SHENANDOAH - A new member of the borough council said at Monday's meeting that the budget is in need of review in order to adjust the borough's financial path.
The council held its first regular meeting of 2014 with three new members, a new president and vice president and an indication of a new attitude in solving borough problems.
Council President Donald E. Segal, who was elected president during the Jan. 6 reorganization meeting, chaired the meeting attended by a large number of residents. Other new council members were Ronald Mickalowski and Jeffrey Zubowicz.
During the committee reports, Michalowski spoke of the path the borough is taking with regard to financial issues.
"The Finance Committee met Wednesday and we reviewed the budget with the borough manager," Michalowski said. "From what we're seeing, we couldn't make a lot of sense out of the budget. What we are seeing is that we cannot continue on the financial path we're currently on. If we continue on this path, it's not looking good for us. We need to look back and see where we can save and cut costs a little bit. We definitely have to look at the budget very closely."
Michalowski said the committee will meet in the near future to discuss the budget.
"We'll continue to look into that and as soon as we reach a decision, we'll inform everyone," Segal said.
When asked after the meeting what stood out in the borough financials, Mickalowski said, "Salaries for administration." He did not elaborate as he was going to a meeting as part of the council's Law and Order Committee with Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine Holman and a county detective in the borough manager's office.
When approving the payment of bills, Segal said it was necessary to transfer funds from the sewer account to the general fund to meet payroll.
"We're just informing the public on what was done," Segal said.
On Tuesday, borough Manager Joseph Palubinsky explained the transfer amount was $21,000. He explained the fund transfer was to pay health care premium costs, noting that January salaries are paid three times in the month and borough accounts are tight in the first few months of the year until tax revenues begin to be received in March.
In his monthly report, Mayor Andrew Szczyglak said Danielle Perry was interviewed for a part-time police officer position and he received a favorable report from the Law and Order Committee. Szczyglak recommended Perry be hired and the council approved.
Szczyglak introduced police Capt. Michael O'Neill to the new council members. O'Neill is second in command after police Chief George Carado.
"Over the last month it's been very productive in the police department," Szczyglak said. "Citations are coming in and they're fighting crime."
Michalowski asked Szczyglak about the condition of the police laptop computers. Szczyglak said the laptops need to be cleaned, but are in operating condition. Michalowski asked about having the laptops added to the police vehicles, with Szczyglak explaining that it will be a matter of getting an Internet connection.
"The issue that needs to be looked into is the cost," Palubinsky said.
"The initial cost is for the modem is the most expensive part, and the monthly fee (for the Internet connection) is about $30 to $60 a month," said O'Neill.
Segal tabled the matter until the costs could be ascertained. Szczyglak will have a complete report for the February meeting.
In other business, the borough council:
- Approved increasing the occupancy permit fee from $50 to $150.
- Approved a resolution the borough to file a proposal for funds with the state Department of Community and Economic Development for $50,000 for the restoration of 10 facades in the Main Street Designated Area, and then approved a cooperation agreement with Downtown Shenandoah Inc. to administrate the facade program.
- Was informed by Palubinsky that the borough was not successful in obtaining a recreational grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Palubinsky said the grant funds would have been used for improvements at Girard Park. He said the borough will reapply for a grant.
- Approved a modification of the 2012 Community Development Block Grant by moving $2,958 in funds from improvements to New York Street to improvements on West Street.
- Approved payment of $13,500 to Penn Earthworks Inc., Hazleton, for completed demolition work at 213 Furnace St.
- Approved a search for liens on seven properties proposed for demolition as per recommendation by borough solicitor Joseph Nahas. The properties are 32 W. Coal St., 220 W. Columbus St., 222 W. Columbus St., 314 W. Columbus St., 124 N. Bower St., 126 N. Bower St., and 421 W. New York St.
- Tabled its approval of four properties being sold in repository sales by the Schuylkill County Tax Claim Bureau. The properties and bids are 419 W. New York St.($685), 334 W. Oak St. ($795), 201-203 Columbus St. ($820), and 356 S. West St. ($1,136.). All bids were offered by Deeds R Us LLC, Las Vegas, Nev.
"Even if you disapprove, it is very difficult to stop the county from selling those properties," Nahas said. "These companies are brokerage firms and they don't even know what the properties are. These are cheap properties and they don't know what they're getting into."
Palubinsky said the New York Street property is fire damaged.
- Approved the repository sale of 30 E. Lloyd St. on a bid of $100 by Michael Benjamin Jr., Shenandoah.
- Approved Raymond Nestor as the representative of the police retirees on the Police Pension Commission in 2014.
Borough secretary Mary Lou Buchinsky read a letter sent to the borough council by resident Marilyn Stefanski to publicly acknowledge her "admiration and gratitude for the Shenandoah Police Department." Stefanski stated that police officers have been very helpful in many ways.