Thompsontown Council Meeting October 16, 2023 7F PM  Ar regular meeting of the Thompsontown Borough Council was held in the Thompsontown Borough Office on September 18, 2023. The following were in attendance: Mayor Gerald Eaton, President Andy Lenig, Vice-President Roger Stutts, Secretary/Treasurer Sue Pontius, Councilmen/Counciwomen: Willard Roush, Martin Wilson, Connie Eaton, Solicitor Seth Mosebey. Absent was Councilman Robert Speece and Engineer Brian Book. Motion to approve both the minutes and the financial report were made by Connie Eaton and seconded by Willard Roush. The Thompsontown Volunteer Fire Department minutes were not available their meeting is later in the week. The Municipal Authority meeting notes were reviewed with Council. President Lenig read a report for Engineer Brian Book he sent into the office since he is ill. The report is attached to the minutes and will be added to the Borough minute book. President Lenig went around the room to guest first, Mr. Leon King introduced himself to Council. Mr. King expressed interest in what we were looking for with advertising the blighted house on 188 West Main Street. Both Council and Mr. King discussed what they would want to see the house be for Thompsontown. Mr. King noted he would like to buy the house to restore it to living condition. He went over a list of things that would have to be fixed, and Council reviewed with him their expectations they needed to be Initially, Council was told by Solicitor Mosebey they would need to wait until next meeting to "negotiate a private sale, sO we can't complete the sale until after it is publicly announced. It's the law we have to follow. Borough Code states if no bids are filed, you have to follow this Act. Solicitor Mosebey stated however, unless we consider this a bid and it is the only bid received. Council voted to accept this bid. A motion was made by Roger Stutts and second by Connie Eaton to vote on the agreement tonight. Solicitor Mosebey wrote up the agreement and Mr. King made the down payment. President Lenig asked Council what they wanted to do? Roger Stutts made the motion to approve the sale of the house and Connie Eaton seconded the motion. Approved by Solicitor Mosebey wrote up the agreement and Mr. King made the down payment. President Lenig asked Council what they wanted to do? Roger Stutts made the motion to approve the sale of the house and Connie Eaton seconded the motion. Approved by a unanimous Council. Mr. King agreed to buy the house for $6000, he gave Solicitor Tyler Supplee representing the Thompsontown Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) reported on the damages to the Fire Department after the July gth flooding. While the  able to sell the house.  All of Council agreed.  au unanimous Council.  Mosebey a deposit for $1000 to secure the bid.    volunteers were out assisting others in their time of need the fire department building sustained extensive flooding in their firehouse. Their kitchen had all cabinets flooded and had 24" of flood mold. Inside the firehouse there was 16"-18" of flood waters. All of this has left the fire company with a lot of expensive bills to try to pay. Tyler said the fire company is planning on doing several different fundraising functions to try to recover Solicitor Mosebey reported he has completed a "Deed of Dedication" for Mrs. Frymoyer, the Thompsontown Borough now owns the "Holding Pond" if they sO desire. The deed will transfer ownership of the retention pond for easement of ownership to the borough. Secretary Pontius handed out PA Borough code ordinances for Council members to review, these ordinances had hand written comments on them and needed to be re- typed. These were voted on before but now we want to be sure all of the information is correct. After Council submits their comments, Secretary Pontius will re-type and give to our Solicitor Mosebey for a final review to update all the ordinance books and add to President Lenig asked Council what they want to do to fill Loretta Allen's position on Council. Council had only one candidate inquire for the position, Nathan Claybaugh. Roger Stutts had an issue with Mr. Claybaugh after the primary. Mr. Claybaugh asked Roger how he was doing and he said OK. Mr. Claybaugh stated, "I'm sorry to hear that". Mr. Claybaugh apologized and informed Council he didn't mean anything by it he was only joking. Willard Roush made the motion to accept Nathan Claybaugh's offer to become a member of Council. Connie Eaton seconded the motion. Three voted to accept Mr. Claybaugh, one opposed, and one abstained. President Lenig informed Mr. Claybaugh he will need to go to Mifflintown to be sworn in, before he can start on Secretary Pontius informed Council the West Nile Virus has been found in Thompsontown. The Vice-President Stutts took around to the areas in town door hangers asking for residents to clean-up any areas with standing water. Secretary Pontius added the information she received about the West Nile Virus on the Secretary Pontius informed Council, Wagner, Dreese, Elsasser & Associates have agreed to be our new CPA auditors. Secretary Pontius sent back our signed contract President Lenig informed Council our Sheriff Stimeling would like us to give him some ideas on a community event in the borough next year. President Lenig asked Council to  funds to pay for all of these repairs in the near future.  Council voted 4 approved, 1 did not agree, approved.  our website.  Council at the next meeting October 16th.  Thompsontown Borough website.  and spoke to their office.  think about some ideas to bring back to Council. Notes submitted by: Sue Pontius Secretary  Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM by: Willard Roush, seconded by Connie Eaton