Union City Borough Council approves part‑time officer hire, sinkhole repairs, easements and schedule change

The Union City Borough Council on Aug. 13 approved a series of staffing, infrastructure and property actions, including hiring a part‑time police officer and contracting for a sinkhole repair at Municipal Lot #1.

Councilor Riley Cross called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at First Global Methodist Church. Mayor Robert Wolf said maintaining a local police department is important and recommended hiring a part‑time officer to strengthen coverage. The council voted unanimously to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part‑time officer after Borough Manager Cindy Wells said the budget allowed at least $33,560 for wages and benefits and that actual cost would depend on hours worked.

Police Chief David Pernice summarized recent activity, saying the department handled 269 calls from June 1 through Aug. 13, an average of about 3.63 calls per day, with incidents ranging from vehicle pursuits and warrants to domestics, drug activity, homelessness and several mental‑health or suicide‑related responses. Pernice said department members attended an active‑shooter training on July 24–25 and that the UC Community Foundation awarded funding for four tasers and additional security cameras.

Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips reported on a sinkhole near Municipal Lot #1 that affected a 24‑inch clay tile and recommended replacing the clay tile, reconnecting lines, installing a larger catch basin and replacing roughly 10 feet of pipe. The council reviewed two estimates — Mansfield at $22,295 and McLallen Construction at $23,450 — and voted unanimously to approve the Mansfield proposal, which requires the borough to provide a truck during the work.

Manager Cindy Wells provided other updates: the TA set‑aside sidewalk project remains in progress; Erie County Planning will host a kickoff for park and trail improvements along French Creek and the Erie‑to‑Pittsburgh trail on Sept. 13; and the Union City Volunteer Fire Department asked for Public Works help to demo a shed at 10 Market Street without use of the borough backhoe.

The council approved a retroactive easement agreement involving 104 East High Street and property owner Anthony Hickey: PennDOT will install a catch basin, the borough will install a second basin and accept responsibility for about 60 feet of pipe between the basins, and the property owner will construct and maintain the connecting ditch and pipe. The council also approved a retroactive $500 purchase of a parcel adjoining Municipal Lot #3 to support a proposed gazebo, with the solicitor to complete survey and closing paperwork.

Councilors voted to approve the borough’s reported 2025 minimum municipal obligation figures — $48,029 for the non‑uniform pension and $0 for the police pension — and to accept a subdivision plan moving part of 92 West High Street to combine with 88 and 90 West High Street, both motions carried unanimously.

The council authorized an easement with the American Legion to install and maintain a kayak/canoe launch at the ball field along French Creek, funded with support from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. Council agreed to change regular meeting dates, beginning in September, to the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.; the next meeting will be Aug. 27 and the following regular meeting will be Sept. 16 because of Labor Day.

All motions recorded in the minutes carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.; an executive session to discuss personnel and a contract followed and ran to 7:52 p.m.