John Knutelsky

The meeting commenced with a reorganization, including the swearing-in of newly elected/appointed council members, the election of the Council President (Mike Fague) and Vice-President (Sandra Mailey). Various officers were appointed, including the Borough Manager, Treasurer, Solicitor, and Engineer. Committees of Council and Council Representatives for various boards were established or updated, with Mayor Rogers taking over responsibilities previously held by others. Business included the approval of the prior month's meeting minutes, approval of a lime bid to Graymont, and approval of Ordinance 26-973 to reduce the number of annually appointed Assistant Fire Chiefs from three to two. The consideration to advertise an ordinance regarding "Camping on Private Property" was tabled pending further review by the Solicitor regarding fines and definitions. The Council also approved the Borough Manager contract for 2026, Resolution 26-001 for Borough tax collection, accepted Scott Burkholder to the Civil Service Commission, and approved Environ as the 36-month electric rate provider. Furthermore, authorization was granted to execute a promissory note with the SBA for interim funding for the WWTP biosolids project and to authorize a third amendment to the lease agreement with the SBA for the wastewater system. Updates were provided regarding upcoming training webinars, the Park LSA grant award for park improvements, necessary tree removal for the Dykeman Road project, and the conditional hiring of two cadets who passed their testing.

The meeting included reports from the Water Foreman, Engineer, and Solicitor. Key engineering discussions involved property owners agreeing to install personal service lines for the Baltimore Road Project, obtaining necessary permits for building demolitions on S. Queen St. prior to waterline replacement bidding, and awaiting finalized submittals for the Wawa main replacement project. The Solicitor recommended amending the agenda to include authorization for preparing eminent domain documents for Country Manor MHP. Business items covered repairing three unaccounted water loss breaks, identifying sites for a model well #4 update, and approving the Water Tap Application Form to include a "Reservation Fee." Resolutions were approved concerning the intent to reimburse the WWTP capital reserve with PennVest funds for the Biosolids Project, and to approve a Letter of No. Prejudice/Preclosing/Material Acquisition Request for the WWTP Biosolid Project. The Authority also authorized the Solicitor to prepare eminent domain documents for Country Manor MHP for presentation in January. Several projects were approved for closing, including 215 Hockersmith Ave., Shippensburg Village Phase 3, and Shippensburg Village Phase 4. The closing of the Furnace Run Park project was tabled pending receipt of as-builts. An executive session was held for legal and contractual matters, followed by the approval of the November Shippensburg Borough invoice.

The Council meeting involved several agenda amendments, including modifications to Item #5 and the complete removal of Item #10, and the addition of an address under Item 11B. Department reports included an update on the pedestrian signal at King and Fayette Street being struck, the HARB board changing its meeting time to 6:00 p.m., and the Fire Department setting the new radio system go-live date for February 17th, with training commencing in January. The Fire Chief also discussed a new operational plan for fire police requiring reorganization. The Police Chief requested conditional offers of employment for two applicants, Garrett Walk and Bryce Kylor, to start the January 2026 academy, and there was a discussion regarding the compensation structure (75% of starting rate) for cadets attending the academy. Park & Rec reported on a new maintenance hire, the successful annual Christmas meal serving approximately 250 meals, ongoing softball/baseball registrations, and participation in the new Appalachian Trail Conservancy Community Collaboration pilot program. They also discussed the status of the LSA Grant application for Memorial Park upgrades, which includes resurfacing tennis courts and adding pickleball courts. Business items included approving the minutes from the December 2, 2025 meeting, making conditional offers to Garrett Walk and Bryce Kylor, approving revised MMO resolutions for police and non-uniform pensions, approving the resolution setting various fees for 2026, adopting the 2026 budget, and setting tax rates for Cumberland and Franklin Counties for 2026. The Council also approved HARB recommendations, including the approval to raze 11 South Queen Street and the installation of a water fountain at 100 East Orange Street. The Council discussed the future use of the razed property, potentially as a parking lot.

The meeting commenced with a Reorganization agenda, including the swearing in of newly elected/appointed Council Members Michael Fague and William Klusman, followed by the nomination and election of the President and Vice President. Appointments were made for various officers, including the Borough Manager, Treasurer, Solicitor, and Fire Chief. Council representatives were appointed to several boards and committees such as the Library Board, University Community Advisory Board, and Fire Advisory Board. Regular business included the consideration and approval of the December 16, 2025 council minutes, approval of a lime bid, consideration of an ordinance to reduce the number of Assistant Fire Chiefs, and approval to advertise an ordinance regarding camping on private property. Further discussions involved approving the Borough Manager contract for 2026, approving a resolution for Borough tax collection, accepting applicants for the Civil Service Commission board, and accepting a recommendation for a 36-month provider for electric rates. Authorization was sought for executing a promissory note with the SBA for interim funding for the biosolids project at the WWTP and for a third amendment to the Lease Agreement with the SBA for the wastewater system.

The meeting included reports from the Water Manager, Engineer, Solicitor, WWTP Manager, and Secretary, covering topics such as eminent domain for Country Manor MHP, paving Timber Hill Tank Road, and a delay in the Biosolid Project. Business items included updates on unaccounted water loss, Lead and Copper Rule Revision, grant funding for the cross-town tie-in, and well #4. The board considered and approved the 2026 Water Budget and water forgiveness for Richard VanNote. Project capacity discussions covered Thornwood Phase 5B and the release of a performance bond for Phase 9. An executive session was held for legal and contractual matters, followed by a financial review and discussion on opening a project for RETTEW for Cross Town Water Line drawings.