Votes at a glance: New Freedom Borough Council approves several contracts, grants reimbursements and procedural items

At its meeting the New Freedom Borough Council voted on a series of routine and grant-funded matters. Major actions approved included a FEMA‑funded stormwater contract for Bailey Avenue, a grant‑assisted purchase of a brush chipper, and several procedural resolutions and contract name changes.

Key votes and outcomes

• Bailey Avenue stormwater infrastructure (construction contract, Barrasso Excavation / Aresco station incorporated): Council approved a contract for the Bailey Avenue stormwater upgrade in the amount of $233,000. Meeting discussion noted that 100% of the reimbursement will come from a FEMA hazard‑mitigation grant; the borough will not use tax dollars for that reimbursement. Motion: approve contract consistent with staff recommendation. Outcome: approved; vote tally not specified.

• Purchase of brush chipper (Stephenson Equipment): Council approved purchase of a brush chipper for $61,950. The council noted 95% of the purchase will be reimbursed by a Section 902 grant; the borough’s out‑of‑pocket share was stated as about $3,425. Motion: approve purchase. Outcome: approved; vote tally not specified.

• Authorization to submit solar-energy decommissioning bond zoning amendment to York County Planning Commission: Council authorized staff to send the draft zoning amendment language for solar-energy facilities decommissioning bonds to the county planning commission for review and recommendation. Motion: authorize submission. Outcome: approved; vote tally not specified.

• Paul Smith Library allocation ($1,000): Council approved release of a $1,000 allocation to Paul Smith Library, noting the library is a member library and the funds would go to the library itself rather than to a branch. Motion: approve release. Outcome: approved; vote tally not specified.

• Resolution amending participation in York County Board of Appeals: Council approved a resolution allowing broader qualifications for service on the county board of appeals (for example, allowing construction experience in lieu of a registered architect). Motion: approve resolution. Outcome: approved; vote tally not specified.

• Engagement agreement / law-firm name change and file-management transfer (Stockton Leader → Saxton and Stump): Council approved an engagement agreement reflecting a merger/name change and separately approved file-management transfer for municipal files from Stockton Leader to Saxton and Stump; Dave Jones was listed as the municipal contact on the transfer paperwork. Motions: approve name-change engagement agreement; approve file-management transfer. Outcome: approved; vote tallies not specified.

• Road-closure request for Cub Scout Pack 24 bike rodeo (Aug. 30): Council approved the limited road closure for a morning bike rodeo and requested insurance documentation as standard practice for event closures. Motion: approve road closure. Outcome: approved; vote tally not specified.

• Minutes, treasurer and routine items: Council approved amended minutes for the March meeting and approved the treasurer’s report (pending audit) for March 2025, and approved several consent and routine items after staff clarifications. Motions: approve minutes as amended; approve treasurer’s report pending audit. Outcomes: approved; vote tallies not specified.

Several votes were recorded as “Aye” without roll‑call tallies being read aloud on the record; the transcripts record motions, seconds and that the items carried. The meeting included discussion about grants, insurance and grant‑reimbursement details tied to several of the purchases.

What the votes mean going forward

The stormwater contract will proceed with FEMA hazard‑mitigation reimbursement; the brush chipper purchase will proceed with expected grant reimbursements that cover most of the cost; and the zoning amendment language for solar‑facility decommissioning will move to the county planning commission for technical review and a recommendation before any public hearing or council adoption. The rental‑housing ordinance under active discussion at the meeting was not adopted; council directed the solicitor to review the draft and return with recommended edits.