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Meet the Somerset Borough Council Members and Staff

front row, from left: Council President Ruby W. Miller, Judy Pyle, Council Member Sue Opp, Council Vice President President Pamela Ream

back row: Public Works Director George Svirsko, Mayor Scott Walker, Council Member Stephen Shaulis, Council Member Gary Thomas, Borough Manager Michele Enos, Pro Tem Fredric A. Rosemeyer, Assistant Borough Manager Josh Summit, Absent from the photo: Sergeant-at-Arms Police Chief Randy Cox and Director of Finance Brett Peters

Citizens elect a seven member council

Citizens elect a seven member council which is the legislative and policy making body. The term of office is four years. Approximately half of council is elected every two years. Every second year, the council picks one of its member as president, who chairs the meetings. A mayor is elected. Under the Pennsylvania Borough Code, he is the administer of the Police Department.

Public Comment Policy

The Pennsylvania Sunshine Act (65 Pa. C.S. 701, et seq.) provides that the Board or Council of a political subdivision shall provide a reasonable opportunity at each advertised regular meeting and advertised special meeting for residents of the political subdivision or for taxpayers of the political subdivision or to comment on matters of concern, official action or deliberation which are or may be before the Board or Council prior to taking official action. (710.1).

To assure compliance with the Act, to inform members of the public who may wish to make comment, and to provide for predictable and orderly implementation of the public comment period, Somerset Borough Council has adopted this Public Comment Policy. READ MORE >

The Council of the Borough of Somerset hereby announces the following schedule for meetings:

• Somerset Borough Council will hold its monthly committee meeting on the second Monday of every month at 5:00 p.m.
• Somerset Borough Council will hold its monthly council meeting on the fourth Monday of every month at 5:00 p.m
• The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Somerset will hold its monthly meeting on the forth Monday of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m.
• Somerset Borough’s Planning Commission will hold its monthly meetings on the first Monday of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m.
• The Civil Service Commission will hold its organizational meeting on Monday, February 3rd at 1:30 p.m.

These meetings with be held at the Somerset Borough Municipal Building located at 347 West Union Street, Somerset, PA.

 

 

 

BOROUGH OF SOMERSET BOARDS & COMMISSIONS

Over the years, the Somerset Borough Council has created various Boards, Commissions, and Agencies to provide for wide participation of its citizens in local government.  Each has a special area of responsibility as provided for in State Law and Local Ordinance.

Somerset Borough Planning Commission

Reviews design of new subdivisions, proposed changes in zoning and recommends adoption of codes related to building.  Meets as necessary, generally 6 times per year.  (4-year term)

Zoning Hearing Board

Conducts Public Hearings on appeals from a decision of the Zoning Officer.  It may grant a variance when strict compliance would produce unwarranted hardship and it will not be a substantial detriment to adjacent properties.  Meets as necessary, generally 2-3 times per year.  (3-year term)

Somerset Borough Municipal Authority

Finances major community improvements including water, sewerage, parking lots, municipal building, and maintenance garage.  Meets the forth Monday of each month at 6:30 PM following the council meeting.  (5-year term)

Civil Service Commission

Limited, under State Law, to police-related activities.  When vacancies occur in the Police Department, the Commission conducts tests and makes recommendations to Borough Council.  It also hears appeals from police officers.  They meet as necessary, generally one time every two years.  (6-year term)

Vacancy Board

If the Council refuse, fail or neglect or be unable, for any reason whatsoever, to fill any vacancy in elective office within 30 days after the vacancy happens, the vacancy shall be filled by the Vacancy Board.  Such board shall consist of the Borough Council exclusive of the mayor, and one registered elector of the Borough who shall be appointed by the Borough Council at the Council’s first meeting each calendar year and shall act as chairman of the Vacancy Board.  (1-year term – must be registered elector of the Borough)

Mary S. Biesecker Library Board

The Library Board of Directors was created for the purpose of directing the operation of the Mary S. Biesecker Public Library.  (3-year term)

Uniform Construction Code – Appeals Board

The Board of Appeals shall hear and rule on appeals, requests for variances and requests for extensions of time.  The appeal must be based on a claim that the true intent of the act or Uniform Construction Code has been incorrectly interpreted, or the Uniform Construction Code do not fully apply or an equivalent form of construction is to be used.  (3-year term)

 

Updated 01-29-15