This Meeting was recorded for Accuracy
Meeting opened by Lewis McLaughlin -President
Present: Clark Baird-Mayor, Sue Bartow, Keith StClair, Lou McLaughlin, Gladine McMaster, Brian Litzinger, Solicitor & Jeffery Miller
Absent: Patricia Betts, Sec/Treasurer
General Public Andy Neilsen
Lou addressed the council before the meeting took place. The flag pole outside the building got broken on the bottom. It is aluminum and needs fixed. Lou explained the base is concreted in the ground and the pole slips into the base.
Approval Nov minutes
Sue said page 2 correction needs to be 1st not the 12st.
Page 3 librarian misspelled
Page 6 $34.00 for top soil has $3400
Page 3 under old business Lou said should be soil
Page 3 under sec/Treas position. Lou commented about contractor. Word was piled and should be pulled the wire.
Keith motions to approve minutes, 2nd by Sue all in favor motion passed.
Approval of Treasurer Report
Sue motions to approve treasurer report, Lou 2nd, all in favor motion passed.
Solicitor Report:
Only update he has is the Overly complaint whether it is a non- traffic complaint or criminal complaint.
Hearing date should be coming shortly on the property complaint.
Public comment:
Andy Neilsen, moved into Keiper farm approx. 1 ½ years ago. Retired from military. Wife still working in Wash DC area.
Old Business:
Update on CDBG grant- approved and documents are signed and sent back to county. They to let us know when we can put out for bid.
Update on replacement for Sec/Treasurer position
Need approval to post again in the paper. Lou explained what had happened so we need to advertise again.
Jeffery asked if council considered New Florence to help out. Keith said absolutely no way. The extra charges being added to the municipality is crazy. Discussion was made concerning training and or asking for help from them.
Mr. Neilsen was asking about the position and what would be involved.
Jeffery motions to repost the position, 2nd by Sue all in favor motion passed.
Next item, Somerset Trust possible increase of ATM lease amount.
Pat has been in contact with them and our original contract expired Nov 7 2024. They had the option to renew for 5 years which they did. The Attorney’s for the bank are looking into whether they could raise the ATM rent from $250 to $300 per month or whether we would have to wait until renewal time which will be Nov 7 2029.
Sue said our electric is $288 this month for everything. We are trying to get more because the rates keep going up.
Any other old business?
Lou wanted to thank the council person’s leaving end of month. Gladine, Clark. Jeffery spoke up and said he is also leaving. He is declining his position and also on the Sewage board. Council needs to look into replacing him there as well.
Lou asked if Myers is accepting his position on council. Jeffery said as far as knows, he hasn’t spoken to him yet on the matter.
Clark then spoke up and said he is interested in taking Jeffery position on council. Jeffery said he doesn’t know what happens when an elected person declines the position. Brian said the seat is declared vacant, then council can appoint another in that place or the position would go to the next person under the election spot.
Sue said she already checked into this and has the documentation from PSAB that says we need to advertise it.
Gladine says to Clark that you have to write a letter saying you are interested in that position.
New Business
Approval 2026 Budget.
Lou asked if anyone is changing their minds on the budget. Keith motions to accept the budget, 2nd by Jeffery, all in favor motion passed. Total budget is $147,028.40 @ 20 mils. All in favor motion passed.
Pat to advertise also.
Reminder for council
New members must be sworn in before next meeting. Meeting will take place at 6:30 PM.
All papers need to be turned into Secretary before the meeting.
No correspondence this month.
Mayor Report
Clark had to warn a new person not to burn except on and Wednesday or Saturday. That’s about it.
Clark said he had to remind a person about burning on Sunday. That is all he got.
Sewage Report
Meeting not until January. Jeffery said the notice of resignation will be December 31, 2025
Street Commissioner Report
Truck has 4496 miles, Kubota has 1163 hrs. Cost of $192.97 and zero turn has 1465 hours. Got diesel fuel for truck and filled up 4 cans diesel fuel for the Kubota since we use it to load salt and antiskid in case of weather. Total cost of diesel fuel was $192.97
New guy did some plowing and piled snow on the wrong side. Some snow got piled on the parking side by accident. They were confused. Lou said he handled most of the calls. Jeffery asked who was plowing, Lou said Houck was. He got upset and Lou said to just let it be. People in a small town are always complaining.
Parks & Rec
Jeffery said they had a gun bash and made over $5,000 from it. They have something on Saturday. Wear your Grinch costume if you can.
Lou said he got a call about a package that was delivered to the Borough but never got delivered. Jeffery said not sure what became of it. I’m sure she got it straight by now.
Lou wanted to know what council wants to do about the seat. PSAB said we have to advertise. Jeffery is still here so we cannot do anything about it until end of year. We have Clark’s letter of interest.
Sue said we also have 11 papers back from residents now on the income surveys. Keith got back to her today on this. Sue said there was only 2 who did not do it. Discussion on this was residents and not properties. The surveys are based on income.
No other business
Motion made by Keith to adjourn meeting 2nd by Lou at 8:35 PM, all in favor motion passed.
Respectfully,
Patricia Betts
Secretary/Treasurer