please work up the courage to ask your Elected Officials that you defend if this is true.
My critics could also check the 2008 or the 2009 Budget or in fact any Budget since HU started and you will find that the revenue from the HU subscribers is always less than half of the total HU revenue. You will see that most of the HU revenue comes from within the Borough through schemes, scams and shams set up by the Borough to move funds from all Borough Departments into HU. This means that the Borough is the best customer HU has. I have stated this many times and my statements have never been challenged by the Borough or the anonymous Borough supporters. This also proves Mr. Dawson of CCG Consulting, (cost $20,000) also conveniently did not mention this fact.
Please detractors show some guts and ask the Borough Financial Experts if I am right about these 2 facts before you continue your personal attacks on me.
I am in the process of writing my next post.
Sincerely, Gennaro .A. Marino P.E.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
MARINO STANDS TALL 3-5-09
MARINO STANDS TALL 3-5-09 http://www.marinoreport.com/
The main purpose of my last blog was to expose the Borough Council, past and present, for what they are. They are big time spenders wasting hard earned public money on Hometown Utilicom. The blog states that the elected officials raised rates of all Borough departments to finance HU which loses about $1 million a year. I forgot to point out that before HU the Borough’s General Fund also had millions of dollars in reserve. The utilities also had reserve funds. As of right now the Borough has no money in reserve.
After pointing out in the post the exorbitant increases of the cost of living in the Borough since the inception of HU, I received 9 anonymous personal attacks on my character and my bio. I promise my detractors that their attacks and lies won’t work. I intend to continue to point out all of the illegal and disgraceful activities of the Borough’s elected officials despite all of your lies and fabrications about me.
I stand tall behind everything I write because it is the truth and don’t forget the truth, unlike lies, never changes.
P.S. My cars are no secret I proudly drive them around the Borough for everyone to see. I also attend Corvette parades and Corvette Club functions. Look for my cars when the weather is a little nicer. Sincerely Gennaro A. Marino P/E.
The main purpose of my last blog was to expose the Borough Council, past and present, for what they are. They are big time spenders wasting hard earned public money on Hometown Utilicom. The blog states that the elected officials raised rates of all Borough departments to finance HU which loses about $1 million a year. I forgot to point out that before HU the Borough’s General Fund also had millions of dollars in reserve. The utilities also had reserve funds. As of right now the Borough has no money in reserve.
After pointing out in the post the exorbitant increases of the cost of living in the Borough since the inception of HU, I received 9 anonymous personal attacks on my character and my bio. I promise my detractors that their attacks and lies won’t work. I intend to continue to point out all of the illegal and disgraceful activities of the Borough’s elected officials despite all of your lies and fabrications about me.
I stand tall behind everything I write because it is the truth and don’t forget the truth, unlike lies, never changes.
P.S. My cars are no secret I proudly drive them around the Borough for everyone to see. I also attend Corvette parades and Corvette Club functions. Look for my cars when the weather is a little nicer. Sincerely Gennaro A. Marino P/E.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Kutztown Cost of Living Increase 3-4-09
Kutztown Cost of Living 3-4-09 http://www.marinoreport.com/
To Kutztown Elected Officials
Mayor Green,
Council President Eidle, Council Vice President Seyler, Councilman Snyder, Councilman Gangewere, Councilman Schlegel and Councilwoman Bray,
The following are figures and dates from my checkbook:
Electric Bill 10-12-01 $39.42 minus $15 trash total electric $24.42
2-13-09 $74.21 minus $15 trash total electric $59.21
Difference $34.79 per month
increase per year $417.48
Water and Sewer Bill 10-18-01 $83.72
10-15-08 $167.88 includes rental
Difference $84.16 per quarter
increase per year $336.64
Real Estate Tax 3-4-02 $636.99
3-5-09 $976.19
Difference $339.20 per year increase per year $339.20
Increase in Electric, Water, Sewer and R.E. Tax since HU inception $1,123.32 per year
While I had my checkbook out I also looked into our local School Tax with the following results.
School Tax 7-9-02 $1989.29 plus $14.70 total $2003.99
7-15-08 $2530.19 plus $14.70 total $2544.89
Difference $540.90 increase per year $540.90
An increase of 27%
This report confirms my statements that you and your predecessors have raised all of the Borough’s rates to finance Hometown Utilicom that loses about $1 million a year.
The Electric has gone up 146 %.
Water and Sewer has gone up 100%.
The Real Estate Tax has gone up 53%.
I think one of you should explain how this happened and if this money found its way into Hometown Utilicom. Please respond. Thank you.
Sincerely, Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
To Kutztown Elected Officials
Mayor Green,
Council President Eidle, Council Vice President Seyler, Councilman Snyder, Councilman Gangewere, Councilman Schlegel and Councilwoman Bray,
The following are figures and dates from my checkbook:
Electric Bill 10-12-01 $39.42 minus $15 trash total electric $24.42
2-13-09 $74.21 minus $15 trash total electric $59.21
Difference $34.79 per month
increase per year $417.48
Water and Sewer Bill 10-18-01 $83.72
10-15-08 $167.88 includes rental
Difference $84.16 per quarter
increase per year $336.64
Real Estate Tax 3-4-02 $636.99
3-5-09 $976.19
Difference $339.20 per year increase per year $339.20
Increase in Electric, Water, Sewer and R.E. Tax since HU inception $1,123.32 per year
While I had my checkbook out I also looked into our local School Tax with the following results.
School Tax 7-9-02 $1989.29 plus $14.70 total $2003.99
7-15-08 $2530.19 plus $14.70 total $2544.89
Difference $540.90 increase per year $540.90
An increase of 27%
This report confirms my statements that you and your predecessors have raised all of the Borough’s rates to finance Hometown Utilicom that loses about $1 million a year.
The Electric has gone up 146 %.
Water and Sewer has gone up 100%.
The Real Estate Tax has gone up 53%.
I think one of you should explain how this happened and if this money found its way into Hometown Utilicom. Please respond. Thank you.
Sincerely, Gennaro A. Marino P.E.
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