November 17, 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
Steve Jaracziewski (Jay)
Al Noble Shirley Hall Larry Russell Jennifer Kovaly Laura DiPasqua Dee Dee Green Jeff Orr
Fred Carlson
David Shelenberger

MINUTES Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve the October 20, 2025 council meeting
minutes. Seconded by Councilmember Knapp. All in favor. Motion carried.

BILLS

COMMUNITY COMMENTS

Motion by Councilmember Miller to approve payment of the bills. Seconded by Councilmember Drushel.
Councilmember Orr asked about the bill for the A.F. Doler Hose air tank inspection. The Borough
payes for the air tank inspection as it is required for insurance. He also asked about the concrete
bill for 139 Olin Avenue. The concrete bill was in regard to the Girard Borough Public Works having
to dig up the driveway and sidewalk at 139 Olin Avenue to fix a leak on our side of the water
service. All in favor. Motion carried.

Steve Jay gave Council information packets he had prepared regarding the skill games. He expressed
his complaints and concerns regarding the ordinance for skill games. He feels that better
communication is needed to notify residents of pending ordinances as well. He also asked about

having four way stop signs at Olin Avenue and Prospect Street due to visibility and safety
concerns. These issues were discussed further.

Al Noble spoke about his concerns regarding the skill games ordinance. He spoke about his safety
concerns regarding the streetlights in Girard Borough. He would like to see LED lights used for the
streetlights at the intersections for better lighting. He said he feels the traffic lights on Rice
Avenue and Hathaway Street need updated. He spoke about the legality of the crosswalks within the
borough. He asked about the memorial for the Hotel Park. The memorial is on order. He spoke about
the matting for the playground being out of compliance. The matting will be fixed in 2026. He also
spoke about the visibility issue on Main Street at Rice Avenue and Chestnut Street for people
traveling westbound and needing to turn onto Chestnut Street.

Dave Shelenberger spoke about his concerns regarding the visibility of the “No Turn on Red” sign at
the intersection of Rice Avenue and Route 20 at night. He expressed his complaints and concerns
about vehicles being parked over the sidewalks on Spruce Tree Drive, Juniper Drive, Aurora Drive.
President Mitcho said the monthly police report received by council showed that five tickets were
issued this month for parking on the sidewalks.

Fred Carlson suggested that the sidewalk on Hathaway Street, by the railroad tracks, be extended so
pedestrians don’t have to walk in the road. This was further discussion on this matter.

COMMITTEES Councilmember Miller spoke about the possibility of West County
Paramedics and West County Communications Center having their meetings the same night, this would
mean the representative for Girard Borough would only have to go to one meeting. She also said a
budget increase was discussed, which would be $2,000.00 for each municipality. Details were
discussed further.

Councilmember Orr spoke about the EMA’s budget, and about yearly or monthly payment options. He
also said that the bylaws now include the Emergency Management Coordinator duties for the year.

President Mitcho talked about the details of the A.F. Dobler Hose Donation Matching event that’s
going on now until December 20, 2025. The funds will be used for a new fire truck. He spoke about
the annual report given to Council explaining how taxpayer funds are being used for the Fire
Department. He spoke about the 2026 budget for the fire depatiment. Details of the fire
depatiment’s memberships and junior memberships were discussed. Details of the Rapid Intervention
Team training at 129 Church Street on November 15ᵗʰ and 16ᵗʰ 2025 were discussed.

ENGINEER Engineer Mark J. Corey spoke about the NPDES permit application timeline for the
Wastewater Treatment Plant. He also spoke about applying for $1 Million Local Share Account state
grant to address the Lead and Copper Rule for the Borough water system, starting with Rice Avenue.
Councilmember Miller asked if it would be worth pursuing the CDBG grant to use towards the drive to
the Waterworks Parle Details of these grants were discussed further.

RESOLUTION NO. 1-11-2025

RESOLUTION NO. 2-11-2025

BUDGET

The EACOG has proposed its Annual Budget for its financial activities for the 2026 calendar year,
which will be voted upon for approval at the EACOG’s General Assembly Meeting. At the December 10,
2025 meeting the EACOG will be voting to make the budget final. The Borough Manager respectfully
requested Council to vote in favor.
Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve Resolution 1-11-2025. Seconded by Councilmember Miller.
All in favor. Motion carried.

On November 5, 2025 the COG had a general assembly meeting, where the members were presented with
the results of the 2024 audit. The Borough Manager respectfully requested Council to vote in favor.
Motion by Councilmember Orr to approve Resolution 2-11-2025. Seconded by Councilmember Knapp. All
in favor. Motion carried.

The tentative budget for 2026, in the amount of $6,821,771.00, was adopted at the November 12, 2025
meeting. The proposed 2026 Budget includes the following increases to the monthly utilities:
e Water bill increase of $2.00 to $22.00
e Sewer bill increase of $2.00 to $48.00
e Real estate tax increase of 1 mil to 3.89
e A .0201/kWh increase to the monthly electric billing
The budget also allows for $335,000.00 in general fund reserve money to be used for Capital
Expenditures. A letter of explanation will be mailed to all utility customers. The tax ordinance
will be advertised and presented at the December 15, 2025 Council Meeting. The Borough Manager
respectfully requested Council to vote favorably on the proposed budget. Motion by Councilmember
Wright to approve the 2026 Budget. Seconded by Councilmember Miller. All in favor. Motion carried.

ELECTION DAY

LEAF PICKUP

SPECIAL THANKS

PUBLIC WORKS

RBC BEARINGS

MAYORf POLICE

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Congratulations to Councilmembers Miller and Drushel, and Mayor Burton on reelection, and
congratulations to Jeff Orr and Dee Dee Green on winning their Councilmember seats.

The remaining Leaf Pick Up date is November 28, 2026. Only 30-gallon clear plastic bags will be
picked up. Only bags of leaves will be accepted. An unlimited number of bags may be placed at the
curb lawn for collection. Leaves will not be collected with the regular trash pick-up, and should
be placed at the curb the night before.

Special thanks to Lake City Borough for allowing us to use some of their millings from their water
line project. These millings will become part of our Mission Well Road. The Girard Township is also
helping us by bringing in their grader.

Leah Griffin started on November 10, 2025 in the Public Works Department. Leah’s previous
experience with water and sewer utilities will be a great asset to the borough. She will train for
her CDL License in the Spring of 2026. She already has her Water and Sewer License. Our Public
Works Department is now at full compliment.

The rotating biological contractor (RBC) is our secondary wastewater treatment system that follows
the trickling filter, that uses a series of plastic discs mounted on a shaft to stabilize organic
matter. The shaft slowly rotates, exposing about 40% of the discs to wastewater to cultivate
microorganisms, which then treat the waste, and the other 60% to the air for oxygen. RBCs are known
for removing BOD and/or ammonia from wastewater and are known for their simple design and minimal
energy use. American Resource Recovery Services Corp. is onsite to replace the failed shaft
bearings. The project should be complete before Thanksgiving, at a cost of$17,536.00. The unit
involved will receive a complete maintenance under this contract.

Mayor Burton spoke about the Girard Police Department’s Second Annual Stuff the Truck and Cruiser
on December 13, 2025 at Giant Eagle in Girard from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Sunflower Field will
be coming back next year and should be in full bloom the beginning of August around Dan Rice Days.
Better parking arrangements are being discussed with the Fire Department. He talked about Maureen
Wright and George Drushel working hard to get the new trees on Pine Tree Drive and Main Street. He
thanked Dennis McDonald for helping the Hagen History Center by hauling leaves from the fall clean
up to the recycling center. He spoke about the set up of the Christmas decorations, and gave
suggestions. There was further discussion and suggestions regarding the Sunflower Field.

Councilmember Knapp asked if any of the trees on Rice Ave will be taken down. A bid for that work
will go out in the Spring of 2026.

Councilmember Simonelli spoke about the Borough enforcing the state law regarding vehicles parking
in the correct direction on roads.

Councilmember Wright said he will have a report for the West County Paramedics 2026 Budget at the
next Council Meeting.

Councilmember Drushel thanked everyone who made donations for the new Christmas decorations.

Councilmember Orr wanted it known that taxpayer money was not used for the new Christmas
decorations.

Councilmember Miller spoke about Santa coming to town on November 28, 2025. He will be going
through Girard at 4:30 p.m., then stopping in front of Wells Park for the Lighting Ceremony at 5:45
p.m., and finally he will finish at A.F. Dobler Hose. She spoke about Chamber of Commerce luncheon
at the Girard Alliance Church on December 10, 2025 at noon. She asked that Dennis McDonald find out
if Girard Borough is on the list for the railroad to clean out where the canal was. She asked if
the remains of Dan Rice are still being brought to Girard. This is still a work in progress. She
asked about the new representative for Girard for Liquid Fuels. No invitation has been received
from the MPO. Council discussed this fmther.

President Mitcho said there will be a Community Support Fair at the Lake City Community Center on
November 22, 2025 11:00 a.m. 2:00
p.m. Bags of donated food for Thanksgiving will be given out upon request. President Mitcho
discussed the training he will be giving to the new Councilmembers in December 2025.

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

EXECUTIVE
SESSION At 7:22 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 8:15 p.m.

No other items where discussed.

ADJOURN Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Knapp to adjourn at
8:16 p.m. All in favor.

Robert A. Stubenb01t Borough Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOLICITOR/ ENGINEER SERVICE AGREEMENT

REORGANIZATOIN MEETING