Amy Adler

The council meeting addressed several operational and developmental items, including the appointment of new police officers, a proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month, and various sewer credit requests. Key approvals included a water supply capacity agreement for the Wellspring Wesleyan Church, a side letter agreement with the AFSCME Blue Union regarding overtime equalization, and a salary resolution for the Police Administrative Operations Manager. Additionally, the council approved a preliminary/final reverse subdivision plan for 404-408 S. High Street, adopted tax certification fee resolutions, and authorized changes to Fire Department civil service rules. Appointments to the Recreation Board were also confirmed.

The committee discussed facility maintenance and equipment needs, including the installation of gym equipment at Wirt Park Station and the planned replacement of EMS desks and potential conversion of landscaping to reduce lawn care costs at Clover Lane Station. A successful repair of a stove at Clearview Station was noted as a cost-saving measure. Updates were provided on the progress of ambulance refurbishment and the production status of a new engine. Additionally, the committee reviewed proposals for updating chairs across all stations and addressed a public inquiry regarding the impact of new building renovations on local fire response operations.

The committee discussed the treasurer's report, noting that EMS billing revenue is exceeding expectations despite higher medical supply costs and vehicle repair expenses. Proposals regarding the consolidation of Verizon accounts for station phones, a cost recovery agreement with PA Fire Recovery, and the adoption of the MuniciCLOUD subscription feature were reviewed and recommended for advancement to the Commission agenda. Additionally, updates were provided on the status of the 2025 audit and the development of the organization's website.

The committee meeting covered several key topics, including a service line warranty program update and the authorization of a pilot project for wastewater AI sensors. A presentation was held regarding the installation of solar panels over the local water treatment plant reservoir, with discussions centering on potential environmental impacts and the need for more comparative data from other municipalities. The committee also moved to seek council approval to begin the permit process for removing fluoride from the borough water system and discussed initiating Tier 1 of the Drought Contingency Plan following a county-wide drought watch.

The committee reviewed the treasurer's report regarding budget performance for the Commission and EMS services, along with an update on overtime trends for fire and EMS personnel. Key discussion items included the resignation of the EMS billing manager and the transition to a third-party billing provider, progress on a website redesign, updates on the intergovernmental cooperation agreement and steering committee formation, and a report on State Fire Commissioner grant awards. Additionally, the committee discussed potential future grant applications to fund various station repairs and facility improvements.