NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (RVO) by John Gerow – Following the Fall elections and running down to the end of the year, New Bethlehem Borough Council weathered a rough session at their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 19. 2020 budget, Mayor and Councilwoman Murray’s resignation, and receiving a grant to purchase a police dog were the highlights of the evening’s meeting.

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NB Police Chief told the Council that he had just received a grant to buy a dog. Although purchasing the dog is a big expense, there are other expenses that the K9 unit will incur. Toward that end, the Chief discussed his plans to get the private fundraising underway. He explained a fundraiser that he called “The Battle of the Banks”. This fundraiser pits local banks against each other to see which institution can raise the most money. Chief Malnofsky said that the Borough would have to open simple savings accounts with each bank and suggested that Council commit to having the bank that raises the most money ultimately host the K9 account. The chief is still adamant that the K9 unit will be completely privately funded. Several council members said that they are aware of residents and businesses who are interested in donating. Councilman Barrows mentioned that the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation offers grants to small towns for K9 assistance.

Councilman Stewart Bain asked how much the K9 unit would ultimately cost the Borough. Mr. Bain pointed out that the weekly training, which Chief Malnofsky had said would be in North Huntingdon in his current thinking. The Councilman said that the Borough would have to defray the cost of having an officer cover for the Chief on the days he was at training. Mr. Bain also pointed out that the cost of driving to and from the training would ultimately be borne by the Borough. Chief Malnofsky pointed out that many small municipalities are privately funding their K9 units. The Chief also pointed out that assets seized in drug arrests can be dedicated to the K9 unit. After discussions, the Council adopted a motion to set up bank accounts for the “Battle of the Banks”, pending recommendation from the Auditor.

At meeting’s end, Mayor Tim Murray told the Council that he and his wife were moving out of New Bethlehem and that he was resigning as Mayor, effective November 25. Jen Murray said that she was going too and that she would also be resigning on the 25th. Council President Sandy Mateer thanked the pair for their years of service to New Bethlehem. They reluctantly accepted their resignations.

The Council will be seeking qualified individuals to fill both the Mayoral position and the open position on the Council. Interested residents should file a letter of interest with Council’s Executive Secretary Rich McGarrity at the Jewelery Shop on Broad Street as soon as possible so both the Councilperson’s position and the Mayor’s position can be filled at the December Council meeting.

Area resident Tammy Kellogg addressed the Council again about her arrest at a ball game back in the summer. Ms. Kellogg remains upset with the Mayor and Council for not having addressed her concerns about how the police arrested her. Mrs. Mateer told Ms. Kellogg that the Borough’s legal council had advised Council not to write a letter of apology to Ms. Kellogg. She then demanded to know why Mayor Murray did not initially tell her to take her complaint to the Police and Safety Committee. Mrs. Mateer said that the Police and Safety Committee really was not functioning at the time. The Mayor said that as far as he was concerned the matter was closed and he had nothing more to say on the subject. Ms. Kellogg said, “This isn’t over” and stormed out of the meeting.

On a lighter note, the Mayor informed the Council that he had been asked to perform a civil marriage ceremony this upcoming weekend. While clearly empowered to do so, the Mayor asked Council to approve him performing the ceremony. The Board unanimously approved.

The Council also addressed three new Ordinances to be approved. Following a request from the Moose, Council has prepared a noise ordinance to supersede noise regulations currently set and enforced by the Commonwealth’s Liquor Control Board. The Council approved the proposed ordinance for solicitor’s review. Council will also seek commitment from the Moose to help defray the costs associated with implementing this ordinance once the Solicitor approves.

Council is also working on a “nuisance” ordinance, the purpose of which is to provide guidelines for rubbish, junked cars, tires and other “nuisances” on properties in the Borough. Such ordinances are common in many municipalities and are not intended to replace dangerous structure ordinances, but rather to add to them. Council approved a motion to advertise this ordinance to be approved at the December meeting.

The third ordinance under discussion is an ordinance allowing the Redbank Valley School District to hire and direct school crossing guards. The proposed ordinance would have the District be responsible for the crossings and would indemnify the Borough. The Borough’s solicitor is reviewing the proposed ordinance and is expected to approve it. Council passed a motion to advertise this ordinance for approval next month as well.

Street Commissioner Roger Hilliard reported that the drain repairs on Wood Street will cost less than $5,000. The initial estimate that he has prepared is less than $4,000. He told the Council that the new pickup has arrived. Mr. Hilliard reported that his crew took down the veteran’s banners and put up the Christmas decorations. The street crew is working on cleaning up leaves and Mr. Hilliard hopes to finish before snow.

New Bethlehem Borough Council Discusses 2020 Budget

Council President Mateer introduced the budget proposal for 2020. The Budget Committee recommended a 2.5 mil increase in real property taxes and an increase in trash collection fees. The County Landfill has increased their tipping fee for use of the landfill, necessitating the increase in trash collection fees. The increase in property tax, as explained by Mrs. Mateer, is necessary to help the Borough recoup some of the cash reserves that Council used this year for emergencies such as the July 19 flood.

Councilman Stewart Bain questioned where the shortfall is in the budget. He said that trash removal pays for itself, and that is no need for the Borough to have cash reserves for cleaning up flood damages. Mr. Bain suggested that cutting costs is a better solution than raising taxes. He pointed out that the Borough of New Bethlehem is “subsidizing” police coverage for Hawthorn, Rimersburg, and East Brady and that the Borough could save a great deal of money by eliminating the police service to the other communities.

Councilman Barrows pointed out that it is fiscally irresponsible to move forward without cash reserves, when you know full well that there will be emergencies in the future.

Councilwoman Jen Murray offered a compromise budget proposal. Her proposal raises the millage by 1.75 and doubles the per capita tax from $5 to $10. Following further discussion, the Council approved this proposal. Council will advertise this proposal to the community and vote upon at their December meeting.

Council recessed into an Executive Session.

MEETINGS:
New Bethlehem Borough meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm at the Alltel/Windstream Building on Lafayette Street. Folks may contact the Borough’s office to be placed on the meeting agenda.

MISSION:
New Bethlehem Borough Council fosters business, community, and personal growth within the borough while maintaining the small town appeal and family friendly environment that makes New Bethlehem such a great place to work, live and raise a family.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
To learn more about Council’s Goals & Objectives, please visit: NewBethlehemBoro.com/about and click the ‘Mission’ tab.

CONTACT:
To contact any member of Council or the Borough’s office, please visit: NewBethlehemBoro.com/about and click the ‘Council’ tab. You may also ‘like/follow’ New Bethlehem Borough on Facebook for the latest news/announcements: Facebook.com/NewBethlehem

For more info, please visit New Bethlehem Borough’s website: NewBethlehemBoro.com