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Houtzdale Borough Council discusses property acquisition
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
By Wendy B. Lynn Staff Writer
HOUTZDALE - Houtzdale Borough Council last night held an executive session to discuss property acquisition, but still no decision has been made in regard to the library.
Council member Tracy Manno explained to library committee members Liz Stumph and Sue Archer last night that the members present didn't want to make a decision until the full board was present.
Along with Manno, council members Paul Clancy, John Bumbarger and Rob Ferguson were present, with Ann Henry, Debbie Gillen and Frank Capitos Jr. absent.
At the meeting Oct. 13, council suggested the committee could incorporate into a nonprofit corporation and then the borough could give the money from the Gretchen Hiller estate to the corporation to build or renovate a building because a nonprofit corporation could make the money go further.
Archer and Stumph said the committee isn't completely comfortable with owning the building or even taking on that level of responsibility. The committee would rather the borough own the building and care for the maintenance while the committee is responsible for running the library and fundraising.
In response to inquiries from the ladies, Clancy said if the borough owns the building the borough would be responsible for water, sewer, electricity and maintenance and the library would be responsible for phone and Internet costs. As far as administrating the library, Manno said, "We don't want to run a library."
"I really seriously feel it should be a municipal building," Stumph said.
Briefly council and committee members discussed the possibility of the money being given to a nonprofit corporation to build or renovate a building, and then the corporation turning the building over to the borough, but someone would have to look into the legalities.
"Thank you for all the hard work you've put in. The committee has only had to come with questions, not criticisms," Archer said, adding that it has been a big undertaking and the community owes a lot to Hiller.
Council appointed a new member to the Houtzdale Municipal Authority board. Bill Hayward and Alan Baughman both submitted letters of interest and council appointed Hayward. However, another opening will occur at the end of the year and the council wants Baughman to submit a letter of interest then.
The tentative budget was looked at. Clancy said if things continue as they have this year, the budget will be short $1,466, but the payment of workers' compensation is not calculated into the budget, and there is still a surplus from last year that was not included in the budget. Council members present voted to give a 50 cent per hour raise to the employees and tentative revenues and expenses were looked at with expected revenues at $299,398 and anticipated expenses at $293,834. The finance committee will meet and go over the numbers and hopefully council can adopt the budget at the Nov. 9 meeting.
Another wrench in the works is the decrease of Liquid Fuels funding for the borough, which is down $1,100 this year to $26,000. Council voted on resolutions No. 2009-8 and 2009-9 to make Beaver Run Avenue and Otter Alley Liquid Fuels streets. It discussed turning the rest of the borough's alleys into Liquid Fuels streets if they are 16 feet wide, which is a requirement.
In other business council: - learned the Wreck Center will have its Pumpkin Patch Party tomorrow from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Hayrides in the borough are part of the event and council is aware of the rides on a couple of the streets. Manno said the event is open to children from pre-kindergarten to grade four.
- agreed to donate $100 to Clearfield County Children and Youth Services and to pay the $176 fee to the Pennsylvania State Borough's Association for dues.
- agreed to the $65 relief from charges fee for Unemployment Compensation.
The next regular meeting is Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the borough building.
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