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Blakely Council raises non-uniform pension benefit, OKs trap-neuter-release policy and greenlights two grant applications
Summary
At its Nov. 18 meeting the Blakely Borough Council approved Ordinance 4 to raise a non-uniform pension retirement benefit to $2,550 per month, approved Ordinance 5 to allow a trap-neuter-release program for feral cats, and authorized applications for a $50,000 Main Street Matters grant and a $1 million Statewide Local Share Account grant for community center projects.
Blakely Borough Council on Nov. 18 approved a package of personnel, animal-control and grant measures that the council said will address retiree benefits and local project funding.
Solicitor Chip Abrahamsen read Ordinance 4 of 2024, which raises the monthly retirement benefit for members of the non-uniform pension fund to $2,550, effective Jan. 1, 2025; the motion to approve passed with all ayes on the floor. Abrahamsen then read Ordinance 5 of 2024, an amendment to the borough's feral cat rules to allow a trap-neuter-release (TNR) program; the council approved the ordinance unanimously.
The council also approved two grant-authorizing resolutions. Resolution 26 of 2024 authorizes Borough Secretary Christopher R. Paone to apply for a $50,000 Main Street Matters grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to support a new civic center. Resolution 27 of 2024 authorizes an application to the Statewide Local Share Account for up to $1,000,000 toward construction of the Blakely Borough Community Center; both resolutions passed with all ayes.
Why it matters: The pension change directly alters retirement pay for members of the non-uniform fund, while the TNR ordinance shifts the borough's approach to feral-cat management toward sterilization and release rather than removal. The grant applications, if awarded, would supply local capital for a civic center and a community center construction project.
What the council recorded: Borough Secretary Christopher R. Paone read a letter from the Pennsylvania Auditor General indicating the borough's combined pension plans have a Total Distress score of 0 and are funded at 107%. The meeting minutes also include correspondence about a PJM capacity auction increase and a proposal from NextERA Energy; the minutes do not record deliberation on those letters.
Next steps: Approval of the ordinances takes effect as specified (Ordinance 4 effective Jan. 1, 2025); the grant resolutions only authorize applications and do not guarantee funding. The borough will submit the grant applications and will return to the council with outcomes if awards are received.
