Council Meeting Minutes will be posted after they are approved at the following meeting.
The Borough of Somerset Council Meeting
May 20th, 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; Borough Manager In Training, Roger Bailey; Municipal Authority Manager, Jessica Sizemore; Director of Finance, Brett Peters; Chief of Police, Rich Appel, Consulting Engineer, Jake Bolby.
d) Public Attendance: Alec J. Bittner.
4. Approval of Agenda: Consider approving the agenda as presented.
Motion
Mr. Mandichak moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to approve the agenda as presented with the addition of adding one person for a Public Comment.
Motion Unanimously Carried
5. Announcements:
a) None
6. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)
a) April 27th, 2026 – Borough Council Meeting Minutes.
Motion
Mr. Dirienzo moved, Mr. Hoffman seconded, to approve the April 27th, 2026Borough Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
Motion Unanimously Carried
7. Award of Bids:
a) None
8. General Public Comments:
a) Alex J. Bittner:
Mr. Bittner spoke on behalf of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He disclosed that the Eagles would like to partner with the Borough to fund a Borough sign stating “Welcome to Somerset Borough” at the four main entry points coming into the Borough. He said that funding for the sign has been a financial issue for the Borough, thus, not enabling them to purchase one.
Mr. Bittner said that Mr. Shaulis expressed that the Eagles Donation Committee may be able to the fund the sign, and that the Eagles would love to be a part of it.
He asked if the Borough’s Council and leadership could get bids for the cost of the sign, and asked if the Fraternal Order of the Eagles could be recognized on the sign as contributors.
Mr. Bittner noted that if the Borough could get a proposal and costs for one sign, or all four signs, the Eagles may be able to fund them all.
Ms. Enos thanked Mr. Bittner and mentioned that depending on the different areas, there are different zoning requirements, and different sign regulations based on those zoning requirements.
Mr. Shaulis mentioned what he would like to see added on the sign.
Ms. Enos said that she would get a quote to the Eagles, along with the locations where one or more signs may be placed.
9. Administrative Business:
a) Communications – (none)
b) Payment of Bills – Month of May 2026.
Motion:
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Hoffman seconded, to approve the payment of bills for the month of May 2026 numbered 44891 – 44948 totaling $263,816.50.
Motion Unanimously Carried
c) Department Reports – Consider approving the Departmental Reports for the month of April 2026.
Motion
Mr. Shaulis moved, Mr. Dirienzo seconded, to approve the Departmental Reports for the month of April 2026.
Motion Unanimously Carried
10. Policy Agenda:
Old Business:
a) None
New Business:
a) PennDOT Winter Service Agreement – Consider executing an agreement for the winter services reimbursement for N. & S. Franklin Avenue for 2026 and 2027.
Motion
Mr. Hoffman moved, Mr. Mandichak seconded, to enter into an agreement for the winter services reimbursement for N. & S. Franklin Avenue for 2026 and 2027.
Motion Unanimously Carried
b) Somerset Area School District – Requesting the Borough to be the applicant on behalf of the School District under the DCED Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program. (Renovation of their tennis courts)
Ms. Enos said that Aspire Grants reached out to her regarding this. She explained that the Somerset Area School District could apply for a grant through DCED to do renovations for their tennis courts and add a basketball court. They are applying for a grant for $250,000.00. The match of $285,210.00 would be the school’s responsibility. The Aspire Grant Company would be doing all the administration work for the school. Borough Council would just have to sign for it.
Ms. Enos noted that the school is not eligible, but the Borough is, and could act as a pass-through for them. She added that it would not cost the Borough anything, and reiterated, that he School District would handle the match, and Aspire would be doing all the
administrative work.
Motion
Mr. Dirienzo moved, Mr. Mandichak seconded, to approve to be the applicant on behalf of the Somerset Area School District under the DCED Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program for the renovation of their tennis courts.
Motion Unanimously Carried
c) Enployment Agreement – Consider executing an agreement for part-time training to support the Director of Finance position.
Ms. Enos mentioned that this Agreement was discussed among Borough Council in Executive Session last month, which involves Mr. Peters. After discussion, changes have been made to the Agreement, and the final release is in the Agreement.
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Mrs. Ream seconded, to execute the agreement for part-time training to support the Director of Finance position.
Motion Unanimously Carried
d) Capital Budget – Consider authorizing the proposal submitted by Darr Construction Inc. for SCADA system upgrades for the Coxes Creek Plant in the amount of $184,690.00 through the Co-Stars Cooperative Program.
Ms. Enos explained that this Capital Budget Request was approved by Borough Council for this year. It was budgeted for $150,000.00. At the time, the other item that was approved by Council was a pick-up truck for the Water Treatment Plant. Since the bid for the SCADA system upgrades came in higher, Mrs. Sizemore and the Water Superintendent agreed that the SCADA system would be a priority. So they are going to forego the approved $50,000.00 pick-up truck request so that we can stay on budget and be $15,000.00 ahead.
Motion
Mr. Mandichak moved, Mr. Shaulis seconded, to authorize the proposal submitted by Darr Construction Inc. for SCADA system upgrades for the Coxes Creek Plant in the amount of $184,690.00 through the Co-Stars Cooperative Program.
Motion Unanimously Carried
Committee Business/Reports:
e) Borough Manager’s Report – Given by Michele Enos.
Ms. Enos thanked Mayor Rosemeyer and Mrs. Sizemore for recognizing Public Works Week for the Borough employees.
Ms. Enos also announced that June 4th, 2026 will be Spring Clean-Up in the Borough.
All spring clean-up items have to be out by 5:30 a.m.
f) Finance Report – Given by Brett Peters.
Mr. Peters provided Borough Council with the year-to-date Financial Report through April 2026. We are 1/3rd of the way through the year.
General Fund: Water Fund: Sewer Fund: Stormsewer Fund:
Revenues – 27.60% Revenues – 47.82% Revenues – 32.28% Revenues – 35.07%
Expenses – 31.29% Expenses – 33.50% Expenses – 34.62% Expenses – 10.88%
g) Municipal Authority Manager’s Report – Given by Jess Sizemore.
Mrs. Sizemore had nothing further to report.
h) President’s Report – Given by Pam Ream.
It was mentioned that line painting throughout the Borough will be starting up when the paint arrives and the weather is permissible.
Mrs. Ream commended the Snyder Environmental workers for their polite disposition and kind interactions with Borough residents as they work throughout the Borough.
i) Somerset Inc. Report – Given by Lee Hoffman.
Mr. Hoffman said that “Chalk the Block” will be held the last weekend in July.
He also mentioned that the Farmer’s Market kicks off Saturday June 6th.
j) PSAB Report – Given by Fred Rosemeyer.
Mayor Rosemeyer said that the PSAB Conference is May 31st – June 4th, 2026.
k) Somerset Volunteer Fire Dept. Report – Given by Steve Shaulis.
Mr. Shaulis said that between the two fire departments, they have answered 308 alarms to date.
He mentioned that the new fire truck will be coming soon.
Mr. Shaulis said that the Fire Department is getting ready for the “25/250” Western PA Fireman’s Convention Event and parade.
Plans are underway for the Golf Tournament on September 18th, 2026.
Mr. Shaulis said that there will be a large celebration in Friedens on July 4th which will include a parade and chicken barbeque.
l) 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 they met with the contractor of Phase 1B. They will not begin work involving excavation until mid-July 2026. They will be doing preparatory work beginning June 1st, 2026 up until that point. Under that contract, they were asked to react to a sewer lateral issue on East Main, which was done.
Mr. Bolby, lastly, noted that Phase 1C is out for bid. Bids will be opened on June 11th, 2026.
GENERAL:
1) Center Ave. Revitalization Project:
Mr. Bolby explained that the warranty work item involving the concrete sidewalk will be started in early June 2026.
m) Mayor’s Report – Given by Mayor Rosemeyer.
Mayor Rosemeyer thanked Ms. Enos for pushing to get Civil Service testing done. He added that everybody passed.
He said that the Police Department has four trainees that completed the first phase of their formal training. They graduate from the Academy on June 26th, 2026 and will be hired by the Police Department as full-time employees, which will help the Police Department greatly. There will be many changes within the Police Department with their hiring.
Mrs. Ream also noted that Brook from Aspire Grants reached out to her and asked her to mention that Officer Kevin Huzak has been really great to work with on some assignments they are working on together.
11. Executive Session: None requested.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion
Mr. Dirienzo moved to adjourn; motion seconded by Ms. Barnhart.
Motion Unanimously Carried
5:42 p.m.
_____________________________________________
Michele A. Enos, Borough Manager/ Secretary