October 20, 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 Mark Corey, Engineer
Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor Kevin Rafferty, Chief of Police
Ginger Cinti Shirley Hall Larry Russell Jeff Orr
Laura DiPasqua Nancy Bronstein Bev Bible Shelly Graves Robert Wagner, Rachael Miller Fred Carlson
Michael Stafford, WCNJ
MINUTES Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve the September 15, 2025 and October 8,
2025 council meeting minutes. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. Councilmember Simonelli noted a
correction needing to be made regarding his comment about the sidewalk inspections starting earlier
in the year. All in favor. Motion carried.
BILLS Motion by Councilmember Miller to approve payment of the bills.
Seconded by Councilmember Drushel. Councilmember Orr asked about the $29,116.25 bill for
Springbrook finance subscription. That bill is for our new accounting system. Councilmember Miller
asked how much is left in the account for sidewalk replacement repayments. The Borough Manager will
find out. All in favor. Motion carried.
COMMUNITY COMMENTS Shelly Graves of227 Pheasant Drive spoke about a letter that was mailed
out regarding a resolution concerning the tree and sidewalk issue. She expressed her complaints and
concerns about the curblawn trees and sidewalk replacement. President Mitcho said her curblawn tree
is slated to be removed at taxpayer expense, but a specific date has not been established. The Borough
Manager said that Shelly has an extenuating circumstance due to the curblawn tree growing up
through her driveway and yard. He respectfully requested council to give Shelly a reprieve on
replacing her sidewalks until the tree is removed. Council agreed to the request.
Robert Wagner with Wagner-Giblin Insurance spoke about the insurance renewal process for the
upcoming year. Applications have been sent to Travelers Insurance, and Mr. Wagner will be
approaching at least five other carriers as well. The hope is to find something competitive to what
Travelers is offering now, and possibly the same or better coverage for less money. He is working
with the Borough Manager on this process.
Fred Carlson of 624 Olin Avenue spoke about the Hotel Park curb being uneven. President Mitcho also
mentioned that the curb that was replaced is higher than the old curbing. One of the low spots is
for Public Works truck access.
Rachael Miller of Girard Borough, in the vicinity of Riley Drive, asked questions about the Quality
of Life Ordinance regarding the record keeping of complaints and ordinance violations for habitual
offenders. Chief Raffeiiy said any Quality of Life complaints received are investigated by the
Police. A repo1t is written stating whether there was a violation or not, and it is recorded.
Fmiher details of the ordinance were discussed.
Jason Earley from WeissEarley Landscaping spoke about the details of two proposals for holiday
lighting for Main Street and The Hotel Parle Public Works would still handle the decorations for
Wells Park.
President Mitcho asked if the borough would own all of the materials. Mr. Earley confirmed that we
would. Councilmember Miller asked if the decorations will be in place by November 28ᵗʰ when Santa
comes to town. Mr. Earley said they can have it all up by then. Councilmember Drushel said the cost
for the Christmas decorations will be taken care of by donations, and he believes there are
organizations in Girard that will help with the yearly cost of $3,900.00. President Mitcho
suggested that these proposals be tabled until the financial decisions have been discussed.
Councilmember Wright talked about the preliminary budget meeting for West County Paramedics. He
talked about the success of the Health Fair. The next scheduled meeting for West County Paramedics
is October 27, 2025.
Councilmember Orr talked about the budget for West County Emergency Management. The budget will be
voted on at the next scheduled meeting.
Councilmember Miller asked about the West County Communications Center. President Mitcho attended
that meeting, which was rescheduled to October 30, 2025. Councilmember Miller will attend the next
meeting.
President Mitcho talked about the A. F. Dobler Hose and Ladder training center, and the vehicles
donated for training. He spoke about the annual Halloween event that will be held October 25, 2025.
The Halloween event is free to the public, and the cost of the event is covered by sponsors.
RESOLUTION 1-10-2025
LEAF PICKUP
HALLOWEEN OBSERVED
WINTER PARKING RULES
TIME CHANGE ELECTION DAY
LAKE CITY BOROUGH
Resolution No. 1-10-2025 – Council approval of the
application for a Local Share Account Grant through the DCED for $1 million, to replace the water
service lines from the water main to homes on Rice Avenue as needed to meet the Lead and Copper
Rule. Part of the project may be expanded from Rice Avenue as funding allows. Council discussed
details of this fmiher. Motion by Councilmember Knapp to approve Resolution No. 1-10-2025. Seconded
by Councilmember Orr.
All in favor. Motion carried.
Remaining Leaf Pick Up Dates are October 30th, 2025 as well as November 13th and 28th, 2025.
Councilmember Drushel asked how long the compost area is open? The compost area is open until
mid-December, or until the road becomes unpassable.
Trick or Treat night will be observed on Friday, October 31st between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Only
houses that display their outside lights are participating.
Parking is prohibited on all borough streets and curlawns between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 6:00
a.m., November 1st through April 1st.
Parking prohibition during this period is impotiant so that the streets may be plowed.
Be sure to set your clocks back on hour on November 2nd.
Voting will take place at the Girard Borough Social Hall from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on November
4th, 2025.
At the Lake City Borough Council Meeting on October 13, 2025 President Mitcho, Mayor Burton, and
Chief Rafferty spoke with the Lake City Council briefly about the Police Services agreement. Time
was at a premium, so the entire agreement was not discussed. Another meeting would be helpful to
include discussion of the entire agreement. President Mitcho said he addressed the Lake City
Borough Council, and although he was cut short, he believes conversations will continue. He would
like to form a committee for the Police Services Agreement. Councilmember Miller, Councilmember
Orr, and Councilmember Wright were asked to be on this committee.
a zoning hearing board meeting are as follows: Zoning Solicitor $180.00, Stenographer $150.00,
advertising varies but the last zoning hearing board meeting was $203.25. The total cost is
$700.00. The borough typically holds three meetings a year. When only one person applies for a
meeting, the borough loses $600.00. Other municipalities charge $600.00 to $1,000.00 per meeting.
The Borough Manager made a recommendation to raise the cost at the next budgeting time. Further
details were discussed.
TRAINING
WATERWORKS PARK
CHRISTMAS WREATH
MAYOR/POLICE
Terry Jackson and Dillon Baker attended electrical lineman training at American Municipal Power in
Columbus, Ohio the week of October 6th, 2025 and the week of October 20, 2025. This is the first
year of training for both Terry and Dillon.
Through the Pennsylvania Sea Grant, the Pennsylvania Sea Grant Ecological Servies (EFS) will
initiate the grant that included invasive plant control at Waterworks Park. EFS has reached out to
inform us that they plan to visit the park and conduct some cut-stump applications the week of
October 13, 2025.
The ball fields at the Waterworks Park remain unused. At one point it was mentioned that the area
could be used as a dog park. Waste bags are already available for pet waste, and the fields
continued to be mowed and maintained. Councilmember Miller and Councilmember Wright take their dogs
down to the park. Councilmember Wright said he makes sure to take bags to clean up the pet waste
from his dogs. He would like to see a couple more waste bag poles placed on the trails. Further
details were discussed.
The Girard American Legion Auxiliary will host a Christmas Wreath Ceremony on November 23, 2025 at
1:00 p.m. on the Main Stage.
Wreaths will be placed on the East and West side of the Civil War Monument to honor our Veterans.
This year the Auxiliary would also like to place a wreath at the Hotel Park by the gateway sign.
Mayor Burton spoke about the Hagen History Center receiving a Pennsylvania Historic Preservation
Grass Roots Advocacy award for the Sunflower Field. There will have to be discussions about parking
with the Fire Department for next year’s Sunflower Field. President Mitcho said the donation from
the Hagen History Center for using the A. F. Dobler Hose parking lot was appreciated.
Jeff Orr has spoken to Mayor Burton about the possibility of exhuming Dan Rice’s body to have it
moved from the abandoned cemetery in West Long Branch, New Jersey back to Girard, Pa. The Mayor has
spoken to their town council and the church that owns the cemetery regarding this matter. He also
spoke to Councilmember Miller about the Dan Rice Day Committee erecting a memorial for Dan Rice in
the Girard Cemetery next to his daughter.
Chief Rafferty spoke about the swearing in of Nathan Miller, a new part-time police officer. There
is one position still open for the Police Department.
The Girard Police Department had night time qualification on Saturday October 18, 2025.The state
requires an annual daylight qualification for every officer and recommends the dim light firearms
qualification as well. Chief Rafferty also talked about the success of last year’s Stuff the
Cruiser Event at the Girard Giant Eagle with the Fire Department for the food pantry. Plans are
being made to have that event again for this year.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
EXECUTIVE SESSION
REGULAR MEETING
PUBLIC WORKS HIRE
UPMC
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
ADJOURN
Councilmember Knapp asked if anything will be done about the worsening condition of the old
Morelite Wrench Factory. The Erie County Land Bank is currently working with G.A.I.D.C., the
results are pending that discussion.
Councilmember Miller spoke about the article in the newspaper regarding the bell tower project for
the Girard Methodist Church. The article said there was a donation made by Downtown Girard, but the
church actually went through the same process as eve1yone else to apply for a grant.
Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.
At 7:37 p.m., President Mitcho asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal
matters.
The regular meeting was called back into session at 8:57 p.m.
Motion by Councilmember Knapp to approve hiring Leah Griffin for the Public Works Department. Ms.
Griffin has a water and sewer license and will be hired at the public works rate. Seconded by
Councilmember Wright. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilmember Miller to approve the UPMC heath care plans for full time borough
employees. Seconded by Councilmember Knapp.
All in favor. Motion carried.
The WeissEarley Landscape contract to purchase and install Holiday Decorations for the Hotel Park
and part of Main Street will be funded 100% by donations and is approved by Council.
Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councihmember Knapp to adjourn at 9:03 p.m. All in
favor.
Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager
ZONING FEES For more than twenty years the cost of a zoning certificate has been set at
$10.00. Other municipalities charge up to $50.00. If a zoning certificate is denied the matter can
go to the zoning hearing board. The borough charges $100.00 to set up a zoning hearing board
meeting. The costs for