This Meeting was recorded for Accuracy
Meeting opened by Lou McLaughlin, President
Present: Keith St.Clair, Sue Bartow, Tyler Hughes, Myers Miller, Lou McLaughlin- President, Trish Betts, Barbara Brzezanski and Brian Litzinger- Solicitor
Absent: CJ Stouffer - Mayor
General Public: Anna Bello-Latrobe Bulletin, Keith Vasas-GAI Consultants
Approval of March minutes
After review, Keith motions to accept minutes, 2nd by Sue, all in favor motion passed.
Approval of Treasurer Report
Sue questioned the reimbursement for truck mileage its $16.82 for 16.2 miles. Sue and Myers requested the $16.82 be paid back as the work truck was used. Lou to speak with him about returning the funds.
After review, Keith motions to accept report, 2nd by Sue all in favor motion passed.
Solicitor Report,
Brian said only we challenged the exemption that was denied. FAVOR can only apply once a year.
Pat asked any update on the per capita. Brian said he hasn’t gotten any update from the courts on it yet.
Public Comment.
None
Old Business:
Lou commented on Tom Boyle’s phone call. Mr. Boyle claimed to have seen the Boro workers put gravel in the yard and they tore up the sidewalk. Lou stated we do not plow 259, only Penn Dot does. Lou looked, photo’d and definitely not our guys.
Special Guest – Keith Vasas
Keith Vasa Local Share Grant for 2nd Street. We signed agreement for $48,722.22 LSD, Administrative costs for us $9,742.00 (2%). CDBG 5th Street $278,000 requires us to pay the engineers $50,000. Total grant is $322,500. Working on CDBG – Federal money. LSA –State money. We can bid them together but separate. Each grant amount – get bid to be able to back off one if the amount is high then can bring the work down from above so as not to stop.
Update on new Secretary / Treasurer
Pat said she and Barbara have been meeting up several times a week not counting work days going over the requirements needed for different items, such as the Right to Know Law, workers comp, Secretary Requirements for documents preservations and the QuickBooks reports. Barbara is now on the checking accounts. I am still in the process of applying for the government ID’s so Barbara can file all necessary reports.
Update on LSA Grant Funds.
Lou inquired about our funding on Market Street and its possibility to be released in June.
Pat said to keep in mind this was a grant we applied for in 2024. It was not approved until Sept 2025.
Sue questioned the letter that states it is for the Market Street project. Pat said when Keith applied for the grant in 2024 he just put the LSA grant that way but also included the 5th Street project area that still needed worked on.
Sue said she talked to Keith about the sidewalk out front. He said there was money thru LSA and the MTF Fund for this. Can we look at cost of doing some sidewalks? LSA engineer/adm. Pays for almost everything. To apply November hear in September can request 0% match. $100 fee per each one. CDBG can request 0% match. MTF more restrictive @ first. Will check cost and get back. Lou needs the numbers first.
Sue asked about the door here in the office regarding ADA compliance. Keith said he will see what’s needed.
No other old business
New Business:
Westmoreland County Boro ASSOC meeting March 26th. Program: Municipality liability blind spots and lawsuits Borough’s never saw coming.
Barbara attended. She reported that requesting liability coverage on all motorized vehicles not licensed and tagged by DMV (scooters, stv, and utv) may absolve us of any liability, however could impact our liquid fuels fund. This concept was resoundingly rejected.
Secretary/Treasurer Bond for Trish set to expire April 4, do we cancel or renew. $225.00 for the year. Barbara’s Bond is with a different firm. Trish must call tomorrow. Trish explained that this covers writing checks and use of the bank card. Motion to cancel Sue 1st and Myers 2nd. All in favor motion passed. Need to call FWF.
Sue contacted Berkheimer and Brian about the per capita tax. Sue questioned the number of people not paying per year, requested the list of all people in town and list of all priors. Trish said there’s no list. Sue also if Berkheimer could become the “collector”. Wanted list of how many people don’t pay property tax.
Fire Dept. requested street closure from 3rd Street, Market Street to Shaffer including the alley. Tractor Pull and road closure. Discussion was made before motion to approve the closure. Keith motioned to close 1st and Lou 2nd the motion. All in favor motion passed.
2025 Audit results and cost
Trish said the Auditors Report was finally received and all is good. We saved $500.00 this year. Motion to approve the audit Sue was 1st and Keith was 2nd. Motion passed.
Letter
Tom Boyle sent letter about the damage. Lou has already taken photos. Sue said to wait till the State responds. Keith asked for recommendations. Lou doesn’t want to do any repairs as it is definitely not ours. Keith said to leave it alone.
Next letter is for the county banquet for the boroughs.
Banquet is April 24th. The cost is $35 per person. Barbara is going.
Trish said the CD from Somerset due on the 9th. S&T giving the best rate. 6 months 3.89%, 12 months 3.77% motion to approve the 6 mos. which was best rate and keep with S & T. 1st is Brian and 2nd by Keith.
Payroll first quarter taxes due leaving less than $2,000. Requesting $20,000.00 to hold till Sept/Oct. Motion to approve Sue 1st and Lou 2nd. Motion passed.
Dave at Penn Sweeping is $1,666.00 will do at the same time as Robinson. Motion to pass Lou 1st 2nd by Keith all in favor motion passed.
Any other business:
Barry Trice (Jeannie Pahach former home) would like to shut down the alley so he can himself repair the alley. He stated that he is the only one that uses it. Lou has no issue but, if the stone is so deep that snow blowers and plows get stuck, we will have issues. Keith said to have Lou tell him.
Mayor Report
Mayor absent and left no instruction for council
Sewage Report
Sue said meeting next week.
.Street Commissioner Report
Lou said working on stuff. Cut tree at Upper Park. .. After egg hunt was done the workers cleaned up park, they checked inlets today, burnt leaves on burn day. Cleanup and greased the plow and salt spreader for summer.
Parks & Rec
Pat said Sub and pie sales are just completed and currently tickets being sold are for playground equipment.
Sue questioned about yard sale and clean up days. Pat said the dates are on the web site.
No other business motion to adjourn made by Lou 1st and 2ndKeith at 8:08 PM. All in favor motion passed.
Respectfully,
Barbara Brzezanski
Secretary/Treasurer