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Somerset Borough Council Minutes

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Borough of Somerset Council Meeting
April 24th, 2023 - 5:00 p.m.

1. Meeting Called to Order – President Ream.  

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call:

    a) Borough Council Members present: Pam Ream; Ruby Miller; Lee Hoffman; Sue Opp;
        Steve Shaulis; Jim Clark and Ian Mandichak.

    b) Also present: Mayor Fred Rosemeyer.

c) Also present were the following: Borough Manager, Michele Enos; Director of Finance,
Brett Peters; Administrative Assistant, Roger Bailey; Randy Cox, Chief of Police; Solicitor,
    James Cascio; Consulting Engineers, Tom Reilly & Jake Bolby.

    d) Public Attendance: None.
        
4. Approval of Agenda: Consider approving the Agenda as presented. 

    Motion
Mrs. Miller moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to approve the April 24th, 2023 Borough Council Meeting Agenda.
Motion Unanimously Carried

5. Announcements:
    a) Executive Session – To discuss a request concerning potential negotiations under an
        existing contract.

        Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, seconded by Mr. Mandichak to go into Executive Session to discuss a request concerning potential negotiations under an existing contract.

Motion Unanimously Carried
5:02 p.m.
Back in Session
      5:25 p.m.

6. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)
    a) February 27th, 2023 – Borough Council Meeting Minutes.

Motion
Mrs. Miller moved, Mr. Hoffman seconded, to approve the February 27th, 2023 Borough Council Meeting Minutes.
Motion Unanimously Carried

7. Award of Bids:
    a) None.

8. General Public Comments:
    a) Michele Gombita - Somerset Borough Resident:

Ms. Gombita expressed her concern over her family receiving an Ordinance violation for having chickens in the residential area of the Borough.  She said that under “the permitted accessories” of the Ordinance, when living in the R-2 Zone, is “keeping of small animals, insects, birds, reptiles or fish for personal enjoyment, household use and not a business”.  She noted that her family has been following the Ordinance since they have birds. 

She expressed that they are not in violation of the Ordinance with their pet birds, and that their family has been raising these birds since they were chicks.  They have been an educational experience for their family, especially their children, since they have been participating in raising them since they were chicks.  She said the birds are very friendly, not dirty, but clean. She said that there is no foul smell from them in their back yard.  The chickens also assist in keeping the bug population down in their back yard, and provide them with daily eggs, which is essential with inflation. She said that they are also intelligent. 
Ms. Gombita pointed out that she read in the July 2022 Council Meeting Minutes that the Council was considering adding an Amendment to make chickens prohibited in the Borough.  She said that she has only had pleasant and positive experiences with her birds. 

Her opinion is that there is no need to change the existing Ordinance to limit permitting only specific birds. 
She expressed that what she finds negative in the Community is the roaming cats.  She said that cats are not listed as permitted accessory use, but as an animal that you can have in the Borough Ordinance.
Ms. Gombita explained how these cats are a nuisance in the Borough.  She said that something needs to be done about the cats that roam the neighborhood, and if residents do have a pet cat, they shouldn’t be allowed to leave their property unless they are leashed like a dog.  She said that dogs are not listed under permitted accessory use as an animal you can have, so therefore, under this Ordinance, cats and dogs are not prohibited in this Borough. 

Ms. Gombita noted that she would like to see more done about the cats rather than focusing on a particular species of birds that are really not having any negative impact on this Community.  The roaming cats are a huge negative impact and need to be removed.  

    b) Somerset Township Municipal Authority Representatives Carolyn Zambanini & Jon
        Wahl:   

Carolyn Zambanini stated that she and Jon Wahl were present to ask Borough Council about their letter of request sent to the Borough in February 2023.  She said that they have not received a response concerning it. 

Ms. Enos explained that Borough Council did not get the opportunity to hear about the letter in March because the Council Meeting was cancelled, so they were updated in a Joint Executive Session with the Municipal Authority prior to the beginning of this meeting.  The Municipal Authority heard the letter at their meeting in March that was held.       

        Ms. Zambanini asked what the next step was for Borough Council & the Municipal Authority concerning Somerset Township Municipal Authorities letter. 

Ms. Enos responded by saying that it was the consensus of the Municipal Authority and Borough Council, because this would be a Contract change between 4 Bodies, that they understand how the company, who is looking to potentially make expansion, determined that what the Borough can supply is not adequate according to their own testing that they performed. 

Both Bodies are asking staff members if there is anything that can be done.  Questions asked are “Can we confirm the flow testing?”, “Can we evaluate what has been done stating that our system cannot supply it?”  The Bodies want information that they can evaluate prior to changing any type of Contract.

        Mr. Wahl stated that there was some confusion.  He said that the system, he doesn’t believe, is defined as the Borough system.  He said that as far as he is aware, the only correction the Borough can make is to turn the pressure up at the pressure reducing station at Wendy’s.  He said if there is something else, he is not aware of it.  The only modification that he is aware of is to turn the pressure up at the pressure reducing station. 

Solicitor Casio asked Mr. Wahl, if he is not aware of that information, how would he have been made aware of it.  Has any independent engineering study been done with regard to the request from their customer? 

Mr. Wahl answered by saying that the testing was done by the Engineering Staff the entity had hired.  He pointed out that Somerset Township Municipal Authority witnessed the testing, but had not done any evaluation beyond that, because their Chief Operations employee was there and said that the test was valid.

Mr. Wahl said that based on the result of the test, their design people determined that that flow and pressure was inadequate to support the expansion that they intended.

Solicitor Casio asked Mr. Wahl if STMA received any recommendations on how they could address the flow problem.

Mr. Wahl answered by saying that all the entity asked Somerset Township Municipal Authority is if STMA had the ability to give them more water at a higher pressure.

Solicitor Cascio responded by asking Mr. Wahl if at present, STMA gets that water from Somerset Borough?

Mr. Wahl responded by saying that they did. 

Solicitor Cascio then asked Mr. Wahl if STMA had provided the entity with any information or request for their capacities, or what might need to be done to adjust the flow? 

Mr. Wahl responded by saying that he had not personally asked the entity what their capacity is. 

        Mr. Wahl said that STMA supplied to theentity in question, and their Engineering Staff, the alternate solution of extending a 12” line that STMA owns and operates that is immediately across North Center Avenue, connected to the County’s Quemahoning Line, and is about 3,000 feet away.  STMA provided to the entity the pressures in that line flowing in static, and provided them hydraulic information from the County’s General Authority with regard to what the capacity was in the Quemahoning Line. 

STMA asked the entity if they wanted to do their own calculations or flow testing.  Mr. Wahl said that STMA had a flow test done on the line that terminates at Sunny Acres.  This was offered and provided to the entities Engineering Firm.  They came back to STMA and said that they were satisfied, based on STMA’s calculations, that the 12” line would supply them more than enough for their water needs for their fire suppression system based on the fact that it is their design and their building, and they are the Engineers of record.  STMA took them at their word on that.  Mr. Wahl said that this was their design effort that was being done at that point.  STMA would not typically oversee design requirements for someone constructing a structure within the Township for their fire suppression.

        Mr. Wahl pointed out that an exact example of this is a Distillery, which had no chance for developing a water supply. They paid a substantial amount of money, and partnershipped with STMA, to extend a 12” line some 5,000 feet off of the Quemahoning line to bring a 12” line to their building for the exact same reason.  He said that the Distillery had less information, and the information STMA supplied to them was static & flowing hydraulic scenario from the Quemahoning line.  From that information the Distillery invested $335,000.00 to pay for their portion of getting the line extended to them.

Solicitor Cascio asked Mr. Wahl if the Distillery had Municipal service to their building. 

Mr. Wahl said that they did not.  

Solicitor Cascio responded by saying that this example of the Distillery is different from the situation of the entity, because the entity has Municipal service in their area.

        Ms. Zambanini stated that Somerset Township continues to expand, and noted that Somerset Borough’s limits limit the Borough on what expansion it can have with water and sewer.  She said that there are lots of room for Somerset Township to expand.

She said that the Agreement STMA has with Somerset Borough stifles Somerset Township’s growth and their Community.  She said that STMA & Somerset Borough need to partner together to make this a better Community as far as water, sewer and infrastructure is concerned.  She expressed that she respectfully requests Borough Council to give STMA’s request great consideration. 

Ms. Zambanini said that STMA already expanded water to Byers Road, and the Water Project is complete.  STMA partnered with a corporate entity to provide water to that entity and the residents in between.  They have at least 16 residents now that are going to be connected to public water because of that Project.  She added “if you build it, they will come.”  There will be more.   

She said that STMA can continue to expand, that is the Oakridge System, and that is the water they buy from the Borough.  She noted that there are certain areas in Somerset Township that Borough water is their only answer, and so they come to the Borough and purchase Borough water. 

Ms. Zambanini stated that there are other areas of the Township where it makes more sense to use Quemahoning water.  It comes straight past the property of the entity under discussion, loops around out to the Vo-Tech, circles around and goes the whole way back to 219. 

She again requested that the Borough consider STMA’s request.  She noted that they are trying very hard to work closely with the Borough and make it better for everyone in whatever way they can. 

        Mr. Wahl expressed that this isn’t a huge ask, and said that it is “no big deal”. He said that it is a couple thousand dollars’ worth of Revenue in a multi-million-dollar budget.  He stated that if the only solution by the Borough is to increase the pressure at the pressure station, they are not interested in having additional pressure in STMA’s system.  He added that their Operations employees are not interested in putting additional pressure in the system creating additional leaks.  He said that STMA will eradicate any Borough Revenue at the expense of chasing leaks.

Mr. Wahl said what is also important for Council’s consideration, that has been documented, is in the upcoming months STMA will buy water weekly from the Borough and flush through the lines because it is the longest point away from the tank at the East side of town.  For STMA to meet the requirements for water quality through the State, they will have to flush lines.  They do it almost weekly out there and waste water they have to pay for from the Borough.  He expressed that there is nothing about it that makes any sense. 

Ms. Zambanini added that the problem is going to continue to get worse of wasting water, and this time, they do not want to be in the position of wasting water.

Mrs. Ream stated that, in the spirit of cooperation, the information the Borough asked for from STMA was not provided.
Ms. Zambanini responded by saying that it was not their intention, and that the information was not theirs to give.

Solicitor Cascio then asked, “Who’s was it”?  Ms. Zambanini responded by saying that it was the entities.

        Mrs. Ream then asked Ms. Zambanini if the party who did the testing was not approachable to ask for the information.  
Mr. Wahl added that if STMA asked for the information to give it to the Borough, then what happens?  

Solicitor Cascio responded by saying that the Borough would have to evaluate the information because it is a Borough customer, and they need to evaluate the request from STMA. 

        Ms. Zambanini noted that the Borough’s Operation Team has dropped back the pressure at the Wendy’s station because of the Borough’s operations.  She said that she didn’t think that the Borough’s Operation Team would be interested in increasing the pressure either.
Ms. Enos said that with the Borough’s Project coming up, it changes things a bit too.

        Ms. Enos stated that she is not suggesting that the Borough’s request for the testing information that this company has done for Walmart is inaccurate.  She said that maybe the Borough cannot provide the flow, volume or pressure.  But they are stating that the Borough’s system cannot provide it.  She added that the Borough was not provided with any information to evaluate whether this is correct or not correct. 

Mr. Wahl stated that the implication of Ms. Enos’ statement is that it is a unilateral decision, by the Borough, to make a decision as to whether they can supply it.  But the issue is, that adjustment, whatever happens, has to go through miles of STMA’s delivery system, so it cannot be a unilateral decision.  He said that STMA’s system, as it exists, has to withstand whatever adjustment that has to be made. He added that he does not see it as a unilateral decision, but more of the Townships then the Borough’s.

        Ms. Zambanini stated that the fact you could possibly, in the future, bring that water the whole way into Wendy’s if you had an emergency situation, not being able to provide water to STMA, does that not have any weight to it, to have a redundant system?

        It was mentioned that the Borough services them with water, and the Borough is the water provider, so the Borough needs something to evaluate.  All the Borough is asking is to evaluate a system that STMA claims cannot provide enough volume and pressure.

Discussion ensued among Council Members concerning this request from the Somerset Township Municipal Authority.

        Motion
Mr. Clark moved, Mr. Shaulis seconded, to authorize Management, and their Advisor’s, to conduct a proper evaluation of STMA’s request, and report this information back to Borough Council Members.
Motion Unanimously Carried

9. Administrative Business:
a) Communications – (none)
b) Payment of Bills – Months of March/April 2023.

Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Mandichak seconded, to approve the payment of bills for months of March/April 2023 numbered 39680-39962 totaling $1,062,013.80.

Motion Unanimously Carried

    c) Department Reports – Consider approving the Departmental Reports for the months of
        February/March 2023.

Motion
Mr. Shaulis moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to approve the Departmental Reports for the months of February/March 2023.
Motion Unanimously Carried

10. Policy Agenda:

Old Business:
     a) None   

    New Business:
a) Surplus Police Equipment – Discussion concerning a surplus gun vault and weapons and the values of each item for potential sale based upon our Surplus Equipment Policy. (Update from Chief Cox)

Chief Cox explained that Johnstown Regional Police Academy separated from Greater Johnstown Technology and Career Center and is now affiliated with Penn Highlands Community College.  As a result, they find themselves in the position of needing to acquire patrol rifles and shotguns for the training of the Cadets, along with needing appropriate storage of the weapons. 

At the same time, the Somerset Police Department is in the process of upgrading their patrol rifles and are overstocked with more shot guns than they presently need.

Chief Cox said that if the Police Department were to sale certain items to those entities, this would allow the Department to divest themselves of unused shot guns, aid in the upgrade of their existing patrol rifles and assist them in acquiring new patrol rifles without drawing on General Fund monies.

The Police Department also acquired a Liberty Gun Safe in 2002 that has not been in use for the last 8 years, because it was replaced with a high security Long Gun Cabinet that offers better care of the weapons.  It was valued by Spory’s Locksmith at $200.00 or less. 

The Police Department is also looking to sale 2 of their Colt AR-15 rifles.  These particular rifles were acquired in 2000.  They were valued by Stonycreek Shooting Center at $400.00 each.  There is also 2 Remington Model 870-12 gauge shot guns that were acquired in 2011.  They were valued by Stonycreek Shooting Center at $200.00 each.

The Sales Agreement would be $200.00 for the gun safe, including assist in moving it, a total of $800.00 for the 2 rifles with transfer fees paid for by the purchaser, and the 2 Remington Shotguns totaling $400.00 with the transfer fee paid by the purchaser.  That would bring a total revenue of $1,400.00. Additionally, the Police Department would also be waved the fees for 2 years’ worth of unlimited usage of the Fraternal Order of Police Range, which values at $300.00.  So the total benefit would be $1,700.00, with a total revenue of $1,400.00.     

        Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Mandichak seconded, to approve the Sales Agreement as presented.
Motion Unanimously Carried

    b) PSAB Voting Delegate – Consider appointing Mayor Rosemeyer as the Borough’s Voting
        Delegate for the PSAB Annual Conference.

        Motion
Mrs. Miller moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to appoint Mayor Rosemeyer as the Borough’s Voting Delegate for the PSAB Annual Conference.

Motion Unanimously Carried

    c) Fire Department Billing Ordinance – Update from Solicitor concerning his review of sample ordinances for fire department billing services.

Solicitor Cascio pointed out that him and a new associate Lawyer has been looking at research on this particular subject.  He expressed that there is a fine line between whether you can charge for the service or not.  They are examining some elements where it may be possible to charge for the consumables, services and such.  He added that he should have a better answer at May’s Meeting regarding this subject.

    d) Police Roster – Remove Nathaniel Cochran from the list of part-time police officers.

Mrs. Ream said that Chief Cox received a resignation from one of our newer Officers Nathaniel Cochran.

Chief Cox added that Nathaniel Cochran started in January and was working only for a few months before submitting his resignation.  Chief Cox expressed that the Police Department is sorry to lose him, and that he really had the prospects of being a fine Officer.  He is going to a job that is a full-time position with a pension.

        Motion
Mr. Mandichak moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to remove Nathaniel Cochran from the list of part-time police officers.
Motion Unanimously Carried

    e) Resolution 2023-01A – Consider disposing of Borough Records in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Records Retention and Disposition Schedule.

Mrs. Ream said that this is done on an annual basis following what the Records Retention Policy is for the State and the guidelines they provide. 

        Motion
Mr. Shaulis moved, Mr. Hoffman seconded, to approve disposing of Borough Records in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Records Retention and Disposition Schedule.

Motion Unanimously Carried

RESOLUTION NO. 2023-01

WHEREAS, The Borough of Somerset adopted Resolution No. 87-02 on April 27, 1987 providing for the destruction of certain papers in accordance with the Retention and Disposition Schedule for Records of Pennsylvania Municipalities and;

            WHEREAS, The Somerset Borough Administration wishes to dispose of some of its records in accordance with this Resolution;

          NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following items be authorized for purging:

WATER DEPARTMENT: WATER QUALITY RECORDS:

Including Tests; Monitoring Reports; and Chemical Analyses

• 1910: October.
• 1913: January; August; September; October; December.
• 1914: February; March; April; May; June; August; October; November; December.
• 1915: January; February; March; April; May; July; August; September; October; November; December.
• 1916: January; February; March; May; June; July; September; November; December.
• 1917: January; February; April; May; July; September; October; November; December.
• 1918: February; April; June; August; September; November; December.
• 1919: January; February; April; June; July; September; October.
• 1920: January; March; May; November.
• 1921: August; November.
• 1922: February; March; July; August; November; December.
• 1923: February; March; April; May; June; July; October; November.
• 1924: February; March; July; August.
• 1925: February; March; May; September.
• 1926: April.
• 1927: October; November.
• 1928:  January through December.
• 1929: January through December.
• 1930: January through December.
• 1931: January through December.
• 1932:  January; February; March; April; May; June; July; October.
• 1933: January; February; March; April; May; June; July; August; September; November.
• 1934: April; May; June.
• 1935: June; July; October; November; December.
• 1937: March; April; May; August; October; November.
• 1938: January; March; April; May; June; July; August; September; October; November; December.
• 1939: January.
• 1940: February; April; May; June; July; August; September; October; November; December.
• 1941: January; February; March; April; May; July; September; October.
• 1942: January; April; May; June; August; September; November.
• 1943: February through December.
• 1944: January through November.
• 1945:  January through December.
• 1946: January through December. 

            PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT:

• Public Works Department Equipment and Hours Worked May 11th 1951 through December 21st 1951

Adopted this 24th day of April, 2023

    f) Resolution 2023-02 – Giving authorization for the President of Council and the Manager to sign the Highway Restoration and Maintenance Bond for the permit related to the South Center Avenue Sidewalk/Utilities Project.

Motion
Mr. Mandichak moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to authorize the President of Council and the Manager to sign the Highway Restoration and Maintenance Bond for the permit related to the South Center Avenue Sidewalk/Utilities Project.

Motion Unanimously Carried

RESOLUTION - 2023-02

        BE IT RESOLVED, by authority of the            BOROUGH OF SOMERSET______
(Name of Municipality/Authority)

of _         SOMERSET________ County, and it is hereby resolved by authority of the same,

that the          PRESIDENT_____  of said Municipality/Authority be authorized and directed to
(designate official title)

sign the attached Agreement on its behalf and that the ____SECRETARY____ be authorized
(designate official title)
and directed to attest the same.

Date: APRIL 24, 2023

*(Supporting documents attached to Resolution in Resolution Binder)*

(The following Flood Mitigation Grant Projects g, h, and i are all discussed together)

    g) Flood Mitigation Grant Project/Coxes Creek – Discussion concerning making an
        application for a flood protection project that includes stream bank and outlet stabilization
        along Coxes Creek in the amount of $453,245.00 with a local match commitment of
        $68,145.00.  The application is due on May 31st, 2023.

    h) Flood Mitigation Grant Project/Parson’s Run - Discussion concerning making an
        application for a flood protection project that includes flood wall repair/stabilization behind
        Luther P. Miller along Parson’s Run in the amount of $400,000.00 with a local match
        commitment of $60,000.00.  The application is due on May 31st, 2023.

    i)  Flood Mitigation Grant Project/Parson’s Run - Discussion concerning making an
        application for a flood protection project that includes flood wall replacement/improvement
        behind Luther P. Miller along Parson’s Run in the amount of $730,000.00 with a local
        match commitment of $230,000.00.  The application is due on May 31st, 2023.

Ms. Enos stated that we have a flood protection area at Coxes Creek down along Gilmour Bypass.  DEP and the Army Corp of Engineers take turns inspecting this area every other year.  She said that there is always work that needs to be done at the flood protection site, so we always apply for a Flood Protection Grant that is being offered.  It is 85% State funded with a 15% local match, which is the Borough’s responsibility.  The local match to the Coxes Creek area would be $68,145.00.  She added that the Borough has $80,000.00 in its Capital Budget for 2023 that we can use on Flood Projects, so we have the local match allowing us to apply for this Project.

Regarding the Flood Mitigation Grant Project at Parson’s Run, Ms. Enos said that this is the area behind Luther P. Miller.  The wall is caving in and some of the stabilization concrete blocks are deteriorating, as well.  The Borough cannot go into the stream and do any work without a DEP Permit in hand.  That is different, and apart, from what we do down at Coxes Creek where we have an existing flood control. We can go in Coxes Creek and do clean-up and restoration at any time there. 

The Borough has the opportunity to either make improvements at Parson’s Run, or re-do the entire Project, (letter “i” on the above list).  It is $730,000.00 with a local match of $230,000.00.  She expressed that she is not recommending this because the Borough does not have the money for the local match.  She said that we can make all the necessary improvements, (letter “h” on the above list), and the local commitment match is $60,000.00 which the Borough can afford.

        Discussion regarding what the Flood Mitigation Grant Projects, g, h, and I, would include continued among Council Members.   

Motion *
Mrs. Miller moved, Mr. Mandichak seconded, to make an application for a flood protection project that includes stream bank and outlet stabilization along Coxes Creek in the amount of $453,245.00 with a local match commitment of $68,145.00.  The application is due on May 31st, 2023.         
              *Amend the motion to include authorizing the preparation and delivery of the appropriate paper work including the Resolution.

Motion Unanimously Carried
Motion *
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Hoffman seconded, to make an application for a flood protection project that includes flood wall repair/stabilization behind Luther P. Miller along Parson’s Run in the amount of $400,000.00 with a local match commitment of $60,000.00.  The application is due on May 31st, 2023.        
              *Amend the motion to include authorizing the preparation and delivery of the appropriate paper work including the Resolution.

Motion Unanimously Carried

    j) Executive Session – Schedule an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

Borough Council, as a whole, agreed to schedule an Executive Session on Monday May 8th, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

Committee Business/Reports:

    k) Manager’s Report – Given by Michele Enos.

Ms. Enos said that the STMA issue will be handled, and thanked Council for listening intently during the discussion.
She also reminded Council of Spring Clean-up on May 8th, 9th & 10th, 2023.

l) Finance Report – Given by Brett Peters.

        General Fund:                   Water Fund:                      Sewer Fund:
Revenues – 8.55%             Revenues – 51.05%           Revenues – 27.60%
Expenses – 23.31%           Expenses – 27.18%            Expenses – 27.45%

    m) President’s Report – Given by Pam Ream.
Mrs. Ream said that she had nothing further to report.

    n) Somerset Inc. Report – Given by Lee Hoffman.

Mr. Hoffman said that Somerset Inc.’s tear-down project is coming to fruition.  The last of the items need cleaned up.  That lot is owned by Somerset Inc. and they will be putting on various Community endeavors there.  First of which will be a Farmers Market on May 20th which is separate from the one at Georgian Place.  The lot will be gravel at first.  They are exploring different options to install electrical and some sort of fence or planters to help define the space out front. 

He said that progress is still moving along with the Brinker Building. The demolition is about done.  It is almost down to the studs and brick walls. 

The “Earth Day” Event was cancelled because of an electrical storm.

“Chalk the Block” is the last weekend of July.  The 5K will be held along with all the things that were previously done in the past.  It is expanding making it bigger and better.

o) PSAB Report – Given by Fred Rosemeyer.

Mayor Rosemeyer said that a meeting was held for the County Borough’s Association on the 13th at the Elks in Meyersdale.  He said that there were 54 people in attendance with 11 separate Borough’s represented. 

He said that the next meeting for the Borough’s Association is June 29th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Somerset Country Club.

The annual PSAB Conference will be held at Hershey Lodge, in Hershey, PA, from June 2nd-June 7th, 2023. 

        Mayor Rosemeyer also said that the Humane Society has no room for additional feral cats from the Borough because the building is full of cats.  They still do not have a Humane Officer, so they do not have many people they can send out to assist in removing cats from the Borough.  He acknowledged that this is a major Borough issue, and that something has to be worked out.
Chief Cox noted that in Brierwood, the Police Department centered on where the cat complaints were.  He said that they hand delivered questionnaires to all the residents there and only had 3 responses returned.  He said that Solicitor Cascio’s suggestion was to treat it as a public nuisance, but with only 3 responses, they lost the ability to call it a public nuisance. 

        Mrs. Ream expressed that Council needs to seriously consider what is going to be done about chickens in the Borough.  Residents are complaining about other residents having chickens.  

Ms. Enos said that the Borough’s stance has been, “if it doesn’t specifically permit it, then we take the assumption that it is prohibited”.  She added that the Zoning Ordinance, regarding chickens, needs to be clarified, and be specifically prohibited.   
This issue will be discussed in more detail at the next Council Meeting.

    p) Somerset Volunteer Fire Dept. Report – Given by Jim Clark.

Mr. Clark said that the Fire Department has been extremely busy.  From March 27th – April 23rd, 2023 there has been 29 alarms, with 12 in the Borough, 2 on the PA Turnpike and 15 in Somerset Township.

He mentioned that there are new members coming in.  They just received a Recruitment & Retention Grant.
The Fire Department now has 6 Junior Firefighters, boys and girls, and they just took in 2 new senior members.  He expressed that the Fire Department is doing well.

Mr. Clark mentioned to Ms. Enos that the Fire Department has a concern about the structure on West Church Street beside the Verizon Building.  He said that the windows are knocked out and the door is kicked open upstairs.
Ms. Enos said that this is a condemned property.  She said that it would have to be declared a Public Nuisance if they would like it taken down.

    q) Engineer’s Report – Given by Jake Bolby. 

Mr. Bolby presented the Updates to the Engineer’s Report.

WATER:

Mr. Bolby stated that the Water Project is starting tomorrow.  Columbia Gas is moving throughout town.  The Water Project will basically follow along where Columbia Gas was for the first month or two.  They are going to be drilling underneath of N. Center and 281, the railroad and then will be moving over to Edgewood.  All of Edgewood will be repaved.  So this is a joint effort between Columbia Gas, the Municipal Authority and PennDOT to get Edgewood taken care of this year and paved.  Then the Waterline Contractor will continue out the rest of the project.  There will be a lot of coordination over the next 2½ years to pull this whole project together.
Mr. Bolby expressed that it is going to be a busy construction season.       

    r) Mayor’s Report – Given by Mayor Rosemeyer.

Mayor Rosemeyer mentioned that he got a complaint from a resident about a trailer truck coming up Union Street and Colby Avenue who cuts through their yard with its wheels damaging it.  The resident was encouraged to get the truckers license plate number so something could be done about it.

11. Executive Session – None.

12. ADJOURNMENT

      Motion
Mrs. Opp moved to adjourn; motion seconded by Mr. Hoffman.                             

Motion Unanimously Carried
6:35 p.m.

               
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Michele A. Enos, Borough Manager/ Secretary