Union City Borough Council approves part‑time police hire, sinkhole repairs and multiple easements

Union City Borough Council unanimously approved a package of personnel, infrastructure and property actions at its Aug. 13, 2024 meeting at First Global Methodist Church.

Councilors voted to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part‑time police officer after Mayor Robert Wolf told council the borough needs to maintain a police department and recommended a part‑time hire. 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. The motion to hire Fye passed on a voice vote; the council present was Cross, Joyce, Osborn, Steadman, Uber and Kerns (Winkler absent).

Council approved a streets department recommendation to repair a sinkhole and replace approximately 10 feet of 24‑inch clay tile at Municipal Lot #1. Consultant Bob Carpenter and Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips presented two contractor estimates: Mansfield at $22,295 and McLallen Construction at $23,450, both of which require a borough truck during the project. Councilor Steadman moved and Councilor Osborn seconded a motion to contract Mansfield to perform the work; the motion carried unanimously.

Separately, the council approved several retroactive and new easements and property actions. Members approved a retroactive easement with property owner Anthony Hickey at 104 East High Street to coordinate a PennDOT catch basin and a borough catch basin with an approximately 60‑foot connecting pipe; the property owner agreed to dig and maintain a ditch that will receive the PennDOT basin discharge. Council also approved purchasing a small parcel adjacent to Municipal Lot #3 from 8 South Street for $500 (pending survey and solicitor paperwork) and authorized an easement with the American Legion to install and maintain a kayak/canoe launch along French Creek; the boat‑launch project will use funds from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

On finance matters, Borough Manager Wells reported the 2025 Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO): $48,029 for the non‑uniform pension plan and $0 for the police pension. Councilor Joyce moved and Councilor Kerns seconded approval of the MMO as presented; the motion passed unanimously.

The council also approved a subdivision to combine a portion of 92 West High Street into parcels at 88 and 90 West High Street, and agreed to change meeting dates through April 2025 to the first and third Monday at 6:30 p.m. Public works agreed to assist the Union City Volunteer Fire Department with demolition at 10 Market Street without using a borough backhoe. Department liaisons reported no items, and the meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.; an executive session followed to discuss personnel and contracts with no action taken.

All motions recorded during the meeting passed unanimously unless otherwise noted.