ORWIGSBURG - The borough council accepted the resignation of police Chief Stan Brozana at its meeting Wednesday.
The council accepted the resignation, which will go into effect May 31, 2017, without discussing it.
Brozana has enrolled in the Deferred Retirement Option Program, a state program whereby contributions to the retirement account can be put into the account and taken out a maximum of three years later.
Borough Manager Mike Lonergan said Brozana submitted paperwork to start the process of retirement, something Brozana confirmed earlier in the week.
"I've known Stan Brozana for 30 years," he said, adding it has been a pleasure working with the chief.
Brozana, 62, has been with the police department since Dec. 14, 1977. He was appointed officer in charge Aug. 9, 1978. Brozana was appointed acting chief Sept. 12, 1979, and became chief Dec. 29, 1980.
When asked what he planned to do when he retired, he said he would like to spend more time with the four antique tractors he has and would like to get back to target shooting and hunting.
Some of the tractors he uses and others are in various stages of repair.
In other news from Wednesday's meeting, bids for the work at Community Memorial Hall were read.
There were seven bids for the contracts, which Lonergan said will be awarded July 9.
The 8,100-square-foot building at 300 Grove St. was dedicated July 16, 1950, in honor of all veterans. It closed in 2010 due to safety issues and reopened last year.
The first contract included work to repair the new entrance/display, exterior doors and windows. There were alternates that included exterior insulation and an exterior finish to the building.
The second contract was for the roof. An alternate for diseased wood that might be present was separate.
Greg Stewart, borough engineer, will review the bids and provide a recommendation to Lonergan.
Work could start next month and be completed by the end of the year, Stewart said.
He said there was $250,000 budgeted for the first contract and about $200,000 for the second. Additional funding is needed to complete the exterior work to the building that includes insulation and exterior finishing, if the current bids are awarded.
Funds for the project will come from a state Department of Community and Economic Development grant awarded to the borough, local matching funds and private contributions. To contribute to the effort, visit www.orwigsburgmemorial.org or call borough hall at 570-366-3103.
Borough resident Rick Bubeck, who lives on Marshall Drive, complained about not being able to flush his toilet or take a shower during heavy rain. He said there is a sewage problem in the area.
Lonergan said the borough is aware of the problem, which the borough believes is attributable to an infiltration and inflow problem in the borough.
"The problem will never be solved, but we can address that issue that's impacting you," Lonergan said to Bubeck.
He said there was an 18-inch sewer pipe installed in the 1990s from Market Street to Ridge Road. After that is a pipe that goes to 12 inches that goes to the sewer plant and it gets backed up.
Lonergan said there is a possible plan to abandon the 12-inch line and install an 18-inch line from Ridge Road to the sewer plant.
The council has yet to approve the approximate 3,000 feet of pipe replacement. The project could cost $1 million. Lonergan said the borough has some money but would have to borrow the rest.
Steps have been taken over the years to alleviate the issue.
"We're looking at sometime next year," Lonergan said before the work could take start if approved.
On an unrelated matter, the council approved the proposal of Utility Services Group, Camp Hill, to remove debris and use a camera to see down storm drains.
Lonergan said the work could start Tuesday or Wednesday. He said there is some sediment that needs to be removed and the company will stick a device down the storm drains to find problems in certain areas of the borough.
Lonergan said the machines cost $180 per hour and $160 per hour. The exact number of hours needed to complete the job is not known.