Bridgeport council approves minutes, authorizes fire peer-assistance LOI, and signs two service agreements

Bridgeport Borough Council on April 8 approved several routine and policy-related items, including approval of the March 11, 2025 meeting minutes; authorization to submit a letter of intent to the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services to request a peer assistance review of borough fire services; and two resolutions: one to execute a preliminary engineering services agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway Company related to rail crossing improvements and another to execute a standard sludge-hauler agreement with Trinity Subsurface LLC.

Council members said the letter of intent to the Governor’s Center is intended as a first, no/low-cost step to pair the borough with a peer consultant who can evaluate volunteer fire operations, staffing and service provision. Borough staff told council that the peer assistance program is run through the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and that the program could identify whether a paid consultant would be needed afterward.

Council also approved a proposed engineering agreement with Norfolk Southern tied to mandatory rail‑crossing safety and regulatory upgrades. According to staff, Norfolk Southern requested that the borough place $53,612 in escrow — an increase from an earlier escrow amount of $23,612 — before the railroad will proceed with the engineering review.

Council adopted the standard sludge-hauler agreement required for any company dumping sludge at the borough wastewater treatment plant; the action formalizes terms and fees for a new customer, identified in the resolution as Trinity Subsurface LLC.

Votes and motions recorded in the meeting transcript: - Approval of March 11, 2025 minutes. Motion from Mr. Shank; second from Mr. Heil. Outcome: motion carries (vote recorded in transcript as "Aye"; detailed tally not specified in the record). - Authorization to submit letter of intent to Governor's Center for Local Government Services (peer assistance program). Motion made and seconded (motion recorded as moved by Miss Houck; second recorded as Mr. Schenck in the meeting exchange). Outcome: motion carries (vote recorded as "Aye"; detailed tally not specified). - Resolution 2025-8 — execute agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway Company for preliminary engineering services (rail crossing improvements). Motion from Mr. Schenck; second from Ms. Houck. Outcome: motion carries (vote recorded as "Aye"; detailed tally not specified). Staff noted Norfolk Southern asked for an additional $30,000 escrow, bringing the required escrow to $53,612. - Resolution 2025-9 — execute sludge-hauler agreement with Trinity Subsurface LLC. Motion moved and seconded (mover recorded as Mr. Howe; second recorded as Mr. Shank in the meeting exchange). Outcome: motion carries (vote recorded as "Aye"; detailed tally not specified).

The council did not record roll-call vote counts for these items in the public transcript; motions were approved after the chairs asked for in favor/ opposed and council answered "Aye." The meeting record shows coordination with local fire leadership on the peer-assistance item; Chief Gallagher and Chief Freimoyer were reported to be aware of and supportive of pursuing the Governor’s Center peer assistance program.

Looking ahead, staff indicated that if the peer assistance review identifies further needs, the borough could pursue paid consultant options or other low-cost state offerings after the initial peer review.