March 17, 2025

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT

VISITORS

Council in regular session was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in council chambers. President Mitcho presiding.

Gregg Mitcho, President Jeanne Miller, Vice President Robert “Doc” Orr

Jim Simonelli Doug Wright George Drushel Tim Knapp

Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Peter Burton, Mayor

Joseph Yochim, Solicitor via phone conference Mark Corey, Engineer

Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor

 

Shirley Hall Larry Russell

Michael Stafford, WCNJ Fred Carlson

Ginger Cinti Jeff Orr

Dennis “Buzz McNally

MINUTES                               Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve the February 17, 2025, council meeting minutes. Seconded by Councilmember Knapp. All in favor. Motion carried.

BILLS                                      Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve payment of the bills. Seconded by Councilmember Miller. All in favor. Motion carried. Councilmember Orr asked about the bill to have the Borough Building roof fixed. Not all roof leaks were under warranty. Councilmember Orr asked if the bill for the Butternut Water was for the heater and it is to keep the pump station from freezing. The pump station is heated every winter. President Mitcho asked about the bill for the Kubota mower. The mower head was leaking so a new head and gaskets were installed.

Councilmember Miller asked about the postage expense. The postage expense includes monthly bills and also the cetiified letters for code enforcement for the sidewalk program and other issues.

COMMUNITY COMMENTS     Dennis “Buzz” McNally suggested to Council that the Girard Borough

Community Pool be free to borough residents. If the pool is free to borough residents, then the pool will be fully used. The chemicals, pool manager, guards and other pool expenses are being paid no matter how many people use the pool. Council agreed to consider the proposal.

COMMITTEES                         Councilmember Orr said that in January the West County Emergency

Management did not have a quorum so no meeting took place. The WCEMC is working on the HazMat Mitigation update and Girard Borough falls under the Erie County HazMat Plan so we are up to date.

Councilmember Wright mentioned that the West County Paramedics Association is continuing to progress. The board was meeting twice a month but the past month the workshop meeting was cancelled due to lack of issues. The Director continues to deal with legacy issues as they become known. Fairview and Lakeshore are ending their paramedic service as of May1, 2025. The leased employee program provided by WCPA will end May1, 2025. As it turns out the workers compensation insurance carried by WCPA and those paying for the employees did not cover the employees.

President Mitcho rep01ied that A. F. Dobler received a check for

$4,100.00 for expenses incurred for the Tannery Road fire last Fall. The Futures Committee will be visiting the manufacturer for the new fire truck. The manufacturer is paying for the visit. Specific design plans will be reviewed. On March 29, 2025 Lake City Lanes will host “Bowl with a First Responder”. Councilmember Orr was awarded 65 years for service to the community as a firefighter for A. F. Dobler Hose at the most recent fire fighters’ awards banquet. President Mitcho requested that the borough donate a pool pass to A. F. Dobler to be used as a raffle prize for the annual purse party fund raiser. Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve the pool pass donation to Dobler Hose for their raffle. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.

Councilmember Drushel asked if Dobler was going to do a controlled burn at the house at 129 Church Street for the Cemetery. President Mitcho said yes Dobler is still investigating the possibility.

MAYOR/POLICE

CURBLAWN TREES The Mayor asked that the borough replace curb lawn trees in front of every home in the borough that had trees removed. None of the trees the Mayor recommended are native to Pennsylvania. President Mitcho said that sometimes the Erie COG receives tree grants. Councilmember Simonelli mentioned that the borough should top the locust trees in the curblawns below the utility wires.

BOROUGH PURCHASE PRIVATE PROPERTY The Mayor asked the Borough Solicitor to contact the Attorney representing the owner of the Tree House who is also the owner of the parking lot on Commercial Street and Whiz Alley so the borough could purchase the propeiiy.

Mayor Burton said that Attorney Michael Agresti represents the property owner. The Mayor asked the solicitor if he was going to do a deed search after he talks with Attorney Agresti. Solicitor Yochim said yes.

LOGGING WATERWORKS PARK The Mayor said that he was talking with Mickey Curran who said that lumber prices are up and it would be a good time to log the Water Works Park. The Mayor recommended logging the Water Works Park this year.

LOURDES DRIVE Mayor Bmion asked if the Lourdes Drive Project was complete. Mark Corey said that the Lourdes Drive Project has not been paid because it is not complete.

POLICE REPORT The Mayor said that he does not have a police rep01i.

MANAGERS REPORT ORDINANCE 758

ORDINANCE 759

LEAF PICKUP

COMPOST AREA

An Ordinance refel1’ing to Skill Games was discussed. The ordinance would restrict skill games to the C-1 Zoning District. Only establishments that seat 30, serve alcohol and serve food could have up to five skill game machines. Councilmember Knapp asked if this is too restrictive because this will keep these businesses from coming to Girard. Councilmember Drushel said that many towns are looking at ways to regulate the skill games since the state currently does not have any regulations. Councilmember Wright said the idea is to get good businesses in Girard not just any business. Councilmember Knapp asked if we know if the skill games currently pay cash or if they pay electronically as mentioned in the ordinance. No one was sure. Fred Carlson asked if the current skill games would be grandfathered. That is a legal question that was referred to the Solicitor. Councilmember Simonelli asked the Mayor if as President of the Chamber of Commerce if they have a good relationship with the smoke shop and tattoo parlors. Mayor Burton said they have a good relationship. Councilmember Knapp mentioned that if a skill game business came to Girard, they would be paying taxes and license fees. Councilmember Simonelli said that the smoke shop donated a $1,000.00 scholarship this year. They are pati of the community. Council agreed to adve1iise the ordinance for the next Council Meeting.

Ordinance to amend Ordinance 524 and 616 to only allow businesses and office space on the first floor of C-1 Zoning was discussed. The Borough Manager said that this ordinance would go to Erie County

Planning then to Girard Borough Planning and then back to Council for a final vote.

Leaf collection is scheduled for the following days – April 17th May 15th October 16th October 30th Nov 13th Nov 28th

Gary Cooper will once again be working at our compost area. The Girard Borough Compost Area will be open to Girard Borough residents on April 5, 2025 will then be open every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm through about mid-December.

ECAB MEETING

WATER FLUSHING

BUTTERNUT WELL PROJECT

PUBLIC WORKS

BUILDING MAINTENANCE

The next meeting of the Erie County Association of Boroughs is April 17, 2025 at the Girard American Legion. Please let me know if you plan to attend and mention plus one if applicable.

Spring water system flushing begins March 31st and last for three weeks.

The pipes and fittings have been ordered for the chlorine detention line for the Butternut Well we are gathering quotes for the outside work which will include digging, bedding, laying the 24-inch pipe, pouring cement stabilizer corners, boring through the well house walls and pressure testing the line. We will order all patis and bedding material and we will complete the replumbing of the well house. I respectfully request that Council allow the project to begin as soon as the lowest quote is established, the permit is in place and the parts arrive. The project will not exceed $53,000.00. Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve the Butternut Well Chorine Detention Project. Seconded by Councilmember Knapp. Voting in favor are Councilmembers Knapp, Simonelli, Wright, Drushel, Miller and Mitcho. Against, Councilmember Orr. Motion carried.

Tony and Dillon have CDL Permits and will attend classes to attain their CDL-B license. Terry and Owen will attend AMP Lineman Training in October of 2025.

Alex Roofing came back to fix the water leak in roof above the Council Chamber.

PROJECTS                               Information concerning 2025 projects:

Hotel Park Project lighting and benches have been ordered.

CNRR review complete.

  • Working with Forester Steve Laskowski on the final stage of the eradication of invasive plants at Water Works Park.

Lourdes Drive storm drain culve1i project restoration to complete project.

  • CDBG ADA sidewalks for Lake
  • White Line laminate damage
  • Hathaway water storage paint A new safety ladder will also be needed for the storage unit.
  • Lead /Copper Rule and Water Meter Replacement Water meter replacement will take place and service line information will be recorded at the time. The meters being installed will be convertible for RF information gathering in the future. Apply for hydraulic excavator grant from PENNVEST.
  • Pump Station Enclosure Project at WWTP

Reed Bed clean out at WWTP (2)

  • Pump VFDs for slues gate for the trickling
  • Pool filter and pool water heater replacement project and pool house water heater replacement.
  • Softball infield wet areas and top soil
  • Canadian National Rail Road will clear litter and fallen trees from the storm drain parallel to My1tle Street.
  • Erie Payroll will take over the payroll function for Girard Borough by the end of 2025.

COUNCIL COMMENTS            Councilmember Simonelli asked that the crosswalk signs be placed as

soon as possible. Councilmember Simonelli asked about the wires on the poles project. The Borough Manager explained that the borough established a list of poles with unused wire. Spectrum removed their wires last year and we will follow up with Verizon. On Rt 18 and Rt 20 cars are backed up into town during peak traffic hours. The traffic pattern should be reversed. Council discussed the traffic pattern. Council member Simonelli asked that all of the Committees report at the meetings.

Councilmember Wright asked that all unpermitted political signs be removed. President Mitcho asked the Mayor to have the police remove the signs. Mayor Bmton asked Engineer Mark Corey if the Borough could take property from Countty Fair to line up Chestnut Street with Rice Avenue.

Councilmember Miller said that the Hathaway Street Rail Road Crossing needs work because the current condition is unsafe. Councilmember Miller asked if we have fire works regulation. The borough follows the state fire works regulations. Stans Garden Center will arrange the flowers for Main Street this year.

Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.

EXECUTIVE

SESSION                                 At 7:55 p.m., President Mitcho asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.

REGULAR

MEETING                                The regular meeting was called back into session at 8:46 p.m.

No other items where discussed.

ADJOURN                                Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Wright to adjourn at 8:47 p.m. All in favor.

Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager