Lewistown council approves wastewater and equipment payments, tables Creative Districts application after tie

Lewistown — The borough council approved multiple budgeted payments tied to wastewater work and emergency equipment and handled a slate of facility and event approvals at its June meeting, while delaying a decision on a state arts program application after a tied vote and a later failed reconsideration.

The meeting’s most immediate financial action authorized payment of a $245,190 borough share for breathing apparatus for EMS, with officials saying the amount will be funded now and reimbursed through 2023–24 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds when grant paperwork is completed. The motion to pay was moved, seconded and approved by roll call. The treasurer reported the borough’s bank balance at $6,290,457.66 during the discussion.

The council also approved payment of multiple invoices related to the wastewater digester project and associated contractors. Officials described a bundle of large invoices and said the disbursements — described in discussion as totaling roughly $278,440 for the set of listed items — will come from wastewater reserves and grant funding tied to the digester project. A roll-call motion to pay those invoices passed.

Borough Manager Julie Aro summarized options for repairing and refilling the digester, saying consultants are working on costed alternatives and that staff are exploring grant-funded cleaning and contractor-assisted transfer options. "We're waiting on some numbers," Aro said; she told council she expected to return with several cost options.

Council business also included routine municipal approvals. Members approved placement of markers for a 911 Memorial Trail at no cost to the borough and accepted a two‑year parking contract that raises annual passes from $100 to $150. The council approved the exterior Rex Center roof bid for drain replacement, re‑piping and under-soffit steel replacement while noting interior restroom work will be handled separately. The council authorized placement of a donor-wall plaque honoring John Zimmerman and approved closing Chestnut Street for a June 18 ceremony (rain date June 19) pending permits.

In personnel business, the council added and approved hiring a part-time streets position (up to 30 hours per week) to support summer mowing.

A proposal to submit a letter of intent to the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts' Creative Districts program drew extended discussion about municipal exposure and partner control. The program would make competitive grants available (a $50,000 award model was described) with a 10% local match option. Council debate centered on whether the borough would be committed to subsequent spending or politically exposed by partner decisions. An initial roll call resulted in a tie; because the mayor was absent, council discussed special‑meeting procedures to allow the mayor to cast a tie‑breaking vote. After an executive session, council reconsidered and put a motion to issue the letter of intent to roll call; the motion failed with a majority voting "No," leaving the borough without an approved letter.

Public comment included a request from Nikki Treaster, president of the Lewistown Girls Little League Softball Association, for a written ‘‘first right of refusal’’ or similar annual usage agreement for Gable’s field to provide assurance for field improvements. Treaster described recent volunteer expenses for fieldwork and asked the borough to consider a hose hookup and netting to protect neighboring homes; council referred the request to the recreation committee.

What’s next: Staff said they will finalize invoices and grant documentation related to the digester and breathing-apparatus reimbursement and return to council with detailed cost estimates and any required resolutions. The Creative Districts item remains unresolved until council chooses to revisit it or the mayor is available to cast a tie-breaking vote.