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Union City Borough hires part-time officer Kenneth Fye; approves pipe repair, easements and $500 land purchase
Summary
At its Aug. 13 meeting the Union City Borough Council unanimously approved hiring Kenneth Fye as a part-time police officer, awarded a $22,295 pipe-repair contract for a sinkhole at Municipal Lot #1, authorized multiple easements including a PennDOT-related catch-basin easement at 104 East High, and approved a $500 land purchase for Municipal Lot #3.
Union City Borough Council on Aug. 13 approved a slate of routine motions that the council said address short-term public-safety coverage and needed infrastructure repairs.
The council voted unanimously to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part-time police officer, a move councilors said would expand coverage while costing less than a full-time hire. "The budget had allowed for at least $33,560 for wages and benefits and it would be less than that," Borough Manager Cindy Wells told the council during discussion of staffing options.
Councilors also approved a streets project to repair a sinkhole at Municipal Lot #1. Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips described recommendations to replace a 24-inch clay tile, reconnect pipes serving the sinkhole, replace the adjacent catch basin with a larger unit, and replace about 10 feet of pipe. The council accepted Mansfield’s estimate of $22,295 for the work; the motion to award the contract passed unanimously.
Council approved a retroactive easement with property owner Anthony Hickey at 104 East High Street tied to a PennDOT-installed catch basin. Under the plan the borough will install a second catch basin, accept responsibility for both catch basins and roughly 60 feet of pipe between them, and the property owner will install a ditch and pipe to connect the PennDOT basin to the borough basin. Solicitor Tim Wachter will prepare the easement paperwork.
Other approved items included: - Adoption of the borough’s 2024 Minimum Municipal Obligation figures presented as the 2025 MMO (non-uniform payment $48,029; police pension $0). The council voted to approve the MMO figures unanimously. - Approval of a subdivision combining a portion of 92 West High Street with 88 and 90 West High Street, following Erie County Planning’s sign-off. - A retro-active motion to purchase a small parcel adjacent to Municipal Lot #3 for $500 after survey and solicitor review; motion carried unanimously. - Approval of an easement with the American Legion to install and maintain a kayak/canoe launch on French Creek; the launch is to be funded by grants from the PA Fish and Boat Commission and the PA Environmental Council.
Votes at a glance: - Hire Kenneth Fye (part-time police officer): motion by Councilor Matt Joyce; seconded by Councilor Osborn; outcome: approved unanimously. - Mansfield pipe repair contract ($22,295): motion by Councilor Steadman; seconded by Councilor Osborn; outcome: approved unanimously. - Retroactive easement — 104 East High (Anthony Hickey): motion by Councilor Osborn; seconded by Councilor Kerns; outcome: approved unanimously. - Approve 2024 MMO (non-uniform $48,029; police pension $0): motion by Councilor Matt Joyce; seconded by Councilor Kerns; outcome: approved unanimously. - Subdivision approval (92 West High/88 & 90 West High): motion by Councilor Osborn; seconded by Councilor Kerns; outcome: approved unanimously. - Purchase parcel adjacent to Municipal Lot #3 ($500): motion by Councilor Matt Joyce; seconded by Councilor Kerns; outcome: approved unanimously. - Easement with American Legion for boat launch (grant-funded): motion by Councilor Osborn; seconded by Councilor Matt Joyce; outcome: approved unanimously.
Why it matters: Councilors described the measures as addressing immediate public-safety and infrastructure needs — hiring to increase police coverage, a targeted streets repair to address a sinkhole that could affect stormwater and parking, and easements that enable stormwater connections and recreational access funded by external grants. The council set new regular meeting dates (first and third Monday at 6:30 p.m., Sept.–Apr.) and adjourned for an extended executive session to discuss personnel and a contract.
The council meeting record shows all motions carried without recorded dissent; where the minutes do not list vote tallies it records motions as "carried unanimously." The solicitor will complete the written easement and purchase documents before work begins.
