Documents Dec 14, 2023

Borough Meeting Minutes - Dec 14 2023

Borough Council Meeting Minutes - December 14, 2023

Date/Time: Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 7:00 PM.
Location: Council Chambers.
Presiding: Vice President Leahey called the meeting to order.
Council Members Present: Michele Baker, James Mielnik, Sean Burke, Jeffrey Ketner, and Walter Kalista, III.
Others Present: Mayor Dodson, Borough Secretary Patricia J. Duron, Attorney Nathan Karn, Police Chief Chris Storm, Director of Community Relations Melanie Ramsey, and Planning/Zoning Administrator Andrew Holodnik.
Absent: Fire Marshal Amy Hazlett.

Residents expressed strong support for stormwater mitigation efforts in Gaysport and requested the purchase of land for a retention pond.

Elda Boose (141 Bedford St): Thanked the Council for stormwater efforts and requested land purchase for a retention pond.
Jean Cassidy (208 Beaver St): Requested the Council vote to purchase land for a retention pond.
Gerard Nale (109 Bedford St): Requested support for the land purchase.
Stan Neal (142 Beaver St): Thanked the Council for stormwater support and requested land purchase.
Shaun Leydig (407 Beaver St): Requested support for the land purchase.
Steve Albright (421 Bedford St): Discussed flooding in Gaysport and the need for a retention pond.
Jim Fitch (Bel Aire Rd): Suggested that the Borough Manager and Finance Director positions should be separate.
Regis Nale (202 Spruce St): Spoke about sewer issues in the Borough.

Minutes: The minutes from the November 9, 2023 meeting were approved unanimously (6-0).
Manager/Financial: No report.
Planning/Zoning: Mr. Holodnik presented the monthly report and announced a public hearing for a zoning amendment on January 11, 2024.
Community Relations: Ms. Ramsey thanked the Council for their support of recent events.
Fire Marshal: No report (Ms. Hazlett was absent).
Police Chief: Presented the November report; noted that the Civil Service Commission completed testing for police candidates.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Dodson complimented the Police Department and Melanie Ramsey for their work.

Resolution No. 2023-31 (Consent Agenda): Approved the bill list for December 14, 2023, totaling $146,526.40. Also approved Certificates of Appropriateness for 400 Allegheny Street (Joseph Keller) to construct window wells, basement/first-floor stairs, and an ADA ramp.
Final Budget Adoption: Motion No. 2024-1 to adopt the 2024 Budget was passed unanimously (6-0).
Resolution No. 2023-32 (Real Estate Tax Rate): Motion to approve the real estate tax rate for Fiscal Year 2024 was passed unanimously (6-0).
Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD): Motion to release funds to the PVFD was passed unanimously (6-0).

James Gehret Resignation: Accepted the resignation of James Gehret from the positions of Borough Manager and Director of Finance.
Interim Appointments:
- James Gehret was hired as the Interim Finance Director.
- James Gehret was appointed as the Interim Borough Manager (with a motion to advertise for a permanent Borough Manager).
Alternate Solicitor: Attorney Calvin J. Webb was appointed as Alternate Solicitor for the Borough.