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LEWISTOWN -- Lewistown Borough unanimously approved the hire of a new borough manager during its most recent council meeting.
Tyler Fink -- who currently serves as the deputy director of public works -- will take on the role at a salary of $72,000.
Fink will take the reins, following the resignation of Kim Zimmerman in September.
The Lewistown Borough Council also addressed a number of infrastructure concerns and approved community initiatives during its meeting last week.
The council also voted to proceed with significant upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant's digester system, aiming to prevent future issues and extend the facility's lifespan.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on the ongoing digester project at the wastewater treatment plant. Acting Borough Manager Somer Weiss reported the completion of sludge removal from Digester #1, presenting photographic evidence of the cleaned-out tank.
The project, which began earlier this year, came with a hefty price tag of $447,500 -- $80,000 for roof removal and $367,500 for sludge removal. Council members approved payment for the sludge removal, to be reimbursed through a county loan.
The digester's future remained a topic of discussion, with the need for further steps in the project. Council will consider repair quotes from EADS in upcoming sessions, aiming to restore the digester to full functionality. Concerns from Council President Matt Moore underscored the urgency of these repairs with winter weather potentially affecting the exposed tank.
Lucas Parkes, of the EADS Group presented options for the next phase.
He explained that simply replacing the roof, estimated at $500,000, would not address underlying problems. Parkes recommended relining the inside of the tank with a structural-grade epoxy coating to prevent leakage and extend the tank's life by 15 to 20 years at an additional cost of $192,000.
To prevent future sludge buildup, Parkes suggested installing an in-tank chopper pump and mixing system, costing about $250,000. This system would grind up solids and improve circulation inside the tank, reducing the risk of blockages.
"The big ball of material is not the first time this has been encountered," Parkes said. He emphasized that without these improvements, the borough could face similar issues within a decade.
Council members discussed the proposals, weighing the long-term benefits against the costs. Board member James Steele expressed support, stating, "I'm in favor of doing the $1,466,000 that will extend the life. It should stop the buildup on the inside, so we're not going back in and taking the roof off prematurely."
The council unanimously approved by a 6-0 vote. Larry "Heavy" Searer was not in attendance, moving forward with sending the project out to bid for the full scope of work, bringing the total estimated cost to $1,466,000.
Financial matters dominated much of the council's attention. The borough received several funding allocations, including $37,146.77 in Fire Relief funds and $306,984.02 for municipal pensions. Weiss also reported the depletion of American Rescue Plan Act funds, with a final payment of $1,137.50 earmarked for FAME's fourth-quarter allocation.
Infrastructure improvements extended beyond the wastewater treatment plant. The "Bon-Ton" parking lot paving project neared completion, with costs approaching $134,000. Despite weather-related delays, officials expect the project to conclude next week. Additionally, the council discussed the installation of loggers and "shark fins" or FloDAR devices aimed at improving water flow monitoring.
Public safety concerns prompted several discussions. Fire Chief Bob Douglas proposed equipping code enforcement vehicles with emergency lights to expedite their arrival at incident scenes. The council unanimously approved this measure. Douglas also introduced plans for a new department-wide patch design, unifying the visual identity of Lewistown's fire services.
Police matters included the announcement of a tentative agreement for the 2025-27 police contract and the proposed purchase of two evidence computers funded by an accreditation grant. The council also considered the acquisition of new tasers for the police department at a cost of $7,019.73.
Community events and initiatives received attention, with the council setting Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. as the official trick-or-treating time. Plans for the Halloween parade on Oct. 23, were also discussed. The council approved requests from The Abuse Network to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month and designated October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, respectively, through displays around town.
Transportation and accessibility issues arose in several contexts. The council considered requests for handicapped parking space changes on Pannebaker Avenue and Logan streets. The board also approved the installation of speed bumps on North Plaza Drive, allocating up to $500 for the project.
Environmental concerns surfaced in discussions about stormwater management. The council agreed to put Stage 1 of a storm line project out to bid, focusing on-camera work in the Edgewater area. This initiative aims to address longstanding drainage issues in parts of the borough.
Recreational facilities were also featured in the council's deliberations. Options for utilizing Community Development Block Grant funds totaling $245,190 were presented, including potential upgrades to Victory Park's boat dock area and paving at Recreation Park. The council also considered applying for a PA Fish and Boat Commission grant to enhance the boat dock facilities further.