Tower City borough's hourly employees may see more money in their pockets.
The council approved a 2 percent cost of living increase on Jan. 6. Also, highway department employee Richard Schwak was promoted to assistant foreman and was awarded an additional increase.
The council reappointed Harold Reiner to another five-year term on the Tower City Borough Authority and George Felty to another four-year term on the Porter-Tower Joint Municipal Authority. The appointment of Lynette Slingwine to a five-year term on the Recreation Commission was also approved, pending her acceptance.
Two applications had been received for the highway department. The council added Brian Scheib Jr. and Bruce Bender III to the extra part-time list for the highway department, which also includes John Miller, and will be called to work on an "as needed" basis. Highway department foreman David Perkins was also rehired.
Committees
Council President Bruce Schneck appointed committee members for the coming year. Paul Ruth and Bob Shuey were appointed to "Fire/Police/Emergency Management/Code Enforcement;" Shuey and Yvonne Adams to "Budget/Insurance/Personnel/Utilities;" Adams and Harold Reiner were appointed to "Parks/Recreation/Recycling;" and Reiner and Ruth were appointed to "Highway/Roads/Alleys/Borough Property."
Truck
Problems with an old Camo truck were addressed when the council decided to advertise the vehicle for sale with a minimum bid of $800. The dump insert, plow and mount, however, will be removed and stored for future use.
Properties
The council discussed two properties, one of which is under the PA Guardianship Services. The other property had been up for judicial sale, but no one had purchased it. Currently, however, someone is looking at both East Grand Avenue properties, and the council agreed to wait about two months before taking action. If the properties are sold, there would be no need for any intervention by the borough.
Other business
- Code Enforcement Officer John Boyer reminded the council that 158 yearly rental inspections will be required in 2014 at the cost of $30 each.
- Ruth reported police had logged 200.3 hours during December 2013. No official report, however, was available.
- Secretary Irene Dubbs will contact the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce for information on the borough's current electricity supplier contract. A contract from American Power and Gas was received, which offers a 25 percent rebate check every 12 months on average use.
- Dubbs reported that the unemployment compensation amount was reduced from 0.0670 to 0.0470 for 2014.
- Boyer will review a request from Gy Renaldi, who wants to erect steps up to the second floor of the former Carroll's Furniture Store. Boyer will also look into the residential addition for a Thompson Street property, as well as an accessory structure for an East Colliery Avenue property, both of which received zoning permits but not building permits.
- A Risk Management Assessment was received indicating a score of 54. According to Schneck, the addition of up to three other items, such as expected weight to be lifted or any dangerous work expected, can be included in the employee job description to increase the score.
- Dubbs will draw up a vendor permit for people who want to sell things during borough parades. The permit will cost $20.
- Dubbs reported the borough's vacuum had broken and one, which was loaned from TCBA, caught on fire. The council agreed to purchase two new ones for no more than $250.
- Information from the state Department of Environmental Protection concerning a problem at a local mini-mart noted that an extension was given until Friday, with no additional requests to be considered. If the problem was not resolved by that date, DEP warned that additional enforcement may be pursued.
Meetings will continue to be held at 7 p.m. the second Monday of the month. Police meetings and any needed extra meetings will be advertised.