September 15, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
PRESENT
ABSENT
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 George Drushel Doug Wright
Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Peter Burton, Mayor
Joseph Yochim, Solicitor Mark Corey, Engineer Kevin Rafferty, Police Chief
Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor Tim Knapp
VISITORS
Nancy Bronstein Ginger Cinti Fred Carlson Kathleen Carlson Jeff Orr
Jennifer Kovaly David Shelenberger Steve Jaracziewski Shirley Hall
Larry Russell Ray Penkalski Brady Sager
Michael Stafford, WCNJ
MINUTES
BILLS
Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve the August 18, 2025, council meeting minutes as amended. Seconded by Councilmember Miller. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve payment of the bills. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. All in favor. Motion carried.
COMMUNITY COMMENTS Steve Jaracziewski the owner of SMJ International LLC.
Addressed Council concerning Ordinance 758 Skill Games. Mr. Jaracziewski said that his store brings hundreds of people every week to the borough to shop. According to Mr. Jaracziewski, when he started the warehouse sale, the stores on Main Street were empty, he took a big chance opening the warehouse sale. He believes he now owns one of the most beloved businesses in Erie County, and would like to believe that his business helped Main Street grow and attract more people to this area. Mr. Jaracziewski said that he helps people obtain things they would never be able to with the ever-increasing costs. Now that has been put into jeopardy with ordnance 758.
This game of chance ordinance affects multiple businesses in the borough, some of which no longer have their machines due to this ordinance. This has limited much needed income and hmis their families and employees. Business costs are ever increasing, these machines can be found across Erie County except for the Girard Borough, these machines provide much-needed relief for the small hardworking business community.
According to Mr. Jaracziewski each one of these machines provides income for the 3 different people/ businesses, the machine owner, the local person, who maintains all the machines in the area, and me. 3 people have now lost their income. This will happen to every business that has these machines.
Jennifer Kovaly, owner of Maximum Hair Design, and an employee of Mr. Jaracziewski at SMJ International LLC spoke about the benefits of skill games.
COMMITTEES Councilmember Simonelli mentioned that the sidewalk program should start earlier in the year so the residents that fail to fix their sidewalks can be addressed earlier in the fall.
President Mitcho said that the storage building at A. F. Dobler Hose was being constructed by volunteers now that the foundation is complete. President Mitcho also said that the Girard American Legion held the 911 Memorial Ceremony at A. F. Dobler Hose this year.
ENGINEER Mark Corey talked about the progress of the Hotel Park. He discussed the details of Change Order #4 which was for new curbing to be installed along Rice Avenue in the amount of $4550.00. Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve
Change Order #4. Seconded by Councilmember Drushel. All in favor. Motion canied. Mr. Corey reviewed Pay Estimate #3 with Council. Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve Pay Estimate #3 for $77,462.00. Seconded by Councilmember Drushel. All in favor. Motion carried.
Mark Corey said that the Westgate Water Hathaway Street Water Tank painting would be delayed until the Spring of 2026. •
MANAGERS REPORT
2025 MINIMUM MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS
BUDGET ADOPTION SCHEDULE
WATER FLUSHING
VOLUNTEER FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION
ECAB MEETING
At this time I am certifying the 2026 Police Pension MMO which is $145,017.00 and the 2026 Non-uniform MMO is $0.00 and the 2026 Administrative Pension is $27,575.00. Council is required to adopt the MMO in September. Motion by Councilmember On to approve the 2026 Police Pension MMO which is $145,017.00 and the 2026 Non-uniform MMO is $0.00 and the2026 Administrative Pension is $27,575.00. Seconded by Councilmember Miller. All in favor. Motion carried.
The Budget Adoption Schedule was presented to Council. The work shop meeting is scheduled for November 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM. Manager Stubenbort requested that every Councilmember make a list of projects and expenditures that they have in mind for 2026. An email list before the end of September would be helpful.
Fall water flushing will take place for three weeks starting September 29 through October 17, 2025. Any discolored water will clear up overnight.
The 2025 Commonwealth state aid allocation supporting the VOLUNTEER FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION (VFRA) is scheduled to be direct deposited on September 17, 2025, in the amount of $16,782.90 and this money will then go directly to A.F. Dobler Hose & Ladder Company.
The Erie County Association of Boroughs Meeting will be held Wednesday October 15, 2025 at Union City American Legion. Start time is 6:30 PM.
LEAF PICKUP
CIVIL SERVICE TEST
PARKING LINES
LITTLE EXLORERS
ELECTRIC
MAYOR/POLICE
Remaining Leaf Pick Up Dates are listed below. Only 30-gallon clear plastic bags will be picked up.
October 16th October 30th Nov 13th Nov 28th
The Civil Service Test produced two candidates for part time police officer.
Pavement Maintenance will restripe the parking lines on Main Street West at no cost to the borough. This project will take place the week of September 15, 2025 weather permitting. Lines will be painted on Walnut Street after the Sunflower harvest.
A request has been made for signage for Little Explorers Academy on Olin Avenue. Because of the large volume of students being dropped off and picked up the Academy is requesting signs to increase awareness on Olin Avenue. Council approved two “Watch Children Signs to be posted along Olin Avenue at the Little Explorers Academy.
Electric Capacity Charges will continue to surge over the next years. Due to changes in our portfolio and the sharp increases in the capacity charges along with increasing electric demand the boroughs current cost of $73.15 per megawatt hour (mwh) will climb to $89.00 mwh in 2026 and then to $92.68 mwh in 2027. For the 2025 budget we worked hard to keep the increase at a minimum but that will be difficult for the 2026 budget. Currently the borough residential cost for 1000 kwh is $151.00, a First Energy customer using the same 1000 kwh is paying $222.75. The increase in costs are not limited to Girard Borough Electric. At the Pennsylvania Municipal Electric Association conference, we learned that all 35 PA electric communities as well as the IOU’s (Investor Owned Utilities) in the PJM market area will continue to see significant increases that will be passed on to customers.
Mayor Burton spoke about the Hagan History Center hosting a Great Key Hunt in Erie County and a Farm to Table Dinner at the White House in Girard. Mayor Burton recommended to Council that Police Officers from other Departments should be allowed to bypass the Civil Service test to get a job with the Girard Borough Police.
Police Chief Raffe1iy said that two applicants for part time police positions are currently getting back ground checks. Chief Rafferty said that the Quality of Life Ordinance notifications are now being used.
COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Drushel said that the trash cans at the Hotel Park were donated by the West County Historical Society. Councilmember Drushel asked Council to pay for curblawn trees for Pine Tree Drive in the amount of $2,926.00 and to have the Girard Borough Public Works Department plant the trees. Motion by Councilmember Miller to approve curblawn trees for Pine Tree Drive in the amount of $2,926.00 and to have the Girard Borough Public Works Department plant the trees. Seconded by Councilmember Wright. All in favor. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION At 7:28 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 8:31 p.m.
No other issues were discussed.
ADJOURN Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember
Simonelli to adjourn at 8:32 p.m. All in favor.
Robe1i A. Stubenbort Borough Manager
October 8, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
PRESENT
ABSENT
VISITORS
FOSSIL INDUSTRIES QUOTE
MISSION WELL ROAD
The Special Meeting of Council was called to order at 1:00 p.m. in council chambers. President Mitcho presiding.
Gregg Mitcho, President Jeanne Miller, Vice President Robert “Doc” On
Jim Simonelli George Drushel Doug Wright
Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Peter Burton, Mayor
Joseph Yochim, Solicitor Kevin Raffe1iy, Chief of Police
Tim Knapp
None
Council discussed the quote for a story board/ double post pedestal from Fossil Industries in the amount of $1,934.00 for the Girard Hotel Park. After discussion a motion was made by Councilmember Wright to table the issue until other payment methods could be investigated. Seconded by Councilmember O1T. All in favor. Motion carried.
When Mr. Troyer converted part of the Mission property over to a solar farm the road from SR 20 to the water well was moved. The new road now winds through a swampy area and is difficult to navigate in the winter. Troyer was contacted but refuses to make any further accommodation. The Public Works Department could place gravel on the borough easement that has the water main and electric lines to bypass the worst part of the current road to the Mission Well. Doing this would require permission from St Cyril and Methodius Church to pass through their parking lot. The cost would be about $8,000.00. The potential damage to our vehicles is increased by doing nothing. Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve the expenditure for the Mission Well easement to be converted into a gravel road for approximately 500 feet. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. Voting in favor are Councilmembers Simonelli, Wright, Drushel, Miller and Mitcho. Voting against is Councilmember Orr. Motion carried.
LOCAL SHARE ACCOUNT GRANT
MISC.
The Department of Community and Economic Development offers a Local Share Account Grant that is due in November and does not require a local match. A possible project for the borough would be to provide removal and replacement of all needed water lines to meet the Lead and Copper rule. The project area for this grant would be Rice Avenue and Child Care facilities in Girard Borough. Rice Avenue was selected because it is a busy state road and the homes will meet the criteria for replacement and the road restoration of PennDOT will require an outside contract. Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve the LSA Grant application in the amount of $1 million dollars for the Rice Avenue Lead and Copper Rule project. Second by Councilmember Drushel. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Councilmember Drushel mentioned that the release to plant curblawn trees on Pine Tree Drive have been signed and will be turned into the borough office. Councilmember Simonelli asked if the remaining marked sidewalks would be replaced this year.
Manager Stubenbort said that some residents were allowed extra time to complete the project while others will be replaced by the borough and the properties liened. Councilmember Orr said that if the borough removes a curblawn tree then a new tree should be planted.
Meeting adjourned at 1:33 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION At 1:38 p.m., President Mitcho asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.
REGULAR MEETING
ADJOURN
The regular meeting was called back into session at 2:21 p.m.
Motion by Councilmember Wright to proceed with the fee schedule presented as EXHIBIT 2 to the Intermunicipal Police Services Contract with Lake City Borough. Seconded by Councilmember Drushel. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Simonelli to adjourn at 2:25 p.m. All in favor.
Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager