Union City Council hires part‑time officer, approves sinkhole repair and several easements

Union City Borough Council on Aug. 13, 2024, voted to hire a part‑time police officer, approve infrastructure repairs at a municipal lot and clear a series of easements and property actions during a meeting at First Global Methodist Church.

Mayor Robert Wolf told the council the borough must "maintain a Police Department in the Borough" and recommended hiring a part‑time officer to bolster coverage. Councilors discussed costs and coverage; Borough Manager Cindy Wells said the budget had allowed at least $33,560 for wages and benefits and that a part‑time hire would cost less depending on hours. Councilor Joyce moved to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part‑time officer; Councilor Osborn seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

Police Chief David Pernice reviewed recent activity and training for the department, saying the force recorded 269 calls from June 1 through Aug. 13 — about 3.63 calls per day — including pursuits, protection‑from‑abuse cases, warrants, domestic incidents, drug activity, homelessness calls and several mental‑health and suicide‑related incidents. Pernice said he and Officer Shelly attended an Alert Active Shooter training July 24–25, and that applications to the UC Community Foundation (UCCF) for four tasers and for security cameras were both awarded.

On public works, Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips described a sinkhole at Municipal Lot #1 that the borough’s engineer recommended addressing by replacing a 24‑inch clay tile, reconnecting pipes, installing a larger catch basin and replacing roughly 10 feet of pipe. Two contractor estimates were presented: Mansfield at $22,295 and McLallen Construction at $23,450 (both proposals require the borough to provide a truck during the project). Councilor Steadman moved to contract with Mansfield for $22,295; Councilor Osborn seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

The council also approved a retroactive easement agreement for 104 East High Street under which the borough will install a catch basin while the property owner will dig and maintain a ditch to carry runoff from the PennDOT basin; Solicitor Tim Wachter will draw the easement documents. Another retroactive motion approved purchase of a small parcel adjacent to Municipal Lot #3 for $500 (survey and solicitor paperwork pending) to support a planned gazebo project.

Councilors approved a subdivision request moving a portion of 92 West High Street to 88 and 90 West High Street, and they approved an easement with the American Legion to install and maintain a kayak and canoe launch at the ball field, a project funded by the PA Fish and Boat Commission and the PA Environmental Council. The borough accepted the 2025 Minimum Municipal Obligation figures for pensions — $48,029 for non‑uniform and $0 for police pension — and approved those totals by unanimous vote.

Council agreed to change its regular meeting dates beginning in September 2024 to the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.; the next meeting was set for Aug. 27, 2024, and, because of Labor Day, the following meeting was scheduled for Sept. 16, 2024. The council adjourned at 7:06 p.m.; an executive session on personnel and contract matters followed and ran to 7:52 p.m.

Votes at a glance: all listed motions in the minutes carried unanimously. Present at the meeting were Councilors Cross, Joyce, Osborn, Steadman, Uber and Kerns (Winkler absent).