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Council approves minutes, police budget, wastewater payment and multiple appointments; several routine items pass by voice vote
Summary
On a short agenda, New Freedom council approved meeting minutes, affirmed the Southern Regional Police Department 2026 budget, authorized a $555,944.40 payment for Phase 1 aeration upgrades, and confirmed several commission and board appointments. Eminent domain proceedings for 1 East Franklin Street were discussed but the motion failed.
New Freedom — Council cleared a number of routine agenda items by voice vote, approving prior meeting minutes, a regional police budget and a large wastewater contractor payment, while also confirming appointments to several borough boards.
Minutes and organizational votes: The council approved the Dec. 8 regular meeting minutes and the Jan. 5 organizational meeting minutes after a motion and second. Speaker 11 and others recorded aye votes on the minutes.
Police budget: The Southern Regional Police Department 2026 budget summary was presented and approved; the department's total income rose 8.96 percent, and New Freedom's share of the intermunicipal cost was discussed and estimated at about 9.42 percent. A motion to adopt the regional police budget was made and carried by voice vote.
Wastewater contract payment: Council approved payment application No. 9 to PSI Pumping Solutions in the amount of $555,944.40 for Phase 1 aeration upgrades. Staff noted work paused over winter, that tank lining remains a significant outstanding cost, and further monthly payment applications are expected as work resumes in spring.
Appointments and resolutions: Council confirmed reappointments and new appointments across multiple boards: planning commission term renewal for Nat Hopkins; Southern York County Regional Recreation Commission appointments (Janelle Yacoviak, Andy McCauley, Ryan Ross and Carrie Madore); the borough zoning hearing board and property maintenance appeals board positions were also affirmed.
Other routine business: The treasurer's report was delayed pending bank statements; a York County SPCA presentation request was placed in the packet but no motion was made to reconsider the prior decision not to participate in 2026; the council discussed but deferred final action on a fire‑police participation exhibit to allow staff to clarify event lists and liability coverage.
What happens next: Operational and financial reports (including outstanding engineering/payment application detail and the delayed treasurer's report) will be provided in the interim and on next month's agenda.
