Trending
LEWISTOWN -- Lewistown Borough Council approved appointments involving three officials Monday, authorized two state grant applications and approved more than $238,000 in required pension contributions for 2027. Other business remained unsettled, including additional repairs to Lehigh Alley, and a proposed fuel-storage arrangement with Mifflin County.
The Council approved resolutions appointing James Carter and James Steele to vacant council seats. Carter’s appointment is effective Oct. 13, while Steele’s is effective Feb. 2. Both appointments are retroactive.
Council also approved Kathy McCool’s appointment as borough secretary/manager and right-to-know officer. Both appointments are effective Nov. 2, a week before the council meeting.
Council also authorized two grant applications through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Statewide Local Share Account program, seeking funding for public works equipment and fire department improvements.
One seeks assistance for the Lewistown Borough Public Works Equipment Modernization Project. The other would support capital improvements benefiting the Heritage Volunteer Fire Department.
The approvals authorize the borough to pursue funding but don’t guarantee either grant will be awarded.
The Council approved a 2027 minimum municipal obligation of $167,404 for the borough’s non-uniformed pension plan and $71,152 for its police pension plan.
The combined $238,556 represents the borough’s required annual contributions to the two pension plans.
Council approved a server upgrade for the wastewater treatment plant based on a proposal from GFT Inc. The cost of the upgrade wasn’t specified.
Council also approved an $8,896.72 maintenance quote from A&H Equipment for the borough’s street sweeper. The work may be funded through the borough’s liquid fuels account.
Council tabled a proposal from Grannas Bros. Stone and Asphalt for approximately $24,250 in additional repairs to Lehigh Alley, leaving the project unresolved.
The additional repairs involve work previously completed on the alley. The borough proposed splitting the cost with the contractor, but council tabled the proposal without resolving the payment arrangement.
Council also tabled a proposal to place fuel tanks on secured borough property in partnership with the Mifflin County commissioners, pending additional information.
The fuel proposal was among several subjects presented to council. State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, representatives of Western Global Fuel Tank, and a leadership group participating in the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Institute gave presentations.
Council considered proposed policies governing borough finances and administrative procedures, with the measures scheduled for consideration in December. The measures address budgeting, grants, purchasing, bank accounts, auditing, investments and other financial practices.
Council also considered facility-use requests for two upcoming downtown celebrations. Organizers requested facility use for the annual Deck the Town parade on Dec. 2, scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. through downtown Lewistown. The parade is planned to begin the Ice Festival and Christmas celebration, with street closures and barricades required.
Mayor Deb Bargo and Katelyn Rauch also requested facility use for the New Year’s Eve Chip Drop, scheduled from 6 p.m. Dec. 31 to 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1. That event also calls for street closures and barricades.
Council also considered a request for accessible parking at 223 Logan St., the Intermunicipal Wastewater Committee’s 2027 meeting schedule and a request from the Geisinger School of Nursing for 50 additional student parking permits. Chuck Silks was scheduled to address council about use of the Elizabeth Street lot.
The Council’s next scheduled meeting is Monday, Nov. 23, at 4:30 p.m. in the municipal building council chambers.