Council Meeting Minutes will be posted after they are approved at the following meeting.
The Borough of Somerset Council Meeting
April 27th, 2026 - 5:00 p.m.
1. Meeting Called to Order– President Ream.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
a) Borough Council Members present: Pam Ream, Lori Barnhart, Lee Hoffman, Sue Opp, Steve Shaulis, Ian Mandichak and Mario Dirienzo.
b) Absent: Mayor Fred Rosemeyer.
c) Also present were the following: Borough Manager, Michele Enos; Municipal Authority Manager, Jessica Sizemore; Administrative Assistant, Roger Bailey; Director of Finance, Brett Peters; Assistant Director of Finance, Matthew Franciscus; Chief of Police, Rich Appel, Consulting Engineers, Tom Reilly & Jake Bolby.
d) Public Attendance: Alec J. Bittner.
4. Approval of Agenda: Consider approving the agenda as presented with two additional
changes.
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Mandichak seconded, to approve the agenda as presented with two additional changes as follows:
Motion Unanimously Carried
5. Announcements:
a) There was an executive session that was held on Monday, March 30th & April 13th 2026 to discuss personnel matters.
b) Executive Session: To discuss a contract negotiation.
Motion
Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by Mrs. Opp, to go into Executive Session to discuss a contract negotiation.
Motion Unanimously Carried
5:13 p.m.
Back in Session
5:20 p.m.
6. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)
a) March 23rd, 2026 – Borough Council Meeting Minutes.
Motion
Mr. Shaulis moved, Mr. Dirienzo seconded, to approve the March 23rd, 2026Borough Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
Motion Unanimously Carried
7. Award of Bids:
a) None
8. General Public Comments:
a) None
9. Administrative Business:
a) Communications – (none)
b) Payment of Bills – Month of April 2026.
Motion:
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Mandichak seconded, to approve the payment of bills for the month of April 2026 numbered 44720 – 44890 totaling $1,898,017.68.
Motion Unanimously Carried
c) Department Reports – Consider approving the Departmental Reports for the month of March 2026.
Motion
Mr. Mandichak moved, Mr. Hoffman seconded, to approve the Departmental Reports for the month of March 2026.
Motion Unanimously Carried
10. Policy Agenda:
Old Business:
a) None
New Business:
a) Western PA Firemen’s Convention – Requesting us to sponsor a full-page advertisement in the convention booklet in the amount of $150.00.
Ms. Enos noted that Borough Council sponsored a full-page advertisement for the previous Firemen’s Convention.
Motion
Mr. Hoffman moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to approve the sponsorship of a full-page advertisement in the convention booklet in the amount of $150.00.
Motion Unanimously Carried
b) Resolution No. 2026-04 – Consider authorizing the DCED Grant Application and Matching Funds Commitment Letter for the Coxes Creek Flood Mitigation Project.
Ms. Enos stated that the Borough is responsible for maintaining flood protection at Coxes Creek Stream located along the Gilmore Bypass. The inspection there is done yearly, rotating between DEP and the Army Corp of Engineers. After inspection, the Borough receives a full report with any issues that need addressed. In the last three years of inspections, there have been notable comments of things that need addressed.
Ms. Enos noted that the Borough has applied for DCED Grant funding in the past and was unsuccessful. She suggested to reapply for grant funding for this project.
Ms. Enos said that the project is scoped for $630,000 with $500,000 being the grant amount that the Borough can request. The match for the Borough would be $130,000.00 which would be drawn for the Stormwater Fund. The deadline to send in the Grant Application is coming up soon.
Motion
Mr. Dirienzo moved, Mr. Mandichak seconded, to authorize submission of the DCED
Grant Application and Matching Funds Commitment Letter for the Coxes Creek Flood Mitigation Project.
Motion Unanimously Carried
BOROUGH OF SOMERSET
SOMERSET COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF SOMERSET TO APPLY FOR A FLOOD MITIGATION PROGRAM (FMP) GRANT THROUGH THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS, AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT TO SIGN ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO APPLY FOR THE AFOREMENTIONED GRANT.
Be it RESOLVED, that the Borough of Somerset of Somerset County hereby requests a Flood Mitigation Program (FMP) Grant of $500,000.00 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to be used for the Coxes Creek Flood Protection Enhancement Project.
Be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Applicant does herby designate Pamela Ream, Borough President, and Michele Enos, Secretary, as the official(s) to execute all documents and agreements between the Borough of Somerset and the Commonwealth Financing Authority to facilitate and assist in obtaining the requested grant.
I, Michele A. Enos, duly qualified Secretary of the Borough of Somerset, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, hereby certify that the forgoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution duly adopted by a majority vote of the Borough of Somerset at a regular meeting held April 27th, 2026 and said Resolution has been recorded in the Minutes of the Borough of Somerset and remains in effect as of this date.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I affix my hand and attach the seal of the Borough of Somerset, this 27th day of April 2026.
c) Resolution No. 2026-05 – Consider approving the updated signatories for various accounts with Somerset Trust Company.
Mr. Peters explained that, as discussed at the January 2026 Organizational Meeting updating the signatories, this resolution is for the General Fund checking account that Council Members are authorized to sign.
Motion
Mr. Mandichak moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to authorize the updated signatories for various accounts with Somerset Trust Company.
Motion Unanimously Carried
d) Resolution No. 2026-06 – Consider approving the updated signatories for various accounts with Somerset Trust Company.
Mr. Peters explained that, as discussed at the January 2026 Organizational Meeting updating the signatories, this resolution is forall other accounts which checks are not written out of. It gives the Administration the ability to transfer money back and forth from the various funds into the General Fund checking.
Motion
Mrs. Ream moved, Mr. Hoffman seconded, to authorize the updated signatories for various accounts with Somerset Trust Company.
Motion Unanimously Carried
e) List of Authorized Signatories – Consider approving the comprehensive list of authorized signatories for each Borough Account.
Mr. Peters explained that this is just a recap of all the Borough accounts with both Somerset Trust and PLGIT, and who we have as the authorized signatories.
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Ms. Barnhart seconded, to authorize the comprehensive list of authorized signatories for each Borough Account.
Motion Unanimously Carried
f) PSAB Voting Delegate – Authorizing Mayor Rosemeyer as the Borough’s PSAB Voting Delegate.
Motion
Mr. Shaulis moved, Mr. Dirienzo seconded, to authorize Mayor Rosemeyer as the Borough’s PSAB Voting Delegate.
Motion Unanimously Carried
g) Tax Claim Bureau Private Sale – Consider authorizing a “no objection” to the offer from Nellie Belle Associates to purchase property of James M. Jacobs, Jr. of 524 S. Ankeny Avenue.
Motion
Mr. Mandichak moved, Mr. Hoffman seconded, to authorize a “no objection” to the offer from Nellie Belle Associates to purchase property of James M. Jacobs, Jr. of 524 S. Ankeny Avenue.
Motion Unanimously Carried
h) May’s Council Meeting – Consider moving the Council meeting on May 25th, 2026 to May 18th, 2026 due to Memorial Day Holiday.
After discussion, it was decided that the May Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday May 20th, 2026.
Motion
Ms. Barnhart moved, Mr. Dirienzo seconded, to move the Council meeting from May 25th, 2026 to Wednesday May 20th, 2026 due to the Memorial Day Holiday.
Motion Unanimously Carried
i) Borough Manager in Training – Consider appointing a Manager in Training.
Ms. Enos stated that as part of her departure this December, Borough Council would have to select a Manger in training to prepare them for their new Manager role, and have all paperwork and legal matters in place before Ms. Enos’ departure.
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Dirienzo seconded, to authorize Roger Bailey as the Manager in Training.
Motion Unanimously Carried
j) Community Appreciation Award – President Ream to present award to Somerset Inc.
President Ream presented Regina Coughenour from Somerset Inc. with the “Community Appreciation Award” in recognition of Somerset Inc.’s unwavering commitment to the success of Somerset Borough. Mrs. Coughenour was also presented with a $5,000.00 check for use in Somerset Inc.’s. future endeavors.
Mrs. Coughenour expressed that Somerset Inc. is grateful to have partnership with Somerset Borough, and that she is grateful to work in this Community.
On behalf of Borough Council, Mrs. Ream thanked Mrs. Coughenour for all that Somerset Inc. does in the Somerset Borough Community.
Committee Business/Reports:
k) Borough Manager’s Report – Given by Michele Enos.
Ms. Enos had nothing further to discuss.
l) Finance Report – Given by Matt Franciscus.
Mr. Franciscus provided Borough Council with the year-to-date Financial Report through March 2026. We are 3/12th of the way through the year or 25%.
General Fund: Water Fund: Sewer Fund: Stormsewer Fund:
Revenues – 9.84% Revenues – 23.82% Revenues – 25.56% Revenues – 26.96%
Expenses – 24.64% Expenses – 23.65% Expenses – 27.54% Expenses – 10.88%
m) Municipal Authority Manager’s Report – Given by Jess Sizemore.
Mrs. Sizemore mentioned that last week was “National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week.” Borough employees participated in “Go Orange” Day on Wednesday by wearing orange shirts reminding all to be careful, and work safely, when working in work zone areas. A nice luncheon was also provided for participating employees.
n) President’s Report – Given by Pam Ream.
Ms. Enos mentioned that the Borough would be getting dates from Pro-Disposal for spring clean-up very soon. The date will be announced when it is scheduled.
o) Somerset Inc. Report – Given by Lee Hoffman.
Mr. Hoffman thanked Borough Council for Somerset Inc.’s recognition.
He said that a clean-up event was held in the Uptown area 2 weekends ago. 18 football players were also in attendance to help with clean-up efforts.
The “Earth Day Tour” was held this past weekend where kids learn about nature based things.
“Chalk the Block” will be held the last weekend in July.
p) PSAB Report – Given by Fred Rosemeyer.
Mayor Rosemeyer was absent, so no report was given.
q) Somerset Volunteer Fire Dept. Report – Given by Steve Shaulis.
Mr. Shaulis said that between the two fire departments, they have answered 260 alarms to date.
He said that the Fire Department is gearing up for the “25/250” Western PA Fireman’s Convention Event.
Mr. Shaulis said that, between the two Fire Departments, 6 members have completed their “Essentials to Fire Fighting” course and they are moving on to their Fire Fighter 1.
“Glow Bingo” was recently held, and it was a huge success.
Mr. Shaulis congratulated Brody & Ashley, one of the Officers at the Fire Department, who recently got married in the “basket & ladder” truck.
Lastly, Mr. Shaulis noted that the new black & orange fire truck should be arriving in the next 3-4 weeks.
r) Engineer’s Report – Given by Jake Bolby.
Mr. Bolby presented the Updates to the Engineer’s Report.
SEWER:
1) Assessment, Repair, and Abatement Plan (Hydraulic Overload):
Mr. Bolby stated that for Phase 1B of the Sewer Project, the “Notice to Proceed” will be issued to the contractor to begin work on June 1st, 2026. This contract will involve the coordination with the Firemen’s Convention, and all other events that are taking place within Somerset.
On Phase 1C, which will take place in the east side of Somerset, a funding offer was received and the Authority Board will consider that at their meeting. It was comprised of a $3.8 million dollar loan for 30 years at 1% across the term, plus $8.8 million in loan forgiveness.
Phase 1D will be following right behind. It will be a few months before that phase is discussed. Once Phase1D is completed, we will be moving into a post construction flow monitoring phase which will last about 1½ years, so there will be a lull in construction. Once Phase 1D is complete, in general, the construction will be outside the occupied and inhabited areas of the Borough. It will be closer to the streams where the bigger interceptors and pumping stations are.
s) Mayor’s Report – Given by Mayor Rosemeyer.
Mayor Rosemeyer was absent, so no report was given.
11. Executive Session: Real Estate Matters.
Motion
Mrs. Opp, seconded by Mr. Dirienzo, to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel Matters.
Motion Unanimously Carried
5:42 p.m.
Back in Session
6:02 p.m.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved to adjourn; motion seconded by Mr. Dirienzo.
Motion Unanimously Carried
6:02 p.m.
_____________________________________________
Michele A. Enos, Borough Manager/ Secretary