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Somerset Borough Council Minutes

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Borough of Somerset Committee of the Whole
April 9th, 2018 5:00 p.m.

       Meeting was called to order by President Ruby Miller, opening with recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Roll Call:
Council Members present: Ruby Miller; Fred Rosemeyer; Pam Ream; Sue Opp; Steve Shaulis and Gary Thomas. Mayor Scott Walker was also present.

       Absent was Council Member Judy Pyle.
Absent was Junior Council Member Maria Weimer.

       Also present were the following:  Borough Manager, Michele Enos; Director of
Finance, Brett Peters; Chief of Police, Randy Cox; Solicitor James Cascio and Consulting Engineers, Tom Reilly and Jake Bolby.

Announcements:
(a) None

Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting:
  (a) All minutes are approved at the regular Council Meeting.

General Public Comments:
  (a) None Registered.

Policy Agenda:

Old Business:
  (a) None

New Business:
  (a) Request form submitted by Manager Enos:

       1. Long Range Plan – Water Treatment/Distribution Systems.
                       (Discussed in Executive Session)

       2. Long Range Plan – Waste Water Treatment/Collection Systems.
                      (Discussed in Executive Session)

  (b) Proclamation – For the 1968 Somerset High School 50th Class Reunion.  

             (Mayor Walker read the following Proclamation to Council)

Borough of Somerset
Proclamation
Somerset Area Class of 1968 Day in the Borough of Somerset

WHEREAS, the Somerset Area School District Class of 1968 graduated 252 classmates, 36 of whom are now deceased, and …

WHEREAS, members of the 1968 graduating class from Somerset Area School District began school during the Eisenhower Presidency, and were graduated during the Johnson Presidency; with the world changing dramatically during their years in school; and…

WHEREAS, members of the 1968 graduating class from Somerset Area School District are gathering together to celebrate their 50th class reunion; and

WHEREAS, members of the Class of 1968 who live in Somerset will be joined by fellow classmates from around the country who have made a special effort to be part of this celebration; and

WHEREAS, for the past 50 years, members of this class have been outstanding examples of community minded citizens who have served important roles in their communities; and

WHEREAS, the reunion will be a time of joy in seeing old friends and remembering good times, it will also be an opportunity to recall the past friendships of the members of the class who are deceased; and

WHEREAS, the Borough of Somerset hopes that this 50-year reunion of the Somerset Area High School Class of 1968 will be memorable and enjoyable for its members as well as their families...

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Scott Walker, Mayor of the Borough of Somerset, along with Somerset Borough Council, do hereby proclaim, October 5th 2018, as:

“Somerset Area High School Class of 1968 Day in the Borough of Somerset”

                                                                            Approved this 9th day of April 2018.

(c) PSAB Video Request – Update from Fred Rosemeyer.
Mr. Rosemeyer brought out that PSAB would like to do a story on Somerset Borough.  He stated that they would like to come here with their camera crew on May 3rd, 2018 to discuss different areas, such as Flight 93. 

He stated that they also want to interview businesses, and different individuals, in Somerset County.  Mr. Rosemeyer mentioned that he had already spoken with two Somerset County Commissioners who are willing to participate in featuring Somerset County. 

He stated that he has been talking to Ms. Enos, in regards to this, for the Borough.  Mr. Rosemeyer wanted to discuss this with Council, to see if they would be interested in participating in this, for the Borough.  

       Ms. Enos mentioned that PSAB has been spotlighting different communities.  She stated that they reached out to Mr. Rosemeyer and wanted to make Somerset Borough a part of that.
She also stated that Mr. Rosemeyer, and herself, wanted to make sure that Council, as a whole, supports this project. 

       Mr. Rosemeyer mentioned that an agenda would be put together to visit the Police and Fire Departments, and different businesses, for the video. 
He stated that no cost would be involved to the Borough.  

Motion
      Mr. Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Shaulis, for the Borough to participate in the PSAB video program “Exploring Pennsylvania Borough’s.”   

Motion Unanimously Carried

  (d) Donation Requests:

       1. Somerset Daily American – Requesting a donation for their annual 4th of July fireworks display.
Mr. Peters mentioned that $600.00 was donated last year to this cause. 

Ms. Enos explained that she wanted to get Council’s thoughts on placing this on the agenda for the next Council meeting.

           It was agreed upon for this donation request to be on the next Council Agenda for consideration.

Executive Session – To discuss matters of pending litigation, and other matters in which probable claims will be filed.  Also to be discussed are the Long Range Plans for the Water Treatment/Distribution Systems, and the Waste Water Treatment/Collection Systems. 

Motion
          Mrs. Miller moved, motion seconded by Mr. Rosemeyer to move into Executive Session.

Council back in regular session.

(e) Year to Date Financial Report – Provided through the month of March 2018.

Mr. Peters distributed the Year to Date Reports through March 2018 to members of Council.  He mentioned that we are 1/4 of the way through the year, or 25%.

General Fund:   Revenues – 9.47%; Expenses – 26.16%
Water Revenue Fund:   Revenues – 23.22%; Expenses – 20.79%
Sewer System Operating Fund:   Revenues – 22.75%; Expenses – 14.85%

Mr. Peters stated that if anyone had any questions, they could reach out to him, and he would address the questions.  He mentioned all the reports that he had distributed to Council for their review.

(f) Manager’s Report - Reports distributed to Council for all departments for the month of March 2018.

Ms. Enos distributed all reports to members of Council for the month of March 2018.  She stated that if Council had any questions they could contact her at any time. 

  (g) President’s Report - Given by Ruby Miller.

Mrs. Miller mentioned that we are hosting the May 17th, 2018 Somerset County Boroughs Association Banquet.  

  (h) Somerset Inc. Report - Given by Judy Pyle.

(Mrs. Pyle was absent)

  (i) PSAB Report – Given by Fred Rosemeyer.

Mr. Rosemeyer stated that they have a conference coming up in Hershey at the Hershey Lodge on June 10th-13th, 2018.  He stated that it is a very nice conference for anyone interested. 

  (j) Somerset Volunteer Fire Dept. Report - Given by Steve Shaulis.

Mr. Shaulis mentioned that the Fire Department had 35 fire calls during the month of March 2018.

He also stated that their 75-foot ladder truck is still out of service getting repaired.  

Mr. Shaulis also mentioned their Recruitment and Retention program.

He stated that the Fire Department offers an incentive program that pays volunteers for making the top amount of fire calls, and for putting in the top amount of training hours.  He stated that they discussed “upping” the incentive program to see if they could get more recruits.  Mr. Shaulis stated that he really doesn’t feel that this is the “fix” to the low number of volunteers. 

He mentioned that he is unsure of how many recruits the Act 172 will attract.

Mr. Shaulis stated that “what is killing the fire department” is the almost 250 training hours involved for new prospective members. He feels that this deters people from getting involved in the Volunteer Fire Department.  It was mentioned that this same problem is statewide.

  (k) Engineer’s Report - Given by Jake Bolby.

Mr. Bolby stated that bids were opened Monday, April 2nd, 2018 for the Valve Project at the Sewage Treatment Plant.  He stated that bids came in under budget.  He stated that they will have a recommendation for Council, to award, at the next meeting.

He stated that they also had the pre-bid meeting for the Water Treatment Plant. This project will help fix some of the issues at the Coxes Creek Plant.  Bids will be opened for this project on Tuesday, April 17th, 2018.  Mr. Bolby mentioned that at the May Council Meeting, they will have a report and recommendation ready for Council.     

       Ms. Enos mentioned that the Sealcoat Project for the roads is going to be awarded at the next Council Meeting.  She stated that this project is going to be started early because of all the problems we have.  Ms. Enos mentioned that PennDOT contracts “trump” ours, because they are much bigger projects.  She said they typically have a stricter timeline.  So we normally don’t see our paving until the end of August or September.  This is based on New Enterprise’s schedule, who is normally the company doing the Borough’s Paving Project.  She stated that we are moving forward with this. 

Adjournment

Motion

      Mrs. Opp moved to adjourn, motion seconded by Mr. Shaulis.

Motion Unanimously Carried
6:30 p.m.

 _______________________________
Michele A. Enos, Borough Secretary