Somerset Borough Council Minutes
Council Meeting Minutes will be posted after they are approved at the following meeting.
Meet the Somerset Borough Council Members and Staff
Public Comment Policy
The Pennsylvania Sunshine Act (65 Pa. C.S. 701, et seq.) provides that the Board or Council of a political subdivision shall provide a reasonable opportunity at each advertised regular meeting and advertised special meeting for residents of the political subdivision or for taxpayers of the political subdivision or to comment on matters of concern, official action or deliberation which are or may be before the Board or Council prior to taking official action. (710.1).
To assure compliance with the Act, to inform members of the public who may wish to make comment, and to provide for predictable and orderly implementation of the public comment period, Somerset Borough Council has adopted this Public Comment Policy.
2018 Council Meetings |
| February 12th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| February 26th Council Meeting 7 PM |
| March 12th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| March 26th Council Meeting 7 PM |
| April 9th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| April 23rd Council Meeting 7 PM |
| May 14th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| May 28th Council Meeting 7 PM |
| June 11th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| June 25th Council Meeting 7 PM |
| July 9th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| July 23rd Council Meeting 7 PM |
| August 13th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| August 27th Council Meeting 7 PM |
| September 10th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| September 24th Council Meeting 7 PM |
| October 8th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| October 22nd Council Meeting 7 PM |
| November 13th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| November 19th Council Meeting 7 PM |
| December 10th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| December 17th Council Meeting 7 PM |
*Council has traditionally rescheduled its November and December meetings based on the timing for budget adoption and the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The rescheduling will be done closer to these dates.
Borough of Somerset Council Meeting
February 25th, 2019 at 7:00 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; Judy Pyle; Pam Ream; Sue Opp; Steve Shaulis and Gary Thomas. Mayor Scott Walker also present.
Also present were the following: Borough Manager, Michele Enos; Solicitor, James Cascio and Consulting Engineers, Tom Reilly and Jake Bolby.
Also present was Junior Council Member Jonathan Wagner.
Announcements:
(a) None
Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings:
(a) January 14th, 2019 – Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes
Motion
Mrs. Ream moved, Mrs. Opp seconded to approve the January 14th, 2019 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes.
Motion Unanimously Carried
(b) January 28th, 2019 – Borough Council Meeting Minutes
Motion
Mr. Rosemeyer moved, Mr. Shaulis seconded to approve January 28th, 2019 Borough Council Meeting Minutes.
Motion Unanimously Carried
(c) Departmental Reports - Approval of Departmental Reports for January 2019
Motion
Mrs. Ream moved, Mrs. Opp seconded to approve theDepartmental Reports for January 2019.
Motion Unanimously Carried
Award of Bids:
(a) Used 1-Ton Dump Truck - Consider awarding the bid to Tri-Star Motors in Somerset
for a 2014 F-550 Dump Trunk in the amount of $48,744.00.
Mr. Thomas voiced his concern that this truck has an electric dump instead of “hydraulics”. He is apprehensive that the electric dump will have problems with its batteries, especially in the winter months.
Mr. Thomas stated that he agrees with purchasing a truck, and feels it is needed for the Water Department, however he’s concerned with buying this used truck with its electric lift over “hydraulics”.
Ms. Enos brought out that she had spoken with manufacturers who disclosed that the truck will use more batteries.
She stated that this particular truck is being considered in an effort to save money in the budget.
Ms. Enos mentioned that we budgeted for a brand new truck that cost around $80,000.00. She explained that we advertised twice in the local newspaper to receive bids, and only received one bid from Tri-Star. That bid came in at $48,744.00, which is over $30,000.00 cheaper than a brand new truck.
Ms. Enos brought out that the used truck is a 2014 model with very low mileage.
Motion
Mr. Rosemeyer moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to “table” the awarding of the bid to Tri-Star Motors in Somerset for a 2014 F-550 Dump Trunk, in the amount of $48,744.00, until the next Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Motion Unanimously Carried
General Public Comments:
(a) None
Administrative Business:
(a) Communications (none)
(b) Payment of Bills:
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Mrs. Pyle seconded, to approve the payment of bills numbered
32590 – 32739 totaling $467,724.09.
Motion Unanimously Carried
Policy Agenda:
Old Business:
(a) None
New Business:
(a) Zoning Hearing Board – Consider accepting the resignation of Theodore Deskevich
from our Zoning Hearing Board.
Motion
Mr. Rosemeyer moved, Mrs. Ream seconded, to accept, with regret, the resignation of Theodore Deskevich from our Zoning Hearing Board.
Motion Unanimously Carried
(b) Act 172-Eligibility List – Consider approving the List of Eligibles that was certified and submitted by the Somerset Volunteer Fire Department President and Fire Chief.
Ms. Enos stated that the Borough received a certified list from the Fire Department naming those who qualify for the Act 172 benefit. In part, the Act 172 and its Ordinance, require a list of certified eligible participants. She mentioned that it also takes official action by Borough Council to certify the list as well.
Motion
Mrs. Ream moved, Mr. Rosemeyer seconded, to approve the List of Eligibles that was certified and submitted by the Somerset Volunteer Fire Department President and Fire Chief.
Motion Unanimously Carried
Executive Session – None.
Ms. Enos reported that a tree, due to high winds, fell on the back corner of the Public Works Garage causing roof damage. The damage is being fully assessed by the Borough’s architect.
Ms. Enos noted that when the information regarding repairs and costs are received, it will be given to Council. Ms. Enos mentioned that a claim was also submitted to the Borough’s insurance carrier.
Motion
Mr. Thomas moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to authorize Management to take whatever steps are necessary to secure pending permanent repairs to the Public Works Building.
Motion Unanimously Carried
Mrs. Pyle mentioned that the “Fire & Ice” Festival attendance was between 9,000 - 10,000 people. She stated that the ice skating rink and fireworks were expensive, but feels it will pay off at some point. Mrs. Pyle stated that everything went well in spite of the inclement weather during the festival day on Sunday.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Thomas moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Shaulis.
Motion Unanimously Carried
7:16 p.m.
______________________________________
Michele A. Enos, Borough Manager/Secretary