Council Meeting Minutes will be posted after they are approved at the following meeting.
1. Meeting Called to Order – President Ream
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Swearing In – Appointed Council Member – Ms. Lori Barnhart
Ms. Lori Barnhart was sworn-in as a member of Borough Council by Mayor
Rosemeyer.
3. Roll Call:
Council Members present: Pam Ream; Lori Barnhart; Lee Hoffman; Ian Mandichak; Sue Opp; Steve Shaulis and Mario Dirienzo.
Also present: Mayor Fred Rosemeyer.
Also present were the following: Borough Manager, Michele Enos; Director of Finance, Brett Peters; Assistant Director of Finance, Matthew Franciscus, and Chief of Police, Richard Appel.
Public Attendance:
a) None present.
4. Approval of the Agenda:
a) Approve the agenda as presented.
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Mandichak seconded, to approve the agenda as presented.
Motion Unanimously Carried
5. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)
a) None at this meeting.
6. Award of Bids:
a) None
7. General Public Comments:
a) None requested.
8. Administrative Business:
a) Communications (none)
9. Policy Agenda:
Old Business:
a) None
New Business:
a) 2026 Budgets
a) Operating Budgets for General, Storm, Water & Sewer.
b) Capital Budgets for General, Storm, Water & Sewer.
Mr. Peters reviewed the Operating & Capital Budgets for General, Water & Sewer.
General, Sewer, Water, & Stormwater Fund Operating Budgets:
Mr. Peters said that he is projecting to end the year with a surplus, which includes no proposed tax increase for 2026.
Mr. Peters noted that there is also no proposed rate increase for the Sewer Fund next year. He said that some of this is strategic in nature. Rates are being kept low in order to get the most grant funding from PENNVEST for the upcoming Sewer Project.
Mrs. Sizemore added that the Borough recently received a $16-million-dollar grant, with no repayment, for the 2nd Phase of the Sewer Project.
Mr. Peters noted that the full loan payment for the Water Project will begin. For 3 years, the Borough has been paying only on the interest portion of the Water Project loan. Starting this month, the principal part of the loan will start, so a rate increase will be proposed for water. The Borough’s debt payment to PENNVEST is $816,000.00 a year. He said that the increase will be spread out over the next 2 years.
It was disclosed that the loan for the Water Project was $14.6 million dollars after grant monies were received.
Ms. Sizemore disclosed that the increase in base consumption will be approximately 9%. The base rate for residential will go from $18.00 to $20.00. The consumption rate will go from .82 cents/per hundred gallons to .90 cents per/hundred gallons. In 2027, an approximate 9% water increase will also be proposed.
Mr. Peters added that there will be no proposed rate increase to the Storm Sewer Fund.
Mr. Peters reviewed the 2026 Capital Budget Requests received from:
1. Administration:
No requests.
2. Inspections Department:
No requests.
3. Public Works Department:
1. Hoop Building: $57,000.00
Mr. Peters noted that this was a request carried over from last year.
2. 2025 Cat 255 Track Loader (with trade): $57,600.00
Ms. Enos said that this is a skid steer. One of the current mini-excavators will be traded-in, so the trade-in is calculated into the total overall price.
3. Elgin Street Sweeper (carryover from 2025): $92,000.00
Ms. Enos said that the annual payment will be incorporated into this to show that this is a Capital cost.
4. Ford F-550: $115,292.00
Ms. Enos noted that this request will replace a truck that is 17 years old.
5. Caterpillar 305 BB2 (with trade): $63,100.00
Ms. Enos said that a similar mini-excavator will be used as a trade-in. This request is a size larger than what we currently have. It has a larger depth of reach. The trade-in value is also included in the price.
6. Sewer Push Camera): $29,000.00
This is to camera lines.
4. Police Department:
1. Commercial Doors (2): $20,000.00
2. Police Cruiser: $70,000.00
5. Water Treatment Plant:
1. SCADA System: $150,000.00
Mrs. Sizemore explained that the last computer software upgrade to this system was approximately 20 years ago. Some of the software cannot be supported because the system is in need of an upgrade. She added that the cost may be less than $150,000.
Ms. Enos added that the SCADA System is not a typical computer system. It is a complex system that will speak to “other things” within the entire system disclosing vital information for the Operators.
2. Lagoon Liner (Coxes Creek): $50,000.00
Mrs. Sizemore said that the existing liner is in need of replacement. She will be seeking more quotes for this liner.
3. Ford F-250: $50,000.00
Mrs. Sizemore stated that the truck is used by the Operator’s to travel to different facilities and for other use. The current 2015 truck has over 120,000 miles, and will be traded-in or be bid out on Munici-Bid.
6. Water Distribution:
No requests.
7. Sewer Plant:
Mr. Peters noted that the Sewer Plant only had a list of maintenance items they requested. They are holding off with request items because of the upcoming Sewer Project. They are doing what needs to be done to keep things running for now.
Further discussion ensued among Council Members regarding all the request items and the Borough’s Funds & Reserves.
10. Executive Session: None requested.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved to adjourn, motion seconded by Mr. Dirienzo.
Motion Unanimously Carried
5:47 p.m.
_____________________________________
Michele A. Enos, Borough Manager/Secretary