rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
CANTON — At the Monday evening meeting of the Canton Borough Council, Councilman Christopher Schrader shared his thoughts on council employees and his concerns of misconduct.
“I have seen what is done when things are brought in private. Nothing is done and it is swept away without public knowledge,” Schrader began.
The accusations include: an alleged bias on who is receiving code violations within the borough, the WIP property and issues concerning that property, Police Chief Doug Seeley and his alleged removal of evidence in previous years, Administrator Seeley allegedly getting defensive when issues are brought to council that concern her (with the example of Darren Roy and Alex Schrader having questions concerning the codes violation process), issues with ‘the Canton paper’ editor allegedly omitting what she believed was potential libelous and slanderous accusations from his letter to the editor for last month, inaccurate reporting by Administrator Seeley during meeting minutes for both council and committee meetings, issues with the police department, right-to-know requests, and an alleged missed exit interview by former street department employee David Groover.
“It’s a form of retaliation to get me to stop what needs to be done in the borough,” said Schrader, referring to his accusations of Administrator Seeley.
Schrader also addressed Solicitor David Brann if a question concerning the removal of a president on council should be directed to Brann (how and when to go about removing and replacing the council president), hinting at the fact that the question was instead directed to Administrator Seeley.
“That’s not accurate,” said Administrator Seeley, “It (the question) was where (it was) on the agenda, so it was not a legal question.”
“As I stated before and will again, the borough is supposed to be ran as Mrs. Seeley as said repeatedly, we, myself included, make the rules and regulations and admonish and so on, however, that is not how it is happening. If you do not think so, this is where I refer to you to where I just proved that Mrs. Seeley had a council member change his motion. This is not the only time this has and will continue to happen.
“I would also like to take the opportunity to inform Mrs. Seeley that she and her puppets, should, in her words, “fact check” before they make false accusations.
Schrader also alleged that Administrator Seeley called an election official complaining that he allegedly yelled obscenities at Canton’s polling location a couple weeks ago, to which she replied she did not do and was not there at that time when he alleged she was present. David Wilson of the Street Department said she was not as well.
“Before you accuse me of something, you best know it be true,” said Seeley. “I did not turn you in, I was not there when it was said. It was said prior to me being up there. So do not accuse me. You are accusing me of something that I did not do.” She then asked him for proof, to which he could not provide.
“What is your proof that I made that phone call? Solid proof. Because I am done with these accusations,” said Seeley.
Later on in the speech, Schrader continued, “If all this contention could go away and everything be solved in a peaceful manner, would you want that?” Schrader concluded.
When he finished, Schrader asked Solicitor Brann if his questions would be answered, Brann replied saying that Schrader should have approached the individuals before the meeting, or tried to contact outside of the public meeting, before “surprising them with a ‘gotcha’ during the public meeting,” to which he said was unfair of Schrader to do. He also noted that a lot of these questions could probably be answered by the individuals instead of Schrader “assuming” what was said or done.
“You presume the worst in people,” said Brann. “You need to talk to the employees and other council members before you have to call them out and insult them. You’re assuming things. Some of what you’re saying is just not true.”
President Shultz informed Schrader that some of these issues he has can be brought up during their prospective sections on the agenda, such as police issues (decals on the vehicles and bod cams) during the police report, personnel exit interviews during the street department report, and so on. Instead, Schrader kept silent throughout the meeting except for roll call.
Administrator’s Report
For the spring cleanup, Administrator Seeley reported that 17 residents signed up, which is eight less than in 2020.
Council accepted a letter of resignation from a council position.
Councilman Kurt Bastion has resigned from his position on council, as of May 11.
Council Solicitor David Brann says that the council has 30 days to fill the position.
A fall cleanup dumpster was discussed, with pricing and more discussion to take place at the next public meeting.
Administrator Seeley also announced the upcoming 26th Annual Tioga-Bradford Equipment Show as well as celebrating National Heritage at the Bradford County Veterans Memorial Park.
Police Report
Police Chief Seeley stated that he would like council to approve a policy for the already-purchased police cameras (body cameras). Solicitor David Brann asked if the company who they bought the cameras off of does training, to which Chief Seeley stated online training will be done.
Chief Seeley also updated council on the status of two police vehicles, a 2011 police car that was recently wrecked and a 2017 Ford police car with a bad transmission.
For the wrecked vehicle, the officer involved in the single-vehicle accident is all right and the vehicle is being worked on. The transmission in the 2017 vehicle is replaced and was covered under warranty with only days left until the warranty expired. It is working well.
President Michael Shultz asked if the cell phone number to get a hold of officers can be publicized.
The computer in the Crown Vic police car was also discussed.
Street Department
Curtis Lammy was hired as a part time employee for the street department. He will begin this week and will be working at $10/hour with no benefits, expecting about 32 hours a week.
The backhoe for the department was ordered and expected to arrive within a week. The old backhoe was traded in to help offset the cost of the new one.
The tilt bucket will take about six months to come in.
The Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road Program has awarded Canton Borough $11,000 for the Carlton Street project. It ranked #4 overall. The borough will be notified with the next step in the process. Upper Mountain Road ranked 10 and might be completed at a later year.
Recreation Department
The following wages were discussed and approved by council: Sandra Navone as recreation manager at $10.51/hr, Mason Shultz as head lifeguard at $7.81/hr, Kaydee Larcom and Lylah Smith as regular lifeguards at $7.62/hr and Laci Niemcyzk and Caiden Williams as substitute lifeguards at $7.43/hr.
The topic of a new pool filter was discussed, with council approving a $5,000 purchase for a new filter with remote capabilities. The pool also opened this week. President Shultz thanked Dave Wilson for the work he has done on the pool in ensuring it was able to open.
Council discussed moving and extending playground chain link fence at the park to include more grass area for the playground. Dave Wilson reminded council to check ADA regulations. The project will be reviewed and brought to council at the next public meeting.
DCNR grant projects are anticipated to be completed by the end of summer.
Fire Department
Scott May reported that the Canton Fireman’s Fair will be next week, June 22-26. He also wanted to remind council that they are working on stream bank rebuilding near the fairgrounds.
Solicitor’s Report
Solicitor David Brann asked for an executive session concerning the NTSWA contract between them and the borough.
Other News
New landscaping has been added as well as benches, thanks to Lauren Preston and her family and the Canton Garden Club.
The Summer Reading Program has begun at the Green Free Library this week and will run every Wednesday. It’s for children up to sixth grade and the Thursday program is for preschoolers.
The Rialto Theatre is reopening July 1, with Fast and Furious 9. They are also seeking a theater manager.
Upcoming events include LeRoy Old Home Days (July 3), Canton Downtown Celebration (July 10 and include annual block dance), the Classic Car Show (Aug. 6), as well as some fall events which will be announced at a later time.
The High School’s drama production Godspell is this week at the high school auditorium.
Council called for an executive session following the meeting. The topics were Zito Media and the contract between the borough and Northern Tier Solid Waste Authority.
The next Canton Borough Council meeting will be Monday, July 12, at 7 p.m.