Council Meeting Minutes will be posted after they are approved at the following meeting.
The Borough of Somerset Council Meeting
September 28th, 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) Also present: Mayor Fred Rosemeyer.
c) Also present were the following: Borough Manager, Michele Enos (via telephone); Borough Manager In-Training, Roger Bailey; Municipal Authority Manager, Jessica Sizemore; Assistant Director of Finance, Matthew Franciscus; Chief of Police, Rich Appel; Consulting Engineer, Jake Bolby.
d) Public Attendance: Josie Boozer, Adalyn Boburchock, Mirabella Tweardy, William G. Barnhart, Alec J. Bittner, and Barbara Lynch.
4. Approval of Agenda: Consider approving the agenda as presented, with the addition of the
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Mandichak seconded, to approve the agenda withthe addition of one item: “Donation Request for Christmas for Kids” under “New Business”.
Motion Unanimously Carried
5. Announcements:
a) An Executive Session was held on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026 and Monday, September 14th 2026 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss personnel matters and litigation.
6. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)
a) August 24th, 2026 – Borough Council Meeting Minutes.
Motion
Mr. Shaulis moved, Mr. Dirienzo seconded, to approve the August 24th, 2026Borough Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
Motion Unanimously Carried
7. Award of Bids:
a) None
8. General Public Comments:
a) Barbara Lynch -
Mrs. Lynch explained the next big project that is being arranged for the Union Street Playground. It will involve asphalting and enlarging the existing basketball court and adding two permanent pickle ball courts. She explained in detail what the Playground Committee is planning.
9. Administrative Business:
a) Communications – (none)
b) Payment of Bills – Month of September 2026.
Motion:
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Shaulis seconded, to approve the payment of bills for the month of September 2026 numbered 45352 – 45494 totaling $2,037,321.97.
Motion Unanimously Carried
c) Department Reports – Consider approving the Departmental Reports for the month of August 2026.
Motion
Ms. Barnhart moved, Mr. Hoffman seconded, to approve the Departmental Reports for the month of August 2026.
Motion Unanimously Carried
10. Policy Agenda:
Old Business:
a) None
New Business:
a) CDGB Grant Application – Consider authorizing the President of Council to execute the application for funding through the 2026 Community Development Block Grants.
Motion
Mr. Mandichak moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to authorize the execution of the application for funding through the 2026 Community Development Block Grants.
Motion Unanimously Carried
b) Handicap Parking – Consider a request from Mr. Clarence Landis to designate a handicap parking space at 430 South Center Avenue.
After discussion, Borough Council rejected this request because of their previous discussions, decisions and requirements regarding handicap parking.
c) Resolution No. 2026-07– Consider authorizing participation in the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program, and have the proper officials execute the Participation Agreement.
Mr. Bailey stated that this is another sourcing place, like Co-Stars, that is accepted all over the United States for the Borough to procure equipment that is needed.
He mentioned that the Hoop Structure that was bid for Public Works is under Sourcewell because they do not have in through Co-Stars.
Motion
Mr. Dirienzo moved, Mr. Shaulis seconded, to authorize the Borough’s participation in the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program as stated in Resolution No. 2026-07.
Motion Unanimously Carried
Borough of Somerset
Resolution No. 2026 -07
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF SOMERSET, SOMERSET COUNTY, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE BOROUGH’S PARTICIPATION IN THE SOURCEWELL COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Procurement Code permits public procurement units, such as municipalities, to participate in cooperative purchasing agreements for procurement of supplies with external purchasing activities (62 Pa. C.S.A. 1902; and…
WHEREAS, Sourcewell is a service cooperative created by the Minnesota Legislature as a local unit of government, governed by local elected municipal officials and school board members; and…
WHEREAS, Sourcewell qualifies as an external purchasing activity authorized for cooperative purchasing under the Commonwealth law (61 Pa. C.S.A. 1902) and; …
WHEREAS, the Borough of Somerset desires to join the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program in order to procure equipment and engage contractors for projects with various Departments of the Borough.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the Borough of Somerset, Somerset County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, hereby authorizes the appropriate Borough officials to execute all necessary documents to join the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program.
BE IT RESOLVED this 28th day of September, 2026.
d) Salt Shed/Hoop Structure– Consider authorizing the purchase of a salt shed through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program. (This was approved during the Capital Budget process for Public Works)
Mr. Bailey noted that the purchase of a salt shed was approved by Council during last year’s budget season for $57,000.00. Being that we are almost a year out from Council's approval, recent bids were procured.
Mr. Bailey noted that the structure will need a permit. Whenever the permit comes back, there will be specific snow loads the Borough has to abide by for the permitting. One of the lower snow loads for the salt shed will cost $59,284.30. If it is stated that we have to go with a heavier snow load, the cost will be $64,640.71.
Council’s approval is needed for whatever snow load the Borough will be required to abide by for the permitting.
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Dirienzo seconded, to authorize the purchase of a salt shed through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program not to exceed the amount of $64,640.71.
Motion Unanimously Carried
e) Resolution No. 2026-08– Consider depositing Commonwealth monies into our various Pension Plans.
Motion
Mr. Dirienzo moved, Mr. Hoffman seconded, to approve Resolution No. 2026-08 to deposit Commonwealth monies into our various Pension Plans.
Motion Unanimously Carried
Borough of Somerset
Resolution No. 2026 –o8
WHEREAS, the Borough of Somerset has received a direct deposit from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania dated September 23rd, 2026 in the amount of Two Hundred Eighty-One Thousand, Three Hundred Forty and 81/100 ($281,340.81) Dollars, representing the Commonwealth’s allocation from the General Municipal Pension State Aid Program, and;
WHEREAS, Act 205 of 1984 provides that pension allocations must be deposited in the Municipal Pension Plan within thirty (30) days of receipt by the Municipal Treasurer, and;
WHEREAS, the governing body must determine by Resolution the amount to be distributed into its various plans;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Sixty-Eight Thousand, Three Hundred Eighty-Seven and 00/100 ($68,387.00) Dollars be allocated to the Non-Uniformed Collective Bargaining Pension Plan; One Hundred Forty-One Thousand, Nineteen and 81/100 ($141,019.81) Dollars be allocated to the Non-Collective Bargaining Pension Plan; and Seventy-One Thousand, Nine Hundred Thirty-Four and 00/100 ($71,934.00) Dollars be allocated to the Police Pension Plan.
ADOPTED this 28th day of September 2026.
f) Resolution No. 2026-09– Consider authorizing the elimination of member contributions to our Police Pension Plan.
Motion
Mr. Dirienzo moved, Mrs. Ream seconded, to approve Resolution No. 2026-09 to eliminate the needfor member contributions to our Police Pension Plan.
Motion Unanimously Carried
Borough of Somerset
Resolution No. 2026-09
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 1144, Section XI relating to the Police Pension Fund states that the monthly contributions for participants may be reduced or eliminated by an annual Resolution if an actuarial study annually indicates that such reductions or elimination for that year will not adversely affect the actuarial soundness of the fund, and;
WHEREAS, a letter from Lori R. Owen, QPA, Consultant, Dunbar, Bender & Zapf, Inc., dated September 21st, 2026, states “that the Borough may eliminate employee contributions in the Police Plan for 2027 …
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the five (5) percent contributions from Police Officers for the year 2027 be eliminated.
ADOPTED this 28th day of September 2026.
g) Minor Subdivision Plan– Consider approving the minor subdivision plan for Terry & Elizabeth Fitzgerald. The Planning Commission has reviewed this and is recommending its approval.
After discussion, Borough Council agreed to approve this subdivision plan.
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Ms. Barnhart seconded, to approve the minor subdivision plan for Terry & Elizabeth Fitzgerald, which the Planning Commission has reviewed and is
recommending for approval.
Motion Unanimously Carried
h) Donation request for Operation Christmas for Kids & Veterans –
Mrs. Ream explained that this is an annual event to benefit Toys-for-Tots and Military charities in Somerset & Cambria Counties. This is through the Somerset American Legion.
Motion
Ms. Barnhart moved, Mr. Dirienzo seconded, to approve the donation request for Operation Christmas for Kids & Veterans in the amount of $100.00.
Motion Unanimously Carried
Committee Business/Reports:
i) Borough Manager’s Report – Given by Michele Enos.
Ms. Enos & Mr. Bailey had nothing further to report.
j) Finance Report – Given by Matt Franciscus.
Mr. Franciscus provided Borough Council with the year-to-date Financial Report through August 2026. We are 8/12’s of the way through the year or 66.67%.
General Fund: Water Fund: Sewer Fund: Stormsewer Fund:
Revenues – 82.42% Revenues – 78.87% Revenues – 79.66% Revenues – 67.76%
Expenses – 64.70% Expenses – 63.04% Expenses – 79.36% Expenses – 26.05%
k) Municipal Authority Manager’s Report – Given by Jess Sizemore.
Mrs. Sizemore stated that they had their closing with PENNVEST for Phase 1C of the Sewer Project. The “Notice to Proceed” is in hand, and the initial meeting with the contractor is set for October 2026.
l) President’s Report – Given by Pam Ream.
Mrs. Ream and Council discussed the status of the home that was burned down on Franklin Avenue. Also discussed was a neglected property with piles of garbage on East Main Street.
Mrs. Ream mentioned the issue with ebikes speeding down the streets in the Borough and not following the laws of the road, and the danger this poses.
m) Somerset Inc. Report – Given by Lee Hoffman.
Mr. Hoffman mentioned Somerset Inc.’s recent meeting that took place, and said their new Community Engagement Manager, Katie Hicks, is doing well in her new position. An additional employee, Morgan Schrock, was hired as an Administrative Professional for Somerset Inc.
Mr. Hoffman noted that the Lieutenant Governor was in town last week. He said that, on a State level, they were really excited about the ways Somerset Inc. utilized the grant funds over the past 6-7 years.
Lastly, he said that general planning is presently taking place for “Light-Up Night” and the “Fire & Ice” Festival.
n) PSAB Report – Given by Fred Rosemeyer.
Mayor Rosemeyer mentioned that the PSAB Fall Conference is from October 8th–11th at the Convention Center in Erie, PA.
The Somerset County Borough’s Association will be meeting October 15th at Rizzo’s Restaurant in Windber, PA at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be regarding Legislative Affairs. Two individuals will be there from PSAB. Pam Ickes, from Somerset County, will also be in attendance to speak. To date, approximately 42 people will attend, with room for 10 more.
o) Somerset Volunteer Fire Dept. Report – Given by Steve Shaulis.
Mr. Shaulis mentioned that, to date, between the two Fire Departments, they have answered 694 calls.
The Fire Departments “Golf Outing” Fundraiser took place on September 18th, which was a great success.
The Fire Department will be hosting an Open House on October 10th from 11:00a.m. - 2:00 p.m. This is in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week.
Mr. Shaulis mentioned that the Fire Department participated in many events with the 9-11 Remembrance.
Lastly, the “Glow Bingo” Fundraiser will be held on October 30th.
p) 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 said that the contracts for the sewer project will continue to run. Things will carry through the fall and winter months, so the contractors are not leaving town. Grass restoration will occur whenever weather permits.
As things continue, we will be getting into Phase 1D, which is the last phase of the collection system. We expect to hear a decision from PENNVEST on October 21st as to whether a funding offer was made for that phase.
The end date for the collection system is October 31st, 2028, so we will be active until that time on the project. Phase 1B, in the Central Business District, is just starting to ramp up now.
Lastly, on the Center Avenue Revitalization Project, Mr. Bolby noted that the contractors are slated to come back for the warranty issues on the sidewalk in the spring of 2027.
q) Mayor’s Report – Given by Fred Rosemeyer.
Mayor Rosemeyer said that the Police Officers have completed their firearm’s qualification. They have also received self-defense training and first-aid training.
He mentioned the recent community events held by the Police Department, “Cone With a Cop” and “Night Out.”
In behalf of the Police Department and staff, Mayor Rosemeyer thanked Mr. Bailey and the staff for the recent Borough fall picnic held for Borough employees.
He also mentioned this year’s budget session coming up, and some of the requests that will be coming from the Police Department.
Mayor Rosemeyer also noted that he met the Lieutenant Governor who recently toured the Borough, and that the Lieutenant Governor was glad to see the results of the grant funding.
Lastly, he mentioned that “Red Ribbon Week” will be coming up next month.
11. Executive Session - None
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion
Mr. Dirienzo moved to adjourn; motion seconded by Mr. Mandichak.
Motion Unanimously Carried
6:11 p.m.
_____________________________________________
Michele A. Enos, Borough Manager/ Secretary