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Union City Council hires part‑time officer, approves sinkhole repairs and multiple easements
Summary
At its Aug. 13 meeting the Union City Borough Council unanimously hired a part‑time police officer from the civil‑service list, awarded a $22,295 contract to repair a sinkhole and collapsed pipe at Municipal Lot #1, approved a retroactive easement for a catch basin at 104 East High, and authorized other property and recreational easements and land‑use actions.
Union City Borough Council on Aug. 13 unanimously approved a series of personnel, drainage and property actions, including hiring a part‑time police officer and awarding a repair contract to address a sinkhole at Municipal Lot #1.
Councilor Riley Cross called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at First Global Methodist Church. After a brief executive session, Mayor Robert Wolf emphasized the importance of maintaining a local police department and recommended hiring a part‑time officer. Council discussed a candidate from the certified civil service list who preferred part‑time work; Borough Manager Cindy Wells said the budget had allowed at least $33,560 for wages and benefits and that actual cost would depend on hours worked. Councilor Matt Joyce moved and Councilor Osborn seconded a motion to hire Kenneth Fye as a part‑time officer; the motion carried unanimously.
Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips and consultant Bob Carpenter (Insight) described a sinkhole and failing 24‑inch clay tile at Municipal Lot #1. 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 work. Council approved awarding the project to Mansfield for $22,295.
The council retroactively approved an easement involving 104 East High Street. According to the motion, PennDOT will install a catch basin and the Borough will install a second basin; the Borough will accept responsibility for both basins and roughly 60 feet of connecting pipe while the property owner, Anthony Hickey, will dig and maintain the receiving ditch. Council approved the easement motion unanimously.
Other unanimous actions included approving the 2025 Minimum Municipal Obligation totals presented by Manager Wells (non‑uniform MMO $48,029; police pension $0), signing approved subdivision maps to combine a portion of 92 West High Street with 88 and 90 West High Street, and a retroactive $500 purchase of a small property portion from 8 South Street to expand Municipal Lot #3 for a gazebo project.
Council also approved an easement with the American Legion to install and maintain a kayak/canoe launch on the ball field along French Creek; the motion noted funding for the launch would come from the PA Fish and Boat Commission and the PA Environmental Council. Manager Wells announced the TA set‑aside sidewalk project remains in progress and a kickoff for Erie‑to‑Pittsburgh trail improvements is scheduled for Sept. 13.
Council agreed to change regular council meeting dates for September 2024 through April 2025 to the first and third Monday at 6:30 p.m.; the next meeting was set for Aug. 27, 2024 and, because of Labor Day, the following meeting for Sept. 16, 2024. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.; an executive session on personnel and contract matters followed with no public action taken.
