Council Meeting Minutes will be posted after they are approved at the following meeting.
The Borough of Somerset Council Meeting
June 22nd, 2026 - 5:00 p.m.
1. Meeting Called to Order– Vice-President Shaulis.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
a) Borough Council Members present: Lee Hoffman, Sue Opp, Steve Shaulis, Ian
Mandichak and Mario Dirienzo.
b) Borough Council Members absent: Pam Ream and Lori Barnhart.
c) Also present: Mayor Fred Rosemeyer.
d) Also present were the following: Borough Manager, Michele Enos; Borough Manager In Training, Roger Bailey; Municipal Authority Manager, Jessica Sizemore; Director of Finance, Brett Peters; Assistant Director of Finance, Matthew Franciscus; Chief of Police, Rich Appel and Consulting Engineers, Tom Reilly & Jake Bolby.
e) Public Attendance: Alec J. Bittner.
4. Approval of Agenda: Consider approving the agenda as presented.
Motion
Mr. Hoffman moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to approve the agenda as presented.
Motion Unanimously Carried
5. Announcements:
a) None
6. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)
a) May 20th, 2026 – Borough Council Meeting Minutes.
Motion
Mr. Mandichak moved, Mr. Dirienzo seconded, to approve the May 20th, 2026Borough Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
Motion Unanimously Carried
7. Award of Bids:
a) None
8. General Public Comments:
a) None requested
9. Administrative Business:
a) Communications – (none)
b) Payment of Bills – Month of June 2026.
Motion:
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Dirienzo seconded, to approve the payment of bills for the month of June 2026 numbered 44949 – 45113 totaling $2,227,944.14.
Motion Unanimously Carried
c) Department Reports – Consider approving the Departmental Reports for the month of May 2026.
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Hoffman seconded, to approve the Departmental Reports for the month of May 2026.
Motion Unanimously Carried
10. Policy Agenda:
Old Business:
a) None
New Business:
a) Mary S. Biesecker Public Library – Consider approving the reappointment of Julianne Shetler to a three-year term on the Board of Directors.
Motion
Mr. Mandichak moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to approve the reappointment of Julianne Shetler to a three-year term on the Board of Directors.
Motion Unanimously Carried
b) Resolution No. 2026-07 – Ratify the Resolution submitted to apply for Greenways, Trails and Recreation Grant Program.
Ms. Enos said that this Recreation Grant was submitted last month, and approved at that Council meeting, The Resolution was needed after it was passed at the meeting.
It was brought before Borough Council at this meeting for ratification.
Motion
Mr. Mandichak moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to ratify the Resolution submitted to apply for Greenways, Trails and Recreation Grant Program.
Motion Unanimously Carried
c) Ordinance No. 1392 – Consider adoption of the amendment to the Police Pension Plan Ordinance.
Ms. Enos said that this was previously discussed. The purposed amendment covers an Officer that is ending their career in retirement that is not under the normal Police Pension Retirement Plan, such as when there is a disability.
Motion
Mr. Mandichak moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to adopt the amendment to the Police Pension Plan Ordinance.
Motion Unanimously Carried
d) Somerset County General Authority Agreement – Consider approving the amendment to the agreement with the Somerset Co. General Authority to include a revised scope of services being provided by our Water Plant Operators to the Quemahoning Water System.
Ms. Enos explained that this Agreement has been negotiated with Mrs. Sizemore, the County Commissions and the General Authority. It has also been reviewed by the Municipal Authorities Solicitor, Mr. Barbin, and shared with the Borough’s Solicitor, Ms. Caton.
She said that this is an Agreement for extended services by our Water Plant employees to assist in helping at the Quemahoning System since their Chief Operator left his position.
Ms. Enos added that the Borough’s license is being hung at the Quemahoning Plant for additional services, so because of that, the Borough’s interests are being protected in going into a formalized Agreement with the General Authority.
Motion
Mr. Dirienzo moved, Mr. Hoffman seconded, to authorize the Somerset County General Authority Agreement.
Motion Unanimously Carried
e) 2025 Elgin Street Sweeper – Consider authorizing the lease purchase of the sweeper totaling $396,569.61 in five annual payments of $87,946.86. This purchase is through the Commonwealth’s Co-Stars Purchasing Program.
Ms. Enos noted that Council can authorize this lease purchase contingent upon meeting the requirements of an Ordinance and DCED approval.
She added that this has already been budgeted for in our 2026 Capital Projects Budget.
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Hoffman seconded, to authorize the lease purchase of the sweeper totaling $396,569.61 in five annual payments of $87,946.86 through the Commonwealth’s Co-Stars Purchasing Program subject to an appropriate Ordinance and approval by DCED.
Motion Unanimously Carried
f) 2026 Ford F-550 – Consider authorizing the purchase of a 2026 Ford F-550 through C. Harper in the amount of $70,139.00. This purchase is through the Commonwealth’s Co-Stars Purchasing Program.
Mr. Bailey said that the Ford F-550 is a 1-ton dump truck that will be used for plowing and salting the alleys and smaller streets. It was budgeted for $68,000.00. The present amount is actually $1,935.00 more because Ford will be putting on extra heavy-duty springs from factory, so it will be covered under warranty. Morocco Welding will be putting a bed on the truck.
Mr. Bailey said that he spoke with John Morocco and he is interested in buying the old street sweeper, so a deal will be worked out with him. This will come off the price of the dump truck’s bed that Morocco Welding is putting on.
Motion
Mr. Dirienzo moved, Mr. Hoffman seconded, to authorize the purchase of a 2026 Ford F-550 through C. Harper in the amount of $70,139.00. This purchase is through the Commonwealth’s Co-Stars Purchasing Program.
g) 2026 Street Paving – Consider approving additional street paving in the Brierwood Area in the amount of $69,469.79. This paving will be done by Snyder Environmental Services LLC, and will tie into the Sewer Project Area. The contractor is also providing this service through the Commonwealth’s Co-Stars Program.
Mr. Bailey noted that street paving will be from Terrilin Drive down to the corner where it turns to go up to Maplehurst. The work here will include building a base and overlaying it. Paving will continue from the corner up to Maplehurst where it will be overlaid. Another part of Maplehurst will be repaired where it is deteriorated.
Mr. Bailey added that there was not a lot of asphalt put down in Brierwood whenever it was paved.
Ms. Enos said that the Borough knows how bad the paving is throughout town, but noted that they did not want to be laying down new pavement when the Sewer Project is going through the entire town.
It was also mentioned that restoration would take place in Brierwood when the weather is favorable for it.
Motion
Mr. Dirienzo moved, Mr. Hoffman seconded, to approve additional street paving in the Brierwood Area in the amount of $69,469.79 by Snyder Environmental Services LLC, and will tie into the Sewer Project Area. The contractor is also providing this service through the Commonwealth’s Co-Stars Program.
Committee Business/Reports:
h) Borough Manager’s Report – Given by Michele Enos.
Ms. Enos had nothing further to report.
i) Finance Report – Given by Matt Franciscus.
Mr. Franciscus provided Borough Council with the year-to-date Financial Report through May 2026. We are 5/12th’s of the way through the year or 41.67%.
General Fund: Water Fund: Sewer Fund: Stormsewer Fund:
Revenues – 66.32% Revenues – 53.77% Revenues – 41.71% Revenues – 42.49%
Expenses – 39.45% Expenses – 40.84% Expenses – 44.85% Expenses – 10.88%
j) Municipal Authority Manager’s Report – Given by Jess Sizemore.
Mrs. Sizemore said that the bid opening for Phase 1C of the Sewer Project, in the east Somerset area, was on June 11th, 2026. A recommendation is being presented to the Municipal Authority at their meeting after this Council Meeting. She added that everything came in below the proposed budget.
k) President’s Report – Given by Pam Ream.
Mrs. Ream was not in attendance so no report was given.
l) Somerset Inc. Report – Given by Lee Hoffman.
Mr. Hoffman said that “Chalk the Block” will be held July 24th – 26th along with a Car Cruise this year on Friday, July 24th.
He also mentioned that the Farmer’s Market continues every Saturday.
Lastly, Mr. Hoffman said that the Diamond Row Project, in the old Brinker Building, continues as well.
m) PSAB Report – Given by Fred Rosemeyer.
Mayor Rosemeyer said that the PSAB Conference was held May 31st – June 4th, 2026 at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA. He reviewed some of the program’s details with Council.
Mayor Rosemeyer also noted that the Somerset Boroughs Association meeting was held May 26th, 2026 at the Somerset Country Club. He mentioned that EADS was part of hosting the program. Mayor Rosemeyer added that eleven Boroughs were in attendance along with, Senators, Senator’s Representatives, three County Commissioners and the Sheriff. He also highlighted some of the program’s agenda.
n) Somerset Volunteer Fire Dept. Report – Given by Steve Shaulis.
Mr. Shaulis noted that between the two fire departments, they have answered 444 calls to date.
Mr. Shaulis mentioned that when the storms recently moved through, Somerset Borough alone answered 43 calls between Sunday, Sunday night and Monday morning.
He said that the new orange & black fire truck is here and is in service.
Mr. Shaulis noted that the Fire Department is gearing up for the “25/250” Western PA Fireman’s Convention event and parade.
Mr. Shaulis said that the Somerset Volunteer Fire Department’s Golf Tournament will take place in September 2026.
Lastly, Mr. Shaulis expressed that the recent accident in the westbound lane of the tunnel was an unusual circumstance. He explained that 500 feet of fire hose was laid in the eastbound lane and went over into one of the crossovers to get to the westbound lane to reach the fire. This approach was taken so the fire fighters were not overtaken from the heat and smoke in the westbound lane.
o) Engineer’s Report – Given by Jake Bolby.
Mr. Bolby presented the Updates to the Engineer’s Report.
SEWER:
1) Assessment, Repair, and Abatement Plan (Hydraulic Overload):
Mr. Bolby noted that bids were opened for Phase 1C - East Somerset. Recommendations will be made for award of that contract to the Municipal Authority. Construction will start in October/November 2026.
Construction will start in Phase 1B – Central Business District on July 20th, 2026. Presently, contractors are doing some investigative work running cameras through the sanitary sewer lines throughout the project area. Crews are also painting and marking areas where some features may be.
Phase 1A continues to move forward, expected to be done in September 2026. Punch list items will be taken care of thereafter.
Mr. Bolby pointed out that the Uptown Sidewalk repairs will not disrupt the “25/250” Western PA Fireman’s Convention event and parade. Postponement of the sidewalk repairs has been made to the contractor. We are waiting for a response back from the contractor for a start date. The repairs will occur after the “25/250” event.
Sanitary sewer construction at the Central Business District will also not be scheduled during the “25/250” event.
Discussion occurred among Council, the Police Chief and Mayor regarding the Police Department’s equipment and what may be requested for replacement during the next budget season.
11. Executive Session: None requested.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion
Mr. Dirienzo moved to adjourn; motion seconded by Mr. Mandichak.
Motion Unanimously Carried
5:54 p.m.
_____________________________________________
Michele A. Enos, Borough Manager/ Secretary