rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
CANTON — Canton Borough Council swore in a new mayor and four council people at Monday evening’s meeting with the help of District Magistrate Johnathan Wilcox to administer the Oath of Office.
The following council people were sworn onto council: (returning) Councilwoman Lynette Ambruch, Councilman Robert Johnson and Councilman Michael Shultz. New to the council are: Councilman Brian Koval, Councilman David Preston and Mayor Dean Vanderpool.
Tax Collector Gary Gleckner was not able to make the meeting and will be sworn into his position at a later time.
Next, officers were chosen. Council voted to keep Councilman Shultz as President and Councilman George Jennings as Vice President. Councilwoman Lynette Ambruch will be President Pro Tem.
Committees for the 2022 year will be established at the February meeting.
Public Comment
Councilman Christopher Schrader began speaking congratulating the new council members and noted that he hoped “they will be better than the previous council.”
He then asked when the street department falls under working for the Chamber of Commerce.
“Don’t we need to have a motion to have you discuss anything like that?” asked Councilman Preston.
“I have seen him in the new building and the tax payers do not pay for him to take things into the chamber...” Schrader continued.
“Do you have a motion to make or something?” asked Preston again.
“He does what he wants,” replied Councilman Jennings.
“Well, not if we don’t want him to. Is there a motion or something? I’m not (trying to be) a pain or is there a motion you want to make or something? Because this is for business,” said Preston.
“It’s not going to end up happening anyway,” replied Schrader. “But there’s things that need to be said... I have a right to speak just like a citizen.”
“No, you’re not a citizen, you’re a councilman,” said Preston. “It’s not on the agenda.”
“It doesn’t matter,” replied Schrader.
“It does matter,” replied Jennings and Preston.
“You need to be on the agenda and it be publicized for the public to look at,” said President Shultz.
“If you’ve got stuff to say, we can put you on the agenda,” said Preston.
“Sure, let’s do that,” replied Schrader.
Administrator’s Report
A street excavation ordinance has been tabled for a committee meeting and will later be revisited.
Council voted to approve records destruction. When Councilman Koval and Councilman Preston asked about the age of documents, they were answered with seven years, which is the limit council must keep documents - seven years.
Council discussed the 2022 budget again, with questions from two new councilmen. Brian Koval motioned to amend the 2022 budget, but later retracting his statement once he received clarification on questions he had with certain budget items, all which were explained by Administrator Seeley and other council people. Councilman David Preston noted that just because it’s budgeted, does not mean that the council will spend the money. It’s just reported there in case it needs to be used. Councilman Koval received explanation on expenses concerning: public safety (drug task force with the county), the borough parking lot (which is done in house but supplies still need to be paid for), cleaning supplies and bullet proof vests for the police department (it’s mandatory that they are replaced every five years per state law). He asked about dental insurance for borough employees and whether that was covered by the borough or not, to which he was answered with no, the employee pays for that expense and part of their regular insurance. He also asked about raises given to borough employees and how they are calculated and wondered if evaluations can be given before the raise.
Council plans to review resolutions for the adoption of Robert’s Rules of Order and public comment and vote on both items at the February meeting. President Michael Shultz noted that he would like to see more organization as to how meetings are ran each month. He recently attended an online course concerning this topic. “I think it could be a benefit to take a look at this,” said Shultz.
Police Report
The topic of paying police officers a competitive wage was discussed again this month. Police Chief Doug Seeley asked council to consider paying for Act 120, in which the borough would pay a student to attend the Police Academy at Mansfield University and in return, they must work for the borough for a certain period of time. His concern is keeping police officers in the borough and the difficulty due to competitive wages across the area. Nothing was voted on at the meeting.
Recreation
For recreation, Ambruch noted that there is currently work in progress at the pool. She also noted that the borough will advertise for a manager and lifeguards for the 2022 summer months.
Code Enforcement
Code Enforcer John Raub said it was a pretty typical month with nothing out of the ordinary.
Fire Department
Scott May noted that the next board of directors meeting will be the second Tuesday in February, the 14th, at 8 p.m. at the social hall.
Emergency Management
Brett Neely noted an upcoming COVID vaccination clinic to be held at the Canton Fire Department Social Hall on Saturday, Jan. 8, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. No appointment is needed. They will offer all three vaccines, flu shots and boosts. Last time the clinics came to Bradford County, they provided 302 shots to residents. Neely also noted a G191 training that he and Administrator Seeley will take on Jan. 13.
Solicitor’s Report
Solicitor David Brann wanted to refresh council on the rules of the Sunshine Act.
“The PA Sunshine act requires any agency, including ours, to deliberate and take official action on business at a public meeting,” said Brann.
According to the PA Office of Open Records, The definition of “official action” includes four categories:
— Recommendations made by an agency pursuant to statute, ordinance or executive order.
— The establishment of policy by an agency.
— The decisions on agency business made by an agency.
— The vote taken by any agency on any motion, proposal, resolution, rule, regulation, ordinance, report or order.
Brann went on to say that the following are not permitted to be discussed during a public meeting:
— Discussing personnel matters;
— Holding an information, strategy and negotiation session related to the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement;
— Considering the purchase or lease of real property;
Consulting with an attorney about active or pending litigation;
— Discussing agency business which, if conducted in public, would violate a lawful privilege or lead to the disclosure of information or confidentiality protected by law;
— Discussing certain academic matters (this reason is specifically limited to certain institutions of higher education); and
— Discussing certain public safety issues if disclosure of the information discussed would be reasonably likely to jeopardize or threaten public safety or preparedness or public protection.
“So as an example, someone sitting at council that pointed out an employee by name and asked them about a medical condition, why he wasn’t returning to work is probably a violation of the Sunshine Act?” asked Codes Enforcer John Raub.
“Well yeah, unless there was an intervention. If someone slips up, we want to try to intervene,” said Brann.
Solicitor Brann also noted that council is officially in a contract with Solid Ground Services, concerning the issue of damage on Lycoming Street. He noted that the company plans to fix the issue when warmer weather comes.
Library
For the library report, Administrator Seeley noted upcoming preschool learning times that will be in person rather than online.
The next Canton Borough Council meeting will be Monday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Borough Building.