Barbara E. Diehl

The agenda for the Year End Meeting included several critical items for adoption and approval. Key discussions involved adopting the 2025 Real Estate Tax Ordinance setting the millage rate at 4.4 mills. The Council was scheduled to adopt the total consolidated budget for the 2026 Fiscal Year, amounting to $5,519,525.00 across all funds. Furthermore, the agenda included motions to adopt a resolution and approve a Management Agreement concerning stormwater management facilities acquired by the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Bedford (MABB). Other action items included approval for conveying stormwater real estate interests via deed, consolidation of specific property parcels, and appointments to the Municipal Authority (MABB), including Jason Snyder to fill Michael Meehan's vacant term, as well as re-appointments to the MABB, Zoning Hearing Board, Tree Commission, and BJMA.

The agenda for the meeting included several key actions. Consent items involved the approval of the November 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes, the review of bills from November 4, 2025, through December 1, 2025, and the Treasurer's Report for December 1, 2025. Requisitions required approval for a stormwater fund transfer from the General Fund and a large transfer from Hometown Bank to Fund 10 pursuant to a loan agreement for capital projects. The meeting also included bid openings for Heating Oil, Bio-solids Removal, and Mowing at the WWTP. The Police Chief sought approval to hire Officer Andrew Lazor as a full-time officer. The President recognized and honored the service of outgoing Council Member Jeff Rinscheid and outgoing Mayor Bill Leibfreid. Committee reports covered a motion to approve the AFSCME Non-Uniform Union Contract and the Engineering Services Agreement with Stiffler McGraw for 2026. Business items included recommending approval for several project applications reviewed by HARB, making appointments to the Municipal Authority, deciding on the 2026 Real Estate Tax Millage, and tentatively adopting the 2026 Fiscal Year Budget, which totaled $5,519,525.00 across all funds.

The primary discussion involved a Zoning Hearing variance request for the property at 133 Mann Street, covering proposed setbacks, party walls, lot coverage (78% proposed vs. 60% required), and vegetative material coverage (less than 1% currently vs. 10% required). The Borough Manager presented the proposed 2026 budgets, which included no tax increase. Framed photographs were presented to the outgoing Mayor and a Council Member.

The meeting addressed several key financial and administrative actions. The Council unanimously adopted the 2025 Real Estate Tax Ordinance setting the millage rate at 4.4 mills. The 2026 Fiscal Year Budget, totaling $5,519,525.00 across various funds, was also approved unanimously. Several management and authorization resolutions were passed concerning stormwater management facilities, including authorizing a Management Agreement between the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Bedford (MABB) and the Borough, and approving the signing of a deed conveying stormwater real estate interests to the Authority for PENNVEST funding purposes. Additionally, the Council approved the consolidation of two parcel numbers belonging to Council Member Blackburn and appointed Jason Snyder to the Municipal Authority (MABB) to fill a vacancy. Several re-appointments to various boards and commissions were also confirmed.

The meeting included approval of several financial requisitions, including a transfer from the General Fund for stormwater funds and a significant transfer from Hometown Bank related to a loan agreement for capital projects. Bids were opened and awarded for Heating Oil at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to Stuck Enterprises, and a contract for bio-solids removal at the WWTP was awarded to Little Enterprises. The contract for mowing services for various borough properties was awarded to Spring to Fall for a three-year term. Key personnel discussions included the official hiring of Andrew Lazor as a full-time Police Officer and acknowledgments of service for outgoing Council Member Rinscheid and outgoing Mayor Leibfreid. The Council approved the AFSCME Non-Uniform Union Contract and the 2026 Engineering Services Agreement with Stiffler McGraw. A draft solar panel/windmill Ordinance for the Historic District was noted as being under review. Historic Architecture Review Board (HARB) applications for alterations at several properties were unanimously approved. The Council tentatively approved the 2026 Fiscal Year Budget totaling $5,519,525.00 and authorized the advertisement of the Real Estate Tax Ordinance for 2025 at 4.4 mills.