BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 8-22-22 The Special Meeting Minutes of Council was held on Monday, August 22, 2022, at 7:15 PM, at the Borough Hall, 125 S. Walnut Street, Slatington, PA 18080 Presiding: Thomas Bartholomew: President of Council Recording Secretary: Daniel Stevens, Borough Manager/Secretary The meeting was called to order by President Bartholomew at 7:15 PM following in attendance: ROLL CALL PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS Thomas Bartholomew Mayor Schoch Julie Niebell, Kevin Borman Bryon Reed Daniel Stevens Robert Rep, Dylan McDevitt Zachari Halkias Krystal Borman, Justin Frable Joseph Wechsler (via phone) Joseph Chirico, Nicole Frable Ronald Kratz Jeremy Henry, Marie Carney Kevin Steckel Hunter Henritzy Jeffrey Hausman 3. PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG 4. NOTIFICATION: President Bartholomew announced that all public sessions of Borough Council are electronically recorded and such recordings are maintained as part of the meeting record until the minutes are transcribed and approved by the Board, at which time the recordings shall be erased. 5. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None 6. PUBLIC COMMENT - (For Agenda/Non-Agenda Items) please use Podium (3 minutes) Kevin Borman - 228 Skyline Drive. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Kevin lives outside the borough limits, but is on the Slatington Fire Department. Kevin is attending the meeting in support for Fire Chief Austin Berger. The council had received multiple letters supporting Chief Austin Berger. Councilor Kratz asked if the borough is sufficiently covered for a fire call after all the fireman that have left. Kevin assured the council that the department is capable of performing their duty. Kevin clarified that being a volunteer department there are times when most of the men are at work. The department is trying to recruit new members. Kevin added that they are looking at obtaining more certifications. Marie Carney- 350 Main Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Marie stated she is a retired correction officer in New York and went through fire training during her academy days and is aware of what the fire company does. Marie was trying to become a fire police officer when she moved here in 2020, unfortunately she got COVID19 and is unable to work anywhere. Marie has been at places that firemen from Slatington have been doing a job and was very impressed. Unfortunately, Marie had noticed in-fighting going on that was detrimental to what the people were trying to do at the time. Marie supports the Slatington Fire Department. 1 Dylan McDevitt = 350 Main Street. Dylan informed the council that the 16 fire personnel that left were not really active, SO it really isn't a big loss for the department. Dylan also stated that the borough is well covered with the personnel they have. Justin Frable - 6228 Rachel Drive. Justin is a captain and president of the Slatington Volunteer Fire Department Inc. Justin stated that their roster was loaded with well over 50 members. Those members were required by law to get entered into the state for state grants and fundings, SO by taking those people off, they are getting more money from the state. Justin said the firemen have to be insured, which is paid by the taxes, and if they are in an accident while they are going to a call, they must be paid for the incident by the tax payers. Some of the savings come from not having to purchase new gear, having fewer men, and focusing more on training classes. EXECUTIVE SESSION: President Bartholomew recessed to executive session at 7:30 PM. At 8:45 PM President Bartholomew reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel were discussed in executive session. 7. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to authorize use of COVID19 LFRF to pay for additional work on ventilation system at Slatington fire department (replacement of duct work) amount not to exceed $2,500.00. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias Councilor Hausman asked if there was any money left in the fire budget could it be used to help put into the truck fund at the fire department. Manager Stevens stated that there probably will not be any money left in the budget. 8. Discussion and possible action on fire department policy and personnel issues. No action at this time. 9. OTHER BUSINESS: None 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None 11. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR - Agenda Items Only (2 minutes) 12. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None 13. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Kratz made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to adjourn the meeting. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Bartholomew declared the meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM. 2 Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary 3