Schneck remains Tower City council president

TOWER CITY - Although not required by law, Tower City borough council held a reorganizational meeting January 7, followed by their regular meeting for the month.

By unanimous vote, Bruce Schneck was re-elected president, Paul Ruth, vice-president, Irene Dubbs, secretary/treasurer, Robert Shuey, chairman pro-tem, and Richard Thornburg of Lipkin, Marshall, Bohorad and Thornburg, solicitor.

Council appointed Carl Faust of Blue Mountain Inspection, as the borough's Uniform Construction Code inspector; Sgt. John Boyer, Faust, Light-Heigle, Alfred Benesch, Lehigh Engineering, and ARRO Engineering as the borough's Code Enforcement Officers/Residential Building Inspectors; Alfred Benesch as the Sewage Enforcement Officer; and the council members as the Uniform Construction Code Appeals Board.

Tax Collector

Centax was appointed Earned Income Tax Collector, while Berkheimer was appointed Local Service Tax and Delinquent Tax Collector, as well as Tax Hearing Officer. John Kelly will serve as the borough's vacancy chairman and Jones & Co. was selected to perform the borough's audit for 2013.

The borough's current members of the police force are: Boyer, Jason Yeager, and Nathan Hess.

The part-time workers were given a 3% cost of living increase. The street employees include David Perkins, foreman; and Richard Schwak, as well as John Shutt, Sr., who is hired on an 'as need' basis.

Two applications were received to fill the vacancy left by the resignation last month of Judy Kessler. Although Schneck noted two excellent applicants had applied, a motion to appoint Ron Masarik was made and seconded and approved unanimously by the board. Michael Rodichok was in attendance and was thanked by Schneck for his interest in serving his community.

Committees

Committee appointments are as follows: Fire/Police/Emergency Management/Code Enforcement - Paul Ruth and Bob Shuey; Budget/Insurance/Personnel/Utilities; Shuey and Masarik; Parks/Recreation/Recycling - Masarik and Harold Reiner; and Highway/Roads/Alleys/Borough Property - Reiner and Ruth. Schneck noted every council member is also a member of every committee.

Although the re-appointment of the Emergency Management Coordinator is also done during reorganization, the position remained unfilled. Any resident interested in the position should contact the borough office for information.

It was noted that the council had appointed Perry Shuey to a 5-year term on the Tower City Borough Authority at the end of last year, and re-appointed David Ferraro to a 4-year term on the Porter Tower Joint Municipal Authority. Bonnie Reho had also been reappointed to a 5-year term on the Recreation Commission.

Council will continue to meet on the second Monday of the month, beginning in February, at 7 p.m. in the borough hall located in the 200 block of West Colliery Avenue.

Fire Co.

Tower City Volunteer Fire Company #1 appointments include Joseph Buffington, Sr., president; Ross E. Baker, vice-president; Diana Baker, secretary; Jackie Forney, Jr., treasurer; and Steven Moore, Lee Nunemacher, Jr., and Jeffrey Forney, trustees. Ross E. Baker was appointed Fire Chief, Michael Keiter, first assistant, Jeremiah Deiter, second assistant, and Adam Baker, lieutenant.

Police

Mayor Dan Daub provided a police report for December during the regular meeting which included three criminal investigations leading to arrests and commitments to the Schuylkill County prison. Daub cautioned residents to keep their doors, windows, garages, and cars locked since there are some other incidents under investigation.

Other police activity which occurred during the force's 144 hours of duty included the receipt and investigation of 12 complaints; investigation of a theft from a motor vehicle; five drug investigations; two warrants served; three traffic arrests and 18 warnings; four hearings at District Justice office, Tremont; six ATV complaints; and 15 Acu-trac usages.

Pool

Reho provided a Recreation Commission financial report for 2012 which showed the swimming pool fund ending with a balance of $7,562.84. This, said Reho, the committee could do since it ended the previous year with a balance of $8,015.35.

Council commended the committee for keeping the pool in good financial shape. Ruth, however, recommended a new pump be purchased since it would lower the electric bill. He offered to assist with installing the pump.

Although Reho noted that the steps in the baby pool are still needed, it is the first time in many years that the five borough seats on the committee are filled, and the members, she said, were active working members who are involved with the operation of the pool and work well together.

In other business,

- Council approved the attendance of Boyer at an 'Evidence Gathering Seminar' at the Harrisburg Area Community College at a cost of $175.

- Dubbs reported Boyer had performed 136 rental property inspections during 2012.

- Damage to a ledge on a East Wiconisco Avenue property was reportedly done by a snow plow. The ledge, it was noted, was installed to prevent water run-off from entering the property owner's home and basement.

- Dubbs reported the Department of Environmental Protection requested documentation concerning the remediation of two separate releases of contamination reported to DEP on August 14, 1994 and April 16, 1996 from the J.E. Morgan Knitting Mill facility. According to DEP, the contamination came from both underground and above ground storage tanks. According to Shuey a "coffee cup full of oil" ran out onto the ground. "There's nothing to fix," said Shuey.

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