June 16, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
PRESENT
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 Mark Corey, Engineer
Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor
VISITORS
MINUTES
Shirley Hall Larry Russell Ginger Sarnowski Ginger Cinti Laura DiPasqua Bev Bible
Nancy Bronstein Dylan Kuffer
Michael Stafford, WCNJ
Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve the May 19, 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.
COMMUNITY COMMENTS
Ginger Sarnowski asked Council to place bike safety signs along Main Street (S.R. 20). Council agreed to look into the placement of bike safety signs along Main Street. Shirley Hall mentioned that Commercial Turf offers discounts on lawncare and the owner is Mike Petroff. Dylan Kuffer at 49 Sunset Drive, spoke about the Locust tree on his curb lawn. The tree roots are causing a hump in the sidewalk, digging into his yard and driveway, and limiting his ability to mow the curb lawn. The ordinance provides that the homeowner can cut back the roots, so the sidewalk is protected. The council’s approval of tree removal for Matthew Moore was mentioned. That approval was given due to the trees being a safety issue. Mr. Kuffer said other residents have similar issues with the Locust trees in the curb lawn. Councilmember Miller also mentioned that the tree roots are growing into the street. Mr. Kuffer would like the borough to be responsible for removing the tree because it is not his tree. Mr. Kuffer will be given a copy of the resolution upon request. Sandy Raffensberger, 123 Hathaway Street, sent photos of the curblawn tree in front of her house. The tree is dying from disease and will be removed.
COMMITTEES Councilmember Wright explained that a few of the communities are unwilling to pay West County Paramedics for services rendered. They have West County listed as the provider, but they are not members of West County Paramedics.
Councilmember Drushel said that the Girard School District may not open the pool at the high school due to the exorbitant cost of pool maintenance.
Councilmember Mitcho mentioned that on July 10, 2025 Dobler Hose Fire Department will have water training at the Girard Municipal Pool. On July 19, 2025 Dobler Hose will have a BBQ Dinner to benefit the fire department.
MANAGERS REPORT
ORDINANCE 759
ORDINANCE 760
At the meeting held on June 9, 2025, the Girard Borough Planning Commission voted to respectfully recommend favorable passage of Ordinance 759. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF GIRARD, ORDINANCE 521 ZONING DISTRICTS, C-1 COMMERCIAL DISTRICT AS HERETOFORE AMENDED, by adding the following restriction: CONVERSION OF A COMMERCIAL I RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE OF MIXED USE IN C-1 INTO A TOTAL RESIDENTIAL USE IS NOT PERMITTED. This ordinance will be adve1iised and presented to Council at the July Council Meeting for passage.
Lack of maintenance of properties, littering, improper storage of trash and rubbish, storage of inoperable/nonregistered vehicles, vendor operations without permits, high grass and weeds, graffiti and accumulation of snow and ice are costly problems that contribute to the deterioration of prope1iy values and general disorder in a community. These problems degrade the physical appearance of the Borough, which reduces business and tax revenue, inhibiting economic development. The quality of life and community pride of the citizens of Girard are negatively impacted by the occurrences and existence of these activities. Recognizing these are community problems, the purpose of this ordinance is to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the Borough by helping to create and sustain a clean, healthy living environment for the citizens of Girard. Council discussed the need for the ordinance as it is written. This ordinance will be adve1iised and presented to Council at the July Council Meeting for passage.
AMERICAN LEGION
BOROUGH POOL
ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT
NEW PAYROLL SYSTEM
240 TEMPLETON
LEAD & COPPER RULE
Saturday June 21, 2025. The American Legion Ryders will assemble in the morning at the municipal parking lot on Wall Street and begin the Medal of Honor Ride at 11:00 AM. The Girard Borough Police will provide an escort to the borough line.
June 8, 2025 the borough pool opened. At some point NFG will install a larger capacity gas supply line so the new pool heater can work at full efficiency. The pool is required to have a commercial grade refrigerator, one was ordered. The cost is $1,424.05.
It has been less than a year since the last PJM capacity auction cleared with record high prices, significantly impacting the overall price of power for each of the PMEA boroughs starting June 2025. The unce1iainty continues in the market place. The capacity auction that was set for December 2024 was delayed at least in paid due to political pressure and is now scheduled to take place this summer. PJM has proposed a price cap & floor on the capacity price for the next two auctions (still pending FERC’s approval). PJM’s load forecast is higher now than it was last year. In short, a lot is going on.
(ECCA PAYROLL+) Erie Payroll begins providing payroll services to Girard Borough July 1, 2025. Please be patient with us in the beginning of July as we work through the issues with the new system. After the new payroll is up and running, we will be working on converting our Freedom Software System over to Springbrook Software. We hope to begin the new software January of 2026. Michael Sultanik, our consulting accountant will be in the office the afternoon of June 25, the day of June 26 and the morning of June 27. We will be reviewing our current accounting system and working with Mr. Sultanik to see if changes can be made when we staff with the new system.
240 Templeton Ave grass was cut by the contracted company responsible for the upkeep of the prope1iy. Notification has been sent out that the garage is set for demolition.
Many residents have received their first Lead and Copper Rule letter in the mail recently. According to the most current ruling the borough water system will be required to send this letter every year for four years. The borough water system has established a listing of every house address in the borough and when it was built. Our current task is to verify if a residence has a leaded goose neck and or galvanized service line. If a leaded gooseneck is detected it will be removed by the borough. If a galvanized service line is detected the prope1iy owner will be notified to replace the service line with copper or plastic. In a separate but equally impo1iant issue the borough has started replacing our oldest water meters and we will be contacting residents to make appointments so we can replace the meter while they are home.
9.FROG ART The frog art is behind the borough building waiting for a new home.
Council agreed to place the frog art in front of the pool house at the Girard Pool.
MAYOR/POLICE
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mayor Button said that the Art Walk took place on June 6, 2025 and was successful. The Block Patty is Friday June 20, 2025. The Downtown Girard Group will place bronze plaques on 28 buildings along Main Street. The plaques will contain historical information about each building. The plaques are free of charge to the property owners. The Hagan Historical Museum hosted a Lady’s Night at the White house on June 10th.
Councilmember Drushel said that the rail road track crossing on Olin Avenue needs attention. Councilmember Miller mentioned that the CDBG grant could be used to update the deck area at the children’s fishing pond at the Water Works Park. President Mitcho shared highlights from the PSAB Resolutions and Policy Committee provided by Councilmember Orr.
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 9:00 p.m.
Motion by Councilmember Knapp to raise the hourly rate of the head guard by $1.00 to $15.50. Seconded by Councilmember Drushel. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve the sale of the 2011 John Deere X300 mower to Josh Palochak for scrap value. Seconded by Councilmember Knapp. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADJOURN Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Knapp to adjourn at 9:03 p.m. All in favor.
Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager