Union City Council hires part-time officer, OKs sinkhole pipe repair and multiple easements

Union City Borough Council on Aug. 13 voted to hire a candidate from the certified civil service list as a part-time police officer and approved a series of infrastructure and property actions.

Councilors approved the hire of Kenneth Fye as a part-time officer on a motion by Councilor Joyce, seconded by Councilor Osborn. "It will be good to have part-time for more coverage," Councilor Joyce said during the discussion; Borough Manager Cindy Wells noted the 2024 budget allowed at least $33,560 for wages and benefits and that part-time wages would be less depending on hours worked.

Police Chief David Pernice reviewed recent calls and staffing pressures. He said the department handled 269 calls from June 1 through Aug. 13 — "about 3.63 calls per day" — including pursuits, protection-from-abuse matters, warrants, domestic incidents, drug activity and mental-health and suicide-related responses. Pernice said lengthy incidents can occupy an entire shift and thanked Council for approving the additional staffing.

On public-works business, Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips described a sinkhole at Municipal Lot #1 and recommended replacing a failing 24-inch clay tile, reconnecting pipes, installing a larger catch basin and replacing approximately 10 feet of pipe. The borough presented two estimates: Mansfield at $22,295 and McLallen Construction at $23,450. Council voted to proceed with Mansfield's $22,295 proposal; the contract requires the borough to provide a truck during the work.

Council also approved several routine administrative and land-use items. The borough approved a retroactive easement with property owner Anthony Hickey at 104 East High Street so the PennDOT catch basin and a borough-installed basin will connect via a privately maintained ditch; Council accepted responsibility for the two catch basins and about 60 feet of connecting pipe. The council approved subdivision paperwork to combine a portion of 92 West High Street with 88 and 90 West High Street, and authorized a retroactive $500 purchase of a small parcel adjoining Municipal Lot #3 to facilitate a planned gazebo project (both votes unanimous).

The solicitor reported he is preparing an easement with the American Legion for a kayak/canoe launch at the ball field along French Creek; the project is to be funded by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. Council approved the easement motion.

On pensions, Borough Manager Wells presented the 2025 Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO): $48,029 required for the nonuniform pension and $0 required for the police pension. Council approved the MMO as presented.

Council agreed to change its meeting schedule for September 2024 through April 2025 to the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.; the next meetings were set for Aug. 27, 2024 and Sept. 16, 2024 (adjusted for Labor Day). The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.; the council held an executive session from 7:06–7:52 p.m. to discuss personnel and a contract with no action taken.

Votes at a glance: all motions reported in the minutes carried unanimously. Notable tallies: hiring the part-time officer (unanimous), awarding the pipe-repair work to Mansfield ($22,295) (unanimous), approval of MMO (unanimous), subdivision approval (unanimous), $500 property purchase for Municipal Lot #3 (unanimous), and approval of the American Legion easement for the boat launch (unanimous).