NEWVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING MARCH 11, 2025 AT 6:00 PM Ai meeting oft the Newville Borough Council was held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM in the Newville Borough Office Meeting Room, 103 South High Street, Newville PA 17241. The meeting was called to order by Council President, Edward Sinkovitz. The invocation was given by Pastor Joe Kindon, followed by the Pledge ofA Allegiance. On roll call, the following members were present: Mr. Jack Ericksen, Mr. Charles Heberlig, Pastor Joseph Kindon, Mr. Robert Darius and Mr. Edward Sinkovitz. Also in attendance: Borough Manager Robert Sabatini, Borough Secretary/reasurer Jody Hoffman, Police Chief Todd Koser, Sentinel Reporter Maddie Seiler, Bobbi Olson, Randy Heishman, George Spangler, Liz Knouse, Vicki Witter, Sharpe Over, Vince Mellott, and Becky Barrick. Citizen Comment: Vicki Witter began with distributing a copy of Municipality Authorities Act 5610 b-1. She highlighted a section for Council to review regarding the majority representation of the Authority. She stated that this section was not read at the prior meeting when an appointment to the. Authority was made. Mr. Ericksen suggested that the section be reviewed by the solicitor (s) before any decisions be made. Becky Barrick voiced her frustration in that she brought this same subject up a year ago and feels that her concerns were ignored. Old Business: Mr. Sabatini discussed the hearing with DCED represented by Andrew Sheaf regarding the application for the. Act 47 grant. He felt that the Borough was successful in high lighting the needs oft the. Act 47 plan and the assistance of the State. A concern has been in obtaining the audits in a timely manner. The last audit that DCED has had from the Borough is from 2015. There are nine years of audits that must be applied to comply. A major problem is that much of the documentation has been not audible in its current format. It has been written on paper ledgers and revenues have been from multiple sources and lumped into one deposit that was never broken out properly. A spread sheet has been printed out for the Council's review, showing the progress of the reports required for the audits. Mr. Sabatini feels the corrected documentation can be completed by the first week of April and sent to the auditors. New Business: a. Discussion on the use of the former Borough Building. Randy Heishman began with thanking the Chief for his actions in solving the theft ring that had occurred over the weekend. He relayed the history of the building, going back to 1916. He stated that he would like the police back in the Borough and feels the building would be a perfect fit with the community and response time for the police. He shared examples of other communities utilizing one shared building for a police department and community center. He stated that grants would help to cover expenses of the conversion. Page 1 of 4 Sharpe Over would like to see the Borough keep the building and get a grant to convert it into aj police station. He feels it would not be conducive as a community center. He stated that someday, Green Ridge is not going to renew the lease for the department. Liz Knouse stated that Newville needs tax revenue and also needs business revenue. She continued with that having a police department within the community, will be an incentive to bring people as well as businesses into the town. She feels that selling the building is a short-term solution. Becky Barrick feels that the building is an asset ofthe Borough and that it would be short sighted to get rid ofit. Mr. Sabatini reported that maintaining the building in its vacant state is approximately $6,000 a year. Mr. Darius asked if the second floor could be utilized as a gathering space. Mr. Sabatini replied that to use the second floor as a public space, it would have to be ADA compliant as well as having an ingress and egress. Mr. Heishman disagreed, stating that a historical structure has different qualifications for ADA compliance. Pastor Kindon asked Chief Koser for his opinion. Chief Koser replied that he would need measurements sO that could make an accurate layout. He did state that he did not think that there was enough room to utilize the first floor only. Mr. Ericksen reminded that there is no money in the budget to cover the costs of matching grants for the refurbishment. He stated that it would also be at least a two-year project. Mr. Sabatini explained that an architect will need to be involved and money would be needed for that. He stated that any project over $10,000 requires prevailing wages when you bid out a contract. Mr. Over responded that he thought at one of the moves of the police station, DPW employees built the walls and asked if they could do the construction at 4 West Street. Pastor Kindon replied that the department is at a bare minimum of staff and what happens to their responsibilities. Pastor Kindon is asking to review the property first before applying for grants. Mr. Sabatini listed the current deficiencies of the building that he has observed. Mr. Heishman suggested contacting South Mountain Partnership, CAEDC, EDA and National Trust for grant opportunities. Mr. Ericksen commented that the Borough will make a strong effort in obtaining the necessary grants pending the approval of PFM. It was agreed that this will be a three-year project if approved. Chief Koser replied that the Manor at Green Ridge has shown a noticeable clean out in the past weeks. He doesn't know ifthey will have three years to wait to move. Mrs. Knouse asked if the building could be leased as offices to generate revenue today. Mr. Sabatini replied that any decisions must first be approved by PFM and the. Act 47 financial plan. b. Discussion on rental property conversion restrictions. Randy Heishman sent information to Mr. Sabatini regarding transient communities and the effect is has on residents and the people who work there. Mr. Heishman feels that Newville is top heavy with rental versus home ownership. Page 2 of 4 Becky Barrick thought that there had already been a restriction placed on single family homes converting into multi-unit rentals ten to twelve years ago. Mr. Sabatini expressed that if the Zoning allows the use, it is the over-riding document. Liz Knouse stated that what is needed is a predictable tax base which is not had in ai transient community. Ms. Barrick would like to see a grant program to encourage the improvement of the facade of the homes. Others voiced their concerns that rentals do not have the pride of ownership as home owners do. A motion was made by Pastor Kindon, seconded by Mr. Ericksen to defer the pause of multi-unit conversion of single-family homes to the Planning Commission for review and possible inclusion in the Zoning Ordinance. All were in favor. Motion carried 5-0. C. Consideration of waiver of permit fees for sidewalks. Mr. Sabatini explained that PennDOT will be fixing curbs and handicapped ramps on North and South High Streets this summer, following the next year with paving the road. He thought this would be an excellent time for residents to replace their sidewalks and would be an encouragement by waiving the fees. A motion was made by Mr. Ericksen, seconded by Pastor Kindon to waive the permit fee for sidewalk replacement on High Street through September 2026. All were in favor. Motion carried 5-0. d. Consideration of approval of] Big Spring Interfaith Council Cross Walk A motion was made by Pastor Kindon, seconded by Mr. Ericksen to approve the Cross Walk on April 18, starting at the Zion Lutheran Parking Lot at 5:45 pm and concluding at the Fountain no later than 7:30 pm. All were in favor. Motion carried 5-0. Fire police will be provided. Other: A: motion was made by Mr. Ericksen, seconded by Mr. Heberlig to authorize Liz Knouse to explore grant options for the potential of the utilization of the Borough Building located at 4 West Street. This would be done through the Newville EDA at no cost to the Borough. All were in favor. Motion carried 5-0. Adjournment: A motion was made by Mr. Ericksen, seconded by Pastor Kindon to adjourn at 7:40 PM. All were in favor. Motion carried 5-0. Minutes recorded by: bdwhslnA Jody Hofiman, Newville Borough Secretary Page 3 of 4 Upcoming Meetings: Newville Water & Sewer Authority - March 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM Vacancy Board - March 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM Recreation Commission - March 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM Newville Economic Development - March 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM Newville Borough Council - March 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM Page 4 of 4