Council Minutes

February 4, 2013

February 4, 2013 Middletown, PA 17057 The February 4, 2013 regular business meeting of the Middletown Borough Council was called to order at 7 p.m. by Council President Christopher R. McNamara. Following the invocation by Pastor Kimberly Shifler, of the First Church of God, and the Pledge of Allegiance, the following Council members answered roll call: Barbara Arnold, Donald Brooks, Robert Louer, Christopher R. McNamara, Judy Putric, David Rhen, Scott Sites and Suzanne Sullivan. John Brubaker was absent due to health issues, Council President McNamara reported. Also in attendance were Mayor Robert G. Reid, Borough Manager Tim Konek, and Borough Secretary Chris A. Courogen. PUBLIC COMMENT Jack Still commented on a puzzle he distributed to Council at a prior meeting. Stacy Collins asked the Borough to look into the alleged loss of her utility bill payment. Dawn Knull commented on the planned appointment of an assistant borough secretary, saying it should not be a council member and should not be an unpaid position. Ms. Knull also commented on the slow response of police called for an incident at a school bus stop. Ms. Knull also complained about the lack of heat in Borough Hall when she came in to pay a utility bill, questioned a rumor she had heard about the police secretary position, asked where the 2001 fiscal year audit report is and when the public would see a report from the Boroughs consultant for the state Early Intervention Program. Kim Flasher commented about inconsistencies in her utility bills and asked about electric rates for the coming year. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 7:09 p.m., Councilor Rhen made a motion to hold an executive session to discuss personnel issues. The motion was seconded by Councilor Brooks and approved by unanimous consent. Council reconvened publicly at 7:52 p.m., with Councilor Brooks announcing several personnel matters were discussed, with no action to be taken at this time. Councilor Rhen made a motion to approve the minutes from the January Council meetings. The motion was seconded by Councilor Arnold and approved by a 7-1 vote, with Councilor Sites dissenting. MAYORS REPORT Mayor Reid had nothing to report. SECRETARYS REPORT Borough Secretary Courogen updated Council on the number of replies (23) to date for the part-time police officer positions which were advertised and also reported on the status of the review of the police departments policies and procedures manual. MANAGERS REPORT Borough Manager Konek reported on the relocation of Borough finance and administrative offices to the first floor of Borough Hall, the consolidation of the Public Works

Council Minutes

February 4, 2013

Department at the wastewater treatment plant, and briefed Council on FEMA/PEMA public assistance aid for the Hurricane Sandy emergency of October 2013. Mayor Reid added a comment that his office is now located on the second floor of Borough Hall. Councilor Sullivan made a motion to accept Police Chief Mark Hovans resignation, effective concurrent with the swearing in of his replacement. The motion was seconded by Councilor Louer and approved by a unanimous 8-0 vote. Councilor Sullivan made a motion to accept the resignation of Michael Wetten as an employee in the Boroughs public works department. The motion was seconded by Councilor Brooks and approved by a unanimous 8-0 vote. Councilor Rhen made a motion to approve Resolution 573 of 22013, appointing Borough Manager Tim Konek as the Boroughs designated agent for filing with FEMA/PEMA for aid from the October 2012 Hurricane Sandy emergency. The motion was seconded by Councilor Arnold and approved by a 7-1 vote, with Councilor Sites the dissenting vote. Councilor Arnold made a motion to approve Resolution 574 of 2013, appointing Councilor Sue Sullivan as assistant Borough Secretary. The motion was seconded by Councilor Brooks and approved by a 6-1 vote, with Councilor Sites dissenting. Councilor Sullivan abstained. Councilor Sullivan reported Steven R. Wheeler had met with the Civil Service Commission and that the Commission, after administering an exam for the position of chief of police, certified Mr. Wheeler for the position. Councilor Sullivan then made a motion to appoint Mr. Wheeler as Chief of the Middletown Borough Police Department, at a salary of $72,500, with an anticipated start date of February 11, pending execution of his employment agreement review by the solicitor. The motion was seconded by Councilor Louer and approved by a 7-1 vote, with Councilor Sites the dissenting vote. Councilor Brooks reported that Sandy Nagles term on the Middletown Borough Authority has expired and it was Councils responsibility to name someone to fill that seat. Councilor Brooks made a motion to appoint Christopher R. McNamara to serve on the Middletown Borough Authority for a term to expire January 3, 2017. The motion was seconded by Councilor Louer and approved by a 6-1 vote, with Councilor Sites dissenting and Council President McNamara abstaining. NEW BUSINESS Councilor Rhen reported he had hoped several police matters Council acted on previously would have already been addressed and expressed hope Chief Wheeler would act on those matters expediently. Those matters were:

Council Minutes

February 4, 2013

Getting work underway to make necessary renovations to the Behney Building to facilitate the move of the police department to that facility. Trimming the police fleet to five vehicles Making police uniforms uniform for all officers Directing the police department it is to no longer lock or unlock the doors at the rear of Borough Hall

Councilor Sites asked if five vehicles were enough. Councilor Rhen replied it was. Councilor Sites asked what guidance Council has given regarding new police uniforms. Mayor Reid said he has been working on it with one of the officers, who has been in contact with uniform suppliers to gather information. Councilor Sites said the Borough should reconsider having just five police vehicles. Mayor Reid said that was something that could be discussed with the new chief when he comes on board. Councilor Brooks moved to adjourn. Councilor Louer seconded the motion. It was approved by unanimous consent and Council adjourned at 8:10 p.m., with Council President McNamara announcing there would not be a meeting the following night.

Borough Secretary