rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
CANTON — Canton Borough Council met via ZOOM on Monday, Dec. 21, with a public hearing at 6:30 p.m., regular meeting following.
The public hearing took place to discuss zoning issues that were brought to committee members on Dec. 9. The zoning hearing was for a property in the borough to be changed from commercial to residential as it was just recently sold.
Council reported Michael Shultz as sworn on to borough council with Judge Wilcox as of Dec. 8.
Councilman Christopher Schrader asked why this happened without a resolution, to which Solicitor David Brann replied that it did not need a formal resolution.
Police officer Mike Northrup stated that he was resigning as of the end of this month.
Police Chief Doug Seeley asked that the council hire Andrew Whitehead to the staff. Whitehead just recently graduated from the Mansfield Police Academy on Nov. 19. He will begin at part-time with an hourly wage of $15.50.
The 2021 budget was also discussed. The
resolution for the tax rate will remain the same as 2020.
Council approved a contract with the fire department.
Solicitor David Brann reported that the meeting did comply with ACT 15, chapter 57, issues regarding COVID. He stated that he is confident that the council is able to continue with ZOOM meetings, if need be. The public must be informed ahead of time, and need to have the option to participate.
Council also briefly discussed the purchase of a 2019 backhoe for borough street department use.
Resident Michelle Holton asked the council if they could find another place to dump the plowed snow, instead of the location behind her house on Lycoming Street (across from the fire department social hall). Councilman George Jennings said that they currently do not have another location, but will be open to suggestions, and will be looking into the matter.
2021 meeting dates, times and locations were briefly discussed, along with the possibility that some future meetings may go remote (online). The next date for a Canton Borough Council meeting is Jan. 11, with location and time to still be determined.