Brenda Portner

Key discussions included a presentation from the Rose Fire Chief and EMS providing statistics for December 2025. Council interviewed candidates for a vacant seat on the Southern York County Regional Recreation Commission, appointing Jenelle Antkowiak. The 2026 Budget for the Southern Regional Police Department, totaling $864,384 for the Borough, was approved. A discussion occurred regarding council meeting packet preparation, leading to a request for a consent agenda structure and limiting committee reports to exceptions. Council voted against authorizing eminent domain proceedings for the property at 1 East Franklin Street. New business involved the approval of Application for Payment #9, amounting to $555,944.40, for Phase 1 Aeration Upgrades at the Wastewater Treatment Facility. Resolutions were passed appointing and reaffirming members to the Planning Commission, Southern York County Regional Recreation Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, and Property Maintenance Appeals Board. The Council tabled action on a resolution authorizing participation in events for the Rose Fire Company pending further information. Administrative reports were received regarding police activities, engineering, water system updates (including discussion of the 2028 York Water Agreement expiration), and wastewater system reports. The meeting included an executive session to discuss deescalation policy and meeting safety.

Discussions during the meeting included a request from a resident for approval to place veterans flags and first responders flags on borough poles, which received general council consensus for planning to move forward. The fire report for November noted 57 total calls with zero dollars in fire loss, and an update on the apparatus committee's plan to discuss graphic design for a new ladder truck expected in late 2028. The council approved the treasurer's report and addressed an administrative change regarding account naming conventions. Unfinished business involved approving the December 2025 allocation of $1,000 for Paul Smith Library, contingent upon receiving written confirmation from the York County Library System regarding funding allocation, with a follow-up item scheduled for January. New business included approving payment application number eight of $223,196.53 to PSI Pumpings Solutions Incorporated for wastewater treatment plant aeration upgrades, and approving the final payment of $6,895 to Clear View Escavating Incorporated for road stormwater improvements. The council also passed resolutions setting the 2026 real estate tax rates (no increase) and updating the miscellaneous fee schedule for 2026, which included adjustments for commercial plan review costs and increased recording fees. Further discussion centered on imposing stricter policies regarding security deposit forfeiture for community organizations that fail to clean the community center after rentals, deciding to place this on the next month's agenda. Finally, the approval of the Southern Regional Police Budget and the Southern York County Regional Recreation Commission Budget for 2026 was addressed, along with the New Freedom Borough 2026 budget.

The meeting commenced with opening ceremonies including the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for deployed military and first responders. The council discussed matters originating from an executive session concerning two real estate matters and the solicitor's opinion on the amusement tax ordinance. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to outlining the rules for the public comment period, emphasizing compliance with federal and state law regarding appropriate conduct, directing comments to council, and avoiding interruptions. Key agenda items included the approval of minutes from the June 9th meeting and the treasury report dated June 2025. Discussion occurred regarding updates on the stormwater channel on North Constitution and a joint meeting concerning the Paul Smith Library and Mason Dixon Library, where the consensus was to write a letter to county commissioners and potentially go public with information if no commitment to funding is received; a motion was passed to release the July 2025 allocation of $1,000 for the library. The council reviewed solar energy facility decommissioning bond requirements, scheduling presentation before the planning commission in August. Regarding the amusement tax for Northern Central Railroad (NCR), an initial motion to return all collected tax ($28,343.21) failed for lack of a second. Subsequently, the council confirmed, based on solicitor review, that the current amusement tax ordinance is constitutional. A motion to modify the tax from 5% to 2.5% also failed for lack of a second. Following discussion where NCR indicated preference for receiving a rebate over a tax decrease, a revised motion was made and seconded to return 30% of the collected tax to NCR, leaving the tax rate at 5%. Arguments centered on whether the tax revenue should be retained by the borough to offset infrastructure costs incurred due to the train's operations versus supporting NCR's grant applications and community programs like discounted Freedom Fest tickets.

The primary document outlines the agenda for the Regular Meeting scheduled for February 9, 2026. Key discussion points included public comments, presentations from the Rose Fire Company and New Freedom Heritage regarding a feasibility study and construction funds, and review of consent items like the Treasurer's Reports for December 2025 and January 2026. New business addressed resolutions for participation in Rose Fire Company events, approval of the Volunteer Service Credit Roster for 2025, adopting an updated Emergency Operations Plan, ratifying a Disaster Declaration from the January snowstorm, the Junior Councilmember Program, and budget discussions for the 2027 Southern Regional Police Department and Borough. Administrative reports covered various departments, including the Borough Manager presenting the 2025 End of Year Financial Report and a discussion regarding the Southern Police Commission By-Laws.

The meeting commenced with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence for first responders. Key discussions included procedures for public comment, reporting updates from the Rose Fire Company detailing 2,226 EMS calls for 2025 and a decrease in missed calls, and the December monthly report showing 56 total runs. The apparatus committee is coordinating graphic design for a new ladder truck expected in May 2028, six months ahead of schedule. The Council also interviewed a candidate, Janelle Anoviaak, for the Southern York County Regional Recreation Commission. Discussions ensued regarding the 2026 Southern York County Regional Police Department budget, which was ultimately passed, showing a total income increase of 8.96%. Furthermore, the Council debated and made decisions regarding streamlining the council meeting agenda packets by adopting an exception reporting method for committees, the Treasurer's report, solicitor, president, and mayor, and reducing printed materials for routine items like engineering reports, while emphasizing digital availability.