March 16, 2026

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT

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

Jeanne Miller, President Doug Wright, Vice President Tim Knapp
Leslie “Dee Dee” Green George Drushel
Jeffrey Orr
Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Peter Burton, Mayor
Joseph Yochim, Solicitor via phone conference Mark Corey, Engineer
Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor Kevin Rafferty, Chief of Police

VISITORS Greg Mitcho DelaniAnn Jacob Hagmaier Fred Carlson David T. Jeffery Jim Simonelli
Michael Stafford

MINUTES Motion by Councilmember J. Orr to approve the January 19, 2026 council meeting
minutes. Seconded by Councilmember Green. All in favor. Motion carried.

BILLS

COMMUNITY COMMENTS

Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve payment of the bills. Seconded by Councilmember J. Orr.
President Miller asked about the$300.00 bill for the stepladder. That bill is for a 12-foot commercial grade stepladder. All in
favor. Motion carried.

Jacob Hagmaier, the Director of Finance at Girard School District, spoke about the school
district’s use of a grant writing service to focus on facility improvements, mental health
initiatives, and security grants. He asked for sponsorship from Council for a grant from the DCED
Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program for the Girard School District tennis courts. This grant
offers awards of up to $250,000.00. Details of the grant requirements, matching funds, and repairs
needed were discussed further. Mr. Stubenbort recommended Council approve Mr.
Hagmaier’s request for sponsorship so he can move forward with getting the school board’s
permission. Mark Corey spoke about specific requirements of the Cooperation Agreement that would
have to be met by the school district because the Borough would be the grantee. Details

of this were discussed further. Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve sponsoring the Girard
School District’s DCED grant application. Seconded by Councilmember Drushel. All in favor. Motion
carried.

David Jeffery of 229 Olin Avenue said the Girard Borough Public Works crew did a great job clearing
the snow. He expressed concerns about retired people in the borough living on Social Security being
able to afford these increases. He said he agreed with Council’s rejection of the first Honey
Locust tree removal bid. He suggested physically removing the Mimosa Worms from the trees rather
than incur a large cost to remove all of the Honey Locust trees. He talked about the worsening
condition of the old Moorelight Wrench Factory and asked for something to be done to reduce safety
concerns. He also spoke about litter from Country Fair migrating into the Hotel Park. Councilmember
Wright explained that although Council understands the effect the tax and rate increases have on
borough residents, any budgetary and billing decisions are predicated on what the borough has to
pay for those services. Council thanked Mr. Jeffery for his continued efforts to clean up litter in
the borough.

Greg Mitcho of A.F. Dobler Hose spoke about the 2025 incident report included in Council’s packets.
He talked about the 84 false alarms and referenced a resolution stating that habitual offenders
would receive a fine that would be paid to the fire department. Mr. Mitcho explained that none of
the violations within Girard Borough qualify for a fine at this time.

MANAGER’S REPORT ORDINANCE 762

ORDINANCE 763

REGIONALIZATION RESOLUTION
1-3-2026

The first project is a 1 MW agreement with Avangrid from their Bright Mountain Solar Project
located in eastern Kentucky. The project and purchase are planned for January 1, 2028, starting
with an average of
$65.00/ MWh and a term of twenty-five years. Mr. Stubenbort respectfully requested Council to vote
in favor of Ordinance 762. Motion by Councilmember R. Orr to approve Ordinance 762. Seconded by
Councilmember Wright. All in favor. Motion carried.

The second project is a 0.03 MW agreement with the Potomac Energy Center from their existing
combined power plant in the PJM Virginia Dominion Zone. The purchase agreement is planned for June
1, 2026, with a fifteen year term and an average price of $63.11/ MWh. Mr.
Stubenbort respectfully requested Council to vote in favor of Ordinance 763. Motion by
Councilmember R. Orr to approve Ordinance 763.
Seconded by Councilmember J. Orr. All in favor. Motion carried.

A resolution authorizing participation in the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services
Technical Assistance Program to explore the creation of a regional police department and
authorizing the Borough of Girard Manager to execute a letter of understanding. Motion by

Councilmember Wright to approve Regionalization Resolution 1-3-2026. Seconded by Councilmember
Green. All in favor. Motion carried.

TREE BID March 13, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. the tree removal bids were open, and the results
are the following:

Tree Price Bentley Tree Service- $72,700.00

Stump Reclamation
$11,800.00 Included Total $ 84,500.00

Councilmember Drushel asked what the reason was for the increase compared to the first bid from
Bentley in February. The first bid included a Tree Price of $62,118.49, Stump Price of $10,311.71,
and Reclamation Price of $6,869.80, totaling $79,300.00. The new bid includes a Tree Price
of$72,700.00, which is an increase of $10,581.51, a Stump Price of $11,800.00, which is an increase
of $1,488.29, and Reclamation is included. The new bid totals $84,500.00. The total increase for
this bid is $5,200.00. Councilmember Drushel asked if Jake Thomas put in a bid. He did not. Councilmember Knapp
asked if any other local tree service companies put in a bid. They did not. This project was
advertised twice, first was through the West County Journal and second was through the Erie Times.
Councilmember Drushel asked if it is necessaty, due to that kind of price, to remove all of the
listed trees or if the cost can be reduced by removing a fewer number of trees for now. He also
asked if the trees are being cut down because of the worm infestation or the tree roots affecting
roads and sidewalks. Mr. Stubenbort said the trees selected for removal this year are confined
around Rice Avenue where there is noticeable damage to the trees and webworm infestation. But the
remaining trees are affecting the streets and sidewalks, as well as having worm infestation. The
state forester said he has noticed webworm damage in all of West County. Going forward Council
could pick less, or more, trees for removal depending on how the budget works out and if grants are
available. Ultimately, it is up to Council how many trees are cut down. But these webworms are
affecting residents, they are not the same as tent worms, these worms will attach to houses,
windows, cars, and can even get into your car. He said he was concerned that the borough only had
one bid the first time. Mayor Burton personally met with Jake Thomas from Thomas Tree Service, and
he said that nine of the thirty-six trees are so encapsulated in power lines that without the
borough’s help they would not be able to take them down. He also said that when Jake Thomas was
looking at the trees, sparks were flying from the trees rubbing on the power line and pulling it,
which makes it unsafe. Mayor Burton suggested marking those trees. He mentioned that when the bid
went out the addresses were listed but the trees needing removed were not marked for reference. He
believes Jake Thomas did not bid because he felt unqualified to take down those nine trees without
the borough’s help. Mayor Burton insisted at the March meeting that his friend Jake Thomas would
only bid $800.00 per tree and would bid on the project. Councilmember Drushel said he went by three
trees, that he believes are on the removal list, located on Lake Street by the high school, and did
not see any damage on those trees. Mr. Stubenbort said there are trees other than Honey Locust that
are part of the regular tree program needing to be removed because they are dying due to canker-rot. Mr. Stubenbort said there
are some trees included in the bid that are part of our standard tree program. Councilmember Wright
said we do not necessarily have to spend this amount every year. Councilmember Drushel said his
point was that it may cost more next year, and that is why he asked if there is a limit to how much
the borough is willing to spend on tree removal. Mr. Stubenbort agreed that it makes sense to
evaluate the cost every year as we will be over budget on this project by by $34,500.00.
Councilmember Wright said that looking at the cost already increasing between the last bid and the
current bid, he does not think delaying the tree removal will help the borough monetarily. He
thinks the listed trees should be removed this year and then Council can re-evaluate the issue next
year. Councilmember Wright spoke about the possibility of the trees doing more damage if they were
left standing. Mr. Stubenbort respectfully requested Council award the tree removal price of
$84,500.00. Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve the Bentley Tree Service tree bid. Seconded
by Councilmember Knapp. All in favor.

LEAF PICK-UP

COMPOST AREA

WATER FLUSHING

PUBLIC WORKS

FISHING DERBY

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Leaf collection is scheduled for the following days:

May 14, 2026
May 21, 2026
October 15, 2026
October 29, 2026
November 12, 2026
December 3, 2026

Gary Cooper will once again be working our compost area. The Girard Borough Compost Area will be
open to Girard Borough residents on April 4, 2026, and will then be open eve1y Saturday and Sunday
from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through about mid-December.

The Spring 2026 water line flushing begins March 16, 2026 and will last three to four weeks.

Leah Griffin will apply for a CDL Permit and will attend classes to attain her CDL-B license.
Tony Difucci, First year, will attend AMP lineman training on October 5, 2026 and October 26, 2026.
Terry Jackson and Dillon Baker, both Second year, will attend AMP lineman training August 17, 2026
and September 28, 2026. The AMP Lineman training flyer will actually feature a picture of Dillon
Baker from last year.

With the passing of Lee Weaver from Elk Valley Sportsman Club, the Fishing Derby will be continued
by the Lake City Volunteer Firefighters. The Kids Fishing Derby will be on Saturday April 11, 2026
at 1:00 p.m. at the Girard Borough pond.

Councilmember Drushel asked about the return of the backhoe. Mr. Stubenbort confirmed that the
backhoe is back, but we have not yet received the bill. Councilmember Drushel asked how things are coming along for the electrical park.
Mr. Stubenbort said we are still working on the drawing for that. President Miller asked if Betsy
Korb reached out about the electrical park. Dennis McDonald said Betsy dropped off the map for Dan
Rice Days but he is waiting for information about the trailers that set up along the curb.
Councilmember Drushel asked about the Code Enforcement Officer. This will be discussed during the
executive session. He spoke about setting up a date for the Annual Trash Pick Up. Council discussed
a possible date in late April.
Councilrnember J. Orr asked if PennDOT paints the lines for the traffic lanes and stop signs, and
if there is a warranty because the lines are faded. Mr. Stubenbort said we can call and find out.
Councilmember R. Orr asked if a letter can be sent out to local boroughs and townships asking if
they would consider passing an ordinance issuing fines for false alarms called in for the fire
department. President Miller asked Greg Mitcho if other boroughs and townships have ordinances
regarding this. Mr. Mitcho said Fairview does not, and he is not sure about Girard Township.

MAYOR/POLICE

MARK COREY, ENGINEER

Mayor Bmion said the Girard Lake City Chamber of Commerce purchased fifty of the planting tubs
needed for the sunflowers to be placed along Main Street. He also said with the help of
Councilmember J. Orr and President Miller effotis are being made to move Dan Rice to the Girard
Cemetery around the time of Dan Rice days.

Engineer Mark Corey inquired about Councilmember J. Orr’s question regarding the line painting. Mr.
Corey said once the warranty expires the borough is responsible for painting the traffic lane
lines, turning arrows, and stop bars.

Meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.

EXECUTIVE
SESSION At 7:20 p.m., President Miller asked for an executive session to discuss
personnel and legal matters.

REGULAR
MEETING The regular meeting was called back into session at 8:02 p.m.

No other items were discussed.

ADJOURN Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Knapp to adjourn at
8:04 p.m. All in favor.

Robet1 A. Stubenb011 Borough Manager