Borough of Sykesville Council Meeting June 2, 2025 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Sykesville Borough Council was called to order at 7:00 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance by President Michele Yamrick. In attendance were Michele Yamrick, President; Elaine Fike, Vice President; Council Members: Ron Morris, Sherry Pruzinsky, Don Reid, and Gabriel "Butch" Sweka; Mayor Gail Cunningham; Solicitor Nicholas Gianvito. Absent was President ProTem Nathan Alvetro. Visitors were John Sedor and Rick Fike (Water & Sewer Authority), Russ Withrow, Mary Greeley and Michael Mowrey (Winslow Township), and Brian Williams (Crew Foreman). VISITORS CONCERNS: Mr. Withrow brought to Council a few complaints. He stated that there is a speeding issue with vehicles/molorcycles on his road (Kaufman) near East Main Street. Mr. Withrow stated that there is a gentleman that is remodeling and is burning at all hours. Mr. Withrow also expressed concern with grass not being cut (specifically his neighbors). Mary Greely and Michael Mowrey were present to discuss the agreement between Sykesville Borough and Winslow Township. Ms. Greely stated that they are aware of their recent penalties and requested to negotiate (total penalties: $7,210.26 + $5 monthly late fee). Secretary Neale presented Ms. Greely with the formula used to calculate the penalty fees. Solicitor Gianvito informed that there was a recent agreement that Winslow Township would have a one-time forgiveness for the previous penalties, however, it is a Council's decision on if they want to negotiate. Mr. Mowrey nformed that the Township were trying to locate if there were any leaks, however, this was a bad winter. He stated that the previous Township engineer designed the line with copper pipe, and he later found out that the copper pipe should not have been used. Mr. Mowrey asked if there was a fire in the Township, would the Borough forgive the water that was used to put out the fire. Solicitor Gianvito informed that there is a clause in the agreement stating that water usage would be forgiven for cause of a fire. Ms. Greely had questions regarding the recent letter that the Township received from Travis Long (engineer) about the sewer increase in price. Foreman Williams informed that there will be a Water & Sewer Authority meeting Monday, July 21st at 6:00 P.M. to further discuss with Travis Long (Engineer). Solicitor Gianvito stated 1 that Mr. Long's proposal should be presented to Winslow Township's engineer to come to an agreement. Rick Fike and John Sedor were present on behalf of the fairgrounds outstanding water and sewer bills. Mr. Sedor stated that Sam Zaffuto informed that the fairground committee are going to satisfy the outstanding oalance but will need more time. Foreman Williams informed that two meters are needed as the originals froze and broke. The meters needed are approximately $2,200/meter. Foreman Williams informed that the two meters would need to be replaced, and two passing bacteria tests would need to be completed before water can be used by the public. In conclusion, due to time constraints it isn't feasible for the fairgrounds to have water service through the Borough. Mr. Sedor requested that the Council set up a payment plan for the fairgrounds outstanding water and sewer bills. Solicitor Gianvito stated that a written proposal should be presented to Council from the fairgrounds. After further discussion, Council decided to have oreman Williams call Mr. Zaffuto informing him that the fairgrounds will not have water and sewer service through the Borough this year and request that he attend the next Council meeting with a written proposal of a payment plan. CORRESPONDENCE A request was submitted from the Sykesville Library asking for their 2025 allotment of $3,000. A motion was made by Councilman Butch Sweka and seconded by Councilwoman Sherry Pruzinsky to pay the Sykesville Library $3,000 for their 2025 allotment. Motion carried. An invite was presented to Council to attend the Clarion, Forest & Jefterson Counties Boroughs Association Meeting on Wednesday, July 16 at 4:30 P.M. Guest speakers are Steve Vasbinder and Marc Skarbek (PennDot). The cost is $30/person. Details will be in the Borough Office. OLD BUSINESS: A motion to approve May 19, 2025, Council minutes was made by Vice President Elaine Fike and seconded by Councilman Ron Morris. Motion carried. Three bids for the upcoming proposed seal coat/tar & chipping project were opened and read by President Michele Yamrick: 1. Hager Paving, Inc. for at total price of $46,285.59. 2. Russell Standard for a total price of $59,891.37. 3. Midland Asphalt Materials Inc. for a total price of $63,641.16. 2 After further discussion, a motion was made by Councilman Butch Sweka and seconded by Counciiman Ron Morris to reject all bids and esupmi/reodverise bids for the following roads: VanWoert Alley, Sykes Alley, South Park from the bridge to Memorial Park Road, Memorial Park Road to W&W Equipment, and Kaufman Drive. Motion carried. A motion was made by Councilman Don Reid and seconded by Councilman Ron Morris to advertise the following "The Borough of Sykesville is accepting bids for Solid Waste and Recycle Material Collection in the Borough. Bids should be for a three (3) year period commencing February 1,2026. Bidding packets may be obtained at the Borough office, 21 East Main St. Sykesville. Bids must be postmarked by July 30, 2025, and received no later than 4 pm on Friday, August 1, 2025. Bids will be opened on Monday, August 4,2025 at the monthly meeting of Borough Council. All bids must be accompanied by a Certified Cashier's Check or bid bond in the amount of 10% of the first year's pricing. Sykesville Borough reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids. 1 Motion carried. President Yamrick revisited the bank proposal from InFirst Bank with Council. After further discussion and review, a motion was made by Councilman Morris and seconded by Councilman Sweka to begin the process of transferring all Sykesville Borough's accounts from Farmers National Bank of Canfield to InFirst Bank. Motion carried. President Yamrick revisited Ms. Galentine's request. Foreman Williams informed that the Crew recently received notice of a one call for Mr. Phipps (he can dig in three days). Council agreed that until the line is repaired and the water/sewer bill is paid in full nothing can be done. Tabled. Council revisited purchasing speed bumps. After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Councilman Morris and seconded by Counciman Sweka to purchase four portable rubber speed bumps priced at $122.95/each. Motion carried. Solicitor Nicholas Gianvito informed that everything has been submitted to the Post Office other than the conflict-olinterest form. Council confirmed that they have no relatives with the Postal Service. A motion was made by Councilman Morris and seconded by Councilman Sweka to authorize President Yamrick to sign the real estate conflict of nterest certification certifying she is not in relation to anyone working in the Postal Service. Motion carried. Mr. Gianvito also informed that $20,280 was paid to them for fees granting the easement. Solicitor Gianvito is requesting reimbursement of $1,200 that was paid by his office to the Postal Service for damages" for the reduction in value after the project is complete, per the appraisal. A motion was made by Councilman 3 Morris and seconded by Councilman Sweka to reimburse $1,200 to the Law Office of Nicholas Gianvito. Motion carried. Solicitor Gianvito informed that the easement with the Railroad has been in Rochester, NY since May 30th. He received confirmation that it should be mailed out tomorrow. Once he receives the easements, he will personally take them to Brookville to make sure the easements are filed. President Yamrick informed that there is a meeting with JHA (check-in) Wednesday, June 4th and the ore-construction meeting is Wednesday, June 11th. CREW FOREMAN REPORT: Nothing to report. COMITTEE REPORTS: Public Works: Nothing to report. finance/Personne: A motion was made by Counciman Morris and seconded by Vice President Fike to accept and pay J&M Accounting & Tax Services Inc. $1,240.94 for their monthly retainer for May 2025. Motion carried. A motion was made by Counciman Reid and seconded by Councilman Morris to reimburse Maureen Kovalchick for $35 for a Tax Collecting training meeting she attended on May 20th. Motion carried. A motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by Councilman Morris to approve Brian Williams paid time off for May 16th. Motion carried. A motion was made by Councilman Morris and seconded by Councilwoman Pruzinsky to approve Michael Gamble's paid time off for May 23rd, May 29th, and May 30th (4 hours each day). Motion carried. Ordinance. Health & Safety Counciwoman Sherry Pruzinsky informed that she received a complaint from a resident regarding a bush on Vanwoert Street. The Borough Crew cut the bush today. 4 Utilities: Nothing to report. Parks, Recreation and Planning: Nothing to report. Police, Mayor, Fire, Code Enforcement: Nothing to report. Solicitor Gianvito: Solicitor Nicholas Gianvito informed that he sent the proposed sewer rate increase to both Winslow Township and Troutville Borough on May 27th and is waiting for responses from their engineers. Solicitor Gianvito informed that he received a proposed lease agreement from Winner Water Services (along with all board members). This will be discussed at the next meeting after further review. The current lease agreement expires October 2025. NEW BUSINESS: Councilwoman Pruzinsky informed that there were only three write ins on the election ballet and there should have been four. Secretary Neale informed that she called the Board of Elections in Brookville and was told that it shouldn't be a problem as there were more than four write ins. Councilwoman Pruzinsky also stated that there were no wo-year seats on the ballet, only four years. Solicitor Gianvito advised her to call the election office for any discrepancies. President Yamrick informed that all write in votes should be ready to be claimed tomorrow or Wednesday (you have 5 days after being notified). EXECUTIVE SESSION: Council went into an executive session to discuss personnel matters at 8:38 P.M. ACTION AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION: Council reconvened from executive session at 8:46 P.M. 5 There was no action taken. ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Sherry Pruzinsky and seconded by Councilman Butch Sweka. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:48 P.M. Respectfully submitted: Twk Vype Jaysa Neale Borough Secretary/reasuret 6