SMETHPORT — Smethport Borough Council decided Monday to hold an adjourned meeting later this month to discuss the 2020 budget and any other matters that should be raised.
Secretary-Treasurer Melody DeLuca has provided council with preliminary budgetary information to be considered at that session slated for 7 p.m. on Oct. 23. In a related budget matter, working supervisor Matt Dart noted during this meeting about the need for a new or slightly used bucket truck to replace a 20-year-old model for the electric department, an expense that could be included in next year’s spending plan.
Council agreed to seek bids for the removal of 14 trees that the borough has decided are too tall or present a high liability for borough employees to cut. Dart will provide a list of the trees to Councilman Jeff Tanner, who is also a member of the borough shade tree commission.
In another vote, council, acting on the motion of Ryan Yingling, chairman of council’s parks committee, approved the short form of an agreement with The EADS Group to provide engineering services for the bridge replacement project in Hamlin Lake Park, contingent upon the OK from borough solicitor Erik Ross.
Last month, State Rep. Martin Causer announced the borough has been awarded $250,000 state grant for park improvements that also includes installing an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant walking path to access the bridge, a parking lot and a connected kayak launch, both of which will be ADA-compliant.
Trick or Treat night in the borough was set for 6-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 31.
Council learned of two costs for recent street pavings. In one project, the cost was $12,800 for digging out and filling holes, and this amount will be paid from the borough’s liquid fuels fund. For the School Street project, where heavy rains peeled away a section of the surface, the expense was set at $13,780, which is to be paid from the general fund.
For approximately 34 minutes, council discussed personnel and contracts during an executive session.
Smethport Police Department Officer Kevin Seipp spoke to council about a possible department fundraiser and the purchase of computer/printer that can be installed in the patrol car. It would provide a permanent record and reduce the time for completing routine police procedures.
Council President Greg Rounsville advised Seipp to further discuss the fundraiser with Chief Pat Warnick.
The borough will use the state aid amounting to $43,404 to pay the Non-Uniform Pension Fund and use the excess of $2,735.04 toward the Uniform Pension Fund.
